Joyce Wang Studio’s artisanal apartment at luxury development The Whiteley
Exploring authenticity, history and eclecticism through elegant, open spaces and playful hand-crafted design, The Whiteley’s collaboration with the Joyce Wang Studio marks the latest home in the scheme’s Designer Collection.
The former home of London’s first department store, The Whiteley, is currently undergoing a £1.2 billion re-imagination into an iconic residential and hospitality address of epic scale and proportion. They recently launched the latest home in its Designer Collection series, curated by Joyce Wang Studio.
Brought to life by development manager Finchatton, with joint venture investment partners MARK and C C Land, Joyce Wang’s eponymous design firm – based in London and Hong Kong – was handpicked to design one of The Whiteley’s 139 unique homes.
Located on the third floor, the firm was tasked with an inimitable four-bedroom residence sat behind the building’s historic Grade II listed façade meticulously restored by Foster + Partners. Spanning 4,080 sq. ft. with 6-metre ceiling heights, the apartment comes complete with a 400 sq. ft. mezzanine reaching 2.7 metres in height and incorporating floor-to-ceiling interior windows that overlook a central living space below.
Joyce Wang commented: “It was a true honour, and a rare opportunity, to be given both a blank slate and carte blanche for this project at The Whiteley. The quietly luxurious and grand space we have crafted is layered with custom pieces spanning eras and continents, as well as collectibles from and inspired by our imaginary client’s travels.”
Befitting of its stature, formality and tasteful restraint were driving forces behind the studio’s work to preserve and evolve the unique character and Edwardian heritage of the building. Elevations, cornicing, panelling and moulding designs all echo the language of The Whiteley’s architecture, with a sense of modernity and freshness evoked through playful colours, a bold reimagining of volumes, and custom wallpaper by Fromental.
Eclectic Collections
Joyce Wang Studio focused on collaborating with designers and makers who share in the innovative spirit of William Whiteley, the founder of the original 1911 department store which sat on this site, who brought together an elevated selection of wares from across the globe.
Designed to evoke the tastes of an imaginary globetrotter, the residence showcases diverse influences from Asia, the United Kingdom and across Europe, resulting in a juxtaposition of collectibles, heirlooms, custom-made limited editions, antiques and crafts which reflect the spirit of travel and adventure. The curated curios are arranged for elevated contrast, with rustic and textured pieces set against sleek surfaces; while organic and avant garde elements are balanced by more familiar counterparts.
Fine-Tailored Curation
Considered and refined collectibles chosen for the apartment include exclusive pieces from Irish furniture brand Orior, antique chandeliers from the Georgian era to the turn of the 20th century period, and stunning rugs and tapestry from Aubusson’s Pinton featuring ‘La Grande Porte Bleue’ tapestry. Two commissioned artworks by Armando Mesías, ‘A desire path pt.II (large)’ and ‘Too selfsufficient (medium)’, feature alongside prints by Lisa King and a library collection from Ultimate Library are a further ode to the penchants of the firm’s imagined client.
Additional elements include antiques from 1stDibs, and stunning rugs from Milan’s CC Tapis. London’s Porta Romana was selected for a number of the space’s chandeliers and lighting fixtures. Luxury design and fragrance house L’OBJET worked with Joyce Wang for a bespoke selection of dinnerware, vanity fragrance, and décor items, alongside The Lacquer Company in London who provided home accessories and furniture. In addition, famed Parisian publishing house and gallery, Cahiers d’Art, have contributed and curated art books and prints for the space.
Alex Michelin, Co-Founder of Finchatton commented: “It has been a joy to collaborate with Joyce Wang Studio on an apartment for The Whiteley’s Designer Collection as her commitment to innovation, creativity and craftsmanship ensured we were in exceptional hands throughout the design process. Her refined approach and keen eye for bespoke detail has resulted in a truly remarkable residence that not only reflects the building’s commitment to historic authenticity, but also reimagines it with a sense of modernity. Joyce has added a fresh and globally inspired dimension to our Designer Collection series.”
www.joycewangstudio.com | IG: @joycewangstudio
www.thewhiteleylondon.com | IG: @thewhiteleylondon
A Cleverly Curated Apartment Full of Calm
Hej kompisar! Welcome to your mid-week breath of fresh air—and a masterclass in creating a sitting room and bedroom in one! This light and airy 51-square-metre (549-square-foot) apartment in Gothenburg has been beautifully curated in a soothing palette of white, cream, amber and brown to create a calming oasis in the heart of the city.
