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.

Architect: Michelle Penn, AIA This barn home is modeled after an existing Nebraska barn in Lancaster County. Notice the concrete patio. It is patterned after a traditional barn floor. Photo Credits: Jackson Studios

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. Kahrs Oak Maggiore, by Scandinavian Hardwoods

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.

For the master suite, we created an elegant and chic heaven with a sense of style that is conductive to rest and relaxation. We selected a specific color combination to create the perfect ambiance for this room. We mixed the quietness of a soothing neutral pallet with the sophistication and elegance of silver. We added drops of blue, which is considered beneficial to the mind and body. It slows human metabolism and produces a calming effect. We incorporated green, the color of life, renewal, nature, and energy. Natural silk glimmer curtains, wave reflecting silver wall paper, a hand woven silk and wool rug from India, an original oil painting acquired in Paris 40 year ago, two elegant designer reupholstered chairs, were elements that spoke by themselves in this classic contemporary master bedroom. The sitting room invites you to linger and enjoy the breathtaking vista of the Golf of Mexico. Sinking into the sofa allows you carve out restorative moments, to unwind, unplug and recharge.

For the master suite, we created an elegant and chic heaven with a sense of style that is conductive to rest and relaxation. We selected a specific color combination to create the perfect ambiance for this room. We mixed the quietness of a soothing neutral pallet with the sophistication and elegance of silver. We added drops of blue, which is considered beneficial to the mind and body. It slows human metabolism and produces a calming effect. We incorporated green, the color of life, renewal, nature, and energy. Natural silk glimmer curtains, wave reflecting silver wall paper, a hand woven silk and wool rug from India, an original oil painting acquired in Paris 40 year ago, two elegant designer reupholstered chairs, were elements that spoke by themselves in this classic contemporary master bedroom. The sitting room invites you to linger and enjoy the breathtaking vista of the Golf of Mexico. Sinking into the sofa allows you carve out restorative moments, to unwind, unplug and recharge.

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.

The Portola Valley Residence and Pavilion is a composition of staggered and interlocking rectangular spaces that cling to the slope as it gradually wraps around the hillside. As the interior floor level slowly steps down, echoing the natural grade, it increases the floor-to-ceiling height, flooding the space with expanded views and abundant natural light. Carefully defined interior spaces with plaster and stone veneer walls offer a fitting backdrop for the owner's dramatic art collection. The home’s terraced roof design and careful selection of natural materials equally complement its human and natural environments.

In a stylistic departure from the main house, the 750 sf guest pavilion combines three small geometric elements to form a pleasant guest, entertainment space . . . and yard sculpture.

For the master suite, we created an elegant and chic heaven with a sense of style that is conductive to rest and relaxation. We selected a specific color combination to create the perfect ambiance for this room. We mixed the quietness of a soothing neutral pallet with the sophistication and elegance of silver. We added drops of blue, which is considered beneficial to the mind and body. It slows human metabolism and produces a calming effect. We incorporated green, the color of life, renewal, nature, and energy. Natural silk glimmer curtains, wave reflecting silver wall paper, a hand woven silk and wool rug from India, an original oil painting acquired in Paris 40 year ago, two elegant designer reupholstered chairs, were elements that spoke by themselves in this classic contemporary master bedroom. The sitting room invites you to linger and enjoy the breathtaking vista of the Golf of Mexico. Sinking into the sofa allows you carve out restorative moments, to unwind, unplug and recharge.

For the master suite, we created an elegant and chic heaven with a sense of style that is conductive to rest and relaxation. We selected a specific color combination to create the perfect ambiance for this room. We mixed the quietness of a soothing neutral pallet with the sophistication and elegance of silver. We added drops of blue, which is considered beneficial to the mind and body. It slows human metabolism and produces a calming effect. We incorporated green, the color of life, renewal, nature, and energy. Natural silk glimmer curtains, wave reflecting silver wall paper, a hand woven silk and wool rug from India, an original oil painting acquired in Paris 40 year ago, two elegant designer reupholstered chairs, were elements that spoke by themselves in this classic contemporary master bedroom. The sitting room invites you to linger and enjoy the breathtaking vista of the Golf of Mexico. Sinking into the sofa allows you carve out restorative moments, to unwind, unplug and recharge.

