Our empty nester clients bought this 1989 house on the Pacific Coast with the goal of remodeling it once they found the right architect. The shed roof house was built with plain finishes, basic front steps, and a raised panel front door with leaded glass sidelights and an arched window over it, but the location was to die for. Our goal was to make the house more consistently modern, more open, and take greater advantage of the views. At the exterior, we replaced the basic wood siding and clunky trim with a palette of more refined siding, sleek minimalist trim, stucco, and stacked stone. We replaced the old windows with better-proportioned black aluminum windows. We replaced the basic front door with a cool contemporary flush door, replaced the garage door with a compatible new one, replaced the dated exterior lighting, and added new downlights in the eaves. We redesigned the exterior wood stairs with an expansive, flowing design made of concrete and stone. We replaced the solid rails at the exterior with glass rails and completely redesigned the entry with sleek tile, new contemporary wood stairs, and frameless glass rails. We designed a new open kitchen and bathrooms using transitional-style cabinets, cutting-edge appliances, and modern fixtures. The most complicated part of the project was replacing a dated curved glass solarium. We replaced it with a better-insulated sunroom with an actual roof and skylights instead of the original kit solarium. It not only better suits the architecture but it is now one of the owners’ favorite rooms.

We drew inspiration from traditional prairie motifs and updated them for this modern home in the mountains. Throughout the residence, there is a strong theme of horizontal lines integrated with a natural, woodsy palette and a gallery-like aesthetic on the inside. Interiors by Alchemy Design Photography by Todd Crawford Built by Tyner Construction

Matt Waclo Photography
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This modern farmhouse located outside of Spokane, Washington, creates a prominent focal point among the landscape of rolling plains. The composition of the home is dominated by three steep gable rooflines linked together by a central spine. This unique design evokes a sense of expansion and contraction from one space to the next. Vertical cedar siding, poured concrete, and zinc gray metal elements clad the modern farmhouse, which, combined with a shop that has the aesthetic of a weathered barn, creates a sense of modernity that remains rooted to the surrounding environment. The Glo double pane A5 Series windows and doors were selected for the project because of their sleek, modern aesthetic and advanced thermal technology over traditional aluminum windows. High performance spacers, low iron glass, larger continuous thermal breaks, and multiple air seals allows the A5 Series to deliver high performance values and cost effective durability while remaining a sophisticated and stylish design choice. Strategically placed operable windows paired with large expanses of fixed picture windows provide natural ventilation and a visual connection to the outdoors.

This gorgeous home sits atop a hill overlooking Lake Washington. The original roofline was flat and uninspired. Raising the roof over the main living area created a bright and spacious contemporary layout with a nod to its mid-century roots.

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Summer Beauty onion surround the stone entry columns while the Hydrangea begin to glow from the landscape lighting. Landscape design by John Algozzini. Photo courtesy of Mike Crews Photography.

The large angled garage, double entry door, bay window and arches are the welcoming visuals to this exposed ranch. Exterior thin veneer stone, the James Hardie Timberbark siding and the Weather Wood shingles accented by the medium bronze metal roof and white trim windows are an eye appealing color combination. Impressive double transom entry door with overhead timbers and side by side double pillars. (Ryan Hainey)

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This Craftsman lake view home is a perfectly peaceful retreat. It features a two story deck, board and batten accents inside and out, and rustic stone details.

Situated on the edge of New Hampshire’s beautiful Lake Sunapee, this Craftsman-style shingle lake house peeks out from the towering pine trees that surround it. When the clients approached Cummings Architects, the lot consisted of 3 run-down buildings. The challenge was to create something that enhanced the property without overshadowing the landscape, while adhering to the strict zoning regulations that come with waterfront construction. The result is a design that encompassed all of the clients’ dreams and blends seamlessly into the gorgeous, forested lake-shore, as if the property was meant to have this house all along. The ground floor of the main house is a spacious open concept that flows out to the stone patio area with fire pit. Wood flooring and natural fir bead-board ceilings pay homage to the trees and rugged landscape that surround the home. The gorgeous views are also captured in the upstairs living areas and third floor tower deck. The carriage house structure holds a cozy guest space with additional lake views, so that extended family and friends can all enjoy this vacation retreat together. Photo by Eric Roth

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