The main living area seamlessly combines a cosy social zone, a home office, and a sleep space—all while maintaining a wonderful sense of serenity. And guess what? There’s even plenty of storage! The spacious kitchen is another highlight, with just the right amount of warm wood.
While it’s undeniably styled and curated, there’s still plenty of inspiration to take from this delightful Swedish apartment. Välkommen in!
The wooden floor is likely the original from 1900, when the building was constructed. Many people choose to sand off the varnish and treat it with a special soap or wax for protection and a natural look. Of course, it helps that shoes are never worn inside a Swedish apartment—one of the secrets to keeping floors in such great condition!
What a great starting point! Now all that’s left is to add books, art, and all those personal treasures you’ve collected over the years to make it truly yours.
What do you think of the bed solution? Would you have done it the same way? Personally, I find these smaller sleeping areas so cosy—there’s something wonderfully cocooning about them.
Thank you for your warm wishes for my daughter (who is now back at school – yay!) and Per – who is hobbling around one of those boots (for the next 6 to 8 weeks) but also getting on with things. The sun is shining in Malmö today – so everything feels brighter! I hope the sun is shining where you are too.
See you Friday, friends!
Creating a beautiful table with aluminium trestlers
THER is a collection based design practice & brand, based in Lisbon, Portugal. Creating functional objects, furniture and household items, embracing material properties and craftsmanship values. Unique, Bespoke & Functional Objects! It were the Aluminium Trestles that caught my eye and I could easily imagine them on my dark oak kitchen floor with a mat black wooden table top. Looking further into the brand I found some images of exactly what I had in mind and I love to show them to you.
At the end of this post you see more of the black chair ‘Askew’ which also comes in red eucalyptus and the beautiful ceramic jug,
Visit THER to see more about the brand and their design.
U03 Trude / Between the sharp and plain, the language of material, comes through
U01 Askew Chair / Driven by branch and tree twist, the live-edge elements combined, form an object of rural resemblance
All images via Ther
A Cosy Swedish Cottage with Stunning Sea Views
Happy Friday, friends! Got any fun plans for the weekend? I can’t help but think the owners of this charming Swedish cottage by the sea won’t be venturing far. Why would you, when you can snuggle up indoors, hide from the chill, and enjoy the most wonderful views over the Gothenburg archipelago from so many of the windows? It’s the perfect spot to sit, relax, and reflect!
Anna, John, and their daughter Gunnevi found this little gem by the water and have lovingly transformed it into their dream family retreat. They’ve worked hard to expand the space while staying true to the authentic look and feel of the original cottage.
On one end, they added a sunroom to soak in the light and those breathtaking views. On the other, they extended the house with an entrance, a new kitchen, and a dining area. To bring it all together, they decorated with delightful nods to the cottage’s West Coast roots, as well as incorporating warm earthy tones in ochre and green that radiate cosiness.
The furnishings are a delightful mix of vintage treasures, each chosen with comfort and practicality in mind, enhancing the timeless charm of the traditional cottage.
Ready to take a closer look at Villa Valborg? Let’s start with a picture of the original cottage, so you can follow the family’s inspiring journey of transformation. I hope it sparks your imagination!
How wonderful!
It’s a dream of mine to live in a lovely cottage by the sea like this one day.
Could you imagine relaxing here too?
I love the green and ochre combination too – it’s a tone that we are seeing everywhere right now. But most of all, for me this cottage is all about the cosy feel and the incredible vistas.
Is there anything that stands out to you about Villa Valborg – or perhaps a detail I have missed?
Shall we take this opportunity to look at a few more cottages by the sea? I love:
And with that, I’ll leave you to have a wonderful weekend! See you Monday friends!
