Photo of a landscaping in Boston.

Sally Painter
Example of a large trendy black three-story wood exterior home design in Portland with a metal roof

This is an example of a rustic landscaping in Columbus.

The Fontana Bridge residence is a mountain modern lake home located in the mountains of Swain County. The LEED Gold home is mountain modern house designed to integrate harmoniously with the surrounding Appalachian mountain setting. The understated exterior and the thoughtfully chosen neutral palette blend into the topography of the wooded hillside.

We were able to construct the new deck almost to the edge of the woods, designing the centrally located U-shaped stone bar as the focal point for entertainment.

The owners requested that their home harmonize with the spirit of the surrounding Colorado mountain setting and enhance their outdoor recreational lifestyle - while reflecting their contemporary architectural tastes. The site was burdened with a myriad of strict design criteria enforced by the neighborhood covenants and architectural review board. Creating a distinct design challenge, the covenants included a narrow interpretation of a “mountain style” home which established predetermined roof pitches, glazing percentages and material palettes - at direct odds with the client‘s vision of a flat-roofed, glass, “contemporary” home. Our solution finds inspiration and opportunities within the site covenant’s strict definitions. It promotes and celebrates the client’s outdoor lifestyle and resolves the definition of a contemporary “mountain style” home by reducing the architecture to its most basic vernacular forms and relying upon local materials. The home utilizes a simple base, middle and top that echoes the surrounding mountains and vegetation. The massing takes its cues from the prevalent lodgepole pine trees that grow at the mountain’s high altitudes. These pine trees have a distinct growth pattern, highlighted by a single vertical trunk and a peaked, densely foliated growth zone above a sparse base. This growth pattern is referenced by placing the wood-clad body of the home at the second story above an open base composed of wood posts and glass. A simple peaked roof rests lightly atop the home - visually floating above a triangular glass transom. The home itself is neatly inserted amongst an existing grove of lodgepole pines and oriented to take advantage of panoramic views of the adjacent meadow and Continental Divide beyond. The main functions of the house are arranged into public and private areas and this division is made apparent on the home’s exterior. Two large roof forms, clad in pre-patinated zinc, are separated by a sheltering central deck - which signals the main entry to the home. At this connection, the roof deck is opened to allow a cluster of aspen trees to grow – further reinforcing nature as an integral part of arrival. Outdoor living spaces are provided on all levels of the house and are positioned to take advantage of sunrise and sunset moments. The distinction between interior and exterior space is blurred via the use of large expanses of glass. The dry stacked stone base and natural cedar cladding both reappear within the home’s interior spaces. This home offers a unique solution to the client’s requests while satisfying the design requirements of the neighborhood covenants. The house provides a variety of indoor and outdoor living spaces that can be utilized in all seasons. Most importantly, the house takes its cues directly from its natural surroundings and local building traditions to become a prototype solution for the “modern mountain house”. Overview Ranch Creek Ranch Winter Park, Colorado Completion Date October, 2007 Services Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture

Living room - mid-sized cottage open concept medium tone wood floor living room idea in Santa Barbara with white walls, a two-sided fireplace and a concrete fireplace

CRAFTSMAN STYLING influences the oak kitchen in the Bixby Knolls house plan, a Craftsman design by Mark Wyatt. The kitchen has inset doors and drawers to compliment the classic theme. The heart of the space is designed around shelves that are OPEN-BACKED to allow daylight to filter through casement windows. A CENTRAL ARCHED CABINET, not connected to the overhead soffit, seems to float in space - appearing to be supported only by shelves to either side. One of the features of the CRAFTSMAN KITCHEN is the ARCHED SOFFIT and double-door cabinet with arched doors. The kitchen Wyatt designed makes the perfect gathering place in this Craftsman styled house plan. A LENGTHY ISLAND - stretching more than 10-feet, has a single-height surface to make entertaining and meal prep a snap. And in keeping with the vintage Craftsman style, GLASS TILES add a splash of color to the full-height backsplash. A Mark Wyatt design, the House Plans, and photo copyright, Wyatt Drafting & Design, Inc. 622 South Buffalo Street Warsaw, Indiana 46580

