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In an effort to keep costs within budget without sacrificing looks, the fully gutted and renovated kitchen features IKEA cabinetry framework with shaker-style fronts by Semihandmade. The cabinets were painted Farrow & Ball Pigeon.
In an effort to keep costs within budget without sacrificing looks, the fully gutted and renovated kitchen features IKEA cabinetry framework with shaker-style fronts by Semihandmade. The cabinets were painted Farrow & Ball Pigeon.
Influenced by both Benedictine monasteries and Japanese residences, award-winning British architect John Pawson created The Life House – a minimalist holiday rental home in Wales with a pure and uncluttered ambience that encourages a state of quietude and contemplation.
Influenced by both Benedictine monasteries and Japanese residences, award-winning British architect John Pawson created The Life House – a minimalist holiday rental home in Wales with a pure and uncluttered ambience that encourages a state of quietude and contemplation.
To maximize space in this tiny 323-square-foot studio Budapest apartment, local design studio POSITION Collective used an elevated, plywood sleeping unit inspired by Japanese “tansu” mobile cabinetry, with secrete storage modules on the side of the steps leading up to the futon bed.
To maximize space in this tiny 323-square-foot studio Budapest apartment, local design studio POSITION Collective used an elevated, plywood sleeping unit inspired by Japanese “tansu” mobile cabinetry, with secrete storage modules on the side of the steps leading up to the futon bed.
Fashion designer Josie and her husband Ken Natori are big fans of traditional Japanese architecture, so when Brooklyn-based practice Tsao & McKown Architects designed their home in Pound Ridge, New York, they used a heavy, exposed-timber structure, and included Japanese-style gardens and landscaping.
Fashion designer Josie and her husband Ken Natori are big fans of traditional Japanese architecture, so when Brooklyn-based practice Tsao & McKown Architects designed their home in Pound Ridge, New York, they used a heavy, exposed-timber structure, and included Japanese-style gardens and landscaping.
For this 780-square-foot apartment Hong Kong apartment, local practice MNB Design Studio used plywood, smart storage solutions, and tapped into the principles of origami to create a highly structured, minimalist home.
For this 780-square-foot apartment Hong Kong apartment, local practice MNB Design Studio used plywood, smart storage solutions, and tapped into the principles of origami to create a highly structured, minimalist home.
"Landscaping was strategically planned to cope the home seamlessly into the rock, with access paths from the house to the lake barely visible in some places," adds the firm.
"Landscaping was strategically planned to cope the home seamlessly into the rock, with access paths from the house to the lake barely visible in some places," adds the firm.
Walls of glass, horizontal roof planes, and a natural material palette enable this expansive home to feel like an extension of a dramatic boulder-strewn landscape in Idaho.
Walls of glass, horizontal roof planes, and a natural material palette enable this expansive home to feel like an extension of a dramatic boulder-strewn landscape in Idaho.
Surrounded by rugged beauty, the home was designed with a faceted exterior optimized for wraparound views unique in each room.
Surrounded by rugged beauty, the home was designed with a faceted exterior optimized for wraparound views unique in each room.
City Cabin | Olson Kundig
City Cabin | Olson Kundig
City Cabin | Olson Kundig
City Cabin | Olson Kundig
City Cabin | Olson Kundig
City Cabin | Olson Kundig
This kitchen is an exercise in light and dark, which echoes the home’s dark exterior and light interior. The white quartz countertops gleam against the black sink and fixtures, and the cabinets and backsplashes were constructed from Baltic birch.
This kitchen is an exercise in light and dark, which echoes the home’s dark exterior and light interior. The white quartz countertops gleam against the black sink and fixtures, and the cabinets and backsplashes were constructed from Baltic birch.
A view of the dining area and living space from the kitchen. The floors are polished concrete while the walls are lined in baltic birch. The lighting is by Hamster.
A view of the dining area and living space from the kitchen. The floors are polished concrete while the walls are lined in baltic birch. The lighting is by Hamster.
A magnificent corner sliding door unit opens up to expand the home to an outdoor deck. “When you walk in and look at the mountains, the beauty is overwhelming,” adds Pam.
A magnificent corner sliding door unit opens up to expand the home to an outdoor deck. “When you walk in and look at the mountains, the beauty is overwhelming,” adds Pam.
The master bedroom is a texturally rich space and offers views of Lone Peak.
The master bedroom is a texturally rich space and offers views of Lone Peak.
For outdoor enthusiasts Bob and Pam Norton, the town of Big Sky, Montana, was a natural choice for the location of their second home. Having purchased a remote lot with views of Lone Peak, Pioneer Mountain, and Cedar Mountain, they envisioned a private, year-round retreat that integrated with the terrain. “We wanted to live in the view,” says Pam. “We wanted the outdoors to come in.”
For outdoor enthusiasts Bob and Pam Norton, the town of Big Sky, Montana, was a natural choice for the location of their second home. Having purchased a remote lot with views of Lone Peak, Pioneer Mountain, and Cedar Mountain, they envisioned a private, year-round retreat that integrated with the terrain. “We wanted to live in the view,” says Pam. “We wanted the outdoors to come in.”
In a family home in Mill Valley, California, Lauren Goldman of l’oro designs kept her clients’ goals of “modern yet accessible” in mind while also looking for opportunities to add functionality. This proved successful when she discovered that the empty space under the steel-and-glass stair landing was the perfect scale for children to sit and read under. The team was inspired to create a kid-sized library, turning a useless space into a perfectly cozy reading nook.
