mork-ulnes architects tucks a 38 sqm guesthouse on a steep hillside in california

Marie Turner Carson of M. Elle Design and architect Bob White of Forest Studio collaborated to create a unique family getaway at Victory Ranch, near Deer Valley, Utah. The clients desired a "family camp" atmosphere, which was interpreted not as a rustic, traditional lodge, but as a luxurious yet comfortable design focusing on community, activities, and nature. The home's unconventional layout diverges from a typical lodge, featuring guest rooms designed as individual "cabins" to accommodate a multi-generational family and their guests. White's design emphasizes breaking down the traditional "big box" lodge into a compound of structures that integrate with the rolling landscape and are arranged around connecting courtyards. This innovative approach optimizes views while ensuring privacy and a continuous sense of discovery throughout the property. White conducted space planning on-site to frame views perfectly and envisioned the new build as a historic home that evolved over generations, bringing an authentic feel to the design. The collaboration with local builder Ivan Broman resulted in a structure that serves as an ideal backdrop for family gatherings, allowing everyone to feel at home with their own space, while also incorporating inventive and thoughtful details. The main entry of the house offers an intimate feel with a lower ceiling, providing a glimpse into a central courtyard rather than a dramatic, expansive entrance. This design choice encourages exploration and a gradual appreciation of the home's features. The living room, a central and open area, is anchored by a monumental plaster fireplace, which provides a visual anchor amidst painted boards. Steel elements like a sculptural wood wall and door casings balance the room. From the living room, residents can enjoy views of the river and a courtyard with a fire pit, creating a sense of connection to the outdoors. To enhance coziness, the living room features layered wool rugs and various textures in its furnishings, arranged in two sections for versatile seating. The dining room, notably dark and dramatic, is positioned on a cantilevered hallway that acts as a bridge connecting different areas of the house. This unique placement offers a slightly disorienting yet engaging experience, constantly relating to the exterior landscape. An outdoor dining area complements the interior, featuring a custom-made table large enough to seat at least 16 guests, mirroring the indoor dining capacity with flexible seating options. The kitchen is strategically located at the furthest point of the house to maximize views, offering a 180-degree panorama. Inspired by Edwin Lutyens' designs, it includes a round island and cabinetry that reinterpret Alpine style. Beyond the primary living spaces, the home includes a bar with reclaimed wine barrels and walnut panels for guests to carve their names, and a basement speakeasy, embracing a cozy, wood-clad Alpine aesthetic. The main bedroom offers serenity with a muted palette and stone walls that seamlessly blend the interior with the surrounding environment. For younger guests, there are tastefully designed bunkrooms, one with rush beds for girls and another with cot-like beds and canvas curtains for boys, evoking a summer camp feel. The design team meticulously sourced items like vintage trunks to complete the authentic, yet refined, camp aesthetic, ensuring every detail contributes to the overall theme of a luxurious and comfortable family retreat. #FamilyGetaway #LuxuryDesign #MountainHome #UtahArchitecture #MElleDesign #ForestStudio #CustomHome #InteriorDesign #AlpineStyle

The Halls Ridge Knoll Guest House, designed by American firm Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, is situated within a coastal mountain range in California, nestling against a rugged stone wall. This guest house is the first of three buildings planned for the site, which was formerly a historic cattle ranch offering panoramic views of the San Clemente Mountains and the Los Padres National Forest. The architectural approach emphasizes integration with the natural landscape, utilizing a material palette of pre-weathered zinc, timber, and rough stone to complement the ambling terrain. The design choreographs movement along the extraordinary ridge-top site, celebrating its surroundings. The guesthouse features a shed-like timber frame that angles up from a stone boundary wall, forming a single-story structure. The primary facade incorporates extensive floor-to-ceiling glazing, maximizing views and natural light. A wooden deck wraps around this glazed facade, extending to a swimming pool that aligns with the end of the stone wall, further blurring the lines between the built environment and nature. The zinc-clad roof extends beyond the terrace, providing essential shade during the peak heat of the day, a passive design element crucial for the temperate California climate. Internally, the largest space is a combined living room and kitchen, located beyond two bedrooms and bathrooms. This central area is characterized by an open fireplace set into a stone chimney and flooring made from reclaimed wood from an old barn, adding a rustic and sustainable touch to the interior. The masterplan for this vacation retreat includes a workshop and a larger main residence, with each structure intended to be anchored to the land by massive stone walls and fireplace chimneys. These elements serve to mark the progression along the ridge, eventually culminating in a stone court at the future main residence. The guesthouse's siting also incorporates passive design principles, with expansive windows ensuring natural lighting throughout and strategically placed sliding doors and operable hopper windows facilitating natural ventilation by leveraging prevailing winds. The project has received recognition, being named one of six winners of the 2013 Housing Awards by the American Institute of Architects. Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, known for their contextual and environmentally sensitive designs, also recently collaborated with New York firm SO-IL on the design of an art museum for the University of California. The Halls Ridge Knoll Guest House exemplifies a harmonious blend of architecture and landscape, offering a contemporary retreat that respects and enhances its natural setting. #HallsRidgeKnollGuestHouse #BohlinCywinskiJackson #CaliforniaArchitecture #GuestHouseDesign #SustainableArchitecture #CoastalMountainRange #PassiveDesign #ArchitecturalAwards #NaturalMaterials

