You Can Build Our 2025 Idea House: Keswick Springs

The 2025 Southern Living Idea House, located just outside Charlottesville, VA, in Keswick Estate, exemplifies a fusion of traditional Southern silhouettes with vibrant colors and unexpected details. Spearheaded by Molly Hardie, the project involved a collaborative effort with Alexander Nicholson as the builder, Rosney Co. Architects, Waterstreet Studio, and interior designer Charlotte Moss. Moss drew inspiration from a family with a love for travel and music, aiming to create a lived-in, welcoming home that celebrates Southern hospitality while embracing its serene five-acre wooded landscape. The journey through the 4,500-square-foot home begins in an octagonal foyer, featuring Thibaut’s Norfolk Stripe wallpaper on both walls and ceiling, emphasizing the room's geometry. The floor is adorned with diagonally set marble checkerboard tiles, creating a striking first impression. Adjacent to the foyer, a hidden powder room boasts Thibaut Chatelain floral wallpaper above the chair rail and Thibaut Bennett Stripe below, introducing a playful mix of patterns and classic elements, complemented by warm brass fixtures. The living room's design takes cues from its large windows, adopting a palette dominated by vibrant greens. Sherwin-Williams Chartreuse on the walls provides a bright contrast to the timeless furniture and window treatments. Schumacher Daydream in Citron drapes the windows, while a custom Century Furniture tête à tête ottoman is upholstered in a bold Schumacher Shivalik Hills Tiger Gold animal print. The space balances traditional elements with whimsical touches, such as framed song lyrics displayed on a yellow wall. The library offers a monochromatic retreat in shades of brown, from rich chocolate to lighter taupe, designed as a casual gathering space for relaxation or reading. The decor is collected and lived-in, avoiding an overly curated feel. A library bar, complete with an antique mirror backsplash, is located just outside. The kitchen, large yet cozy, features creamy Paperwhite walls, Sherwin-Williams Borscht cabinets, and a display of inherited-looking plates. A square kitchen island, designed by Scotsman Co., anchors the room, enhancing its inviting atmosphere. Functioning as an extension of the living areas, the screen porch overlooks the lake and provides three distinct seating options: comfy chairs by an outdoor fireplace, a dining table, and a chaise lounge offering picturesque views. The equestrian-inspired boot room, a Charlottesville-specific take on a mudroom, showcases Sherwin-Williams Studio Blue Green walls, Wedgewood pottery, and Hunt Country decor, demonstrating meticulous attention to detail. The primary suite, located on the first floor, serves as a serene retreat. Draped in light blues, greens, and violets, it combines classic brown wood furniture with light, airy, and feminine fabric choices, including Thibaut Holly Trellis wallpaper. The girl's room presents a charming, vintage-inspired look with layered patterns, such as Lisa Fine Textiles' Calico Floral Stripe and Augusta Ivory, subtly incorporating modern elements like Taylor Swift memorabilia. The guest suite, reflecting the family’s passion for travel, features globally inspired treasures, bohemian patterns, and eclectic antiques, with a gallery of international photographs extending the wanderlust theme. The Southern Living Idea House is open for tours through December 21, with tickets available at keswick.com, and a portion of proceeds supporting local Charlottesville organizations: the Yellow Door Foundation, Hospice of the Piedmont, and the Building Goodness Foundation. Keswick Hall offers a "Southern Living Experience" stay package for visitors wishing to extend their visit. #SouthernLivingIdeaHouse #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #CharlottesvilleHomes #KeswickEstate #CharlotteMoss #TraditionalInteriors #VibrantColors #SouthernHospitality

The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) 2025 highlighted a significant shift among manufacturers and material brands towards integrating new technologies to enhance health and wellness in home products. This year's event showcased a maturation in how companies are applying these advancements, moving beyond mere novelty to address specific user needs and improve overall well-being within the home environment. The focus was on thoughtful integration, with individual brands refining their offerings to better serve diverse consumers. Kitchen brands like LG and Monogram demonstrated innovative user experiences with their appliances, while bathroom brands such as Kallista, Kohler, and Laufen utilized technology to foster a deeper connection between humans and the elements. Activations from Emtek and Alkemis provided educational insights into the personal impact of design elements like hardware and paint. The show revealed several key trends, starting with concept kitchens that offered a glimpse into future integrations. SKS (formerly Signature Kitchen Suite) presented an advanced Island System Concept, featuring a seamlessly integrated induction cooktop, hidden downdraft ventilation with proprietary air curtain technology, and concealed refrigeration compartments within the island, showcasing a highly evolved, technologically proficient kitchen design. Italian marble, particularly Rosso Levanto and White Carrara, was a prominent material, featured in various bathroom fixtures and architectural details. Kallista's Bezel™ Collection, a collaboration with CRISTINA Rubinetterie and Busetti Garuti Redaelli, marked a new direction with its soft square profile and gem-like facets, using natural stone instead of traditional metal for knobs. Similarly, Emtek incorporated the regal Rosso Levanto marble into their SELECT Program, offering substantial and customizable door hardware options that extend beyond simple utility to create a strong first impression. Luxury appliance brand Monogram explored applications for their technology outside conventional kitchen settings, creating compelling vignettes such as an elevated bathing space. This setup demonstrated how a warming drawer, traditionally used for food, could effectively warm towels or therapeutic products, while a refrigeration drawer could preserve skincare and cool depuffing tools, suggesting a broadened scope for appliance integration in wellness routines. Dishwashing solutions were presented with an emphasis on tailored needs, catering to different lifestyles. SMEG introduced an enhanced line of dishwashers designed for American kitchens, featuring customizable racks and accessories for various items, from pots and pans to delicate wine glassware. In contrast, FOTILE unveiled a compact 3-in-1 In-Sink Dishwasher, ideal for smaller living spaces, RVs, and boats. This ergonomic, top-loading unit offers efficient cleaning and can also function as a produce and seafood cleaner, highlighting its versatility and health-conscious design. FOTILE also showcased their FreshBake™ Electric Range, which integrates an exclusive filtration system to neutralize over 90% of harmful gases and purify air within the oven, promoting cleaner cooking. Bathtubs showcased bold advancements, moving beyond traditional hot soaks. Laufen debuted the VAL Luminex Bathtub, featuring integrated LED lighting with nine ambient settings and three lighting scenarios, controlled by remote. This innovation leverages a new translucent Sentec mineral casting material for a unique visual experience. Kohler, in partnership with Dr. Jonathan Leary, introduced an Ice Bath that combines minimalist design with advanced wellness technology, including UV sanitization and guided user experiences, signaling a move towards sophisticated at-home hydrotherapy solutions. Even architectural paint saw a wellness-oriented revolution with Alkemis, the world's first wellness paint, made from a clear quartz base, crystalline pigments, and earthen raw materials, boasting cradle-to-cradle certification and addressing environmental concerns related to microplastics. Emtek's designer Will Zhang expanded the creative potential of knurled hardware, introducing new scales and densities to this industrial aesthetic, providing more refined customization options. KBIS 2025 thus solidified a growing trend of intelligent, wellness-focused design integrations across various home categories. #KBIS2025 #WellnessTechnology #SmartHomeAppliances #KitchenDesign #BathroomDesign #SustainableMaterials #InteriorDesignTrends #HomeAutomation #LuxuryHome

