Collection by Mike Mongeau
A metal layer painted in bright orange separates the home’s lower concrete level from the upper structure, made of cross-laminated timber and clad in Dual Black IKO Cambridge shingles. On the ground floor, a terrace extends from the living area via walls of Habitat by Cebrace windows. Orange metal stilts make the trapezoidal structure look as if it’s floating.
A metal layer painted in bright orange separates the home’s lower concrete level from the upper structure, made of cross-laminated timber and clad in Dual Black IKO Cambridge shingles. On the ground floor, a terrace extends from the living area via walls of Habitat by Cebrace windows. Orange metal stilts make the trapezoidal structure look as if it’s floating.
Luiza designed the gallery’s granilite floors with depictions of flora and fauna in colors that hearken back to the entry wall’s pigmented concrete. Sliding glass doors bordering the north- and west-facing sides of the space open directly to the concrete patio and garden.
Luiza designed the gallery’s granilite floors with depictions of flora and fauna in colors that hearken back to the entry wall’s pigmented concrete. Sliding glass doors bordering the north- and west-facing sides of the space open directly to the concrete patio and garden.
Varying ceiling heights and cutouts throughout the home play with conventions of spatial relationships and flow.
Varying ceiling heights and cutouts throughout the home play with conventions of spatial relationships and flow.
A ground-level gallery opens to the back patio. Luiza’s art studio sits above Tito’s music studio. Both overlook the rear outdoor areas.
A ground-level gallery opens to the back patio. Luiza’s art studio sits above Tito’s music studio. Both overlook the rear outdoor areas.
A metal spiral staircase pierces the home’s three levels, passing through circular cutouts that mirror the shape of skylights throughout. A rectangular cut in the floor next to the stairs allows for direct communication between the main and lower levels.
A metal spiral staircase pierces the home’s three levels, passing through circular cutouts that mirror the shape of skylights throughout. A rectangular cut in the floor next to the stairs allows for direct communication between the main and lower levels.
Glass walls bookend the kitchen/living area on the entry level, connecting the space to a patio and terrace.
Glass walls bookend the kitchen/living area on the entry level, connecting the space to a patio and terrace.
Colors Luiza chose for an exterior wall are reflected throughout the home, such as in the Brazilian green marble floors in the kitchen/living area, as well as built-in kitchen cabinetry, covered in Salmon Formica. Tito designed the dining table.
Colors Luiza chose for an exterior wall are reflected throughout the home, such as in the Brazilian green marble floors in the kitchen/living area, as well as built-in kitchen cabinetry, covered in Salmon Formica. Tito designed the dining table.
Architect Tito Ficarelli designed the Toca House for himself and his wife, artist Luiza Gottschalk, their   daughters, a family friend, and their dogs.
Architect Tito Ficarelli designed the Toca House for himself and his wife, artist Luiza Gottschalk, their daughters, a family friend, and their dogs.
Set on 21 acres at the top of the Snoqualmie Valley, the 3,200-square-foot Maxon House represents a major lifestyle change for the Maxons, who previously lived in a split-level in a planned subdivision. "When you’re here, you just sit and watch what’s happening outside," says Lou. "It’s like the Weather Channel. We don’t even need the TV." Kim adds, "In spring everything explodes." Cedars, hemlocks, and vine maples shoot up from the fern-covered hillside.
Set on 21 acres at the top of the Snoqualmie Valley, the 3,200-square-foot Maxon House represents a major lifestyle change for the Maxons, who previously lived in a split-level in a planned subdivision. "When you’re here, you just sit and watch what’s happening outside," says Lou. "It’s like the Weather Channel. We don’t even need the TV." Kim adds, "In spring everything explodes." Cedars, hemlocks, and vine maples shoot up from the fern-covered hillside.
There’s more concealed storage in the bathroom, this time clad in wooden tile so it blends in with the wall treatment. The flooring is terrazzo tile.
There’s more concealed storage in the bathroom, this time clad in wooden tile so it blends in with the wall treatment. The flooring is terrazzo tile.
The countertop is a custom Concrete Collaborative terrazzo, and the colored flecks nod to the wall tiles.
The countertop is a custom Concrete Collaborative terrazzo, and the colored flecks nod to the wall tiles.
Like the kitchen, each of the home's two bathrooms were gutted to repair utilities and add new finishes. Here, the principal bathroom features a walk-in shower with a copper rain head.
Like the kitchen, each of the home's two bathrooms were gutted to repair utilities and add new finishes. Here, the principal bathroom features a walk-in shower with a copper rain head.
Another view of the dining space reveals the fireplace and sitting area.
Another view of the dining space reveals the fireplace and sitting area.
A freestanding tub by Mastella occupies a corner of her bedroom.
A freestanding tub by Mastella occupies a corner of her bedroom.
“I wanted to go upstairs to a place that was completely clean, serene, and quiet,” says Paula of the library, for which the architects created an open steel bookcase.
“I wanted to go upstairs to a place that was completely clean, serene, and quiet,” says Paula of the library, for which the architects created an open steel bookcase.
Water damage caused in part by a greenhouse roof added in the 1970s necessitated a gut renovation of the ground floor, now a light-filled living/dining room that doubles as a conference space. Chairs from Design Within Reach surround the table by Zeke Brown. The area rugs and sofa are from Baxter.
Water damage caused in part by a greenhouse roof added in the 1970s necessitated a gut renovation of the ground floor, now a light-filled living/dining room that doubles as a conference space. Chairs from Design Within Reach surround the table by Zeke Brown. The area rugs and sofa are from Baxter.

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