Search results for "Master languages" in Home Design Ideas

The client’s brief was to create a space reminiscent of their beloved downtown Chicago industrial loft, in a rural farm setting, while incorporating their unique collection of vintage and architectural salvage. The result is a custom designed space that blends life on the farm with an industrial sensibility.
The new house is located on approximately the same footprint as the original farm house on the property. Barely visible from the road due to the protection of conifer trees and a long driveway, the house sits on the edge of a field with views of the neighbouring 60 acre farm and creek that runs along the length of the property.
The main level open living space is conceived as a transparent social hub for viewing the landscape. Large sliding glass doors create strong visual connections with an adjacent barn on one end and a mature black walnut tree on the other.
The house is situated to optimize views, while at the same time protecting occupants from blazing summer sun and stiff winter winds. The wall to wall sliding doors on the south side of the main living space provide expansive views to the creek, and allow for breezes to flow throughout. The wrap around aluminum louvered sun shade tempers the sun.
The subdued exterior material palette is defined by horizontal wood siding, standing seam metal roofing and large format polished concrete blocks.
The interiors were driven by the owners’ desire to have a home that would properly feature their unique vintage collection, and yet have a modern open layout. Polished concrete floors and steel beams on the main level set the industrial tone and are paired with a stainless steel island counter top, backsplash and industrial range hood in the kitchen. An old drinking fountain is built-in to the mudroom millwork, carefully restored bi-parting doors frame the library entrance, and a vibrant antique stained glass panel is set into the foyer wall allowing diffused coloured light to spill into the hallway. Upstairs, refurbished claw foot tubs are situated to view the landscape.
The double height library with mezzanine serves as a prominent feature and quiet retreat for the residents. The white oak millwork exquisitely displays the homeowners’ vast collection of books and manuscripts. The material palette is complemented by steel counter tops, stainless steel ladder hardware and matte black metal mezzanine guards. The stairs carry the same language, with white oak open risers and stainless steel woven wire mesh panels set into a matte black steel frame.
The overall effect is a truly sublime blend of an industrial modern aesthetic punctuated by personal elements of the owners’ storied life.
Photography: James Brittain

Kanso home
A Balanced Retreat for the Quietly Powerful
In the heart of bustling Wadala, amidst the towering silhouettes of Mumbai’s skyline, lies a home that whispers rather than shouts—one that celebrates calm over clutter and intention overindulgence. Designed under the concept “Stillness in Structure,” this residence for the wonderful couple and their beautiful daughter, at Dosti Eastern Bay stands as a meditative retreat—an ode to
balance, warmth, and quiet sophistication.
The central design narrative revolves around creating a sanctuary that embodies restraint and timeless grace. Every surface, curve, and finish has been curated to exude composure. The palette—woven from taupes, soft greys, dusty beiges, and stone whites—becomes the visual language of serenity.
Lighting plays a quiet yet profound role—concealed within coves or diffused through sheer drapes—casting a soft glow that mirrors the homeowners’ gentle temperament. The overall effect is of a space that breathes, inviting introspection and ease.
The Living Core: Connection and Continuity
The living and dining areas are designed as fluid extensions of one another, encouraging conversation and connection. With earthy finishes, clean silhouettes, and subtle textural layering, the rooms flow seamlessly into a balcony that becomes a serene escape. Soft furnishings transform the space into an urban oasis—a moment of stillness above the city’s rhythm.
The dining corner, defined by warm tones and minimalist lighting, balances functionality with grace. Custom cabinetry with clean lines anchors the space, offering both utility and sculptural beauty.
The Private Realms
The master bedroom continues the home’s philosophy of quiet luxury. With muted undertones, warm timber, and linen textures, it exudes a sense of grounded comfort. A tailored study nook and soft lighting create an atmosphere conducive to focus and rest in equal measure.
The daughter’s room, in contrast, introduces a tender narrative—pastel hues of blush, sage, and mauve meet whimsical elements. It balances playfulness and calm, ensuring the design grows gracefully with its young occupant.
Meanwhile, the guest bedroom embodies understated hospitality—tones of beige and olive layered with soft fabrics and tactile finishes. It maintains harmony with the home’s larger aesthetic, while introducing subtle individuality through its bespoke furniture details.
Crafted Details and Quiet Precision
Every element—from custom joinery and door designs to the utility layout and curtain treatments—reflects an unwavering attention to proportion and texture. Rounded corners, soft lighting coves, and flush detailing enhance spatial fluidity. Even the kitchen area is designed with the same philosophy—functional minimalism executed with warmth and precision
An Ode to Intentional Living
“Stillness in Structure” transcends mere visual beauty—it’s a state of being. The home tells the story of two individuals who find strength in subtlety and meaning in moderation. It’s a space that nurtures the rhythm of everyday life while offering a meditative counterpoint to the world outside.

