Living Inspiration

Short StackA tiny cabin in the Wisconsin Woods makes a big impact with Johnsen & Schmaling's innovative stacked design. The resulting cozy abode is stylish and durable, with stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

For this Swedish kitchen, an extra-thin slab of Carrara marble was used for the countertop and backsplash so that it would recede into the space, not overwhelm it. The room is also outfitted with IKEA cabinets painted a serene powder blue—adding a vintage vibe, and a high-low sense of style.

If their everyday mantra sounds something like "reduce, reuse, recycle," these eco-conscious gifts won’t weigh on their conscience.

The concrete structure was designed to fit within the existing dark volcanic rock walls.

In the upper-level bathroom, tiles painstakingly fired by DeSimio cover the walls and ceiling.

Several courtyards help bring greenery in. On the west side of the home, plants absorb sunlight and create another passive cooling feature. Crushed limestone pebbles and an exposed stone wall complete the lush space.

Kalia, just outside the playroom, overlooking the courtyard and the Chinese elm around which the entire interior was built.

The Titian room at the Gardner Museum overlooks an interior courtyard.

Irit and Zohar imagined a space that would be a cohesive blend of old and new. Stone, metal, glass, and wood intersect in the interior courtyard. Large skylights bring light in, and play upon the indoor-outdoor functionality of the courtyard space.

A combination of sliding doors, strategically placed voids, and large indoor plantings create fluid boundaries between indoors and out. The interior courtyard garden—landscaped with tropical plants and volcanic sand—is visually accessible from nearly every room, including the dining and kitchenarea.

The front door opens into a large great room. Original hardwoods line the floors, while tall, coved ceilings enhance the sense of space.

Set in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Silver Lake, the 1928 bungalow at 1543 Angelus Avenue offers a charming city escape all while being conveniently located just a short stroll from the area's most popular cafes, shops, and restaurants.

Set on the Blue Lagoon, Silica Hotel is one of Iceland’s ultimate indulgences. The location is unbeatable for its landscape, curative waters, and wellness services.

A wood-lined outdoor shower adds a modern touch to one of the decks.

Mimicking the cantilever of the house, an outdoor shower just off the master bedroom stretches out gently toward the surrounding woods.

An outdoor shower in the lower courtyard includes most of the materials that define the project, including Cor-Ten steel posts, horizontal ipe slats and decking, a custom seat and towel shelf set into a natural boulder, and concrete pavers. The yard includes many elements built for play, like a water feature embedded in a concrete wall that is fed by runoff rainwater collected from the breezeway roof.

After a day at the beach, an outdoor shower tucked toward the back of the house allows everyone to rinse off without tracking sand indoors.

The home’s exterior fittings, like the outdoor shower, offer modern comforts.

The result is an unpretentious summer house that "brings the focus of luxury back to being about experience and simplicity: the direct relation to nature, splashes of bright colors, or the sound of water falling on wood." Photo by Thomas Ibsen.