The duo overhauled the roofless stone structure with custom built-in furniture and a balcony overlooking the old town of Dhërmi.
As children, Erazmia and Anxhela Gjikopulli reveled in summers at their parents’ house near the beach in Dhërmi, an idyllic Albanian village some three hours south of Tirana, the capital. So, when their father bought a dilapidated building in the historic center, the ambitious sisters were keen to transform it into an inviting home and forge new memories.
"For as long as we’ve been coming to Dhërmi, it’s looked like a ruin," says Erazmia of the once-neglected structure. In the past, it was used for storing and pressing olives, but for Erazmia and Anxhela it evokes nostalgia on a more personal level because it neighbors the home their grandparents resided in before they abruptly left during communism.
Before: Facade
At first, Erazmia, a Tirana-based architect and urban designer, and Anxhela, who works as a product owner in Munich, envisioned the renovation unfolding as one commodious, duplex-style apartment. Ultimately, they decided to create two pieds-à-terres—Sea Apartment 1 and Sea Apartment 2—one for each of them to relish in between guest bookings managed by their mother.
After: Facade
The sisters preserved the structure’s outer stone walls in a nod to the village’s characteristic architecture.
The slatted-wood structures and their network of boardwalks are arranged to preserve a surrounding pine forest.
Houses We Love: Every day we feature a remarkable space submitted by our community of architects, designers, builders, and homeowners. Have one to share? Post it here.
From the Architect:"Nestled between the serenity of a pine forest, this project captures the essence of Comporta’s landscape. Inspired by the sun, the area’s fishing traditions, and the raw beauty of the region, the design reinterprets humble fishermen’s wooden huts found in Carrasqueira, Portugal.
"The project’s guiding principle was an ecological commitment to preserve and respect the existing pine forest. Rather than clearing land, the cabins are delicately placed within the natural voids of the trees, allowing the landscape to dictate the architecture. A palette of natural materials—wood, cement, and plaster—grounds the design in honesty and simplicity, echoing the ethos of truth to materials.
"The architecture is composed of five distinct volumes, each designed with precise functionality and spatial articulation. These volumes are interconnected by a network of elevated wooden walkways, minimizing disruption to the forest floor and reinforcing the dialogue between built and natural environments.
"The day area, organized in the central volume, is a multipurpose space that consolidates living, dining, and kitchen functions under a unified roof. Designed with expansive glazing, this volume fosters seamless transitions between interior and exterior spaces, capturing views of the surrounding forest and rice fields.
"Two auxiliary volumes complement the day area. To the west, a gym space is oriented to embrace the setting sun. To the east, an open garage marks the entrance to the property, balancing functionality with a restrained architectural expression.
"The sleeping area is distributed across two volumes, emphasizing privacy and retreat. The first volume accommodates the primary bedroom and an en suite guest room, each benefiting from direct access to the exterior walkways. The second volume, dedicated to additional bedrooms, is designed for adaptability and comfort, ensuring a cohesive relationship between all the spaces.
"At the heart of the composition lies the swimming pool deck, an open-air courtyard bordered by the volumes. This space anchors the design, creating a dynamic environment where daily life unfolds. The interplay of water, light, and natural materials transforms the courtyard into a contemplative retreat, further integrating the architecture with its surroundings."
The brand is often most associated with low-cost furnishings. But its higher-end line has a rich history.
Your earliest familiarity with Ikea may vary, but mine was reading the catalog at my best friend’s house around age 10. I was always impressed with the cool stuff her family had, and when I found out you could order it from a catalog, and not just get it from a store (or pick it off the street, which is how my family found much of our furniture in New York City), the intrigue only continued. I’ll always remember the day I got my treasured first item from the brand—a mosquito netting canopy for my bed, the ultimate in cool for a middle schooler.
It wasn’t until I went to college that I got to fully avail myself of its offerings. Driving to the Chicago suburbs to pick out a coffee table and a desk for my new apartment felt like true adulthood, despite the fact that the car we drove to get there didn’t have power steering, a radio, or air-conditioning. This is the association that might stick in the minds of many Americans when they think of Ikea—the first time you’re able to buy furniture of your own, and it better be cheap, but it’d be nice if it was chic.
This solution they’d created for their audience—being able to buy design-y furniture at an affordable price—was once a problem for Ikea. What would they do when their demographic aged out of their wares? That’s why their Stockholm collection was born in the ’80s, featuring leather sofas and chairs, glass-fronted cabinets, and Nordic birch wooden furniture with hidden fittings. "What could the company offer all those people who had grown out of their low pine sofa, taken down their pop and protest posters, and moved their Ivar shelves into the garage?" the website explains, of the collection’s history. "They were looking for comfort and elegance, and [founder] Ingvar Kamprad came up with the solution: a ‘best of Ikea collection’."