Bridle Path Residence — Primary Bathroom Retreat
This Bridle Path Residence primary bathroom is conceived as a private spa-like retreat, combining classical architectural detailing with contemporary fixtures, expansive glazing, and a highly restrained material palette. The design prioritizes serenity and natural light while maintaining the level of craftsmanship and visual refinement established throughout the residence.
The room's strongest design feature is its relationship with the outdoors. A generous bay of windows brings the surrounding mature landscape directly into the bathroom, transforming the view into an important part of the experience. Daylight washes across the pale surfaces and enhances the sense of openness, making the space feel more like a private wellness suite than a conventional bathroom.
The freestanding sculptural tub is positioned directly beside the windows, creating a deliberate moment of relaxation and emphasizing the connection between bathing and the landscape. Its smooth, organic silhouette contrasts beautifully with the architectural geometry of the room, while the polished floor-mounted faucet introduces a refined contemporary detail.
The shower is treated as an architectural volume rather than simply a functional enclosure. Clear frameless glass preserves visual continuity across the room and allows the large-format wall surfaces and integrated shower niche to remain visible. The minimal hardware keeps the enclosure visually light and reinforces the clean, modern character.
A striking element is the geometric floor design, where dark linear insets intersect across the pale stone surface to create a sophisticated diamond-like pattern. This introduces a graphic layer beneath the otherwise quiet palette and provides a subtle connection to the more traditional detailing found elsewhere in the residence.
The custom vanity continues the home's tailored millwork language. White cabinetry, refined hardware, decorative supports, and integrated mirrors create a furniture-like composition rather than a generic bathroom installation. The large mirror amplifies the natural light and visually expands the room, while the sculptural upholstered stool adds softness and a touch of traditional glamour.
The material palette is intentionally restrained: luminous white surfaces, pale stone, crisp millwork, polished metal, and touches of dark detailing. This restraint allows architectural form, daylight, and the surrounding landscape to become the primary sources of visual interest.
Overall, the bathroom represents timeless luxury interpreted through a contemporary lens. Traditional millwork and geometric stone detailing provide character, while frameless glass, sculptural plumbing fixtures, and the freestanding tub introduce modern simplicity. The result is an elegant, highly personalized primary bathroom designed to feel restorative, spacious, and quietly luxurious.
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Kandinsky modern pillow cover composition cushion cover-Knowing that Kandinsky portrayed the soul as concentric circles, we see in this pillow cover, perhaps the eye of the soul or seeds and ovum. Gorgeous color swathes the cushion cover, a fusion of the hand-dyed Kashmiri wool and the expert needlework. The hand worked modern pillow cover is of the finest chainstitch, the stitch of an accomplished artisan, finer than crewel. The kaleidoscopic design deserves to be seen and experienced. This cover will be an attention-getter no matter where you put it. The Kashmir wool thread makes it soft to the touch, and the raised-swirl texture of the embroidery delights the senses.
Composition: 70% Wool, 30% Cotton
Size: 18' x 18' (45 cms x 45 cms)
Pillow Insert not Included (Only Cover is on Sale)
Hand embroidered in Village Cottage Units
Backing: Canvas (See the Last Picture)
A close-up view of this abstract pillow cover allows you to see the amazing chain-stitch embroidery work of master artisans who have practiced this art their entire lives.This abstract decorative pillow cover could grace the cabin of your boat or the chair in your solarium and yet be equally as comfortable in your den. The eye-popping color and pattern of this modern throw pillow are just what the designer ordered to create a fiery focal point in your decor. Perfect wherever you need a splash of color, this artwork pillow creation is as durable as it is beautiful. Easy to care for, this cushion cover could spark up an old throw pillow or grace a new pillow form.
Kandinsky conveyed profound spirituality and inner human emotion through a visual language of abstract forms and colors that transcended cultural and physical boundaries. He used interrelation between color and form to create an aesthetic experience that engaged the sight, sound, and emotions of the viewer. Kandinsky viewed music as the most transcendent form of non-objective art musicians could evoke images in listeners‚ minds merely with sounds.
He crafted spiritually rich paintings that alluded to sounds and emotions through sensations. Modern Artist Wassily Kandinsky used the form of concentric circles to portray the soul. Rendered here as chain stitch embroidery in wool, this cushion cover can create a new personality for any room in which you choose to use it.
The eye-popping color and pattern of this modern throw pillow are just what the designer ordered to create a fiery focal point in your decor. Perfect wherever you need a splash of color, this artwork pillow creation is as durable as it is beautiful. Easy to care for, this cushion cover could spark up an old throw pillow or grace a new pillow form.

