Habor Cottage, www.harborcottagemaine.com, in Martinsville Maine. Renovation by Sheila Narusawa, http://www.sheilanarusawa.com/. Construction by Harbor Builders www.harborbuilders.com. Photography by Justine Hand. For the complete tour see http://designskool.net/harbor-cottage-maine.

The design of this refined mountain home is rooted in its natural surroundings. Boasting a color palette of subtle earthy grays and browns, the home is filled with natural textures balanced with sophisticated finishes and fixtures. The open floorplan ensures visibility throughout the home, preserving the fantastic views from all angles. Furnishings are of clean lines with comfortable, textured fabrics. Contemporary accents are paired with vintage and rustic accessories. To achieve the LEED for Homes Silver rating, the home includes such green features as solar thermal water heating, solar shading, low-e clad windows, Energy Star appliances, and native plant and wildlife habitat. All photos taken by Rachael Boling Photography

The house was originally a single story face brick home, which was ‘cut in half’ to make two smaller residences. It is on a triangular corner site, and is nestled in between a unit block to the South, and large renovated two storey homes to the West. The owners loved the original character of the house, and were keen to retain this with the new proposal, but felt that the internal plan was disjointed, had no relationship to the paved outdoor area, and above all was very cold in Winter, with virtually no natural light entering the house. The existing plan had the bedrooms and bathrooms on the side facing the outdoor area, with the living area on the other side of the hallway. We swapped this to have an open plan living room opening out onto a new deck area. An added bonus through the design stage was adding a rumpus room, which was built to the boundary on two sides, and also leads out onto the new deck area. Two large light wells open into the roof, and natural light floods into the house through the skylights above. The automated skylights really help with airflow, and keeping the house cool in the Summer. Warm timber finishes, including cedar windows and doors have been used throughout, and are a low key inclusion into the existing fabric of the house. Photography by Sarah Braden

Master Bath Tub and stained glass window.

Aquas and golds used work well with the walls of windows showing foliage from the outside. . Organic gold trunks used as small tables and gold dyed skin rug give this study an eclectic feel. Sheer window treatments add an extra dimension to this lovely room. Photography by Robert Brantley.

Hunter Douglas Silhouette Shades up in the Speciality Shaped Windows as well as the lower. the door is coordinated with a Hunter Doulas Luminette Shade.

Donna Dotan Photography Inc.

The steep site on which this residence is located dictated the use of a retaining wall to create a level grade. This retaining wall, or “the line”, became the driving element behind the parti of the home and serves to organize the program for the clients. The rituals of daily life fall into place along the line which is expressed as sandblasted exposed concrete and modular block. Three aspects of a house were seperated in this project: Thinking, Living, & Doing. ‘Thinking’ is done in the library, the main house is for ‘living’, and ‘doing’ is in the shop. While each space is separated by walls and windows they are nonetheless connected by “the line”. Sustainability is married in equal parts to the concept of The Line House. The residence is located along an east/west axis to maximize the benefits of daylighting and solar heat gain. Operable windows maximize natural cross ventilation and reduce the need for air conditioning. Photo Credit: Michael Robinson

The clients wanted a new kitchen which focused on relaxed living, where cooking is an enjoyable ergonomic process and the work zone is one of the most sociable spaces in the house. This larger kitchen needed to blend well with the adjoining living areas so as not to dominate the space. They knocked down several internal walls, demolished the conservatory at the back and replaced it with a large extension.

Photos by Bernard Andre

Amorfo Photography