The company did, and still does, pride itself on the "democratization" of design. "The most beautiful Swedish furniture had long been reserved for a few: the rich," a 1985 Ikea brochure reads. "Ordinary folk had to make do with poor copies or nothing at all. This doesn’t sit right with us."
Since then, Stockholm has been released in seven editions, with the goal of providing "modern Scandinavian design of the highest quality, offered at an affordable price." And in February, in an experience that would have awed college student-me, I went to, yes, the city of Stockholm to preview the company’s eighth for its 40th anniversary. The new collection—available to shop Thursday April 10th—is 96 pieces, and was inspired by both the Swedish capital and the immense nature just outside of it. It’s comprised of rich, deep colors with pops of surprising neons, sturdy woods, velvets, leathers, and smooth edges—a fit for the continued ’70s moment we find ourselves in.
During my interviews, I was particularly interested in learning from the designers about how they tailor Ikea’s ethos of price-first—they all start with a price band, and design a piece to match that—to create a higher-end product. In a collection like this, they have the opportunity to use more complex building techniques and more expensive materials, but the design ethos that is used in the least expensive items still informs all their products. (One thing they shared that they don’t have: a master database of all their materials and techniques, because it’s all learned, shared, institutional knowledge.) Because of the company’s scale, they are still able to produce items for low costs that would typically be challenging elsewhere, like the handblown glass vases in this collection, which, when produced at volume, become feasible. Here, in their own words, this year’s Stockholm collection designers describe what they were trying to accomplish in creating five of the collection’s pieces for the masses, ones that manage to feel personal to you.
These interviews have been edited for length and clarity, and all prices have been converted into USD.
Available in dark turquoise, dark brown, beige and gray/white, this sofa can be configured into many sizes depending on which sections you purchase. Below it is a handwoven, 100 percent wool rug.
Courtesy Ikea
Stockholm 2025 Sofa
Ola Wihlborg, designer: We can start with the sofa, because the whole collection started with sofas. Because we wanted to find something that sets the tone and that’s also the piece that sets the tone in the living room. It’s a big piece.
So we started the sketch of the sofa—it was [fellow designer] Nike [Karlsson] and I—and the starting point for me was my sofa at home. I have a sofa from a previous Stockholm collection with a lot of cushion inside. We always fluff these cushions and make them in order for the night. And now we have a lot of kids and we have a dog and the cushions are all over the place. So the idea was to do a new sofa that looks the same all the time.
It’s quite tricky to find a shape and a material that also has comfort. It’s easy, it turns out, to be something that is just hard. So I started to find these soft shapes and I sketched the shape in soft materials also. We’ve done the shape in Älmhult [Ikea’s headquarters] in the pattern shop, and when we finalized the shape and we were satisfied, we sent the shapes to the supplier where we made a lot of samples to try out the right comfort.
We have a spring core with the springs inside the center, and then we cover it with a cold molded foam shape. That makes it also very durable. The cold molded foam will keep up the quality over a very long time. You can use the modules separately also, so you do not need to connect them. You can have them like an armchair also.
Karin Gustavsson, creative leader: We knew from the beginning we wanted a velvet.
Wihlborg: We started with velvet because we wanted the soft feeling.
Gustavsson: The colors pop much more in the velvet. And then the velvet is, I think it’s like 90 percent recycled polypropylene. And it’s a really good quality, high-quality velvet. We have a full textile team who develops the fabrics for us and they are so tested—they need to last a long time. And also not to be too much for dust. It’s antistatic. And the blue one came because we said we need a pop color—we need something to pop.
Everyone thought it was crazy. And then we did a brown one and everyone said, "Brown? Gray and black." Because I love brown. And now it’s so trendy. And then we made the beige ones. Everyone’s so grayish otherwise.
Wihlborg: The cover is removable so you can wash it. And the bouclé came up when we made the armchair. For that one, it’s more tricky to find the fabric that we can cover this shape with. And that’s why we started with the bouclé and then when we saw the armchair, we said we need to have the same on the sofa.
Gustavsson: It’s so Scandinavian, it’s a little bit like this snow feeling. And it’s not too bouclé—it’s quite a dry fabric.
Wihlborg: We always have the price in mind when we start, not the exact price [but a range]. When you have that, you can see immediately, oh, we can’t go too big, we can’t go with that material. And you have a certain amount of money to spend. Of course sometimes you need to step out from that. But then you also have to explain why.
Gustavsson: We knew that Nike’s sofa was going to be, for us, a bit expensive. It’s $1,899.
Wihlborg: It’s more expensive than this one.
Gustavsson: We thought, for us, it was a bit expensive. And here you start at $1,299.
