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Collection by Caroline Wallis

A Weathering Steel Retreat in the Foothills of the Cascades

Nestled in rolling meadows, this cabin folds into the surrounding landscape.

Throughout the design process for a 1,500-square-foot cabin outside of Winthrop, Washington, Johnston Architects pulled from a variety of sources of inspiration: the homeowners’ favorite childhood memories, the natural geometry of the neighboring mountains, and the design language of origami. New Caelifera, named after and similar to the grasshopper species native to the site, maintains a low profile in its meadow surroundings. The architects explain, “The experience of New Caelifera is evocative of inhabiting a found object that is still partially buried in a Methow Valley meadow. It is an authentic space where everything is familiar yet original, down-to-earth yet glamorous, and industrial with a warm heart.”

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"Weathering steel, concrete, tin, rough cedar, plywood, raw steel plate, and reclaimed fir all have that essential quality and resonate with the features of the Methow Valley," says Ray Johnson, partner at Johnston Architects.
"Weathering steel, concrete, tin, rough cedar, plywood, raw steel plate, and reclaimed fir all have that essential quality and resonate with the features of the Methow Valley," says Ray Johnson, partner at Johnston Architects.
The entrance features a custom burnished stainless steel handle from Company K.
The entrance features a custom burnished stainless steel handle from Company K.
Twin panels, also plated with tin, cover the pantry and entrance to the powder room.
Twin panels, also plated with tin, cover the pantry and entrance to the powder room.
Two more patinated panels conceal “the nest”—a nook containing two standard mattresses that double as a couch. Three Graypants Scraplights hang above a Parsons dining table from Room & Board and Masters chairs by Philippe Starck.
Two more patinated panels conceal “the nest”—a nook containing two standard mattresses that double as a couch. Three Graypants Scraplights hang above a Parsons dining table from Room & Board and Masters chairs by Philippe Starck.
A Maxwell sofa from Restoration Hardware is the best seat in the house to watch the amazing sunsets.
A Maxwell sofa from Restoration Hardware is the best seat in the house to watch the amazing sunsets.
The cabin sleeps nine people in the winter and eleven in the summer. Extra beds are stored in the study, den and assorted other nooks.
The cabin sleeps nine people in the winter and eleven in the summer. Extra beds are stored in the study, den and assorted other nooks.
This Argentine grill by NorCal Ovenworks is as much a unique talking point as it is a useful tool for summer entertaining.
This Argentine grill by NorCal Ovenworks is as much a unique talking point as it is a useful tool for summer entertaining.