This "local prefab" home on the Isle of Skye is made mostly from materials sourced in northern Scotland. The timber-framed model, meant to evoke the simple agrarian barns of the area, can be constructed on-site in as little as a day and is designed for affordability.

Black and white kitchen cabinets painted with a triangular pattern add a whimsical touch to this funky kitchen.

The residence architect Cary Bernstein designed for Scott Croyle and his family is an exercise in hide-and-seek. Clever storage keeps the space clutter-free and lets the structure shine. In the entryway, drawers tuck under the mezzanine, niches hold artwork, and speakers are built in line with the cabinets.

When Abbie and Bill Burton hired Marmol Radziner to design their prefab weekend home, their two requests were “simple-simple, replaceable materials,” says Abbie—such as concrete floors (poured offsite in Marmol Radziner's factory) and metal panel siding—and “the ability to be indoors or outdoors with ease.” Deep overhangs provide shade and protection from rain, so the Burtons can leave their doors open year-round and hang out on their 70-foot-long deck even in inclement weather. They visit the house once a month, usually for a week at a time, with Vinnie and Stella, their rescue Bernese Mountain dogs. Their two adult children occasionally join them. The couple hopes to one day retire here.

Forward/Slash light by Ladies & Gentlemen "We’ve shown Ladies & Gentlemen for the past three years and their popularity has really exploded," says Singer. Their Forward/Slash light is inspired by a sundial; the shadow it casts changes over the course of the day.

Kiss Chapel (New York, United States: 2011) A Central Park pop-up celebrating marriage equality, this helix of honeycomb cardboard by Z-A Studio is itself a metaphor for the institution of marriage, since the two pillars can’t stand without each other. A dozen couples tied the knot under the temporary structure, which was conceived of and constructed in five days. Photo by Roman Francisco

The concrete wall mimics the slope of the hill outside as a reference to early Maori structures that were dug into the land. The simple kitchen has strandboard cabinetry and an MDF island that conceals a fireplace at one end. The ceramic works on the built-in seat at right are by Raewyn Atkinson and Robyn Lewis.

After living on and studying a woodsy acre of land in North Zealand, Denmark, architect Jesper Brask cleared a stand of pine trees and, from the timber, built a getaway open to its surroundings. The house, which Brask shares with his wife, Lene, and sons, Kristian, Jens, and Niels, is used mainly in summer, when the weather is optimal for throwing open the glass doors.

Mami and Goo the Kishu dog return from a frolic in the forest, which the couple, along with Hideaki, has thinned and trimmed back over many weekends. It’s an idyllic escape and a world away from the concrete expanse of Tokyo.

In Seattle's rapidly developing South Lake Union neighborhood, the Art Stable is a classic example of urban infill. Built on the site of a former horse stable, the seven-story mixed-use building carries its history into the future with highly adaptable live/work units.

Here's a look at the honeycomb-like pattern created by Sasaki on the Dwell on Design Show Floor.

Japanese showers are usually set low down so the bather can sit on a stool and scrub, then pour cedar buckets of hot water over their heads for a refreshing rinse. This homeowner in Venice, California mounted a handheld shower head on the wall for added flexibility. The drain is under the removable cedar floor slats, keeping the room design uncluttered. Wood tubs are cleaned with a simple rinse and last for decades, as the antiseptic properties of cedar guard against mold and rot. This ofuro was designed by Santiago Ortiz and fabricated by Bartok Design.

Like many parents with school-aged children, Melissa Allen Black, founder and CEO of Honeycombers, had to deal with her kids catching head lice. Dissatisfied with her experience of going to salons to remedy the situation, she sought to create an establishment that offers a supportive and comforting experience. “The nature of the design elevates the experience for our clients and turns an unfortunate situation into a pleasant one,” Black says. (According to some reports, head lice has become an epidemic in teenagers, too.)

In the 1,900-square-foot establishment, Hollis specified furniture, materials, and decorations that meet very strict hygienic standards but with a welcoming modern look that was playful enough for kids and sophisticated enough for parents to enjoy. "People's jaws drop when they see the space," Black says. "There isn't a lice-treatment salon on every corner so people don't know what to expect. [Honeycombers' design] relaxes parents because it's so unique and special." The graphics on the wall are by Marguerite Lutton/Maternal Instinct, and the metal stools are by Bend. The countertop is Corian.

“The bright, airy space has an immediate impact on the stressed-out parents and children that walk in our door,” Black says. “The modern, colorful design imparts a message of playfulness and caring and the design elements reinforce the cleanliness and excellence of our operations.”