Kandinsky modern pillow cover composition cushion cover-Knowing that Kandinsky portrayed the soul as concentric circles, we see in this pillow cover, perhaps the eye of the soul or seeds and ovum. Gorgeous color swathes the cushion cover, a fusion of the hand-dyed Kashmiri wool and the expert needlework. The hand worked modern pillow cover is of the finest chainstitch, the stitch of an accomplished artisan, finer than crewel. The kaleidoscopic design deserves to be seen and experienced. This cover will be an attention-getter no matter where you put it. The Kashmir wool thread makes it soft to the touch, and the raised-swirl texture of the embroidery delights the senses.
Composition: 70% Wool, 30% Cotton
Size: 18' x 18' (45 cms x 45 cms)
Pillow Insert not Included (Only Cover is on Sale)
Hand embroidered in Village Cottage Units
Backing: Canvas (See the Last Picture)
A close-up view of this abstract pillow cover allows you to see the amazing chain-stitch embroidery work of master artisans who have practiced this art their entire lives.This abstract decorative pillow cover could grace the cabin of your boat or the chair in your solarium and yet be equally as comfortable in your den. The eye-popping color and pattern of this modern throw pillow are just what the designer ordered to create a fiery focal point in your decor. Perfect wherever you need a splash of color, this artwork pillow creation is as durable as it is beautiful. Easy to care for, this cushion cover could spark up an old throw pillow or grace a new pillow form.
Kandinsky conveyed profound spirituality and inner human emotion through a visual language of abstract forms and colors that transcended cultural and physical boundaries. He used interrelation between color and form to create an aesthetic experience that engaged the sight, sound, and emotions of the viewer. Kandinsky viewed music as the most transcendent form of non-objective art musicians could evoke images in listeners‚ minds merely with sounds.
He crafted spiritually rich paintings that alluded to sounds and emotions through sensations. Modern Artist Wassily Kandinsky used the form of concentric circles to portray the soul. Rendered here as chain stitch embroidery in wool, this cushion cover can create a new personality for any room in which you choose to use it.
The eye-popping color and pattern of this modern throw pillow are just what the designer ordered to create a fiery focal point in your decor. Perfect wherever you need a splash of color, this artwork pillow creation is as durable as it is beautiful. Easy to care for, this cushion cover could spark up an old throw pillow or grace a new pillow form.

