Favorites

At the center of the home is a cozy, light-filled sitting area, where black exposed beams pop against the white cathedral-like ceilings. A remodeled kitchen awaits just steps away.

The sunken bathtub in George Nakashima’s Sanso Villa mimics the shape of a swimming pool on the grounds. His daughter, Mira Nakashima, took over the studio after his death and now lives and works on the property. “A Japanese garden often has a central pond derived from the character for ‘heart’ or ‘spirit,’ and this may be an abstraction of that character,” she says of the tub’s sculptural form.

The home was thoughtfully designed to take full advantage of the property's idyllic surroundings. A serene guest bathroom features a frosted wall of glass and clerestory window, inspiring a gracious play on light and shadow.

Plumstead describes the Clip Tree valet as sheet music where the bars are posts and the notes are the adjustable clips."I became focused on entry hall," he says of the concept. "I was trying to come up with a system with fairly simple parts for shipping and manufacturing, and for it to be configurable so people would have authorship over the object."

A uniquely shaped, well-lit nook under the stairs of the Peas in a Pod residence provides an imaginative space for play. CplusC Architectural Workshop designed much of the space around the clients four children's needs.

The Kelleys furnished the cottage with help from Suzanne’s daughter Betsy Burbank of Betsy Burbank Interiors. Classic modernist icons, such as a Saarinen Womb chair for Knoll, a Herman Miller Eames lounge chair, and an Eileen Grey E1027 side table look at home alongside present-day pieces such as an Encore sofa (which handily folds down into a sleeping surface) from Room & Board and a Doka rug designed and produced by Stephanie Odegard. The Wohlert pendant lights from Louis Poulsen were designed by Vilhelm Wohlert in 1959, but grouped as such, they appear distinctly contemporary.

Muuto Under the Bell pendant lights are made from recycled plastic felt, which helps absorb noise and improve acoustics—a key feature in the open office.

The window in the kitchen that overlooks the garden is intentionally free of any structure, with the small ventilation openings discretely located to the side. This ensures the view is uninterrupted and the woodlands become part of the interior.

The house is open plan, with the arrival hallway and the main living space divided by a bespoke American walnut and brass screen designer by architect Helena Rivera that evokes 1960’s vibes with a modern twist. “The American walnut is smooth and perfect for stroking,” says Rivera. “It’s a go-to place if anyone is stressed in this family!”

Built in 1963, the Flansburgh House remains an architectural gem within Lincoln, Mass.

The loft-style bedroom is marked by a skylight, which helps to flood the tiny home with sunlight.

The interior of the micro cabin is finished with pine plywood walls, ceiling, and floors that lend pattern and an organic quality. Stainless steel cabinetry, counters, and appliances in the kitchen offer a more industrial quality that balances the materiality of the wood.

An expansive picture window frames the natural surround in the living room, where a built-in sofa and bench provide perches for soaking in views and sunlight.

The compact house is sheathed in cypress, glass, and copper and features an expandable roof.