Kitchen

The design team specified durable, easy-to-maintain, nontoxic, recyclable, natural, and regenerative materials. The kitchen island is engineered quartz and the cabinets are from a local cabinetmaker.

The kitchen cost roughly totaled $16,000.

Custom white oak cabinets are topped with honed Amazon Black Granite counters. The island cabinetry has Polaris fronts from Abet Laminati in Gris Graphite, which are purported to be “highly resistant to scratches and heat,” says the company.

A large island is now central to the space, with a dropped ceiling overhead that’s also functional, for it holds lights and a Miele Ceiling Extractor Range Hood.

Natural wood with original brickwork and microcement to create a minimalist yet warm kitchen area.

Quartzite kitchen island countertops and a wall of off-white ceramic tile between the doorways complement the space's walnut cabinetry and brass surfaces.

The kitchen countertops, backsplash and sink hardware are all clad in brass, only slightly more expensive than comparable surfaces choices and naturally antibacterial.

The great room includes oak floors as well as birch cabinetry and wall panels, all treated with a whitening wash to help spread natural light.

The minimalist kitchen and dining area occupy the first floor. Black-framed, floor-to-ceiling windows allow this expansive space to have a strong connection to the outdoors.

Concreteworks countertops, a Wolf range, Kallista sink, and Boffi faucet also fill the space.

Heating elements are built right into the countertop in this minimalist kitchen.

Brutalist materials like concrete and steel are balanced by the gentleness of the wooden carpentry. Ash wood is used for the cabinetry throughout, from kitchen cabinets to storage units.

The slats on the window offer solar protection and privacy. “Before the slats were installed, it really felt like you were just living on the street,” says Vanbesien.

No-fuss, sturdy materials, like Kahrs oak chevron floors that camouflage dirt and easy-care black metal siding, free up time for family. “The more durable the material, the less work to maintain it,” says Susie. Also in the kitchen is a quartz countertop by Daltile and faucet from Kohler. The windows are by Milgard.

A vaulted roof over the center of the home caps a showstopping kitchen. “Instead of everyone gravitating to the hearth,” says Freyinger, “the center of the house is the focus of attention. Everything—the airflow, the people—converges there.” The white-washed OSB millwork is by MasonHaus, and the appliances are from Miele.

A custom steel dining table with a walnut insert is surrounded by Eames Molded Plastic side chairs; the hanging fixture is from Tech Lighting.