Sweeping Views Are Overrated if You’re in This Cloistered Concrete Home in Cyprus

An outer shell with precise cuts mediates vistas of the surrounding forest.

Houses We Love: Every day we feature a remarkable space submitted by our community of architects, designers, builders, and homeowners. Have one to share? Post it here.

Project Details:

Location: Nicosia, Cyprus

Architect: Kyriakos Miltiadou / @kyriakos.miltiadou

Photographer: Creative Photo Room / @creativephotoroom

From the Architect: "Situated near a sparse forest with vistas over the suburbs of Nicosia, Cyprus, this house stands in a deliberately ambiguous way. Rather than adopting a conventional residential typology that opens outward to offer uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscape, it rises as an austere, introverted box. Is it a building, a sculpture, or a container? The architectural proposal constitutes a systematic elaboration of the primordial dwelling-box and its reinterpretation in relation to contemporary modes of domestic living.

"The design begins with a three-dimensional grid—a lattice of points forming the rudimentary outline of a box. Fragments of the natural landscape gradually infiltrate the box, triggering its progressive fragmentation. Through this systematic process of erosion, a complex prismatic composition of voids and solids emerges. Four vertical walls, roughly 20-feet-high, wrap around the fragmented box, holding its split volumes within a coherent yet fluid whole. Carved with vertical cuts, these walls act as mediators between the inside and outside world: filtering, protecting, framing, and revealing—fostering a dialectical relationship with the forest, the city, and the sky.

"Acting as a ‘collector,’ the box absorbs both tangible and intangible layers of its surrounding, reinterpreting them in relation to the family’s domestic life. What emerges morphologically is at first unfamiliar and deeply primal: a cube nested within a cube. An austere yet perforated shell is encased within another, standing as an archaic stone within its context.

"A vertical slit on the east facade serves as the entrance, marking arrival and emphasizing the transition from the exterior to the inner world of the building. The first encounter is with an open yet sheltered garden: a central space that becomes a key compositional element around which the family’s daily life unfolds. This focal point is part of a continuous network of outdoor spaces, passages, and courts that surround the built mass of the house vertically and horizontally. Planted with local vegetation and filled with abundant natural light from above, they form a unique inner ‘garden’ nestled within the broader landscape ‘garden’. Internally, the house is organized across four distinct levels, always in relation to the surrounding network of outdoor spaces. On the ground floor lie the public areas—the kitchen, dining room, and living space. On the upper level, the private rooms unfold across two different planes. Intermediate spaces are used to provide a fluid arrangement between the functional units of the house, softening the boundaries between the public and private spheres of domestic life.

"A hidden external staircase leads to a small rooftop terrace above. Here, the roof dissolves into the Mediterranean blue of the sky, while much of its surface is planted with natural vegetation, fostering unique conditions for the creation of a microclimate. A horizontal aperture at the far end frames a captivating view of the forest and the distant mountain ranges.

"The structural and architectural design operates as a unified entity. The building is monolithic, constructed entirely from exposed concrete. The sculpted surfaces envelop human activity, transforming it into a dwelling space. Over time, vegetation climbs and gradually softens the monolithic presence of the structure. The interplay between human activity, architecture, and nature becomes continuous and inseparable."

Photo by Creative Photo Room

Photo by Creative Photo Room

Photo by Creative Photo Room

See the full story on Dwell.com: Sweeping Views Are Overrated if You’re in This Cloistered Concrete Home in Cyprus
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Here’s What It Took to Revive a 100-Year-Old Home in the Mountains of Japan

Architect Reiichi Ikeda shored up the farmhouse’s structure while adding a contemporary kitchen, a tea room, and traditional stone, wood, and washi paper finishes.

The mountain town of Jinseki is located about a half-hour’s drive north of Fukuyama in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. Set on a high plateau with a peak elevation of 2,300 feet, the area is dotted with traditional homes like this century-old residence, recently renovated by architect Reiichi Ikeda.

"The residents are a couple enjoying their second life," shares Ikeda, who founded Reiichi Ikeda Design (RID). "The design also anticipates occasional visits from their children’s families." The property comprises a main house, an annex, and a former cattle barn, and the renovation was divided into two phases, with the initial one focusing on the first two buildings.

See the full story on Dwell.com: Here’s What It Took to Revive a 100-Year-Old Home in the Mountains of Japan
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Modernist Architect Peter Womersley’s First Home Design Just Got a Faithful Restoration

Following fire damage, the 1957 Scottish Borders residence has been preserved down to brush strokes left by its famous owners.