The client’s brief was to create a space reminiscent of their beloved downtown Chicago industrial loft, in a rural farm setting, while incorporating their unique collection of vintage and architectural salvage. The result is a custom designed space that blends life on the farm with an industrial sensibility.
The new house is located on approximately the same footprint as the original farm house on the property. Barely visible from the road due to the protection of conifer trees and a long driveway, the house sits on the edge of a field with views of the neighbouring 60 acre farm and creek that runs along the length of the property.
The main level open living space is conceived as a transparent social hub for viewing the landscape. Large sliding glass doors create strong visual connections with an adjacent barn on one end and a mature black walnut tree on the other.
The house is situated to optimize views, while at the same time protecting occupants from blazing summer sun and stiff winter winds. The wall to wall sliding doors on the south side of the main living space provide expansive views to the creek, and allow for breezes to flow throughout. The wrap around aluminum louvered sun shade tempers the sun.
The subdued exterior material palette is defined by horizontal wood siding, standing seam metal roofing and large format polished concrete blocks.
The interiors were driven by the owners’ desire to have a home that would properly feature their unique vintage collection, and yet have a modern open layout. Polished concrete floors and steel beams on the main level set the industrial tone and are paired with a stainless steel island counter top, backsplash and industrial range hood in the kitchen. An old drinking fountain is built-in to the mudroom millwork, carefully restored bi-parting doors frame the library entrance, and a vibrant antique stained glass panel is set into the foyer wall allowing diffused coloured light to spill into the hallway. Upstairs, refurbished claw foot tubs are situated to view the landscape.
The double height library with mezzanine serves as a prominent feature and quiet retreat for the residents. The white oak millwork exquisitely displays the homeowners’ vast collection of books and manuscripts. The material palette is complemented by steel counter tops, stainless steel ladder hardware and matte black metal mezzanine guards. The stairs carry the same language, with white oak open risers and stainless steel woven wire mesh panels set into a matte black steel frame.
The overall effect is a truly sublime blend of an industrial modern aesthetic punctuated by personal elements of the owners’ storied life.
Photography: James Brittain

This LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood.
INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site.
EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot.
THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place.
HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde.
YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting.
ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements.
RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage.
OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet.
ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer
Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor
Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering
Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design
Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings
Eric Roth Photography - Photography

Sponsored
Delaware, OH
Buckeye Basements, Inc.
Central Ohio's Basement Finishing ExpertsBest Of Houzz '13-'21

Whistle Hill Lot 2 residence stands as one of the most architecturally ambitious homes in the development, a striking example of RWH Architect’s commitment to elevating modern design. Defined by its dramatic butterfly roof and a façade composed of clean horizontal cladding, vertical accents, and expansive window groupings, the home captures a sculptural presence rarely seen in the region. This is a residence designed to open itself to its surroundings, embracing light, volume, and long views in a way that signals a new era of contemporary architecture.
The home features an attached three-car garage with an adjacent storage area, creating a practical yet visually streamlined entry sequence. Inside, the first floor is designed around livability and connection to the landscape. The foyer opens into a private office and then flows toward the main living areas. The master suite is intentionally tucked into a quiet corner on the first floor, positioned to overlook the backyard and shaped to allow morning light to filter softly into the space. Adjacent to the master suite is the laundry room, placed strategically for convenience. A secondary bedroom on the first floor includes a walk-in closet, and a nearby three-quarter bath offers flexibility for guests or extended family.
The kitchen serves as the central gathering point of the home, anchored by a large island and complemented by a walk-in pantry. It overlooks an expansive wraparound deck that transitions seamlessly to a lower patio, creating layered outdoor living spaces. Both the dining room and the great room open directly to the deck, enhancing the indoor-outdoor connection. The sunken great room is one of the home’s signature moments, featuring a floating fireplace that appears to hover within the space and accentuates the dramatic ceiling height created by the butterfly roof. The result is a room filled with daylight and volume, a contemporary living environment with an architectural presence that feels both bold and welcoming.
Upstairs, the second floor includes two additional bedrooms, each with walk-in closets, and a full bathroom designed with modern simplicity. From the upper level, the design allows for open views extending back toward the dining room, creating visual connectivity between floors and emphasizing the vertical openness of the home. This intentional play of volume heightens the spatial experience and enhances the sense of modern airiness throughout the interior.
This residence presented several unique design challenges that ultimately helped refine and elevate the final architectural expression. The sweeping butterfly roof created structural complexities due to its dramatic angles and its role in defining the home’s entire visual identity. RWH addressed this by carefully coordinating structural supports and framing patterns that allowed the roof to appear effortless while maintaining its sculptural form. Another significant challenge was balancing the extensive glazing with the need to preserve privacy and energy performance. RWH solved this by thoughtfully arranging high windows, angled openings, and varied window groupings that capture natural light without compromising comfort. Integrating a sunken great room with a floating fireplace required a precise approach to grading, floor transitions, and structural anchoring. Through detailed modeling and coordination, RWH ensured that the fireplace would appear weightless while remaining fully functional and safe. Creating uninterrupted views from the second floor to the dining room also required creative alignment of floor systems and rail detailing, which RWH resolved by designing sleek, integrated guardrails that preserve openness while meeting safety requirements.
Whistle Hill Lot 2 stands as a bold architectural statement and a defining example of the evolving design language within the development. Through innovative forms, expansive volumes, and carefully orchestrated transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces, RWH Architect has created a home that reflects the future of contemporary living in the area—forward-thinking, refined, and undeniably modern.

