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The 800-square-foot house is among the first shipping container residences in San Diego County, according to Mike. He hopes it will soon by joined by a larger container home on the property, at which point it will become the guesthouse.
The 800-square-foot house is among the first shipping container residences in San Diego County, according to Mike. He hopes it will soon by joined by a larger container home on the property, at which point it will become the guesthouse.
From red painted cedar siding to no-fuss structural elements, Northworks’ solution reaches a happy medium between the classic barn look and a weekend retreat. “The best thing about this house,” explains one resident, “is that when it’s just the four of us, it feels cozy. But even when we’re hosting 25 people, it never feels crowded.”
From red painted cedar siding to no-fuss structural elements, Northworks’ solution reaches a happy medium between the classic barn look and a weekend retreat. “The best thing about this house,” explains one resident, “is that when it’s just the four of us, it feels cozy. But even when we’re hosting 25 people, it never feels crowded.”
BLAIR NICHE PROJECT At just $167 per square foot, this high-design, low-cost barn in rural Wisconsin is an American idyll.
BLAIR NICHE PROJECT At just $167 per square foot, this high-design, low-cost barn in rural Wisconsin is an American idyll.
Berkus has gone through over 1,000 renovations in his career and has learned some key design lessons along the way. “I have such a passion for discovering and reusing vintage building materials and architectural savage,” Berkus says. “In my last home in New York, I found a set of four doorknobs with locks from Belgium in the 1940s and I had iron glass doors installed to work around them. I knew myself to know that the knobs I touched everyday would be something meaningful to me.” Pictured, an enclosed porch in a rundown rustic cabin in Big Bear, California, updated by Lukas Machnik. Photo courtesy NBC.
Berkus has gone through over 1,000 renovations in his career and has learned some key design lessons along the way. “I have such a passion for discovering and reusing vintage building materials and architectural savage,” Berkus says. “In my last home in New York, I found a set of four doorknobs with locks from Belgium in the 1940s and I had iron glass doors installed to work around them. I knew myself to know that the knobs I touched everyday would be something meaningful to me.” Pictured, an enclosed porch in a rundown rustic cabin in Big Bear, California, updated by Lukas Machnik. Photo courtesy NBC.
“It was important to site the house in such a way that it had views to both the field and the forest, but it also wasn’t visible from the main road,” says Lewis. VELUX skylights bring extra light into the home.
“It was important to site the house in such a way that it had views to both the field and the forest, but it also wasn’t visible from the main road,” says Lewis. VELUX skylights bring extra light into the home.
French doors in the living room let light into the kitchen and open onto a lovely garden.
French doors in the living room let light into the kitchen and open onto a lovely garden.
In the open-plan kitchen, a garage door can be retracted to take advantage of the balmy California climate and bring the outdoors in. Mike's wife, Shawn, appreciates the home's proximity to hiking trails.
In the open-plan kitchen, a garage door can be retracted to take advantage of the balmy California climate and bring the outdoors in. Mike's wife, Shawn, appreciates the home's proximity to hiking trails.
At $167 per square foot, this high-design, low-cost barn in rural Wisconsin is an American idyll.
At $167 per square foot, this high-design, low-cost barn in rural Wisconsin is an American idyll.
Walsh and Strongin's living room strikes a more rustic note.
Walsh and Strongin's living room strikes a more rustic note.
Mike McConkey, a superintendent for a general contractor, tasked Chris Bittner of OBR Architecture with designing an environmentally sensitive home for he and his wife in San Diego County. Utilizing three shipping containers and a bevy of cost-effective appliances, they managed to limit the budget to $160,000.
Mike McConkey, a superintendent for a general contractor, tasked Chris Bittner of OBR Architecture with designing an environmentally sensitive home for he and his wife in San Diego County. Utilizing three shipping containers and a bevy of cost-effective appliances, they managed to limit the budget to $160,000.
“The main volume presents a traditional front and is wrapped on the west and south by a deep porch,” says architect Erin Sterling Lewis. “Living and dining spaces access the porch.” A standing seam metal roof with a Kynar finish and HardiePlank Lap Siding cover the exterior of this 3,000-square-foot home.
