Interior, Skorpios, Greece | Architecture by Peter Marino

Though perhaps most famous for his high-fashion retail projects, the legendary architect Peter Marino got his first big break when Andy Warhol commissioned him to renovate his 66th Street townhouse in 1978. “Andy had, like, three expressions. ‘Gee whiz,’ ‘great’ or ‘not at all’” Marino told the New York Times. “But he was quite clear about what he wanted. He was pretty tightfisted because he had started with nothing and made every single penny himself. I remember when the estimates came in, he asked Philip Johnson, ‘Philip, is this normal?’ And Philip said it was OK.”

Today, Marino, who has been called the “king of luxury” commands a bit more financial leeway with his residential clients. A self-described “interiors architect” Marino is known for investing the same care and exacting standards in the interiors he designs as the exteriors. And now, for the first time, 10 of his most luxurious private residences will be on display in a new book entitled, Ten Modern Houses (Phaidon). In this exclusive excerpt, design writer Pilar Viladas offers a sneak peek into the architect’s most dreamy homes.

Photography provided by Phaidon

Peter Marino may design modern buildings for a host of luxury retail clients — including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Fendi and a colorful, art-filled renovation of Tiffany’s Fifth Avenue flagship — and collect contemporary art by such legends as Georg Baselitz, but he also collects 16th-century Italian bronzes and late 19th-century ceramics by Théodore Deck and Adrien Dalpayrat, and objects and sculpture by Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne. But is there a Peter Marino style? “No,” he says. “In general, what makes me tick is materials. I obsess over the stone, wood and glass.”

Marino himself primarily splits his time between a New York City apartment that he renovated to look as if it were built in 1800 and a warm, spacious house in Southampton that appears to have been designed in the early 20th century’s Arts and Crafts era — albeit the English version rather than the American — but was actually completed in 1995. Intimately connected to the materials chosen, Marino’s designs are equally driven by each house’s site. The architect’s own house in Aspen, for example, is full of sharp angles that echo the mountainous landscape on which the house perches. “My approach to residential design,” Marino says, “is very heavily influenced by the site, the functionality of the house and the way the clients want to live.” Marino also knows that these houses, which are used as weekend, summer, or winter houses, are what he calls “seasonal houses,” and that the clients are far more willing to entertain new ideas than they would be with their primary residences — which, the architect says, tend to be much more conservative.

Exterior, Sagaponack, New York | Architecture by Peter Marino | Photography by Manolo Yllera

Organized into 10 chapters — nine fully realized houses and a final chapter with a selection of houses in various stages of completion that are contestants for the 10th house — Marino sees this collection of residences as a curated portfolio of his architectural practice over the past decade and looking ahead to the future.

The book begins with a house in Southampton, New York, with views of both the Atlantic Ocean and Shinnecock Bay. There are, in fact, two Marino-designed houses located in the Long Island town, both of which the architect created in French limestone with glass side walls to offer views of the water on both sides. As a result, the houses are visually light and open, seeming almost to disappear into the landscape. The first house is a long, transparent box that sits on two slate-clad cores. The design emphasizes the flatness of the landscape, offering views of the bay and fields of reeds, with the west side of the house clad in stone to block the sun’s heat. Inside, the neutral color palette is accented by the colors and textures of the artworks and furniture.

Interior, Sagaponack, New York | Architecture by Peter Marino | Photography by Manolo Yllera

The second house in Southampton, which is much larger, has baked aluminum railings and screens, or brise-soleils. A hallmark of French Modernist architecture, they produce what Marino calls “beautiful patterns of shadows” on the stone floors. The house’s interior is monochromatic, with the same French limestone floors and accents of color provided by its art and other carefully chosen elements, such as a blue-and-white-striped rug under the pool table.

In nearby Sagaponack, New York is a house that is not on a beach but rather is surrounded by nothing but fields on what used to be farmland and was designed as a group of more opaque interlocking forms. The lower part of the house, which contains the living room, dining room and kitchen, is a rectangular box clad in gray slate, while a white stucco box, which contains the bedrooms, is carved into the top of the slate box. A slate wall that extends out from under the white area acts as a windbreak for the outdoor seating area and pool. The living and dining rooms are located at right angles to one another, and in the family room, with its striped sofa, a light by Isamu Noguchi hangs above the table. A staircase with a cutout lighted railing leads from the bedrooms to the kitchen, and in one of the bedrooms, a light by Serge Mouille hangs from the ceiling above a view of lush trees. Marino built a garage on the property to look like a barn, to preserve what he calls “a fun reminiscence.”

