Best of the 2018 Idea House

Gorgeous Flared Eaves

“The level of craftsmanship really gets your attention at this house,” says TOH host Kevin O’Connor, who was particularly taken with the swooping roofline. “That curve took extra effort, and it’s a beautiful flared detail.”

ROOF: DaVinci Roofscapes

SHINGLES: SBC Cedar

Entry Lighting

Carriage-house lanterns with strong, clean lines greet visitors at the arched entrance.

WALL SCONES: Circa Lighting

Detail-filled Garage

The garage repeats many of the house’s Craftsman-style details: a curved roof, a central gable, exposed brackets, and a textural mix of siding materials, with cedar shingles above manufactured-stone veneer. You can read more about exterior features in TOH 2018 Idea House: Craftsman Details.

GARAGE DOORS: Haas Door

COMPOSITE ROOF TILES: DaVinci Roofscapes

STONE VENEER: Eldorado Stone

LIGHTING: Circa Lighting

CEDAR SHINGLES: SBC Cedar

Egress Windows

Defined as any window that is large enough to allow for emergency exit or entry, an egress window provides the additional benefit of bringing in light and ventilation. Read more in The Great Escape: Egress Doors and Window Wells.

Staycation-worthy Plunge Pool

This 7×13-foot pre-cast plunge pool was delivered in one piece, dropped into a 4-foot hole, and then faced with stone veneer and a bluestone ledge. With a built-in bench and water temperature controls, this right-size pool is perfect for a quick, cooling dip when the mercury climbs.

PLUNGE POOL: Soake Pools

STONE VENEER: Eldorado Stone

FURNISHINGS: Hayneedle

Outdoor Shower

Tucked into the far corner of the concrete-paver patio, the custom-built outdoor shower features a pergola roof, custom-designed privacy panels, and a door laser-cut with a design of schooling fish.

OUTDOOR SHOWER: Sweenor Builders

Built-In Barbeque Station

To create the outdoor kitchen, builder Jeff Sweenor started with pre-fab cabinets and cut out holes for a gas grill, stainless-steel refrigerator, and ice chest. He then covered it with manufactured stone veneer, and topped it with a non-porous, scratch- and stain-resistant countertop.

KITCHEN BASE AND STONE VENEER: Eldorado Stone

GRILL, ICE CHEST, REFRIGERATOR: Hayneedle

COUNTERTOP: Dekton by Cosentino

Neat & Tidy Outdoor Faucet System

The no-leak, no-drip, never-freeze outdoor faucet system features a twist-lock design that automatically turns the water on as soon as the connector is inserted.

HOUSE HYDRANT & HOSE: Aquor Water Systems

Concrete Fire Bowl

On evenings when there’s a chill in the air, the gas fire bowl has a magnetic attraction. Casual Adirondack-style seating, including a bench swing hung from an angled pergola—echoed in the circular paving design—offers plenty of options for gathering around into the wee hours. Read more about the outdoor features of the Idea House in 2018 Idea House | Outdoor Gathering Spaces.

PERGOLA: Sweenor Builders Mill Shop

PATIO PAVERS: Unilock

LIGHTING: Clarkson Lighting

Interior Architectural Details

Finely crafted wood details add distinction, from the stairway’s oak treads to the open hallway’s cherry ceiling trays to the kitchen’s black walnut floating shelves and vegetable drawers.

STAIRWAY PARTS, CEILING: Baird Brothers Fine Hardwoods

KITCHEN FLOATING SHELVES: Grothouse

KITCHEN VEGETABLE DRAWERS: Signature Custom Cabinetry

Coffee-Bar Combo Station

A two-toned custom-built beverage hutch with plumbed-in coffee maker and wine storage is situated between the kitchen and dining areas for easy entertaining.

PAINT: Glidden’s Swan White (walls), Slate Green (inside hutch)

COFFEE SYSTEM: Miele from Wickford Appliance

HUTCH: Sweenor Builders Mill Shop

Island Hub with Pendant

Natural wood elements carry the Craftsman aesthetic into the open-plan kitchen, which features quartersawn white oak floors, a black walnut island top, walnut open shelves and vegetable drawers, and wood-seat barstools. Around the perimeter, quartz counters with a soapstone look offer an easy-care alternative to natural stone. To anchor the space, the island base is painted graphite, while perimeter cabinets and backsplash tile are a fresh white. The sleek stainless-steel appliances and vent hood add a contemporary touch. Layered lighting helps the space work hard and feel good, with a carriage-house-style pendant over the island, task library lights above the sink, recessed ceiling cans, and LEDs set into channels in the open shelves. Sink windows look out onto the driveway’s custom pergola.