This article highlights the creation of a 7,812-square-foot dream home on Maxwell Bay of Lake Minnetonka in Orono, Minnesota. The homeowners, having previously resided in several lakefront properties, sought a contemporary design that harmonized with rustic materials, reflecting the natural surroundings. Architect Peter Eskuche of Eskuche Associates was commissioned for the design, with construction handled by Stonewood, LLC. The resulting aesthetic is termed 'mountain-modern,' characterized by clean lines, a low-pitch roof, and the incorporation of reclaimed barn-wood siding, cor-ten steel, and other dark metal accents. The entrance of the home features a grand 10-foot-tall door, opening into interior spaces that blend metal, glass, and wood, further enhanced by reclaimed timbers and stone. A notable architectural element is a stone-clad wall that bisects the house, creating steel-framed openings from the foyer to the main living areas. Within the gathering room, a steel and glass wine cellar serves both a functional and artistic purpose. A steel staircase with substantial wood treads connects the three levels of the residence, complemented by a glass and steel elevator for accessibility. Interior designer Annie Graunke of Studio M focused on incorporating beautiful woods with distinct grains to introduce warmth into the expansive, open-plan home. The design maintains straight lines while integrating plush textures and materials, creating subtle parallels between the furniture and the architectural elements. The kitchen, which flows into the dining and gathering spaces, boasts custom brown-stained, vertical grain, clear oak cabinets and marble countertops, including a waterfall edge on the island. Sliding glass doors in the kitchen lead to a versatile porch equipped with a wood-burning fireplace, infrared ceiling heaters, an outdoor kitchen with a grill, and automated screens and vinyl shades, facilitating year-round outdoor living. Upstairs, the home accommodates private bedrooms and bathrooms for the daughters. The master suite features a fireplace and a glass door that opens onto a deck with an outdoor gas fireplace. The master bathroom is appointed with stone vanities and a glass shower. The lower level includes a fitness room, a bathroom with a sauna, a guest suite, and a linear fireplace with a blackened steel surround and a floor-to-ceiling Cambria wall. A multi-panel glass Marvin door provides access to the pool deck, which offers views of the lake. Sven Gustafson, president and CEO of Stonewood, LLC, noted that the home embodies the couple's long-held dreams and travel-inspired ideas, meticulously integrated into a residence tailored to their lifestyle and aesthetic preferences. This property was also featured on Midwest Home's 2018 Luxury Home Tour, with sponsors including Andersen Windows & Doors and Phantom Screens. #LakesideHome #LuxuryHomeTour #MountainModernDesign #StonewoodLLC #EskucheDesign #LakeMinnetonka #ContemporaryArchitecture #RusticMaterials #OronoRealEstate

