Design Home Country View

Home Country View

The covered entryway is located at the right corner of the house, which brings you directly to the pyramid–shaped space holding the stairs to the upper level and the lookout tower.

You pass a powder room and a step–in closet before entering the open living spaces of the house. The kitchen, dining and living room are all open to each other, and the ceiling in the living room vaults to an impressive 19'. A fireplace in the corner can be enjoyed from all three areas, and the walls are lined with windows for views to the front and rear. The rear windows are quite large, and both they and two sliding glass doors that open to the rear deck are topped by transom windows.

The upper level has two bedrooms and a shared full bath. Both bedrooms have raised ceilings. The smaller room has sloped ceilings that rise to a flat central section at 11'. The large bedroom has 9' ceilings with sloped sections on either side of its front dormer window.

Design Country View

The stairs don't stop at the upper level, but rather continue up in a spiral to an observation tower above. The general lighthouse feel of the tower from the outside makes this home work well in a waterfront setting, but it would work equally well in a mountain or wooded area where a great view or wildlife viewing are possible.

It would also make a great reading loft or meditation area. All the windows in the observation tower can be opened, allowing hot air to be let out in the summers, much as you would use a cupola. This passive cooling helps lower summer energy costs, and improves indoor air quality on all levels of the home,