Shower bench - mid-sized contemporary master blue tile blue floor and double-sink shower bench idea in Austin with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops and a floating vanity

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

Plants and greenery are important in every room. They symbolize life and balance and anchor the room. The mirror above the plant serves several purposes, it helps reflect light around the room, by day with sunlight streaming through the doors, and at night by reflecting the glow of light from the lamps on the other side of the room. The mirror in white washed and wood continues the rustic/aged look. The intention of this design is to say: this coastal home has been loved and shared for generations here on the coast, making one forget that they've just walked into an apartment. Intuitively, this gives my client the feeling of being "settled and secure", helping her not feel as uneasy as one does when they move to a new home.

Alair Homes Georgian Bay completely updated this mid-century beach with new wood floors, and a modern open floor plan that continues throughout the living room to the kitchen/dining area. The kitchen layout and design has been completely changed and now features custom dark blue shaker cabinets, white subway tile backsplash, Cambria counter tops and a custom wood top island to add a more rustic feel, accompanied by high end stainless steel appliances and a gas stove top with down draft vent. As with most renovations, removal of walls, electrical and plumbing all had to be considered and dealt with to achieve the new layout. The homeowners are avid cooks and this new space allows them to explore their culinary passions and share and entertain with all of their friends and family.

Plants and greenery are important in every room. They symbolize life and balance and anchor the room. The mirror above the plant serves several purposes, it helps reflect light around the room, by day with sunlight streaming through the doors, and at night by reflecting the glow of light from the lamps on the other side of the room. The mirror in white washed and wood continues the rustic/aged look. The intention of this design is to say: this coastal home has been loved and shared for generations here on the coast, making one forget that they've just walked into an apartment. Intuitively, this gives my client the feeling of being "settled and secure", helping her not feel as uneasy as one does when they move to a new home.

Witness the transformative elegance of the front columns. These architectural features, now revitalized and adorned with Dutch Quality Stone veneer in Sienna, serve as pillars of sophistication. The stacked stone wraps the base, adding texture and continuity to the design. Explore how these columns contribute to the overall aesthetic, creating a visual masterpiece at the heart of the home's exterior.

Alair Homes Georgian Bay completely updated this mid-century beach with new wood floors, and a modern open floor plan that continues throughout the living room to the kitchen/dining area. The kitchen layout and design has been completely changed and now features custom dark blue shaker cabinets, white subway tile backsplash, Cambria counter tops and a custom wood top island to add a more rustic feel, accompanied by high end stainless steel appliances and a gas stove top with down draft vent. As with most renovations, removal of walls, electrical and plumbing all had to be considered and dealt with to achieve the new layout. The homeowners are avid cooks and this new space allows them to explore their culinary passions and share and entertain with all of their friends and family.

Alair Homes Georgian Bay completely updated this mid-century beach with new wood floors, and a modern open floor plan that continues throughout the living room to the kitchen/dining area. The kitchen layout and design has been completely changed and now features custom dark blue shaker cabinets, white subway tile backsplash, Cambria counter tops and a custom wood top island to add a more rustic feel, accompanied by high end stainless steel appliances and a gas stove top with down draft vent. As with most renovations, removal of walls, electrical and plumbing all had to be considered and dealt with to achieve the new layout. The homeowners are avid cooks and this new space allows them to explore their culinary passions and share and entertain with all of their friends and family.

House of Light and Form explores the home as a sculptural composition. Vertical stone monoliths anchor floating horizontal roof planes, while expansive glass reveals the living spaces between them. Deep overhangs create sheltered outdoor areas, allowing the architecture to extend into the landscape. Light and shadow continually reveal new dimensions of the forms. Conceived and designed by JMAD Architecture, developed in collaboration with Jyland Construction Management. Shown in architectural renderings, this unbuilt residential design is complete and available for a homeowner interested in bringing it to life.

When we arrived at the right rug for the music room, the challenge was to come up with a design for the adjoining Dining Room space, which is just a few feet away and completely visible from the Music Room. We explored many possibilities, and eventually chose a design that is actually a continuation of the border scrolls in the Music Room. But in this rug we used a plain double border, and let the scrolls dominate in the middle. For more detail and tips on custom designing rugs, please visit my blog post on Davis rugs.

