Sunset views can be appreciated from the living room and elsewhere in this modern residence, where soaring walls and open spaces are cozied up with oversized furnishings. Limestone walls and floors add sleekness throughout, as does a blackened-steel fireplace wall. Project Details // Now and Zen Renovation, Paradise Valley, Arizona Architecture: Drewett Works Builder: Brimley Development Interior Designer: Ownby Design Photographer: Dino Tonn Limestone (Demitasse) flooring and walls: Solstice Stone Windows (Arcadia): Elevation Window & Door Faux plants: Botanical Elegance https://www.drewettworks.com/now-and-zen/

This residential compound includes a primary residence, guesthouse, barn, dining pavilion and entry gate. The distinctive form of the architecture is derived from the Teton Range extending to the south. To respond to this phenomenon, the ridge of the gable roof is angled to allow the north wall to gently rise toward the west, mimicking the line of the mountains. The south wall naturally rises to the east capturing the preferred morning light. The materials - wood, rusted steel, copper panels, and stone - form a monochromatic palette to reinforce the sculptural energy of each building. A.I.A. Western Mountain Region Design Award of Citation 2005 A.I.A. Wyoming Chapter Design Award of Honor 2004 Project Year: Pre-2005

Perfectly settled in the shade of three majestic oak trees, this timeless homestead evokes a deep sense of belonging to the land. The Wilson Architects farmhouse design riffs on the agrarian history of the region while employing contemporary green technologies and methods. Honoring centuries-old artisan traditions and the rich local talent carrying those traditions today, the home is adorned with intricate handmade details including custom site-harvested millwork, forged iron hardware, and inventive stone masonry. Welcome family and guests comfortably in the detached garage apartment. Enjoy long range views of these ancient mountains with ample space, inside and out.

Within a spectacular landscape at the edge the forest and the Snake River plain, the design of this residence is governed by the presence of the mountains. A single glass wall unifies all rooms as part of, or opening onto, this view. This unification of interior/exterior exhibits the modern notion of interior space as a continuum of universal space. The culture of this house is its simple layout and its connection to the context through literal transparency, but also a nod to the timelessness of the mountain geology. The contrast of materials defines the interior character. Durable, clapboard formed concrete extends inside under a ceiling of lapped alder wood panels that extend over the entry carport and generous overhang. A sliding mahogany wall activates to separate the master suite from public spaces. A.I.A. Wyoming Chapter Design Award of Merit 2011 A.I.A. Western Mountain Region Design Award of Merit 2010

Juxtaposing a Southern Colorado setting with a Moorish feel, North Star Ranch explores a distinctive Mediterranean architectural style in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The owner raises cutting horses, but has spent much of her free time traveling the world. She has brought art and artifacts from those journeys into her home, and they work in combination to establish an uncommon mood. The stone floor, stucco and plaster walls, troweled stucco exterior, and heavy beam and trussed ceilings welcome guests as they enter the home. Open spaces for socializing, both outdoor and in, are what those guests experience but to ensure the owner's privacy, certain spaces such as the master suite and office can be essentially 'locked off' from the rest of the home. Even in the context of the region's extraordinary rock formations, North Star Ranch conveys a strong sense of personality.

Russian Roof Details As far back as the 14th century massive roofs of houses in the Northern Dvina River Region of NW Russia were topped with an entire larch log, its roots hanging over the gable of the house. From the root ball Russian carpenters used an axe to carve sculptures, often in the shape of a hen or a horse. These were called "okhlupen" and had the function of protecting inhabitants of the house from illnesses, thieves, fires and evil forces. There was a saying in the north of Russia, "Kuritsa na krishe, v dome tishe." "With a hen on the roof, it's quiet at home." Check out the 8-page feature article in the August issue of Mountain Living magazine: http://www.mountainliving.com/Homes/A-Handcrafted-and-Historic-Sierra-Nevada-Cabin/ URL www.flickr.com/photos/zakopaneinthesierras/

Photography by Todd Bush
Mid-sized minimalist open concept brown floor living room photo in Charlotte with white walls, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace and a tv stand

A residence designed for informal gathering and relaxation on a quiet cove near Acadia National Park. Conceived of as a compound of connected gathering spaces with adjacent private retreat spaces. The "village" of structures is designed to open and close seasonally with large sliding barn doors. These also modulate light, air and views into and out of the cottages. Carefully positioned to take advantage of the rich variety of views and sloping topography, the cottages have integral terraces and retaining walls to negotiate the undulating land-form. One arrives at the high point of the site and the long barn axis and navigates between the cottages to the main entrance. Once inside, the home deliberately reveals unique views to the ocean, mountains and surrounding spruce forest.

This resort-style outdoor living space contains a sauna house, an outdoor fireplace, sun deck, fire pit, side yard, covered outdoor seating, and an outdoor dining area. The sauna house contains a 10-person dry sauna, steam shower, cold plunge, and bathroom. The large resort-style pool contains a spillover hot tub.

