This amazing powder room features an elevated waterfall sink that overflows into a raised bowl. Ultramodern lighting and mirrors complete this striking minimalistic contemporary bathroom.

Vance Fox
Contemporary two-story wood exterior home idea in Sacramento with a butterfly roof

A stone address marker and bluestone steppers lead you from the driveway entrance to the front walk. Westhauser Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized asian drought-tolerant and full sun front yard stone garden path in Milwaukee for summer.

Lincoln Barbour
Inspiration for a victorian dark wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Portland with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash and subway tile backsplash

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

Kitchen - transitional medium tone wood floor kitchen idea in Orange County with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, multicolored backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Corner shower - contemporary gray tile corner shower idea in Miami with open cabinets, an undermount tub and white walls

Selections & Design by Shefali Mehta & Kim Stiffle. Portraits of Home by Rachael Ormond.
Transitional bathroom photo in Chicago with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and marble countertops

John Bedell
Inspiration for a large transitional gender-neutral carpeted walk-in closet remodel in San Francisco with recessed-panel cabinets and white cabinets

Karen Swanson, owner of New England Design Works in Manchester, MA keeps designing award winning Pennville Custom Cabinetry kitchens. You may remember that earlier this year, Karen won both the regional Sub-Zero Design Contest and the National Kitchen & Bath Association's medium kitchen of the year. nedesignworks@gmail.com 978.500.1096.

Bliss Garden Design

Specialty Gardens LLC, Grand Haven, MI
Inspiration for a traditional full sun backyard landscaping in Grand Rapids.

© Sharon Risedorph
Inspiration for a contemporary entryway remodel in San Francisco with white walls

Photography by Liz Linder (www.lizlinder.com)
Example of a classic detached greenhouse design in Boston

Beach style home design photo in Miami

Transitional living room photo in Los Angeles

This outdoor kitchen/bar includes a barbecue, sink, and refrigerator. The travertine stone patio brings it all together.
Large arts and crafts backyard stone patio photo in Minneapolis with a pergola