Whistle Hill Lot 2 residence stands as one of the most architecturally ambitious homes in the development, a striking example of RWH Architect’s commitment to elevating modern design. Defined by its dramatic butterfly roof and a façade composed of clean horizontal cladding, vertical accents, and expansive window groupings, the home captures a sculptural presence rarely seen in the region. This is a residence designed to open itself to its surroundings, embracing light, volume, and long views in a way that signals a new era of contemporary architecture.
The home features an attached three-car garage with an adjacent storage area, creating a practical yet visually streamlined entry sequence. Inside, the first floor is designed around livability and connection to the landscape. The foyer opens into a private office and then flows toward the main living areas. The master suite is intentionally tucked into a quiet corner on the first floor, positioned to overlook the backyard and shaped to allow morning light to filter softly into the space. Adjacent to the master suite is the laundry room, placed strategically for convenience. A secondary bedroom on the first floor includes a walk-in closet, and a nearby three-quarter bath offers flexibility for guests or extended family.
The kitchen serves as the central gathering point of the home, anchored by a large island and complemented by a walk-in pantry. It overlooks an expansive wraparound deck that transitions seamlessly to a lower patio, creating layered outdoor living spaces. Both the dining room and the great room open directly to the deck, enhancing the indoor-outdoor connection. The sunken great room is one of the home’s signature moments, featuring a floating fireplace that appears to hover within the space and accentuates the dramatic ceiling height created by the butterfly roof. The result is a room filled with daylight and volume, a contemporary living environment with an architectural presence that feels both bold and welcoming.
Upstairs, the second floor includes two additional bedrooms, each with walk-in closets, and a full bathroom designed with modern simplicity. From the upper level, the design allows for open views extending back toward the dining room, creating visual connectivity between floors and emphasizing the vertical openness of the home. This intentional play of volume heightens the spatial experience and enhances the sense of modern airiness throughout the interior.
This residence presented several unique design challenges that ultimately helped refine and elevate the final architectural expression. The sweeping butterfly roof created structural complexities due to its dramatic angles and its role in defining the home’s entire visual identity. RWH addressed this by carefully coordinating structural supports and framing patterns that allowed the roof to appear effortless while maintaining its sculptural form. Another significant challenge was balancing the extensive glazing with the need to preserve privacy and energy performance. RWH solved this by thoughtfully arranging high windows, angled openings, and varied window groupings that capture natural light without compromising comfort. Integrating a sunken great room with a floating fireplace required a precise approach to grading, floor transitions, and structural anchoring. Through detailed modeling and coordination, RWH ensured that the fireplace would appear weightless while remaining fully functional and safe. Creating uninterrupted views from the second floor to the dining room also required creative alignment of floor systems and rail detailing, which RWH resolved by designing sleek, integrated guardrails that preserve openness while meeting safety requirements.
Whistle Hill Lot 2 stands as a bold architectural statement and a defining example of the evolving design language within the development. Through innovative forms, expansive volumes, and carefully orchestrated transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces, RWH Architect has created a home that reflects the future of contemporary living in the area—forward-thinking, refined, and undeniably modern.

