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Stones excavated during the foundation dig were redistributed to level out the yard while simultaneously creating a drainage curtain around the leach field.

Gently graded steps covered in pine needles wander through the home’s L-shaped garden, designed by landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh. A

On their upstate New York property, Nicolas Potts and Emma Pilkington Mead installed a prefab cabin from designer Christos Athanasiou’s company, MiniMax.

A flat stone dust path that is easily navigable on foot or by wheelchair leads from the kitchen to the Near Cabin. “We used boardwalks only for the most frequently traversed paths since they impact the site more than a simple walkway,” Shaw says.

White laminate and wood veneer helped the partition stay within budget, and create a clean backdrop for the couple's eclectic display of folk and outsider art, much of which was collected on their travels around the world.

"Around the time we were thinking of moving back [to San Francisco], I took a trip to Marfa, Texas, and fell in love with the agelessness of Donald Judd’s work," says Amy. "I liked the idea of having a classic American reference to the space, since we are influenced as much from America as we are by Asian culture."

Now, a generous entranceway draws the eye to the evocative curves of the sculptural spiral staircase, illuminated by abundant daylight thanks to a skylight above.

The homeowners turned the garage into a gym and did away with the driveway to create a larger lawn.

Lofty and bright, the residence benefits from its prime position perched on the roof of an old pencil factory and its expansive industrial windows, which flood the space with clarifying light.

When the room's folding doors are fully open, house and garden flow into one another.

A series of folding doors separates the garden room from its namesake outdoor space.

Though the ceiling looks spectacular, it’s really crafted from standard 2’x2’ boards from Home Depot. LED light strips enhance the impact. “When you explain the method to someone, they’re like, ‘that’s it?!’” Laughs Losada-Amor.

In a guest bedroom, the “Olivia” pendant from West Elm.

Martin, Daniela, and their three children are all movie buffs, so a dedicated cinema room was a must. The porthole window is a creative touch that easily slides closed for the optimal theater experience.

An internal window creates a visual connection between the living area and the dining room, and also allows the wood-burning fireplace to easily heat the whole space.

The couple's large back yard allowed their original house and the DADU to come together like unclasped puzzle pieces, with leftover green space.