Collection by Diana Budds
Detail We Love: Porthole Windows
Nautical influences run deep in modern design, from the blue-and-white color palette to spatial organization. One maritime element that's cropped up on occasion is the porthole—a creative alternative to boxy windows that seem square in comparison. We're on board with this architectural detail.
A screened-in porch was a must-have for the residents (they love to sit outside but hate mosquitoes) and influenced the building's asymmetrical shape. "The question became how can we integrate this into the design of a modern house," says architect Staffan Svenson. "Can it be a screen porch without looking like one?" He devised a plan to hang a horizontal louver system from the structure to give the illusion that the powder-coated steel fins hover in place. He used the same material for the guard rail on the second story.