A private tennis court flanks the north side of White Box No. 2, with a stunning view of Camelback Mountain beyond. Project Details // White Box No. 2 Architecture: Drewett Works Builder: Argue Custom Homes Interior Design: Ownby Design Landscape Design (hardscape): Greey | Pickett Landscape Design: Refined Gardens Photographer: Jeff Zaruba See more of this project here: https://www.drewettworks.com/white-box-no-2/

Perfectly settled in the shade of three majestic oak trees, this timeless homestead evokes a deep sense of belonging to the land. The Wilson Architects farmhouse design riffs on the agrarian history of the region while employing contemporary green technologies and methods. Honoring centuries-old artisan traditions and the rich local talent carrying those traditions today, the home is adorned with intricate handmade details including custom site-harvested millwork, forged iron hardware, and inventive stone masonry. Welcome family and guests comfortably in the detached garage apartment. Enjoy long range views of these ancient mountains with ample space, inside and out.

The great room provides stunning views of iconic Camelback Mountain while the cooking and entertaining are underway. A neutral and subdued color palette makes nature the art on the wall. Project Details // White Box No. 2 Architecture: Drewett Works Builder: Argue Custom Homes Interior Design: Ownby Design Landscape Design (hardscape): Greey | Pickett Landscape Design: Refined Gardens Photographer: Jeff Zaruba See more of this project here: https://www.drewettworks.com/white-box-no-2/

With adjacent neighbors within a fairly dense section of Paradise Valley, Arizona, C.P. Drewett sought to provide a tranquil retreat for a new-to-the-Valley surgeon and his family who were seeking the modernism they loved though had never lived in. With a goal of consuming all possible site lines and views while maintaining autonomy, a portion of the house — including the entry, office, and master bedroom wing — is subterranean. This subterranean nature of the home provides interior grandeur for guests but offers a welcoming and humble approach, fully satisfying the clients requests. While the lot has an east-west orientation, the home was designed to capture mainly north and south light which is more desirable and soothing. The architecture’s interior loftiness is created with overlapping, undulating planes of plaster, glass, and steel. The woven nature of horizontal planes throughout the living spaces provides an uplifting sense, inviting a symphony of light to enter the space. The more voluminous public spaces are comprised of stone-clad massing elements which convert into a desert pavilion embracing the outdoor spaces. Every room opens to exterior spaces providing a dramatic embrace of home to natural environment. Grand Award winner for Best Interior Design of a Custom Home The material palette began with a rich, tonal, large-format Quartzite stone cladding. The stone’s tones gaveforth the rest of the material palette including a champagne-colored metal fascia, a tonal stucco system, and ceilings clad with hemlock, a tight-grained but softer wood that was tonally perfect with the rest of the materials. The interior case goods and wood-wrapped openings further contribute to the tonal harmony of architecture and materials. Grand Award Winner for Best Indoor Outdoor Lifestyle for a Home This award-winning project was recognized at the 2020 Gold Nugget Awards with two Grand Awards, one for Best Indoor/Outdoor Lifestyle for a Home, and another for Best Interior Design of a One of a Kind or Custom Home. At the 2020 Design Excellence Awards and Gala presented by ASID AZ North, Ownby Design received five awards for Tonal Harmony. The project was recognized for 1st place – Bathroom; 3rd place – Furniture; 1st place – Kitchen; 1st place – Outdoor Living; and 2nd place – Residence over 6,000 square ft. Congratulations to Claire Ownby, Kalysha Manzo, and the entire Ownby Design team. Tonal Harmony was also featured on the cover of the July/August 2020 issue of Luxe Interiors + Design and received a 14-page editorial feature entitled “A Place in the Sun” within the magazine.

This large resort-style pool and sun deck is adjacent to a modern sauna house. The sauna house contains a 10-person dry sauna, steam shower, cold plunge, and bathroom. The sauna house is adjacent to a large pool with a spillover hot tub. Outside you will find an outdoor fireplace and a large, covered seating area.

Perfectly settled in the shade of three majestic oak trees, this timeless homestead evokes a deep sense of belonging to the land. The Wilson Architects farmhouse design riffs on the agrarian history of the region while employing contemporary green technologies and methods. Honoring centuries-old artisan traditions and the rich local talent carrying those traditions today, the home is adorned with intricate handmade details including custom site-harvested millwork, forged iron hardware, and inventive stone masonry. Welcome family and guests comfortably in the detached garage apartment. Enjoy long range views of these ancient mountains with ample space, inside and out.

Minimalist in design, this kitchen is a showpiece for a soothing mix of unique materials and finishes. Light gray leather and stainless steel counter stools line up along the Caesarstone-topped island. Project Details // Straight Edge Phoenix, Arizona Architecture: Drewett Works Builder: Sonora West Development Interior design: Laura Kehoe Landscape architecture: Sonoran Landesign Photographer: Laura Moss https://www.drewettworks.com/straight-edge/

Example of a large minimalist backyard stone and rectangular lap pool house design in Los Angeles

Interior Design: Allard & Roberts Architect: Jason Weil of Retro-Fit Design Builder: Brad Rice of Bellwether Design Build Photographer: David Dietrich Furniture Staging: Four Corners Home Area Rugs: Togar Rugs

Charcoal limestone flooring and Cartier Quartzite counters are highlights of this calm and serene master bath. Carefully located slot windows highlight views while affording privacy in all the right places. Estancia Club Builder: Peak Ventures Interiors: Ownby Design Landscape: High Desert Designs Photography: Jeff Zaruba