This year round two-family cottage is comprised of seven modules which required just 25 days to construct in an off-site facility. When assembled, these prefabricated units form a building that is 38 metres long but less than 5 metres wide. The length offers a variety of living spaces while the constricted width maintains a level of intimacy and affords views of the lake from every room. Sited along a north-south axis, the cottage sits obliquely on a ridge. Each of the three levels has a point of access at grade. The shared living spaces are entered from the top of the ridge with the sleeping spaces a level below. Facing the lake, the east elevation consists entirely of sliding glass doors and provides every room with access to the forest or balconies. Materials fall into two categories: reflective surfaces – glazing and mirror, and those with a muted colouration – unfinished cedar, zinc cladding, and galvanized steel. The objective is to visually push the structure into the background. Photos by Tom Arban

Our client requested a design that reflected their need to renovate their dated bathroom into a transitional floor plan that would provide accessibility and function. The new shower design consists of a pony wall with a glass enclosure that has beautiful details of brushed nickel square glass clamps. The interior shower fittings entail geometric lines that lend a contemporary finish. A curbless shower and linear drain added an extra dimension of accessibility to the plan. In addition, a balance bar above the accessory niche was affixed to the wall for extra stability. The shower area also includes a folding teak wood bench seat that also adds to the comfort of the bathroom as well as to the accessibility factors. Improved lighting was created with LED Damp-location rated recessed lighting. LED sconces were also used to flank the Robern medicine cabinet which created realistic and flattering light. Designer: Marie Cairns Contractor: Charles Cairns Photographer: Michael Andrew

Stunning Mill Valley contemporary filled with light! Beautifully remodeled with attention to detail and the finest finishes. Perfectly situated on the lower level of Mount Tamalpais and a short drive to downtown. Upper level consists of a master bedroom and bath, architecturally pleasing great room with fireplace, large dining area and open kitchen with a long countertop-bar. Sliding doors off of the great room lead to a fabulous deck for entertaining with views out to the San Francisco Bay. The lower level has two additional bedrooms and a full bath and access to a 2-car attached garage with plenty of room for storage. An additional detached storage shed, a hot tub, outdoor shower, level lawn, and cozy outdoor spaces complete this exceptional property. Close to downtown Mill Valley, easy San Francisco commute, hiking trails not far from your front door, and all of the beauty that Mill Valley has to offer.

This year round two-family cottage is comprised of seven modules which required just 25 days to construct in an off-site facility. When assembled, these prefabricated units form a building that is 38 metres long but less than 5 metres wide. The length offers a variety of living spaces while the constricted width maintains a level of intimacy and affords views of the lake from every room. Sited along a north-south axis, the cottage sits obliquely on a ridge. Each of the three levels has a point of access at grade. The shared living spaces are entered from the top of the ridge with the sleeping spaces a level below. Facing the lake, the east elevation consists entirely of sliding glass doors and provides every room with access to the forest or balconies. Materials fall into two categories: reflective surfaces – glazing and mirror, and those with a muted colouration – unfinished cedar, zinc cladding, and galvanized steel. The objective is to visually push the structure into the background. Photos by Tom Arban

This hillside walkout house plan showcases Craftsman charm in a stunning facade through stone and siding and a triplet of arches over the front porch. Inside this house plan, two levels of well-positioned rooms promote privacy and an open layout. The spacious great room accesses both a rear porch and the dining room, and features a fireplace, built-in shelves and cathedral ceiling. Tray ceilings crown the dining room, master bedroom and master bath for additional interest. Nothing short of elegant, the master suite includes two walk-in closets, as well as dual sinks and a separate shower and tub. The versatile bedroom/study is perfect for overnight guests, as it rests on the other side of the home and includes an adjacent full bath. The lower level of this house plan consists of two bedrooms, each with a private bath, and a family room with wet bar and patio access. Perfect for growing children or live-in relatives, the basement accommodates expansion.

