The matte black standing seam material wraps up and over the house like a blanket, only exposing the ends of the house where Kebony vertical tongue and groove siding and glass fill in the recessed exterior walls.

Inspiration for a small modern two-storey grey house exterior in Boise with metal siding, a butterfly roof and a metal roof.

Large contemporary two-storey grey house exterior in Belfast with metal siding, a gable roof and a metal roof.

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

The entry sequence leads the visitor through a narrow entry between the textured stone walls. A custom-made steel and walnut pivoting door can be fully opened to reveal a double-height entry hall, exposing the glazed atrium behind and views of the trees and the sky. A skybridge further defines the space, where a designer chandelier by New York-based Sonneman Lighting is suspended from the second story ceiling.

This is an example of a contemporary three-storey grey house exterior in Los Angeles with metal siding and a flat roof.

Early morning in Mazama. Image by Stephen Brousseau.
Small industrial one-storey brown house exterior in Seattle with metal siding, a shed roof and a metal roof.

Tony Soluri
Photo of a large contemporary three-storey black house exterior in Chicago with metal siding, a flat roof and a green roof.

James Florio & Kyle Duetmeyer
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern two-storey black house exterior in Denver with metal siding, a gable roof and a metal roof.

I built this on my property for my aging father who has some health issues. Handicap accessibility was a factor in design. His dream has always been to try retire to a cabin in the woods. This is what he got. It is a 1 bedroom, 1 bath with a great room. It is 600 sqft of AC space. The footprint is 40' x 26' overall. The site was the former home of our pig pen. I only had to take 1 tree to make this work and I planted 3 in its place. The axis is set from root ball to root ball. The rear center is aligned with mean sunset and is visible across a wetland. The goal was to make the home feel like it was floating in the palms. The geometry had to simple and I didn't want it feeling heavy on the land so I cantilevered the structure beyond exposed foundation walls. My barn is nearby and it features old 1950's "S" corrugated metal panel walls. I used the same panel profile for my siding. I ran it vertical to math the barn, but also to balance the length of the structure and stretch the high point into the canopy, visually. The wood is all Southern Yellow Pine. This material came from clearing at the Babcock Ranch Development site. I ran it through the structure, end to end and horizontally, to create a seamless feel and to stretch the space. It worked. It feels MUCH bigger than it is. I milled the material to specific sizes in specific areas to create precise alignments. Floor starters align with base. Wall tops adjoin ceiling starters to create the illusion of a seamless board. All light fixtures, HVAC supports, cabinets, switches, outlets, are set specifically to wood joints. The front and rear porch wood has three different milling profiles so the hypotenuse on the ceilings, align with the walls, and yield an aligned deck board below. Yes, I over did it. It is spectacular in its detailing. That's the benefit of small spaces. Concrete counters and IKEA cabinets round out the conversation. For those who could not live in a tiny house, I offer the Tiny-ish House. Photos by Ryan Gamma Staging by iStage Homes Design assistance by Jimmy Thornton

Photo of a mid-sized traditional one-storey multi-coloured house exterior in Burlington with metal siding, a hip roof and a shingle roof.

Large industrial two-storey black house exterior in Other with metal siding.

credits - design: Matthew O. Daby - m.o.daby design interior design: Angela Mechaley - m.o.daby design construction: Hayes Brothers Construction cabinets & casework: Red Bear Woodworks structural engineer: Darla Wall - Willamette Building Solutions photography: Kenton Waltz & Erin Riddle - KLIK Concepts

This modern lake house is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The residence overlooks a mountain lake with expansive mountain views beyond. The design ties the home to its surroundings and enhances the ability to experience both home and nature together. The entry level serves as the primary living space and is situated into three groupings; the Great Room, the Guest Suite and the Master Suite. A glass connector links the Master Suite, providing privacy and the opportunity for terrace and garden areas. Won a 2013 AIANC Design Award. Featured in the Austrian magazine, More Than Design. Featured in Carolina Home and Garden, Summer 2015.

This is an example of a small modern two-storey house exterior in Tokyo with metal siding, a shed roof, a metal roof and board and batten siding.

Inspiration for a contemporary two-storey brown house exterior in Little Rock with metal siding, a gable roof, a shingle roof and a black roof.

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern two-storey black house exterior in Kyoto with metal siding, a shed roof, a metal roof, a black roof and clapboard siding.

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern two-storey grey house exterior in Tokyo with metal siding, a shed roof, a metal roof and a grey roof.

Covered Porch overlooks Pier Cove Valley - Welcome to Bridge House - Fenneville, Michigan - Lake Michigan, Saugutuck, Michigan, Douglas Michigan - HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles