This house is made for relaxation and easy indoor-outdor living in the Sonoma wine country, where evenings are balmy enough for alfresco dinners under the stars. Architect Nicholas Lee designed it for a couple and
their young children as a weekend getaway that could become a permanent home someday (all photography by Courtney Pittman). It's inspired by another Nick Lee design, Plan 888-14, shown here,
with just two key changes: the garage has become a guest house with its own porch, and the open kitchen
was put at the opposite end of the great room beside the gallery leading to the bedrooms. A floating hearth,
which is essentially one long oversized beam bolted to the wall below the fireplace (with an inset concrete rectagle in front of the opening), unites wall, fireplace, and seat in a single minimalist element, enhancing the
uncluttered look. The courtyard between the main house and guest house becomes a marvelous outdoor dining room, as shown in this image (by Courtney). The long farm table and overhead strings of lights create a festive atmosphere -- what could be simpler and more effective! Just add a glass of wine...
Sliding barn doors -- painted white like the rest of the house -- close off one end of the guest
house for privacy from the courtyard (Courtney Pittman photo). The white theme continues inside, brightening each space, and with
skylights in the bathrooms -- here turning the shower into a sort of light chimney -- so that
electric lights are unnecessary during the day. Note how even the floor is painted white, which adds to the overall glow. Summers in this region are hot, so the light interior keeps everything looking cool.
Ideas To Steal
-- White-painted floor.
-- Party lights strung over an outdoor dining area.
-- Bocce ball court as a drought-tolerant landscape feature that doubles as a game!
And guess what! You can rent this house through VRBO -- it's listed as "Modern Farmhouse in the Heart of Sonoma Valley" (photos not by Courtey Pittman are courtesy VRBO).
To browse all of Nick Lee's farmhouse designs click here.
To see other ranch and farmhouse plans click here.
their young children as a weekend getaway that could become a permanent home someday (all photography by Courtney Pittman). It's inspired by another Nick Lee design, Plan 888-14, shown here,
with just two key changes: the garage has become a guest house with its own porch, and the open kitchen
was put at the opposite end of the great room beside the gallery leading to the bedrooms. A floating hearth,
which is essentially one long oversized beam bolted to the wall below the fireplace (with an inset concrete rectagle in front of the opening), unites wall, fireplace, and seat in a single minimalist element, enhancing the
uncluttered look. The courtyard between the main house and guest house becomes a marvelous outdoor dining room, as shown in this image (by Courtney). The long farm table and overhead strings of lights create a festive atmosphere -- what could be simpler and more effective! Just add a glass of wine...
Sliding barn doors -- painted white like the rest of the house -- close off one end of the guest
house for privacy from the courtyard (Courtney Pittman photo). The white theme continues inside, brightening each space, and with
skylights in the bathrooms -- here turning the shower into a sort of light chimney -- so that
electric lights are unnecessary during the day. Note how even the floor is painted white, which adds to the overall glow. Summers in this region are hot, so the light interior keeps everything looking cool.
Ideas To Steal
-- White-painted floor.
-- Party lights strung over an outdoor dining area.
-- Bocce ball court as a drought-tolerant landscape feature that doubles as a game!
And guess what! You can rent this house through VRBO -- it's listed as "Modern Farmhouse in the Heart of Sonoma Valley" (photos not by Courtey Pittman are courtesy VRBO).
To browse all of Nick Lee's farmhouse designs click here.
To see other ranch and farmhouse plans click here.
