When homeowners think about interior design, the staircase is often relegated to a purely functional role. However, adding a stair runner is one of the most effective ways to blend high-end aesthetics with practical everyday safety. Whether you have classic hardwood, polished marble, or modern laminate, a well-chosen runner transforms a cold transit area into a warm, inviting focal point that speaks volumes about your style.

If you are considering a refresh for your steps, here are the top insights to ensure your choice is both stylish and durable.

If you are looking to transition your home from standard to sophisticated, few materials offer the organic depth of grasscloth wallpaper. Unlike mass-produced vinyl, grasscloth is a handcrafted masterpiece made from woven natural fibers like raffia, hemp, jute, or sea grass. It brings a unique "quiet luxury" to any room, characterized by its rich texture and subtle earthy scent.

However, working with natural fibers requires a different mindset than standard papering. Because it is a "living" material, it comes with specific quirks. Here is how to master the art of grasscloth to ensure your investment lasts for decades.

The unique design of Common Woods is not just a tribute to modern architecture but also a celebration of nature and sustainable living. The housing units are integrated into the forest environment, creating what the architects refer to as "forest rooms" or "boskamers," which are intimate forested spaces surrounding the buildings. The design seeks to provide residents with the feeling of living within a forest, with the buildings organically spread across the site and connected by winding pathways and open green spaces.

A Masterplan That Connects Architecture and Nature

The masterplan of Common Woods is not based on a rigid grid, but instead, the buildings are arranged in clusters that allow the surrounding forest to flow into the development. The spatial layout is designed to embrace the forest and its natural features, providing an experience that goes beyond traditional urban living. As Bas van Bentum, the artistic director of Space&Matter, explained: “The invisible boundaries of the site allow the forest to flow deeply into the design, forming intimate forest rooms around the buildings.”

At the center of the development lies a communal green space, a place for residents to come together and engage in daily communal life. Here, the community can interact, plant herbs in the greenhouse, or simply relax among the trees. The central green space, often referred to as the "heart" of the neighborhood, serves as a focal point where people can meet, socialize, and engage with their surroundings in a natural, open setting.

Sustainability and Timber Construction: A Modern Approach to Housing

Space&Matter's use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) for the construction of the buildings is a key feature of this project. CLT is a sustainable building material that provides excellent insulation, strength, and durability, making it an ideal choice for eco-friendly housing developments. Each block of Common Woods is based on a modular design, which the architects describe as a “family of buildings.” These blocks are not identical but share a common design language, creating a cohesive yet diverse appearance across the entire development.

On the street-facing side of the complex, the blocks have a more formal, stepped rhythm, offering a sense of privacy and separation from the surrounding urban environment. On the side facing the internal pathways and green spaces, the buildings are enhanced with balconies and large windows that frame stunning views of the forest. The inclusion of expansive glazing ensures that the residents can experience the beauty of the surrounding landscape from within their homes, creating a seamless connection between the indoors and outdoors.

Living in Harmony with Nature: The Role of Outdoor Spaces

The relationship between the buildings and the landscape is vital to the design of Common Woods. Sliding glass doors connect the timber blocks to the surrounding natural environment, allowing for a continuous flow between the interior and the exterior. Each apartment is also linked by external steel decks, providing additional outdoor space for each level. These decks serve as private balconies or terraces where residents can enjoy the fresh air and the calming presence of the forest.

For the landscaping design, Space&Matter collaborated with DELVA Landscape Architecture, a local studio known for its sustainable and nature-inspired designs. Together, they created a series of lush grasslands, planted pots, seating areas, and a central greenhouse, where residents can grow their own plants and herbs. The integration of green spaces is crucial to the project’s overall concept of communal living in harmony with nature.

A Blend of Urban and Natural Elements

The design of Common Woods is a perfect blend of urbanity and nature. The individual blocks, though designed as compact buildings, are seamlessly integrated into the surrounding forested landscape. The architectural form is characterized by the careful breakup of building volumes, ensuring that the compact villas and apartment blocks do not overwhelm the environment. Instead, the design creates a smooth transition from the dense forest to the more urban surroundings, making it a harmonious blend of city life and natural beauty.

The exterior of the buildings features a mix of colors, including earthy reds, smoky blacks, and sandy creams, intended to evoke the colors of tree bark and the forest floor, while contrasting with the green canopy of the surrounding trees. This careful attention to color and materiality ensures that the buildings blend into the forest without detracting from the natural beauty of the site.