Eight calming home interiors with earthy-toned finishes
Often used as a form of weather protection on home exteriors, wall coatings like lime render and clay paint may also offer decorative touches to interiors.
Here, we have rounded up eight earthy-toned examples in residences spanning from India to the UK.
This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring bathrooms with sculptural stone sinks, living room ideas from Dezeen and bedrooms illuminated by creative lighting solutions.
Datum House, UK, by DHaus
Architecture studio DHaus updated this Victorian maisonette in north London with an extension illuminated by a full-width skylight.
A pared-back material palette was used throughout the interior, with earthy plaster walls set off by concrete and oak used to form a datum around the base of the space.
Find out more about Datum House ›
Arch House, UK, by Polysmiths
Architecture studio Polysmiths sought to add a Mediterranean texture to this London home through its structural arches and mottled lime plaster finish.
Reconfiguring the home’s dark and dated interiors, Polysmiths created a series of interconnected living and work spaces brightened by openings and light-coloured walls.
Find out more about Arch House ›
The Plaster House, UK, by Sonn
Plaster finishes were used both internally and externally in this home extension completed by architecture studio Sonn in Hackney, London.
Aptly named The Plaster House, the residence is coated largely in a neutral-toned plaster, while a contrastingly pale green plaster was used in the bedroom.
Find out more about The Plaster House ›
Taper House, UK, by Merrett Houmøller Architects and All & Nxthing
Morrocan riads were referenced in the design of this London extension overhauled by local studios Merrett Houmøller Architects and All & Nxthing.
Using “natural earth-based materials” influenced by the Mediterranean, the angular, skylit extension is defined by clay-plaster walls, exposed brickwork and tile floors.
Find out more about Taper House ›
Casa da Encosta, Portugal, by SIA Arquitectura
Lime render was used to coat a series of volumes that make up Casa da Encosta, completed by SIA Arquitectura in Grândola, Portugal.
Intending to “echo the sandy landscape” of the coastal site, the studio used a material palette of wood and lime render, which is used extensively across both the home’s exterior and interior.
Find out more about Casa da Encosta ›
Stone House, India, by Sketch Design Studio
Recycled stone walls rendered in mud and lime plaster define this rural farmhouse completed by Sketch Design Studio in Rajasthan, India.
Inside, the home’s clay-painted walls are complemented by exposed stone and a filler-slab ceiling.
Find out more about Stone House ›
Mayalogili, India, by Nowhere
Architecture studio Nowhere used plaster made from brick and marble dust to coat this refurbished house in Hyderabad.
Coated on the exterior with a rough red-brown plaster, the home’s interior was similarly finished using a variety of plaster made from on-site materials.
Find out more about Mayalogili ›
Putney Riverside, UK, by VATRAA
Terracotta-coloured concrete was used to build the extension to this London home, which has been renovated and extended by local studio VATRAA.
Inside, the Putney Riverside home features original details, including existing plasterwork, which was repaired using “distinguishable but complementary” lime plaster.
Seven listening bars that are easy on the eyes and ears
From a communist-era apartment block in Bucharest to a hot pink Australian bar created to emulate the inside of a jumbo speaker, our latest lookbook collects atmospheric listening bar interiors from around the world.
Listening bars are having a moment. Native to Japan, these spaces first emerged during the late 1920s as intimate settings to meet, drink, and most importantly, listen to music together.
Since then, the bars – also known as hi-fi or audiophile bars – have increasingly spread across the globe. Typically equipped with large sound systems and a wide selection of vinyl records, listening bars are popular for their unique musical offerings.
This lookbook explores how international architects and designers have created the interiors of listening bars to respond to this well-loved model.
This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring light-filled cottages, exposed concrete bedrooms and sculptural stone sinks.
Kioku Bar, UK, by Pirajean Lees
Kioku Bar is a single-room sake bar on the ground floor of London’s OWO hotel, attached to the Kioku restaurant upstairs. Local studio Pirajean Lees designed both venues to capture head chef Endo Kazutoshi’s recollections of living and working in Japan and Spain.
Deep red dado and natural clay walls were paired with knobbly timber accents in the low-lit space. In one corner, a bespoke solid wood turntable was positioned for guests to play a selection of Japanese records from Endo’s personal collection.
