SubscribeSign In
The white marble island in the kitchen creates the illusion of movement against all-black cabinetry.
The white marble island in the kitchen creates the illusion of movement against all-black cabinetry.
Susan Mitnick approached the interior design concept with one idea: to bring the family together.
Susan Mitnick approached the interior design concept with one idea: to bring the family together.
The Laurel Hills Residence and the surrounding palm trees reflect on the surface of the 40-foot-long swimming pool.
The Laurel Hills Residence and the surrounding palm trees reflect on the surface of the 40-foot-long swimming pool.
Positioned around a fire pit, the outdoor living room provides the Thompson family with a space to relax and connect on the pool patio.
Positioned around a fire pit, the outdoor living room provides the Thompson family with a space to relax and connect on the pool patio.
Glass walkways allow family members to feel like they’re walking through a grove of olive trees while still being indoors.
Glass walkways allow family members to feel like they’re walking through a grove of olive trees while still being indoors.
Preproduction model with optional features shown.
Preproduction model with optional features shown.
The backyard is a hive of activity. Pictured here are the couple with their dogs, daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter.
The backyard is a hive of activity. Pictured here are the couple with their dogs, daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter.
Jennifer requested the Japanese-style outdoor soaking tub, but it’s enjoyed by the whole family. It was built by J&K Cedar Works for around $6,500.
Jennifer requested the Japanese-style outdoor soaking tub, but it’s enjoyed by the whole family. It was built by J&K Cedar Works for around $6,500.
Leckie used windows and glass doors strategically in the home, for both energy and cost reasons. The clients allocated $70,000, including shipping and installation, for a system from Western Windows. Ardent midcentury modern collectors, the couple furnished the basement living area with a George Nelson daybed ($3,000) and an Eames Hang-It-All ($295). The Etsy throw pillows were about $45 apiece.
Leckie used windows and glass doors strategically in the home, for both energy and cost reasons. The clients allocated $70,000, including shipping and installation, for a system from Western Windows. Ardent midcentury modern collectors, the couple furnished the basement living area with a George Nelson daybed ($3,000) and an Eames Hang-It-All ($295). The Etsy throw pillows were about $45 apiece.
A classic Jeanneret Chandigarh armchair sits by the fireplace.
A classic Jeanneret Chandigarh armchair sits by the fireplace.
Underneath the fire pit (surrounded by Barcelona Teak chairs from Via Terra), an underground concrete cistern holds rainwater, diverted from pipes on the roof that run through a filtration system in the garage. It services the whole house, save for the landscape irrigation, done off of a well. In a part of the country where water is scarce, it was important to think sustainably. The pool’s fully retractable cover prevents rapid evaporation in another water-friendly move.
Underneath the fire pit (surrounded by Barcelona Teak chairs from Via Terra), an underground concrete cistern holds rainwater, diverted from pipes on the roof that run through a filtration system in the garage. It services the whole house, save for the landscape irrigation, done off of a well. In a part of the country where water is scarce, it was important to think sustainably. The pool’s fully retractable cover prevents rapid evaporation in another water-friendly move.
Design, Bitches turns a typical Atwater Village home into a lush hideaway with a new, cedar-clad guesthouse.
Design, Bitches turns a typical Atwater Village home into a lush hideaway with a new, cedar-clad guesthouse.
The purple flowers of sage and succulents are part of a landscape that reflects seasonal changes. Blu Dot Hot Mesh Lounge Chairs are on the main bedroom deck.
The purple flowers of sage and succulents are part of a landscape that reflects seasonal changes. Blu Dot Hot Mesh Lounge Chairs are on the main bedroom deck.
Top 9 Gardens of 2020: The verdant spaces nominated for the Dwell Design Awards help enliven their biophilic homes.
Top 9 Gardens of 2020: The verdant spaces nominated for the Dwell Design Awards help enliven their biophilic homes.
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.
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.
At a renovated farmhouse in the Italian countryside, a crisp, modern white plaster fireplace and hearth infuse the interior with coziness and warmth. The firewood is stacked in a nearly-frameless niche next to the fireplace that is lined with metal, adding a bit of shine that contrasts with the rustic firewood and wood ceiling and beams above.
At a renovated farmhouse in the Italian countryside, a crisp, modern white plaster fireplace and hearth infuse the interior with coziness and warmth. The firewood is stacked in a nearly-frameless niche next to the fireplace that is lined with metal, adding a bit of shine that contrasts with the rustic firewood and wood ceiling and beams above.
Cockpit in Wild Plants second floor plan
Cockpit in Wild Plants second floor plan
The roof deck is outfitted with Janus et Cie Amari Low Back lounge chairs.
The roof deck is outfitted with Janus et Cie Amari Low Back lounge chairs.
"Lighting was orchestrated to move with the time of day, so that as the sun sets, the outside would be felt," says Peace.
"Lighting was orchestrated to move with the time of day, so that as the sun sets, the outside would be felt," says Peace.
In the open-plan living area, one of the highlights is the natural light-filled kitchen from Italian manufacturer Armony.
In the open-plan living area, one of the highlights is the natural light-filled kitchen from Italian manufacturer Armony.
Even the shower embraces the neutral palette.
Even the shower embraces the neutral palette.
