I love this house.

I love this house. It's called the Art House - a remodel done by DeForest Architects. Their other projects share a certain feel that this house does not. It stands out in their portfolio and I love it. Love it.

I absolutely love the stairs, even though spiral staircases are the real winners of my heart - there's just something about these. They're heavy and light, they're geometric, metal, modern. They're award winning, btw. Not that that makes me like them more, just a fun fact. I would take them in a second.

Metal, wood, stone, glass, lines, lines, lines - I'm in heaven. The foyer is breathtaking.  The kitchen / dining layout is great for entertaining and family time. The dining table and chairs and bar stools - yes! The glorious windows. Wall hung art is tastefully and proudly displayed throughout, hinting at a gallery feel, but not in an inappropriate, cold way. Just enough for a suggestion of sophistication, taste and open-mindedness. The floor lamps in the living room and study are fantastic. The fireplaces are divine. The bathroom, oh, the bathroom!

* Images by John Granen and Ben Benschneider via DeForest Architects 

That said, there's a lot I would change. First are the stone tiled floors in the foyer and kitchen and other stone details like the columns in the living room, for example. Wood or concrete, please. Or different colour stone slab tiles ... more grey and light ... maybe that would work. Next, that hideous Zeppelin chandelier has to go. Sorry to Mr. Wanders, he is great but I don't like this light - it totally creeps me out. Maybe brighten up the kitchen somehow - there's a lot of dark wood there ... Actually, I think I would change the colour of the ceiling panels from dark brown to light grey or white. The beams would stay as is - they are beautiful! The furniture choices in the living room are not really to my taste - a bit too contemporary and smooth. I need a little more of a rustic quality, some leather, some wood, a mid-century flair. With my amazing concrete or wood floors, there would be no need for that area rug. Speaking of rugs - the wall to wall carpeting is a "no-no" for me - unless we're talking tatami mats. Wood floors upstairs all the way. But minus that, the bathroom and bedroom upstairs are perfectly serene.

I've loved this house for a long time. It's one of those that never disappears out of my file. Even though I would change certain things, the essence here, the feeling, is spot on for me. It's modern, it has substance, it has lines and strength. It feels safe, masculine, cave-like - yet it is airy and stylish and bright.

Love it.

Or did I say that already?