Benjamin Benschneider
Living room - contemporary living room idea in Seattle

Inspiration for a rustic master carpeted bedroom remodel in Orange County with white walls

Patio - contemporary backyard concrete patio idea in San Francisco with a fire pit and no cover

Kerri Fukkai
Minimalist master gray tile gray floor freestanding bathtub photo in Salt Lake City with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white walls, a vessel sink, wood countertops and brown countertops

Architect: Stephen Verner and Aleck Wilson Architects / Designer: Caitlin Jones Design / Photography: Paul Dyer
Large elegant master gray tile and subway tile mosaic tile floor and gray floor alcove shower photo in San Francisco with white walls, an undermount tub, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door and marble countertops

Bliss Garden Design
Photo of a contemporary landscaping in Seattle.

Inspiration for a contemporary living room remodel in Minneapolis

Alan Williams Photography
Shed - contemporary shed idea in London

A formidable pallet of Asian style plant species along with traditional bamboo construction and meandering stone and gravel pathways.
This is an example of an asian shade backyard stone landscaping in San Francisco.

Example of a mid-sized mountain style backyard stone patio design in Charlotte with a fire pit and no cover

Home design - industrial home design idea in San Diego

Shoberg Homes- Contractor Studio Seiders - Interior Design Ryann Ford Photography, LLC
Contemporary gray one-story stone house exterior idea in Austin with a hip roof

David Heald
Inspiration for a farmhouse landscaping in New York.

Photo: Jason Snyder © 2013 Houzz

Photo- Lisa Romerein
Tuscan open concept dark wood floor and brown floor living room photo in San Francisco with white walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace and no tv

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

Stella | Mirror LURIDAE | CONSOLE
Foyer - contemporary foyer idea in Chicago with gray walls

Photography by Rebecca Lehde
Large contemporary two-story wood exterior home idea in Charleston with a hip roof

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