Benjamin

"The house is so Neutra, yet in a more wooded setting and perched high above the river," says the listing agent Rick Distel. The front door is painted a royal blue and framed by glass windows.

The house’s Japanese inspiration manifests in many ways, including beams that extend outwards over the front door. Floor-to-ceiling windows around the entrance and continuous indoor-outdoor epoxy-pebble flooring blur the barrier between the interior and exterior.

The whimsical façade is clad with irregular, unplaned white fir slats that thoroughly insulate the structure. These echo its energy-efficient timber construction, which includes triple-glazed super-windows and a comfort ventilation system. The poppy-red front door introduces a burst of color.

“[The clients] wished for a simple and flexible space that could be reconfigured to suit the evolving needs of the family,” principal Thomas Schaer says. “Our goal was pretty simple: don’t overthink it and have fun.” Benjamin Moore’s Kendall Charcoal covers the siding, while Segovia Red adds a pop of color to the exterior doors. Two Chair_ONEs by Konstantin Grcic stand on the patio.

A pop of canary yellow distinguishes the double doors to the front entry of this home, which was designed and constructed for a high-end commercial builder.

In a midcentury home renovation in California, HenryBuilt created the custom cabinetry in walnut and white laminate, and Heath Ceramics dimensional wall tiles give a nod to the home's modern architecture.

In this kitchen with matte black cabinets, elegant Perini Monroe ceramic tiles line the kitchen backsplash.

Owners Kirsten and Lloyd chose a muted mosaic tile from Modwalls to cover the backsplash and back wall of the kitchen; small mosaic tile, especially when it is off-the-shelf, can be a very budget-friendly backsplash option. New cork floors from House + Earth give a nice feel underfoot. Perforated chrome lights from Rejuvenation under the bar soffit enhance the midcentury vibe.

A backsplash laid out in a herringbone pattern adds a subtle layer of texture while pendant lighting adds depth. The grout is a light gray color, while the tile itself is white—together creating a distinct backsplash from the black countertop and dark gray cabinetry.

A kitchen is kept light and bright with white cabinets with dark hardware, white countertops, and a geometric patterned backsplash in a range of whites, creams, and beiges from Dwell patterns Heath tile backsplash.

In this butler's pantry, the white glass herringbone backsplash sets off the darker wood cabinetry. Under-cabinet lighting helps reflect light off the glass backsplash.

No whiteware here. In this moody apartment in Berlin, multi-toned charcoal gray subway tiles make up the backsplash, which contrasts with the pop of rosy color on the kitchen cabinets.

A huge Moroccan rug sourced from a dealer on Etsy anchors the living area. The Afra & Tobias Scarpa Soriana lounge chairs for Cassina were designed in 1969, but fully embody 1970s style. The Donald Judd Single Daybed 32 fits a twin mattress.

The custom walnut screen takes its geometric cue (at a 90-degree tilt) from the wide bricks used for the fireplace and kitchen island.

The guest bathrooms feature a crisp white quartz, which is durable, easy to maintain, and needs no sealing.

Like most of the house, the master bathroom sticks to neutral colors, warm browns, and a touch of delicate blue.

In the bathrooms, Lunt paired classic midcentury finishes (like terrazzo and wood) with fresh fixtures and lights.

The bedrooms have a gauzy sheer layer of ripplefold draperies for soft light and some privacy during the day, with a separate blackout layer for the evenings.

Jagoda installed two Velux skylights in the kitchen and one apiece in the kids’ bathroom and the parents’. “Ideally, every room in the house has enough natural light that you don’t have to turn on the lights during the day,” says the architect. The frost bathroom tile is from Heath Ceramics, while the faucet is from Vola

Stafford Residence floor plan

The bedrooms are just as open to the outdoors as the common spaces.

The home needed clever storage solutions, given the fact that walls were kept to a minimum, so a bookcase and storage in the fireplace helps.

The new layout took over the original, unused attic by vaulting the roof. Besides adding more light and space, the graphic wood design also brings in dimension.

ReSawn Timber Co. was also behind the white oak floors, which sits under a round Winston wood table from Rove Concept and chairs from CB2. The head farmer made the wood dining table in the background.

Jesse draws a lot of comparisons between living off-grid and sailing, and there are nods to the latter sprinkled throughout the property—including a hidden bathtub that is revealed by cranking a sailing winch.

The 7th Room is a remarkable accommodation at Sweden’s Tree Hotel that blends into its natural surroundings with a stark black facade. Snøhetta designed the structure, which features an expansive, black-and-white mural of the tree canopy stretched across its base. You can sleep in the beautiful cabin—or if you are brave, under the stars in a giant lofted hammock slung between the two bedrooms.

Inside, an original brick fireplace demarcates the various living spaces on the main level.

With its soaring roofline and walls of glass, the Evans House opens wide to its lush surroundings.

An Eilersen Chess sofa anchors the living space.

Above a custom table by James Harmon of Workshop Brooklyn are &Tradition Formakami pendants, which were the first fixtures Alessandro and Astrid picked out. “Everything had to go with them,” says Alessandro. “They feel like high design while still being humble.”

The concrete master bathroom is illuminated by a skylight.

The architects incorporated sustainably sourced parota wood into the living room’s sunken seating area. The Turn Tall side table is from Blu Dot, and the pillows are from West Elm.

The wood stove is the Rondo model by Rais.