Nestled into a hillside, this timber-framed family home enjoys uninterrupted views out across the countryside of the North Downs. A newly built property, it is an elegant fusion of traditional crafts and materials with contemporary design. Our clients had a vision for a modern sustainable house with practical yet beautiful interiors, a home with character that quietly celebrates the details. For example, where uniformity might have prevailed, over 1000 handmade pegs were used in the construction of the timber frame. The building consists of three interlinked structures enclosed by a flint wall. The house takes inspiration from the local vernacular, with flint, black timber, clay tiles and roof pitches referencing the historic buildings in the area. The structure was manufactured offsite using highly insulated preassembled panels sourced from sustainably managed forests. Once assembled onsite, walls were finished with natural clay plaster for a calming indoor living environment. Timber is a constant presence throughout the house. At the heart of the building is a green oak timber-framed barn that creates a warm and inviting hub that seamlessly connects the living, kitchen and ancillary spaces. Daylight filters through the intricate timber framework, softly illuminating the clay plaster walls. Along the south-facing wall floor-to-ceiling glass panels provide sweeping views of the landscape and open on to the terrace. A second barn-like volume staggered half a level below the main living area is home to additional living space, a study, gym and the bedrooms. The house was designed to be entirely off-grid for short periods if required, with the inclusion of Tesla powerpack batteries. Alongside underfloor heating throughout, a mechanical heat recovery system, LED lighting and home automation, the house is highly insulated, is zero VOC and plastic use was minimised on the project. Outside, a rainwater harvesting system irrigates the garden and fields and woodland below the house have been rewilded.

Villa 75

Gabriele Sotgiu Fotografo

Atomic Ranch Midcentury Modern Project House: Living Room

Breathe Design Studio

Haus Wildau

Müllers Büro

Eckfenster sind etwas ganz besonderes und geben ein einmaliges Raumgefühl. Sie lösen die Ecken geschickt auf und könne wie hier als schöne Sitzecken gestaltet werden.

Snowmass

lisa schmitz interior design

Mountain Modern Lodge

VPC Builders, LLC

VPC’s featured Custom Home Project of the Month for March is the spectacular Mountain Modern Lodge. With six bedrooms, six full baths, and two half baths, this custom built 11,200 square foot timber frame residence exemplifies breathtaking mountain luxury. The home borrows inspiration from its surroundings with smooth, thoughtful exteriors that harmonize with nature and create the ultimate getaway. A deck constructed with Brazilian hardwood runs the entire length of the house. Other exterior design elements include both copper and Douglas Fir beams, stone, standing seam metal roofing, and custom wire hand railing. Upon entry, visitors are introduced to an impressively sized great room ornamented with tall, shiplap ceilings and a patina copper cantilever fireplace. The open floor plan includes Kolbe windows that welcome the sweeping vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The great room also includes access to the vast kitchen and dining area that features cabinets adorned with valances as well as double-swinging pantry doors. The kitchen countertops exhibit beautifully crafted granite with double waterfall edges and continuous grains. VPC’s Modern Mountain Lodge is the very essence of sophistication and relaxation. Each step of this contemporary design was created in collaboration with the homeowners. VPC Builders could not be more pleased with the results of this custom-built residence.

Wimberley Modern

Round Table Design

The clients wanted a large sofa that could house the whole family. With three teenagers, we decide to go with a custom leather slate blue Tuftytime sofa. The vintage chairs and rug are from Round Top Antique Fair, as well at the cool “Scientist” painting that was from an old apothecary in Germany.

Mountain Home on Lake Pend Oreille

Hendricks Architecture

Great Room with view of Lake Pend Oreille. Featuring fireplace with large stone surround and heavy timber trusses. Photo by Karl Neumann.

Windham Lodge

Kathy Kuo Designs Inc

The clients were looking for a modern, rustic ski lodge look that was chic and beautiful while being family-friendly and a great vacation home for the holidays and ski trips. Our goal was to create something family-friendly that had all the nostalgic warmth and hallmarks of a mountain house, while still being modern, sophisticated, and functional as a true ski-in and ski-out house. To achieve the look our client wanted, we focused on the great room and made sure it cleared all views into the valley. We drew attention to the hearth by installing a glass-back fireplace, which allows guests to see through to the master bedroom. The decor is rustic and nature-inspired, lots of leather, wood, bone elements, etc., but it's tied together will sleek, modern elements like the blue velvet armchair.

The Patterson

HIGHLAND HOMES LLC

Contemporary Farmhouse in Simpsonville

Tindall Architecture Workshop

Lake Wylie Wonder

Spain Construction

Living room with custom fireplace masonry and wooden mantle, accented with custom builtins and white-washed ceilings.

Santa Monica Spanish Revival Renovation

STUDIO ALLEN ARCHITECTS, INC

Shade

rivet design office 株式会社

Contemporary Living Room

Scenic Montclair Refresh

Lane McNab Interiors

Vernacular Modern

Rehkamp Larson Architects, Inc.

