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Warm wood detailing is a hallmark of these homes, inside and out. The Saturna 7 features a large deck.

"Our many ideas were floating around the mountain, and we needed someone to bring them down and turn them into reality,

Furniture built by Matthew, such as the wall-hung unit holding the stereo, is mixed with antiques, like the foyer table once belonging to Matthew’s great-grandfather, and the couple’s extensive art collection. “We have a lot of art by Seattle artists,” says Holly.

Matthew and Holly opened up the foyer and kept the exposed framing in place to speak to the house’s history. The figurine on the newel post is not original to the house, but a vintage replacement found online and rewired by Matthew.

Studio Shed offers to ship their prefabs as DIY projects, where the buyer receives the units as a kits of parts that they can assemble themselves using the provided instructions and specialized tools.

Freestanding lamps from Foscarini are joined by wooden furniture pieces crafted in Indonesian and a selection of objects collected from around the world throughout the couple’s relationship.

A loster screen mediates the sun’s rays as it filters in to the living areas from the west at sunset, gently illuminating the natural teak wood that in turn balances the home’s dark palette.

The team preserved the blue and buggy pine paneling, which was important to the owners, and made it more of a feature by bringing in new pieces, all of which highlight the double-height ceilings. "That pine, it's really filled with character," says Fowler.

Now, built-in sofas line the perimeter of the room and utilize the room’s shape better.

The fireplace and hearth are clad in soapstone, which the team liked for the contrast and movement in the veining. The new window above the sliding door provides "a view of the sky and then just a flood of daylight coming in," says Fowler.

The retreat sits on an exposed high point giving it views of the forest, Bay of Plenty coastline, and city lights of Tauranga in the distance. "This exposure is part of what causes strong winds to buffet it,

Located on a windswept site, this one-bedroom retreat is built to withstand the rigors of rural life, and it can be adapted to sleep up to six guests.

The plywood fins have a telescopic effect that intensifies the coastal view to the north. "I wanted the clients to have an alternative experience to the wide open vistas they work in on the farm,

During the restoration process, the couple uncovered the original wooden beams and brick hearth. To emphasize the European cottage style, they installed a French range and kept cabinets and shelves at an almost rustic simplicity.

The back garden easement was originally a cartway for coal deliveries. “The cobblestones add a timeless element,” says Maureen.

The brass light switch to the left of the brick hearth is original to the home and provided inspiration for the brass fixtures on the cabinetry and range.

Though he rents his Williamsburg, Brooklyn, apartment, Taylor Dow had enough room to install an above-ground pool. His advice for would-be bathers: Work with the space you have. For example, consider whether your outdoor oasis is better suited to an aboveground pool or a bathtub-like stock tank.