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"The wall paneling and railing at the entry required very close collaboration with metal and wood fabricators,

We designed the kitchen to be able to see straight into our living space, making it easy to watch the kids while preparing meals,” says Leah of the newly opened up living area.

While the exterior facade is clad in cedar shingles, teak, and clay, the interiors feature French oak louvers, beams, and floors to further enhance the home's warmth and texture.

To provide for a more functional, modern layout, Risa Boyer Architecture reconfigured the home's floor plan, bringing the kitchen and dining area from the back of the house to the center, while opening up the spaces to the living room via a pass-through fireplace.

Just inside the entry is a door to the ultimate mudroom for handling post surf sessions, with heated concrete floors and a built-in drain, to hose off sandy feet and boards, and store them. The rug is from Serena & Lily.

The sunken living room allows for delineation of space while keeping an open-plan environment

The stairs also double as a seating platform.

Sand-blasted cafesina marble flooring adds textural interest and is used throughout the kitchen, dining room (pictured), living room, and covered terrace.

A custom table and bench in the dining room are paired with the Pike Dining Chairs from Room & Board.

Inspired by Greek diners, the nook gets the best views of the San Rafael hillside.

“The dining room wallpaper [Cole & Son’s Forest] helped bring the outdoors in, which was a parallel play on the large windows selected by the architects. Selecting wallpapers that had a forced perspective also provided a sense of depth for spaces like the dining room and powder room,” says Santos.

The white oak hardwood staircase between the main and second floor were installed by RK Woodworking. A plywood, MDF-finished guardrail is painted white to match the walls; the handrail features an integrated LED strip light.

Stand in the right spot between the office and the kitchen, and you can see through all the different layers of the house.

Northcote House by Mitsuori Architects / Bedroom

Atelier Oslo overcame nature’s challenges when they designed Cabin Norderhov, a seasonal, eco-friendly retreat on a steep hillside overlooking Lake Steinsfjorden. The home’s layout revolves around a central glass and metal "campfire" that burns beneath a suspended mantel. Since it’s located at the access level, the fireplace's flickering warmth can be enjoyed throughout the house. The surrounding floor is covered with hexagon tiles cut from marble, which transition into tiles made of birch log in the rest of the house.

An extension for a family of four in Melbourne placed the kitchen in a newly constructed garden terrace, maximizing connection to the outdoors. An impressive 30-foot glazed opening spans the length of the extension, allowing a seamless flow between the kitchen and greenery.

“They really wanted to have tile in the kitchen and at the front door, but everyone disliked that hard edge line,” says Gregga. “Doing the organic edge of the tile helped make the entry space and kitchen feel like one, and then it disintegrates into the living and dining room.”