Escape, a tiny home builder founded in 2014, has roots tracing back to Canoe Bay in northwest Wisconsin. Company founder Dan Dobrowolski initially transformed a 1960s summer lodge into a resort with cottages in 1991. Two decades later, he collaborated with architects John Rattenbury and Kelly Davis to develop smaller, portable versions of these cottages. Over the past ten years, Escape has expanded its offerings to 11 distinct tiny home models and has even established a tiny home village in Tampa Bay, Florida. One notable project highlighted is Escape's collaboration with Ikea, which resulted in the design and construction of the 187-square-foot Escape Vista Boho XL. This model emphasizes sustainability, affordability, and innovation, featuring Ikea furniture and energy-efficient appliances. Its interiors are whitewashed pine, kitchens include cupboards made from recycled bottle tops, and it integrates built-in storage and collapsible furniture. The Vista Boho XL also boasts a metal roof with solar panels and an on-demand RV water heater, providing off-grid capabilities. The base model, the Escape Vista Boho, starts at $49,877. It weighs 8,500 pounds and measures 187 square feet. Standard features include Low-E Thermopane windows, a metal roof, sustainably-grown birch interiors, light-filtering honeycomb shades, LED lighting, a 16-gallon liquid propane water heater, and a liquid propane furnace. The kitchen is equipped with maple cabinetry, butcher block counters, an under-counter refrigerator, and a stainless steel sink. The design also incorporates a butcher block fold-down multiuse table, a 36-inch bathroom shower, a Toto toilet, and a fold-flat living room couch with TV hook-ups, a large work area, a queen bed with a bookshelf, and under-bed storage. Escape distinguishes its prefab homes through superior design and craftsmanship, noting that SALA Architects, an award-winning firm, designs the units. The homes are handcrafted in the company's inspection factory in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, emphasizing human-scale comfort and unique RV features. Escape homes are available nationwide, with thousands of units already distributed across the U.S., including Hawaii. The company typically has models in stock or production for immediate purchase. The typical build time for an Escape tiny home ranges from 60 to 130 days, depending on the chosen model and options. Clients can customize various aspects, including countertops, washer/dryer combos, electric fireplaces, and Smart TVs. Larger models offer options for an additional upper bedroom or attic, as well as solar power installations. All customizations adhere to RV Industry Association codes and mandates. For installation, while permits are often not required for RV parks, customers are responsible for site preparation, ensuring a level and firm surface, and having utility hook-ups ready. Escape's tiny homes are designed for single drops for power, water, and sewer, similar to standard RVs. Many models, excluding the Classic and Traveler, can be fully electric and can be modified for off-grid living with solar panels and specialized water and waste systems. #TinyHomes #PrefabHomes #SustainableLiving #IkeaCollaboration #OffGridLiving #ModularHomes #CustomizableHomes #RVLiving #HousingInnovation

In East Kessler Park, Dallas, a new custom home by Kessler Hill Custom Homes stands out for its exceptional design and landscape architecture. This four-bedroom, six-bathroom, 4,871-square-foot transitional property offers a seamless blend of contemporary and timeless styles, highlighted by its grand facade, massive windows, and minimalist touches. The property's exterior is further enhanced by artisan landscaping, meticulously crafted by landscape architect Lee Roth, which includes raised concrete planters and diverse foliage that contribute to an unforgettable first impression. Upon entering, the home reveals a grand ambiance with a sweeping floor plan, sky-high ceilings, and striking design elements. The property is elevated and set back from the street, providing a sense of expanse and privacy. The central living areas are thoughtfully located on the main floor, ensuring convenience and accessibility. The main living space seamlessly connects to the formal dining and kitchen areas, featuring walls of glass and a stunning hearth that establish a sophisticated atmosphere ideal for entertaining. The gourmet kitchen is equipped with GE Monogram appliances, custom cabinetry, and opulent marble, catering to elevated culinary experiences. The primary suite serves as an exceptional retreat, characterized by its expansive layout, remarkable views, and exquisite lighting. The accompanying ensuite bathroom offers a complete spa experience, featuring an enormous walk-in shower, a standalone soaking tub, and brilliant tilework, designed for luxurious daily pampering. The home incorporates numerous incredible gathering spaces and additional bedrooms, all accessible via a personal elevator. Multiple terraces extend the living space outdoors, offering enhanced entertaining opportunities with enchanting views from every level. The outdoor oasis completes the property's artistic vision, featuring a sparkling in-ground pool, a spa, and a covered patio. This area is further adorned with a lush expanse of manicured shrubs, trees, and florals, creating a cohesive and beautiful environment. The collaboration between Kessler Hill Custom Homes and Lee Roth has resulted in a property that exemplifies remarkable turnkey luxury, listed by Jason Saucedo with Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate for $2.9 million at 419 W Colorado Blvd. #EastKesslerPark #CustomHome #KesslerHillCustomHomes #LuxuryRealEstate #DallasRealEstate #LandscapeArchitecture #TransitionalDesign #GourmetKitchen #SpaBathroom

The beginning of a new year often sparks a desire for renewal and motivation, particularly for homeowners considering selling their property in the upcoming months. For those planning a home sale, now is an opportune time to initiate projects that can contribute to a successful outcome. Insights from Zillow’s 2026 Home Trends Report offer valuable guidance on the most sought-after features in current real estate listings. Many of these updates not only enhance aesthetic appeal but also improve a home’s functionality and market competitiveness. One prominent trend identified is the increasing emphasis on wellness and sustainability. Prospective homebuyers are actively seeking comfort, efficiency, and eco-conscious living, and properties that embody these values are garnering significant attention. The report indicates a substantial rise in listings that highlight wellness features: spa-style bathrooms are up by 22 percent, energy-efficient homes by 70 percent, whole-home batteries by 40 percent, and EV charging capabilities by 25 percent. These improvements do more than just increase a home's market value; they align with a broader consumer demand for residences that promote health, relaxation, and reduced energy consumption. Traditional design is also experiencing a resurgence, though in a more modernized and less formal iteration. Integrating subtle, traditional elements can effectively captivate buyers. Examples include incorporating scalloped edges in bathroom tiles, adding beadboard in entryways, or utilizing vintage-inspired hardware on bathroom vanities. Zillow’s data reveals a growing mention of artisan craftsmanship (up 21 percent), vintage accents (up 17 percent), and a touch of whimsy (up 15 percent) in listings. Buyers are increasingly appreciative of homes that exhibit thoughtful design and attention to detail, recognizing that seemingly minor, carefully chosen elements can leave a lasting impression. Furthermore, the demand for resilient, future-ready homes is on the rise, driven by a desire for safety and peace of mind, especially in regions susceptible to natural disasters like wildfires, debris flows, and power outages. Listings that emphasize resilience are becoming more desirable. Zillow’s report notes a 64 percent increase in mentions of flood protection systems, a 25 percent increase for elevated homes, a 36 percent increase for fire protection features, and a 28 percent increase for home fire systems. For homeowners, either possessing these features or having the capacity to implement them can serve as a significant selling advantage. Finally, the contemporary lifestyle, characterized by its rapid pace and digital saturation, has created a yearning for tranquil spaces. Consequently, mentions of reading nooks in property listings have surged by 48 percent. These intimate, quiet corners, whether situated on a stair landing or beside a window, fulfill a desire for areas where individuals can disconnect and rejuvenate. Such spaces cater to a broader wellness trend, offering calm and respite within an increasingly busy world. These trends collectively offer homeowners strategic avenues to enhance their properties for the 2026 market. #HomeTrends #RealEstate #HomeImprovement #WellnessLiving #Sustainability #TraditionalDesign #ResilientHomes #InteriorDesign #SellerTips