ISLAND BASE, AND VEGETABLE DRAWERS: Signature Custom Cabinetry

QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS: Cosentino

WOOD COUNTERTOPS AND FLOATING SHELVES: Grothouse

LIGHT FIXTURES: Clarkson Lighting

APPLIANCES: Miele

VENT HOOD: Panasonic

FLOOR AND BACKSPLASH TILE: Merola Tile

STOOLS: hayneedle.com

KITCHEN SINK: DXV

KITCHEN FAUCET: GROHE

WINDOWS: Andersen

Farmhouse Sink

A deep apron-front sink and professional-grade, single-handle faucet with flexible hose make for easy prep and clean-up.

SINK: DXV

FAUCET: GROHE

CABINETRY: Signature Custom Cabinetry

HARDWARE: House of Antique Hardware

WINDOWS: Andersen

Root Vegetable Drawers

Handsome slatted drawers crafted in walnut house onions and root vegetables, which are best stored at room temperature. Read more about the Kitchen in 2018 Idea House | Indoor Gathering Spaces.

CABINETS AND ROOT VEGETABLE DRAWER: Signature Custom Cabinetry

COUNTERTOP: Silestone by Cosentino

Mirrored Barn Door

A sliding barn door, mirrored on both sides, leads to the master bathroom, where the high-contrast theme continues.

PAINT: Glidden’s Black Magic

MIRRORED BARN DOOR: Baird Brothers Fine Hardwoods

ROMAN SHADES: Smith & Noble

FLOOR TILE: Merola

Spa-style Soaking Tub

A walnut tray caddy sits astride a deep, freestanding soak tub, perfect for housing an array of pampering accessories. Seashell mosaic tile in the LED-lit wall niche provides an iridescent backdrop.

FREESTANDING TUB AND FLOOR-MOUNT FAUCET: DXV

MOSAIC TILE: Merola Tile

LED LIGHTING: Circa Lighting

TRAY CADDY: Amazon.com

Kid-friendly Wall Art

A vinyl mural depicting a forest landscape adds a dreamy touch to the second-floor bunk room.

BED, FURNISHINGS: hayneedle.com

MURAL WALL COVERING: Blue Décor Murals via Etsy

Murphy Bed

The garage guest suite’s Murphy bed retracts into the cabinetry when not in use, freeing up circulation space.

RETRACTABLE QUEEN-SIZE MURPHY BED: Zoom-Room

Shower Storage Niche

Chrome profiles provide a clean edge for the sapphire-colored penny round tiles that line the twin niches set into the guest quarters’ tub-shower walls. Explore all beds and baths in 2018 Idea House | Beds and Baths.

TILE: Merola Tile

PROFILE EDGE: Schluter-Systems

Built-in Mudroom Bench

Inside the back door, custom mudroom cubbies and a built-in bench offer a convenient drop spot for outerwear and grocery bags. Poplar shiplap is installed with a nickel gap reminiscent of wall cladding found in older beach cottages in the area. For a high-contrast look, the walls’ crisp white paint is accented by deep green on the built-ins and trim. Durable black ceramic tile underfoot stands up to wet umbrellas and sandy feet with ease.

PAINT: Glidden’s Swan White (walls), Royal Hunter Green (built-ins and trim)

FLOOR TILE: Merola Tile

INTERIOR Lighting: Clarkson Lighting

HARDWARE: House of Antique Hardware

MUDROOM BUILT-INS: Sweenor Builders Mill Shop

BENCH CUSHION: Smith & Noble

Built-in Pet Station

The mudroom’s built-in conveniences include a dog bed/feeding station and an open-shelf/counter area to organize keys, phones, and other necessities.

AMERICAN BLACK WALNUT COUNTERTOP: Grothouse

PAINTED POPLAR SHIPLAP WALLS: Baird Brothers Fine Hardwoods

Counter with Integrated Fruit Bowl

Round fruits and vegetables will not roll off the counter, thanks to this black walnut countertop with a convenient, custom-carved integrated fruit bowl. Explore other features in 2018 Idea House | Work & Play Spaces.

COUNTERTOP: Grothouse