Step Inside a Modern Home Built With Old-School Craftsmanship

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Step Inside a Modern Home Built With Old-School Craftsmanship

This professional couple loved living in Venice, California. But once their family started to grow, they needed a larger home, and their existing 2,500-square-foot lot wasn’t big enough to accommodate an addition as well as a yard. So they purchased a lot of about 11,000 square feet with plans to build a special new home that would function well for their casual family lifestyle, operate with energy efficiency and feature materials that had both beauty and meaning.

Seattle architect Nils Finne’s approach was right up their alley. They tasked him with creating a home that would be practical for their family, provide strong connections to the pool and yard, and have meaningful custom fixtures and furniture details that would all work in symphony with the architecture.

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Comments (60)
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aniam55

I really like how this house connects to the outside.

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Prince Fafa

I love the fact that the entire house is flooded with light, those windows are to die for!

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Trixie

beyond amazing❤

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Quantum Windows & Doors

Thank you @nilsfinne for allowing us to be a part of your unbelievable designs!

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FINNE Architects

A thousand thanks to Becky for a wonderful feature story on our Venice House!


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surfor

Truly art and engineering in beautiful form. A fabulous home designed by totally engaged architect.

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User

What was the duration of construction?

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FINNE Architects

Thanks to everyone for your kind comments! Here is a link to a cool drone video of the Venice House.......https://www.houzz.com/hznb/photos/venice-house-videomp4-los-angeles-phvw-vp~146421552

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Luisa Fernanda Lassaque

Every house in the whole world should be like this one. Bigger, smaller, but all of them should be as intelligently designed as this one. Congrats!


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opferjl

I do not see gutters on this home. How is the rain water handled?

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Lori

A little too modern for my taste but there’s no arguing the beauty of this House especially how it brings the outside into the house.

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Hess Architects

An intelligent, beautiful, contemporary design with the perfect balance of wood, metal and stone. What a delight to admire. Well done, FINNE.

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FINNE Architects

I really appreciate warm comments from fellow architects! Thank-you very much, Hess Architects.

   
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jmpjmp

Design perfection, both technical and aesthetic. A home that feels warm and personal throughout, from the lovely art to the special family spaces. The kitchen island is like a model of the house itself--magnificent.

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FINNE Architects

@Harry-V. the house took approximately 24 months to build.

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traskstone

Sorry folks I just can't go along with you on your assessment of this house at its present location. Out at my ranch with miles of expansive views and my closest neighbor being 6 miles away I could easily do it but not so open in a crowded city. I think the design is great and from what one can see of the craftsmanship well done and thought out.

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woogies3

amazing

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doraaguado

Beautiful

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FINNE Architects

@opferjl the house has integral gutters that are part of the standing seam metal roof. The gutters are not mounted to the fascias. All water is carried to percolation planters in the garden.

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FINNE Architects

@traskstone it sounds like you have a lovely piece of property. Believe it or not, the Venice House does have a sense of tranquility even though it is in a dense urban area.

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bizeebees

Love all of this! The lines are clean, the lighting and plantings natural, and the combinations of different natural elements- gorgeous, doesnt look forced...


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chrissiekirk

I love it. I'm jealous. I want it. Why couldn't it be mine? California Dreamin'.

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liasuz

Beautiful design!

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Barbara Wynd

Drop. Dead. Gorgeous. One of my favourite houses you have ever shown! A piece of art!

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FINNE Architects
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Alexandra Falcan

I would really like to know what is the roof made of.

   
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Alexandra Falcan

I'm looki at the stairs and I'm wondering how do you paint the wall next to it. Can the staircase be lifted in order to cover that narrow spot?

   
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FINNE Architects

Thanks for your comments. The roof is a standing seam metal roof. The wall next to the stair was painted prior to the stair installation.

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Nicole

What color white paint did you use for the interior of this project? Lovely design all around.