Located on a tight, narrow strip of land in Cove, Scotland, this 2,690-square-foot residence was designed by Cameron Webster Architects to maximize living space while taking full advantage of its wild coastal setting. The primary goal was to create flexible and accessible accommodations for an owner nearing retirement age, which significantly influenced the design decisions. The architects embraced the site's constraints as a core design driver, resulting in a distinctive linear, single-story structure. The home features four bedrooms that face a garden, leading to an expansive, open-plan living area at the front. This living space is characterized by floor-to-ceiling glazing, offering uninterrupted views of the North Sea and the sky. A decking area extends from this living space, sheltered beneath a timber soffit, further blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living. A notable architectural feature is that approximately half of the house rests on land, while the other half projects into the air, anchored securely to the rocks below by two V-shaped steel legs, creating the striking illusion of the residence hovering above the water. Sustainability was a key consideration, with a fabric-first approach employed in its construction. The external material palette was carefully selected for both its aesthetic appeal and its ability to withstand the harsh coastal environment. Kebony, a robust timber cladding known for its use in marine settings, was chosen for its durability and its ability to weather to a silvery finish, complementing the triple-glazed windows in the main living areas. The design also incorporates locally sourced, rough basalt/quartz stone cladding, which visually connects the home to the craggy rocks of the surrounding landscape. Internally, the design focuses on creating a welcoming and seamless flow. A generous linear roof light in the wide corridor provides ample natural light, guiding residents from the main entrance through the bedroom wing to the vibrant living area. Sapele, a sustainable hardwood, was used for interior ceiling finishes, imparting a nautical or maritime feel to the space. This material extends seamlessly to form the timber soffit over the exterior terraces, unifying the indoor and outdoor design elements. The overall execution reflects a thoughtful integration of architectural form, material selection, and site-specific considerations, delivering a contemporary and accessible home with dramatic waterfront views. #ScottishArchitecture #WaterfrontHome #RetirementHome #CoastalDesign #CameronWebsterArchitects #SustainableDesign #ModernArchitecture #KebonyCladding #OpenPlanLiving

Seattle architecture and landscape design firm Wittman Estes has developed a modular home concept called Puzzle Prefab, aimed at minimizing environmental impact and maximizing connection to nature. The first prototype, located on Whidbey Island in Washington, demonstrates the system's flexibility and sustainability features. Matt Wittman, co-founder of Wittman Estes, explains that Puzzle Prefab homes can be customized to fit various environments by allowing for an infinite variety of shapes and arrangements, contrasting with other prefab homes that may feel detached from their surroundings. The Whidbey Island project exemplifies this approach with a nearly 1:1 ratio of indoor to outdoor space, featuring 600 square feet of living area opening to 557 square feet of covered outdoor spaces. This design capitalizes on the Pacific Northwest's temperate climate, allowing the outdoor areas to function as an extension of the interior, fostering a closer relationship with nature for the inhabitants. The home consists of four distinct modules for living, sleeping/studying, energy, and outdoor dining, interconnected by covered walkways. The energy module includes a greenhouse and a rainwater collection system. Sustainability is a core tenet of the Puzzle Prefab system. Construction primarily occurs off-site, reducing on-site disruption. The use of a pin foundation system further minimizes environmental impact by requiring minimal digging, protecting tree roots, and reducing the home's carbon footprint by 77% compared to concrete foundations. The home integrates several green technologies: steel columns double as downspouts, channeling rainwater to a tank for purification and use in the home's water systems and greenhouse irrigation. A 4.1-kW solar array powers a heat pump for hydronic heating and cooling, along with energy recovery ventilation. Smart-home controls are implemented to monitor and optimize energy consumption. Clients can customize Puzzle Prefabs by selecting and arranging modules, such as combining multiple sleep/bath modules with a living module or integrating outdoor dining pavilions and energy modules. While the spatial configurations are standard, finishes can be tailored based on local availability. A notable feature is the system's reconfigurability: modules are self-supporting on ring beams and pin foundations, allowing them to be disassembled and relocated. Walkways and canopies are also panelized for easy reconfiguration. The design-build timeline for a Puzzle Prefab is typically faster than conventional construction due to parallel processes, where site preparation and foundation work occur concurrently with off-site module fabrication. Although the building shells and assemblies may require adaptation for different climates, the spatial configurations are universally applicable. Wittman Estes manages the design and permitting, collaborating with local builders for site-specific work. The Whidbey Island prototype cost $676 per square foot, with costs varying by location and construction timing. Wittman Estes is currently exploring new deployment sites across the Pacific Northwest, particularly targeting remote, off-grid locations that benefit from the system's small size and ease of delivery. #PrefabHomes #ModularArchitecture #OffGridLiving #SustainableDesign #WhidbeyIsland #WittmanEstes #GreenBuilding #PacificNorthwest #CustomizableHomes