Inside, the use of exposed timber and white-painted walls creates bright, airy interiors. The larger homes feature double-height living and dining areas at the corners of the buildings, with full-height glazing that allows for panoramic views of the surrounding forest. This design approach enhances the sense of space, light, and openness, creating an inviting atmosphere for residents.

Promoting Communal Living in the Forest

The architects at Space&Matter have designed Common Woods to foster a sense of community among its residents. The communal spaces, including the central green area and shared greenhouse, encourage interaction between neighbors. The design of the balconies and terraces further promotes this sense of shared space, creating a subtle boundary between public and private spaces that supports communal living.

“The terraces and balconies bring the internal landscape to life, creating layered thresholds between public and private spaces that activate and support communal life within the environment,” said Van Bentum. This emphasis on communal living is a central theme throughout the design, as it reflects a growing interest in creating spaces that encourage social interaction, sustainability, and a deeper connection with nature.

A Sustainable Future for Housing in the Netherlands

Common Woods is a testament to the potential of sustainable architecture and design. By using CLT as the primary building material and integrating green spaces throughout the development, Space&Matter has created a housing community that respects and enhances its natural surroundings. The project exemplifies a modern approach to housing, where environmental sustainability, community living, and design innovation come together in harmony.

For Space&Matter, this project represents a step forward in their mission to create homes that are not only beautiful but also sustainable and connected to the environment. With increasing concerns about urban sprawl, environmental degradation, and the need for more eco-friendly housing options, Common Woods provides a model for future housing developments that prioritize the well-being of both residents and the planet.

Conclusion: A New Era of Sustainable Housing

Common Woods is a remarkable achievement in architectural design, blending the beauty of nature with the functionality of modern living. By creating a housing development that feels like it is part of the forest, Space&Matter has redefined the way we think about urban living. The use of sustainable materials, thoughtful integration of green spaces, and the emphasis on communal living make this project a shining example of how architecture can help us live more harmoniously with the natural world.

Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, an architecture lover, or someone looking for a sustainable housing solution, Common Woods is a project worth admiring. It is a vision of the future, where homes are not just buildings but integral parts of the natural environment.

New York City's East Village is known for its eclectic mix of history, culture, and vibrant nightlife. Among its latest gems is Stars Wine Bar, a new destination that merges excellent wine with refined design. Created by Studio Valle de Valle, an innovative design studio renowned for its minimalist approach, this small wine bar offers an unparalleled experience despite its modest size.

The bar is nestled in a 450-square-foot space, reflecting a philosophy that even compact areas can offer bold, transformative experiences. By focusing on simplicity and quality, the architects have managed to create an environment that feels expansive, intimate, and welcoming at the same time.

A Beautifully Crafted Bar in a Tiny Space

In a city like New York, space is a luxury, and Stars Wine Bar utilizes every inch with care and precision. The bar features a striking U-shaped zinc countertop, designed to allow guests to interact directly with the staff while enjoying their drinks. This intimate layout fosters an inviting, community-oriented atmosphere where patrons feel like they’re part of the experience, not just consumers of wine.

The walls are finished with brushed cedar, a material known for its warm, inviting tones that contrast beautifully with the cool, sleek zinc bar. This combination of materials reflects Studio Valle de Valle's design ethos: blending natural textures with modern forms. The bar stools, custom-made and high-backed, offer both comfort and style, encouraging patrons to linger and enjoy the space. These thoughtful details highlight how even small design elements can elevate an otherwise compact space into something extraordinary.

Wine as the Central Experience

At Stars, the focus is not just on the aesthetic of the space but on the wine itself. The bar offers a curated list of over 1,000 wines from around the world, including a selection of bottles priced under $88. This makes the venue accessible for both casual drinkers and serious wine connoisseurs. The design of the space is crafted to encourage conversation, discovery, and a sense of community, which aligns perfectly with the bar’s philosophy of making wine culture both accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Guests can explore new wines by the glass, or opt for a tasting flight, adding an element of adventure to their visit. The wine bar’s unpretentious nature is further emphasized by its walk-in policy, eliminating the need for reservations and allowing guests to visit spontaneously—an important feature in a city known for its bustling lifestyle.

The Design Philosophy of Studio Valle de Valle

Studio Valle de Valle’s work often showcases a seamless blend of functional beauty and contemporary aesthetics, with a focus on creating spaces that feel timeless yet fresh. Their design for Stars reflects this approach, offering a space that is as visually captivating as it is inviting. The architects have managed to transform a small, often overlooked space into one that feels expansive, sophisticated, and undeniably unique.

