It’s Setting First, Structures Second at This Coastal Massachusetts Retreat

A dharma teacher asked for his home and accompanying cottage to take back seat to a 72-acre parcel of pristine marshlands.

Partially hidden from the main driveway, the cottage is accessed by a meandering stone path—you can't drive a car up to it. "It's not conventionally convenient,

"When we’re starting a building," starts architect David Duncan Morris, "we’ll find the most amazing place on the property and make sure that’s not where we build. If you occupy the most beautiful spot with the building, then you’ve really done something kind of bad, haven’t you?"

This approach becomes a little more challenging, however, when a property is so remarkable, so abundant with natural beauty, that there are an endless number of sites that could be "the most beautiful." Such was the case with a 72-acre piece of land in Gloucester, Massachusetts, a wild landscape of boulders and woods surrounded by marshy meadows and waterways.

After several years of debating whether or not they wanted to take on the project, Christopher Crotty and Julia Barry enlisted design-build firm Woodhull to create a multi-building compound on this wild 72-acre piece of coastal property in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Christopher Crotty and Julia Barry enlisted design-build firm Woodhull to create a multibuilding compound on a 72-acre piece of coastal property in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Trent Bell

Christopher Crotty and Julia Barry, the owners of this untamed expanse, came to Morris’s design-build firm, Woodhull, in 2019 wanting to create a home that left the land exactly as they found it, as much as they could—a goal that dovetails with the architect’s ethos. "Chris and I had the sense that the way to relate to this land was to develop it as little as possible," recalls Julia.

The cottage, a retreat mostly used by Chris for his work as a Dharma teacher, sits on a rocky knoll, deliberately not occupying the top of the hill to tread as lightly on the land as possible. "It's not where you would think to put a building,

It includes a cottage, a retreat mostly used by Chris for his work as a dharma teacher. It sits on a rocky knoll, deliberately not occupying the top of the hill. "It’s not where you would think to put a building," says architect David Morris.

Trent Bell

The prior owners of the property had already equipped it with water and electric, but the project would require several site visits to make any determination about where a structure would go. "The amount of beauty that exists here in every direction is staggering," says Morris. "Oftentimes, especially in waterfront properties, the view is singularly in one direction, and that tells you where you’re going to put a building. But this property was something different because it is surrounded."

The final design plan doesn’t settle for just one vista. It incorporates a main house, as well as a makers workshop—Julia is a ceramicist and counselor, Chris a woodworker and Buddhist teacher—and a cottage that take advantage of several of the views on offer.

The first design scheme for the cottage was "too fancy

While the first design idea was "too fancy," say the couple, the finished structure is just what they wanted: a pared-back cottage designed for solitude and reflection. Cedar siding clads its exterior.

Trent Bell

See the full story on Dwell.com: It’s Setting First, Structures Second at This Coastal Massachusetts Retreat
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They Built a Home Their Two Daughters Can One Day Split Down the Middle—Literally

The owners of this U.K. residence asked for a nearly symmetrical plan that will make it easy to reconfigure when it comes time to hand over the keys.

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.

Project Details:

Location: London, United Kingdom

Architect: Andrei Saltykov / @laceysaltykov_architects

Footprint: 3,000 square feet

Fit Out and External Works Contractor: MM Projects

Demolition and Railway Fence Contractor: Pace

Shell, Core, and Groundworks Contractor: Carlund

Structural Engineer: Foster Structures

Photographer: Will Pryce

From the Architect: "The client bought a garage in 2020 to develop as a family home to give their two teenage daughters more space to study and socialize. They had different size bedrooms in their old home—good for small children, but less equitable as they went into secondary education. An initial aspiration to create two properties here (one for each daughter) became a necessity due to the pandemic-induced inflation. The design was adapted to allow easy future conversion into two houses and make the project financially viable long-term. Other challenges were to house the client’s books and music collections in a flexible single display, and exhibit a collection of art and sentimental objects in a well-lit space without direct sunlight.

