This baking island has everything needed to whip up batches of cookies and muffins for the hungry crowds! There's no need to ever move the mixer -easy peasy. Design and construction by Jewett Farms + Co. Photography by Justen Peters

Photography by Jack Gardner
Example of a large urban master beige tile and porcelain tile concrete floor freestanding bathtub design in Miami with a hinged shower door

Hatcliff Construction Solomon Davis Photography
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Trendy black two-story flat roof photo in Jackson

The steel fence at the front entry is composed of rusted steel panels with a custom, hand-drawn pattern based on ink brush lines. Photos by Benjamin Benschneider

Photos by Jeff Herr Photography
Transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen photo in Atlanta with wood countertops, an island, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, green backsplash, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

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

KuDa Photography
Alcove shower - traditional white tile alcove shower idea in Portland with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets and a two-piece toilet

Outdoor amenities of a small resort in the backyard. Photography Alain Jaramillo
Tuscan patio photo in DC Metro with a fire pit

This backyard leisure retreat is the highlight of a new retirement residence for a couple in Aurora. They pursued an outdoor living lifestyle and asked Betz to include features they could enjoy throughout the day, from morning to evening. The yard may be compact, but it is brimming with aesthetic appeal and practicality.

sweet allysum Le jardinet

10’ beamed ceilings connect the main floor living spaces which includes a chef-style kitchen featuring a Thermador 48” range and 30” refrigerator and freezer columns that flank the wine cooler. The kitchen also features reeded white oak cabinetry and quartzite countertops which match the quartzite detail around the fireplace.

A downtown setting that meets the needs of the avid green thumb. The lounge set is made from the same material as a trampoline for maximum durability. The vertical planter on the stained slat wall allows for the owner to grow their own herbs and vegetables while living in the concrete jungle.

Monarda didyma / Scarlet Beebalm Photo: wplynn, via Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic

Erin Lau
Design ideas for a traditional landscaping in Seattle.

A sunny window opens to a scrub sink for vegetable wash-up, herb cultivation and a compost unit. The potting room with copper sink can be seen in the background, behind a chestnut glass door. Photo by Nancy E. Hill

Steven Evans Photography
Example of a small trendy black two-story wood flat roof design in Toronto