The living room features a custom concrete fireplace inlaid with copper, inspired by Japanese Kintsugi pottery. A glowing overhead light handmade from washi paper harkens a resemblance to whales and seashells, a quiet reference to the ocean nearby. Reclaimed, FSC certified elm wood flooring with a no VOC finish was used throughout the home, bringing in natural color and patterning while giving careful consideration to environmental impact. No VOC paints were used throughout the home. A coffee table made by a local artisan offers dual surfaces for storage, with a slim profile that lets the fireplace and overhead light shine. A painting by Kaoru Mansour reflects the homeowners love of birds, and brings in a glimpse of nature in the evening. Delicate peonies in a glass ombre vase complement the detailed work of art.

The dining room fireplace is all decked out in a juniper, cedar and hydrangea wreath, garland, and fireplace arrangement. This is a memorable way to create a focal point for a fireplace that won’t be lit. Gold accents harken back to the gold-rimmed china settings.

Karol Steczkowski | 860.770.6705 | www.toprealestatephotos.com

Andrew VanHarken

The broad stroke design of this home harkens to sap houses and agricultural structures of the Northeast which inspired the inclusion of a clerestory, cylindrical silo-like stairwell, and site-harvested stone. It was important for the family of five to have a central living space that felt settled and intimate while being able to host guests. The resulting 36’ x 36’ great room is characterized by its “circle in a square” frame that is the core to the overall basket-like structure. Lower volumes are created, and dimensionality is woven in with arched timber brackets and curving lines. The curves and arches were realized with a combination of double sawn solid timbers and grain-matched glulams “I cannot imagine a day when I will stop smiling at this.” – Shannon, homeowner “Neither my temperament nor my history with Fine Homebuilding inclines me to be impressed by trophy houses, the place is impressive. Your designers and framers did an amazing job—craftsmanship on the highest order.” – Kevin Ireton, writer and former publisher of Fine Homebuilding Magazine. Read more about this project from our design team and the homeowners on our blog. Professional Photography: Don Cochran Photography

Timeless Classic. The landscape must complement the architecture of the house, so designing this garden for our antique reproduction needed to harken back to a different time. Material choices such as antique brick, reclaimed granite, and natural-cleft bluestone were all incorporated into the composition to create a timeless beauty all within the context of a bygone setting. Directly adjacent to the driveway and guest parking, the ‘kitchen garden’ was surrounded by a custom-built cedar fence with a self-closing cannonball gate. Herbs and cutting perennials fill the space as well as a small bench for reflection or to take a break from tending to the garden. From a functional standpoint, this has become the most-used entrance to the house, with the original main door serving only as decoration. The arrival sequence is easy to understand and has the guests passing through the landscape on a well-lit path via our hand-built copper lantern atop an architectural post. Planting was purposely kept to a minimum with mostly perennials and a couple of common lilacs — all keeping within the design intent. Existing natural-cleft bluestone was repurposed with a linear approach for a dining and lounging terrace in the rear of the property. Three sides are surrounded by sun-loving plants with grass coming right up to the patio offering a seamless transition to the yard beyond. Simple, elegant, and timeless.

The living room features a custom concrete fireplace inlaid with copper, inspired by Japanese Kintsugi pottery. A glowing overhead light handmade from washi paper harkens a resemblance to whales and seashells, a quiet reference to the ocean nearby. Reclaimed, FSC certified elm wood flooring with a no VOC finish was used throughout the home, bringing in natural color and patterning while giving careful consideration to environmental impact. No VOC paints were used throughout the home. A coffee table made by a local artisan offers dual surfaces for storage, with a slim profile that lets the fireplace and overhead light shine. A painting by Kaoru Mansour reflects the homeowners love of birds, and brings in a glimpse of nature in the evening. Delicate peonies in a glass ombre vase complement the detailed work of art.

Karol Steczkowski | 860.770.6705 | www.toprealestatephotos.com

Karol Steczkowski | 860.770.6705 | www.toprealestatephotos.com

Boulder, UT | A humble home amidst the juniper and lava rock… This single level home for a painter and a composer, both with roots in dance, celebrates the beauty of the surrounding landscape by sitting in quiet reverence. Low slung hip roofs harken to oriental and native structures. Native rock grounds and shelters wide and low spaces, letting the panorama of canyon and blue sky fill the view.

