Seats of serenity

The multi-purpose room opens to the courtyard and looks over a small reflecting pool to the Puget Sound beyond.

Seattle firm Wittman Estes designed this compact cabin floating above a meadow on Whidbey Island.

A deep green suede headboard spans the entire wall to meet the built-in shelving.

Prerak and Krina wanted to be able to open the room to guests when hosting parties, so the window installation functions as both storage and additional seating.

The living room has views of the veranda and kitchen through sliding glass doors.

Greenway Studio designed this home addition In Victoria, British Columbia, to blend in with an existing natural rock formation.

The rock outcropping in the backyard of this house in Victoria, British Columbia, influenced the design of the home’s addition.

“We shared the planting beds with the owner who lived in the main house. We would meet her in the garden and grab tomatoes. It was a nice feeling of community,” says renter Alexandra.

The walls, floor, and ceiling are all covered in waterproof lime plaster, Mortex by Beal.

A stainless steel, wall-mounted sink appears to float, as does the steel shelf below, and the pipes are hidden in the wall.

The built-in furniture, including the couch, low shelf, and coffee table, is all made from the same wood with the same finish so as to bland with the floors. Bespoke velvet cushions line the couch and the artwork is by Jon.

In the new living room, the floors are covered in pine wood with a Bona Craft Oil finish in Frost, and the walls and ceiling are coated in lime plaster, Mortex by Beal. The handmade hanging chair, made of plaster, is a favorite spot for the couple’s cat, Paka.

A Danish artist filled the wooden wonder with handcrafted details and hygge vibes—and it comes with a studio and a tree house.

“Parker was dipping brass faucets into his magic solution and Jan was like ‘what are you doing, it was so shiny and beautiful!” laughs Duwayne.

“Living in a home that we worked on with our own hands alongside our family—it’s so much more nourishing,” says Carisa.

“We listened carefully to the house, and tried to do what it needed,” Carisa says.