From the street, we kept the 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom addition on the top concealed by a simple shed dormer which reduces the impression of bulk and keeps the house looking cozy and comfortable. Wood carriage doors and a recessed front porch given some prominence help create a welcoming street presence. John Wilbanks Photography

David Berlekamp
Example of a transitional dark wood floor living room design in Cleveland with a ribbon fireplace

Example of a huge trendy master carpeted and gray floor bedroom design in Chicago with white walls

Andrea Rugg Photography
Example of a small classic black and white tile and ceramic tile marble floor and gray floor corner shower design in Minneapolis with blue cabinets, a two-piece toilet, blue walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops and shaker cabinets

Photo: Ashley Camper Photography © 2014 Houzz
Island style light wood floor deck photo in Hawaii with no fireplace

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

Meg Messina Photography
Patio - mid-sized contemporary backyard concrete paver patio idea in San Francisco with a pergola

Example of a large farmhouse open concept medium tone wood floor family room design in Burlington with white walls

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

Inspiration for a small loft-style light wood floor bedroom remodel in Portland with brown walls

Ben Benschneider
Bathroom - country bathroom idea in Seattle with recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, gray walls and a wall-mount sink

This magnificent open kitchen, designed by Curtis Lumber, Inc., makes the most of the lake view. The kitchen features Wellborn Cabinetry in the Bristol Door Style. The perimeter and island cabinetry are Bright White and the Refrigerator Wall is Maple Bleu. The perimeter countertop is quartz and the homeowner built the wood top for the island. Photos property of Curtis Lumber, Inc.

Example of a large minimalist master pink tile and ceramic tile double-sink, terrazzo floor, gray floor and wood ceiling freestanding bathtub design in Los Angeles with light wood cabinets, a floating vanity, flat-panel cabinets, white walls, a vessel sink, marble countertops, gray countertops and a niche

Master bath Photo by: Papillos
Inspiration for a transitional beige tile and stone tile beige floor freestanding bathtub remodel in New Orleans with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets and dark wood cabinets

Inspiration for a large coastal backyard stone patio vegetable garden remodel in Boston with no cover

Example of a small transitional master black tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile freestanding bathtub design with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, a two-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink and quartzite countertops

Inspiration for a transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen remodel in Portland with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and black countertops

Architect: RMT Architects
Pool - small rustic natural pool idea in Denver

Bathroom - contemporary beige floor and double-sink bathroom idea in Orange County with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a floating vanity