Find out more about Kioku Bar ›
Bar Ton, Romania, by Anda Zota and Muromuro Studio
Local designers Anda Zota and Muromuro Studio transformed a former music shop on the ground floor of a communist-era apartment block in Bucharest into a hi-fi bar.
Bar Ton was created to blend its historical context with modern functionality. The designers maintained the open-plan space’s marble mosaic floors and four concrete pillars, adding a timber unit between one pair to hold the main DJ booth. Birch plywood record shelves were inserted between the other two pillars.
“The overarching concept was about putting the music at the centre, both physically and conceptually,” explained Zota.
Find out more about Bar Ton ›
JAM Record Bar, Australia, by Akin Atelier
Owner Justin Hemmes and designer Kelvin Ho of Akin Atelier drew inspiration from Tokyo’s many listening bars when creating the hot pink JAM Record Bar in Sydney.
Distinct zones were organised around a central bar while Ho and his team chose specific materials to enhance the acoustic properties of the space – from pink fibreglass insulation panels to sound-absorbing cork. Despite its small floor plan, Bar Ton houses a library of 15,000 records stacked in built-in plywood shelving.
“JAM is designed to feel like you are drinking a cocktail inside a giant speaker box – but pink,” said Ho.
Find out more about JAM Record Bar ›
Upstairs, USA, by Shane Davis and Francis Harris
The founders of Brooklyn’s “music-driven social space” Public Records added a listening bar and lounge to the upper floor of the creative venue.
Undulated walls bounce music around the room from large subwoofer speakers, while cream leather banquettes and black ceramic and foam stools provide space for listeners to sit and choose from a curated selection of records and CDs.
Find out more about Upstairs ›
Goodbye Horses, UK, by Leopold Banchini Architects
“All the elements” of Swiss studio Leopold Banchini Architects’ Goodbye Horses wine and listening bar were crafted from a single oak tree, including custom-made shelves that hold records.
Located in northeast London’s De Beauvoir neighbourhood, Goodbye Horses was designed to reference classic English pubs. The space features a hand-textured lime plaster ceiling and beaten earth flooring, chosen for the material’s acoustical properties.
Find out more about Goodbye Horses ›
Anima, Germany, by Grzywinski+Pons
Amina is a restaurant and audiophile bar on the ground floor of the Locke at East Side Gallery hotel in Berlin, designed by New York architecture studio Grzywinski+Pons.
Created as a dedicated space for music lovers, Amina features a rich material palette with subtle hues. Locally sourced bricks made from recycled sand and lime were used to fabricate built-in seating and planters, while large sandy-hued speakers were nestled on either side of homely white shelving stacked with records.
Find out more about Anima ›
Space Talk, UK, by EBBA Architects and Charlotte Taylor
London studio EBBA Architects collaborated with British designer Charlotte Taylor to create Space Talk, a hi-fi bar in the city’s Clerkenwell neighbourhood.
Divided into four distinct zones, each area of the bar features a different curation of sound and light to encourage visitors to move through the atmospheric space across an evening. Vintage furniture and objects were paired with acoustic panelling and woodblock columns, forming a distinctly eclectic interior.
Find out more about Space Talk ›
This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring light-filled cottages, exposed concrete bedrooms and sculptural stone sinks.
Mocha Mousse: Colour of the Year 2025
Pantone and its expert team have been determining the colour of the year every year for 25 years. This year’s choice was a shade that resembles melted milk chocolate whipped with a few drops of espresso into a fluffy foam. Mocha Mousse 17-1230.
The choice of colour is the result of a careful analysis that includes not only fashion shows, art, films, new technologies and materials, but also social and cultural events and discussions about global mood and direction. In selecting one distinctive colour, Pantone experts try to reflect as faithfully as possible the overall attitude of society.
Why is the colour of the year so important?
Pantone sets the standards used by designers, manufacturers and companies around the world. The fashion and interior design industries, as well as the beauty and cosmetics, technology and industrial design industries, are all in line for the Colour of the Year award. This year, you will see the usual mocha mousse shade on mobile phones, lipsticks, furniture, but also on food processors and earphones.