The article presents an exclusive tour of the Mountain Brook, Alabama home of interior designer Annie Bayer Goldberg, co-founder of AG Interior Design. Collaborating with her design partner Ginny Monheit Maguire, Goldberg transformed a traditional 1970s house into a space that reflects her personal style while offering practical design advice. The renovation prioritized minimal structural changes, focusing instead on impactful cosmetic updates. The initial design challenge involved addressing the dated and traditional aesthetic, particularly the extensive dark wood paneling prevalent throughout the home. Their primary strategy, often recommended to clients, involved repainting the wooden walls white. This choice preserved the home's traditional architectural integrity while imbuing the space with a modern feel. The white paint effectively highlighted the intricate details of the paneling and molding, demonstrating its transformative power. The family room, while maintaining its traditional white paneled walls and classic molding, integrates modern elements such as pop art, patterned side chairs, and a cowhide rug. Annie's preference for black and white is evident, balanced with unexpected touches of color, like yellow pillows. The living room features white walls and sofas, allowing colorful artwork and pink pillows to stand out. Antiques are strategically incorporated to introduce warmth and a sense of history, including three antique shields in the family room that align with the black and white theme. The foyer showcases a mid-century modern table, and careful consideration was given to furniture proportions to complement the high ceilings. The formal living room, for instance, features a large William McLure artwork above the fireplace, tall bookcases, and a substantial wooden bead chandelier to maintain scale. The dining room blends French-style chairs and an antique French sideboard with a modern mirrored table. A black-and-white dining nook is characterized by red gilded stools, acrylic ghost chairs, a ghost chandelier, statement wallpaper, and a contemporary table and centerpiece. A significant element of the design is the strategic use of black accents to create dramatic flair and cohesion. High-gloss black paint was applied to the cased openings in the foyer. The dining room walls and ceiling, as well as the powder bath walls, were painted black, and the hardwood floors were stained black. The master suite continues this theme with black bedroom walls and a striking black and white striped marble tile floor in the bathroom. This consistent use of black and white contributes to a fresh, clean, and unified aesthetic throughout the home. Splashes of color are introduced to further modernize the traditional setting. Pink accents appear in pillows in the family and formal living rooms, and colorful artwork, including pieces by William McLure, provides vibrant focal points. The central hallway features a bold Ralph Lauren Chinese red grasscloth wall covering, creating a significant impact without overwhelming the adjacent spaces. Annie's daughter Emory's room features a whimsical large pink and white stripe wall covering, LED "LOVE" marquee letters, and soft pink and white tones designed to adapt as she grows. Her daughter Madison's room is adorned with girly Ralph Lauren pink bow wallpaper and gold accents. Her son Pierce's room, initially monochromatic in shades of gray, is enlivened with playful stuffed animal mounts and increasing pops of color to reflect his developing personality. The playroom, an oversized space with a wall of bookshelves, was organized with professional help. The home’s traditional roots are respected, yet the integration of modern elements, color, and unique pieces results in a fun, outgoing, warm, and inviting atmosphere. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #TraditionalModernBlend #MountainBrookHome #AnnieBayerGoldberg #AGInteriorDesign #BlackAndWhiteDecor #HomeRenovation #ResidentialDesign

