The guesthouse of our Green Mountain Getaway follows the same recipe as the main house. With its soaring roof lines and large windows, it feels equally as integrated into the surrounding landscape. Photo by: Nat Rea Photography

Southview Modern Home

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Adrian Ozimek / Ozimek Photography Architectural Designer: Fine Lines Design Builder: Day Custom Homes

Bridle Path Lane New Home

Menendez Architects PC

The Master Suite and patio step up the hill to conform to the topography of the site and to create a more private space. Photographer: Emily Minton Redfield

Plasm Cut Screen Door

The Iron Snail Inc.

16 Vanguard Way

A.GRUPPO Architects - Dallas

Front Wall of 16 Vanguard Way

Ballard Cut

Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects

Photographer: Alex Hayden

Lincoln Square Residence

Searl Lamaster Howe Architects

The front of the house features an open porch, a common feature in the neighborhood. Stairs leading up to it are tucked behind one of a pair of brick walls. The brick was installed with raked (recessed) horizontal joints which soften the overall scale of the walls. The clerestory windows topping the taller of the brick walls bring light into the foyer and a large closet without sacrificing privacy. The living room windows feature a slight tint which provides a greater sense of privacy during the day without having to draw the drapes. An overhang lined on its underside in stained cedar leads to the entry door which again is hidden by one of the brick walls.

Castenada Residence

Schwartz and Architecture

This full remodel of a 3,200 sq ft home in San Francisco’s Forest Hills neighborhood worked within the home’s existing split level organization, but radically expanded the sense of openness and movement through the space. The jewel of the new top floor master suite is a minimalist bathroom surrounded by glass and filled with light. The most private space becomes the most prominent element from the street below. Photo by Aaron Leitz

Blackberry Lane, Four Marks

Barclay+Phillips Architects

View from rear garden Matthew Streten

Pool House

Huntly Design Office, PC

Bill Mauzy

Forrest Hills Addition

Celtic Works

Landon Jacob Photography www.landonjacob.com

House and Home Oakville

Murakami Design Inc.

At Murakami Design Inc., we are in the business of creating and building residences that bring comfort and delight to the lives of their owners. Murakami provides the full range of services involved in designing and building new homes, or in thoroughly reconstructing and updating existing dwellings. From historical research and initial sketches to construction drawings and on-site supervision, we work with clients every step of the way to achieve their vision and ensure their satisfaction. We collaborate closely with such professionals as landscape architects and interior designers, as well as structural, mechanical and electrical engineers, respecting their expertise in helping us develop fully integrated design solutions. Finally, our team stays abreast of all the latest developments in construction materials and techniques.

Boat sheds by Stachan Group Architects

Strachan Group Architects

Patrick Reynolds

Turnstyle ID - Lieve Saether - Christmas Installation

Twist Tours Real Estate and Portfolio Marketing

Allison Cartwright

Rivercrest

LaRue Architects

Three zinc-clad boxes adorn this Lake Austin home, while the stone and stucco provide warmth on the ground floor. An outdoor living area lakeside blends seamlessly with the landscape leading up to the water beyond; a perfect spot for entertaining. Published: Luxe interiors + design, Austin + Hill Country Edition, November/December 2016 Photo Credit: Dror Baldinger

Raw House

Mustard Architects

Rear elevation when viewed from the garden. Photography: Tim Crocker

Modern Home in Rural Hamlet

Wiedemann Architects LLC

View of home from exterior. Top floor has great views of both the mountains to the south and field to the north from both the living room and large screened in porch. First floor apartment has views of the mountains. Anice Hoachlander, Hoachlander Davis Photography LLC

Apollo House

PGH Bricks & Pavers

Client: Genworth Homes Architect/Building Designer: Chris Diamantis Builder: Genworth Construction Bricklayer: Holdfast Bricklayers Bricks Used: Apollo

