Nordiska Kök Reimagines the Heart of a Parisian Home with Understated Elegance

Set within a Belle Époque home in Le Vésinet, just outside Paris, this bespoke kitchen by Nordiska Kök is part of a thoughtful extension and renovation led by Wukang Architectes in collaboration with interior designer Sara Mengesha, of Meio Interiors. Designed to feel like a natural continuation of the home’s neoclassical architecture, the kitchen brings together Nordic restraint and Parisian elegance through warm oak cabinetry, soft curved forms, and a serene, light-filled palette.

Built in 1870, the neoclassical residence is rich with historic detail—decorative cornices, parquet floors, and grand French doors that flood the home with light. When Sara and her family moved in, the kitchen sat within a newer extension—clean-lined but out of step with the original house. “The old kitchen felt disconnected—more like an add-on than a continuation,” she explains. The vision was to create something that felt more integrated, both in materiality and mood.

Crafted in Nordiska Kök’s workshop just outside Gothenburg, Sweden, the new kitchen offers a tailored solution—one that honours the home’s architectural language while introducing a gentle contemporary rhythm. Shaker cabinetry in warm dark oak brings a grounding richness, while soft arches—inspired by the home’s original fireplace—introduce a graceful, sculptural quality to the space.

Light hues and natural materials define the palette, allowing the kitchen to feel calm and cohesive within the wider home. Curved open shelving, marble worktops, and Corston knobs in a warm, brushed finish give the design both presence and polish. Despite its pared-back look, the kitchen is full of thoughtful details—from the beautifully concealed tea and coffee station tucked behind pocket doors, to the island bench that invites friends and family to gather.

As with all Nordiska Kök kitchens, form and function go hand in hand. The layout flows effortlessly from one zone to the next, creating a sense of rhythm and ease that suits the open-plan design. Framed by tall French windows that overlook the garden, the space is bathed in natural light, enhancing the warmth of the oak cabinetry and drawing out the subtle texture of the Dover White Namibia marble.

Credits

Kitchen: Nordiska Kök

Interior design: Meio Interiors

Architecture: Wukang Architectes

Photography: Andrea Papini

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Kent Avenue Penthouse by Norm Architects

Designed by Norm Architects, the Kent Avenue penthouse is a one-of-a-kind residence nestled along the Brooklyn waterfront, overlooking the East River and Manhattan skyline. Here, New York’s industrial vibe meets soft minimalism and tactile materials, creating an urban retreat above the bustling city. The open plan solution has been preserved and thoughtfully layered to define different zones, while a sunken terrace invites relaxation with its plunge pool and exquisite views.

Spanning approximately 350 square metres, the penthouse occupies the entire top floor of a grand building along the East River and is divided into two distinct living spaces—one designed for the privacy of the family, and the other a fully equipped guest house.

The residence seamlessly blends contemporary elegance with tactile materials, creating an atmosphere of both intimacy and spaciousness. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame breathtaking views of the river and Manhattan skyline, as well as the lush greenery that envelops the expansive terrace, blurring the line between indoors and out.

Inside, a serene interior balances the vibrant exterior views, while soft, plush textiles create warmth and tactility. The design blends organic shapes with clean lines, resulting in a space that feels both soothing and stimulating.

An in-built fireplace framed by elegant Carrara marble adds a touch of luxury, while discreet hidden doors open to reveal a private TV lounge, maintaining a clean and tranquil aesthetic. 

In the hallway a skylight floods the narrow space with natural light, creating an open and airy atmosphere.

A bespoke kitchen crafted by Vipp features a sleek black exterior with a natural oak core, blending style and functionality. The steel benchtop adds a refined, modern touch, while the folding fronts seamlessly tuck away to optimise space and enhance versatility within the kitchen.

Situated between the kitchen-dining area and living room, a grand bookcase with a perforated steel back invites natural light to permeate the space, preserving the connection between zones while defining their distinct purposes. This multifunctional bookcase also displays personal family treasures, adding character to the minimalist design.

Transitioning from the kitchen area, a door opens to reveal the adult suite, encompassing an office, bedroom, walk-in closet, and bathroom. Floor-to-ceiling windows line the walkway, framing serene views of the terrace greenery, with the graceful drape of sheer curtains adding a gentle layer to the streamlined materials.

The bedroom features a wooden bedframe with a headboard that extends to the ceiling, creating an intimate alcove within the airy, open space. Thoughtfully crafted, it serves a dual purpose as a closet on the reverse side, seamlessly merging function with style. The natural wood draws inspiration from the outdoors, blurring the boundaries between the interior and the surrounding greenery. This connection to nature brings warmth and tranquility, softening the modern design while fostering a deep sense of well-being and relaxation – transforming the room into a serene retreat.

The bathroom is crafted entirely from large grey stone slabs, with elegant silver fixtures that enhance the cool, modern aesthetic. In contrast to the warm wooden tones of the bedroom, the sharp lines of the stone create a bold, minimalist look. Soft curtains, consistent with the rest of the house, introduce a tactile element, casting beautiful shadows from the surrounding trees and greenery. Cleverly hidden storage adds to the clean, streamlined design.

