Twenty-foot-wide doors from Solar Innovations offer easy access to the deck. “Solar Innovations was the only manufacturer at that time that had a pocket multi-slider with a good ADA threshold,” says architect Erick Mikiten. “They almost look like steel, but are thermally broken aluminum.”

With its easy access, the flat roof is never hard to maintain.

The mother takes up residence in the basement area, which enjoys access to the backyard garden where the children often play. Terrazzo flooring with a cowhide rug create a slightly retro-glam look.

Just beyond the pergola's reach, a narrow pool is heated by direct sunlight.

Inspirational spaces

The front door is accessed by a 'floating' concrete bridge that bisects the two wings of the house.

Jorge’s office is on the basement level which provides easy access to the outside.

British artist Hannah Sawtell and technologist Avi Flombaum created sawbaum.com, where users can create visual collages using multiple vine streams. "We wanted it to look like a visual comic book, with overlapping panels," said Flombaum. "And we wanted it to be fun!" Photo courtesy Rhizome.

In the back, ivy climbs across the garage’s raw cedar cladding next to a gate that allows access to the laneway—but the boys prefer to climb the fence.

Currently the home and design editor at Departures, Dan Rubinstein lives in New York City. He penned the cover story for this issue, featuring Nicolas Roche’s kaleidoscopic Parisian home. “Roche’s apartment truly encapsulates the virtues of any design lover: rare and bizarre vintage finds, shots of quirk and color, and some good old-fashioned problem-solving. I remain utterly fascinated with his Bond-style, mega-groovy bed of unknown origin.” Favorite piece of furniture: His Vegetal chair from Vitra in black. “I’m a big fan of using outdoor furniture indoors when appropriate.”

Master Bedroom A former hayloft, located above the stables for the horses that pulled hearses for the funeral home, has become a quiet retreat, with blackout shades and a custom fireplace combining to make it cozy even in the dead of a Chicago winter. The space contains a Shell Chair by Hans Wegner on the left, along with an array of Ikea pieces. Photo by Morlen Sinoway

Dan designed the office seating with the capacity to double as overnight accommodations.

The LV’s master bedroom has direct outdoor access, like every other room in the house. Bed by IKEA.

Eli Meir Kaplan/Wonderful Machine for Dwell The home of Daniel, Sofia, Aliza, and Saul Pink and Jessica Lerner on Friday, June 22 in Washington, DC.

Dansk coffee table by Povl Eskildsen for Gloster, $1,545 A Danish designer who learned the ropes working in his father’s furniture factory brings a sleek Scandinavian touch to a line of outdoor pieces.

The bedroom contains an ingenious closet system similar to library stacks. These large sliding cabinets open up to make way for Zulaikha and Laurence as they hang their clothes or access anything else kept in storage.

Flavin created minimalist sculptures using commercially available flourescent lights, like the 1977 piece seen here, called (In memory of Sandy Calder)V. Placed side by side, the two primary-colored compositions that comprise it recall the work of Alexander Calder. The bed at the end of the space, Single Bed #32 (Daybed), is one of Judd's furniture designs. Image © Judd Foundation; Photo credit: Maris Hutchinson, EPW Studio; Judd Foundation Archive; Flavin artwork © 2015 Stephen Flavin/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York; courtesy David Zwirner, New York/London; Licensed by VAGA

To tackle the challenges of a steep slopping site and a tight budget, architect Dan Rockhill used a slatted exterior screen of Cumaru wood to shields inexpensive metal sidings for this Kansas home.

All kitchen appliances, cupboards, and counters have been united in a single, self-contained island, designed in collaboration with Bulthaup. The architects wanted unfussy space and they rejected easy-access overhanging cabinets. "There's an emphasis on convenience in the world that is all about numbing things," says Alan Koch.

Illustration via drawastickman.com.

The kitchen in 1220 E. 12th Street House features floor-to-ceiling windows that look out on a serene grove of oak trees. The project was designed by Studio 804, a graduate student architecture and design program led by Dan Rockhill at the University of Kansas.

Torontonians Dan and Diane Molenaar head north to Drag Lake when they need a weekend away from urban life—though they brought some of the city with them. The mirrored windows that circle the cottage were recycled from two office towers in Toronto.

There are few walls in the home that abut, making it difficult to place this neon sculpture—untitled (to the real Dan Hill)—by Dan Flavin.

Photo from blackandwtf.tumblr.com

One of the witticisms found on livethesheendream.com.

Sniff out hidden opportunities. Dan Brown, Hufft: Dan Brown of Hufft says, “The best kitchen remodels simplify an owner’s life and make efficient use of every available square inch.”

Architecturally, Bridge House bears the signature of Dan Brunn Architecture.

Adjustable pegboards help lawyer Dan Franklin manage his compact apartment in downtown Manhattan.

StudioKCA designed a height-adjustable, expanding table for Dan to host get-togethers.

Dan Garness used paint and well-placed windows to keep Duane’s office bright and airy.

Here's a view from the second floor, which is accessed via a ladder from the charcoal gray mezzanine.

Access into the garden is through the side of the kitchen and not the rear. This means the rear is protected for wildlife and the family do not have to go through the garden to access the BBQ and hard landscaping.

Access