The 2025 Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens, a biennial event benefiting the Lake Forest Chapter of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago, showcases the transformation of the historic Pembroke Lodge. This year marks the 20th production of the event, held in a grand Georgian-style main house originally designed in 1895 by architect Henry Ives Cobb with landscape architecture by Frederick Law Olmsted, and later revised by David Adler in the late 1930s. Thirty-eight interior designers and nine landscape design companies collaborated to reimagine the 15,000-square-foot mansion, including its tennis hut, pool house, and the remaining 3.5-acre grounds. Visitors can view numerous showstopping rooms, with nearly all sourced design elements and furnishings available for purchase, and 15% of the proceeds going to the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago. Among the highlighted spaces, the Foyer by Cynthia McCullough Interiors features Braquenie’s Les Muses et Les Lions wallcovering, inspired by the original 1930s design, complemented by Regency mirrors, an upholstered bench, and a Chippendale glass cabinet. Joey Leicht Design's Salon stands out with double doors lacquered in Tropical Rose, handpainted and embroidered silk walls by Fromental, and custom banquettes inspired by Frances Elkins. Birkman Interiors created a masculine, clubby Office, adorned with global artifacts, inviting contemplation and travel planning. Amy Kartheiser Design's Garden Room offers an ideal setting for luncheons, incorporating blue treillage-wrapped walls and chairs upholstered in Pierre Frey fabric with yellow and green accents, effectively bringing the outdoors in. The First Floor Hall/Stairwell by Lauren Collander Interiors is characterized by enchanting, hand-embroidered wallcovering and lush green tones, creating a Parisian garden aesthetic that guides visitors through the home. The Main Kitchen by Ablaze Design Group boasts a spacious central island with dual table-height surfaces, custom cabinetry, heat-resistant Dekton by Cosentino surfaces, and biophilic lighting to support circadian rhythms. JenMarie Interiors designed a stylish Mudroom featuring a striking Schumacher wallcovering, fluted wall paneling, bespoke built-ins, and Corinthian-style marble flooring. Sarah Dippold Design's Second Floor Landing serves as a harmonious transition space with jacquard fabric wallcovering, a custom floor runner, and layered textures. Robbins Architecture created a serene Girl’s Bedroom with a soft, dreamy Benjamin Moore color palette and wildlife imagery, evoking a fairy tale setting. The Mahjong Room by White Couch Design offers a stylish space for the trendy game, featuring House of Harris’ Fancy Flock wallcovering with herons, flowers, and lily pads, a round pink linen-wrapped game table, a custom scalloped settee, vintage chairs, and a Champagne Bar. Lastly, Meghan Jay Design's Cabana blends 1920s chic with contemporary style, utilizing a muted palette of blush tones and soft yellows, enhanced by an arched hallway ceiling with wave-shaped fabric panels. The Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens is open for a limited time, with advance tickets required. #LakeForestShowhouse #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #HistoricEstate #LuxuryInteriors #DesignShowcase #ChicagoDesign #PembrokeLodge #PhilanthropicEvent

The growing popularity of modular sofas signifies a shift towards adaptable and sustainable furniture solutions, particularly appealing to those living in smaller spaces or seeking long-term versatility. These sofas, characterized by their movable and reconfigurable components, offer a practical alternative to traditional fixed furniture, allowing users to adjust their living arrangements as needs evolve. The concept, though rooted in designs from decades past like Mario Bellini’s Camaleonda and Pierre Paulin’s Dune, has been reinvigorated by contemporary brands that emphasize movement and change in their offerings. This adaptability makes modular sofas an environmentally conscious choice, as they can be modified rather than replaced when relocating or redesigning a space. Several new modular sofa options highlight this trend. IKEA's Stockholm 2025 3-Seat Sofa, part of its latest collection, allows for expansion from a loveseat to a larger configuration with various upholstery choices. Its design incorporates supportive pocket springs and high-resilience foam to maintain its form over time. Similarly, Hem’s Great Sofa, designed by Philippe Malouin, offers nine pre-determined configurations that can be easily reoriented without tools. This sofa prioritizes softness, featuring removable, loose-fitting covers and an upholstery blend of recycled polyester and viscose. West Elm’s Florent Sofa combines a structured, blocky frame with deep, sink-in cushions, providing both tailored aesthetics and relaxed comfort. It features a high angled back for support and offers options for a 39-inch seat depth and a light blue upholstery. Silk & Snow’s Aire Sofa, a recent expansion into living room furniture, boasts an impressive 85 possible arrangements. This semi-customizable piece allows for choices in seat depth, length, and additional pillows, with apartment-friendly options starting at a lower price point. Sundays introduces the Lift Off Reclining Sectional Sofa, a modular design that integrates discreet controls, charging ports, and a footrest requiring minimal extension. Soho Home’s Odell Deeper Sit Sectional Sofa offers a low-profile, modular design with diverse fabric options, making it suitable for lounging and serving as a statement piece due to its arched back. Castlery provides a wide range of modular sofas, including the Fable and Solari collections, which feature rounded edges and versatile configurations from loveseats to sectionals, with options in nubuck leather and olive-hued boucle. Sixpenny’s sectional sofas are entirely modular, with components connected by zinc alligator clips. They offer flexibility, allowing for the creation of additional seating with ottomans or the separation of a couch into a loveseat and chair. Audo Copenhagen expanded its Eave line with a curved module, enabling unique configurations that can snake around corners or form oval designs for conversational settings. Finally, Lulu and Georgia, in collaboration with Sarah Sherman Samuel, developed the Abbot Indoor/Outdoor Sectional Sofa, which extends the modular concept to outdoor living with solid teak wood bases and performance fabric cushions. For children’s spaces, The House of Noa offers whimsical play couches with foldable, soft yet sturdy foam bases and machine-washable fabric, suitable for kids’ rooms, dorms, or first apartments due to their adaptability and easy maintenance. These diverse offerings underscore the growing appeal of modular sofas as a versatile, sustainable, and stylish choice for modern living. #ModularSofas #HomeDesign #InteriorDesignTrends #FurnitureInnovation #SustainableLiving #SmallSpaces #LivingRoomFurniture #HomeDecor #AdaptableFurniture

