Shower Time

It's finally outdoor shower time at our place so the search for inspiration is on.  I know, I know, it's the perfect time as we are winding down the summer here but either way it's going in.  I'm set up for exposed plumbing and I want simple.  So here are some of my thoughts.  I'll report back with the final outcome as soon as we throw this badboy together.  The 2nd photo down (the blue fez tile) is a fav because my sweet wife put this in our farmhouse bath and it's pretty badass.

via here and here

Outdoor Details

This cottage is fresh.  Just check the setting/view above.  I sometimes feel like the wraparound porch can take away from the main house but with such a kickass setting you really can't go wrong here.  It comes across a little simplistic but they do transform the vibe with the barrel roof on the porch.  I also like the way the tight lines in the railing and roof play off of one another.  And finally to top it off, the rustic qualities of the stone work that seamlessly tie the patio to the wall and steps.

via remodelista

Simple and Secluded

White house.  White sand.  Private setting.  It's all part of this straightforward ranch style construction set off with a few fresh design elements.

The single story design is key in warmer climates along with the all white look.  You want to keep that place as cool as possible.  With that being said, they've introduced a few things to enhance the look as well as tie it to the sweet grounds.  A modern vibe gets an industrial highlight with the sliding metal door and a Polynesian feel with the thatch style covered porches.  Subtle looks that compliment and give character.

 

 via freshome

American Classics

A little bit of everything.  Three American classics.  The quaint and modest shingle style home, a swimming pool and a travel trailer.  All of three of these showcased together may come across basic or boring yet they're very distinct dropped here on this beach site.

A modern vibe on the interior leads to both a traditional and retro spin on the outside.  Balance and simplicity throughout displaying some genius creativity.  Check the classic Airstream.  It's an icon no doubt and here it's purpose is multifunctional serving as the pool house or overflow for visitors.  And putting themselves out there a little further with their design they drop an above ground pool on site.  A modern twist clad in white Corian.

via knstrct and Roger Ferris + Partners

The Cube

Who doesn't love a tree house? How about this? It's the Treehotel. Located in a quiet, heavily forested village in northern Sweden. Referred to as "tree-rooms" this is one of five. It's called The Mirror cube.

The entire interior clad in bleached plywood throughout. There is no lack of natural light and they've even brought nature right inside by designing around the tree trunk.

This is freakish. Is it me or does it just not look real? It looks like a hologram. Mirrored panel walls suspended approximately 20 feet off the ground by engineered cabling. I think it's genius.

via yatzer

Stone Patio and Fire Pit

A play on shapes. I like the mass and chunkiness of these broken puzzle pieces here on this stone patio. A cool two dimensional extension of the rugged shoreline just off in the distance. Also love the way they've incorporated the fire pit with the radius. A sweet design element that also functions as another seating area.

photo via New England Magazine

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

Surf Lodge

A little weathered and maybe a little tired but full of character. This is the Surf Lodge, located at the tip of Long Island.

White washed barnwood walls and bleached pine floors. This place is a classic. Simple design embracing the surrounding natural elements. A nice little color blast too with the high back chairs and stools. Check the weathered, tree trunk high top. Another genius design element.

And the killer idea for an outdoor shower to finish it off.

photos via Remodelista

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

One More Outdoor Shower

I never get tired of searching for a killer outdoor shower. This particular one lays out some of my favorite elements, hand crafted and on display; concrete, metal and wood. I love the design and details here. A little board formed concrete mixed with a metal framed wall that's filled with stacked, hand-chopped wood. I like how they took the metal just a little further in the design utilizing it not only as a bar for the overhead, rain shower but to also outline the controls and soap dish. Details. Sweet, little details.

photo via ArchDaily

Australian Coastal Living

This to me is an ideal beach/coastal home. The vibe and feel is just sweet. It's welcoming, wide open and very simplistic in it's design. It doesn't suck either that you're on the eastern coast of Australia. The climate allows the indoor and outdoor spaces to flow freely and become one.

A fresh little outdoor gathering area as the color tones and wood textures work their way from inside, out.

Softer tones throughout with the painted wood ceilings and lighter honey colored hardwood. The balance is just right. It's not too heavy with any of the trim moldings. And check the cool little study area for the kids. I like the layout with the volume of the vaulted ceiling, and the creative geometrical shapes of the wood shelving over the computer station. Work hard and then play hard.

How cool is this? If you love to skate it's a great way to finish the day, no matter what age you are. You can also check this post on Fred Flare's site.

via the style files

Creative Outdoor Elements

We're working on this cottage project at the moment and last night at a meeting with the client we were discussing various ways to incorporate an outdoor sitting area. The challenge is to maximize the smaller area that we have to work with while keeping it both creative and unique. This was one example I was drawing some inspiration from. I like the tranquil feel of this area with the smooth stone surface and the flush fire pit. Those two items may seem like small details yet the texture and placement can change a space in no time.

photo via Contemporist

Long and Narrow

You're going to find all kinds of challenges when you work with a space that is approximately 12' wide by 82' long. This is a little family home in an old town district of Barcelona. The main focus was to open the space as much as possible while still trying to maintain some privacy.

One side of the building allows light through adjustable horizontal slats while the other is made up of glass block. Again collecting the light while minimizing the stress and activity of the city.

The interior is clad in lighter finishes with a modern industrial vibe. The glass catwalk, once again taking advantage of the natural light and letting it flow throughout.

The rooftop courtyard. No city stress here. This is the place to getaway and enjoy the outdoors.

via ArchDaily

Ranch Transformation In Wine Country

A weekend getaway for a couple out in wine country goes from a master suite addition to a full overhaul. They transformed this dated ranch style home into more of a modern farmhouse taking full advantage of the amazing views and surrounding landscape.

A great before and after showing the two architectural styles. A little can go a long way in some of the exterior elements. I like how they embraced the lower pitch of the existing roof, keeping the lines for the addition and cladding it with standing seamed metal.

The room is immediately transformed when you open it on both sides. This is another great example going with the retractable doors.

via Contemporist

Costa Rica

My wife Allison and I went to Costa Rica a few years ago. It was pretty crazy laying on the beach with monkeys overhead. The weather was amazing, the setting was unreal and I would definitely go back. This house does a great job at blending the outdoor with the indoor. A must if you are lucky enough to have a home in a place like this.

(photos via Home Away)

San Miguel de Allende

I am lucky enough to be on vacation this week with my wife, Leo and her entire family. We never get to see them all at the same time, so it is a blast. In honor of the vacation, I'm going to post about some bad ass vacation homes this week. Short and sweet posts, so enjoy.

These pictures are actually from my wife. She used to go on photo shoots with her job and she went on one in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. It's actually in central Mexico and even though there is no lake/ocean, it is a pretty sweet looking place to vacation.

Outdoor Materials Indoors

Why not bring some of the exterior elements inside? There are a ton of opportunities and styles to choose from. In the case above, the building was just originally constructed in that manner but one can certainly incorporate it in today's building standards. This has that rustic farmhouse feel with old hand split stone on the walls and the oversized blue stone walkway that they continued all the way in. It's a sweet little entry way.

You can get crazy on a more modern level too. This is a newer house in Dallas that brought the king sized masonry brick inside. They did a nice job giving the space some warmth too by bringing those brick in. The white drywalled fire chase then softens the overall mass.

I feel like people get a little nervous about these applications because they seem so permanent. I've always said, if you love it, do it. You can always put a coat of paint on brick and transform it, so try not to think of too many reasons not to do something, if you are really into it.

Photos via Tim Capaldi (Blackberry Farm) and Life of an Architect