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“If the house had a wood frame, we wouldn’t have been able to get such open windows.”—Michael Epstein, architect

After entering through a gate, the home's charred spruce siding presents a somber face.

A massive gable roof draping the first floor makes this two-story house feel more like one.

Overlooking the Hudson River, Allan Shope’s nearly 3,000-square-foot sustainable home features handmade furniture and an undulating floor, all crafted from the site’s felled black walnut trees.

6630 Heartwood Dr. in Oakland, California, is currently listed for $3,000,000 by Emma Morris of Red Oak Realty.

Sleek storage lockers at the entry accommodate all of the family members. The bench is made from wood salvaged during the remodel.

Owners Jill and Toby Gebben went on their first date by the shores of Lake Michigan, and long dreamed of building their own lakeside cottage.

The kitchen anchors the home as the central hub — cementing its importance in the family’s life. With light streaming in from the skylight above, a circular island includes recessed Bocci outlets at the perimeter to power dedicated workstations for Meera’s baking classes. “I love the kitchen. It’s probably my favorite spot,” she says. “Baking brings me joy.”

The house retained its same basic form in front, part of a lush West Seattle neighborhood.

A 305-square foot addition on the south side of the cabin accommodates a dining area complete with sliders to the lake. The cabin is 2,665 square feet, including the new roof deck atop the addition. New, large windows afford gracious views of the lake from the living room and primary suite.

"A lot of people thought we were crazy to put in a fireplace in a Florida home, but the biggest surprise for my wife and me has been how much we use it,

Closet Case To consolidate most appliances and food storage, keep his compact kitchen looking neat, and save money on cabinets, Sherman built a closet into the kitchen wall (“Cabinets are expensive but closets are cheap,” he offers). Inside is a countertop, blackboard surface, toaster oven, garbage cans, magnetic knife rack, and plenty of shelves. When the doors are closed, the unit recedes from view.