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.

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

Product: Authentic Thick Limestone Pool Coping elements for pool edge Ancient Surfaces Contacts: (212) 461-0245 Email: Sales@ancientsurfaces.com Website: www.AncientSurfaces.com The design of external living spaces is known as the 'Al Fresco' space design as it is called in Italian. 'Al Fresco' translates in 'the open' or 'the cool/fresh exterior'. Customizing a contemporary swimming pool or spa into a traditional Italian Mediterranean pool can be easily achieved by selecting one of our most prized surfaces, 'The Foundation Slabs' pool coping Oolitic planks. The ease and cosines of this outdoor Mediterranean pool and spa experience will evoke in most a feeling of euphoria and exultation that on only gets while being surrounded with the pristine beauty of nature. This powerful feeling of unison with all has been known in our early recorded human history thought many primitive civilizations as a way to get people closer to the ultimate truth. A very basic but undisputed truth and that's that we are all connected to the great mother earth and to it's powerful life force that we are all a part of...

With the interplay of stainless steel and teak, the Odyssey Collection Set defines outdoor luxury. The use of high-performance Sunbrella Natte fabric cradles the human body for pure comfort while also resisting the rigors of everyday use and the elements. The teak tabletop of the Odyssey Table detaches to allow the stainless steel frame to scissor fold for convenient storage. The Odyssey Ottoman serves as a footrest when its teak tray is detached to allow you to kick up your feet and relax, or as a side table for your favorite cocktail and book. The Odyssey's bold nautical lean will find its home on the deck of a yacht, a seafront home, or the balcony of a high-rise. The Odyssey Collection Set features: -1 Odyssey Folding Chair, 32 inch Odyssey Bistro Dining Table, 1 Odyssey Folding Ottoman w/Tray -All pieces fold for easy storage.

The Portola Valley Residence and Pavilion is a composition of staggered and interlocking rectangular spaces that cling to the slope as it gradually wraps around the hillside. As the interior floor level slowly steps down, echoing the natural grade, it increases the floor-to-ceiling height, flooding the space with expanded views and abundant natural light. Carefully defined interior spaces with plaster and stone veneer walls offer a fitting backdrop for the owner's dramatic art collection. The home’s terraced roof design and careful selection of natural materials equally complement its human and natural environments.

In a stylistic departure from the main house, the 750 sf guest pavilion combines three small geometric elements to form a pleasant guest, entertainment space . . . and yard sculpture.

The Portola Valley Residence and Pavilion is a composition of staggered and interlocking rectangular spaces that cling to the slope as it gradually wraps around the hillside. As the interior floor level slowly steps down, echoing the natural grade, it increases the floor-to-ceiling height, flooding the space with expanded views and abundant natural light. Carefully defined interior spaces with plaster and stone veneer walls offer a fitting backdrop for the owner's dramatic art collection. The home’s terraced roof design and careful selection of natural materials equally complement its human and natural environments.

In a stylistic departure from the main house, the 750 sf guest pavilion combines three small geometric elements to form a pleasant guest, entertainment space . . . and yard sculpture.

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. Kahrs Oak Sparuto, by Scandinavian Hardwoods

The Portola Valley Residence and Pavilion is a composition of staggered and interlocking rectangular spaces that cling to the slope as it gradually wraps around the hillside. As the interior floor level slowly steps down, echoing the natural grade, it increases the floor-to-ceiling height, flooding the space with expanded views and abundant natural light. Carefully defined interior spaces with plaster and stone veneer walls offer a fitting backdrop for the owner's dramatic art collection. The home’s terraced roof design and careful selection of natural materials equally complement its human and natural environments.

In a stylistic departure from the main house, the 750 sf guest pavilion combines three small geometric elements to form a pleasant guest, entertainment space . . . and yard sculpture.

Benjamin Benschneider
Example of an urban open staircase design in Seattle