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The expanded kitchen has a large central island, with room for prep, seating, storage, and cooking. The cabinetry is a mix of wood, Shinnoki Milk Oak, and white fronts, Fenix NTM Bianco Kos. The terrazzo counters are by Concrete Collaborative. There are two types of tiles: the Mutina Rombini fluted tile on the island and Cepac Krave Sugar Tiles on the backsplash. “It looks very mid-century modern,” says Blaine of the backsplash tile. “But in this application, it also adds that little touch of depth that I think is really important to making the house feel interesting.” The counter stools are from Hay.

Kenter Powder Room

The rear terrace boasts a recently built heated swimming pool with an infinity edge.

"Landscaping was strategically planned to cope the home seamlessly into the rock, with access paths from the house to the lake barely visible in some places," adds the firm.

Cedar platforms close to the ground extend beneath the cabin’s broad eaves to create spaces that frame outdoor space.

A collection of low-slung volumes create a series of platforms near the ground, so family members can be close together while still retaining their privacy.

Polar Life Haus manufactures individually designed wooden homes and log homes. The company focuses on environmentally friendly building materials and the well-being of people and nature.

Large boulders are given pride of place in the central courtyard.

The Dwell team took a hike up to a few waterfalls—talk about a view!

One of the building challenges was transportation through the steep and windy roads to the isolated site, which is 0.5km away from Cornwall, one of Connecticut's smallest towns.

At night, carefully orchestrated lighting illuminates the house like a lantern in nature.

Another view of the rear of the home.

The five-foot tall fire pit rock is buried three-feet into the ground for stability.

The owners built the house as a place to gather with their three adult children on Loon Lake, where they had vacationed at the husband’s family home for years. The modern Adirondack chairs are by Loll Designs.

Now, an eight-foot sliding door brings light into the kitchen and enables fluid movement between inside and out. The wider steps can serve as seats during a party, and they make for a graceful transition to the yard.

High above Christina Lake in British Columbia, Bohlin Cywinski Jackson designed an idyllic retreat for Lori Hudson, her husband, and their two boys.

Weekend House, Schroeder, MN, 2009.

The home's wood deck is a neutral base that compliments the home's back and white features.