A new Seattle modern house designed by chadbourne + doss architects houses a couple and their 18 bicycles. 3 floors connect indoors and out and provide panoramic views of Lake Washington. photo by Benjamin Benschneider

New construction, completed in 2013 Photograph by Geoff Captain Studios
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©Village Stonesmith Gardens & Masonry
Photo of a small contemporary landscaping in Boston.

The front of the house features an open porch, a common feature in the neighborhood. Stairs leading up to it are tucked behind one of a pair of brick walls. The brick was installed with raked (recessed) horizontal joints which soften the overall scale of the walls. The clerestory windows topping the taller of the brick walls bring light into the foyer and a large closet without sacrificing privacy. The living room windows feature a slight tint which provides a greater sense of privacy during the day without having to draw the drapes. An overhang lined on its underside in stained cedar leads to the entry door which again is hidden by one of the brick walls.

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Wally Sears, Julia Starr Sanford, Mark David Major
Beach style living room photo in Jacksonville with gray walls

Minimalist gray split-level stucco exterior home photo in Nashville

Toward the rear of the house interior spaces look into the outdoor spaces, connecting them through views. The interior kitchen has a visual connection with the outdoor dining area leading people into the shaded outdoor spaces. Robin Hill

Long cedar volume with a sheltered entry, seen after a snowfall. Windham Residence, an off-grid 1,700 SF home in the Catskill Mountains, NY, by Domo Architecture.

This post-war, plain bungalow was transformed into a charming cottage with this new exterior detail, which includes a new roof, red shutters, energy-efficient windows, and a beautiful new front porch that matched the roof line. Window boxes with matching corbels were also added to the exterior, along with pleated copper roofing on the large window and side door. Photo courtesy of Kate Benjamin Photography

Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli
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Helene Binet
1960s patio photo in Chicago

Peter Murdock
Inspiration for a contemporary exterior home remodel in New York

Example of a trendy three-story mixed siding house exterior design in Seattle

The best of past and present architectural styles combine in this welcoming, farmhouse-inspired design. Clad in low-maintenance siding, the distinctive exterior has plenty of street appeal, with its columned porch, multiple gables, shutters and interesting roof lines. Other exterior highlights included trusses over the garage doors, horizontal lap siding and brick and stone accents. The interior is equally impressive, with an open floor plan that accommodates today’s family and modern lifestyles. An eight-foot covered porch leads into a large foyer and a powder room. Beyond, the spacious first floor includes more than 2,000 square feet, with one side dominated by public spaces that include a large open living room, centrally located kitchen with a large island that seats six and a u-shaped counter plan, formal dining area that seats eight for holidays and special occasions and a convenient laundry and mud room. The left side of the floor plan contains the serene master suite, with an oversized master bath, large walk-in closet and 16 by 18-foot master bedroom that includes a large picture window that lets in maximum light and is perfect for capturing nearby views. Relax with a cup of morning coffee or an evening cocktail on the nearby covered patio, which can be accessed from both the living room and the master bedroom. Upstairs, an additional 900 square feet includes two 11 by 14-foot upper bedrooms with bath and closet and a an approximately 700 square foot guest suite over the garage that includes a relaxing sitting area, galley kitchen and bath, perfect for guests or in-laws.

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Mid-sized cottage two-story stone exterior home idea in Philadelphia

a clerestory window at the master bath extension creates a termination point for the long rear patio, and allows for a private patio at the master bedroom beyond. photo by jimmy cheng photography

Black Stone Edge Studio
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