Desert Modern at Estancia

Drewett Works

Believe it or not, this award-winning home began as a speculative project. Typically speculative projects involve a rather generic design that would appeal to many in a style that might be loved by the masses. But the project’s developer loved modern architecture and his personal residence was the first project designed by architect C.P. Drewett when Drewett Works launched in 2001. Together, the architect and developer envisioned a fictitious art collector who would one day purchase this stunning piece of desert modern architecture to showcase their magnificent collection. The primary views from the site were southwest. Therefore, protecting the interior spaces from the southwest sun while making the primary views available was the greatest challenge. The views were very calculated and carefully managed. Every room needed to not only capture the vistas of the surrounding desert, but also provide viewing spaces for the potential collection to be housed within its walls. The core of the material palette is utilitarian including exposed masonry and locally quarried cantera stone. An organic nature was added to the project through millwork selections including walnut and red gum veneers. The eventual owners saw immediately that this could indeed become a home for them as well as their magnificent collection, of which pieces are loaned out to museums around the world. Their decision to purchase the home was based on the dimensions of one particular wall in the dining room which was EXACTLY large enough for one particular painting not yet displayed due to its size. The owners and this home were, as the saying goes, a perfect match! Project Details | Desert Modern for the Magnificent Collection, Estancia, Scottsdale, AZ Architecture: C.P. Drewett, Jr., AIA, NCARB | Drewett Works, Scottsdale, AZ Builder: Shannon Construction | Phoenix, AZ Interior Selections: Janet Bilotti, NCIDQ, ASID | Naples, FL Custom Millwork: Linear Fine Woodworking | Scottsdale, AZ Photography: Dino Tonn | Scottsdale, AZ Awards: 2014 Gold Nugget Award of Merit Feature Article: Luxe. Interiors and Design. Winter 2015, “Lofty Exposure”

Passive Mews House, Camberwell, London

RDA Architects

RDA's first certified Passivhaus. This is in a South London Mews at the back of a Grade II listed building. The building used to be a coach house. The aesthetic was to design a house with a slightly industrial feel. The house itself is built with SIPs panels and uses a brick slip cladding system. The client's requested that this house be Passivhaus certified. The house was highly commended at the 2014 greenbuild awards and was shortlisted for the 2014 UK Passivhaus awards. The project is currently being monitored by the University of Kent and the occupiers are very satisfied with its performance which keeps energy bills to a minimum. Photo by Tim Soar

Contemporary Exterior Design Ideas

The front exterior of your home – the driveway, front yard, verandah and entrance – is a fantastic place to start making that all-important first impression on house guests. Even mailboxes and house numbers can have a wonderful way of grabbing people’s attention. The architectural design should reflect the overall contemporary style of your house and the family that live there; while your choice of materials will help your house blend in with its surrounds. Browse the photos on Houzz for ideas and inspiration for the exterior of your contemporary house, and strike up a conversation with the architects and designers of your favourite picks. You’ll find house designs for contemporary, eclectic, modern, traditional styles and more.

How do I decide on the exterior style of my home?

Your location, overall sense of style, budget and current home layout will dictate the style of your exterior. If you’re renovating a period home, the materials and features you use should reflect the date in which it was built, while a unique colour scheme could add contemporary flair. New homes may prefer to look to modern or contemporary designs with structural simplicity, whereas, if you live by the ocean, a beach-style design may better suit your locale. That’s not to say you can’t build a new home that has period influences. If you’re a traditionalist, you can borrow architectural details from the Art Deco period, for instance, or use finishes that reflect more of a Scandinavian style, too.

What exterior house colours and materials should I use?

Traditional homes typically use brick and timber building materials, while stone, board-formed concrete and metal cladding are popular contemporary options. Again, the materials you use will depend on your location and the statement you want to make. Your budget will also affect your choice. Vinyl siding is affordable and easy to install, while stone is more expensive but durable and low maintenance. If you’re not ready to renovate but want to update the exterior of your home, you can still paint it. Look to your neighbours when choosing exterior house colours. Consider the streetscape and what type of colours are already in use, firstly, so you don’t replicate next door’s shade; and secondly, so you don’t stand out like a sore thumb. If you’re renovating a period home, you could paint features or intricate details in a bold, standout hue. Front doors, garage doors and window trims also look great in eye-catching colours, even if the rest of the house’s facade is neutral.

How can I maximise my home’s street appeal?

To spice up your home’s architectural design, landscape the surrounding area with plants and pathways that accent the contemporary style of your home. If you just need a quick revamp, look at your cement and pavers – these can split and crack over time; and repairing or replacing them can do wonders for your street appeal, especially if it’s a large area like your driveway. Plants, garden paths or low walls can can also add structure to your front yard. Light up your home with sufficient outdoor lighting to make walking up to the front door easy at night. You could use bollard lights along your entry path, or replace tiny wall sconces with statement pendant lighting at the entrance or on your verandah. Decorative elements such as house numbers, mailboxes and doormats will also add character. And if you're looking to sell your house, it may be worth hiring a stylist to help make the most of your property.