Top 10 Black Gable Homes of 2020
With jet-black exteriors and gable roofs, these modern dwellings make a bold statement in their often bucolic locales. These reader favorites are exquisite examples of a trend that shows no signs of abating.
10. A Dramatic Hallway Forms the Spine of This Shou Sugi Ban Retreat in Mexico
Pared-back yet striking, the interior mixes what Juul Sørensen describes as "a typical Nordic palette" with an aura of inviting warmth. Oak abounds in the house—it was used on the floors, the walls, and the sculptural staircase that leads up to the three bedrooms. In the kitchen, concrete floors and countertops are a cool contrast to views of the tranquil back garden.
It was a lifelong dream for couple Merriss Waters and Andrew Fleming to live in a cabin nestled into a forest on an island, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city. They recently brought this dream to life at Saltwater Farm, a boutique retreat designed by Jason Grauten, Philip Auchettl, and David Loewenstein of RAD LAB on the shores of Washington’s San Juan Island.
The kitchen is located in a bespoke timber joinery unit that divides the "living shed." The timber has been stained black to contrast with the surrounding timber cladding, and brass counters and backsplashes echo the use of brass details throughout the interior. "Brass was a very special material—used sparingly—that has come to be a hallmark of the project," says architect Ben Shields.
Even as the square footage of this cottage in Fayston, Vermont, shrank in response to budget constraints, architect Elizabeth Herrmann remained focused on making the space feel warm and functional for a family of four and their dog and cat. "I think the trick to making small spaces feel much larger is to design the experience of being there," attests Herrmann.
To increase the visual space, Herrmann took advantage of the bucolic, hillside setting, and made it a vital part of the interior experience. Every room features at least one large window, each showcasing a different view of the ever-changing landscape: mountains from the living room, woods from the kitchen, and wooded hillsides from the rooms upstairs.
One of the firm’s main goals for the project was to introduce better flow between the individual buildings, and to connect the exteriors with the interiors. "Our approach was to allow the parts—the buildings, the landscape, and the pool—to unfold and connect to the whole, both inside and out," shares von Dalwig.
Handcrafted details, energy-efficient principles, and a thoroughly contemporary interior combine at the Friends Lab, a barn-inspired home designed by Madrid-based AMPS Arquitectura & Diseño. The clients are a young family who wanted a house they could share with friends and family on their farm in southern England.
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