Alair Homes Georgian Bay completely updated this mid-century beach with new wood floors, and a modern open floor plan that continues throughout the living room to the kitchen/dining area. The kitchen layout and design has been completely changed and now features custom dark blue shaker cabinets, white subway tile backsplash, Cambria counter tops and a custom wood top island to add a more rustic feel, accompanied by high end stainless steel appliances and a gas stove top with down draft vent. As with most renovations, removal of walls, electrical and plumbing all had to be considered and dealt with to achieve the new layout. The homeowners are avid cooks and this new space allows them to explore their culinary passions and share and entertain with all of their friends and family.

Alair Homes Georgian Bay completely updated this mid-century beach with new wood floors, and a modern open floor plan that continues throughout the living room to the kitchen/dining area. The kitchen layout and design has been completely changed and now features custom dark blue shaker cabinets, white subway tile backsplash, Cambria counter tops and a custom wood top island to add a more rustic feel, accompanied by high end stainless steel appliances and a gas stove top with down draft vent. As with most renovations, removal of walls, electrical and plumbing all had to be considered and dealt with to achieve the new layout. The homeowners are avid cooks and this new space allows them to explore their culinary passions and share and entertain with all of their friends and family.

House of Light and Form explores the home as a sculptural composition. Vertical stone monoliths anchor floating horizontal roof planes, while expansive glass reveals the living spaces between them. Deep overhangs create sheltered outdoor areas, allowing the architecture to extend into the landscape. Light and shadow continually reveal new dimensions of the forms. Conceived and designed by JMAD Architecture, developed in collaboration with Jyland Construction Management. Shown in architectural renderings, this unbuilt residential design is complete and available for a homeowner interested in bringing it to life.

Alair Homes Georgian Bay completely updated this mid-century beach with new wood floors, and a modern open floor plan that continues throughout the living room to the kitchen/dining area. The kitchen layout and design has been completely changed and now features custom dark blue shaker cabinets, white subway tile backsplash, Cambria counter tops and a custom wood top island to add a more rustic feel, accompanied by high end stainless steel appliances and a gas stove top with down draft vent. As with most renovations, removal of walls, electrical and plumbing all had to be considered and dealt with to achieve the new layout. The homeowners are avid cooks and this new space allows them to explore their culinary passions and share and entertain with all of their friends and family.

In the main bedroom, the design narrative shifts from social vibrancy to intimate tranquility, creating a truly serene sanctuary high above the city. Set against a backdrop of sophisticated textured grasscloth walls, the room is defined by its masterful layering of tactile surfaces and a continued, thoughtful exploration of color. Dramatic, floor-to-ceiling patterned drapes in deep amethyst and plum tones frame the light, nodding subtly to the home’s recurring palette of vibrant jewel tones. These rich purples are echoed in the velvet accent pillows on the sleek, upholstered bed, creating a quiet continuity that feels both expressive and intentional. Every detail, from the unique sculptural floor lamp on its clear acrylic base to the elegant, modern brass pendant, feels curated and personal. The result is a deeply restorative space that balances a modern aesthetic with a broader, more nuanced sense of history and individual identity.

Wide subway tile backstop open shelving to accentuate light wood cabinetry and spots crisp greenery.
Eat-in kitchen - scandinavian l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen idea in Vancouver with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

A long low cabinet run spans the basement wall beneath high shuttered windows. Warm wood fronts, simple metal pulls and a continuous top surface provide generous concealed storage. Pale walls and a patterned rug keep the area coordinated with the adjoining family lounge. The Perfect Beam House in the Junction, Toronto, is a Cedarstone Group Inc. whole-home renovation featuring an open kitchen and dining area, coordinated living spaces, a finished basement, custom storage and white-oak stairs. Explore Toronto home renovations, kitchen and bathroom remodels, basement finishing and custom interiors at cedarstonereno.com.

An impressive stone chimney works its way up from the basement levels of the home to the rafters to create an extended prow for this view-facing elevation. Combining extended patios on the main level and a walk-out basement leading to a waterfront fire pit, this Canadian home has all of the exterior and interior comforts of a traditional, yet modern timber frame home. Photos: Copyright Heidi Long, Longview Studios, Inc.

A continuous run of low wood cabinets fits beneath a row of high basement windows. Small metal pulls and a simple countertop keep the storage wall clean, with pale flooring and a patterned rug below. The custom cabinet layout makes practical use of the low wall and keeps everyday belongings concealed. The Perfect Beam House in the Junction, Toronto, is a Cedarstone Group Inc. whole-home renovation featuring an open kitchen and dining area, coordinated living spaces, a finished basement, custom storage and white-oak stairs. Explore Toronto home renovations, kitchen and bathroom remodels, basement finishing and custom interiors at cedarstonereno.com.