SubscribeSign In
Yumi (left) and Maya (right) cheese around on the steps leading into the front door. Inside, there is ample space for removing and leaving one's shoes, another Japanese element.
Yumi (left) and Maya (right) cheese around on the steps leading into the front door. Inside, there is ample space for removing and leaving one's shoes, another Japanese element.
Some 35 percent of the materials from the renovation were resurrected in the yard: Redwood panels became fencing. Blocks cut from original concrete patios form the snake wall. And Purdy plans to crochet colorful cozies over various branches and stumps.
Some 35 percent of the materials from the renovation were resurrected in the yard: Redwood panels became fencing. Blocks cut from original concrete patios form the snake wall. And Purdy plans to crochet colorful cozies over various branches and stumps.
The doorways were widened to improve spatial flow. Sliding pocket doors from a 1950s French hotel were installed, and now feed into the living areas.
The doorways were widened to improve spatial flow. Sliding pocket doors from a 1950s French hotel were installed, and now feed into the living areas.
The main entrance to the house is partially concealed, allowing the structure to blend into its environment. While soil currently surrounds the structure, natural vegetation will gradually regenerate.
The main entrance to the house is partially concealed, allowing the structure to blend into its environment. While soil currently surrounds the structure, natural vegetation will gradually regenerate.
The master bathroom is framed by a glass and varnished steel doorway. Minimal white tiling and concrete floors allow both the original stone walls and graphic geometric glass openings to take center stage.
The master bathroom is framed by a glass and varnished steel doorway. Minimal white tiling and concrete floors allow both the original stone walls and graphic geometric glass openings to take center stage.
One of the four photography promos sent to us by Toby Burditt
One of the four photography promos sent to us by Toby Burditt
A pink and yellow doorway made a rather boring building remarkable.
A pink and yellow doorway made a rather boring building remarkable.
The doorway on the left accesses an entry porch, which can be closed with the sliding door. The screened porch is the stepped-down volume on the right.
The doorway on the left accesses an entry porch, which can be closed with the sliding door. The screened porch is the stepped-down volume on the right.
Quartzite kitchen island countertops and a wall of off-white ceramic tile between the doorways complement the space's walnut cabinetry and brass surfaces.
Quartzite kitchen island countertops and a wall of off-white ceramic tile between the doorways complement the space's walnut cabinetry and brass surfaces.
Opening up the doorway made space for a designated dining area, which has a vintage Ercol table and chairs. Ferm Living Socket Pendants hang in the kitchen and over the table.
Opening up the doorway made space for a designated dining area, which has a vintage Ercol table and chairs. Ferm Living Socket Pendants hang in the kitchen and over the table.
The 540-square-foot one-bedroom apartment that architect Pierre Escobar, of L'atelier Nomadic Architecture Studio, recreated as a three-bedroom home for a family of five features a narrow doorway that accesses a bedroom off the kitchen.
The 540-square-foot one-bedroom apartment that architect Pierre Escobar, of L'atelier Nomadic Architecture Studio, recreated as a three-bedroom home for a family of five features a narrow doorway that accesses a bedroom off the kitchen.
The Orcas Island house, whose steel exterior has patinaed to a rusty hue has a wide doorway with a pivoting door and a zero-step threshold.
The Orcas Island house, whose steel exterior has patinaed to a rusty hue has a wide doorway with a pivoting door and a zero-step threshold.
The dining room features 1970s leather-and-brass dining chairs and a table concocted from a brass-and-silver base and a custom lacquered top. The cheerful blue paint enlivening the doorway is from Emery & Cie.
The dining room features 1970s leather-and-brass dining chairs and a table concocted from a brass-and-silver base and a custom lacquered top. The cheerful blue paint enlivening the doorway is from Emery & Cie.
Rock stands in the doorway to the boys’ bathroom, which is lined with semi-gloss Modern Dimensions tiles from Daltile. “We wanted it to be playful,” Hufft says, “so we chose each color and laid out the tile distribution in Photoshop.”
Rock stands in the doorway to the boys’ bathroom, which is lined with semi-gloss Modern Dimensions tiles from Daltile. “We wanted it to be playful,” Hufft says, “so we chose each color and laid out the tile distribution in Photoshop.”