“The main volume presents a traditional front and is wrapped on the west and south by a deep porch,” says architect Erin Sterling Lewis. “Living and dining spaces access the porch.” A standing seam metal roof with a Kynar finish and HardiePlank Lap Siding cover the exterior of this 3,000-square-foot home.
While the windows are larger than what one would find in a traditional Cape Cod structure, they were essential in establishing a connection with the forest.
While the windows are larger than what one would find in a traditional Cape Cod structure, they were essential in establishing a connection with the forest.
The main volume of the structure houses a ground-level living space and a bedroom as well as a lofted bedroom, bathroom, and study above. Exposed beams and natural light provide rustic charm.
The main volume of the structure houses a ground-level living space and a bedroom as well as a lofted bedroom, bathroom, and study above. Exposed beams and natural light provide rustic charm.
Black stone worktops, waxed concrete walls, and the traditional rustic tiles (called “witjes”) give textural and tonal variety and offset the warm woody tones that dominate this kitchen. The rustic theme is continued in the iron hooks and bars—simple but effective fittings.
Black stone worktops, waxed concrete walls, and the traditional rustic tiles (called “witjes”) give textural and tonal variety and offset the warm woody tones that dominate this kitchen. The rustic theme is continued in the iron hooks and bars—simple but effective fittings.
These rustic roof beams were also recovered from the barn and support a covered patio at the rear of the Bunkie.
These rustic roof beams were also recovered from the barn and support a covered patio at the rear of the Bunkie.
The flooring, doors, and bathroom vanity were sourced from the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
The flooring, doors, and bathroom vanity were sourced from the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
The Market Shelves blend rustic charm, thoughtful features, and modern details. Designed to rest flat against the wall, the shelves graduate forward, creating a balanced structure. Available in tall and wide sizes, each bookshelf includes bookend paddles that can be arranged where they’re needed, or removed completely to create uninterrupted shelves. The Market Shelves include leather details that not only keep the shelves in place, but also add visual texture to the piece.
The Market Shelves blend rustic charm, thoughtful features, and modern details. Designed to rest flat against the wall, the shelves graduate forward, creating a balanced structure. Available in tall and wide sizes, each bookshelf includes bookend paddles that can be arranged where they’re needed, or removed completely to create uninterrupted shelves. The Market Shelves include leather details that not only keep the shelves in place, but also add visual texture to the piece.
Colorado–based Topo Designs creates backpacks and packs, clothing, and apparel that capture a decidedly outdoor spirit, while still maintaining a streamlined aesthetic that communicates with urban adventurers too. The classic Klettersack Backpack is designed with travel and commuting in mind. The spacious pack can hold up to 22 liters, while the slim silhouette ensures that it is not overly bulky. The exterior of the pack is made from 1000d Cordura fabric, and the interior of the backpack is lined in cloth. Each pack is handmade in Colorado.
Colorado–based Topo Designs creates backpacks and packs, clothing, and apparel that capture a decidedly outdoor spirit, while still maintaining a streamlined aesthetic that communicates with urban adventurers too. The classic Klettersack Backpack is designed with travel and commuting in mind. The spacious pack can hold up to 22 liters, while the slim silhouette ensures that it is not overly bulky. The exterior of the pack is made from 1000d Cordura fabric, and the interior of the backpack is lined in cloth. Each pack is handmade in Colorado.
The Gordon Stools marry a simple, functional silhouette with a thoughtful play of materials. The stool features a solid oak seat that is available in a natural or whitewash finish. A simple circle, the seat rests on a coated metal frame, adding stability along with a distinctive look. The metal frame gives the simple stool an industrial feel, which is apparent in the multiple cross bars. The metal legs are finished with oak feet giving the stool an unexpected, sophisticated detail. The Gordon is available in bar and counter heights.
The Gordon Stools marry a simple, functional silhouette with a thoughtful play of materials. The stool features a solid oak seat that is available in a natural or whitewash finish. A simple circle, the seat rests on a coated metal frame, adding stability along with a distinctive look. The metal frame gives the simple stool an industrial feel, which is apparent in the multiple cross bars. The metal legs are finished with oak feet giving the stool an unexpected, sophisticated detail. The Gordon is available in bar and counter heights.
