Tim Furlong

With simple, clean lines and bright, open windows this bathroom invites all the calm simplicity craved at the end of a long work day.

An industrial modern design + build project placed among the trees at the top of a hill. More projects at www.IversonSignatureHomes.com 2012 KaDa Photography

Costa Christ Media

Design by MAS Design in Oakland Ca For more information on products and design visit http://www.houzz.com/projects/1409139/sonoma-county-organic-modern

Jim Bartsch

Main stairwell at Weston Modern project. Architect: Stern McCafferty.

Praised for its visually appealing, modern yet comfortable design, this Scottsdale residence took home the gold in the 2014 Design Awards from Professional Builder magazine. Built by Calvis Wyant Luxury Homes, the 5,877-square-foot residence features an open floor plan that includes Western Window Systems’ multi-slide pocket doors to allow for optimal inside-to-outside flow. Tropical influences such as covered patios, a pool, and reflecting ponds give the home a lush, resort-style feel.

Photo: Stacy Vazquez-Abrams

The marble wall has a builtin shelves on both sides to hold soap and shampoo. The dark wall is a large format glass tile called Lucian from Ann Sacks. The color is Truffle.

The Port Ludlow Residence is a compact, 2400 SF modern house located on a wooded waterfront property at the north end of the Hood Canal, a long, fjord-like arm of western Puget Sound. The house creates a simple glazed living space that opens up to become a front porch to the beautiful Hood Canal. The east-facing house is sited along a high bank, with a wonderful view of the water. The main living volume is completely glazed, with 12-ft. high glass walls facing the view and large, 8-ft.x8-ft. sliding glass doors that open to a slightly raised wood deck, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor space. During the warm summer months, the living area feels like a large, open porch. Anchoring the north end of the living space is a two-story building volume containing several bedrooms and separate his/her office spaces. The interior finishes are simple and elegant, with IPE wood flooring, zebrawood cabinet doors with mahogany end panels, quartz and limestone countertops, and Douglas Fir trim and doors. Exterior materials are completely maintenance-free: metal siding and aluminum windows and doors. The metal siding has an alternating pattern using two different siding profiles. The house has a number of sustainable or “green” building features, including 2x8 construction (40% greater insulation value); generous glass areas to provide natural lighting and ventilation; large overhangs for sun and rain protection; metal siding (recycled steel) for maximum durability, and a heat pump mechanical system for maximum energy efficiency. Sustainable interior finish materials include wood cabinets, linoleum floors, low-VOC paints, and natural wool carpet.

My husband added brass hairpin legs to inexpensive computer desks with laptop compartments, integrated power strips and cord cutouts. Mike Z Designs created a custom wooden box to hide the ugly in-wall AC unit. The front panel slides out to allow the unit to operate. Photo © Bethany Nauert