Our client requested a design that reflected their need to renovate their dated bathroom into a transitional floor plan that would provide accessibility and function. The new shower design consists of a pony wall with a glass enclosure that has beautiful details of brushed nickel square glass clamps. The interior shower fittings entail geometric lines that lend a contemporary finish. A curbless shower and linear drain added an extra dimension of accessibility to the plan. In addition, a balance bar above the accessory niche was affixed to the wall for extra stability. The shower area also includes a folding teak wood bench seat that also adds to the comfort of the bathroom as well as to the accessibility factors. Improved lighting was created with LED Damp-location rated recessed lighting. LED sconces were also used to flank the Robern medicine cabinet which created realistic and flattering light. Designer: Marie Cairns Contractor: Charles Cairns Photographer: Michael Andrew

This hillside walkout house plan showcases Craftsman charm in a stunning facade through stone and siding and a triplet of arches over the front porch. Inside this house plan, two levels of well-positioned rooms promote privacy and an open layout. The spacious great room accesses both a rear porch and the dining room, and features a fireplace, built-in shelves and cathedral ceiling. Tray ceilings crown the dining room, master bedroom and master bath for additional interest. Nothing short of elegant, the master suite includes two walk-in closets, as well as dual sinks and a separate shower and tub. The versatile bedroom/study is perfect for overnight guests, as it rests on the other side of the home and includes an adjacent full bath. The lower level of this house plan consists of two bedrooms, each with a private bath, and a family room with wet bar and patio access. Perfect for growing children or live-in relatives, the basement accommodates expansion.

This year round two-family cottage is comprised of seven modules which required just 25 days to construct in an off-site facility. When assembled, these prefabricated units form a building that is 38 metres long but less than 5 metres wide. The length offers a variety of living spaces while the constricted width maintains a level of intimacy and affords views of the lake from every room. Sited along a north-south axis, the cottage sits obliquely on a ridge. Each of the three levels has a point of access at grade. The shared living spaces are entered from the top of the ridge with the sleeping spaces a level below. Facing the lake, the east elevation consists entirely of sliding glass doors and provides every room with access to the forest or balconies. Materials fall into two categories: reflective surfaces – glazing and mirror, and those with a muted colouration – unfinished cedar, zinc cladding, and galvanized steel. The objective is to visually push the structure into the background. Photos by Tom Arban

This home is located on a one acre parcel of land near the banks of the Milwaukee River in the older established subdivision of Sleepy Hollow Estates in Mequon, Wisconsin. The inspiration for this Glen Cove Residence was to bring the desired by many, contemporary and modern lifestyle of a down town loft and establish it in a neighborhood in the suburbs amongst traditional style homes. Sleepy Hollow Estates like many older established neighborhoods throughout the North shore and Westside communities of Milwaukee had great local architects such as John Randall McDonald and Russell Barr Williamson, who built contemporary master pieces amongst very traditional style homes. This created diversity in the style of homes in these neighborhoods which for the people living in them and the people just passing by, an experience of harmony and cultural lifestyle. Unfortunately today, many new neighborhood developments lack harmony and cultural lifestyle and don’t allow for homes such as this Glen Cove Residence to be built. And for that matter many of the homes built by John Randall McDonald and Russell Barr Williamson back in the 1950’s. When driving through these new developments, one would experience beautiful traditional style homes, but all the homes tend to look the same. There is no diversity in the styles of homes thus these neighborhoods lack the harmony and a cultural life style for the people who live there or what people are looking for when buying a home that reflects their lifestyle. This Glen Cove Residence is an example that a contemporary home which offers a modern lifestyle that many desires can be established amongst traditional homes while blending in with the neighborhood. Don’t be fooled by the flat roof of this home, building technology has come a long way since Frank Lloyd Wright! The roof system on this home is more energy efficient than most roof systems builders are putting on traditional homes today and it doesn’t leak! This Glen Cove Residence was built using all traditional building materials that you would see in homes being built in new developments today. There is a misconception out there that modern homes are expensive to build. That is not true! This Glen Cove Residence was built for roughly $130 per square foot which is the same price one would pay for a similar builder’s model traditional style home with the same upgrades. This Glen Cove Residence consists of three bedrooms and three and one half baths. All bedrooms are located on second floor with laundry, guest bath and a master suite. Located between the first and second floors off of the landing is an office/den space. The first floor is open concept with the kitchen, dining and living areas located at the rear of the home with expansive windows allowing a great connection to back yard area and outdoors. On the back of the home is a covered deck area allowing for outdoor entertaining without the worry of the elements. The first floor also offers a powder room, mudroom and walk-in pantry off the kitchen area. From the mudroom there is access to an attached four car tandem garage. From the first floor to the finished basement is an open stair allowing the basement area to feel as part of the house and not just a basement? The basement consists of a main living area, game area with wet bar, exercise room, kids play room with 14’ ceilings, full bathroom and mechanical room with storage closets throughout.

