Crisp, White and Narrow

 

Here's a little highlight from an NYC townhouse the measures just 16 feet in width.  Check this kitchen/nook space.  It's cozy but you really can't go wrong with the all white look.  Keep that space as bright as possible and you'll forget about the narrow, galley style.

Killer little added elements to highlight the space include the fresh yellow glass tiles of the backsplash as well as the factory style steel window off the sitting area.

It's subtle but I like the way they carried the horizontal lines throughout the space from the layout of the cabinetry to the cladding of the wood walls.

The floor to ceiling windows are flat out perfect once again helping open that space.  Bring on as much of that natural light as possible.

via Remodelista

Carved

This is what you do with a kickass piece of property overlooking the Pacific in Big Sur, California.  You carve out the hillside and follow the contours of the topography.

A warm, earthy vibe in color gets set off with a hint of blue in the outdoor chair covers and stone top in the kitchen.  A subtle tie-in as you look out to the ocean.

I love the movement of the architecture.  The mix of straight and wavy lines in the wood and metal cladding to the random, edgy patterns of the stone work.  It all goes back to elements of the natural surroundings.

via Contemporist and Architect Magazine

Roll Out!

They're called the "Rolling Huts".  A property owners way of accommodating out-of-town family and friends.  Where can we sign up?  These are badass.  A rustic and raw cluster of camping pods designed to capture the killer mountain views and preserve the natural landscape.  Minimal in the material selection yet so clean and well crafted.  The huts are composed of plywood, steel, concrete and glass.  You can also check this post over at Fred Flare.

via homedsgn

The Spare Room

What to do with that spare room, space in the basement or nasty old garage?  Get creative with some wood, a little hard pipe lighting and some fresh vintage design pieces.  The randomly placed pieces of 1x12 notty pine not only add a design element to the space, but they can also provide shelving and storage.  The wood definitely warms the space along with the colors of some of the sweet artifacts.  You can also check this post over at Fred Flare.

via freshome

Living on the Edge

A modern gem oh so nicely tucked right in on the edge of a cliff and at the water's edge. A great design that not only takes on the challenges of the site but of the natural weather environment as well. Elevation changes and a tight footprint. The view from the water is just sweet.

A shot of the courtyard that separates the main living from the boathouse. Fully equipped with a wood burning pizza oven and fireplace. An exterior make-up of copper, concrete, metal and cedar cladding to battle the elements.

Check the interior. Douglas fir all over giving that nautical feel for sure along with concrete floors and oversized windows. They even have some subtle copper accents in the kitchen hardware to tie the interior and exterior finishes.

A badass rooftop entry. A two story glass enclosed elevator shaft to get you to the residence. I love the stark contrast they've created between the two points of entry off land and water. So good.

via homedsgn

Hillside Stone Cubes

Old world stone craftsmanship and style showcased in this contemporary home built into the hillside in Ticino, Switzerland. An architectural gem built to look like it's hundreds of years old.

Two cubes emerge from the rugged terrain connect internally via cavities. One cube for the garage and swimming pool and the other for the living and sleeping quarters.

The main courtyard as you walk up from the garage to the main living quarters. Open, airy and bright with natural light reflecting off the lighter tones of colored stone.

Again maximizing the use of natural light here in the garage. The door is a wooden grid and above is a narrow, metal grid system adjacent to the pool deck.

Such a killer view.

via homedsgn

Old Stone Bath

Rustic and raw and meshing the textures. I like the fact that they chose not to mess with this 16th century bath. Instead, they've incorporated a custom molded concrete tub and platform. A modern edge that compliments not clashes.

via Remodelista

On the Water

The floating home. It's just such a cool concept. The ultimate if you want to live right on the water (not on a boat). This place is badass inside and out.

The perfect blend of warm hardwoods, concrete and steel.

So nice. Check this. Roll up that glass overhead door and the water is right there.

And to finish it off, the rooftop terrace with a separate stair. Maximize that tight building envelope and save the space on the interior. You can also check this over at my weekly guest home, Fred Flare.

photos via Contemporist

Plane House

It's a sweet space designed and laid out in the hills of Malibu. This is the result of such a cool collaboration between architect and owner. The idea of utilizing recycled materials (a Boeing 747-200 aircraft) and incorporating natural topography. I'm always intrigued when I see those two elements coming together. Definitely not your typical refurbished/reconstruction job but a genius little idea. The retired plane was sitting with a ton of others in the California dessert. Love the creativity.

A mix of concrete, structured steel and glass makes up both the interior and exterior.

They ended up purchasing the entire plane however it's the wings that are the linchpin to the design.

Check the view at dusk. The lines are so strong from this angle. And the fire pit is perfect. They designed it utilizing one of the engine cowlings.

photos via ArchDaily

Rustic Fire Pit

Rustic and rural. Private and laid-back. This is a sweet little custom fire pit blending right in with the natural landscaping.

photo via Elle Decor

Industrial Galley Kitchen

Long and narrow. This particular space is full of volume as well. It's a galley style kitchen and they chose to go with an industrial vibe. The large window is such a bonus here, not only for the amount of light, but it helps open up the room. You don't feel so closed in. They also get some added accent lighting (washing that exterior brick wall) through the ceiling joist. Subtle, but again, visually opening the space a little.

A darker tone with a mix of textures from smooth concrete to rugged galvanized shelving.

photos via Remodelista

Rainforest

Costa Rica. On the mountainside and in the rainforest. This place is killer. A tight transformation of an abandoned steel and concrete slab structure.

Local and man-made products from the cabinets to the counter tops. A sweet, rich blend with the warm hardwood and bright whites.

A total of 5 stories and open throughout allowing the breeze to flow freely. And yet again, another design utilizing the large roof overhangs to shade and cool.

You can also find this at my guest home, Fred Flare.

photos via SPG Architects

Outdoor Gathering Space

A little way to get creative with outdoor seating. In addition to the traditional style wood deck off the house, they've carved out and excavated a small semi-private area. It's this hollowed out space with a bed of river rock as a base and board formed concrete as the seat back. The bench seating was then tied in with the decking material. It just another unique design element complimenting the architecture of the home.

photo via Remodelista

Water Ski Retreat

This is how you roll if you're crazy about water skiing. You find this sweet piece of property with an existing lake, modify and dredge it for your 1/2 mile ski course and create a sweet little berm to hang your house over with the perfect view of the water. Very nice.

The materials throughout are pretty basic and were kept to a minimum. Keep the maintenance down while putting out a cool cutting edge design. Concrete on the floors with some board formed concrete mixed in with the plaster walls.

Florida. Right on the water. It's screaming for an outdoor shower. This unit is simple, keeping with the overall vibe of the place. It literally sits right off the master shower so you could jump from one to the other. A nice teak wood base floor in both showers too, recessed right into the concrete.

So open to the outdoors, once again maximizing that view of the course. A killer little fire pit and negative edge lap pool to finish it all off. Thursday is also my day over at Fred Flare if you're wondering why there are some many crazy links. Check it here.

photos via Contemporist