The home office portion of the gift wrapping room uses the same white maple Wellborn cabinets connected by walnut countertops. The office space was originally set up so the lady of the house had a computer and printer for her craft projects, but the man of the house finds himself (and their dog!) spending a lot of time at this station because it's inviting and inspiring. Photo by Toby Weiss

Tricia Shay Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary gray two-story mixed siding house exterior remodel in Milwaukee with a shed roof

The Mazama house is located in the Methow Valley of Washington State, a secluded mountain valley on the eastern edge of the North Cascades, about 200 miles northeast of Seattle. The house has been carefully placed in a copse of trees at the easterly end of a large meadow. Two major building volumes indicate the house organization. A grounded 2-story bedroom wing anchors a raised living pavilion that is lifted off the ground by a series of exposed steel columns. Seen from the access road, the large meadow in front of the house continues right under the main living space, making the living pavilion into a kind of bridge structure spanning over the meadow grass, with the house touching the ground lightly on six steel columns. The raised floor level provides enhanced views as well as keeping the main living level well above the 3-4 feet of winter snow accumulation that is typical for the upper Methow Valley. To further emphasize the idea of lightness, the exposed wood structure of the living pavilion roof changes pitch along its length, so the roof warps upward at each end. The interior exposed wood beams appear like an unfolding fan as the roof pitch changes. The main interior bearing columns are steel with a tapered “V”-shape, recalling the lightness of a dancer. The house reflects the continuing FINNE investigation into the idea of crafted modernism, with cast bronze inserts at the front door, variegated laser-cut steel railing panels, a curvilinear cast-glass kitchen counter, waterjet-cut aluminum light fixtures, and many custom furniture pieces. The house interior has been designed to be completely integral with the exterior. The living pavilion contains more than twelve pieces of custom furniture and lighting, creating a totality of the designed environment that recalls the idea of Gesamtkunstverk, as seen in the work of Josef Hoffman and the Viennese Secessionist movement in the early 20th century. The house has been designed from the start as a sustainable structure, with 40% higher insulation values than required by code, radiant concrete slab heating, efficient natural ventilation, large amounts of natural lighting, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and locally sourced materials. Windows have high-performance LowE insulated glazing and are equipped with concealed shades. A radiant hydronic heat system with exposed concrete floors allows lower operating temperatures and higher occupant comfort levels. The concrete slabs conserve heat and provide great warmth and comfort for the feet. Deep roof overhangs, built-in shades and high operating clerestory windows are used to reduce heat gain in summer months. During the winter, the lower sun angle is able to penetrate into living spaces and passively warm the exposed concrete floor. Low VOC paints and stains have been used throughout the house. The high level of craft evident in the house reflects another key principle of sustainable design: build it well and make it last for many years! Photo by Benjamin Benschneider

This large deck was built in Holmdel, NJ. The flooring is Ipe hardwood. The rail is Azek brand synthetic railing system. The pergola is clear cedar that has been primed and painted. The columns are 10" square Permacast brand. The high underside of the deck is covered with solid Ipe skirting. This blocks the view of the deck under-structure from people enjoying the lower paver patio. Low voltage lights were added to the rail posts, in the pergola and in the stair risers. These lights add a nice ambiance to the deck, as well as safety.

Ceiling of existing entry was raised to 10'. New flat roof installed. 4" Artisan hardie siding added with mitered edges that nicely contrasts with 6" hardie siding covering the majority of the exterior walls. Tongue and groove cedar smooth siding on ceiling of porch. Painted steel column. Board formed concrete retaining wall added to make planter box. Wide concrete steps leading to open front porch. Added integrated door and window system. Photo: Charles Quinn

Designed by Black + Vernooy, built by Schatz Homes Designed to accommodate the clients' desire for a house that "sits beautifully and confidently" on its dramatic ridge-top site, the Mirador Residence takes full advantage of the site's natural terracing and sweeping Hill Country views by providing seamless transitions to its generous outdoor living spaces. The plan expresses the owner’s casual lifestyle and need for a variety of spaces strongly connected to the outdoors. Central Texas materials, such as native limestone and aromatic cedar, are chosen for their regional appropriateness and are deployed and detailed in ways designed to further integrate the house with its natural surroundings. The house comprises approximately 5900 square feet of living space wrapped around a hillside courtyard, and was completed in 2005.