"The site is a triangle bound on two sides by typical suburban terraces (with a right of way to an adjacent substation) and the third by the MotspurPark train station platform. To create a view from the living space—something that was absent from the client’s previous home—it was decided to maximize the volume of the communal area and make it visually interesting. The conventional first-floor bedroom ‘block’ is placed along the railway and built with heavy block-work and oblique windows to reduce noise; it is planned so that no future change is required to any of the bathrooms and with symmetrical rooms for both children. Its dark color conceals the dust from the railway to reduce maintenance.

"The main triple-height living space sits at the front, following the site’s geometry. At the ground it has rounded corners to allow for intuitive circulation. Externally it is expressed as a bright horizontal band of colored mosaic, becoming a continuous library inside; it is separated from the floor and the roof by two bands of special reflective glass blocks. These provide daylight, reduce direct sunlight and prevent people from peering in.

"The multi-faceted roof has a fully visible structure inside and expressed waterproofing seams outside. It ‘sails’ over the bedrooms, providing a home office on the second floor with access to a generous south-facing roof sundeck. The communal spaces flow freely between all floors and provide ample opportunity to display art and play music, yet they are fully separated from the private bedrooms by two-door acoustic lobbies doubling up as discreet access to the bathrooms.

"In addition to the front communal garden and external dining deck, there are two small concealed rear gardens: one for the adults next to the kitchen/dining area, and one for the children next to their playroom that doubles as a guest bedroom. Timber railway sleepers used throughout in the landscaping design make a reference the railroad. All the building services and the structure are completely separate for each side of the house to allow for an easy split in the future."

Photo by Will Pryce

Photo by Will Pryce

Photo by Will Pryce

See the full story on Dwell.com: They Built a Home Their Two Daughters Can One Day Split Down the Middle—Literally
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Everything I Bought to Make My Bed Feel Like a Cloud

Upgrading from a queen to a king allowed me to create the softest, coziest sleeping space of my dreams.

Welcome to Someone Buy This!, a monthly shopping column featuring the fun, the frivolous, and the practical from a very discerning shopper.

Not to brag, but I changed my life at the start of the new year without shifting any of my habits: I got a bigger bed. That purchase set off a domino effect of upgrades, and I became obsessed with creating the softest, cloud-like bed ever. Here’s how I did it.

It starts with a frame

Thuma Essential Bed

The purest form of the platform bed, with clean lines and a continuous design. Interior Japanese joinery and hand screws provide a smooth look and streamlined set-up. Crafted from solid upcycled rubberwood.

When my boyfriend and I upgraded to a king size mattress, we swapped out our classic Thuma frame for their newly released essential bed. I tend to gravitate towards lighter, natural wood tones but we decided on the walnut color. Though I was initially hesitant about the walnut because I hadn’t seen it in person, it looks really great in our space. Our old frame had a headboard and was a bit taller, which, combined with the height of our mattress, often made us feel like we were on a pedestal. The new frame is much lower to the ground, which makes it feel more cozy. Like all Thuma products, the essential bed requires no tools to assemble. We actually spent more time breaking down the cardboard boxes the frame shipped in than we did actually building it!

The fluffiest duvet

FJÄLLHAVRE Duvet Insert

Soft, super-fluffy comforter with stitched inner walls that retain the heat to keep you warm. Weightless feel with 90% down/10% feather filling that surrounds you in pure luxury and well-being.

Our next upgrade was a new down comforter that fit the larger bed. This was supposed to be a quick, simple purchase since I loved my super fluffy queen-sized duvet insert from IKEA. Some would even say I was emotionally attached to it. It was the "extra warm" Fjaellhavre insert, which is now rudely only available in Canada! No matter what you might hear, I had a very normal reaction to this bad news and did not spiral at all. After briefly considering roping in my one Canadian friend into a complicated shipping situation, I settled for the U.S. version, which is still pretty fluffy. Both versions are gusseted, which gives the comforter a box-like structure, making it feel extra thick and cloud-like. If you’re doing your own duvet research and want something extra fluffy, make sure you look for that!

