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Floor Plan of Ame Apartment by Atelier OLK

Lekien designed a built-in concrete vanity for the bathroom, creating a minimalist aesthetic for the space.

An arched doorway between one of the bedrooms and a bathroom lends a soft, modern quality.

The bedroom displays more existing wood ceiling beams and a storage loft above the bathroom.

The architect dressed the living room with a soft palette of cream and blush tones. The parquet flooring offers subtle pattern and more texture for the space.

The original wood columns and beams create a more open feel and flood the spaces with natural light. "The kitchen looks out over the courtyard, which acts as a light well and provides ventilation,

The pristine environs of the Turett's Greenport home makes it a sanctuary, between the verdant green spaces and the sea beyond.

The home’s exterior siding is made of a combination of blue-gray shiplap cedar and gray cement board.

The home's Heart Pine floors, with their oil finish and white pigment, permeate the home, enhancing the bright, naturally-lit interiors.

Dwellings Winner: Casa Ter by Mesura Mesura designed a retreat for a family of five in the Catalonian countryside, utilizing regional and artisanal building techniques and local materials for a sustainable home that blends with the landscape.

The architect and owners were in sync on every aspect of the design, including the desire for shou sugi ban siding. “I had been interested in shou sugi ban for a long time,” Herrmann says. “These Japanese cypress boards have been charred, wire-brushed, stained, and oiled. We did a lot of testing to come up with the right dark grey color; it changes in the light.”

Hillside Sanctuary (Hoedemaker Pfeiffer)

Cambrian black granite countertops lie in contrast with white cabinetry below and open shelves above in this contemporary kitchen. "One of the favorite things I have to do in the kitchen is wash dishes, just because it’s such a delightful view out the window," says the owner.

Stainless steel was selected for the kitchen countertops, and the pair relied on a local industrial sheet metal fabricator to help them prepare the material for residential application. The mix of warm and cool adds depth and dimension to the space.

In New York about two hours north of New York City, architecture and interiors firm BarlisWedlick created an eclectic compound designed to suit a client with an idiosyncratic wish list. In the kitchen, a custom Stickbulb LED lamp hangs above a kitchen island topped by concrete from Get Real Surfaces. The cabinets and island feature a modern version of a traditional board and batten siding that are given an even more contemporary feel with the concrete countertop.

The counter seating has a stepped-down area for the chef, so his eye level is closer to the seated guests, which creates a sense of intimacy.

Make sure your kitchen fits seamlessly with the rest of your home. A good entertaining space should have a look that's consistent with the overall design, so use finishings, colors, and other elements that compliment the rest of the space.

The Kitchen overlooking the Patio and the living room beyond