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This rugged holiday home in Outer Hebrides, designed by Izat Arundell, was created with stone sourced from its small isle.

New wood siding was stained a semi-transparent arbor coat of Benjamin Moore Alexandria Beige. All the metal trim was painted to match the window and door system for an integrated feel.

The home enjoys a connection with the surrounding landscape with views from every room that invite the 100-acre site into the interior. “The framed views from each room are a source of pride for us,” says architect Meelena Oleksiuk Turkel. “They illustrate the way in which we design for a specific site, bringing the outdoors into the home and making the most of what the homeowners love about their land.”

Floor Plan of Lark House by SHED Architecture & Design

Although strikingly different from its traditional farmhouse exterior, the interiors reference the outer appearance with an exposed solid granite wall in the living room and exposed roof trusses with black plated junctions that recall the artisanal joinery and construction techniques found in traditional Japanese homes.

The new powder room.

The pantry has a bar, extra storage, and display for the owners’ cookbooks and favorite kitchen wares. Since it’s used every day, the architects wanted it “to equal the pleasure of being inside the kitchen,” says Edmonds. “I often tell people it's my favorite room in the house,” adds the owner.

Oak lines the interior for a tactile surprise, and the marble counter echoes the marble on the island and perimeter counters.

“The kitchen is really the heart of the home,” says the owner. “It feels very special to us.” An extra-long island hosts everything from children’s homework sessions to “cooking parties,” such as when the owners have friends over every year to make apricot jam from fruit picked in the yard. The placement of the cooktop means the cook can be working and there’s room for people to help, or mill about easily, inside and out. “We'll open the big doors and dine on the deck, and have appetizers on the island,” says the owner. “I'll still be cooking in the kitchen and never feel like I've left the party.”

The existing bungalow-style home in San Francisco, California was two stories, with a finished basement and desirable South-facing backyard. Edmonds + Lee Architects preserved the front of the house, painting it black and refinishing the front door to its natural wood tone.

Horne’s mother chose to decorate the interior with lighter woods and dark walls. The dramatic contrast pairs well with the breathtaking views.

Floor Plan of Glen Road Residence by Risa Boyer Architecture

Tasked by John Powers and Jennifer Bostic with renovating a run-down cottage that was never meant to be lived in year round, Otto Ruano of Lead Studios transformed the space while keeping as much of it intact as possible. Potence lamps by Jean Prouvé illuminate the kitchen and living area. The bifold doors are by Loewen.

Special attention was paid to the casework detail. Overlapping butt joints form a subtle herringbone pattern and exposes the plywood end-grain.

Inspired in part by the work of Swedish architect Sigurd Lewerentz, and wanting to preserve the sense of a ruin, they left the arched front windows frameless. “From the outside, they still look like open holes,” Michael says.

Deborah and Michael went to Carrera, Italy, to find the marble used in the kitchen counters. For heat mitigation, the stove’s hood uses a swamp cooler to condition the return air when it’s hot out.

The walls are covered in Portola Paints Roman Clay in ‘Anchor,’ and the floors are Bedrosians penny tile.

Every room of the home has a view of the sea, and the salty air patinas the bespoke cedar panels over time.