Living spaces these days tend to be open with little physical separation between public rooms. Walls of glass visually expand these spaces to include the outdoors. But sometimes it’s nice to find a place to retreat and enjoy the view. Each of these projects features a cozy space-within-a-space that lets homeowners quietly enjoy their surroundings.
Linear Vision The entire second floor of this vacation retreat in the Catskill Mountains of New York is devoted to a big room where kitchen, dining, and living spaces merge into one. Architect Michael Ryan pointed the narrow end of the house downhill toward a verdant mountain valley. That entire end wall is a glass storefront system that Ryan felt should continue past the floor plane to create the illusion of endless sight lines. His architectural vision led to this sunken niche up against the glass. A blue slate floor gives way to black steel trim that supports the three-sided fireplace and forms the base for a builtin sofa. The fireplace is on eye level for those snuggled on the fat, red cushions, while the raised hearth means living room occupants also benefit from its warm glow. And for those who dream of curling up in front of a fire, the sofa’s generous seat depth makes for a comfortable napping spot as well. Builder: Wolfgang Schlemmer, Big Indian, N.Y.; Architect: Michael Ryan Architects, Loveladies, N.J.; Photographer: Albert Vecerka, Esto.
Wide Angle Lens If your new home sits on a hill with 270-degree views of mountains, valleys, and the lights of Los Angeles, the design definitely should include a place to take in the sights. This sunken sitting area connects to a pool and spa deck as well as the vista beyond via 22-foot-tall movable glass walls. Natural cherry millwork encompasses a 12-foot-long sofa that segues into an audio cabinet and fireplace surround. Limestone floors and steel trim keep the palette simple to let the site’s beauty shine. Architect Lawrence Scarpa decided to depress the sitting area because he likes the way it alters the viewer’s perspective and focuses sight lines. “It’s also an effective way to create an intimate gathering space, or seat another 20 people on the ledge,” he adds. Builder: RJC Builders, Los Angeles; Architect: Pugh+Scarpa Architects, Santa Monica, Calif.; Photographer: Marvin Rand + Associates.
Fireside Suite Architect Eric Logan likes to create spaces in the houses he designs that take advantage of Wyoming s blue sky and abundant sunshine even during the long, snowy winters. For this full-time residence, the architect included what he fondly calls “the bump.” “The bump does two things,” he explains, “it pushes you into the view by cantilevering out about 4 feet and it extends into the interior space with solid walls as this little object.” The ceiling drops down to 7 feet and the walls are lined with sealed MDF panels to create a feeling of being enveloped. When the leaves fall in the adjacent aspen grove, the southern sun keeps the space bright and warm. As night falls, a wood stove fills in as warming device and a random constellation of recessed spotlights mimic the night sky. The bump is such an inviting spot, laughs Logan, that the owners cat has permanently claimed the chair by the window. Builder: Patno-Barrett Builders, Jackson, Wyo.; Architect: Carney Architects, Jackson; Photographer: Paul Warchol.