This article details a custom-built home in Patrick Square, South Carolina, designed to maximize views and cater to a comfortable lifestyle. The property is a single-family home featuring three bedrooms, four full bathrooms, and one half-bath, spread across 3,090 square feet. It emphasizes a seamless indoor-outdoor living experience, with significant attention paid to natural light and scenic vistas. The home is situated on a corner lot, offering expanded views and a sense of openness. The exterior of the house is characterized by a dark blue finish, complemented by a stained solid wood front door and clad windows with louvered shutters and pediment trim. A flagstone front porch serves as a welcoming space, fostering community interaction. The design prioritizes natural light, with a wall of windows in the living space that provides panoramic views of sunrises and sunsets, seamlessly connecting the interior to the outdoors. The open floor plan further enhances this connection, allowing for easy transitions between the kitchen and living areas. The interior features include a gourmet kitchen equipped with a gas range, custom cabinetry from Keystone Millworks, upper cabinet units, and a chevron-style tile backsplash. A central island with shiplap cladding adds both functionality and aesthetic appeal. The primary bedroom is designed to capitalize on the home's views, featuring triple windows adorned with Roman shades. The primary bathroom is a luxurious retreat, offering a soaking tub, an elegant light fixture, and a glass-tile walk-in shower. A custom walk-in closet in the primary suite includes practical elements like bench seating, soft-close drawers, a built-in sliding hamper, and additional shelf lighting. Beyond the primary areas, the home includes versatile spaces that can adapt to various needs. One such area is designed to function as an office, a library, or a formal dining room, featuring double doors and furnished with a custom-made sofa and entertainment console. Another unique aspect is a Clemson-themed room, which showcases artwork of legendary Tigers’ coach Frank Howard, dating back to 1958 when Clemson operated as a military college. This addition reflects a personal touch and local pride. The home's construction details include a crawl space foundation and a 20-gauge metal roof, ensuring durability. The property is part of the Patrick Square community, which offers a range of amenities such as a wellness center, pool, tennis courts, a community garden, and various green spaces and parks. Located near Clemson University and Lake Hartwell, the community combines suburban tranquility with convenient access to recreational activities and cultural events. #HomeBuilding #ClemsonSC #ArchitecturalDesign #InteriorDesign #PatrickSquare #CustomHome #LuxuryLiving #ScenicViews #CommunityAmenities

This comprehensive guide details the design elements and sources used throughout the 2023 Southern Living Idea House, situated in Tennessee. It offers an in-depth, room-by-room breakdown of all materials, furnishings, appliances, and decorative items chosen by designer Laura Hodges. The article serves as a resource for those seeking inspiration or looking to replicate specific design aspects from the house. The guide begins by listing general contractors and suppliers responsible for overarching elements like painting, countertop fabrication, central vacuum systems, subflooring, interior oak stair parts, and custom cabinetry and carpentry. Key infrastructure components, including HVAC design and equipment from Trane Technologies, electric water heaters from GE Appliances, and humidification products from AprilAire, are also identified. Security and smart home technologies, such as audio, video, and WiFi systems, were provided by Prodigy, while door and cabinet hardware came from Emtek. Flooring details include Duchateau Riverstone hardwood floors and Jeffco Flooring & Supply as the supplier, complemented by interior trees and plants from Gardens of Babylon and planters from Michael Carr Designs. The exterior section meticulously lists window and door specifications from Marvin Elevate® and Marvin Ultimate, with installation by Apex Builders of Nashville. Siding and trim details for the main house, party barn, and garage feature James Hardie products, applied by Ox Exteriors. Stone elements, such as random ashlar split face veneer and honed finishes, were sourced from Alabama Stone Co. A comprehensive list of Sherwin-Williams paint colors is provided for various exterior structures, including the main house, Mary’s Garden Folly, Party Barn, and Waylon’s Dogtrot, all utilizing Emerald Rain Refresh paint. Decking by Zuri® Premium Decking in Chestnut, installed by JEC Construction, Inc., and retractable screens from Phantom Screens are also highlighted. Garage doors by Clopay® Canyon Ridge Chevron, railings by Feeney, Inc., and outdoor lighting by Fourteenth Colony Lighting contribute to the outdoor aesthetic. Metal roofing from MetalMax Roofing & Siding, installed by Bulldog Roofing, and pavers from Belgard Outdoor Living complete the hardscaping. The landscape features plants from the Southern Living® Plant Collection and container plants in Michael Carr Designs planters. Kingdom Pools TN LLC provided the pool, and Embers Grill & Fireplace Store supplied gas fireboxes. Moving indoors, the guide systematically covers each room. The Front Porch includes Summer Classics furniture and Michael Carr Designs planters. The Entry features Regina Andrew lighting and a custom white oak console table by Grothouse. The Wine Pantry showcases Monogram Luxury Appliances wine sommeliers, Arrington Vineyards wine, and items from the Southern Living® Home Collection at Dillard’s and DOMAIN by Laura Hodges Studio. The Living Room/Dining Room is appointed with Marvin windows, Regina Andrew lighting, and a fireplace from Alabama Stone Co. Furnishings include sofas and accent pillows from LEE Industries, a rug from Nashville Rug Gallery, and artwork from various artists and galleries. The Kitchen and Breakfast Nook sections detail Monogram Luxury Appliances, Ferguson Enterprises sinks and faucets, and a mix of items from the Southern Living® Home Collection and DOMAIN by Laura Hodges Studio. Special features include a hand-painted landscape mural by Lenehan Studios in the Breakfast Nook. The Screened Porch extends the living space with Summer Classics outdoor furniture and Southern Living® Plant Collection additions. The Study features Marvin windows, Regina Andrew lighting, custom draperies, and a white oak writing desk by Grothouse. Furniture from LEE Industries and O&G Studio, a rug from Nashville Rug Gallery, and artwork from the Nashville Artist Collective are mentioned. The Primary Bedroom and Bath sections detail similar comprehensive listings for lighting, paint, wallcoverings, custom draperies, furniture, bedding, and bathroom fixtures, including specific tile choices from The Tile Shop and bath products from Ferguson Enterprises. The Primary Closet, Primary Porch, Mudroom, Pantry, Powder Room, Broom Closet/Pantry, Laundry Room, and Yoga/Dog Porch each have detailed lists of their respective design elements, appliances, and accessories. The Laundry Room notably includes a dog wash/feeding station with specific plumbing fixtures. The Basement level includes the Stairwell, Billiards Room, Basement/Powder Room, Music Lounge, and Songwriters Room. The Billiards Room highlights Monogram Luxury Appliances, bespoke bistro tables by Grothouse, and local beverages. The Music Lounge features multi-slide pocket doors, custom draperies, and upholstered furniture from LEE Industries, along with a Steinway Piano Gallery Roland Digital Baby Grand Piano. The Songwriters Room includes various musical instruments and artwork. The Lower Level Porches, Pool/Firepit area, Mary's Garden Folly, Waylon's Dogtrot, and Party Barn also receive detailed breakdowns of their respective outdoor furniture, plantings, and specific fixtures like the Monogram Luxury Appliances Hearth Oven in the Party Barn. Finally, the Second Floor covers the Queen Bedroom and Bath, and the Twin Bedroom and Bath, each with their own curated selections of lighting, furniture, textiles, and bath fixtures, including handmade mattresses from Reid Classics and custom fabrications by Tangled Threads. #IdeaHouse #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #SourceGuide #LauraHodges #TennesseeCountry #SouthernLiving #HomeDecor #ArchitecturalDetails

