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Most of the furnishings are secondhand or otherwise creatively sourced. The desk in Léontine’s bedroom was picked up at a technical school in Caen, where it was a cabinetmaking student’s final project. The used dining table was bought online, and half of the chairs came from a Parisian bar that was being renovated, the other half from a charity flea market. The 1930s armchair in the living area, colorfully reupholstered, belonged to Isabelle’s grandparents.

Designed by architect Jean-Baptiste Barache of Arba-, the 1,200-square-foot home floats above the ground, respectful of the nature surrounding it. “We tried to reduce the boundaries as much as possible,” says Barache. Sliding glass doors at the back of the house, mirroring those in the front, open to a view of the garden and the limestone quarry.

A staircase near the main entrance leads to a wood-clad art studio.

A custom ribbon skylight fabricated by Atelier Bailleul curves across the ceiling.

The sloping metal roof extends well beyond the house and the narrow deck that runs around it. “The roof protects from the sun and the rain and also creates shadow,” says Barache, adding that “beauty is in the shadow.”

Donate, Isabelle’s mother, takes in the view from the dining table over a cup of coffee. “You can quietly take your breakfast here and wait for the sun to come into the room, looking out at the beautiful old cherry tree,” says Isabelle. “When the weather is nice, with the sliding doors open, we feel directly in contact with the garden.”

A hinoki wash bucket and seat from Shimizu Mokuzai reflect tradition in the rebuilt, expanded bathroom, which has a newly installed skylight and a glass-block wall.

In the tatami room, a black wood zaisu, or legless chair, sits at either end of a vintage coffee table by Saburo Inui for Tendo Mokko. “At some point it was lacquered yellow by a previous owner,” says Whitney, who sourced the home’s furnishings.

A tiny kitchen is tucked beneath the original wood staircase, which was previously hidden behind sliding doors. It’s lit by a Gregg lamp from Foscarini.

Outside, a contemporary rain chain from Seo is anchored by a stone wrapped in metal rope. “We thought the large stone was a nice organic touch to complement the stainless-steel chain,” says Dominick.

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A view across the planted roof reveals the Marvin windows and doors from the Ultimate collection tucked beneath the extended eaves.

The ground-floor entryway is wrapped in warm, natural materials that echo the palette of the surrounding forest. A mudroom, hidden behind the sliding door, keeps the mess of outdoor activities contained for the active family of five.

The bedrooms are tucked into the stone-clad lower level, while the upper floor, wrapped in Marvin Ultimate windows, opens up to the canopy. The planted roof insulates the lower level while helping the home recede into the landscape.

Every opening was designed to feel deliberate. Casement and picture windows from the Marvin Ultimate collection above the living room’s built-in shelving offers an eye-level view into the canopy.