Wihlborg: For two.
Gustavsson: So you could say you get this one for $1,299 and then you add a mid-seat for $400. So it’s a quite good price for this one. Even to make a four seater, which you often cannot afford. The thing is also with this one, in a normal flat in London or Tokyo, you cannot bring a big sofa into the house because of the elevators. And you’re on the 12th floor, you cannot have someone carry [it up]. This one you can easily take piece by piece in the elevator. It’s also convenient for moving. We even did home visits just to see.
The other sofa in the collection is made of cotton/linen, leather and solid pine.
Courtesy Ikea
Stockholm 2025 Sofa
Nike Karlsson, designer: This sofa was really hard to make because I had so many different directions, but we ended up designing what we wanted to have. Then we met the supplier and we started to discuss: How should we build up the construction? How should we build the comfort? I said that maybe when we do this high-end product, could we also maybe try to reduce the amount of foam? Because foam is hard to recycle. And then the supplier came up with the idea of coconut fiber. They had it in other products—not for Ikea—but I thought it was something that we had in the ’50s or something that didn’t exist anymore. So that is what we have on the armrest, in between the frame and the fabric, is coconut fiber. And then in the seat portion we have this pocket spring. And then on top of that, they have, instead of foam, latex [from trees]. And that is super durable. When it comes to sit on it, it keeps the shape. So now we can offer this sofa with a 25-year warranty, because it is so durable.
The fabric, that was the trickiest one, because I was so worried that we couldn’t develop a new fabric for this sofa in the quality that I really wanted to have.
Paulin Machado, designer: You’re picky.
Karlsson: It’s so important what kind of fabric you can offer on the sofa. And then we also worked with the small pillows, how to make comfort without bird feather down or something like that. That is so nice. But you can’t do that, because of the animals and also people are allergic. These cushions are built in three layers. We have this block in the center with latex. And then we have fiber on that. And then we started to get a really nice feeling when you touch it, but it still, there was something wrong, because it didn’t sound right. So then they asked, ‘What is it that sounds on a feather pillow?’ It’s the cotton fabric that you have that is woven really, really tight. The pen crunch, it’s the crunch [of the feathers]. Could we add that fabric to get the right noise?
The glass pendant lamp comes in two different styles, one horizontal, the other more vertical.
The home in Kirkland’s coveted East of Market neighborhood boasts an expansive floor plan with rich hardwoods, custom iron and glass accents, and sweeping views of Lake Washington and the Cascade Mountains.
The gourmet kitchen features top-tier appliances, double dishwashers, three ovens, a built-in espresso machine, granite counters, and a custom pantry.
Upstairs, three generously sized bedrooms with lake views await, including a primary suite with a custom walk-in closet, private view deck, vanity lounge, and a spa-like bath with heated floors, a jetted tub, and dual-head shower.
Four individual decks provide stunning vistas, while the lower level offers a spacious recreation room, a fourth bedroom, a full bath, and a three-car garage with an integrated gym and heated driveway.
Listing Details
Bedrooms: 5
Baths: 4 full
Year Built: 2008
Square Feet: 4,310
Plot Size: 0.14 acres
Courtesy of Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty
Courtesy of Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty
Courtesy of Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty
This home is all about making a statement—starting with a 30-foot hand-carved ironwood front door from Costa Rica that’s flanked by floor-to-ceiling windows. The open floor plan is designed for modern living with a gourmet kitchen as its centerpiece. Equipped with top-of-the-line GE Monogram appliances and a Viking wine fridge, the kitchen is set up for both everyday cooking and entertaining. The layout includes a spacious walk-in pantry and ample closet space, ensuring functionality without sacrificing style.
The elegant formal living room invites relaxation, while the primary retreat offers sanctuary to unwind. Step outside to discover the beautifully paved backyard, offering ample space for entertaining. With a designated barbecue area, it’s perfect for hosting gatherings or enjoying casual meals under the sun.
Listing Details
Bedrooms: 4
Baths: 4 full
Year Built: 1975
Square Feet: 4,219
Plot Size: 0.22 acres
Courtesy of Pacific Sotheby's International Realty
Courtesy of Pacific Sotheby's International Realty
Courtesy of Pacific Sotheby's International Realty
This custom-built home by C. Blake Homes is located in Southern Utah’s newest gated community Solente, with concierge-style service and access to six hiking trails less than two miles away.
The gourmet kitchen boasts Sub-Zero, Wolf appliances, two ovens, two steam ovens, an induction cooktop, two House of Rohl sinks, a built-in banquette, walnut cabinets, and a large walk-in pantry with amazing views. Two wet bars round the space out to make entertaining a breeze.