Houses We Love: Every day we feature a remarkable space submitted by our community of architects, designers, builders, and homeowners. Have one to share? Post it here.

Project Details:

Location: Selkirk, Scotland

Original Architect: Peter Womersley

Renovation Architect: Loader Monteith / @loadermonteith

Footprint: 2,938 square feet

Structural Engineer: David Narro Associates

M&E Consultant: Harley Haddow

Historic Finishes: Crick-Smith

Main Contractor: Laurence McIntosh

Photographer: Dapple Photography / @dapple.photography

From the Architect: "Loader Monteith carefully restored High Sunderland, the 1957 modernist icon designed by Peter Womersley for internationally-renowned textile designers Bernat and Margaret Klein. The home required sensitive and complex restoration after weather and fire damage in 2017. The architects and their clients saw the accident as a positive opportunity to restore and enhance the Category A-listed woodland retreat in the Scottish Borders to its original Womersley vision, with invisible, sustainable upgrades.

"High Sunderland was Womersley’s first private residential commission, nicknamed The See-Through House for its long glazed elevations. Bernat, a textile designer and Margaret, a talented knitwear designer, lived at High Sunderland until they passed. It was the heart of their professional and personal lives. The couple built their careers, hosted fashion shows, exhibitions, and raised their family at the woodland retreat. High Sunderland was sold for the first time in 2017. While undergoing basic repairs, it suffered extensive structural damage caused by a small fire. Steel roof trusses, insulation, and much of the original timber paneling were all destroyed by the fire and extinguishing water, while the main living room and primary bedroom were damaged by smoke. The new owners recognized High Sunderland as a project of national importance and view themselves as custodians, rather than owners, of the home. They saw the devastating accident as a positive opportunity to accurately restore and enhance the modernist icon.

"An intense period of damage appraisal ensued, led by Loader Monteith’s conservation specialist, Iain King. In researching the project, Loader Monteith found original construction details in a 1959 Swiss periodical, giving the studio unique access to Womersley’s vision for the house. Womersley and the Kleins had aspirations for High Sunderland to be as close to living in nature as 20th-century technology would allow, something Loader Monteith wanted to give back to the house with as many invisible modern environmental additions as possible.

"To increase the thermal performance of the house, Loader Monteith packed insulation into a new warm roof, for which they studied the profiles of Womersley’s other residential projects to find a sympathetic design for the new slightly pitched roofscape. On the new roof, a timber-clad cube hides a heat pump. A new wet underfloor heating system in the main lounge area adds improved thermal insulation. This incorporates floor surface temperature control to protect the original solid hardwood timber floor, and room temperature control to avoid overheating and energy waste. Much of the lighting and wiring was updated in line with current electrical safety standards.

"Conservation and rebirth projects often center on the contrasts between new and old. However, at High Sunderland, Loader Monteith and their clients embraced the home’s heritage. This presented a challenging, sobering task for the architects; how much of the house should be preserved, and how much of Bernat and Margaret Klein, the real lifeblood of the home, should be memorialized, too? In replacing damaged cabinetry, Loader Monteith found brush strokes where Bernat cleaned his paint brushes, scratched and burnished into the timber over decades of painting with the same view to nature. Loader Monteith worked with a local joiner to preserve these delicate details, highlighting their commitment not only to the architecture, but the personality and use of this over time, and the role it has played in the Kleins’ creative pursuits."

Photo by Dapple Photography

Photo by Dapple Photography

Photo by Dapple Photography

See the full story on Dwell.com: Modernist Architect Peter Womersley’s First Home Design Just Got a Faithful Restoration

Actually Good-Looking Grow Lights to Get Your Plants Through the Winter

The market has changed. Here are some expert picks that will please you and your indoor garden.

With cold chills rolling in, it’s that time of year again: time to whip out that janky-looking grow light for your houseplants. Sure, janky’s a harsh word—after all, your grow light does work. And unless you’re blessed with giant south-facing windows, chances are your plants love and do need extra attention, even if the thing bringing it isn’t very pretty.

The sad truth is that yours resembles the bulk of grow lights. The category was designed for utility, not for living spaces, which is why many grow lights often appear clinical, industrial, or overly technical. It may even have that preternatural purple glow to its bulb—a blend of red and blue LEDs—that creates the ideal color wavelength most effective for plant growth, germination, and flowering.

