Great Rooms For Good Times

1 of 12

Sam's Creek by Bates + Masi Architects and Breitenbach Builders is a series of interlocking spaces that allow for both shared time and quiet time.

By bringing the outside in, Canopy House by Rob Paulus Architects provides a living area that's spacious, yet retains a sense of definition and enclosure. The home is in the Arizona desert.

Fall House in Big Sur, by Endres Ware Architects Engineers, Fougeron Architecture, and Thomas George Constsruction, has a sequence of rooms that begins at the house’s uppermost level, with a building module that contains living, dining, and kitchen functions.

Architect Tom Shafer and builder Rizzolo Brothers Company did an extensive remodel of this 1950s ranch house and designed the entire project—including the open kitchen—by following the home’s existing lines.

Hupomone Ranch in Petaluma, Calif., by Turnbull Griffin Haesloop Architects and Sawyer Construction, is a super-sustainable family home meant to be handed down through generations. Not surprisingly, gathering spaces are key.

In this lodge-style house in Austin, Texas by Paul Lamb Architects and Don Crowell Builders, a stone wall helps differentiate the great room from the kitchen, while a dramatic archway helps unify the two spaces.

In west Texas Hill Country, the climate allows for outdoor living much of the year. This covered space, by Lake Flato Architects and Duecker Construction, functions as a family gathering space throughout the seasons.

In this Sonoma County house-- Healdsburg Residence by Nick Noyes Architecture and Eddinger Enterprises--roof rafters align with window and door openings to create a lofty and cozy living room.

Pond House on Mount Desert Island in Maine, by Elliott + Elliott Architecture and builder Mike Temple, replaced a decaying 1950s house with a warm family compound.

Aspen House by Shope Reno Wharton Architects and Hansen Construction, takes its inspiration from the great lodges of the western United States.

A high-end production development in Darien, Conn. by Sun Homes offers traditional architecture with fresh and inviting interiors.

The 2013 Custom Home of the Year, by GGC Contracting and Vinci Hamp Architects, is a former dairy in Chicago that was remade into a family home. The living room’s fireplace is surfaced in Indian black granite.

Courtesy Bates Masi Architects

Sam's Creek by Bates + Masi Architects and Breitenbach Builders … Sam's Creek by Bates + Masi Architects and Breitenbach Builders is a series of interlocking spaces that allow for both shared time and quiet time.

Cooperthwaite Photography + Productions

By bringing the outside in, Canopy House by Rob Paulus Architect… By bringing the outside in, Canopy House by Rob Paulus Architects provides a living area that's spacious, yet retains a sense of definition and enclosure. The home is in the Arizona desert.

Joe Fletcher

Fall House in Big Sur, by Endres Ware Architects Engineers, Foug… Fall House in Big Sur, by Endres Ware Architects Engineers, Fougeron Architecture, and Thomas George Constsruction, has a sequence of rooms that begins at the house’s uppermost level, with a building module that contains living, dining, and kitchen functions.

Paul Warchol

Architect Tom Shafer and builder Rizzolo Brothers Company did an… Architect Tom Shafer and builder Rizzolo Brothers Company did an extensive remodel of this 1950s ranch house and designed the entire project—including the open kitchen—by following the home’s existing lines.

David Wakely

Hupomone Ranch in Petaluma, Calif., by Turnbull Griffin Haesloop… Hupomone Ranch in Petaluma, Calif., by Turnbull Griffin Haesloop Architects and Sawyer Construction, is a super-sustainable family home meant to be handed down through generations. Not surprisingly, gathering spaces are key.

Casey Dunn

In this lodge-style house in Austin, Texas by Paul Lamb Architec… In this lodge-style house in Austin, Texas by Paul Lamb Architects and Don Crowell Builders, a stone wall helps differentiate the great room from the kitchen, while a dramatic archway helps unify the two spaces.

Casey Dunn

In west Texas Hill Country, the climate allows for outdoor livin… In west Texas Hill Country, the climate allows for outdoor living much of the year. This covered space, by Lake Flato Architects and Duecker Construction, functions as a family gathering space throughout the seasons.

Bruce Damonte

In this Sonoma County house– Healdsburg Residence by Nick Noyes… In this Sonoma County house– Healdsburg Residence by Nick Noyes Architecture and Eddinger Enterprises–roof rafters align with window and door openings to create a lofty and cozy living room.

Tom Crane

Pond House on Mount Desert Island in Maine, by Elliott + Elliott… Pond House on Mount Desert Island in Maine, by Elliott + Elliott Architecture and builder Mike Temple, replaced a decaying 1950s house with a warm family compound.

David O. Marlow

Aspen House by Shope Reno Wharton Architects and Hansen Construc… Aspen House by Shope Reno Wharton Architects and Hansen Construction, takes its inspiration from the great lodges of the western United States.

John Curry

A high-end production development in Darien, Conn. by Sun Homes … A high-end production development in Darien, Conn. by Sun Homes offers traditional architecture with fresh and inviting interiors.

The 2013 Custom Home of the Year, by GGC Contracting and Vinci H… The 2013 Custom Home of the Year, by GGC Contracting and Vinci Hamp Architects, is a former dairy in Chicago that was remade into a family home. The living room’s fireplace is surfaced in Indian black granite.

We hope today’s a day when you’re eating well, getting some extra sleep, taking a hike, relaxing with friends and family…or some combination. But in case you’re checking email, check out this slideshow.

Reading on the couch, gift-swapping with the neighbors, binge-watching The Wire while the kids are home from college: Today’s lead story features a dozen well-designed and inviting places to sit down, kick back, and take some time off. Merry Christmas!

Great Rooms For Good Times

Home for the holidays can be the best place of all. These dozen great rooms are worth celebrating.

About the Author

Amy Albert

More from Builder Magazine

Inside the Movement Toward More Resilient Design

Builders Embrace Pet-Friendly Living

10 Trends for Outdoor Living Spaces

Upcoming Events

Happier Homebuyers, Higher Profits: Specifying Fireplaces for Today’s Homes

Sales is a Sport: These Tactics Are the Winning Play

Dispelling Myths and Maximizing Value: Unlock the Potential of Open Web Floor Trusses