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vtlady52

Wow. Breathtaking. I am always telling my husband that a house without a good roofline is not worth its salt. A roof must have something to add interest: an eyebrow dormer, 2 elevations, tower, something. Yours has it all. I love the swooping wing, the 2 level roofs along with the glass...heaven. Fabulous design, love the thought process.

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Christine Botti

Beautiful house but just doesn’t fit in that neighborhood, I can see it on open land!

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midmodfan

This house, like all FINNE Architects' projects I've seen here over the last decade, is proof that modern architecture is not necessarily cold. I've always been a sucker for this style, i.e. clean lines & warm materials.

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rachann61

I think this house fits perfectly into the hillside of Venice CA. It’s like a tree house. And Venice is a funky beach town. Great job to all

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Charity G

Absolutely INCREDIBLE! This house and its light make my heart feel hopeful and filled with joy. I love “crafted modernism”- there’s a warmth to this work that sometimes gets lost in other contemporary projects.
Bravo!

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K S

This home makes my soul sing beyond what mere words can express. It actually brought tears of joy to my eyes. I cannot thank you enough for sharing - including the amazing video by the architectural firm. Sigh.

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KSN Design

I love the lighting over the island.

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Boh Ketterling

Very attractive home, balancing nature elements into a functional living space.
Any chance I could find out where the main entrance rug was purchased?
Thanks so much

   
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Ishmail Nassasrdeen-Buckley

This house would rock in Colorado. I love the open feel, light, materials, and, well I could on an on. I just love it, GREAT JOB!!!

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My Bali Living

I am forever in love with craftsman house

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Eugene Ely

Love to get info on kitchen cabinet hardware?

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Lyn Sauberli

Love that you brought quality into a modern building. Love open concept but very frustrating when visible work needs to be done and cant match surface finishes. Just wondering about rain water diversion. I don't see any eaves troughs or down spouts. Do you have a company or link with your method?

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FINNE Architects

@lynsaunerli the house has a complete system of gutters and downspouts. However, as you noticed, they are all hidden .

   
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FINNE Architects

@eugene ely the cabinet pulls are Mockett tab pulls

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bizeebees

love the light & windows, the thought that went into placement of , everything, absolutely gorgeous and artistic. I love the roof line, the beams, and all the angles. Someone asked above where the gutters are, I was curious as well, I would have loved to see solar panels on this roof, curious if it would look as pretty, and maybe ideas on how to apply this crafted Modernism to alternative energy sources ,etc. Thank you for the inspiration, makes me happy to know the designer is from the Pacific Northwest as well-stunning!

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Ryan H

the curved roof is cool but channeling rain towards the house does not pass the reassuring test

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FINNE Architects

@bruce hardman we have a large stainless gutter with membrane beneath to catch the water against the house. No problems so far.

   
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samiraattia26

Thank I want to put glass around my ball cony is that possible

   
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Jj J

This home is exquisite. I’d love to see a PNW version of this!

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Colleen Brouillette

Thank you to @FINNE Architects and the homeowners for sharing this incredible home with us. It was fascinating to learn about the materials and level of detail that went into this home.

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Dharma wilson

The Venice House is beautiful. What wood did you use for this project (indoor outdoor stairs roof etc) and how are they treated to last.

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laurelcwan

Absolutely Beautiful. I love modern design but dislike the cold feeling of most. This home is warm and inviting. Love the use of wood, stone, and metal. Love the attention to detail, like the floating glass counter at standard chair height. Just beautiful.

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FINNE Architects

@laurelcwan thanks so much for your kind words!

   
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Nicole Hecker

What beautiful ideas!

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Jj J

Such honor for the beauty of place, siting, and the wood used in each of these properties. Imaginative and smart. Bravo!

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Barbara Wynd

What an artist, that Nils!!!!!

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Joanne

What a beautiful crafted house ! Unbelievable....

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FINNE Architects

@Joanne and @Barbara Wynd......thanks very much!

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M L

Wonderful windows and light! Too bad the designer did not use some color on the walls.

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Janet Kuras

What a gorgeous piece of architecture! Mega talented architect and lucky homeowners.

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