New threads

Quince 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

Upgrade your beauty sleep with 100% mulberry silk. Sleeping on a silk pillowcase keeps your skin and hair hydrated, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and minimizes dreaded bed head. Plus, silk fiber contains 18 kinds of amino acids that make it amazing for skin nourishment, hypo-allergenic, and naturally thermoregulating to help maintain body temperature. Pair with our mulberry silk beauty sleep mask for the ultimate sleep experience.

For me, silk pillowcases are non-negotiable. Slip makes very popular and high quality silk pillowcases but Quince will give you the most bang for your buck. The silk used for Quince’s pillowcases is the same weight as Slip’s at roughly half the price. If you treat these well (wash in a laundry bag, hang dry) they will last you a very long time.

Quince Classic Organic Percale Sheet Set

Dive into our cool and crisp percale bedding. We start with the finest 100% long-staple organic cotton and meticulously weave it into a 270 thread count fabric that feels cool and breathable to even the hottest of sleepers. Boasting a crisp, smooth hand feel that only gets softer with each wash, these sheets offer a bit of luxury that won’t fade with time. And when it comes to crafting our percale sheets, we don’t sleep on best environmental practices: our Classic Percale bedding is crafted using windmill-powered green energy and finished without the use of harsh pesticides, GMOs or toxins like formaldehyde. Investing in practices that are good for you and the planet means you can rest a little easier.

H&M Home Muslin King/Queen Duvet Set&M

King/queen duvet cover set in soft, cool and comfortable cotton muslin. Duvet cover fastens at foot end with concealed metal snap fasteners. Two pillowcases with envelope opening. Thread count 250.

Inspired by our new walnut bed frame, I decided to try out darker sheets, too. I was briefly consumed with the idea of cashmere sheets. What’s softer and more cloud-like than cashmere? Eventually, I decided against it. Between having to air dry and eventually de-pill them, they’re too high maintenance for me! Quince’s linen and cotton sheets have been my go-to because they’re great year-round. I hemmed and hawed for days before finally landing on the clay colorway. It looks even better in person, especially when it’s peeking out from underneath our super soft muslin duvet cover from H&M.

Cozy floors

Nordic Knots Park 03 Rug

With the ever-enduring allure of a classic statement piece, Park is a sophisticated design in a harmony of alluring shades. Crafted from supremely soft New Zealand wool, the densely woven loops and hand-cut pile gives each piece a thick and plush texture—bringing an atmosphere of worldly elegance to modern homes.The Park collection is handmade in small batches. Only a few in each size are available.

With the bed in full cloud mode, I turned my attention to the floor. We were lucky to score a very sweet deal at a Nanimarquina sample sale in New York and came home with two massive, plush rugs, one of which landed in the bedroom. Before that, my mood board was packed with bold picks from Nordic Knots like this super luxe, textured wool rug. A nice, wool rug is always a good investment!

We love the products we feature and hope you do, too. If you buy something through a link on the site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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Refresh Your Linens, Refresh Your Life

This Fluffy Comforter Changed My Attitude on Bedding Forever

Dramatic Angles Define This $5M Marcel Sedletzky Home Near Carmel

Listed for the first time, the 1971 gem has a monolithic fireplace, stained glass windows, and a steeply pitched roofline.

Listed for the first time, the 1971 gem has a monolithic fireplace, stained glass windows, and a steeply pitched roofline.

Location: 50 La Rancheria, Carmel Valley, California

Price: $4,995,000

Architect: Marcel Sedletzky

Year Built: 1971

Footprint: 4,091 square feet (five bedrooms, six baths)

Lot Size: 1.23 acres 

From the Agent: "Discover the epitome of luxury and tranquility in this stunning, architecturally significant home designed by renowned architect Marcel Sedletzky. Nestled on a sprawling 1.35-acre lot in the La Rancheria neighborhood of Carmel Valley, this meticulously manicured property offers a serene retreat, where the organic design of the home harmonizes with the natural beauty of the environment. Seamlessly transition between indoor and outdoor spaces perfect for entertaining guests or simply relaxing. Expansive windows offer a view of the pool and surrounding oak grove. There’s a separate guesthouse, wine cellar, game room, workshop, and ample storage space. Car enthusiasts will appreciate a three-car garage along with a two-car carport. With this prime location enjoy easy access to shops, restaurants, wine tasting, and local events. Experience the quintessential California lifestyle in this extraordinary home."