Onstage, an impressive lineup of over 200 speakers, including sustainability experts, innovative designers, and more will join Dwell editors for thoughtful conversations. Green design expert Lance Hosey will discus the aesthetics of sustainability, architect Peter Williams will share his architecture initiatives in developing countries (including Haiti, pictured), and designer and remodeling guruTy Pennington will weigh in on improving our quality of life with good design.
Onstage, an impressive lineup of over 200 speakers, including sustainability experts, innovative designers, and more will join Dwell editors for thoughtful conversations. Green design expert Lance Hosey will discus the aesthetics of sustainability, architect Peter Williams will share his architecture initiatives in developing countries (including Haiti, pictured), and designer and remodeling guruTy Pennington will weigh in on improving our quality of life with good design.
Because the area is prone to wildfires, the architect and residents were compelled to use special flame retardant materials for the windows and roof.
Because the area is prone to wildfires, the architect and residents were compelled to use special flame retardant materials for the windows and roof.
Opting for IKEA appliances helped rein in the budget, but the home's greatest cost-saving measure may have been Mike's background in construction. His degree in architectural engineering enabled him to play an active role in both the ideation and execution.
Opting for IKEA appliances helped rein in the budget, but the home's greatest cost-saving measure may have been Mike's background in construction. His degree in architectural engineering enabled him to play an active role in both the ideation and execution.
Crafted from reclaimed olde growth pine salvaged from antique floor joints from Philadelphia houses built in the 1800s, the Reclaimed Wood Desk Caddy has a decidedly vintage look and feel, but also can blend easily into contemporary interiors. The caddy is a simple way to organize pens, pencils, and other desk items.
Crafted from reclaimed olde growth pine salvaged from antique floor joints from Philadelphia houses built in the 1800s, the Reclaimed Wood Desk Caddy has a decidedly vintage look and feel, but also can blend easily into contemporary interiors. The caddy is a simple way to organize pens, pencils, and other desk items.
In the master bathroom, we went for a much more earthy, and rustic look. Using a porcelain slate tile with lots of nice variation in it, we made this the element that connected both the vanity area and the shower room, and used it on the floors as well as the walls. The sink vanity was a custom designed and built unit with a Brown Forest Marble top and lots of storage space! Minimal, white vessel sinks completed the look, and added a more modern touch. The pocket door was added, and stained to match the vanity area. Moving into the shower and toilet room, the main element here was the highly textured and varied tile. We accented this with a teak floor in the shower, and some rustic, live edge wood shelves above the toilet. Again, we used more modern fixtures and lighting to contrast against the rustic materials.
In the master bathroom, we went for a much more earthy, and rustic look. Using a porcelain slate tile with lots of nice variation in it, we made this the element that connected both the vanity area and the shower room, and used it on the floors as well as the walls. The sink vanity was a custom designed and built unit with a Brown Forest Marble top and lots of storage space! Minimal, white vessel sinks completed the look, and added a more modern touch. The pocket door was added, and stained to match the vanity area. Moving into the shower and toilet room, the main element here was the highly textured and varied tile. We accented this with a teak floor in the shower, and some rustic, live edge wood shelves above the toilet. Again, we used more modern fixtures and lighting to contrast against the rustic materials.
The Fairmont Wall Mirrors represent the perfect blend of rusticity and elegance. Each mirror in the series—round, long oval, and wide oval—features a hand-stitched leather frame that is fixed with brass rivets. The leather frame functions like a pocket for the mirror glass, and the natural material will darken over time, giving each mirror a distinct patina.
The Fairmont Wall Mirrors represent the perfect blend of rusticity and elegance. Each mirror in the series—round, long oval, and wide oval—features a hand-stitched leather frame that is fixed with brass rivets. The leather frame functions like a pocket for the mirror glass, and the natural material will darken over time, giving each mirror a distinct patina.
The guest bathroom is more of a minimal, white space, with wood accents to bring in the elements of nature. The vanity was purchased from Kohler, but the mirror and cabinetry above was custom designed and built to coordinate with the vanity below, and add storage. The wall tile, although white, has a unique geometric pattern to it which created more interest in the bright space.
The guest bathroom is more of a minimal, white space, with wood accents to bring in the elements of nature. The vanity was purchased from Kohler, but the mirror and cabinetry above was custom designed and built to coordinate with the vanity below, and add storage. The wall tile, although white, has a unique geometric pattern to it which created more interest in the bright space.