Custom touches permeate the home including real walnut accents on both the exterior and interior, stunning entryway baseboards, and intricate custom trim on bathroom walls. Each bathroom has backlit soapboxes in all showers, while the bedrooms have backlit ceiling trays and outdoor seating areas to enjoy views from every room.
Designed for both relaxation and entertainment, the property includes a saltwater pool and spa, a fully equipped gym system, an infrared sauna, and multiple fireplaces—four indoors and three outdoors. Modern technology enhances everyday living with a built-in Sonos sound system, a Hague water system, and quartzite countertops from Italy.
The home’s exterior is as striking as its interior, featuring exposed aggregate concrete, C-channel metal beams, and walnut accents that blend seamlessly with the surrounding open space.
Situated in a serene setting with views from every room, the home was designed as a sanctuary. The home is a short drive to the massive cliffs of Zion National Park, the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park, and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. There are four large reservoirs nearby and thousands of public acres for the adventurous at heart.
General contractor Brad Leavitt gives us insights into the biggest considerations homeowners might be overlooking.
Brad Leavitt is no stranger to a construction site. Raised in Southern California, he grew up around the trades—Leavitt’s grandfather started an electrical company after retiring from the Navy, and his dad and five uncles are all electricians. Continuing the family legacy, Leavitt became an electrician himself, before breaking into the world of luxury residential homebuilding—leading to the founding his own company, A Finer Touch Construction, in 2013 in Arizona.
Obvious shortcomings of the construction industry—notably, the lack of communication and transparency with clients—led Leavitt to found AFT Construction more than 10 years ago. Between a client portal, dedicated project coordinator, and real-time site updates, client communication is a hallmark of AFT’s award-winning process. Pulling from his toolbox of experience, Leavitt shares his pro tips for successful client-builder communication when tackling critical design decisions—including the all-important window and door selection.
Wall-to-wall glazing on multiple sides of the home helps create a fluid indoor/outdoor experience, expanding the home’s usable square footage.
When it comes to the early stages of design, it’s important to consider site orientation and pinpoint areas of solar vulnerability. "One thing we have to look at is, where is that sun hitting the house?" says Leavitt. To effectively analyze exposure, Leavitt and his team use Building Information Modeling (BIM) to zero in on locations with heightened solar contact. "We render homes and lay them out because that sun from the southern hemisphere in June, July, August, September is beating on the south and west of the home," Leavitt explains. By identifying areas of elevated solar vulnerability, Leavitt and his team can design and implement protection measures for glazed openings.
Don’t limit the architecture
For many clients building custom homes, indoor/outdoor living is top of mind. In Arizona, Leavitt emphasizes, "It’s essential." Designing homes for seamless indoor/outdoor flow often yields large expanses of glass—which can create practical and budgetary challenges. "We never want to limit the architecture to have less glass," says Leavitt. "We always make sure that it’s protected, and you can do that in several ways." Some of these ways, Leavitt suggests, include overhangs, automated pocket shades, or triple-pane windows in especially vulnerable areas where overhangs aren’t an option.
Handcrafted with premium wood (interior) and durable aluminum (exterior), the Marvin Ultimate Multi-Slide door can be configured in widths as large as 60 feet.
When it comes to window framing—especially with specialized construction methods—the technical install process can be just as significant as the windows themselves. The structural design of the home may impact the cost and precision required to frame and install the windows. "We do a lot of ICF—Insulated Concrete Form—construction," says Leavitt. Instead of wood-framed walls, walls are composed of styrofoam and concrete. "Because of that, you have to have a bigger opening, because there's rebar and concrete there," says Leavitt. "With the bigger opening, you have plywood set inside that concrete so that you can install the window." Unlike a wood-framed house, this method of construction requires a higher level of precision, considering the smaller margin of error with concrete. Any adjustments or reframing "would be a matter of jackhammering and cutting concrete, which is a big deal," says Leavitt.
Consider mixing and matching
"One thing we love about working with Marvin is they have such a diversified portfolio of products," Leavitt says. This expansive portfolio can support modern or traditional architectural styles—and everything in between. When we’re doing aluminum wood clad [windows], that would typically lean more traditional," says Brad. "When we’re doing modern or contemporary, we’ll use aluminum [interior and exterior], because the profile is a lot thinner," he adds. For transitional styles, Brad doesn’t shy away from mixing and matching—a creative approach enabled by the variety and versatility of the Marvin portfolio.
Practicality and ease of install can directly impact on-site workflow—creating timing and cost implications. The Marvin Skycove—a one-of-a-kind suspended window that Leavitt discovered while visiting Marvin’s showroom at 7 Tide in Boston—provides an install-ready window bench option. "That's always been a challenge for us," Leavitt says of the pop-out window. "It’s always been hard to build, whereas we could buy that whole unit from Marvin."
