Roof top deck in Baltimore County, Maryland: This stunning roof top deck now provides a beautiful outdoor living space with all the amenities the homeowner was looking for as well as added value to the home. Curtis Martin Photo Inc.

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

Patio kitchen - mid-sized transitional backyard brick patio kitchen idea in Tampa with a pergola

This sloped garden was transforming into a modern outdoor retreat with a raised outdoor kitchen and dining area, hot tub, steel raised planters, and a flagstone patio with a fire table. Creative plant placement provides privacy from close urban neighbors and makes this space feel a world away.

C.L. Fry Photo - www.clfryphoto.com
Great room - cottage great room idea in Austin

Makai Range sliding doors with self-cleaning glass blocks out heat and noise. Just hose them down and the water and the dirt just slides off with virtually no spots or streaks.

Open concept kitchen - mid-sized 1960s galley concrete floor open concept kitchen idea in San Francisco with an undermount sink, black cabinets, black backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and flat-panel cabinets

Media Room with theater seats, custom built platform, pool table, poker table, custom stained glass Tiffany lights, metallic painted ceiling, 4 part TV screen, bar, pinball machine, plaid carpet, soffit indirect lighting, Photo by Johan Roetz

Home theater - large transitional open concept carpeted home theater idea in Atlanta with gray walls and a projector screen

Front door - huge contemporary front door idea in San Diego with a dark wood front door

Bob Narod
Inspiration for a transitional walk-out beige floor basement remodel in DC Metro with beige walls

White two-story exterior home photo in Chicago

Mid-sized trendy rectangular and tile lap pool photo in Los Angeles

Durawood Patio Cover
Patio - mid-sized contemporary backyard patio idea in Sacramento with a pergola

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 classic patio design in Orange County

hillside enclave | spa inspired living spaces. coy ponds | classic wood barrel soaking tub | coastal views. natural warm materials | re-use of antique balinese wood panel. Photography ©Ciro Coelho/ArchitecturalPhoto.com

Kylie Brewer
Large farmhouse back porch photo in Kansas City

This modern outdoor living space mere blocks from the beach is replete with all of the best staycation features. There is a cozy, yet refined screened patio space with a glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) wrapped spa that is situated opposite a Wolf-equipped outdoor dining and seating area. A custom GFRC fireplace with GFRC mantel connects the areas, while providing a touch of privacy. Through the retractable screens, a pair of Restoration Hardware chaise lounge chairs call for a sunning session. To beat the heat our clients can retreat to the pool and recline on the end-to-end sun shelf. Artificial turf and a stretch of Mexican beach pebble frame the pool and generous porcelain coping. Aloe, hibiscus, bamboo muhly, cabbage palms and other tropical landscaping enhance the modern beach aesthetic. Photos by Craig O'Neal