Windows

The graphic-patterned floor tile is a Wayfair find. "That was actually inspired by some original marble floors that we saw at the Vatican in Rome," says Nick. The sofa is CB2 and the rest of the furnishings are vintage. The walls are painted Benjamin Moore Ocean City Blue, and the lighting is Iacoli & McAllister.

“I eschewed trim and embraced clean lines to open the space and make the windows feel like light installations instead of picture frames,

Behind the sliding door is the master bath with a glazed shower with views of the valley below.

House in Chilean Forest by Lucas Maino view of inner courtyard

The addition’s pitched roofline matches the form of the original 1820s farmhouse.

The wife notes that the pattern on the concrete reminds her of a floor she once saw in Nepal.

Floor-to-ceiling glass allows guests to appreciate the forested lot as much as the owners do.

Vast windows were added to fill the living , kitchen and dining area with natural light.

The retreat sits on an exposed high point giving it views of the forest, Bay of Plenty coastline, and city lights of Tauranga in the distance. "This exposure is part of what causes strong winds to buffet it,

The open floor plans greets guests with a generous open floor plan consisting of dining and living areas centered around a striking metal surround fireplace.

"Using enameled standing-seam steel made by a company that specializes in airplane hangars, this structure is both imposing and strikingly beautiful."

The master bedroom upstairs also features a solid balustrade, with a V-shaped opening that is cleverly used to edit the view and make it more special and focused.

The organic placement of the windows echoes the knots on the trunks of the surrounding trees.

Handa even placed windows strategically in the stairwell to let the light and views peek in.

The double-height ceiling makes the living room of this compact cabin feel downright grand.