Favorites

As an experiment in creating much-needed long-term housing for Marfa, Texas, architect Candid Rogers developed a small empty lot with two compact rentals using durable, inexpensive materials inspired by the desert landscape. Rogers leases the 360-square-foot units, targeting a rate of around $1,000 per month. The Doors are from Jeld-Wen, while the wood structure is from Weyerhaeuser.

The bright-blue exterior of Brooklyn artist Lizzy Plapinger’s apartment is the icing on the confetti cake that is her home. Formerly of the band MS MR, the solo indie musician, who performs as LPX, and cofounder of record label Neon Gold, repaints used furniture, such as the decorative piece in her kitchen, in her “signature Pantone-punk style.”

Outside, David wanted a bit more curb appeal and jumped at Nichols’s suggestion to cover part of the addition in roof tiles. “It’s supposed to be roofing tile, but I didn’t see why you couldn’t use it for a facade,” Nichols says.

“The house is still in its original state. Our job was to bring in some color,” says Lezanne.

In front, a patterned brick pathway leads through a cactus garden to the main entrance, which is marked by a low, horizontal facade with wooden accents and splashes of color. The orange-red overhang is inspired by a torii (a traditional gateway to a Japanese Shinto shrine).

The sleeping loft fits a king-size bed.

The house has operable openings on all sides, including a floor-to-ceiling window in the shower and large arched glazing in the living area that faces west to capture sunsets.

After months of waiting for approvals to build a house in Sintra, Portugal, artist Chris Saunders decided to pivot, commissioning a custom tiny home on wheels from architecture studio Madeiguincho. The 200-square-foot house, with its honey-colored wood cladding and contrasting blond wood interior, suits Chris perfectly. “Since moving here I’ve simplified not only my way of living, but also my mentality and work ethic,” he says.