Matthew Segal, a San Diego architect, designed an award-winning concrete-and-glass home for his family in Mission Hills, moving from a city-centric lifestyle in Little Italy to a more suburban, nature-adjacent environment. The new residence, situated at the edge of a canyon, offers proximity to wildlife while maintaining access to urban amenities. The property was a challenging "flag" lot, chosen due to its steep terrain behind an existing modern home. Segal's design approach involved navigating complex city permitting processes and convincing authorities that the three-story structure, with its lowest level tucked into the hillside, complied with height and scale regulations. This project was completed in 11 months, showcasing Segal's integrated process that involves a collaborative team of specialists. Segal’s design received a 2024 Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects, San Diego. The house draws inspiration from modernist architectural principles, including those of Le Corbusier, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and post-war Case Study Houses. A significant feature is the integration of indoor and outdoor spaces, exemplified by the 15-by-42-foot patio accessible through large sliding glass doors. Italian porcelain tile floors extend seamlessly from the interior to the exterior, enhancing the continuous flow of space. The central living area features a long kitchen with an island, complemented by ceiling-height walnut cabinets that discreetly store household items. The interior is furnished with iconic modernist pieces like Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona chairs and a Florence Knoll sofa, along with Segal’s custom-designed steel-and-glass dining table. The home is organized across three levels. The middle floor hosts the main living areas, including the kitchen, dining space, and a children's play area. A concealed elevator connects all floors. The lower level accommodates the primary suite and the children’s bedrooms, intentionally designed to be close to each other. The primary bedroom and en-suite bathroom feature glass walls, offering extensive canyon views. The top level contains the garage, a guest room, and a compact office, complete with engineered walnut floors, a vintage rosewood desk, and artwork by Segal’s sister, Austen Segal. Fire safety was a primary concern for Segal due to the home's proximity to the canyon. The design incorporates thick concrete walls and fire-resistant glass panels with inert gas to diffuse heat, enhancing the structure's resilience against potential fires. Beyond safety, the concrete construction provides energy efficiency through its thermal mass. The home also uses rooftop solar panels to generate nearly all its electricity, even accounting for electric vehicle charging. The Mission Hills location offers a balanced lifestyle, with convenient access to schools, a neighborhood park, local businesses, and Matthew’s wife April’s holistic pharmacy in Little Italy, and Matthew’s shared office in Barrio Logan. Segal expressed a strong sense of permanence about the home, noting its unique blend of wilderness and urban accessibility. The family enjoys hearing owls and observing coyotes, creating a distinct connection to nature while remaining minutes away from downtown San Diego. The architecture is designed to harmonize with the canyon landscape, light, and sky, providing dynamic and ever-changing vistas. The minimalist design is warmed by inviting materials, textures, and strategic splashes of color, making it a functional and aesthetically pleasing residence that supports the family's desire for a balanced, nature-integrated lifestyle. #ArchitecturalDesign #MissionHills #MatthewSegal #ModernHome #CanyonLiving #SanDiegoArchitecture #SustainableDesign #IndoorOutdoorLiving

This article highlights the completion of a contemporary hillside home in Camelback Canyon, Phoenix, a collaborative project by PHX Architecture, Vallone Design, Greey|Pickett, and DLB Custom Homes. The homeowner's vision for a California contemporary aesthetic, combined with a resort-like ambiance, guided the design process. Architect Erik Peterson of PHX Architecture emphasized the project's unique location, which allowed for a broader range of material and color choices compared to more restrictive areas like Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. The home was strategically built on a steep hillside to maximize views of Echo Canyon, the desert, and city lights, achieving an effortless indoor-outdoor flow. The upper level encompasses the living room, dining room, kitchen, and primary suite, while guest rooms, a theater, and the garage are situated on the lower level. The primary suite is conceptualized as a private sanctuary, featuring an outdoor shower and a tranquil water feature, contrasting with the expansive views from the public areas. Interior designer Shane Mehrer of Vallone Design drew inspiration from the architectural elements, integrating exterior materials such as stone walls into the interior spaces. The design philosophy aimed for a streamlined yet comfortable aesthetic, a warm contemporary feel that balances with the sleek architecture. This is evident in the great room, which features warm wood flooring and natural stone, complemented by a custom sectional by A. Rudin upholstered in performance velvet, cowhide ottomans from Bernhardt, and an area rug from David E. Adler Fine Rugs. A unique sculptural lighting fixture was custom-designed for the great room to add visual interest and compensate for limited wall space for art. One of the most notable features of the home is the interior stairwell, which incorporates a large tree that was unable to be preserved during construction. The tree was transformed into an art piece within the stairwell, and a custom butterfly installation made from crushed glass by artist Matt Schwenk was commissioned, adding a personal touch for the homeowner. Landscape architect Russ Greey of Greey|Pickett designed the exteriors to align with the home’s minimalist aesthetic, incorporating synthetic turf and wood decking to extend the resort-like atmosphere. Greey also integrated butterfly motifs into the landscape, including backlit art panels and a mural on the guest house with individual fiber-optic lighting, further personalizing the outdoor spaces. The kitchen was designed to be clean and open, featuring counter stools by Vanguard Furniture, reflecting the minimalist and integrated design approach. The project, which took approximately two and a half years to complete, is described as a significant success, attributed to the cohesive teamwork of all involved designers and builders. This collaborative effort resulted in a sophisticated hillside residence that seamlessly blends contemporary design with its natural surroundings, offering both luxury and a profound connection to the landscape. #HillsideHome #MinimalistDesign #ContemporaryArchitecture #InteriorDesign #LandscapeArchitecture #ScottsdaleRealEstate #LuxuryHomes #CustomHomes #IndoorOutdoorLiving