Saturday, August 8, 9:00 to 10:30am | Aspen | DBX3 by Sheri Sanzone and Christine Shine of Bluegreen A modern residential community with a storied past, the Double Bar X Ranch is steeped in the rich history of Colorado’s mining and agrarian roots. Today the site of a contemporary, ranch-inspired community, this rustic landscape was once part of the largest silver-producing mining district in the U.S. It later supported an array of intensive, agricultural activities. From the gentle rise of tilled-rubble walls and the patterning of open meadow, to the remnants of sculpted earthworks, evidence of the site’s prior use abounds. Winding foot trails allow visitors to experience panoramic views of the timbered landscape and structural features reminiscent of the historic ranch, including the large, wooden water trough that serves as a central focal point of the property. The design of the current landscape celebrates this juxtaposition of past and present; it revels in its contemporary context while embracing a historically minded design intent and honoring its latent history through selected materials and textures. The result of this mindful effort is an expression of thoughtful transition from the bygone, ranch of yesterday to a modern-day interpretation of the agrarian homestead. Photo by Jason Dewey Photography, courtesy Bluegreen

Hidden away amidst the wilderness in the outskirts of the central province of Sri Lanka, is a modern take of a lightweight timber Eco-Cottage consisting of 2 living levels. The cottage takes up a mere footprint of 500 square feet of land, and the structure is raised above ground level and held by stilts, reducing the disturbance to the fauna and flora. The entrance to the cottage is across a suspended timber bridge hanging over the ground cover. The timber planks are spaced apart to give a delicate view of the green living belt below. Even though an H-iron framework is used for the formation of the shell, it is finished with earthy toned materials such as timber flooring, timber cladded ceiling and trellis, feature rock walls and a hay-thatched roof. The bedroom and the open washroom is placed on the ground level closer to the natural ground cover filled with delicate living things to make the sleeper or the user of the space feel more in one with nature, and the use of sheer glass around the bedroom further enhances the experience of living outdoors with the luxuries of indoor living. The living and dining spaces are on the upper deck level. The steep set roof hangs over the spaces giving ample shelter underneath. The living room and dining spaces are fully open to nature with a minimal handrail to determine the usable space from the outdoors. The cottage is lit up by the use of floor lanterns made up of pale cloth, again maintaining the minimal disturbance to the surroundings.

IF YOU CAN MAKE IT HERE... more photos at http://www.kylacoburndesigns.com/uptown-downtown-nbc-jimmy-fallon-dressing-room A nostalgic visit to NBC’s home in New York that captures both the luxury of the Upper East Side and the scrappier, edgier feel of downtown. A vintage vinyl collection is the soundtrack for putting your feet up on deep blue velvet couches surrounded by images of NBC icons, while graffiti, rock show posters, and custom steel shelves (made from salvaged street signs) remind you of the years you spent couch-surfing and hitting clubs downtown. “My favorite things are the clock with numbers that flip like the train schedule boards at Grand Central Station, casting Lorne Michaels as Picasso’s 'Art Dealer',…and tagging the graffiti wall with ‘Gary’ - the name of Jimmy’s dog” - Kyla Deep Dive Design Notes Lorne Michaels as Picasso’s “Portrait of An Art Dealer”; Steve Higgins “Pageboy” photo; Jimmy Fallon’s dog “Gary” graffiti tag; Barry Manilow Vintage Vinyl, Stieve Martin as seated wise-guy, & original paintings by Kyla Coburn

Photography by Braden Gunem Project by Studio H:T principal in charge Brad Tomecek (now with Tomecek Studio Architecture). This project questions the need for excessive space and challenges occupants to be efficient. Two shipping containers saddlebag a taller common space that connects local rock outcroppings to the expansive mountain ridge views. The containers house sleeping and work functions while the center space provides entry, dining, living and a loft above. The loft deck invites easy camping as the platform bed rolls between interior and exterior. The project is planned to be off-the-grid using solar orientation, passive cooling, green roofs, pellet stove heating and photovoltaics to create electricity.