Exterior, Faqra, Lebanon | Architecture by Peter Marino | Photography by Manolo Yllera

Farther south, on Star Island, a man-made island that is part of Miami Beach, lies another limestone house. Unlike the two more transparent houses in Southampton, this one consists of a pair of two-story structures with limestone walls joined by a glass-walled bridge. On the inside, the limestone serves as what Marino calls “a beige canvas” for “innovative art and objects.” A large painting by Fernand Léger presides over the dining room, while a work by Robert Rauschenberg hangs above the bookcases in the library-sitting room. The main bathroom is a riot of green onyx, and a green-stained bamboo wall behind the bed in the main bedroom provides a fascinating texture. The house is a vivid illustration of Marino’s observation that owners of seasonal houses are much more adventurous than with their primary houses, where, he observes, “They tend to be too serious.”

Sometimes, however, a house’s site is unique enough that it calls for a “contextual solution,” according to Marino. The architect’s own house in Aspen is a prime example, where he used sharp angles to maximize the mountain views, given that the mountainous terrain limited the amount of land that he could build on. The rooms, and the outdoor decks, make the most of these views, and the understated but warm materials palette, inside and out, increases the feeling of spaciousness.

Interior, Faqra, Lebanon | Architecture by Peter Marino | Photography by Manolo Yllera

A house in Casa de Campo, in the Dominican Republic, is also set on what Marino calls “a very specific site,” with water on three sides — making it feel “more like an island than a house on the beach.” He calls the site “so beautiful and so gentle,” and the pavilions of shingled stone and Ipe wood, which are weather-resistant, are modern but also simultaneously vernacular and classical, and contain more than 17,000 square feet (1,580 m2) of space. In the entry, carved wood panels meant to look like bronze contrast with an icon of industrial design — Danish designer Poul Henningsen’s 1958 Artichoke light for Louis Poulsen. A painting by Bosco Sodi harmonizes with the living room’s white, black and gray palette and a large thatch-roofed outdoor pavilion with beige limestone floors contains sitting and dining areas.

One of the most dramatic sites is in Faqra, Lebanon, where a house is situated atop a surreal landscape of natural upright limestone columns native to the high elevation of more than 5,000 feet, which Marino calls a “geological wonderland.” The house, which is made of Lebanese sandstone, has angles that were inspired by those of the rocks, which Marino finds “dynamic,” and creates a residence that he calls “fortress-like.” Inside the house, color, texture and art give the rooms a distinctive warmth. In the entry, two sheep by François-Xavier Lalanne stand under a Pierre Soulages painting and near a sculpture by Tony Cragg. Another smaller Cragg sculpture sits on one of Marino’s own bronze boxes, under a much larger Soulages painting. In the red-goatskin-walled dining room, a large work by Andy Warhol depicts a quartet of women’s shoes. The contrast between exterior and interior makes the rooms all the more inviting.

Exterior, Faqra, Lebanon | Architecture by Peter Marino | Photography by Manolo Yllera

Near Saint Tropez, in Ramatuelle, France, a rolling hillside is home to an expansive, glass-walled house that Marino designed to maximize the stunning views. Set on a series of steplike horizontal cliffs, the house looks like two angled wings and overlooks a pool with brightly colored, wavy lines that evoke flowing water on its floor. But step back, and you see that there is another, much larger level beneath. Inside, color and texture abound. Twentieth-century furniture and contemporary art by Urs Fischer, Richard Prince, Yoshitomo Nara and Damien Hirst — to name just a few artists — fill the rooms. But one of the biggest surprises is the lush, almost wild-looking landscape that surrounds the house. The hillside is planted with a profusion of trees, flowering plants and bushes that add an unexpected softness — and an otherworldly sense of pleasure — to the site.

In Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos, Marino designed an all-white house that is reminiscent of the Southampton houses; indeed, Marino calls it “very Hamptons” for the flatness of the site and proximity to the water. Although the house is a large, rectangular solid, the structure’s north side has lots of glass, while the south side is clad mainly in white stucco to deflect the heat of the Caribbean Sea. A flight of stairs separates the main house from the guest house, which is under the same roof, and the opening between the two buildings frames a view of the Atlantic Ocean. Inside, a large painting by Y.Z. Kami hangs above one of Marino’s bronze boxes, this one with a silvered finish. A custom screen by Mark Hagen separates the living and dining rooms, and a second-floor guest room overlooks the pool and the ocean, creating a long vista of deep blue.