Mollie and Roy Krengel, a couple with three children, multiple businesses, and a passion for travel, sought a new home that offered serenity amidst their active lives. They moved from Minneapolis, where they had lived for a decade, desiring a location that provided both access to the city and a sense of calm retreat. Their search led them to a large, wooded lot on St. Albans Bay in Greenwood, within walking distance of downtown Excelsior. This property offered the ideal setting for their new vision. Nor-Son Custom Builders were tasked with constructing a home that matched the couple's aspirations. Project manager Brody Schmid highlighted the home's design, which, despite its 3,900 square feet, feels much larger due to its multi-level structure. The house was specifically designed by David Charlez Designs to blend seamlessly with the steep contours of the lot, reflecting a modern, organic Californian style. The exterior features James Hardie cladding complemented by pine shiplap accents and numerous windows, strategically placed to maximize the serene lake views. The design ethos for the home focused on creating a space that facilitated escape from daily pressures, embraced imperfections, and centered around the natural beauty of the lake. Key design elements included extensive use of glass, natural woodwork, organic materials, and various outdoor decks and patios. Mollie Krengel took charge of the interior design, aiming to create spaces that were beautiful, functional, and above all, relaxing. Her vision was inspired by the down-to-earth, relaxed atmosphere of northern California, seeking to replicate a "vacation vibe" within their home. The interior aesthetic is warm and inviting, characterized by a timeless, minimalistic style. This is enhanced by a mix of stained and enameled woodwork. The design incorporates understated luxury, with focal points that add character without detracting from the lake views. Examples include a three-sided fireplace separating the great room from the kitchen and floating stairs with cable rails and maple block treads. The floating stairs, a mid-build addition, were particularly noted for opening up views throughout the entire house. Personal touches are integrated throughout the home, reflecting the family's global travels. Handmade light fixtures from Finland adorn the kitchen island, an artistic piano hook wall by Timber & Tulip graces the main entry, and playful tiles from Portland add a whimsical element to the lower-level wet bar. These unique pieces from local artisans serve as reminders of their adventures, contributing to Mollie's goal of creating a tranquil space where the family can unwind and find respite from the demands of everyday life. The home features four bedrooms and five bathrooms, embodying a multi-level Californian style. #NorSonCustomBuilders #DavidCharlezDesigns #StAlbansBay #Greenwood #CaliforniaStyleHome #LuxuryHomeTour #InteriorDesign #LakefrontLiving

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

This article features a rustic mountain compound located in Topanga Canyon, California, which is currently listed for $4.195 million. The property, just 20 minutes from Los Angeles, offers a sense of remote, off-grid living due to its wooded surroundings and mountain backdrop, reminiscent of the Big Sur wilderness. Constructed in the 1970s, the home incorporates massive timbers reclaimed from a pier, blending elements of a cabin and a ranch house. A notable feature is its glassy, double-height conservatory. The compound has a history of celebrity residents, including British actress Thandiwe Newton and married actors Julianne Nicholson and Jonathan Cake, who previously owned the property. This rich history contributes to the allure of the retreat, making it easy to envision past occupants enjoying the views of the Santa Monica mountains. Recent renovations, carried out by a former set designer and an architectural preservation specialist, have updated the structure while preserving its original character. These improvements involved restoring the wood elements and redesigning the interior space around a monumental Jack Rice stone fireplace, which serves as a central focal point. The home is equipped with built-in features, such as a bar and a country-style kitchen, along with antique bathroom cabinetry. The property spans 280 square meters and includes four bedrooms and 4+1 bathrooms. A fully plumbed guest house is also part of the estate, situated adjacent to a seasonal creek. The outdoor spaces are equally impressive, featuring a multi-level garden that descends the mountainside to a newly installed natural plunge pool, a standalone Finnish sauna, and an outdoor shower. Mature oak and eucalyptus trees provide shade for various outdoor seating areas, enhancing the tranquil and natural ambiance of the property. The overall design and location offer a blend of rustic charm and modern amenities, making it a distinctive and desirable residence. #RusticHome #TopangaCanyon #CaliforniaArchitecture #SeventiesStyle #MountainLiving #LuxuryProperty #ArchitecturalRenovation #IndoorOutdoorLiving

