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Sooke House 01 floor plan

Floor Plan of

McLucas House / Girard House floor plan

Pardo used dark blue cabinetry and a matching painted ceiling to create a deliberately cave-like kitchen.

Wherever possible, the family retained original details, like the textured teal floor tiles and triangular island in the kitchen. They weren’t able to save the plywood millwork, which had deteriorated, but liked the look, so Baab added new cabinetry in a similar finish. The previous residents left behind much of their furniture, including the yellow barstools. The pendant is a Glo-Ball from Flos.

Designed by Luis, the house flows openly to the outdoors. Materials on the roof include concrete, flat clay tiles, curved terra-cotta tiles, steel, and glass. “This project is all about layering—juxtaposing techniques, materials, and textures,” says Luis. The charred wood on the second-story facade is a twist on traditional yakisugi. “Instead of cedar, it’s made of reclaimed wood from pallets used to ship cars across the Atlantic,” says the architect.

The fitness room faces north by design, allowing Michael to work out in soft, indirect light throughout the day without ever needing to close a shade.

Birch cabinetry and Dekton countertops keep the kitchen minimal, which was a request from the owners to keep attention on the views.

The renovation expanded the primary bedroom; now it’s one of Sheila’s favorite spots in the house where, thanks to a new picture window, she can work from bed while overlooking the beautiful view.

The architects designed new bookshelves for the couple's collection, as Fred shares recommendations on Instagram. The Elle armchair from Luisa Attab sits with the Forma table by Maximiliano Crovato. On the shelves, there's a Maija lamp by Santa & Cole.

Vince and Adrienne Murphy’s rural retreat is clad in gray shingles and gray-stained pine. “They wanted the cottage to meld into the woods and be visually quiet,” says architect Kelly Doran, who worked with Portico Timber Frames to build the 2,500-square-foot home.

Floor plan of Maison des Thuyas by La Shed Architecture

Floor plan of Ecovillage Piracaia by Arquipélago Arquitetos

"We’ve got these tall walls and we’ve got a lot of artwork, and one thing I’ve learned on my rental journey is how to hang artwork without marring walls,