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Drawing atmospheric inspiration from the city, Waechter Architecture infuses a hilltop home with panoramic Bay views, utilitarian finishes, and a bathroom that evokes a misty day.

On the left, a workspace turns into a sleeping space when the Murphy bed is engaged and the stairs can be easily hidden from sight.

The hidden tracks blend seamlessly into the design of the stairs and allow for the louvers to close.

Newly renovated by Framestudio, the wood-clad home typifies the Third Bay Tradition—and it’s just a stone’s throw from the beach.

On an agricultural estate in Portugal, Blaanc Studio designed a simple retreat that does its utmost not to interfere with the scenic backdrop. The home was built with rammed earth, which is known for its thermal properties that help maintain a mild temperature all year long. A large, open fireplace with plenty of wood storage is used to warm the living area in winter. The firewood storage's open shelving is carefully located on the side of the island that doesn't face the living room, making sure that it is only visible in certain locations.

The design team added a skylight to the shower room, which has a ribbed glass partition and wall tile from Solistone.

“The interiors of the Zinc Mine Museum in Norway by Peter Zumthor were a big influence on the feel of the bathrooms,” reveals Shields. The render finish on the walls in the bathroom is Giorgio Graesan Venetian Marble.

Chalet Papillon - Lower Floor Plan

The central stair landing doubles as a music room. “In many ways this is the center of our home,” says Rick. “The entire house literally circles it.” Hanging on the wall is a 16th-century Tyrolean wood figure of Christ purchased from the original owners.

The team cleaned and restored all of the interior brickwork and replaced faulty insulated glass.

“It’s a human-scaled house. It’s not intimidating or fussy. It feels good,” explains architect Solomon Berg.

Vertical-grain Douglas fir and Heath tiles reinforce the clean lines in the kitchen. “It’s one of my favorite places to be,” says Kate. “It just brings me joy to see our things displayed on the open shelf.” The range is from Miele, and the counters are Quartzite.

Extensive glazing throughout helps interior spaces feel connected to the greenery and integrated into a vegetated setting, even though the house is located in a densely populated area of Bangalore.

For the heart of the space, Hale designed a double vanity—fabricated with wood from the original house—around an existing column. The pendant is by Lindsey Adelman.