The Woodhouse Lodge, an A-frame structure built in 1962 in Greenville, New York, has been transformed into a modern retreat by New York-based interior designer Megan Pflug. Pflug, an alumna of RISD with a background in fine art, relocated from Brooklyn to Greenville to open this 10-room hotel. Her design philosophy for the lodge centers on blending midcentury modern aesthetics with historic elements, resulting in a "modern meets rural" atmosphere. She achieves this by combining contemporary items with antiques, creating a space that feels authentic and inviting rather than overtly stylized. The lodge's first floor features a common area encompassing an open kitchen and a lounge with a fireplace. Pflug considered the kitchen to be a central feature of the hotel and devoted considerable effort to its modernization, incorporating soapstone countertops and a white ceiling. The lounge area is characterized by clay plaster walls, contributing to a simple and timeless ambiance. Throughout the lodge, Pflug integrated a variety of vintage pieces to honor the building's midcentury modern heritage while introducing a fresh perspective. Attention to detail is evident in various aspects of the renovation. Shaker rails were installed in most rooms to acknowledge the lodge's traditional nature, and fine details were incorporated to foster a relaxed atmosphere. The guest rooms feature custom felt and leather headboards paired with Brooklinen sheets, and each bathroom is stocked with natural amenities from Village Common. The exterior, which was originally reddish-brown, was updated with a blue-black paint from Farrow & Ball, modernizing the hotel's appearance. Pflug and her husband reside on the second floor of the A-frame. They are also developing a new event space and wine bar on the property, slated to open in the spring. The Woodhouse Lodge, conceptualized as an escape for city dwellers, offers a unique blend of historical charm and contemporary design, providing an ideal weekend getaway in the Catskills. The renovation showcases a thoughtful approach to design that respects the building's past while catering to modern sensibilities, making it a compelling destination for those seeking a tranquil and stylish retreat. #WoodhouseLodge #CatskillsGetaway #MeganPflug #AFrameDesign #HotelRenovation #InteriorDesign #MidcenturyModern #RuralEscape #BoutiqueHotel

The article details the creation of Whimsy Valley, the Western North Carolina mountain retreat of photographer and historic preservationist Perry Vaile. Vaile and her husband embarked on a long journey to find and build their dream mountain home, ultimately settling on a property near Burnsville after a previous attempt in Chimney Rock was thwarted by a landslide specialist's warning, which proved prescient when the property was destroyed by Hurricane Helene. This experience highlighted the importance of thorough environmental assessments before purchasing land for construction. With the new property, Vaile collaborated with local contractor Chris Jarrett over two years to construct a home that harmonizes with its natural surroundings. Her background in historic preservation influenced the architectural choices, such as incorporating bark siding as a nod to late 1800s architect Henry Bacon, who popularized this style in Linville, North Carolina. This design decision aimed to give the new build vernacular sensitivity and integrate it respectfully into the region's architectural history. The interior design reflects Vaile's photography career, lending her an eye for creating visually compelling spaces. She combined antique pieces, diverse patterns, and a carefully curated color palette to achieve a timeless yet whimsical atmosphere. The living room features vaulted ceilings, providing a sense of grandeur and allowing for the inclusion of a stained-glass window sourced from a decommissioned church, which casts magical light when illuminated by the south-facing sun. The kitchen is designed to evoke warmth and character, channeling an "eccentric grandma" aesthetic. A William Morris patterned backsplash complements soft blue cupboards, adding texture and personality to the space. The master bedroom is built around a blue patterned wallpaper, inspired by an inn Vaile photographed, and features antique doors from an architectural salvage center in New Orleans. For her daughters' bedroom, Vaile aimed for a playful yet chic English bed and breakfast feel, incorporating gingham curtains and wallpaper from House of Hackney, with wood paneling completed by Vaile and her husband. Outdoor elements were also carefully considered. Vaile, who always desired to live near water, created an artificial stream that mimics natural rock formations and winds through the yard, providing a soothing soundscape and a scenic place to relax. The master bathroom features a copper tub as a focal point and an antique dresser with a marble countertop and stone sink, a resourceful find from Facebook Marketplace. The home also includes a wraparound deck equipped with rocking chairs, designed to offer expansive views of the surrounding mountains. The property is further enlivened by six miniature ponies, which roam the grounds, adding to the idyllic, storybook ambiance of Whimsy Valley, where Vaile's mother also resides in a nearby cabin, fostering a nostalgic, close-knit family environment. #MountainRetreat #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #HistoricPreservation #WesternNorthCarolina #WhimsyValley #ArchitecturalDesign #CustomHome #OutdoorLiving

