The sunlight-dappled home is a respite, weaving interior and exterior materials and structural elements together intentionally in conversation with the surrounding natural landscape. Red Hills is sited to quietly rest within the forested land and maximize views from its place on a ridge overlooking vineyards beyond. A layered arrival to the site signals that it is time to let go of the day’s urgency—hedgerow trees give way to descending stairs, compressing down into the home and through to the main living area where a windowed wall opens up the space entirely to immerse into nature.

Chalkboard barn door entry into pantry. Wood top island, custom hood, white oak beams, brass hardware
Inspiration for a large coastal l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Miami with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, two islands and white countertops

Example of a beach style home office design in San Diego

Laundry room - cottage laundry room idea in New Orleans with beige countertops

The Silestone countertops are man-made compressed quartz, strong and chip resistant. They chose the color White Zeus Extreme to match the cupboards. Photo: Margot Hartford © 2014 Houzz

“Compelling.” That’s how one of our judges characterized this stair, which manages to embody both reassuring solidity and airy weightlessness. Architect Mahdad Saniee specified beefy maple treads—each laminated from two boards, to resist twisting and cupping—and supported them at the wall with hidden steel hangers. “We wanted to make them look like they are floating,” he says, “so they sit away from the wall by about half an inch.” The stainless steel rods that seem to pierce the treads’ opposite ends are, in fact, joined by threaded couplings hidden within the thickness of the wood. The result is an assembly whose stiffness underfoot defies expectation, Saniee says. “It feels very solid, much more solid than average stairs.” With the rods working in tension from above and compression below, “it’s very hard for those pieces of wood to move.” The interplay of wood and steel makes abstract reference to a Steinway concert grand, Saniee notes. “It’s taking elements of a piano and playing with them.” A gently curved soffit in the ceiling reinforces the visual rhyme. The jury admired the effect but was equally impressed with the technical acumen required to achieve it. “The rhythm established by the vertical rods sets up a rigorous discipline that works with the intricacies of stair dimensions,” observed one judge. “That’s really hard to do.”

Jerri Kriegel
Example of a huge minimalist master multicolored tile and mosaic tile light wood floor freestanding bathtub design in Los Angeles with an integrated sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble countertops, a one-piece toilet and multicolored walls

Inspiration for a transitional medium tone wood floor kitchen remodel in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Featured on the Discovery Channel's Renovation Nation, this green solar home built on a narrow infill lot is passively heated, naturally cooled and solar powered. Unlike conventional homes built with wood or masonry, this home is built from the soil from the excavation on site. A machine uses very high pressure to compress the soil into a brick. The compressed earth bricks, wrapped with a continuous layer of foam insulation to retain heat, form a structurally sound massive exterior wall that is an integral part of the home’s passive heating and cooling system. In the winter, the sun coming through the south facing windows heats the house and warms the walls. At night, the massive walls radiate heat back into the home. Features of this house include 3000 gallons of rainwater collection, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and non-toxic materials. The home is certified by EarthCraft Virginia green building program.

Photo Credit: Eric Roth
Cottage dark wood floor bedroom photo in Boston with white walls

Cork flooring is incredibly elastic. It has a high rate of compression and great structural memory. It is able to withstand 50% compression with 95% recovery. Not only that but cork floors are quiet, warm and soft underfoot, as well as being completely renewable and 100% renewable.

Doug Edmunds Photography
Home gym - traditional home gym idea in Milwaukee

Inspiration for a farmhouse kitchen remodel in New York

By Eilersen: Solid-wood frame with Nozag-spring seat-base, covered with polyurethane foam in a 600 g pre-compressed, fibre-fill wrap. Back cushion and neck-roll filling is 100% down and small duck feathers sewn into a ribbed, feather-proof cambric casing. To retain the feather cushion’s appearance and shape, regular fluffing-up and airing are recommended. 3 cushions and 1 bolster included. Born a classic. Named after its expression. Clean lines and uncomplicated elegance make Baseline an obvious starting point for the interior decoration of your living room. Baseline is the epitome of quality, comfort, and classic design. Plus double the flexibility. With its stylistically consistent simplicity, Baseline glides effortlessly into any interior. Moreover, we have produced it in a varied series of corners, centre elements, stools and chaise-lounge which provide almost unlimited possibilities for individual combinations. Build the modules in systems - or choose them as free-standing furniture. Both the seat and back are upholstered with a super flexible layer of pre-compressed fiberfill which optimizes sitting comfort and gives a soft, rounded look. You can easily purchase movable neckroll pillows and large down pillows, 55 x 65 cm, so Baseline invites even more relaxed enjoyment. The 25 cm broad armrest gives a balanced finish and also lifts the sofa which seems to float freely in the air on its legs of black-stained wood that are only a few centimetres high. You can choose your cover from Eilersen's large fabric collection. The cover is removable and fitted with velcro so you can easily take it off and clean it (follow the care and maintenance instructions of the fabric). Under the cover, the sofa is further protected by a base cover in 100% cotton.