The Owners of a home that had been consumed by the moving dunes of Lake Michigan wanted a home that would not only stand the test of aesthetic time, but survive the vicissitudes of the environment. With the assistance of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality as well as the consulting civil engineer and the City of Grand Haven Zoning Department, a soil stabilization site plan was developed based on raising the new home’s main floor elevation by almost three feet, implementing erosion studies, screen walls and planting indigenous, drought tolerant xeriscaping. The screen walls, as well as the low profile of the home and the use of sand trapping marrum beachgrass all help to create a wind shadow buffer around the home and reduce blowing sand erosion and accretion. The Owners wanted to minimize the stylistic baggage which consumes most “cottage” residences, and with the Architect created a home with simple lines focused on the view and the natural environment. Sustainable energy requirements on a budget directed the design decisions regarding the SIPs panel insulation, energy systems, roof shading, other insulation systems, lighting and detailing. Easily constructed and linear, the home harkens back to mid century modern pavilions with present day environmental sensitivities and harmony with the site. Photos by John Allegretti

Wood-to-wood connections are increasingly rare in new homes. Shown here is what these special connections offer to a home's interior, including a simplicity that harkens to times long gone. Photo by Longviews Studios, Inc.

The living room features a custom concrete fireplace inlaid with copper, inspired by Japanese Kintsugi pottery. A glowing overhead light handmade from washi paper harkens a resemblance to whales and seashells, a quiet reference to the ocean nearby. Reclaimed, FSC certified elm wood flooring with a no VOC finish was used throughout the home, bringing in natural color and patterning while giving careful consideration to environmental impact. No VOC paints were used throughout the home. A coffee table made by a local artisan offers dual surfaces for storage, with a slim profile that lets the fireplace and overhead light shine. A painting by Kaoru Mansour reflects the homeowners love of birds, and brings in a glimpse of nature in the evening. Delicate peonies in a glass ombre vase complement the detailed work of art.

This award-winning whole house renovation of a circa 1875 single family home in the historic Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington DC provides the client with an open and more functional layout without requiring an addition. After major structural repairs and creating one uniform floor level and ceiling height, we were able to make a truly open concept main living level, achieving the main goal of the client. The large kitchen was designed for two busy home cooks who like to entertain, complete with a built-in mud bench. The water heater and air handler are hidden inside full height cabinetry. A new gas fireplace clad with reclaimed vintage bricks graces the dining room. A new hand-built staircase harkens to the home's historic past. The laundry was relocated to the second floor vestibule. The three upstairs bathrooms were fully updated as well. Final touches include new hardwood floor and color scheme throughout the home.

W84 D36 H31 | SEAT H17.5 in W214 D92 H79 | SEAT H45 cm The Adelaide Sofa is a classic club sofa frame that harkens back to Mid-century archetypes. Structured side cushions lend a vintage look, and provide added comfort. The solid, tapered-wood legs can be easily removed and reattached, allowing this sofa to fit through tight spaces. The sofa frame and legs are FSC®-Certified wood, in support of responsible forest management. The Sofa matches perfectly with the Adelaide Bi-Sectional.

This older home features a renovated kitchen that harkens back to it's original style. The hardwood flooring was matched to existing original floors. Off-white cabinets are contrasted with darker countertops.

Boulder, UT | A humble home amidst the juniper and lava rock… This single level home for a painter and a composer, both with roots in dance, celebrates the beauty of the surrounding landscape by sitting in quiet reverence. Low slung hip roofs harken to oriental and native structures. Native rock grounds and shelters wide and low spaces, letting the panorama of canyon and blue sky fill the view.

Boulder, UT | A humble home amidst the juniper and lava rock… This single level home for a painter and a composer, both with roots in dance, celebrates the beauty of the surrounding landscape by sitting in quiet reverence. Low slung hip roofs harken to oriental and native structures. Native rock grounds and shelters wide and low spaces, letting the panorama of canyon and blue sky fill the view.

Traditional architecture is simultaneously respected and modernized in this spectacular primary bathroom refresh. Hexagon tiles with repeating floral pattern span the room’s floors and extend into the minimally curbed shower with a modern zero threshold. Handmade tiles with varying glazed finish on the shower wall provides texture and movement. A contemporary niche design blends seamlessly into the tile with tempered glass shelves, providing at once a toe rest and ample storage. The warm wood tones of the vanity and window seat provided much needed warmth and contrast to the otherwise cool tones of the space, and the traditional detailing of the vanity harken back to the homes original character. Matte black fixtures and accessories, zinc wrapped medicine cabinets, and gray marble countertop complete the collected look.