Architectural and interior design duo Arya and Michael Martin, founders of Studio OSKLO, have spent three years meticulously crafting their biophilic home in the Hollywood Hills. Their design philosophy focuses on integrating nature and minimalist aesthetics, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living. The property, located in the exclusive Doheny Estates, features an earthy color palette and natural materials, harmonizing with the surrounding granite hillside. The home incorporates elements typical of 1960s and 1970s Los Angeles architecture, such as architectural columns that conceal a series of interconnecting terraces accessible from every living space. A central atrium with a second-floor overlook brings greenery into the heart of the home, complemented by walls of rift oak and matte plaster detailing. Large retracting glass panels and expansive corridors create an open atmosphere, offering views of black olive trees, grasses, and aged stepping stones. The exterior uses white and cream tones to soften the columns, which are exposed to direct sunlight. Hinoki-inspired wooden paneling wraps the second-floor terraces to provide privacy. A limestone promenade leads to a zero-edge pool, a private dining garden with a fireplace, and a granite rock formation inspired by the luxury hotel Amangiri in Utah. Inside, the plasterwork is predominantly white, with exceptions in the taupe cloakroom and the oak-paneled TV room. The sitting room features a fireplace carved from a two-ton block of Paloma limestone, assembled on-site by 16 men. The kitchen boasts Calacatta Paonazzo marble, lending a vintage feel to the contemporary space, while a Calacatta gold marble bar adds warmth. Each bedroom is designed with a unique palette to enhance personality. The interiors are furnished with a rich mix of textures, including boucle, velvet, mohair, and linen. Irani carpets, inherited from Arya’s family, blend seamlessly with pieces by notable designers like Vladimir Kagan, Gio Ponti, and Rick Owens. The couple also incorporated collectibles from their travels to Madrid, São Paulo, and Marrakech, creating a curated global aesthetic. Many furniture pieces were custom-made by Studio OSKLO, characterized by gentle abstract shapes and textures. Accessories from Tokyo, sourced during their trips to Japan in 2021 and 2022, contribute an Eastern influence to the Los Angeles views. Pottery, 19th-century bronzes, and clay objects are artfully displayed on built-ins, shelving, and tabletops. The dining room features a Tamara de Lempicka artwork, and a 1960s-era bronze bust adorns the second-floor hallway, reflecting the Martins’ personal tastes and careful attention to every detail in their home. #BiophilicDesign #HollywoodHills #StudioOSKLO #MinimalistInteriors #NaturalMaterials #EarthyPalette #LuxuryHomes #CustomFurniture #ArchitecturalDesign #InteriorDesigners

The Hilltop Estate project, designed by Studio McGee, exemplifies a sophisticated blend of Napa-inspired aesthetics with a coastal California sensibility, taking advantage of the property's incredible views from every window. The design journey begins with the entryway, which sets a warm and inviting tone through the strategic use of white oak wood paneling on walls and ceilings, providing a comforting embrace despite abundant glass. Sconces are incorporated to free up console table space while maintaining ambient lighting. Moving into the formal living room and dining room, a sense of continuity is achieved with uniform drapery and symmetrical chandeliers, despite distinct functions. The living room features a focal wall with built-in shelving, a limestone fireplace, and flannel-textured wallpaper, while furniture is artfully mixed to achieve a cohesive yet varied look. The dining room maximizes space and visual interest with a sideboard and a large hutch, reflecting views and offering storage. The kitchen and breakfast nook maintain consistency with vaulted, wood-stained ceilings. This space blends contemporary elements, such as mixed cabinetry and chunky brass hardware, with luxurious details like a Calacatta marble countertop and backspace. Steel windows are meticulously integrated into the marble, and a marble drip edge upgrades the apron-front farmhouse sink. A vintage pocket pantry door reveals a moody, charcoal-grey pantry (Sherwin Williams Peppercorn) with a patterned paint tile backsplash and soapstone countertop. The breakfast nook features vertical tongue and groove paneling, a buttery yellow laminated cushion, and McGee & Co.’s Reeves dining chairs. The family room serves as a casual hangout space, featuring a sectional sofa and a thoughtfully placed Beckett Chair to maintain flow. An antique carved wood mirror adds a unique accent to a large wall. The primary suite, located upstairs, offers a relaxing retreat with a balcony and vaulted ceilings with white oak beams. Walls are painted in Swiss Coffee by Dunn Edwards, a warm white. Asymmetrical nightstands and varied lamp heights create balance, while the custom canopy bed, upholstered in striped blue and cream fabric, is accented with vintage block print pillows in blue and reddish-orange. The primary bathroom embraces glamor with ornate paneling, smooth limestone floors, and a palette of creams and warm whites. A vintage patterned rug introduces olive and blue tones, complementing reeded drawer fronts and Calcutta marble countertops. For the children's rooms, durability and adaptability are key. The girls' room features a soft palette of light turquoise and faded gold, with blush pink accents on the ceiling (Farrow & Ball Setting Plaster) and a Cloud Toile wallpaper by Schumacher in the built-ins. Boys' rooms incorporate personality with patterned sheets, football art, and board and batten details, using industrial plug-in sconces and a neutral wall color (Swiss Coffee by Dunn Edwards). The homework room doubles as a hangout space with a deep sofa, TV, beanbag chairs, and built-in desks, all benefiting from ample natural light and flush-mounted brass light fixtures. The wine room, a unique and moody space, features dark-stained herringbone hardwood floors with a double-striped perimeter. Walls are painted in Benjamin Moore Midnight, extending to a coffered, stained wood ceiling and a plaster-coated barrel-vaulted ceiling in the wine storage area. Details include black steel doors, a black marble fireplace, tonal drapes, a rolling wood ladder, antiqued mirrors, a vintage rug, leather club chairs, and an emerald green tufted velvet sofa. The wine storage itself is custom-stained oak, accommodating an extensive bottle collection at optimal temperatures. The outdoor spaces and pool house are designed as an extension of the home, facilitating indoor/outdoor living in Southern California. The L-shaped main house opens to a backyard centered around a pool, with various zones for gathering, including a courtyard with a firepit and café lights. The outdoor dining area incorporates warm wood beams and woven pendants, while a partitioned area features a built-in pizza oven and BBQ with L-shaped banquette seating. Olive trees and planters enhance the SoCal vibe. The pool house, with its high-contrast black and white exterior, features black steel doors and custom-colored siding, mirroring the main house. A garage window opens to a pass-through bar, and accordion-style steel doors connect the interior with the pool area. The pool house design adopts a beachier, lighter aesthetic with a shiplap ceiling in Swiss Coffee, steel cable ties, and limestone pavers extending from the pool deck. It includes an indoor/outdoor rug, a charcoal-colored performance fabric sectional, and art by Brian Kingston. The kitchen and bar area feature blue ceramic tiles, light wood cabinets, and louvered doors, designed for heavy use. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #LuxuryHomes #CaliforniaDesign #NapaInspired #CoastalLiving #DesignTips #StudioMcGee #HomeStyling

