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

Well-traveled. Relaxed. Timeless. Our well-traveled clients were soon-to-be empty nesters when they approached us for help reimagining their Presidio Heights home. The expansive Spanish-Revival residence originally constructed in 1908 had been substantially renovated 8 year prior, but needed some adaptations to better suit the needs of a family with three college-bound teens. We evolved the space to be a bright, relaxed reflection of the family’s time together, revising the function and layout of the ground-floor rooms and filling them with casual, comfortable furnishings and artifacts collected abroad. One of the key changes we made to the space plan was to eliminate the formal dining room and transform an area off the kitchen into a casual gathering spot for our clients and their children. The expandable table and coffee/wine bar means the room can handle large dinner parties and small study sessions with similar ease. The family room was relocated from a lower level to be more central part of the main floor, encouraging more quality family time, and freeing up space for a spacious home gym. In the living room, lounge-worthy upholstery grounds the space, encouraging a relaxed and effortless West Coast vibe. Exposed wood beams recall the original Spanish-influence, but feel updated and fresh in a light wood stain. Throughout the entry and main floor, found artifacts punctate the softer textures — ceramics from New Mexico, religious sculpture from Asia and a quirky wall-mounted phone that belonged to our client’s grandmother.

This fun classic kitchen in Gold River features Columbia frameless cabinets in Sandy Hook grey. A green glass backsplash in a random matte and polished pattern complements the cabinets which are faced with both painted wood and frosted glass. The Silestone countertops in the Lyra finish have an ogee bullnose edge. The floors are finished in a rich brown porcelain tile of varying sizes that are made to resemble distressed wood. Photo Credit: Nar Fine Carpentry, Inc

Photography by Lucas Henning.
Shed - modern shed idea in Seattle

Nothing makes an entrance like a driveway crafted with the distinctive elegance of driveway pavers, with classic patterns and rugged textures recalling the look and feel of vintage cut stone. Having a beautiful, well-maintained front walk and driveway increases curb appeal, adds value to your home and makes coming home each day a more pleasant experience.

Nothing makes an entrance like a driveway crafted with the distinctive elegance of driveway pavers, with classic patterns and rugged textures recalling the look and feel of vintage cut stone. Having a beautiful, well-maintained front walk and driveway increases curb appeal, adds value to your home and makes coming home each day a more pleasant experience.

Nothing makes an entrance like a driveway crafted with the distinctive elegance of driveway pavers, with classic patterns and rugged textures recalling the look and feel of vintage cut stone. Having a beautiful, well-maintained front walk and driveway increases curb appeal, adds value to your home and makes coming home each day a more pleasant experience.

Nothing makes an entrance like a driveway crafted with the distinctive elegance of driveway pavers, with classic patterns and rugged textures recalling the look and feel of vintage cut stone. Having a beautiful, well-maintained front walk and driveway increases curb appeal, adds value to your home and makes coming home each day a more pleasant experience.

Nothing makes an entrance like a driveway crafted with the distinctive elegance of driveway pavers, with classic patterns and rugged textures recalling the look and feel of vintage cut stone. Having a beautiful, well-maintained front walk and driveway increases curb appeal, adds value to your home and makes coming home each day a more pleasant experience.

Nothing makes an entrance like a driveway crafted with the distinctive elegance of driveway pavers, with classic patterns and rugged textures recalling the look and feel of vintage cut stone. Having a beautiful, well-maintained front walk and driveway increases curb appeal, adds value to your home and makes coming home each day a more pleasant experience.

Nothing makes an entrance like a driveway crafted with the distinctive elegance of driveway pavers, with classic patterns and rugged textures recalling the look and feel of vintage cut stone. Having a beautiful, well-maintained front walk and driveway increases curb appeal, adds value to your home and makes coming home each day a more pleasant experience.

Nothing makes an entrance like a driveway crafted with the distinctive elegance of driveway pavers, with classic patterns and rugged textures recalling the look and feel of vintage cut stone. Having a beautiful, well-maintained front walk and driveway increases curb appeal, adds value to your home and makes coming home each day a more pleasant experience.

Nothing makes an entrance like a driveway crafted with the distinctive elegance of driveway pavers, with classic patterns and rugged textures recalling the look and feel of vintage cut stone. Having a beautiful, well-maintained front walk and driveway increases curb appeal, adds value to your home and makes coming home each day a more pleasant experience.

Nothing makes an entrance like a driveway crafted with the distinctive elegance of driveway pavers, with classic patterns and rugged textures recalling the look and feel of vintage cut stone. Having a beautiful, well-maintained front walk and driveway increases curb appeal, adds value to your home and makes coming home each day a more pleasant experience.

Nothing makes an entrance like a driveway crafted with the distinctive elegance of driveway pavers, with classic patterns and rugged textures recalling the look and feel of vintage cut stone. Having a beautiful, well-maintained front walk and driveway increases curb appeal, adds value to your home and makes coming home each day a more pleasant experience.

Nothing makes an entrance like a driveway crafted with the distinctive elegance of driveway pavers, with classic patterns and rugged textures recalling the look and feel of vintage cut stone. Having a beautiful, well-maintained front walk and driveway increases curb appeal, adds value to your home and makes coming home each day a more pleasant experience.

Nothing makes an entrance like a driveway crafted with the distinctive elegance of driveway pavers, with classic patterns and rugged textures recalling the look and feel of vintage cut stone. Having a beautiful, well-maintained front walk and driveway increases curb appeal, adds value to your home and makes coming home each day a more pleasant experience.

Nothing makes an entrance like a driveway crafted with the distinctive elegance of driveway pavers, with classic patterns and rugged textures recalling the look and feel of vintage cut stone. Having a beautiful, well-maintained front walk and driveway increases curb appeal, adds value to your home and makes coming home each day a more pleasant experience.

Nothing makes an entrance like a driveway crafted with the distinctive elegance of driveway pavers, with classic patterns and rugged textures recalling the look and feel of vintage cut stone. Having a beautiful, well-maintained front walk and driveway increases curb appeal, adds value to your home and makes coming home each day a more pleasant experience.