Whistle Hill Lot 2 residence stands as one of the most architecturally ambitious homes in the development, a striking example of RWH Architect’s commitment to elevating modern design. Defined by its dramatic butterfly roof and a façade composed of clean horizontal cladding, vertical accents, and expansive window groupings, the home captures a sculptural presence rarely seen in the region. This is a residence designed to open itself to its surroundings, embracing light, volume, and long views in a way that signals a new era of contemporary architecture.
The home features an attached three-car garage with an adjacent storage area, creating a practical yet visually streamlined entry sequence. Inside, the first floor is designed around livability and connection to the landscape. The foyer opens into a private office and then flows toward the main living areas. The master suite is intentionally tucked into a quiet corner on the first floor, positioned to overlook the backyard and shaped to allow morning light to filter softly into the space. Adjacent to the master suite is the laundry room, placed strategically for convenience. A secondary bedroom on the first floor includes a walk-in closet, and a nearby three-quarter bath offers flexibility for guests or extended family.
The kitchen serves as the central gathering point of the home, anchored by a large island and complemented by a walk-in pantry. It overlooks an expansive wraparound deck that transitions seamlessly to a lower patio, creating layered outdoor living spaces. Both the dining room and the great room open directly to the deck, enhancing the indoor-outdoor connection. The sunken great room is one of the home’s signature moments, featuring a floating fireplace that appears to hover within the space and accentuates the dramatic ceiling height created by the butterfly roof. The result is a room filled with daylight and volume, a contemporary living environment with an architectural presence that feels both bold and welcoming.
Upstairs, the second floor includes two additional bedrooms, each with walk-in closets, and a full bathroom designed with modern simplicity. From the upper level, the design allows for open views extending back toward the dining room, creating visual connectivity between floors and emphasizing the vertical openness of the home. This intentional play of volume heightens the spatial experience and enhances the sense of modern airiness throughout the interior.
This residence presented several unique design challenges that ultimately helped refine and elevate the final architectural expression. The sweeping butterfly roof created structural complexities due to its dramatic angles and its role in defining the home’s entire visual identity. RWH addressed this by carefully coordinating structural supports and framing patterns that allowed the roof to appear effortless while maintaining its sculptural form. Another significant challenge was balancing the extensive glazing with the need to preserve privacy and energy performance. RWH solved this by thoughtfully arranging high windows, angled openings, and varied window groupings that capture natural light without compromising comfort. Integrating a sunken great room with a floating fireplace required a precise approach to grading, floor transitions, and structural anchoring. Through detailed modeling and coordination, RWH ensured that the fireplace would appear weightless while remaining fully functional and safe. Creating uninterrupted views from the second floor to the dining room also required creative alignment of floor systems and rail detailing, which RWH resolved by designing sleek, integrated guardrails that preserve openness while meeting safety requirements.
Whistle Hill Lot 2 stands as a bold architectural statement and a defining example of the evolving design language within the development. Through innovative forms, expansive volumes, and carefully orchestrated transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces, RWH Architect has created a home that reflects the future of contemporary living in the area—forward-thinking, refined, and undeniably modern.