Herchell Arquitectos designed Casa Patio, a split-level residence in San Sebastián del Oeste, Jalisco, Mexico, that allows the owner to rent out a portion of the home while maintaining privacy. The design is configured in an H-shape to preserve two existing avocado trees on the site, which stand over 20 meters tall. These trees inspired the creation of central courtyards that integrate with nature. The owner's living spaces, comprising four bedrooms and bathrooms, are situated on the ground floor, encircling the main courtyard. All these rooms open directly onto this lush central area. Due to the steep terrain, the courtyard is terraced into multiple levels. Herchell Arquitectos incorporated exposed walkways and stairs, leveraging the region's favorable climate. The kitchen and dining room are enclosed by sliding glass walls, and the living room features a fireplace that is accessible from both the interior and exterior. An independent rental property is located on the upper level, accessible via a spiral staircase on one side of the house. This upper level contains four additional bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom. This setup is described as a "boutique hotel concept," allowing the homeowner to rent out these four rooms independently without compromising their private living space below. The windows of the rental units face away from the central courtyard, ensuring the privacy of the owner's ground-floor living areas. Herchell Arquitectos aimed to challenge conventional living standards and how inhabitants interact with their spaces daily. The primary structure of the house utilizes steel, but local materials were prioritized for cladding and interior finishes. Local clay bricks form the majority of the ground-floor walls, while charred pine boards cover the upstairs volume. Fast-growing reeds were used for several ceilings, imparting an artisanal aesthetic to the interiors. This project reflects a trend in Mexico where new developments are designed to accommodate both tourists and local residents, exemplified by a Cancún residential project that combines short-term rentals with traditional leases. The photography of Casa Patio is credited to Herchell Arquitectos. #MexicanArchitecture #CourtyardHouse #BoutiqueHotelConcept #ResidentialDesign #HerchellArquitectos #Mexico #SustainableMaterials #SplitLevelHome

