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"I often choose finishes that allow the natural texture to show through, and finishes that emphasize the cathedrals and burls of the graining,

Mary and Kundan Bhullar built a shipshape country escape that sits lightly on the land in the Aravalli hills near Gurgaon, India.

The house for Kundan's mother, dubbed Chameli, is constructed of two 40 x 8 containers located next to the family's garden.

In a deciduous forest in the resort town of Karuizawa, Japan, tiny wildflowers grow at the feet of majestic trees. The client "wanted a house that would fit in with this terrain and not destroy the environment," explains architect Hiroshi Nakamura.

Cozy interiors with simple finishes allow the focus to remain steadily on the verdant natural surroundings. "The house is located in the middle of an overwhelming forest, so we [put the] focus on nature...and the wildflowers on the roof," explains Nakamura.

The faucets, which are made of copper plumbing fittings, reference the history of the building and its industrial roots.