Practical and sustainable
Mocha Mousse also perfectly reflects the image of a company that seeks sustainability and practicality. Its great feature is its easy combinability with other colours. Therefore, you really don’t have to change all your accessories right away, but just sensitively complement them with some other piece in the mocha mousse shade.
Mocha Mousse is also very welcome in interior design because it is one of the shades of warm brown like wood in general. Therefore, this year it might be worth considering if it’s not already time to get that gorgeous Eames Lounge Chair with chocolate brown premium leather.
If you decide to grace your home with the colour of 2025, you’ll find a plethora of designer Scandinavian pieces in these shades in the DesignVille range, from small decorations to rugs to sofa sets.
Podykh Apartment by MAKHNO studio
MAKHNO studio‘s latest project, PODYKH APARTMENT, is a two-story home on the Pacific coast where lightness and naturalness reign supreme. This project epitomises the studio’s approach to design — harmonising space, materials, and atmosphere to create a living environment that breathes with elegance and comfort.
122 m² may seem limited for a two-story house, but the studio’s goal was to visually open and expand the space, allowing it to breathe freely. To achieve this, they utilised clever design tricks and architectural redevelopment, transforming this compact apartment into a vast and airy retreat.
The ground floor hosts a large common space with dining and relaxing areas, as well as a guest bathroom. Upstairs, two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms ensure privacy and comfort.
Optimizing the space required changes to the layout: the cramped restroom area on the first floor was expanded, and the stairs leading to the second floor were moved and structurally lightened. This adjustment created more usable space, particularly by freeing up a niche beneath the stairs.
The heart of the apartment is a bright, open living room with panoramic ocean views and a second light. There are no walls or partitions, allowing for maximum air circulation and a sense of spaciousness. The materials used — wood, clay, stone, metal, and natural textiles — create a seamless connection with nature.
In the kitchen area, high-quality stainless steel combines with a warm wooden worktop. Above, the ceramic art lamp CHOVEN by MAKHNO fills the space with a gentle honey light. The dining area features a massive table with ceramic raku legs and a stone top, complemented by elegant clusters of KHMARA lamps hanging from the second light — a favorite silhouette of the owners. All materials are natural and eco-friendly.
In the recreation area, a luxurious soft sofa sits alongside a ceramic table, and the walls are adorned with clay artistic molding depicting natural textures. DIDOs, ceramic sculptures, add an artistic and aesthetic depth to the room. The floors and ceiling are crafted from oak planks, while the walls are covered in clay artistic plaster. Natural materials like wood and clay create a warm, inviting atmosphere that allows the space to breathe.
The guest bathroom continues the story of natural materials and shapes. Ceramic tiles, arranged in cracked patterns, give the side walls a sense of physical expansion. The front wall features DROZH volumetric art tiles, combined into a striking, colorful pattern. A VULYK ceramic lamp and a real stone washbasin complete the design, creating a sense of stability and natural texture that breathes with life.
A light wooden staircase leads to the second floor, where even more space awaits. The walls are decorated with a wave-like metal art object, adding a shimmering, silver touch to the air. Glass handrails, light clay plaster, and wood give the corridors a bright and spacious feel, while light open partitions allow for unobstructed air circulation throughout the upper floor.
The master bedroom is designed to be an open, airy retreat. Without solid walls, the light partitions allow for easy flow from one space to another. An OKO PURE frameless art mirror stands at the entrance, emphasizing the concept of lightness. The bedroom is filled with unique art objects, including a MAKIVKA lamp and QUADROPOD art tiles. The space resembles a modern art gallery, featuring niches for decorative objects, glass partitions that play with sunlight, and asymmetrical furniture that creates a harmonious, inspiring atmosphere.
The guest bedroom is a calm and serene space, accented by dark tones that balance the flood of natural light from panoramic windows. WIND tiles create a dynamic chiaroscuro effect, while artistic plaster and simple wooden niches complete the design. The VOLCANO ceramic lamp adds a final touch, balancing artistic craftsmanship with natural beauty.