Stepping stones in a minimal gravel paved area lead past two lounge chairs to the intimate dining area. The herringbone-patterned limestone patio dissipates into a lush planting bed filled with loose swaths of shade-loving perennials and seasonal bulbs. Beech hedging, and formal clipped evergreens, surround the space and provide privacy, structure and winter interest to the garden. On axis to the main interior living space of the home, the fountain, is the focal point of the garden. A limestone water wall featuring an engraved pattern of fallen Honey Locust leaves nods to the centrally located mature Honey Locust tree that anchors the garden. Water, flowing down the wall, falls a short distance into a pool with a submerged limestone panel. The light noise of the falling water helps soften the sounds of the bustling downtown neighbourhood, creating a tranquil back drop for living and entertaining.

Located in the beautiful historic district on a quaint New England island, the existing home was a 1940s house with a 1970s addition. The home was meaningful to the fabric of the community and extensive approvals were sought and granted from the local Historic District Commission. The result is a beautiful four-story home, neatly tucked into the rock of the surrounding landscape. The jewel of the home is an extraordinary central staircase, fashioned with low-rise, long-run stairs, and multiple landings to serve as resting spots. With over 200 linear feet of bookshelves, there is plenty of space to house distinguished artifacts and a book collection gathered from travels around the world. Amenities of the home include a garden room, a deck off the spacious living room, a high-end kitchen, a library, four bedrooms (including a bunk room for the grandchildren), a home office, an elevator, and a perch overlooking the Piscataqua River. Photos:John Benford

Builder: Brad DeHaan Homes Photographer: Brad Gillette Every day feels like a celebration in this stylish design that features a main level floor plan perfect for both entertaining and convenient one-level living. The distinctive transitional exterior welcomes friends and family with interesting peaked rooflines, stone pillars, stucco details and a symmetrical bank of windows. A three-car garage and custom details throughout give this compact home the appeal and amenities of a much-larger design and are a nod to the Craftsman and Mediterranean designs that influenced this updated architectural gem. A custom wood entry with sidelights match the triple transom windows featured throughout the house and echo the trim and features seen in the spacious three-car garage. While concentrated on one main floor and a lower level, there is no shortage of living and entertaining space inside. The main level includes more than 2,100 square feet, with a roomy 31 by 18-foot living room and kitchen combination off the central foyer that’s perfect for hosting parties or family holidays. The left side of the floor plan includes a 10 by 14-foot dining room, a laundry and a guest bedroom with bath. To the right is the more private spaces, with a relaxing 11 by 10-foot study/office which leads to the master suite featuring a master bath, closet and 13 by 13-foot sleeping area with an attractive peaked ceiling. The walkout lower level offers another 1,500 square feet of living space, with a large family room, three additional family bedrooms and a shared bath.

This brick sturdy Modern Farmhouse plan delivers showstopping curb appeal and a remarkable three-bedroom home wrapped in approximately 2,290 square feet. The one-story exterior shows off a dazzling combination of traditional brick met with natural timber, two decorative dormers, charming window panels, and a rocking chair worthy front porch. The wrap-around porch measures approximately 42-feet in width and a 6-foot depth with a central vaulted ceiling greeting you as you enter the front door. Adding to the alluring nature of the home are the large windows spanning the front and rear of the home.

Located in the beautiful historic district on a quaint New England island, the existing home was a 1940s house with a 1970s addition. The home was meaningful to the fabric of the community and extensive approvals were sought and granted from the local Historic District Commission. The result is a beautiful four-story home, neatly tucked into the rock of the surrounding landscape. The jewel of the home is an extraordinary central staircase, fashioned with low-rise, long-run stairs, and multiple landings to serve as resting spots. With over 200 linear feet of bookshelves, there is plenty of space to house distinguished artifacts and a book collection gathered from travels around the world. Amenities of the home include a garden room, a deck off the spacious living room, a high-end kitchen, a library, four bedrooms (including a bunk room for the grandchildren), a home office, an elevator, and a perch overlooking the Piscataqua River. Photos:John Benford

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Inspiration for a timeless gray one-story exterior home remodel in Atlanta

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