"Our guiding mantra was: space is the ultimate luxury. With this house it was of the utmost importance to feel serenity," explains Bailey Peace Design's Betsy Peace. "And so every choice was constantly filtered by asking the questions, ‘Is this necessary? Does this belong? Can it co-exist without distracting the eye?’"
"Our guiding mantra was: space is the ultimate luxury. With this house it was of the utmost importance to feel serenity," explains Bailey Peace Design's Betsy Peace. "And so every choice was constantly filtered by asking the questions, ‘Is this necessary? Does this belong? Can it co-exist without distracting the eye?’"
Friends often camp out at the guesthouse, but on most days, the couple enjoy it as a workspace.
Friends often camp out at the guesthouse, but on most days, the couple enjoy it as a workspace.
Usually, it's the gorgeous stretch of coastline that gets attention in Montecito, but here it's the mountains. Ample outdoor perches allow guests to revel in it.
Usually, it's the gorgeous stretch of coastline that gets attention in Montecito, but here it's the mountains. Ample outdoor perches allow guests to revel in it.
Fusing the residence with its stunning backdrop was a priority for architect Dan Weber. It also stands out from the area’s abundance of estates with rolling gardens. "The shou sugi ban works really well with the native California landscape," he says. "The oak trees’ canopy is dark forest green."
Fusing the residence with its stunning backdrop was a priority for architect Dan Weber. It also stands out from the area’s abundance of estates with rolling gardens. "The shou sugi ban works really well with the native California landscape," he says. "The oak trees’ canopy is dark forest green."
Anodized aluminum-and-glass sliding doors are all that separate guests from the peaceful environs.
Anodized aluminum-and-glass sliding doors are all that separate guests from the peaceful environs.
A fire pit between two wings of the home encourages outdoor living.
A fire pit between two wings of the home encourages outdoor living.
To complement the charred cedar cladding Vista Residence, the outdoor furniture is crafted from the same wood.
To complement the charred cedar cladding Vista Residence, the outdoor furniture is crafted from the same wood.
At 74 square meters (797 square feet), this variation of the Vinkelhuset line by Danish modular cabin designer Møn Huset is L-shaped in plan and hits all the right notes, boasting clean lines, a practical gabled roof, and simple, attractive detailing on the interior.
At 74 square meters (797 square feet), this variation of the Vinkelhuset line by Danish modular cabin designer Møn Huset is L-shaped in plan and hits all the right notes, boasting clean lines, a practical gabled roof, and simple, attractive detailing on the interior.
Founded in 1958 by the Finnish Saarelainen brothers in Eastern Finland, Honka—known as Honkarakenne in Finland—was the first industrial manufacturer of log houses. Today, the pioneer brand has built almost 85,000 houses across the globe, including a quaint Scottish retreat for the Queen of England in 1969. Pictured here is an exterior view of Kide, a sauna cabin located on the west coast of Finland.
Founded in 1958 by the Finnish Saarelainen brothers in Eastern Finland, Honka—known as Honkarakenne in Finland—was the first industrial manufacturer of log houses. Today, the pioneer brand has built almost 85,000 houses across the globe, including a quaint Scottish retreat for the Queen of England in 1969. Pictured here is an exterior view of Kide, a sauna cabin located on the west coast of Finland.
The Plus House—named for the perpendicular trajectories of light and air that pass through on the top and bottom floors—is one in a series of architect-designed homes commissioned by Arkitekthus, a development company founded five years ago with a pledge to improve the quality of prefab architecture. The spruce panels that coat the second-floor exterior will fade in tandem with the zinc-coated steel that rims the glazed windows and doors. "They will go gray like we do," says architect Claesson Koivisto Rune.
The Plus House—named for the perpendicular trajectories of light and air that pass through on the top and bottom floors—is one in a series of architect-designed homes commissioned by Arkitekthus, a development company founded five years ago with a pledge to improve the quality of prefab architecture. The spruce panels that coat the second-floor exterior will fade in tandem with the zinc-coated steel that rims the glazed windows and doors. "They will go gray like we do," says architect Claesson Koivisto Rune.
The roofline of the Tind house prototype, designed by Claesson Koivisto Rune for prefab company Fiskarhedenvillan, has more conventional Swedish gables than the flat-roofed modernism of typical prefab units.
The roofline of the Tind house prototype, designed by Claesson Koivisto Rune for prefab company Fiskarhedenvillan, has more conventional Swedish gables than the flat-roofed modernism of typical prefab units.
The total cost of the house was about $350,000, though the owners have since added a garage, outdoor bath and shower, and a yoga platform in the woods.
The total cost of the house was about $350,000, though the owners have since added a garage, outdoor bath and shower, and a yoga platform in the woods.
The house is divided into three sections connected by a series of outdoor galleries. “When I walk from one room to another, I have to go outdoors and feel the weather and nature—rain, cold, and sun,” says Sævik. Instead of emphasizing the expansive panorama of oak, pine, and aspen trees, the house frames select views—a move inspired by Japanese design.
The house is divided into three sections connected by a series of outdoor galleries. “When I walk from one room to another, I have to go outdoors and feel the weather and nature—rain, cold, and sun,” says Sævik. Instead of emphasizing the expansive panorama of oak, pine, and aspen trees, the house frames select views—a move inspired by Japanese design.

35 more saves