Exterior, Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos | Architecture by Peter Marino | Photography by Manolo Yllera

While the nine completed houses featured in this book exemplify Marino’s mastery of both site and materials, the five residences in the final chapter — all in various stages of progress — are contenders for the 10th house, showcasing the architect’s next era of design. The first is a marble-clad house in Summerlin, Nevada, with pointed roof canopies that recall Marino’s Aspen house. Another house, also in Aspen, is the client’s primary residence and has full-roof versions of the Summerlin structures that are just as pointed. In Malibu, California, Marino revisits his use of limestone for a family home situated on a rocky bluff with majestic ocean vistas. Views of the sea are also the focal point for a house on the French Caribbean island of St. Barts, where the steep site and Mediterranean climate inspired a structure divided into a number of pitched-roof pavilions. The fifth project is a sprawling compound on the Greek island of Skorpios that exudes an atmosphere of relaxation and classic Modernism.

Throughout these five houses, Marino has emphasized that the “indoor-outdoor” aesthetic and design are “essential.” And even though they are not all seasonal residences, they do embody Marino’s enduring philosophy that such houses are “more free, more easy, more open and free-flowing,” designed with “an aesthetic that is hugely less complicated” than what the residents encounter in their everyday lives.

Excerpted from Peter Marino: Ten Modern Houses © 2024 by Peter Marino, with an introduction by Pilar Viladas and additional texts by Sam Lubell. Reproduced by permission of Phaidon. All rights reserved.

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Photography provided by Christie’s

Singer Elton John has always been an obsessive collector of everything from sleek Bentleys to Versace shirts. So when the superstar decided to sell 900 pieces from his former Atlanta home, Christie’s in New York City held a February auction extravaganza, offering glitzy preview nights and eight separate auctions, both live and online. Bidders from 60 countries snapped up art, fine jewelry, even custom-made platform boots in the star-studded sales, which brought in $20.5 million, more than double the early estimates.

Amid all the hoopla, there was one category of items that quietly captured the attention of astute buyers around the globe: photography. Somewhere along the line, Elton John has become a connoisseur — so much so that he has assembled one of the world’s largest private collections, totaling some 7,000 images. “When Elton John bought his Atlanta residence in the 1990s, it was a period of much change and transition for him,” Elizabeth Seigel, head of Christie’s Private and Iconic Collections, New York, exclusively tells us. “He had just gotten sober and seeing the world through clean-and-sober eyes gave him new perspectives on ways of approaching and seeing different mediums and art forms.”

The famed Rocketman certainly knows a thing or two about being in front of the camera, given his stratospheric rise to stardom. But over time, that awareness morphed into a passion for photography as an art form. Soon he was purchasing an average of 1.5 pieces a week. “He began buying from various Atlanta-based dealers and galleries, then threw himself into the scholarship and understanding of the category,” Seigel explains. “He read, studied and bought voraciously, ultimately building his reputation as an important collector.”

For this sale, 350 photographs were up for auction, all plucked from the dazzling gallery walls the musician had set up in his Atlanta residence. There he displayed hundreds of images at a time, featuring artists who pushed both technical and creative boundaries. But always grounding his collection: the singer’s appreciation for iconic fashion photography. “One prime example of that,” says Seigel, “is John’s print of Avedon’s ‘Dovima with Elephants,’ 1955, which is a rarely seen alternative image from the famous photo shoot that produced what is perhaps Avedon’s most celebrated image.” She adds, “John’s is the original engraver’s print photograph used for reproduction in the Harper’s Bazaar issue where the images first appeared.” Amid brisk bidding, the image sold for $151,200.

Fashion aside, the EGOT recipient is just as drawn to the dynamism of photographers from the 1980s, like Robert Mapplethorpe, whose “Calla Lily,” 1988, sold for $157,500, almost three times the low estimate. History most definitely plays a part in John’s inventory of photography, with several museum-quality works from social documentarians like Dorothea Lange, Diane Arbus and Garry Winogrand. Rounding things out were pieces by famed artists like the technically brilliant and temporal works of Japanese photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto, whose arresting image “Polar Bear,” 1976, sold for $69,300, four times more than anticipated.

Elton John’s once-in-a-lifetime photographic collection brilliantly captures the medium’s greatest hits. Which is why this spring, more than 300 of his images will be unveiled at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, where Fragile Beauty will make history as the institution’s largest photography exhibition to date. Proving once again that this savvy collector with the exacting eye knows how to hit the high notes.

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Photography provided by Bulgari Hotel Tokyo

Stay

Bulgari Hotel Tokyo

Set in a new skyscraper with some of the best views of the city, the 98-room Bulgari Hotel Tokyo embodies the modern glamour expected of the luxury jeweler. Overlooking Tokyo Station, and conveniently connected to the Tokyo Midtown Yaesu complex for uniquely Japanese shopping, the Bulgari has a sleek and sexy vibe, its corridors lined with a series of inconspicuous sliding doors and vintage sketches of jewelry. In the morning, feel like royalty as you press a button to raise your bed curtains and survey your sprawling kingdom.