Whistle Hill Lot 2 residence stands as one of the most architecturally ambitious homes in the development, a striking example of RWH Architect’s commitment to elevating modern design. Defined by its dramatic butterfly roof and a façade composed of clean horizontal cladding, vertical accents, and expansive window groupings, the home captures a sculptural presence rarely seen in the region. This is a residence designed to open itself to its surroundings, embracing light, volume, and long views in a way that signals a new era of contemporary architecture.
The home features an attached three-car garage with an adjacent storage area, creating a practical yet visually streamlined entry sequence. Inside, the first floor is designed around livability and connection to the landscape. The foyer opens into a private office and then flows toward the main living areas. The master suite is intentionally tucked into a quiet corner on the first floor, positioned to overlook the backyard and shaped to allow morning light to filter softly into the space. Adjacent to the master suite is the laundry room, placed strategically for convenience. A secondary bedroom on the first floor includes a walk-in closet, and a nearby three-quarter bath offers flexibility for guests or extended family.
The kitchen serves as the central gathering point of the home, anchored by a large island and complemented by a walk-in pantry. It overlooks an expansive wraparound deck that transitions seamlessly to a lower patio, creating layered outdoor living spaces. Both the dining room and the great room open directly to the deck, enhancing the indoor-outdoor connection. The sunken great room is one of the home’s signature moments, featuring a floating fireplace that appears to hover within the space and accentuates the dramatic ceiling height created by the butterfly roof. The result is a room filled with daylight and volume, a contemporary living environment with an architectural presence that feels both bold and welcoming.
Upstairs, the second floor includes two additional bedrooms, each with walk-in closets, and a full bathroom designed with modern simplicity. From the upper level, the design allows for open views extending back toward the dining room, creating visual connectivity between floors and emphasizing the vertical openness of the home. This intentional play of volume heightens the spatial experience and enhances the sense of modern airiness throughout the interior.
This residence presented several unique design challenges that ultimately helped refine and elevate the final architectural expression. The sweeping butterfly roof created structural complexities due to its dramatic angles and its role in defining the home’s entire visual identity. RWH addressed this by carefully coordinating structural supports and framing patterns that allowed the roof to appear effortless while maintaining its sculptural form. Another significant challenge was balancing the extensive glazing with the need to preserve privacy and energy performance. RWH solved this by thoughtfully arranging high windows, angled openings, and varied window groupings that capture natural light without compromising comfort. Integrating a sunken great room with a floating fireplace required a precise approach to grading, floor transitions, and structural anchoring. Through detailed modeling and coordination, RWH ensured that the fireplace would appear weightless while remaining fully functional and safe. Creating uninterrupted views from the second floor to the dining room also required creative alignment of floor systems and rail detailing, which RWH resolved by designing sleek, integrated guardrails that preserve openness while meeting safety requirements.
Whistle Hill Lot 2 stands as a bold architectural statement and a defining example of the evolving design language within the development. Through innovative forms, expansive volumes, and carefully orchestrated transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces, RWH Architect has created a home that reflects the future of contemporary living in the area—forward-thinking, refined, and undeniably modern.

This LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood.
INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site.
EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot.
THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place.
HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde.
YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting.
ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements.
RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage.
OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet.
ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer
Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor
Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering
Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design
Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings
Eric Roth Photography - Photography

Great spacious bathroom with lot of amenities.
Photographer: Jon Upson
Large elegant master beige tile and porcelain tile drop-in bathtub photo in San Diego with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, beige walls and a two-piece toilet
Large elegant master beige tile and porcelain tile drop-in bathtub photo in San Diego with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, beige walls and a two-piece toilet

Details - Hand polished corners in natural marble
Photos by Blackstock Photography
Example of a large classic master gray tile and stone tile marble floor freestanding bathtub design in New York with an undermount sink, furniture-like cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, a two-piece toilet and white walls
Example of a large classic master gray tile and stone tile marble floor freestanding bathtub design in New York with an undermount sink, furniture-like cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, a two-piece toilet and white walls

This LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood.
INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site.
EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot.
THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place.
HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde.
YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting.
ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements.
RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage.
OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet.
ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer
Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor
Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering
Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design
Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings
Eric Roth Photography - Photography

This LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood.
INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site.
EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot.
THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place.
HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde.
YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting.
ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements.
RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage.
OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet.
ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer
Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor
Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering
Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design
Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings
Eric Roth Photography - Photography

Sponsored
Delaware, OH
Buckeye Basements, Inc.
Central Ohio's Basement Finishing ExpertsBest Of Houzz '13-'21

Three levels of water, two large rock waterfalls and two fire features make up the luxury swimming pool and deck for Platte County Paradise. The highest pool level features a hot tub from which water spills into the main pool. From the main pool, an infinity edge that runs 30 feet in length spills water down 8 feet into the plunge pool. A slide wraps around a rock water fall and ends in the plunge pool. A beautiful stone and iron staircase escorts you and your guests to the slide. For this rustic design, all rocks were drilled and pinned into the gunnite shell with apoxy. The grotto was built so that swimmers can enter from either side to find seating. The cave is designed to hold a large group for parties. We installed two fire features; one is intended for a large gathering where outdoor couches offer seating. The other feature is at patio level. This luxury pool contains every amenity imaginable including a swim-up bar, full and cabana dry stacked with stone and featuring timber that was selected from the property.

Example of a huge trendy metal floating open staircase design in Minneapolis
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