Turning the corner, a peek at how the mass and colors shift to reduce the scale as the grade rises up below. Architect: Lars Langberg Architects Schematic Design Architect: Heiner Huy General Contractor: Sawyer Construction Structural Engineer: Scott Hunter

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

Blending a modern sensibility with traditional architecture, this garden features a front yard meadow with native grasses (Carex praecracilis) and wildflowers. Poured-in-place concrete pavers in a meandering pattern slow the approach from the sidewalk to the entry. The modestly-sized backyard has been maximized for entertaining with outdoor dining and lounging areas and subtle landscape lighting. Native plants, herbs, and edibles share the back garden beds, and a raised pond brings the garden to life. Photo by Martin Cox Photography.

The homeowner of this suburban home was looking for more curb appeal and year round visual interest. The lilacs were well-established, but not much else in this front entry said 'welcome home'. Ecoscape's seasoned designer and plant specialist, Sue Rigdon, choose to incorporate the lilacs into a raised bed that also reduced the amount of turf. By losing the grey cement walkway and rock mulch, the warmer tones of the redstone patio felt more inviting and spacious.

These modest homeowners were looking for drainage solutions, low maintenance plantings, and an entertainment space they could enjoy outside. Mowing the grass had been a pain in the past, so with this design we decided to remove it entirely. Instead, more native grasses were utilized to take in water and reduce erosion. A new fence modernized and updated the space and allowed the interior of the backyard to be leveled providing more opportunities for design elements like a floating bench and custom built fire pit.

A simple, yet effective planting arrangement.
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional full sun front yard concrete paver garden path in Toronto.

This is a total renovation of an existing building. The walls are composed of inset cherry trim with drywall panels opposed to plaster. This reduced the cost and added the original look of the building. Built-in bookcases are made of natural cherry and the floors are random width pine.

Raised steel planters are located in the center of the circle drive to provide vegetable gardening space. Bird, bat, and butterfly habitat is provided by the Texas sabal palms, Texas persimmon, orange zexmenia, and wooly stemodia. The artful placement of trees, shrubs, ground cover, boulders, gravel, edging, and planters create a landscape worthy of its placement on the site.

Christina Dalton
Mid-sized country l-shaped porcelain tile open concept kitchen photo in Orlando with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets, granite countertops, metallic backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Example of a mid-sized classic 3/4 vinyl floor corner shower design in Toronto with blue walls, an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and solid surface countertops

Jane Beiles photography The design for this client’s “dream house on the water” capitalizes on every opportunity to incorporate views of the Long Island Sound within the home. The placement and expanse of the fir windows and sliding doors underscore the water’s proximity. The interior gathering space spills out onto the raised outdoor deck and lap pool overlooking the seawall. Reducing the house’s carbon footprint is another priority, accomplished by generating renewable energy on site. The precise angle of the house on the property is calculated for optimal solar energy production by the rooftop photovoltaic panels and a geothermal system installed under the driveway provides heating and cooling for the house. Due to the fact that the site is located on a floodplain, the ground floor of the house is raised and no basement is allowed. This presents a challenge in terms of carving out enough storage space in the main house that one might normally relegate to a basement. Rooms are efficiently sized and serve multiple functions and storage is built-in wherever possible.

jody brown
This is an example of a rustic landscaping in Indianapolis.

RediRoot Plastic Air-Pruning Containers feature a slatted design that distinguishes it from traditional solid wall containers. This design provides plant material with superior aeration and drainage while reducing circling roots. Air root pruning is a process where a plant's roots are pruned as they grow rather than when they are transplanted. Basically, when a root tip comes in contact with the air it is pruned, sending a signal to the plant to produce more lateral or fibrous roots. RediRoot’s design features raised feet allowing for 360-degree air-pruning helping you get the most from your plants and trees. RediRoot has a variety of additional benefits including: Reduces and often eliminates circling roots Airflow allows growing medium to dry evenly reducing wet spots Increases yield Produces a dense, fibrous root structure Reduces transplant shock Made from recycled materials BPA-free and UV resistant

Craftsman exterior home idea in San Diego

Sullivan's Island Private Residence Completed 2013 Photographer: William Quarles Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Tumblr: inkarchitecture
Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal master medium tone wood floor bedroom remodel in Charleston with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

A raised garden bed made of retaining wall blocks is sturdy, accessible, and ideal for supplying this family's kitchen with fresh herbs and edibles. The gravel surround and dry creek bed act as natural dividers for the different uses in the new yard. Additional benefits: Thirsty lawn space has been reduced significantly but without sacrificing it entirely. The brand new native plantings, which are small at first installation, have been positioned to allow comfortable growth in coming months to form a mature, well-rounded garden.

This simple B shaped saltwater swimming pool is made more dramatic by the rural backdrop and a blade edge on one side creating a wet-edge effect. The swimming pool has been raised out of the ground to reduce rock excavation and bring the level of the pool closer to the house for easier access. The golden coloured pebble interior affords a more natural look to blend in with the surrounding back drop.

RediRoot Plastic Air-Pruning Containers feature a slatted design that distinguishes it from traditional solid wall containers. This design provides plant material with superior aeration and drainage while reducing circling roots. Air root pruning is a process where a plant's roots are pruned as they grow rather than when they are transplanted. Basically, when a root tip comes in contact with the air it is pruned, sending a signal to the plant to produce more lateral or fibrous roots. RediRoot’s design features raised feet allowing for 360-degree air-pruning helping you get the most from your plants and trees. RediRoot has a variety of additional benefits including: Reduces and often eliminates circling roots Airflow allows growing medium to dry evenly reducing wet spots Increases yield Produces a dense, fibrous root structure Reduces transplant shock Made from recycled materials BPA-free and UV resistant

RediRoot Plastic Air-Pruning Containers feature a slatted design that distinguishes it from traditional solid wall containers. This design provides plant material with superior aeration and drainage while reducing circling roots. Air root pruning is a process where a plant's roots are pruned as they grow rather than when they are transplanted. Basically, when a root tip comes in contact with the air it is pruned, sending a signal to the plant to produce more lateral or fibrous roots. RediRoot’s design features raised feet allowing for 360-degree air-pruning helping you get the most from your plants and trees. RediRoot has a variety of additional benefits including: Reduces and often eliminates circling roots Airflow allows growing medium to dry evenly reducing wet spots Increases yield Produces a dense, fibrous root structure Reduces transplant shock Made from recycled materials BPA-free and UV resistant