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Stair Railing Detail

Floor Plan of Bladderwrack Cabin by Ets Architecture

314 Park (Coda Design + Build) Star also made aging in place a focus. The freelance writer’s first floor office, which boasts a Minka Fan and street-facing windows, and the powder room, can be converted into living quarters when stairs become difficult.

The countertop is Silestone's Dreis colorway by Cosentino. The quartzite surface "created an understated, elegant look for this kitchen," Serra says. She used it for the countertops, backsplash, surround for the pizza oven, and white shelf adjacent to the sink area.

Serra's design firm, Bornholm Kitchen, creates custom cabinetry, which is fabricated in Pennsylvania. For this conceptual space, she opted for robust solid walnut with an oil finish. "The oil finish is easily refreshed," she says. "Scratches can easily be rubbed out with sandpaper and if the surface is re-oiled, it looks like new. Every so often, years down the road, the cabinetry can be lightly sanded and re-oiled—or just re-oiled—for a brand-new look, which is extremely rare in kitchen cabinetry."

The staircase is the central feature of the open-plan duplex apartment.

"The solid oak floor is like its own piece of horizontal furniture, blending perfectly with the natural feel, as the soft oak planks flow together throughout the entire apartment,” says Vibeke Jenssen.

The kitchen features custom-lacquered cabinets with white oak handles and, in lieu of upper cabinets, a wall niche to display dishes.

Simple Alvar Aalto pendants hang below the wooden ceiling in the kitchen.

Big Wood Residence

Two no-fuss cutting boards, both finished with food-grade beeswax and mineral oil Isabella makes himself. The large serving board ($105) measures 12" x 6.5"; the smaller version ($85) is 10" x 12".

Vega Norge, Erik Kolman Janush