The firm’s approach to design is rooted in a deep understanding of materials and how they interact with light, space, and human experience. For Stars, this meant using materials like cedar and zinc in ways that highlight their natural beauty while ensuring durability and ease of maintenance in a high-traffic bar environment.

Studio Valle de Valle: A Global Perspective on Architecture

While Stars Wine Bar marks Studio Valle de Valle's first venture into bar design in the U.S., the studio has already made a name for itself internationally. With a portfolio that spans residential, commercial, and cultural projects, the firm is known for creating spaces that are both functional and thought-provoking. Whether designing private homes or public venues, their work consistently challenges conventions and explores new possibilities for spatial organization.

The design of Stars Wine Bar is a natural extension of this philosophy. By focusing on the relationship between people and the spaces they inhabit, the architects have created an environment that encourages both solitude and social interaction. This balance of private and public moments is integral to the overall experience, allowing the bar to cater to a variety of guests—from those looking to relax alone with a glass of wine to groups seeking an intimate place to gather.

Why Stars Wine Bar Stands Out in NYC

What makes Stars Wine Bar stand out in New York City's crowded wine bar scene is its ability to marry exceptional design with an approachable atmosphere. This juxtaposition of high-end wine culture with an unpretentious, welcoming space is exactly what many New Yorkers are looking for. It’s a place where the wine is the star of the show, but the experience itself is just as memorable.

The intimate nature of the design makes it ideal for conversation, whether you're meeting friends, colleagues, or strangers. There's a quiet yet palpable energy in the space, encouraging guests to engage with their surroundings, their wine, and each other in a way that feels genuine and personal. This thoughtful design, coupled with the curated wine list, makes Stars Wine Bar more than just a place to drink—it’s a destination to experience New York’s evolving culture of hospitality and design.

Conclusion: A New Type of Wine Bar in New York

In a city where dining and nightlife experiences often come with a sense of formality, Stars Wine Bar offers a refreshing change. It’s a place where the design and ambiance are as important as the wine itself, creating a unique experience that’s both accessible and sophisticated.

By focusing on simplicity, elegance, and accessibility, Studio Valle de Valle has set a new standard for what a modern wine bar can be. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, Stars invites you to explore not only the world of wine but also a beautifully designed space that encourages connection and enjoyment.

Merge the rooms, why? because by combining the rooms you will see a lot of wide spaces. Such as combining the kitchen and dining room, or the living room and kitchen and dining room. However, it does not necessarily not limit the room. You can add columns, shelves or floor height differences or just a different floor motif.

Raise the ceiling, if we have a narrow room we can help by raising the ceiling, choose furniture that can focus on the ceiling.

Separate bedrooms, if you have a small house, you should separate the rooms on the floor plan, so as not to be disturbed by the sound of other rooms.

To be organized, if our house is already cramped and small, seeing messy items will make the house smaller and uncomfortable, but when building, also imagine where the hidden storage is. Where to store this and that for daily use.

Make a roof with a simple design, because a complex-shaped roof makes the house look narrow, besides making a complex roof requires more costs and creates a lot of leaks in the future.

Do not forget the light, let a lot of light fill your room, to make it look more spacious. You can add a window to the bedroom by giving a ribbon on the window. It managed to make the house look more spacious.

Use bright colors, color selection is very decisive here, because when we choose dark colors it will make the house look narrow and small. And you can use natural colors such as shades of brown or broken white.

A few tips that you must consider before building your dream small house, don't forget to always consult with an architect or building consultant, so that the house you dream of can be built as you wish.

After buying land, or a house. we are usually so eager to design according to our expectations so far, to the point of sometimes forgetting important points that make us have to adjust and adjust again. This makes many unexpected expenses certainly make us feel uncomfortable.

Actually there are lots of architects and companies that specialize in home improvement, but sometimes someone is more satisfied with the design they take and choose for themselves. If you include it, don't miss the important things to consider when designing a house:

1. Home Location

You have to pay attention to detail after determining the location of the house like your dream, you have to make sure exactly how the actual location is. Visit the site, how does it match the location of the place according to your dreams?

Also, make sure the place is level enough. If not, the process of leveling the site will require leveling, backfilling, and making the site narrower after leveling. This will add additional costs. In conclusion, don't just buy it because it's cheap. However, this is the most basic thing to consider in designing a house.

2. The Budget You Have

Usually people will prepare a budget to build or renovate a house, this budget is very important in achieving your dream home. For that, take into account in detail related to building materials, labor, architects, furniture, and other things. If you make a detailed budget plan and stick to all of those plans, make it as you want. However, usually when we walk to build a house, we will be tempted by newer items that may be more expensive than our budget plan, so prepare additional funds for unexpected expenses like this.