This is the first time the Marcel Sedletzky-designed home has hit the market.

This is the first time the Marcel Sedletzky–designed home has hit the market.

Wayne Capili for Sotheby’s International Realty

Wayne Capili for Sotheby’s International Realty

A completely tiled bathroom blurs the line between the shower and the rest of the room.

A completely tiled bathroom blurs the line between the shower and the rest of the room.

Wayne Capili for Sotheby’s International Realty

See the full story on Dwell.com: Dramatic Angles Define This $5M Marcel Sedletzky Home Near Carmel
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The Final Piece in This Live/Work Loft in Italy? A 3D-Printed Lego Figurine in the Ceiling

The subtle stucco detail added to the former palace hall reflects the clients’ sense of humor, say the architects, while keeping with the space’s past.

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.

Project Details:

Location: Genoa, Italy

Architect: Llabb / @llabb_architects

Footprint: 645 square feet

Builder: Arkè srl

Cabinetry: Matthias Kunkler

Photographer: Studio Campo / @studio_campo_photography

From the Architect: "This small apartment created by Llabb in the historic center of Genoa, Italy, carves out space in a section of the grand hall of an ancient palace. It had been divided into two apartments, and this one utilizes two-thirds of the original space. Before the renovation, the space consisted of three windowed rooms and a bathroom, while a staircase led to an attic. The architects demolished some interior partitions, but preserved the attic. This reconnected the double row of three windows overlooking the square.

"The owners are a communications expert/digital strategist and a curator of photography festivals. Hence, they needed ample space to store books, catalogs, and artworks. Additionally, they desired a place where they could work and host friends. In addition to preserving the attic, Llabb preserved partitions in the entry area, using them to form they the bedroom, pantry, and bathroom. They are topped with a mezzanine made of okoumé plywood. The entry corridor, which connects these spaces, defines a compressed area that expands into the living area where visitors can gaze toward an impressive window framing the dome of the Church of San Giorgio.

"The living area, which doubles as a workspace, is positioned at the end of the corridor, and includes a kitchen and dining area. A floor-to-ceiling library wall here stores books and houses the kitchen in its lower part. An aluminum track ladder allows access to the higher shelves and facilitates window maintenance.

"The side of the living area through which you enter is defined by a custom-made, multifaceted piece of furniture. This spatial device serves as a staircase to the mezzanine and integrates storage units for the bedroom, an opaline glass screen that brings more light into the bedroom behind it, and a sofa that extends from the first step of the mezzanine stairs. A desk overlooks the lower living area and, on a raised portion above the pantry, there is a futon for guests.

"In the bathroom, as in the rest of the apartment, the original terrazzo flooring has been retained. Though not particularly ornate, it serves as a testament to the architectural history of the Liguria region. Following the same principle, the decorative stucco on the ceiling, dating back to the early 20th century, has also been preserved. One corner was missing, so a decision was made to reinterpret it in a contemporary style by modeling and then 3D printing it. Unlike the other designs, the central motif depicts a Lego figure—an amusing Easter egg, according to architects Luca Scardulla and Federico Robbiano, that reflects the playful nature of the studio and its clients."

Photo by Studio Campo

Photo by Studio Campo

Photo by Studio Campo

See the full story on Dwell.com: The Final Piece in This Live/Work Loft in Italy? A 3D-Printed Lego Figurine in the Ceiling
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How They Pulled It Off: Making the Bedroom in This Berlin Loft Float

"There are not many residences in Berlin with this ceiling height, so it felt like a unique thing to do."

Welcome to How They Pulled It Off, where we take a close look at one particularly challenging aspect of a home design and get the nitty-gritty details about how it became a reality.

