U.S. and European residences display texture and taste. 1. Firm: TC Plus. Project: House. Location: Ghent, Belgium. Standout: Ocean references include the tonal blues of a bathroom’s ceramic tile and, above the kitchen, a lounge inspired by a catamaran’s safety net. 2. Firm: Shed Architecture & Design. Project: Apartment. Location: Seattle, WA. Standout: The concrete brick in the kitchen and the hot-rolled, blackened, and waxed steel of a stair and balcony pick up on the building’s industrial vibe. 3. Firm: Joseph Ferrando Architecture. Project: House. Location: Sant Cugat del Vallés, Spain. Standout: Humble knotty pine cabinetry, paneling, and flooring join concrete block and particleboard for a look that's uper pared-down. 4. Firm: Colombo and Serboli Architecture; Margherita Serboli Arquitectura. Project: Apartment. Location: Barcelona, Spain. Standout: Century-old architecture suggested the style-approporate pink and mint green appearing on the walls, window casings, and encaustic floor tile. 5. Firm: Groves & Co. Project: Model apartment Location: New York, NY. Standout: Bronzed bath fittings and Italian statuary marble impart classic grandeur to contemporary digs.