Traditional housing stock, largely designed and built for past centuries, is increasingly proving inadequate for the complexities of 21st-century living, leading to issues of discrimination, exclusion, and unaffordability. The current housing paradigm often fails to address the unique challenges of modern life, characterized by economic and social uncertainties. These uncertainties include limited opportunities for stable, long-term employment, the implications of an aging population, and the prevalence of relationship separations like divorce. Such factors can drastically alter an individual's or household's housing needs. The concept of a 'risk society,' as defined by sociologist Ulrich Beck, highlights how individuals and households are constantly navigating the risks and opportunities of a rapidly changing socio-economic environment. This societal shift is incompatible with rigid housing models, particularly the traditional commitment to 30-year bank loans for fixed assets like houses. Existing housing types, from apartments to detached dwellings, lack the necessary flexibility to adapt to these fluid life circumstances. Consequently, there is a pressing need for housing solutions that are more adaptable and can accommodate the inherent risks of contemporary life. The growing popularity of the Tiny House Movement exemplifies a demand for flexible housing. Tiny houses offer mobility, ease of storage, and are more liquid assets compared to conventional homes, aligning with the need for adaptability. However, tiny living is not a universal solution. Design-led approaches to flexible housing are emerging that do not necessitate compact living arrangements. Two prominent examples from Brisbane, Australia, illustrate these innovative solutions: One Room Tower and Two Pavilion House. One Room Tower, located in West End and designed by Phorm architecture + design with Silvia Micheli and Antony Moulis, is an addition to an existing inner-city house. Rather than a traditional extension, it is a detached pavilion featuring an open layout that can be repurposed for various needs, offering significant flexibility to its inhabitants. This design received a Queensland Architecture Award. Two Pavilion House in Clayfield, co-designed by Kirsty Volz and David Toussaint, splits the dwelling into two distinct pavilions connected by a communal outdoor space and an internal courtyard. This configuration allows for multiple occupancy modes: it can function as a single three-bedroom home or as a two-bedroom house with an independent bedsit. This flexibility supports multi-generational living, provides potential rental income, or accommodates home offices and secondary living areas. Both houses, while offering flexible living arrangements, adhere to building regulations. Achieving such flexibility requires meticulous design consideration, focusing on access sequences, room adjacencies to ensure privacy, security, and fire safety, and the strategic provision of services like kitchens, bathrooms, and laundries, some of which can be shared. These examples demonstrate that flexible housing is not merely about room layouts but about a holistic design process. Beyond design innovations, a regulatory rethink is essential. While solutions like granny flats address the need for multi-generational housing, some existing options fail to meet building regulations, raising concerns about health, safety, fire separation, and security. There is a clear demand for carefully designed, purpose-built dwellings that can safely support diverse and varied occupancies. Local authorities need to re-evaluate current regulations to better align with the demand for flexible and adaptable accommodation. Embracing flexible, 'loose-fit' housing can introduce greater diversity in accommodation options, fostering inclusivity for a broader spectrum of society. Ultimately, flexible housing serves as a design-led strategy to address housing affordability by ensuring homes are responsive to the evolving needs of 21st-century individuals, moving beyond market-driven metrics of bedrooms and bathrooms. #FlexibleHousing #HousingDesign #TwentyFirstCenturyLiving #ArchitecturalInnovation #UrbanPlanning #HousingAffordability #RiskSociety #TinyHouseMovement #MultiGenerationalLiving