The guest unit is cosy yet spacious. Here, a bespoke steel and wood kitchen is accented with elegant butterfly details, blending modern design with subtle craftsmanship.

There is also a living room, tranquil bedroom, a small office nook, bathroom, and toilet. Designed with the same elegant style as the main apartment, each detail—from the soft colour palette to the clean lines—ensures a harmonious and cohesive flow that feels effortlessly luxurious.

A serene haven where urban life meets tranquil living, the Kent Avenue Penthouse is impeccably designed and thoughtfully curated to cultivate a sense of unity and calm—a perfect blend of urban energy and quiet retreat.

Credits 

Norm Architects: Architect & Partner, Peter Eland / Architect, Hedda Klar 

Photography: Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen

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Vibia Lighting Brings Warmth to a Private Mediterranean Villa

Vibia is a global architectural lighting company based in Barcelona that aims to improve the world by creating better spaces to live in. From time to time I've been lucky to include some of their minimalist designs in my styling work, and they are a brand that I have always admired. House in S’Agaró, a private Mediterranean villa designed by Cristina Soler from Barcelona-based studio, Arquemo, features a range of Vibia lighting that brings a sense of warmth and wellbeing to the beautiful, pared back spaces. 

Deeply rooted in the Mediterranean architectural tradition, House in S’Agaró is composed of gentle forms with different dimensions that playfully adapt to the local climate and surrounding environment. Located in the heart of Costa Brava, as the light shifts throughout the day, sunlight dances across its many surfaces and deepens the contrasting shadows. Rich wooden details bring warmth to the predominantly white interior and the abundance of natural light further enhances the expressive quality of the spaces. The extensive range of Vibia lamps complement the space through their composition, colour and texture. Switched on or off they create an atmospheric experience, evoking a myriad of different moods and sensations.

For the open plan living room and kitchen area, Soler chose a mounted North wall lamp and two matching smaller-scale North pendants. The base of the wall lamp is fixed while its light source is suspended in space by a rod that reaches out into the living room. Flexible and versatile in height and rotation, it functions as both an ambient lamp and a reading light, offering a unique lighting effect with plenty of character. 

Designed by Arik Levy, the pendants are composed of traditional shades of lacquered matt suspended from slim rods, adding warmth and sophistication to the bar area.

Designed by Lievore, Altherr and Molina, Skan is minimalism in its purest state. Combining purity of form and clean lines, the three terra-red luminaires extend delicately from the ceiling, illuminating the length of the dining table with a broad downlight that brings a sense of wellbeing and community to this familial space.

A Wireflow chandelier presides over the double height of the central core of the house, visually dominating the entrance hall and stimulating an immediate sense of wonder. The work of designer Arik Levy, the Wireflow reinterprets the traditional chandelier, exploring its essence and enhancing its silhouette through an exercise in graphic simplification.

In contrast, a dimmable Mayfair table lamp with a metallic finish neatly illuminates the entrance hall sideboard with a subtle glow. Diego Fortunato’s Mayfair updates the classic 19th Century lamp with innovative technology and understated elegance.

A timeless series from Japanese designer Ichiro Iwasaki, the Pin is both classic and contemporary, characterised by a graceful stem and subtle, functional expression. Small in scale but with exceptional lighting efficiency, both the Pin floor and table lamps are the perfect companion for quiet moments of reading or work.

The Palma hanging lamp, conceived by designer Antoni Arola, was chosen to both frame the bathroom window and be visible from the outside. Composed of a globe that appears to float independently, it is suspended by three almost imperceptible cables that support a plant beneath. Like a luminous hanging garden, its capacity to create ambience evolves with the growth of the plant, making it ideal for establishing the desired exterior-interior dialogue.

Available in two wooden finishes, the Dots wall lights are designed by Martín Azúa. Ideal for bedside reading, these circular sconces can be turned to trace a cone-shaped beam in any desired direction.

To complement this more functional application, Soler also creates an enchanting wall embellishment by grouping three Dots together in abstract formation, creating a melody of ambient light that radiates from each halo like a constellation.

The Musa table lamp was chosen for a set of contemporary wooden stools as a finishing touch for the communal areas. Created by Note Design Studio, Musa is poetic in design. Reminiscent of a shell cradling a pearl, the symbiotic relationship between the small hand blown opal glass sphere and the organic dish that holds and reflects it contrasts dramatically with the geometric density of the blocks.

And finally, bringing a touch of elegance to an otherwise understated hallway are the two Duo ceiling lamps designed by Ramos & Bassols. A lamp of contrasts, the Duo combines a warm wooden interior with a refined metal wrap, naturally integrating into the overall aesthetic of House in S’Agaró.

Credits

Lighting: Vibia | Architect: Cristina Soler from Arquemo | Photography: Enric Badrinas

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