Collection by Julie F Cohen
The owner and architect chose to outfit almost every aspect of the studio in Douglas fir plywood.
The owner and architect chose to outfit almost every aspect of the studio in Douglas fir plywood.
Dark walnut floors are paired with vertical bleached walnut paneling.
Dark walnut floors are paired with vertical bleached walnut paneling.
Framing the lightwell with a custom poplar wood screen painted white introduces a subtle modern texture throughout the home. The breakfast nook is anchored by a table from Nadeau and a set of wishbone chairs from Rove Concepts.
Framing the lightwell with a custom poplar wood screen painted white introduces a subtle modern texture throughout the home. The breakfast nook is anchored by a table from Nadeau and a set of wishbone chairs from Rove Concepts.
In the kitchen, custom white cabinetry creates a neutral palette, along with Calacatta marble counters and backsplash. The kitchen island is custom made from white oak, and appliances are from Thermador and Fisher & Paykel.
In the kitchen, custom white cabinetry creates a neutral palette, along with Calacatta marble counters and backsplash. The kitchen island is custom made from white oak, and appliances are from Thermador and Fisher & Paykel.
Hanna commissioned the Julia Canright tapestry hanging above a midcentury credenza. Cherner dining chairs are paired with a custom steel table with a live-edge acacia wood top from Ponderosa Millworks.
Hanna commissioned the Julia Canright tapestry hanging above a midcentury credenza. Cherner dining chairs are paired with a custom steel table with a live-edge acacia wood top from Ponderosa Millworks.
In Hanna Bui’s Sausalito houseboat, designed by architect Craig Steely, sea creatures seen through an enormous back window animate bay views. Walls of plank siding dry out easily if they get damp, and different levels of bleached oak floors demarcate living areas and a sunken kitchen. Red Line Roset Togo sofas are paired with a suspended bamboo seat.
In Hanna Bui’s Sausalito houseboat, designed by architect Craig Steely, sea creatures seen through an enormous back window animate bay views. Walls of plank siding dry out easily if they get damp, and different levels of bleached oak floors demarcate living areas and a sunken kitchen. Red Line Roset Togo sofas are paired with a suspended bamboo seat.
In the kitchen, affordable IKEA cabinetry is elevated through the use of Carrara marble benchtops.
In the kitchen, affordable IKEA cabinetry is elevated through the use of Carrara marble benchtops.
Early in the design process, Diane had considered a dropped ceiling over the kitchen to distinguish it from the living/dining area. “Our builder Trevor said he liked the feel of the interior space and advised against it,” reveals Diane. “We’re so glad he did!” He also made other small suggestions, including the stepped trim around the door frames. A piece of the original boxcar was salvaged by Diane’s son and daughter-in-law and turned into a key rack hanging by the main door.
Early in the design process, Diane had considered a dropped ceiling over the kitchen to distinguish it from the living/dining area. “Our builder Trevor said he liked the feel of the interior space and advised against it,” reveals Diane. “We’re so glad he did!” He also made other small suggestions, including the stepped trim around the door frames. A piece of the original boxcar was salvaged by Diane’s son and daughter-in-law and turned into a key rack hanging by the main door.
“We call the cabin TreeGazer because we are always amazed at how close to the forest we feel inside,” says Diane. “Although it is small, the cabin has big windows, and every view is a close view of trees.”
“We call the cabin TreeGazer because we are always amazed at how close to the forest we feel inside,” says Diane. “Although it is small, the cabin has big windows, and every view is a close view of trees.”
“It was very important to me that the cabin be low to the ground,” says Diane. “I love the forest floor and the sway of our huge ponderosas, so I wanted as little disruption of the natural ecosystem as possible—a request which our builder, Trevor, honored admirably.”
“It was very important to me that the cabin be low to the ground,” says Diane. “I love the forest floor and the sway of our huge ponderosas, so I wanted as little disruption of the natural ecosystem as possible—a request which our builder, Trevor, honored admirably.”
Fifteen years ago, the “rickety” cabins that the family had built over the years on their lakeside property were reassessed as lakeshore homes, and the family’s taxes soared. They decided to subdivide the lots—they sold two, and three of her brothers took lakeside lots, while Diane and another brother took back lots. The old boxcar has been preserved and encased in one of her brother’s lake homes. “I didn’t want to build a lake house,” she says. “I wanted to give my grandchildren the old boxcar experience of freedom and simplicity. I wanted them to be able to hear the wind, feel the rain, and be one step from nature.”
Fifteen years ago, the “rickety” cabins that the family had built over the years on their lakeside property were reassessed as lakeshore homes, and the family’s taxes soared. They decided to subdivide the lots—they sold two, and three of her brothers took lakeside lots, while Diane and another brother took back lots. The old boxcar has been preserved and encased in one of her brother’s lake homes. “I didn’t want to build a lake house,” she says. “I wanted to give my grandchildren the old boxcar experience of freedom and simplicity. I wanted them to be able to hear the wind, feel the rain, and be one step from nature.”
Diane Douglas’s family has owned five acres of land by the lake since 1933, and her grandfather had dragged an old boxcar to the side of the lake by tractor. “When we came as kids, we’d turn off the paved road and drive on a dirt track through a ponderosa forest to the lakeshore,” she says. “I couldn’t wait for that first scent of pine.”
Diane Douglas’s family has owned five acres of land by the lake since 1933, and her grandfather had dragged an old boxcar to the side of the lake by tractor. “When we came as kids, we’d turn off the paved road and drive on a dirt track through a ponderosa forest to the lakeshore,” she says. “I couldn’t wait for that first scent of pine.”
The homeowners love the flow of the kitchen, dining room, living room, and butler’s pantry—so much so that they've already had more parties since moving in than they did in 26 years at their prior residence.
The homeowners love the flow of the kitchen, dining room, living room, and butler’s pantry—so much so that they've already had more parties since moving in than they did in 26 years at their prior residence.
A Nelson Bubble pendant from Design Within Reach hangs above a dining table and chairs by Jasper Morrison for Maruni.
A Nelson Bubble pendant from Design Within Reach hangs above a dining table and chairs by Jasper Morrison for Maruni.
A cutout in a wall in the kitchen creates a sight line to the living/dining room, which is overlooked by the art loft. The kitchen range is by Fulgor Milano, while the sconces are from Vipp.
A cutout in a wall in the kitchen creates a sight line to the living/dining room, which is overlooked by the art loft. The kitchen range is by Fulgor Milano, while the sconces are from Vipp.
A Bosch 800 series dual fuel range and Caesarstone Raw Concrete countertop from IKEA.
A Bosch 800 series dual fuel range and Caesarstone Raw Concrete countertop from IKEA.

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