The PODYKH APARTMENT is a design experiment in visually expanding space, adding dynamic air circulation, and creating an atmosphere that feels alive. Every corner of this home is carefully crafted for comfort and beauty, making it both cozy and intriguing — a true living art space.
A Home with Heart and History Awaits Its Next Chapter
When one of my darlings—a home I’ve featured—comes on the market, I feel an irresistible duty to let you know. Especially when it’s not just the house that’s up for grabs, but all the furniture too.
Yes, you heard that right: Lynda Gardener is selling her beloved The White House in Daylesford. The dreamy property is a masterclass in understated elegance, with natural tones brought to life by the patina and stories of the individual vintage pieces Lynda has so lovingly sourced over time. Every room tells a tale, making it a one-of-a-kind home.
And let’s not forget that beautiful garden room, the one I’ve been dreaming over since first laying eyes on it back in 2017. Now, imagine not just owning the home, but also having the chance to take it on with all its thoughtfully curated treasures. How wonderful?
Whether you’re contemplating a move to Australia or simply looking for a dose of gorgeous interior inspiration to brighten your Friday, this home is sure to have something for each everyone of us. Some of these images might be familiar, others perhaps new, I hope you enjoy the tour all the same!
Lovely! I’ll never tire of this home, and Lynda’s unique style.
I do love a garden room – what a perfect guesthouse. Is there anything that stood out to you?
Shall we take a few more tours to round off the week? How about taking a peek inside:
It’s been great to be back blogging this week, I hope you’ve enjoyed all the tours.
Before I sign off, I want to send all my love to everyone in LA. It’s truly devastating to witness the destruction from afar, and my thoughts are with all those affected—to those who have lost their homes and businesses and also the precious wildlife losing their habitats. Our thoughts are with you.
Trevlig helg,
Industrial minimalism | Frama Rivet Collection
No need to tell you I have always been attracted to metal. Years ago I mainly wrote about industrial and raw spaces, early readers will remember how we all swooned over the industrial home in concrete and steal by Johan Israelson. I experimented a lot with adding unusual metal objects to my styling, which I mainly found at antique and curiosa markets. It was my own style in which I often used zinc, sometimes I still come across a beautiful French roof decoration as I used. There are moments I regret selling it must confess.
In the meantime, most of the objects, except for a few real treasures, have disappeared from my styling and home. You still see a lot of metal in my home though. Such as the beautiful shelves from Menuspace, which I get a question about almost every week. You can’t miss my metal cabinets, table and chairs by wdstck. I brought more brass into my home and in my styling, metal is also still present, in addition to ceramics and beautiful fabrics, but now a bit more polished using objects from my ever expanding Mad et Len collection.
Industrial minimalism | Frama Rivet Collection
Industrial minimalism is a term I used in the time I started decluttering my home from all the zink and slowly adopted a more minimalist approach while decorating my home. When thinking of minimalism, Scandinavia and Japan comes to mind. And when I first discovered Danish Frama over 10 years ago, I immediately fell in love with the brand. Later I visited the home of founder Niels Strøyer Christophersen. See here: A raw and minimalistic apartment | Frama Studio apartment which at that moment really was an eye opener. Telling me that the direction I was going, was pure and personal and perfectly reflected my ideas on decorating and that that was okay!
Years later my style is still changing and ‘developing’…. and can you believe I am also still decluttering. I accepted my kitchen will never have a bare empty countertop as I love good food and a Burgundian kitchen style while keeping it minimal. I can just get really happy from a stack of black plates, kitchen herbs and beautiful silver cutlery in a ceramic pot. I also adopted colour into my home, creating the perfect kitchen for my Mediterranean heart.
Rivet Shelves
With the ongoing use of Aluminium, adding a soft industrial touch to our homes, I’d love you to have a look at the Rivet Shelves by Frama. Rivet Shelf makes for a practical and aesthetic storage solution and a symbiosis between craftsmanship and industrial production. The first piece in the series was developed in 2011 at the Statens Værksteder for Kunst, National Workshops for Arts in Copenhagen, aiming to find an alternative to welding aluminum. Recently also glass variants were added to the Series. Have a look at the shelves and other products from this series at the frama website here: Rivet Series
