Living Rooms

A brick hearth designed by Winter was updated with a gas fireplace. The couple redid the kitchen without enlarging it, in an effort to stay true to Winter’s plan. “We were trying to do a modern version of what would feel right in a house designed in the ’70s,” explains Rick.

An upstairs lounge space takes advantage of natural light and juxtaposes white-painted and stained wood.

Sourced from Stûv and Novo, the wood-burning stoves complement the radiant heating system build into the concrete slab.

Upon entering and progressing deeper into the home, expansive windows lining the living room reveal dramatic views of the rolling Pennsylavania hills. In the summer, the cantilever at the south protects the living room from direct sunlight.

Brunn describes the den as a wood-clad “tube” that draws the eye out to the view beyond.

Bruce Livingstone’s seaside getaway in British Columbia features a remarkably open layout. The master bedroom flows into the living room, where Griffin lounge chairs by Lawson-Fenning face a fireplace clad in glass fiber–reinforced concrete panels by Wiersma Masonry.

The living room features several seating options, including a large sectional sofa, armchair by Jaime Hayon, and loveseat by Hans Wegner. The custom media cabinet is by Hudson Valley-based furniture designer Michael Robbins and the floor lamp is by Lostine. A potted tree underscores the easy indoor-outdoor access.

A BoConcept sectional is joined by a Yngve Ekström lounge chair and ottoman and an Eames chair in the living area. The couple found the vintage Danish coffee table at a flea market, while the traditional Indian stools were purchased for their wedding. Whitewashed poplar clads the far wall.

The step-down den off the great room is a cozy space, with plaid and houndstooth fabrics from Pindler. "Men’s suiting is very serious on its own, but putting it all together makes it playful," says Clasen.

Built-in benches provide plenty of storage and reduce the need for free-floating furniture.

“We’ve tried to create a space that feels calm, with warm lighting, soft textures, natural wood pieces, and beach treasures collected from our trips,” says Leah. The living room features a cozy and durable Movie Night Sectional from Sundays, Zero Waste Coffee Table from Avocado, and handcrafted shelving unit by local carpenter Kaleb Redden—putting family mementos and found objects on display.

In the kitchen, designers Christina Valencia and Kele Dobrinski of Colossus Mfg. created a 14-foot island with a waterfall edge made of platinum-gray quartzite.

All paints and oils used throughout the home have low VOCs, and there are rainwater storage tanks and a solar system outside.

The main floor plan was opened up, so the living, dining, and kitchen flow into each other, and all can partake of the scenery. “The interiors feel very calm and the house is small enough that the open plan doesn't seem too large,” says Hale. La Cantina doors now lead to the protected porch. White oak was used for the flooring throughout.

Quartersawn oak built-ins throughout the house were fabricated by Toronto cabinetmaker Built Work Design.

A dry-stacked rock hearth supports a Charnwood freestanding wood stove, which was carefully chosen to fit the scale of the surroundings.