In a family home in Mill Valley, California, Lauren Goldman of l’oro designs kept her clients’ goals of “modern yet accessible” in mind while also looking for opportunities to add functionality. This proved successful when she discovered that the empty space under the steel-and-glass stair landing was the perfect scale for children to sit and read under. The team was inspired to create a kid-sized library, turning a useless space into a perfectly cozy reading nook.
Sam Shah and Anne Suttles asked architect Kevin Alter to renovate their 1920s bungalow in Austin, Texas, and add an addition, which contains a living area downstairs and an office upstairs. They tucked an office nook under the stairs; the Eames chair is a hand-me-down from Shah’s father.
Sam Shah and Anne Suttles asked architect Kevin Alter to renovate their 1920s bungalow in Austin, Texas, and add an addition, which contains a living area downstairs and an office upstairs. They tucked an office nook under the stairs; the Eames chair is a hand-me-down from Shah’s father.
Vertical planks of western red cedar provide a warm contrast against horizontal zinc siding panels.
Vertical planks of western red cedar provide a warm contrast against horizontal zinc siding panels.
Alts Design Office replaced all the old insulation materials and moved the living room from the first floor to the second floor.
Alts Design Office replaced all the old insulation materials and moved the living room from the first floor to the second floor.
Additional windows and open shelving help Suita House in Osaka feel airy and modern.
Additional windows and open shelving help Suita House in Osaka feel airy and modern.
The house sits on a 1,206-square-foot, flag-shaped plot in a residential neighborhood where homes are built very close to each other.
The house sits on a 1,206-square-foot, flag-shaped plot in a residential neighborhood where homes are built very close to each other.
Light fixture from Allied Maker and Bocci; custom-made white oak "shutter" cabinets; plumbing fixtures by California Faucets.
Light fixture from Allied Maker and Bocci; custom-made white oak "shutter" cabinets; plumbing fixtures by California Faucets.
The master bedroom after the renovation. "Our solution was to move the entire master suite up to the top floor, which had previously been occupied by two guest rooms and a play space. This gave the couple’s suite more privacy, as well as access to the roof deck, which presents amazing views of Manhattan," explains Tang.
The master bedroom after the renovation. "Our solution was to move the entire master suite up to the top floor, which had previously been occupied by two guest rooms and a play space. This gave the couple’s suite more privacy, as well as access to the roof deck, which presents amazing views of Manhattan," explains Tang.
A mix of IKEA and custom walnut shelving; gray subway tile from Nemo Tile; and accessories from Food 52.
A mix of IKEA and custom walnut shelving; gray subway tile from Nemo Tile; and accessories from Food 52.
Frederick Tang Architecture renovated this Brooklyn brownstone with entertaining in mind. The new kitchen features a mix of IKEA and custom walnut shelving. The gray subway tile is from Nemo Tile.
Frederick Tang Architecture renovated this Brooklyn brownstone with entertaining in mind. The new kitchen features a mix of IKEA and custom walnut shelving. The gray subway tile is from Nemo Tile.
The original layout had a tiny living area in the front that wasn’t spacious enough to accommodate entertaining. To create more space, Tang converted the second floor into a larger living room. Here, chairs and sofa from All Modern; drapery and rug from West Elm; fireplace custom-finished in Venetian plaster; light fixture from Lambert et Fils.
The original layout had a tiny living area in the front that wasn’t spacious enough to accommodate entertaining. To create more space, Tang converted the second floor into a larger living room. Here, chairs and sofa from All Modern; drapery and rug from West Elm; fireplace custom-finished in Venetian plaster; light fixture from Lambert et Fils.
Wood hooks are by Muuto; leather-wrapped mirror by Jamie Young Company; entry bench by Mash Studios; and wall sconces by Park Studio LA.
Wood hooks are by Muuto; leather-wrapped mirror by Jamie Young Company; entry bench by Mash Studios; and wall sconces by Park Studio LA.
Katsura trees, climbing hydrangeas, and basalt stepping stones create a pleasing passageway between the lower back deck and the new garage. “What could have been leftover space, I wanted to be a promenade,” says Andrea.
Katsura trees, climbing hydrangeas, and basalt stepping stones create a pleasing passageway between the lower back deck and the new garage. “What could have been leftover space, I wanted to be a promenade,” says Andrea.
McLean chose artificial turf for the front yard, where Hana Bea and her sister, Pilar, 9, play as Sharen looks on.
McLean chose artificial turf for the front yard, where Hana Bea and her sister, Pilar, 9, play as Sharen looks on.
For plantings, landscaper Aaron Teer helped select leafy specimens like the lion’s mane Japanese maples on the lower level.
For plantings, landscaper Aaron Teer helped select leafy specimens like the lion’s mane Japanese maples on the lower level.
The cedar decks were left to bleach in the sun for one summer and then finished with a light gray wash. Metal Solair chairs are in keeping with the tricolor palette of black, white, and green.
The cedar decks were left to bleach in the sun for one summer and then finished with a light gray wash. Metal Solair chairs are in keeping with the tricolor palette of black, white, and green.
Hana Bea, 6, follows the concrete pavers that lead from the front yard to the side entrance.
Hana Bea, 6, follows the concrete pavers that lead from the front yard to the side entrance.
A black-stained Western red cedar fence now runs along the perimeter of Sharen McLean and Mark Derraugh’s property in Vancouver, part of a complete revamping of the couple’s outdoor space. The project was spearheaded by Sharen’s daughter, Andrea McLean, whose daughters and nephew make the most of the urban oasis.
A black-stained Western red cedar fence now runs along the perimeter of Sharen McLean and Mark Derraugh’s property in Vancouver, part of a complete revamping of the couple’s outdoor space. The project was spearheaded by Sharen’s daughter, Andrea McLean, whose daughters and nephew make the most of the urban oasis.

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