With ultra-high ceilings and a completely open plan, lofts can be a blank canvas for home design dreams. But how do you make the most out of 16-foot ceilings in a space that feels like a big ol’ box? For Siki Im, a fashion designer-turned-architect who took on the gut renovation of his 1,600-square-foot Berlin apartment as his first residential project, the vision was clear: He needed to create a floating bedroom.

The bedroom takes advantage of the high ceilings in a loft and creates livable space above the common area.

The bedroom takes advantage of the high ceilings in a loft and creates livable space above the common area.

Min Lee

"There are not many residences in Berlin with this ceiling height, especially in our neighborhood of Mitte, so it felt like a unique thing to do," Im says. "We also did it for practical reasons, as we were able to extend the mezzanine floor, and create more living space there."

The lofted bedroom creates a cozy feeling without sacrificing the inherent airiness of the space.

The lofted bedroom creates a cozy feeling without sacrificing the inherent airiness of the space and floats over the living room, which features a custom Amura sofa.    

Min Lee

Sure, many have lusted after conversation pits that are relics of a different era. But this is the opposite end of the spectrum—a private bedroom that’s home to a collection of vintage robots, books, and records that literally looks like it’s hovering above the common living space.

How they pulled it off: A room seemingly suspended in space
  • Inspired by the principles of wabi-sabi and German rationalism, Im aimed for an aesthetic that challenged the pervasive grayness of Berlin. With warmer wooden materials used to offset the significant amount of concrete in the rest of the home, the result is something he calls "soft brutalism."
  • Im didn’t want load-bearing columns to support the structure, so as to preserve the open feel of the space below. "The ceiling alone couldn’t hold the weight of the box," he says. "I worked with a structural engineer on the solution, which involved installing a steel brace system anchored to the far corner of the box floor, which is mounted to the load-bearing column of the building." The box can support more than 2,200 pounds as a result.

  • They had to use a crane to lift massive long beams into the apartment. "For that, we had to close down the entire street," Im says.

  • The materials Im used for the box helped play up a different, more intimate vibe. "The American oak wood bed I custom designed is integrated into the space, and also holds plants," he explains. "The walls and ceiling are rendered with natural stone granules, and the two walls are fully adjustable so that they can be opened."

Panels open to allow light into the space.

Panels open to allow light into the space.

Min Lee 

See the full story on Dwell.com: How They Pulled It Off: Making the Bedroom in This Berlin Loft Float
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This Floating Sauna Brings a Touch of Scandinavia to Coastal Connecticut

When a designer wanted a little space to relax with his family, he bought an old pontoon boat and got to work decking it out with a tiny, cedar-clad sauna.

It’s a sunny afternoon in Cos Cob in coastal Connecticut, and Peter and Victoire Boldt’s home is buzzing with energy. Their oldest child, Madeleine, leans on Victoire in the kitchen while younger sister Louise flits around, vying for Peter’s attention as baby August snoozes in her bassinet. The second-oldest, Winston, is out of the action, as he attends Japanese school on Saturdays. Anticipation is building, not just for the lunch about to be served but for the adventure to follow.

Wanting a place outside their Connecticut home to connect and make family memories, designer Peter Boldt and wife Victoire created a floating sauna. The small but mighty vessel has a new 75-square-foot structure built atop a salvaged pontoon base.


After chicken sandwiches, the group piles into Peter’s Suburban and heads for Tod’s Point, the town beach. After packing supplies into a dinghy, we set out for a mooring a few hundred feet offshore. Here, a boxy, shedlike structure floats among the boats dotting the water. The red and white–painted cabin sits atop a cedar deck, with a narrow metal stovepipe rising from its pitched roof. On the bow, two built-in aluminum storage boxes next to the steering station double as benches. A bright-orange burgee above the roof announces the vessel’s name: Sauna Float.

Clad in cedar and hemlock, the sauna seats six, with a wood-burning stove.

See the full story on Dwell.com: This Floating Sauna Brings a Touch of Scandinavia to Coastal Connecticut
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