The Whidbey Puzzle Prefab is a prototype dwelling designed by Wittman Estes on Whidbey Island, Washington, focusing on minimizing environmental impact while promoting occupant health and connection to nature. This innovative home significantly reduces the typical American home size, offering 600 square feet of interior living space complemented by 557 square feet of covered outdoor space featuring cedar decks and soffits. The design emphasizes flexibility and reconfigurability through its four modular components, demonstrating how prefabrication can adapt to diverse environments, from remote to urban settings. Central to the Whidbey Puzzle Prefab's design philosophy is sustainability. It functions as a carbon-negative prototype, organized into modules for living, sleep/study, energy, and outdoor dining. The construction utilizes pin foundations, which eliminates concrete use and consequently reduces CO2 emissions by 24 tons. An integrated 4.1 kW solar array powers a heat pump system providing hydronic heating and cooling, alongside energy recovery ventilation. Smart home controls are incorporated to monitor energy consumption and optimize climate control for user comfort, further enhancing its energy efficiency. The architectural approach prioritizes a minimal footprint and the use of local materials. The construction process involves off-site prefabrication and the use of impermanent foundations, which collectively lessen the physical and visual impact on the building site. This project serves as a pilot for the design team, with performance metrics being tracked to inform and improve future iterations. The goal is to create a replicable, flexible, net-zero, and low-impact building solution that fosters a positive relationship between the construction process, the environment, and its inhabitants. Key sustainability features include its net-zero energy building systems, informed by a life cycle analysis that guided decisions on the foundation, floor, wall, roof assemblies, and solar panel array. The 4.1 kW photovoltaic array generates 3,981 kWh/hr of energy. The zero-concrete foundation system, utilizing a steel ground frame and hand-set micro pin piles, reduces earthwork disturbance and lowers the carbon footprint by 77% compared to traditional concrete foundations. The building boasts a high-performance envelope with enhanced insulation and high R-values, significantly exceeding 2015 Washington State Energy Code standards for roof, wall, and floor insulation. Rainwater collection is integrated, channeling potable water-safe roofing into steel columns for storage and purification, making it suitable for household use and irrigation. The design embraces a human-centered approach, with a small footprint that reduces energy consumption and material use, fostering a healthier indoor/outdoor environment. Smart home systems allow residents to manage resource consumption and personal comfort. Extensive indoor-outdoor connections are emphasized, with covered outdoor living spaces treated as equally important as indoor areas. The Whidbey configuration is 70% smaller than the median US home, prioritizing views and extensions to the outdoors. Materials chosen are ILFI Red-List Free, including tight knot cedar siding, high-performance fiberglass doors and windows, potable water-safe TPO membrane roofing, sustainably-sourced birch plywood casework, FSC certified white oak flooring, and locally sourced FSC clear cedar ceilings. These choices reflect a commitment to health, sustainability, and aesthetic integration with the natural surroundings. #PrefabricatedArchitecture #SustainableDesign #NetZeroEnergy #CarbonNegative #ModularBuilding #GreenBuilding #WhidbeyIsland #WittmanEstes #EcoFriendlyHome

Michael Lerner, a musician from the band Telekinesis, and his wife Amiee, transformed their Seattle property by adding a detached accessory dwelling unit (DADU) to their backyard. This decision was spurred by the pandemic, which prevented Michael from touring and working, providing him with an unexpected opportunity to pursue a long-held interest in construction. The couple had considered various options, including converting a shipping container, but ultimately partnered with local prefab builder NODE for a more cost-effective solution. NODE's involvement was part of a pilot program testing new prefab technologies, offering a streamlined process that included design, engineering, site preparation, foundation installation, framework completion, rough plumbing and electrical, and managing all necessary permits for the 392-square-foot DADU. The construction started in late fall of 2019, allowing Michael to work alongside NODE's crew for two months, gaining hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the building process. Once NODE completed their initial phase, leaving the couple to finish the interior, Michael faced the daunting task of completing the remaining work without formal training. He extensively utilized YouTube tutorials, dedicating approximately 1000 hours to learning various skills, from laying large-format tiles with a radiant heating system and trimming plumbing and electrical, to installing an IKEA kitchen and constructing a deck. Despite initial feelings of being overwhelmed, Michael discovered that with perseverance and research, each task was achievable. The couple chose plywood for the walls and opted for a bio ethanol fireplace, as a wood-burning one wasn't feasible, allowing them to enjoy the ambiance without the complexities of ventilation. They incorporated an IKEA kitchen for its sleek and space-saving design. The only aspects they outsourced were the installation of the quartz countertop, backsplash, and bathroom drywall, with Michael noting how the quartz elevated the look of the relatively inexpensive IKEA products. Michael also personally crafted custom walnut plywood pieces for the floating media console and a desk/eating area, highlighting the cost consideration and learning curve involved in working with such materials. Completed in August 2020, the DADU is now rented out on Airbnb, generating additional income. Michael reflects on the project with immense pride and a newfound appreciation for the construction industry, acknowledging the effort and cost involved in building a home. He emphasizes that the experience was not only enjoyable but also a meaningful way to navigate the challenges of the pandemic year. The interior features a cozy bedroom nook with a platform bed and wool felt-lined walls, creating a 'cocoon-like' sleeping environment. The exterior was finished by Michael with 2x2 cedar boards, a task that took about four weeks and required 2,000 screws. The project underscores the couple's careful, DIY approach to their finish work, with Michael conducting thorough research for every step. #DADUConstruction #PrefabHome #DIYRenovation #BackyardCottage #SeattleRealEstate #PandemicProject #HomeBuilding #SustainableLiving #SmallHomeDesign