Handy customer installing faux stone columns to wrap around a plain wood post.
Elegant patio photo in Houston

cedar covered patio - Pittsburgh PA
Patio kitchen - large craftsman backyard stamped concrete patio kitchen idea in Other with a roof extension

The covered porch in this project was renovated to update it's look. The existing tapered columns were replaced with these more contemporary-in-style versions...they are clean and simple which leaves the focus on the new Douglas Fir Arts-and-Crafts front entry door with side lights. The door has a beautifully rich custom stain that was also applied to the cedar tongue and groove ceiling that we installed.

Corners are eroded on all of the structures to allow the interior space to marry with the exterior views and site. Decks wrap these corners as well and provide an intermediate transition zone between structure and landscape. Inspired by local fishing shacks and wharf buildings dotting the coast of Maine, this retreat interweaves large glazed openings with simple taut-skinned New England shingled cottages. This skin is incised to open views to the sea beyond and relies on light steel framing and thin braces to preserve the simple forms eroded toward sweeping views.Eric Reinholdt - Project Architect/Lead Designer with Elliott + Elliott Architecture Photo: Eric Reinholdt

Creole Retreat by Scott Payne Architect
Example of a classic white one-story exterior home design in New Orleans

TK Images
Transitional backyard stamped concrete patio photo in Houston with a roof extension

Luke Wayne Photography
Example of a large arts and crafts entryway design in Bridgeport with beige walls and a dark wood front door

When we first met with these clients, they provided us with a very specific idea of what they wanted to create. The limitations of that project came into play with city build line restrictions which meant modifying the space. In the end, the result is a nice area to lounge by the pool, enjoy coffee in the mornings, and grill with your friends and family. We built up the new stamped concrete to the height of the first steps of the pool deck and tied it all in, removing the flagstone. The outdoor kitchen area is the same as the full size selection on the fireplace and columns. Behind the kitchen is a small bar height sitting area and stone foot rest for guests. The tongue and groove ceiling ties in well with the dark stain cedar wrapped posts and beams to create a cozy rustic finish. We offset the fireplace towards the back to maximize walk space for furniture. The small bench walls flanking each side of the fireplace not only provide definition to the area but also allow for extra seating without adding furniture pieces. The ceiling heaters provide additional heat for those nights when you need to take the chill out of the air.

The Home Aesthetic
Huge farmhouse white two-story brick exterior home idea in Indianapolis with a metal roof

Huge modern black three-story brick and board and batten house exterior idea in Atlanta with a mixed material roof and a black roof

This is an example of a southwestern porch design in Austin.

TK Images
Example of a transitional backyard stamped concrete patio design in Houston with a roof extension

When we first met with these clients, they provided us with a very specific idea of what they wanted to create. The limitations of that project came into play with city build line restrictions which meant modifying the space. In the end, the result is a nice area to lounge by the pool, enjoy coffee in the mornings, and grill with your friends and family. We built up the new stamped concrete to the height of the first steps of the pool deck and tied it all in, removing the flagstone. The outdoor kitchen area is the same as the full size selection on the fireplace and columns. Behind the kitchen is a small bar height sitting area and stone foot rest for guests. The tongue and groove ceiling ties in well with the dark stain cedar wrapped posts and beams to create a cozy rustic finish. We offset the fireplace towards the back to maximize walk space for furniture. The small bench walls flanking each side of the fireplace not only provide definition to the area but also allow for extra seating without adding furniture pieces. The ceiling heaters provide additional heat for those nights when you need to take the chill out of the air.