This hillside walkout house plan showcases Craftsman charm in a stunning facade through stone and siding and a triplet of arches over the front porch. Inside this house plan, two levels of well-positioned rooms promote privacy and an open layout. The spacious great room accesses both a rear porch and the dining room, and features a fireplace, built-in shelves and cathedral ceiling. Tray ceilings crown the dining room, master bedroom and master bath for additional interest. Nothing short of elegant, the master suite includes two walk-in closets, as well as dual sinks and a separate shower and tub. The versatile bedroom/study is perfect for overnight guests, as it rests on the other side of the home and includes an adjacent full bath. The lower level of this house plan consists of two bedrooms, each with a private bath, and a family room with wet bar and patio access. Perfect for growing children or live-in relatives, the basement accommodates expansion.

This year round two-family cottage is comprised of seven modules which required just 25 days to construct in an off-site facility. When assembled, these prefabricated units form a building that is 38 metres long but less than 5 metres wide. The length offers a variety of living spaces while the constricted width maintains a level of intimacy and affords views of the lake from every room. Sited along a north-south axis, the cottage sits obliquely on a ridge. Each of the three levels has a point of access at grade. The shared living spaces are entered from the top of the ridge with the sleeping spaces a level below. Facing the lake, the east elevation consists entirely of sliding glass doors and provides every room with access to the forest or balconies. Materials fall into two categories: reflective surfaces – glazing and mirror, and those with a muted colouration – unfinished cedar, zinc cladding, and galvanized steel. The objective is to visually push the structure into the background. Photos by Tom Arban

This hillside walkout house plan showcases Craftsman charm in a stunning facade through stone and siding and a triplet of arches over the front porch. Inside this house plan, two levels of well-positioned rooms promote privacy and an open layout. The spacious great room accesses both a rear porch and the dining room, and features a fireplace, built-in shelves and cathedral ceiling. Tray ceilings crown the dining room, master bedroom and master bath for additional interest. Nothing short of elegant, the master suite includes two walk-in closets, as well as dual sinks and a separate shower and tub. The versatile bedroom/study is perfect for overnight guests, as it rests on the other side of the home and includes an adjacent full bath. The lower level of this house plan consists of two bedrooms, each with a private bath, and a family room with wet bar and patio access. Perfect for growing children or live-in relatives, the basement accommodates expansion.

This hillside walkout house plan showcases Craftsman charm in a stunning facade through stone and siding and a triplet of arches over the front porch. Inside this house plan, two levels of well-positioned rooms promote privacy and an open layout. The spacious great room accesses both a rear porch and the dining room, and features a fireplace, built-in shelves and cathedral ceiling. Tray ceilings crown the dining room, master bedroom and master bath for additional interest. Nothing short of elegant, the master suite includes two walk-in closets, as well as dual sinks and a separate shower and tub. The versatile bedroom/study is perfect for overnight guests, as it rests on the other side of the home and includes an adjacent full bath. The lower level of this house plan consists of two bedrooms, each with a private bath, and a family room with wet bar and patio access. Perfect for growing children or live-in relatives, the basement accommodates expansion.