BDDW's Captain's mirror hangs above a Restoration Hardware console. Like the brick walls, the wood column is original to the structure. 590BC kept the surfaces white for a variety of reasons. "It allowed for the richness of the space's natural materials stand out," Breitner says. "The wide-plank oak flooring, exposed brick and metal, and even the view to the SoHo streetscape outside all pop against the white background of the walls. It also allowed the clients to bring in all kinds of artwork and play with color and texture." Photo by Frank Oudeman.
BDDW's Captain's mirror hangs above a Restoration Hardware console. Like the brick walls, the wood column is original to the structure. 590BC kept the surfaces white for a variety of reasons. "It allowed for the richness of the space's natural materials stand out," Breitner says. "The wide-plank oak flooring, exposed brick and metal, and even the view to the SoHo streetscape outside all pop against the white background of the walls. It also allowed the clients to bring in all kinds of artwork and play with color and texture." Photo by Frank Oudeman.
In the master bathroom, we went for a much more earthy, and rustic look. Using a porcelain slate tile with lots of nice variation in it, we made this the element that connected both the vanity area and the shower room, and used it on the floors as well as the walls. The sink vanity was a custom designed and built unit with a Brown Forest Marble top and lots of storage space! Minimal, white vessel sinks completed the look, and added a more modern touch. The pocket door was added, and stained to match the vanity area. Moving into the shower and toilet room, the main element here was the highly textured and varied tile. We accented this with a teak floor in the shower, and some rustic, live edge wood shelves above the toilet. Again, we used more modern fixtures and lighting to contrast against the rustic materials.
In the master bathroom, we went for a much more earthy, and rustic look. Using a porcelain slate tile with lots of nice variation in it, we made this the element that connected both the vanity area and the shower room, and used it on the floors as well as the walls. The sink vanity was a custom designed and built unit with a Brown Forest Marble top and lots of storage space! Minimal, white vessel sinks completed the look, and added a more modern touch. The pocket door was added, and stained to match the vanity area. Moving into the shower and toilet room, the main element here was the highly textured and varied tile. We accented this with a teak floor in the shower, and some rustic, live edge wood shelves above the toilet. Again, we used more modern fixtures and lighting to contrast against the rustic materials.
I loved the utter simplicity and rustic charm of Tagliabue's outdoor "kitchen".
I loved the utter simplicity and rustic charm of Tagliabue's outdoor "kitchen".
The Portola Valley Barn blends into its rustic setting.
The Portola Valley Barn blends into its rustic setting.
Timber beams lend the house a rustic-modern feel.
Timber beams lend the house a rustic-modern feel.
With the help of McMahon's brother, Cavan of Half an Inch of Water Studios, the two were able to find cost-effective construction solutions that included polishing the concrete foundation to save on flooring. In the dining area, rustic-meets-modern thanks to IKEA dining chairs, West Elm pendant lights, and a long, thin harvest table found locally on Craigslist.
With the help of McMahon's brother, Cavan of Half an Inch of Water Studios, the two were able to find cost-effective construction solutions that included polishing the concrete foundation to save on flooring. In the dining area, rustic-meets-modern thanks to IKEA dining chairs, West Elm pendant lights, and a long, thin harvest table found locally on Craigslist.
The bedrooms feature stone walls and rustic timber ceilings that slope toward the floor.
The bedrooms feature stone walls and rustic timber ceilings that slope toward the floor.
The view from the kitchen is as lively as it is light, taking in the dining area, tiny courtyard garden, and the separate office building backed by the jumble of old buildings to the rear. The rustic dining chairs are by Börge Mogensen from Karl Andersson & Söner.
The view from the kitchen is as lively as it is light, taking in the dining area, tiny courtyard garden, and the separate office building backed by the jumble of old buildings to the rear. The rustic dining chairs are by Börge Mogensen from Karl Andersson & Söner.
The white marble backsplash of this tiny, open kitchen is gracefully juxtaposed against the rustic feel of this 19th-century former banana warehouse conversion in Barcelona.
The white marble backsplash of this tiny, open kitchen is gracefully juxtaposed against the rustic feel of this 19th-century former banana warehouse conversion in Barcelona.

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