The dining room features 1970s leather-and-brass dining chairs and a table concocted from a brass-and-silver base and a custom lacquered top. The cheerful blue paint enlivening the doorway is from Emery & Cie.
The dining room features 1970s leather-and-brass dining chairs and a table concocted from a brass-and-silver base and a custom lacquered top. The cheerful blue paint enlivening the doorway is from Emery & Cie.
Entrance doorway
Entrance doorway
The doorway to the suite is framed by cabinetry.
The doorway to the suite is framed by cabinetry.
The view from the doorway.
The view from the doorway.
Passage through the home is shaped by various-sized doorways.
Passage through the home is shaped by various-sized doorways.
A keyhole doorway marks the boundary between public and private sides of the house.
A keyhole doorway marks the boundary between public and private sides of the house.
Architect Paul Elliott erected a new, cork- and timber-clad house on the adjoining plot to his family home, which his late architect father designed and built in Cape Town, South Africa. The new residence implements sustainable materials such as cork and timber. It also incorporates Japanese architectural styles, including circular windows and doorways.
Architect Paul Elliott erected a new, cork- and timber-clad house on the adjoining plot to his family home, which his late architect father designed and built in Cape Town, South Africa. The new residence implements sustainable materials such as cork and timber. It also incorporates Japanese architectural styles, including circular windows and doorways.
A compact kitchen is custom-built for each space. A curved doorway leads to the bathroom.
A compact kitchen is custom-built for each space. A curved doorway leads to the bathroom.
A steel-clad doorway faces staggered, vertical steel panels and a spiral stair.
A steel-clad doorway faces staggered, vertical steel panels and a spiral stair.
A single doorway leads inside, where warm wood finishes reflect natural light.
A single doorway leads inside, where warm wood finishes reflect natural light.
An arched doorway separates the kitchen from the dining room, allowing for easy entertaining.
An arched doorway separates the kitchen from the dining room, allowing for easy entertaining.
The brick pictured is original to the home. “We wanted to connect our new extension against the retained rear wall of our house as a feature and acknowledgement of the original building,” says Richard. “The doorway/opening is actually the original doorway into our side alleyway and garden—we just removed the doors and tidied up slightly.”
The brick pictured is original to the home. “We wanted to connect our new extension against the retained rear wall of our house as a feature and acknowledgement of the original building,” says Richard. “The doorway/opening is actually the original doorway into our side alleyway and garden—we just removed the doors and tidied up slightly.”
Hallway view from guest bedroom through to doorway to the covered porch patio.
Hallway view from guest bedroom through to doorway to the covered porch patio.
Galley kitchen looking east toward broom closet and doorway to living areas
Galley kitchen looking east toward broom closet and doorway to living areas
A new arched doorway framed by a delicate flower trellis creates a lush, storybook vignette.
A new arched doorway framed by a delicate flower trellis creates a lush, storybook vignette.
The coved roof and arched doorway came out, and the teal cabinets create a separation between the kitchen and living room.
The coved roof and arched doorway came out, and the teal cabinets create a separation between the kitchen and living room.
This entire doorway was fabricated by the contractors—a true labor of love to match the rest of the millwork of the home.
This entire doorway was fabricated by the contractors—a true labor of love to match the rest of the millwork of the home.
The wide doorway leads out onto a deck and is a prime spot for the family to relax or play.
The wide doorway leads out onto a deck and is a prime spot for the family to relax or play.
After traversing a winding drive, visitors to the Longhouse are greeted by views framed by open doorways.
After traversing a winding drive, visitors to the Longhouse are greeted by views framed by open doorways.
This small, L-shaped apartment has a bed box with an arched doorway with white walls and plywood finishings.
This small, L-shaped apartment has a bed box with an arched doorway with white walls and plywood finishings.
An arched doorway and two brick steps were added to enhance the sense of drama as the new environment unfolds.
An arched doorway and two brick steps were added to enhance the sense of drama as the new environment unfolds.
Instead of a basic doorway between the master bedroom and bath, we designed a divider wall that visually enlarges the space.
Instead of a basic doorway between the master bedroom and bath, we designed a divider wall that visually enlarges the space.

238 more photos