"From a technical standpoint, plants respond most strongly to blue and deep-red light," says Mike Planer, cofounder, CTO, and head engineer at Soltech, which was founded in 2014 with the intention of creating "an aesthetically pleasing grow light," according to their website. "Most grow lights only focus on these wavelengths, which is why you see that harsh purple or pink glow everywhere." Though a godsend for low-light homes, grow lights typically prioritize light output over looks, resulting in hardware that clashes with real home decor and lighting that distorts a room’s color palette. So this year, you might be in the market for something a bit more stylish for your houseplants—and your home.

Well, you’re in luck. There’s now a surprising amount of beautiful grow lights available for purchase. In fact, they look so good, they double as home decor.

What are grow lights?

A grow light is an auxiliary bulb or lamp with full-spectrum lighting that blends different colors—like the aforementioned blue and red hues—to promote seed germination, fruiting, flowering, and more in your plants. Most modern grow lights use LEDs.

Other light options include fluorescent or incandescent bulbs. "These can be great options, too," says Lotte Berendsen, a certified gardening expert for PlantIn, an app that helps gardeners identify plants and diagnose problems. "But they come with the risk of overheating and can be very expensive." LEDs, on the other hand, will ensure that your plants are given all the pigments they need to photosynthesize, and it’s why Berendsen recommends them over other grow lights.

With a grow light, you aren’t limited to your home’s one remaining sunny window. Nor will you need to constantly reposition your houseplants to chase the sun as it moves across your home in winter. "I like to think of grow lights as a way to ‘finish’ the light your home can’t quite provide on its own," says Wendy Overbeck Dunham, director of horticulture at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

These days, many grow lights come in compact sizes and can live right alongside your furniture like a lamp or sconce. "In practice, it’s as simple as placing the grow light about six to eighteen inches from the foliage and putting it on a timer for roughly twelve to sixteen hours a day," Dunham says. It doesn’t require much work, but the payoff is great: healthier plants with better color and more reliable flowering.

Grow lights can even make your wildest gardening dreams come true. With them, you can grow vegetables indoors. Think tomatoes, leafy greens, peppers, and a thriving herb garden. A good grow light can help create more reliable indoor harvests, Dunham says.

Or, as Marryn Mathis, owner of the Farmhouse Flower Farm and author of Sweet Pea School: Growing & Arranging the Garden’s Most Romantic Blooms, has discovered, grow lights can help flowers like sweet peas and dahlias that might not normally grow well in certain regions thrive. "If they don’t have enough light, they will start reaching for it and this results in lanky and stressed out seedlings," she says. "Grow lights are key to the success of our business, ensuring our plants have the best start."

How to use a grow light

Grow lights will only be effective if they are used correctly. For optimal results, the lights should be on for at least six to eight hours daily, says Berendsen. "Ideally, they should be on for as long as the sun is out," she says.

The distance of the grow light to your plant is also important. For bulbs with a lower wattage, plants can be placed closer. On average, keep about 12 to 24 inches of space between your light source and the plant’s foliage. Otherwise, even with LEDs, your grow light can overheat your plant, says Mathis. If you want to measure how much light the grow light can convert, you’ll have to look at the wattage of the light, adds Berendsen. Aim for around 30 to 50 watts per square foot of growing space, and keep in mind that the larger your plant, the more watts it will need.

Winter is the ideal time to use grow lights. But Berendsen swears she’s used them year-round in her home. She keeps her grow lights in her bathroom, where there are no windows.

The most beautiful grow lights

Those looking for attractive grow lights might be spoiled for choice. One of Berendsen’s favorites is the Mother PlantSpectrum grow light. "It offers full-spectrum light and has a stylish, versatile design," she says. Another great pick is the Soltech Stello pendant light. It features a dimmer and adjustable stand. "If you didn’t know any better, you’d think it’s just a floor lamp."

Soltech Aspect™ Grow Light with Stello™ Pendant Stand Set

A powerful, design-forward grow light set combining the Aspect™ Gen 2 and Adjustable Stello™ Pendant Stand—no mounting required.

But perhaps the zenith of grow light aesthetics belongs to the new Aura from Soltech. It merges full-spectrum lighting with warm ambient illumination—so it’s ideal for plant growth and the human eye—no ugly purple glare here. The light is designed to mimic natural sunlight; think of it as a gentle warm glow, kind of like a hazy autumn sunset.