Dimensions: 128 "L x 39" D x 24" H Sectional Area: 64 " D The Baseline sofa is in stock in the US for quick delivery at 128" x 63" with chaise in Gravel 26 and Tangent 16. Includes: Head Roll 6 3/4"dia x 23 1/2"w and three Back Cushions 21 3/4" x 25 1/2 x 2 3/4". Find fabric images Nueva, Bakar, Bubble II, Gravel, Plindy, Tangent, Desert, Herring and Nature, all available for special order with promotional pricing. Inquire for more info. Fabric samples are available upon request. Comes in Left Facing or Right Facing By Eilersen: Solid-wood frame with Nozag-spring seat-base, covered with polyurethane foam in a 600 g pre-compressed, fibre-fill wrap. Back cushion and neck-roll filling is 100% down and small duck feathers sewn into a ribbed, feather-proof cambric casing. To retain the feather cushion’s appearance and shape, regular fluffing-up and airing are recommended. 3 cushions and 1 bolster included. Born a classic. Named after its expression. Clean lines and uncomplicated elegance make Baseline an obvious starting point for the interior decoration of your living room. Baseline is the epitome of quality, comfort, and classic design. Plus double the flexibility. With its stylistically consistent simplicity, Baseline glides effortlessly into any interior. Moreover, we have produced it in a varied series of corners, centre elements, stools and chaise-lounge which provide almost unlimited possibilities for individual combinations. Build the modules in systems - or choose them as free-standing furniture. Both the seat and back are upholstered with a super flexible layer of pre-compressed fiberfill which optimizes sitting comfort and gives a soft, rounded look. You can easily purchase movable neckroll pillows and large down pillows, 55 x 65 cm, so Baseline invites even more relaxed enjoyment. The 25 cm broad armrest gives a balanced finish and also lifts the sofa which seems to float freely in the air on its legs of black-stained wood that are only a few centimetres high. You can choose your cover from Eilersen's large fabric collection. The cover is removable and fitted with velcro so you can easily take it off and clean it (follow the care and maintenance instructions of the fabric). Under the cover, the sofa is further protected by a base cover in 100% cotton.

A ceiling soffit creates a sense of place for this library within the main living area. The compression shelving system can be moved as desired, making it easy to change the feel of the space.

Another great example of compression in this house. The family room is tucked away, and the dark walls make it super cozy.
Living room - mid-sized traditional enclosed dark wood floor and brown floor living room idea in Houston with no fireplace and gray walls

Beech wood is known for its user-friendly variety which is resistant to compression and one of the wood varieties most sensitive to changes in indoor climate (temperature and humidity).

The Baseline sofa is in stock in the US for quick delivery at 128" x 63" with chaise in Gravel 26 and Tangent 16. Includes: Head Roll 6 3/4"dia x 23 1/2"w and three Back Cushions 21 3/4" x 25 1/2 x 2 3/4". Find fabric images Nueva, Bakar, Bubble II, Gravel, Plindy, Tangent, Desert, Herring and Nature, all available for special order with promotional pricing. Inquire for more info. Fabric samples are available upon request. Comes in Left Facing or Right Facing By Eilersen: Solid-wood frame with Nozag-spring seat-base, covered with polyurethane foam in a 600 g pre-compressed, fibre-fill wrap. Back cushion and neck-roll filling is 100% down and small duck feathers sewn into a ribbed, feather-proof cambric casing. To retain the feather cushion’s appearance and shape, regular fluffing-up and airing are recommended. 3 cushions and 1 bolster included. Born a classic. Named after its expression. Clean lines and uncomplicated elegance make Baseline an obvious starting point for the interior decoration of your living room. Baseline is the epitome of quality, comfort, and classic design. Plus double the flexibility. With its stylistically consistent simplicity, Baseline glides effortlessly into any interior. Moreover, we have produced it in a varied series of corners, centre elements, stools and chaise-lounge which provide almost unlimited possibilities for individual combinations. Build the modules in systems - or choose them as free-standing furniture. Both the seat and back are upholstered with a super flexible layer of pre-compressed fiberfill which optimizes sitting comfort and gives a soft, rounded look. You can easily purchase movable neckroll pillows and large down pillows, 55 x 65 cm, so Baseline invites even more relaxed enjoyment. The 25 cm broad armrest gives a balanced finish and also lifts the sofa which seems to float freely in the air on its legs of black-stained wood that are only a few centimetres high. You can choose your cover from Eilersen's large fabric collection. The cover is removable and fitted with velcro so you can easily take it off and clean it (follow the care and maintenance instructions of the fabric). Under the cover, the sofa is further protected by a base cover in 100% cotton.