Designing for yourself is always a bold move, and in Lviv, KOSHULYNSKYY & MAYER co-founders Karina Mayer and Danylo Koshulynskyy prove why it’s worth it. Their 1,000-square-foot KM Home sheds the developer’s original layout in favor of something far more intentional. The home feels tailored, efficient, and deeply personal, a layout that actually supports the way they live day to day.
Photo: Michael Clifford
Leave it to Nina Freudenberger to create the kind of Palm Springs home you immediately want to move into. She uses a “decorating to 92 percent” philosophy that let the owners’ storied art collection really shine against a backdrop of tasteful, restrained backdrop of light tones, clean lines, and subtle textures. The serene desert retreat balances everyday comfort with the feel of a personal gallery.
Photo: Sergey Pilipovich
The Apartment Ann designed by Natasha Kukresh shows just how powerful bold color and intention can be – even in a compact footprint. What could’ve felt cramped becomes dynamic, thanks to strong hues, artful accents, and smart use of every inch. The space feels energetic and full of personality even with only 533 square feet of space.
Photo: Ishita Sitwala
After collaborating with the clients on past projects, DIG Architects returned with a bold yet serene vision for their 4,300-square-foot family home outside Mumbai. The Vaulted Monochrome Haus is a residence defined by its sweeping vaulted ceiling and a monochromatic palette that balances minimalism with drama.
Photo: Garrett Rowland
After buying their SoHo loft, the owners stumbled upon a magazine feature that showcased designer Ghislaine Viñas’s work in their exact apartment. Instantly drawn to her playful use of color and shared Dutch heritage, they brought her on to help transform the 2,000-square-foot space into a home that bridges European roots with NYC energy. The bright, modern residence is layered with elegance, personality, and just the right amount of downtown charm.
Once a machinery workshop, the project Apartment V in Ermionida, Greece is reborn as a bright, vibrant home by Naki Atelier, merging the raw texture of its industrial past with fresh, playful design elements. Glass-block walls, pops of color, an open-plan layout, and a suspended loft all work together to give the apartment new life.
Photo: Florian Wattier
Channeling the comfort of a luxurious hotel suite, the compact 344-square-foot BERGÈRE – Paris IX apartment is a palette cleanser for the eyes. Designer Émilie Magdelaine rethinks every inch with smart spatial planning, curated materials, and a soothing palette that opens up the small footprint. The tiny Parisian retreat feels surprisingly spacious and undeniably chic.
Photo: Chris Mottalini
Now here’s a color story you’ll want to dive into. BOND reimagines a 1,000-square-foot Tribeca loft inside a landmark New York City building, honoring its industrial roots while introducing a fresh, luminous aesthetic. The transformation balances historic character with contemporary clarity, creating a home that feels both deeply grounded and delightfully new.
Photo: Mood Authors
In Kraków, a young couple wanted a home that felt as vibrant as the city around them. With help from Butterfly Studio, their 84-square-meter apartment was reinvented with punchy colors, soft retro cues, and a layout that actually works for real life. It’s stylish, spirited, and intentionally livable.
And the most popular interior design post of 2025 is…
Photo: Alina Lefa
When your career is in the arts, it only makes sense that your home becomes a reflection of that world. That’s exactly the case with the Art Curators’ Apartment in Athens, where Oikonomakis Siampakoulis architects transformed a modest 1970s flat into a space that feels equal parts home and gallery. Informed by the owners’ collection of artworks, design pieces, and heirlooms, the apartment now reads like a lived-in exhibition of their creative lives.
Check out the rest of Design Milk’s end of the year coverage here!
