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

Tom Grimes
Example of a classic dark wood floor dining room design in New York

Photography by Trent Bell
Huge trendy backyard patio photo in Las Vegas with a roof extension

The chance to build a lakeside weekend home in rural NC provided this Chapel Hill family with an opportunity to ditch convention and think outside the box. For instance, we traded the traditional boat dock with what's become known as the "party dock"… a floating lounge of sorts, complete with wet bar, TV, swimmer's platform, and plenty of spots for watching the water fun. Inside, we turned one bedroom into a gym with climbing wall - and dropped the idea of a dining room, in favor of a deep upholstered niche and shuffleboard table. Outdoor drapery helped blur the lines between indoor spaces and exterior porches filled with upholstery, swings, and places for lazy napping. And after the sun goes down....smores, anyone? John Bessler

Stephen Saint-Onge
Example of a cottage sunroom design in New York with white walls and a standard ceiling

Inspiration for a huge contemporary open concept concrete floor living room remodel with beige walls, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace and a tv stand

Sunroom - mid-sized 1950s sunroom idea in Dallas with a two-sided fireplace and a standard ceiling

Martin Mann
Trendy patio photo in San Diego with a fire pit and a pergola

Lake Cottage Porch, standing seam metal roofing and cedar shakes blend into the Vermont fall foliage. Simple and elegant. Photos by Susan Teare
Rustic one-story wood exterior home idea in Burlington with a metal roof and a black roof

Our studio gave this house an attractive appeal with beautiful rugs, exquisitely patterned wallpaper, attractive artwork, and classy decor. The entryway is flanked by white porcelain accent pieces on pedestals and a stylish table holding a pretty flower arrangement. Statement lighting hangs from the ceiling creating an elegant tone. Pastel pink chairs, striking peacock artwork, large lamps, and a stunning chandelier add fun and grandeur to the space.

Deck - country deck idea in Los Angeles with no cover

Martin Mann
Trendy kitchen photo in San Diego

Upon entering the penthouse the light and dark contrast continues. The exposed ceiling structure is stained to mimic the 1st floor's "tarred" ceiling. The reclaimed fir plank floor is painted a light vanilla cream. And, the hand plastered concrete fireplace is the visual anchor that all the rooms radiate off of. Tucked behind the fireplace is an intimate library space. Photo by Lincoln Barber

It’s easy to find a place to sit or stash a coat in this comfortably organized mudroom. Scott Bergmann Photography
Inspiration for a cottage slate floor mudroom remodel in Boston with a glass front door and white walls

GHG Builders Andersen 100 Series Windows Andersen A-Series Doors
Example of a large country gray two-story wood and board and batten gable roof design in San Francisco with a metal roof

Easy indoor container garden.
Inspiration for a small contemporary drought-tolerant landscaping in San Francisco.

Luxury Bath Photo by Thomas Skou
Large island style master beige tile pebble tile floor freestanding bathtub photo with white walls

Transitional eat-in kitchen photo in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, blue cabinets and white backsplash

Farmhouse home design photo in Denver