Scott Amundson Photography

Lady Jessica Dr

Dexign Matter Studio

We are Dexign Matter, an award-winning studio sought after for crafting multi-layered interiors that we expertly curated to fulfill individual design needs. Design Director Zoe Lee’s passion for customization is evident in this city residence where she melds the elevated experience of luxury hotels with a soft and inviting atmosphere that feels welcoming. Lee’s panache for artful contrasts pairs the richness of strong materials, such as oak and porcelain, with the sophistication of contemporary silhouettes. “The goal was to create a sense of indulgence and comfort, making every moment spent in the homea truly memorable one,” says Lee. By enlivening a once-predominantly white colour scheme with muted hues and tactile textures, Lee was able to impart a characterful countenance that still feels comfortable. She relied on subtle details to ensure this is a residence infused with softness. “The carefully placed and concealed LED light strips throughout create a gentle and ambient illumination,” says Lee. “They conjure a warm ambiance, while adding a touch of modernity.” Further finishes include a Shaker feature wall in the living room. It extends seamlessly to the room’s double-height ceiling, adding an element of continuity and establishing a connection with the primary ensuite’s wood panelling. “This integration of design elements creates a cohesive and visually appealing atmosphere,” Lee says. The ensuite’s dramatically veined marble-look is carried from the walls to the countertop and even the cabinet doors. “This consistent finish serves as another unifying element, transforming the individual components into a captivating feature wall. It adds an elegant touch to the overall aesthetic of the space.” Pops of black hardware throughout channel that elegance and feel welcoming. Lee says, “The furnishings’ unique characteristics and visual appeal contribute to a sense of continuous luxury – it is now a home that is both bespoke and wonderfully beckoning.”

Perch Pond

Yankee Barn Homes

Signature 7' Open Gas Fireplace by Acucraft

Acucraft Fireplaces

Acucraft Signature 7-foot Linear Front Facing Fireplace. Enjoy an open or sealed view with our 10-minute conversion kit. Perfect for every project.

Living Room Design Photos with Wood

A living room, often referred to as a lounge room in Australia and New Zealand, is the hub of the home. If you only have one living room in the house, it’s likely to serve multiple purposes: be it a place to watch TV, play games, spend quality time with family or hang out with friends. If you have the luxury of two living areas, one is usually a formal living room or lounge room, reserved for reading, relaxing and entertaining. A successful living room design is inviting, has enough seating for the whole clan – a comfortable couch is a must – and encourages conversation. Browse photos on Houzz for living room layouts, furniture and decor, and strike up a conversation with the interior designers or architects of your favourite picks. For even more living room ideas, check out the Stories section on Houzz.

Which living room layouts will work best for you?

Every living area will have design challenges. A long, narrow lounge room, for example, risks looking like a hallway if furniture is lined up against the walls. Instead, opt for small furniture items, like a cosy two-seater couch, and create various focal points throughout the space. In square living rooms, a symmetrical layout encourages a formal setting. Place seating on either side of the room, with a focal point in the middle to pull the room together. For a truly intimate vibe, replace your couch with some occasional chairs positioned around a coffee table or ottoman. This will make the main focus conversation. An open-plan home – one where the lines are blurred between kitchen, dining and living – may require a layout that focuses on definition. You’ll want to make sure furniture doesn’t block the flow between spaces, and instead use something like an area rug to create zones.

How can you decorate your living room?

The living room can be a place in which to show off your personality, but if you want a timeless living room scheme, stick to neutral walls, couches and ottomans. Colour can be added through accessories, and is a lot more interchangeable! Rugs, cushions and throws are great for adding colour, while mirrors, lamps and ceiling lights will set the mood. Make your living room unique by including family heirlooms and photos. For a polished look, try creating a coffee table vignette – you could use books as pedestals or group items together on a tray. Try adding a vase, a mixture of round and rectangular objects and some books.

What are some small living room ideas?

Small living room designs can be tricky to work with, but aren’t doomed to fail. Often, you just have to get creative with furniture. An open-back chaise can create a sense of spaciousness, while small side tables paired together can substitute a coffee table. Even better, an ottoman can be used as a footrest, coffee table or extra seating. Big furniture items like the couch are best kept in light colours, and if there’s room for a coffee table, a glass-top one is best. If you have two spaces in one – perhaps your living room sits in front of a single-wall kitchen – make sure they are connected by decor, colour and style. For definition, just add area rugs, or use your couch as a dividing wall. It’s worth having a few furniture pieces, whether a bookshelf, couch or entertainment unit, in the same colour as the walls, too, so they blend into the room and visually expand the space.

Is open-plan living for you?

Today’s homes often embrace open-plan living, whereby the living room runs off the kitchen and/or dining areas. Open-plan living allows greater functionality, but can risk creating a vast, soulless space if not done right. To avoid a cavernous feel in an open-plan design, define areas with furniture, rugs and lighting, or consider using a wall divider. Also be sure to keep flooring, lighting and materials consistent throughout, for cohesiveness. Noise may be an issue – someone banging pots and pans while you’re watching TV, for example – so include lots of soft furnishings, such as rugs, curtains and couches to help absorb the noise. You will also need to factor in plenty of storage, so mess is kept at bay.