Jim Bartsch
Inspiration for a transitional white gable roof remodel in Santa Barbara

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

Michael Stadler - Stadler Studio
Mid-sized urban concrete floor and gray floor family room photo in Seattle with no fireplace, beige walls and a music area

Photography by J Savage Gibson
Mid-sized minimalist gray two-story stucco exterior home photo in Los Angeles

Barry Grossman Photography
Example of a trendy living room design in Miami

Mitsubishi Ductless - quiet, energy efficient -- perfect for this space
Transitional carpeted family room photo in Boston with white walls

Kitchen - large transitional l-shaped light wood floor kitchen idea in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and granite countertops

Back to back bathroom vanities make quite a unique statement in this main bathroom. Add a luxury soaker tub, walk-in shower and white shiplap walls, and you have a retreat spa like no where else in the house!

"I purchased the Hickory stair tread and risers and they came quicker than the delivery date promised!. There was no damage and no need for further sanding. I simply applied one coat of "natural" color stain and 3 coats of clear satin and they were ready to cut to size and install. The cutting was time consuming because each step had to be cut individually to fit the location it was going into, but the end result was fantastic!!. I recommend Hardware Lumber for anyone thinking of redoing their stairs!!!" Steve

Inspiration for a transitional bathroom remodel

Example of a cottage master freestanding bathtub design in Burlington with an undermount sink, open cabinets, distressed cabinets, a wall-mount toilet and white walls

Coming from Minnesota this couple already had an appreciation for a woodland retreat. Wanting to lay some roots in Sun Valley, Idaho, guided the incorporation of historic hewn, stone and stucco into this cozy home among a stand of aspens with its eye on the skiing and hiking of the surrounding mountains. Miller Architects, PC

Ryann Ford Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary front porch design in Austin with a roof extension and decking.

Clark Dugger Photography
Large trendy master beige floor walk-in shower photo in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, an undermount tub, white walls, an integrated sink, concrete countertops, a hinged shower door and gray countertops

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless gray two-story concrete fiberboard exterior home remodel in Chicago with a shingle roof

Trendy gray three-story mixed siding exterior home photo in Other with a metal roof

Kitchen - country kitchen idea in Boston

Transitional white tile bathroom photo in Miami with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, an undermount tub, an undermount sink, blue countertops and a built-in vanity

Easton, Maryland Traditional Kitchen Design by #JenniferGilmer with a lake view http://gilmerkitchens.com/ Photography by Bob Narod