Mother PlantSpectrum

The original PlantSpectrum™ was introduced to the market as the first true full-spectrum light with a color rendering index of 97+ and swappable led boards.A first of a kind, combining CRI with PAR performance. A light recipe that would soon be loved by many. Packed in a super safe 24V DC design and a waterproof IP65 body. Up until today, PlantSpectrum™ stays the only swappable grow light, making it an easy decision for projects that desire a high ROI. PlantSpectrum™ modules are designed to last forever and use no paint nor glue, an easy decision for research labs at universities, industrial growing projects and serious hobbyists.

"We kept the essential photosynthetic peaks plants need," says Planer. But to this, they added greens, ambers, and broader light wavelengths so the light output settles into a warm, natural light. "That balance softens the harsh red/blue combination you see in industrial fixtures, and it does it without introducing any UV." UV has its place in commercial farming, but it’s not something you want shining in your home. "You still get strong photosynthetic efficiency, but visually it feels like premium architectural lighting—warm, clean, and easy to live with."

Auk Mini

All you need to start growing!

For indoor vegetable growers, there’s the Auk Mini, a Scandinavian-designed indoor garden with LEDs. It’s crafted from premium materials like recycled Norwegian aluminum and the choice of either American timber or sustainable cork sourced from Portugal. It’s stylish and photogenic on top of being functional: Beneath the hood, there’s a watering system that’s easy to use.

Bstrip 18W Rattan Hanging Grow Light for Indoor Plants, Full Spectrum Wall Mounted Plant Light with

Bstrip's 18W rattan hanging grow light delivers high 547 PPFD at 8 inches with full spectrum LEDs. Features easy wall mounting with wooden bracket, 9.8FT cord, and boho design that combines plant growth with decorative lighting. Ideal for tall plants and home decor.

In terms of aesthetics, the makers were responding to customer feedback when designing the Auk Mini, says Jostein Kvitvang, chief product officer at Auk. "When we first launched Auk 1, we focused on growth performance, and the grow light was quite successful in this regard," he says. Then they heard customer reactions saying that the light itself felt too strong.

For the Auk Mini, they introduced a full spectrum light with adjustable intensity, letting users choose between full growth intensity or a softer, warmer setting that creates a cozy, hygge-like atmosphere—something many grow lights can’t offer, but all most of us are looking for during the dark winter months, regardless of what we’re hoping blooms inside.

We love the products we feature and hope you do, too. If you buy something through a link on the site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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The 18th Century Meets the ’80s at This $2.8M New York Farmhouse

Originally built in 1740, the residence was expanded in the 1840s and overhauled in 1982 by architect John Messick.

Location: 433 Rapp Road, Valatie, New York

Price: $2,795,000

Year Built: 1740

Addition Date: 1982

Addition Architect: John Messick

Footprint: 2,800 square feet (3 bedrooms, 4 baths)

Lot Size: 8.1 Acres

From the Agent: "Welcome to Hardwicke Farmhouse. The original structure dates to the 1740s, with a gracious Greek Revival center hall added in the 1840s. Its striking mid-20th-century addition was designed by architect John Messick, a founding partner of MCWB Architects and contemporary visionary with I. M. Pei. His work reimagined the property with bold architectural lines and a silo-inspired great room that fills the home with light and offers far-reaching views of the surrounding 600 acres of farmland. Daily life here is shaped by the quiet countryside, nearby farms, local dining, and easy access to the best of the Hudson Valley."

The home’s front parlor and dining room have woodburning fireplaces.

Photo courtesy of This Old Hudson Team at Houlihan Lawrence

Photo courtesy of This Old Hudson Team at Houlihan Lawrence

An iron-and-brick inglenook fireplace weighing over a ton anchors Messick’s addition.

Photo courtesy of This Old Hudson Team at Houlihan Lawrence

See the full story on Dwell.com: The 18th Century Meets the ’80s at This $2.8M New York Farmhouse
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Steel Scaffolding Forms a Bed and Wardrobe in This Small Slovakia Apartment

The custom element helps define the living area, and matches shelving found throughout the 495-square-foot flat.

Houses We Love: Every day we feature a remarkable space submitted by our community of architects, designers, builders, and homeowners. Have one to share? Post it here.

Project Details:

Location: Bratislava, Slovakia

Architect: Alan Prekop Studio / @alan.prekop

Footprint: 495 square feet

Lighting Design: CTRL_space

Photographer: Nora Saparova / @nora.saparova

Photographer: Adam Terlanda

From the Architect: "Located on the sixth floor of Bratislava’s renowned Kotva House, this apartment offers stunning views of the Danube and the Petržalka district, framed by the building’s signature circular window with an anchor motif. Originally an office space for an insurance company, the apartment has been converted into a living environment, preserving the building’s architectural heritage while adapting it to modern needs.