3. Home Directions

Maybe some consider this trivial, however, consider the location of the living room, the location of the window room. Because this direction determines how sunlight can enter the house. So consider this issue.

4. House Size and Facilities

Maybe you think the house has been planned to make a big house or a small house. But first consider how your home. Is it a one-story or multi-storey house, has a yard and so on. Usually every location has regulations about this, don't forget to find out more about this.

After that, think about the facilities in your home, usually we architects call it a house program. Namely, how is your house, 1 bedroom, 2 bedrooms, 3 bedrooms, there is a living room, kitchen, dining room together with a kitchen or separate, or a dining room with a combined living room, laundry room or balcony to the swimming pool. think about everything in detail so that additional costs can be minimized.

5. Open Space plan

When making an open plan house, it will usually channel a lot of light into the house and into special rooms. Make it by combining several home facilities into one open space, such as an unlimited dining room with living room and kitchen. In addition to supplying lighting, usually with an open plan this will reduce the need for house wall materials.

6. Extra Storage

7. Furniture

After thinking about how important storage is, you can choose furniture that can be multi-functional as well as in the effectiveness of the furniture. Many are spread in advertisements on social media where everything can be summarized or changed functions. For example, a sofa can be turned into a mattress, or a shelf can be turned into a table, or a table can be removed to become an additional table and chairs. Yes, you have to think about all that, of course this allows you to save because you think about effectiveness and efficiency here.

8. Design With Family

This is important, because the house is not only a place to live for yourself, but also with your family. Of course it's not only you who want to be comfortable at home, your family too. So consider their desire for the house to be a comfortable place to live for all residents of the house. Or you can free your children to design their own bedroom according to their wishes.

9. Durability and Cost

We have to think about how the house we build has a durability of how many years. This is usually determined by the building materials we use, by looking at various aspects, such as the density of the soil, the movement of the soil that occurs in your home location, whether or not earthquakes often occur in that location. When we choose the right building materials, it will certainly make the durability of our house longer, whereas if our house has materials that are not suitable, it will shorten the durability of the house which results in making us have to do renovations in the future.

10. Engage Experts and be ready to face mistakes

After looking at the previous 9 aspects, you will be able to understand why experts are needed in the planning and process of building a house. First, ask your closest friend how he prepared for the construction of the house and what mistakes he made and how he solved it. If you have more budget, you can consult with architects or construction companies around where you live.

Mistakes will always be part of the construction and renovation of houses, such as mistakes in buying building materials to incorrectly predicting the need for building materials or mistakes in choosing furniture that ultimately does not match the condition of the room or is too big and too small. It doesn't just happen to you.

Thus 10 things you can pay attention to when starting to design a new house or renovate a house. Hopefully this article is useful, to help build a house.

When building and looking for a dream house is an exciting thing and takes a lot of our attention. We can design our own according to how we personally want, including in choosing colors. It looks easy, but it's actually more difficult than we think. We can suggest to be considered when choosing colors for your new home.

 First, look for inspiration

We sometimes like certain colors that we will use on all objects or any part of our house. This is a bit difficult, because it is not easy to express ideas in the form of colors. you better collect all the pictures of things you like on the internet. Then compare before choosing, which one is closer to the inspirational objects of your choice. This will be easier to do.

Second, don't be in a hurry to choose a paint color

Wall paint is indeed very tempting when offered using rows of colors that can be taken home. You better think about the furniture first, choose then buy. Then bring home the rows of colors that you can take home so they can be combined with the furniture you have.

Third, Neutral colors are always best.

You may like aquamarine or light colors and you really want to paint your house in those colors. Just imagine if all the light colored walls were combined with lots of colorful furniture as well, plus chandeliers or other wall decorations, or ceramic or patterned floors. It will confuse your eyes, they will fight for the eye's attention. However, if you choose a neutral color you will likely look slimmer and neater.

Fourth, Yes, Test It!!

Before applying to the whole room, you can try on a wall with a rather large area, and try placing wall decorations and some furniture near the wall. Well, feel the sensation whether it makes you happy or even makes you frustrated. This step can save you time, money and frustration level that you have.

Finally, don't forget to choose texture and sheen

You are right, you really have to think about whether the furniture you choose will match the matte or shiny colors. Again it should be about pleasing to the eye and not colliding.

Well, everything is done. Choosing a color is not only about how you like the color but also how it can be combined with the furniture you have. And make sure everything fits well.

Source : DigsDigs