Located at 441 El Camino Real in Menlo Park, California, Honeycombers offers non-toxic lice removal and treatment. Black enlisted designer Nicole Hollis to create a space that embodies her company's directive to be a loving, caring, hygienic, professional, and reassuring space. The interior is divided into treatment areas that are separated from a lobby where parents can wait while Black's technicians perform delousing services. "Parents love the privacy and cozy feel of the [treatment] houses," Black says.

Black has received glowing testimonials from patrons that prove how good design makes a strong impact. One client told her: "Finding out that your kids have head lice is such a disorienting experience. Walking in to Honeycombers brings a much-needed sense of calm and control. You get the sense that there's no place for dirt or bugs to hide—and that's just what you need to feel! At the same time, the space feels warm and welcoming, and not at all clinical. That's essential, too, for keeping the kids calm through the process and creating a sense that things are all going to be okay."

Lime-green retro barbershop chairs and Jielde's Loft Adjustable Arm Wall Sconces outfit the treatment area. Daltile's Rittenhouse subway tiles line the walls and Marmoleum from Forbo covers the floors.

Choosing a kitchen or bathroom countertop can be nerve-wracking, and we understand why—they can be one of the most expensive aspects of a renovation, with the added responsibility of impacting the aesthetics of a space. Read on as we work our way through the pros and cons of seven of the most common countertop materials.

Tanya, Chris, Jackson, and Zeke spend much of their day outside.

Because the house is narrow and long (16 by 68 feet), the design team decided to create a huge open-air space to light the interior naturally. Two retractable motor-driven canvas canopies shelter the space during Singapore’s frequent rains.

On the outskirts of Austin, Texas, author Chris Brown and his dog Katsu head to the river; the path was once a dumping ground on top of a long-defunct underground oil pipeline. The green roof was conceptualized by John Hart Asher of the Ecosystem Design Group at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin.

“Before, the house turned its back on the landscape,” said Parish. “This renovation and addition really animates the garden.” Sliding glass doors match those of the living room beyond the deck, and both can be completely open to the yard.

Tom Givone’s clients, Rose and Steve Smith, teach overseas and have owned their house for 26 years. They intended to fix it up slowly and retire there. As one problem led to another, they reached a point when they felt their only option, as Rose put it, was to “burn it down.”

In the photos that follow, we take a look at the product offerings inspired by the house, which Yeon designed when he was only 27 years old.

A ceiling fan that slashes energy bills in June and January might seem implausible, but Big Ass Solutions products work intelligently with HVAC systems for comprehensive sustainability. In summer, they reduce homeowners' reliance on air conditioning units. In winter, they push rising heat downward, producing energy savings as high as 30 percent.

Clad in Western red cedar siding and punctuated with floor-to-ceiling windows, this minimalist two-bedroom home boasts sunrise views over the Sonoma hills.

The bathroom towards the front of the building had a greater width than the staircase: rather than having a notch, Bader curved the wall. “It gave it flow instead of an abrupt change of direction.” That theme is echoed on the main level, with a curved ceiling in the kitchen to disguise a pesky bulkhead.

In Los Angeles, homeowner Bill Thompson warmed up his otherwise dark living room with a series of Douglas fir slats applied above the fireplace, as well as other wood accents throughout the room; the slats provide both texture and pattern to the fireplace, acting as a focal point and emphasizing the space's vertical height.

At just 350 square feet, this remote cabin with a view for the Sol Duc River sits on stilts to protect it from flooding and the dampness of the northwestern rainforest. Its shutters can be operated manually by custom steel rods.

A couple takes a minimalist approach to their Brooklyn apartment, focusing on supple materials, subtle gradations of color, and custom finishes by local craftsmen. The Mandayam–Vohra family gathers under one of Workstead’s signature three-arm chandeliers, shown here in its horizontal configuration. Bartenschlager designed the white cabinets and is responsible for the walnut counters both on the kitchen island and near the stove.

“The backyard, which was kind of the focus of the project, was overgrown and quite disconnected from the house itself,” said architect Nigel Parish. The glass doors of the addition open onto a patio and lawn where the kids can play.

A custom table surrounded by NET’s Museo chairs and poplar stools provides a space for the Sarmiento Tovo boys, Manuel, 5, and Julián, 3, to play with the toys their mother makes.

Casa Malaparte is perched on the cliffs of Capri and was designed by Adalberto Libera in 1938.

Going Underground The site the Wadhams found for their home was designated as “green belt” land, which meant that there were restrictions on the size of the structure’s footprint. Because it’s critical for the pair to live on a single floor, especially as they grow older, Archer tucked the home’s three guest rooms—vital for four visiting children and eight grandchildren—all belowground. Not only does that keep the home’s layout trim, but with the living spaces and master bedroom at ground level, the couple will be able to stay in the house for longer, getting more use out of the energy and resources expended to build it.