"The apartment’s layout was adjusted to include a kitchen, and the bathroom was enlarged by repurposing a former chamber. The entrance hall was reconfigured to accommodate the kitchen. At the heart of the apartment is a custom steel structure that divides the open space into distinct zones—living room, bedroom, and wardrobe—while maintaining an open, fluid feel. This central element organizes the space both vertically and horizontally, allowing each functional area to coexist without compromising on comfort or style.

"The steel frame has parts made using 3D-printing technology. This approach allowed for precise, lightweight, and customizable connections that contribute to the overall aesthetic while ensuring structural integrity. The result is a seamless, contemporary element that serves both as a functional partition and a sculptural focal point within the apartment.

"A key feature of the design is the platform stage, which occupies the center of the apartment. Made from spruce wood prisms and an adjustable stainless steel plate, the stage serves multiple purposes and can be easily modified to suit the needs of the space. It functions as a lounge seating area for relaxation, but can also be transformed into an additional bed when needed, making it perfect for guests or versatile use in a small apartment.

"This dual-purpose element embodies the core idea of the design: maximizing functionality within a compact space. The platform’s minimalist yet warm design complements the steel structure and allows for a flexible living arrangement, offering comfort and adaptability for a modern lifestyle. Inspired by the Japanese tradition of multifunctional living, the stage enhances the apartment’s sense of openness while providing a space for both leisure and rest.

"The materials used throughout the apartment respect both the building's history and modern sustainability practices. Stainless steel, wood, terrazzo made from recycled plastic, and restored wooden parquet floors were chosen for their durability, aesthetic appeal, and eco-friendliness. Terrazzo flows seamlessly from the entrance hall into the bathroom and shower, creating a unified, stylish look while contributing to a lighter, more sustainable alternative to traditional materials."

Photo by Nora Saparova

Photo by Nora Saparova

Photo by Nora Saparova

See the full story on Dwell.com: Steel Scaffolding Forms a Bed and Wardrobe in This Small Slovakia Apartment
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Before & After: There’s a World of Color Hiding Behind the Front Door of This Park Slope Limestone

In Brooklyn, a couple tap architect Sarah Jacoby to give their townhome a vibrant, family-friendly update.

You might not guess it from its front facade, but this historic limestone in Park Slope is positively packed with color. The homeowners, Tim and Tara—he works in documentary film and is a record collector; she’s a textile designer with a sharp eye for color and pattern—reenergized it from top to bottom with the help of New York–based architect Sarah Jacoby.

The couple previously lived in a smaller apartment, and as they started to crave more space they reached out to Jacoby, who had worked with them on a previous renovation. With two growing kids, they were ready for a home that could flex with family life, and they wanted a trusted collaborator to help shape it.

The home’s exterior fits in with the traditional Park Slope streetscape. New Marvin windows with green frames hint at the colorful interior. 

Photo: Ty Cole

Finding the right house, however, wasn’t straightforward. "We saw so many different places," Tim says with a laugh. "Newly renovated homes were nice, but they felt off. You were paying a premium for someone else’s choices."

As they debated whether to choose a move-in-ready home or one that needed work, Jacoby provided a key insight. "If you go for something that needs more work, you’ll get to put your stamp on it," she said. Her words stuck, and their patience paid off—eventually, they found the one, a charming limestone that hadn’t been touched since the 1940s. "It had historic details we wanted to preserve, but it needed an update," Tim explains.

After: Entry

Set against the warmth of original wood moldings, floral wallpaper sets the tone for the interiors. "You get a taste right there, at the beginning—it’s going to be fun," says architect Sarah Jacoby. A Filigrana light fixture by Sebastian Wrong hangs overhead.

Photo: Ty Cole

The couple purchased the home in 2021, and construction began in October 2022, guided by a clear, joyful vision to fill the home with levity, color, and pattern—an approach shaped in part by the pandemic. "During Covid, we realized how much our environment mattered," Tara explains. "It’s like you start to appreciate joy and space in a whole new way."

Tara picked wallpaper she loved, and Jacoby selected coordinating "friendly" hues and vibrant tile to give the home a palette and personality perfectly suited to the fun-loving foursome.

Before: Living Room

See the full story on Dwell.com: Before & After: There’s a World of Color Hiding Behind the Front Door of This Park Slope Limestone
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