The idea for Scandinavian Hardwoods came after years of countless conversations with homeowners, designers, architects, and builders. The consistent theme: they wanted more than just a beautiful floor. They wanted insight into manufacturing locations (not just the seller or importer) and what materials are used and why. They wanted to understand the product’s environmental impact and it’s effect on indoor air quality and human health. They wanted a compelling story to tell guests about the beautiful floor they’ve chosen. At Scandinavian Hardwoods, we bring all of these elements together while making luxury more accessible. David Lauer

This flagstone patio with fireplace project consisted of the renovation of flagstone patio area. The new installation included flagstone patio, outdoor fireplace, outdoor kitchen, and cedar pergola as per our landscape design. The new portion of the flagstone patio is approximately 250 square feet and matches existing flagstone. Natural ‘thin cut’ stone veneer (dry stack look) was installed on the fireplace, outdoor kitchen, and pillars. 2″ Premium Blue natural flagstone caps and counter tops were installed on fireplace, kitchen, and pillars. For the grill we used a 38″ Delta Heat grill with sear zone and rotisserie, and double access doors under grill. After the project was complete the homeowners did an amazing job in decorating the patio area. All of the outdoor furniture and decorations really brought the whole project together. It turned out amazing! This flagstone patio and fireplace was installed in Lancaster, PA

This year round two-family cottage is comprised of seven modules which required just 25 days to construct in an off-site facility. When assembled, these prefabricated units form a building that is 38 metres long but less than 5 metres wide. The length offers a variety of living spaces while the constricted width maintains a level of intimacy and affords views of the lake from every room. Sited along a north-south axis, the cottage sits obliquely on a ridge. Each of the three levels has a point of access at grade. The shared living spaces are entered from the top of the ridge with the sleeping spaces a level below. Facing the lake, the east elevation consists entirely of sliding glass doors and provides every room with access to the forest or balconies. Materials fall into two categories: reflective surfaces – glazing and mirror, and those with a muted colouration – unfinished cedar, zinc cladding, and galvanized steel. The objective is to visually push the structure into the background. Photos by Tom Arban

This hillside walkout house plan showcases Craftsman charm in a stunning facade through stone and siding and a triplet of arches over the front porch. Inside this house plan, two levels of well-positioned rooms promote privacy and an open layout. The spacious great room accesses both a rear porch and the dining room, and features a fireplace, built-in shelves and cathedral ceiling. Tray ceilings crown the dining room, master bedroom and master bath for additional interest. Nothing short of elegant, the master suite includes two walk-in closets, as well as dual sinks and a separate shower and tub. The versatile bedroom/study is perfect for overnight guests, as it rests on the other side of the home and includes an adjacent full bath. The lower level of this house plan consists of two bedrooms, each with a private bath, and a family room with wet bar and patio access. Perfect for growing children or live-in relatives, the basement accommodates expansion.

This hillside walkout house plan showcases Craftsman charm in a stunning facade through stone and siding and a triplet of arches over the front porch. Inside this house plan, two levels of well-positioned rooms promote privacy and an open layout. The spacious great room accesses both a rear porch and the dining room, and features a fireplace, built-in shelves and cathedral ceiling. Tray ceilings crown the dining room, master bedroom and master bath for additional interest. Nothing short of elegant, the master suite includes two walk-in closets, as well as dual sinks and a separate shower and tub. The versatile bedroom/study is perfect for overnight guests, as it rests on the other side of the home and includes an adjacent full bath. The lower level of this house plan consists of two bedrooms, each with a private bath, and a family room with wet bar and patio access. Perfect for growing children or live-in relatives, the basement accommodates expansion.

This hillside walkout house plan showcases Craftsman charm in a stunning facade through stone and siding and a triplet of arches over the front porch. Inside this house plan, two levels of well-positioned rooms promote privacy and an open layout. The spacious great room accesses both a rear porch and the dining room, and features a fireplace, built-in shelves and cathedral ceiling. Tray ceilings crown the dining room, master bedroom and master bath for additional interest. Nothing short of elegant, the master suite includes two walk-in closets, as well as dual sinks and a separate shower and tub. The versatile bedroom/study is perfect for overnight guests, as it rests on the other side of the home and includes an adjacent full bath. The lower level of this house plan consists of two bedrooms, each with a private bath, and a family room with wet bar and patio access. Perfect for growing children or live-in relatives, the basement accommodates expansion.