Modern House Designs

Cottage Homes

February 7, 2012

Steel Cabin Design in the Woods

Seattle-based Olson Kundig Architects recently completed this steel cabin design in Olympic Peninsula, Washington. Clad in steel with large expanses of glass that can be completely shuttered, the stilt home enjoys an elevated position and great views of this treed location. Enter the raised house plan via an open steel staircase that matches the structure's industrial aesthetic. Inside, it's wood galore, and we're referring to both the interior finishing and the forest view. The open concept interior is overlooked by a modern loft accessed by a steel ladder, adding to the home's casual aesthetic. Olson Kundig Architects
photo credit: Benjamin Benschneider

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7 Feb 2012 | Cottage Homes |

January 19, 2012

Charming Creekside Cabin with Rustic-Refined Aesthetic

California architect Amy A. Alper designed this charming creek-side cabin in Santa Rosa, California. This delightful riverfront home sits on a serene property surrounded by towering firs and redwoods. One of the regulations for building here was that new construction was limited only to “previously disturbed” areas, so the architect thought outside the box with a great cantilevered living room and hallway addition that, while adding extra living space, had no impact on the land. Though revamped, the shingle-style cabin design, circa 1920s, maintains its country charms. The architect salvaged the original shingled exterior and used it as the backdrop for the new living spaces, adding a wonderful outdoor feel to interiors. Furthermore, this forest home features expansive glass walls that capture views of the trees and the creek. A fabulous fireplace feature warms up this rustic cabin home, both in looks and in feel. Amy A. Alper

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19 Jan 2012 | Cottage Homes |

Cabin Designs , Fireplace Features , Forest Home , Riverfront Homes , Rustic Cabin Homes

January 17, 2012

Circular Cottage Plans – Awesome Boat House

This circular cottage plan is the coolest retreat on a hot day. Austin, Texas-based architecture firm Bercy Chen Studio blend their European and East Asian backgrounds into a totally unique architectural style that we love. They sent us photos of their Shore Vista Boat House in Lake Austin that we just had to share. This contemporary style house is a veritable playground for the water-lover, set right on a lake with a built-in water feature that brings the house to life. The circular-shaped cottage is wrapped in a winding spiral staircase that gives you the external tour of the whole home, leading you past its outdoor entertaining areas and glass walls that offer a glimpse of what’s inside. Made for entertaining and enjoyment of the finer things in life – these being nature, family, friends, peace, quiet, and good times – this waterfront cottage is a sweet retreat indeed! Bercy Chen Studio

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17 Jan 2012 | Cottage Homes |

Floating Houses , Spiral Staircase House , Unusual Homes , Water Features Home , Waterfront Cottage Designs

November 28, 2011

Cottage Home Designs - Norway Vacation House

In these dark days of winter, cottage home designs like this Norwegian house really whisk us away to the warmer, and brighter, days of summer. The homeowner and her husband, German architect Jurgen Kiehl, are the brains behind this classic cottage home, where outdoor living takes precedence during the short summer season here in Norway. Simple, humble and natural, this vacation house became a creative playground for the architect, who let the 800-million-year-old rock slab, once formed by ice a mile thick but now surrounded by the welcoming lapping shoreline, inspire this rustic house style. Inside, we love the unusual staircase and the built-in benches, which make the most of the natural wood and create a comfortable and thoughtful yet care-free “campy” feel. For every indoor space, there is a corresponding outdoor entertaining area.
via Dwell
photo credit: Pia Ulin

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28 Nov 2011 | Cottage Homes |

Cottage Houses , German Architects , Norwegian Houses , Outdoor Entertaining Areas , Rustic House Styles , Vacation Houses

November 18, 2011

Moving Wall House Offers Privacy & Openness

This moving wall house designed by Olson Kundig Architects is a great escape offering privacy when you need it, and openness when you want it. We love the idea of this wood cabin design on San Juan Island in Washington State; a compact cottage with the most unusual feature – timber walls that fold up for privacy, and fold down to reveal a glass wall house with breathtaking views in every direction of the surrounding countryside. Inside, a fireplace feature at the center of the home is an instant hotspot in this small but sweet book nook – a cozy place to escape busy city life with only your thoughts and your favorite reading. Olson Kundig Architects
via Contemporist
photo credit: Tim Bies/Olson Kundig Architects