The celebrated Stremmel House, located on a peak 1,000 feet above Reno, Nevada, is currently on the market for $3.75 million. This architectural gem offers 360-degree views, encompassing the city to the east and the Sierra Mountains to the west. Designed by renowned architect Mark Mack, the residence served as the home for art gallery owners Peter and Turkey Stremmel since its completion in 1995. Spanning 6,515 square feet, the Stremmel House features a comprehensive layout with four ensuite bedrooms, five full baths, and two half baths. The design emphasizes an open floor plan, incorporating a lofted library situated above the main living area. The property extends its living spaces outdoors with a terrace and an outdoor fireplace. Unique amenities include an indoor/outdoor dog kennel, an indoor aviary, and a heated lap pool. These features contribute to a luxurious and highly functional living environment, catering to diverse needs and preferences. The interiors of the Stremmel House are characterized by design elements that enhance both aesthetics and functionality. Recessed track lighting integrated into vaulted ceilings provides ample illumination and contributes to the spacious feel of the living areas. Walls of glass are strategically placed to offer panoramic views of the Great Basin valley, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor environments. The use of stained, polished concrete floors adds a warm tone, complementing the modern architectural style. Throughout the day, patterns of light and shadow, created by vertical supports and horizontal trellis slats, add dynamic dimension to both the exterior and interior walls, highlighting the thoughtful design. The dining area is furnished with lacewood and oak tables, custom-designed by Terry Hunziker from Seattle. Glass walls on the east and west sides facilitate seamless access to the outdoor living spaces, promoting an integrated lifestyle. The kitchen is equipped with poured concrete counters, double convection ovens, and dual warming drawers and dishwashers, providing a high level of functionality for culinary activities. The master bedroom suite is a private retreat, featuring dual vanities, a steam shower, and a walk-in closet that opens onto its own patio. An adjacent study or exercise space and a separate bath further enhance the suite's comfort and utility. The exterior of the Stremmel House features a distinctive color palette of red and yellow, chosen to evoke the hues of the Sierra Nevada range. Architect Mark Mack explained this choice, stating that when combined, these colors create orange, which he associates with life, universal well-being, and energy. This thoughtful selection of materials and colors contributes to the house's unique character and its harmony with the natural landscape. The property has received notable recognition, with Architectural Record naming it House of the Year and Architectural Digest including it in its yearly AD100, underscoring its significance in architectural design. Peter Stremmel recounted his fascination with Mack's early sketches, reflecting the visionary approach taken during the design process. #StremmelHouse #MarkMack #ArchitecturalGem #LuxuryRealEstate #RenoNevada #ModernArchitecture #SierraMountainsViews #AwardWinningDesign #ArtAndArchitecture

The Bay Area Home, a collaboration between Olson Kundig architecture firm and NICOLEHOLLIS interiors, presents a sophisticated blend of modern architecture and carefully curated interiors. This residence is designed to accommodate a family’s active and art-centric lifestyle within an established San Francisco Bay Area neighborhood. It functions as a serene retreat, integrating indoor and outdoor living through the incorporation of mature oak trees, reflective water features, and expansive garden views. Architect Tom Kundig's design strategically divides the home into distinct zones, offering both formal spaces for entertaining and more intimate areas for family life. This dual functionality provides a sense of openness while simultaneously fostering warmth and closeness. The design emphasizes a strong connection to nature through extensive use of glass walls and kinetic architectural elements, effectively blurring the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces. The home's entrance is marked by a dramatic black steel bridge spanning a lightwell, leading to a bronze pivoting front door that opens into an art-filled entryway. Large walls throughout the residence are dedicated to showcasing the family’s significant art collection, which includes works by artists such as Oscar Murillo and Alma Allen. Oversized glass windows ensure uninterrupted views of the surrounding lush landscape, further integrating the natural environment into the living experience. An Olympic-sized swimming pool runs along the axis of the primary suite, extending into a covered outdoor living area. Adjacent to the pool, a cabana houses a sauna, a cold plunge pool, and an outdoor gym, promoting an active and wellness-focused lifestyle for the residents. The formal wing of the house features reflecting pools and is framed by black steel columns. Two 13-foot pivoting glass doors allow ample natural light to penetrate the space. Custom elements, such as a botanical bronze screen created by artist David Wiseman, introduce intricate textures and artistic depth. Nicole Hollis highlighted this custom screen as one of the most distinctive design choices. In contrast to the formal areas, the family zones are designed for casual yet luxurious living. The kitchen, distinguished by a 28-foot-long Titiano marble island, extends onto a terrace. This outdoor extension includes dedicated areas for cooking and dining, sheltered beneath the cantilevered volume of the primary suite. The outdoor kitchen, pool, and sports facilities are central to encouraging an active lifestyle, with Kundig noting that the outdoor kitchen specifically extends the home’s energy into the landscape and the pool links the various recreational activities. The upper level of the home includes a tranquil primary suite, featuring a marble bathtub positioned to offer peaceful views of the tree canopy. A separate wing is dedicated to children, providing both privacy and play areas. The basement level contains a gym and a recreation room, which open into a landscaped lightwell, ensuring that even the lower sections of the home receive natural light. Nicole Hollis's interior design approach creates a serene and inviting atmosphere, thoughtfully contrasting soft furnishings with the home’s bold architectural lines. The selected materials and finishes are chosen to complement the exterior landscape, establishing a calming environment. This interplay between rigorous architecture and playful interior details ensures the space is both functional and refined, enhancing the overall livability of the home. The integration of various functional and aesthetic elements underscores a cohesive design vision, where every detail contributes to a harmonious and sophisticated living experience. #BayAreaHome #OlsonKundig #NicoleHollis #ModernArchitecture #InteriorDesign #OutdoorLiving #ArtIntegration #LuxuryHome #ArchitecturalDesign