Il Ristorante — Niko Romito reflects Bulgari’s Italian heritage with soigné classics like saffron risotto Milanese and a sumptuous antipasto platter. Start your evening with a rooftop aperitivo at the Bulgari Bar and save room for a creative twist on tiramisu for dessert. After dinner, head to the 40th-floor spa for an Augustinus Bader facial — a perfect remedy for jet lag that will leave you glowing.

Photography provided by Sézanne

Dine

Sézanne

In a bright and airy dining room in the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi, chef Daniel Calvert blends classical French culinary techniques with Asian cooking traditions and delicacies (creamy cod shirako, Shiranuka venison) for one of the most indulgent meals in Tokyo. His creative Eurasian fusion menu, prepared with finesse, includes memorable dishes like jellyfish salad niçoise and foie gras with Chinese soy-poached chicken. Service is attentive, with understated elegance, as befits what has been rated one of the world’s best restaurants.

The Sézanne is named for the Côte de Sézanne wine region in Champagne, and Calvert is a Krug Ambassador who admits he would happily drink champers with every meal, so it’s only natural that in addition to a Champagne trolley to begin the evening, diners can enjoy bubbly pairings as a lavish alternative to traditional wine pairings.

Photography provided by Deeper Japan

Do

Hidden Art Galleries & Kintsugi Workshop

Private guides are highly recommended in Japan, where language barriers can be challenging. Inside Japan Tours specializes in custom itineraries for all interests, including art and culture. Their private operators will lead you to under-the-radar gems you’d never discover on your own, from unexpected exhibitions in Tokyo metro stations to galleries tucked away in prestigious department stores to an eclectic collection of artist studios and pop-up exhibitions in a 1930s apartment building with a manually operated elevator.

Connect with a local master artisan for a hands-on workshop through Deeper Japan. For example, visit the home of a kintsugi master to learn the Japanese art of repairing broken ceramics with gold. You’ll select a chipped vintage porcelain cup from the Meiji period, fill in the chip with clay putty, sand it, then paint it over with gold lacquer for a resplendent souvenir.

Photography provided by Inside Japan Tours

Shop

Japan Sword Co.

A hybrid museum, gallery and retail shop in Toranomon, Japan Sword Co. has been in operation since the 1800s and is the premier destination for authentic samurai swords. Browse the rotating exhibitions of antique swords, some from as early as the 14th century;  many of them are for sale. Or select a restored samurai sword made from tamahagane steel to take home, complete with detailed toshin (blades), tsuka (sword handles), helmet and armor. Decorative miniature reproductions are available as well.

Bringing home a certified Japanese sword requires an export certificate, and Japan Sword Co. will complete all the paperwork on your behalf. A few weeks later, your precious cultural artifact is delivered by courier service. Even if you aren’t in the market for a sword, the shop is enjoyable as an impressive collection of Japanese history.

Photography provided by CYCLE

Dine

CYCLE

Vegetables take center stage at renowned chef Mauro Colagreco’s newest restaurant, in Otemachi, inspired by Japan’s biodiversity and botanical beauty. The life cycle of plants — root, leaf, flower and fruit — is represented throughout the harmonious tasting menu, beginning with one-bite tapas like caramelized-onion-skin cannelloni and tempura fukinoto (butterbur sprouts) that set the tone for bold, bright flavors to come.

Chef Yuhei Miyamoto oversees the kitchen, having spent several years working alongside Colagreco at Mirazur, on the French Riviera. He expresses Mirazur’s culinary philosophy with zero-waste recipes using pristine Japanese ingredients. The nonalcoholic drink pairings, incorporating housemade kombucha, teas and juices, are as impressive as the wine; an amazake-and-chlorophyll drink with arugula is a particularly striking complement to kue (longtooth grouper) dressed in a verdant pil pil sauce. Miyamoto and his team will happily prepare vegetarian and vegan menus with advance notice. Rarely does fine dining feel so effortless.

Photography provided by TRUNK

Stay

Trunk (Hotel) Yoyogi Park

Trunk Co. Ltd. operates the best boutique hotels in Tokyo, including its newest property, just across from Yoyogi Park in a residential neighborhood of Shibuya. Each of the 25 rooms is a peaceful urban escape, including a spacious balcony and decor reflecting the Japandi (Japanese-Scandinavian) design aesthetic, with light wood, concrete and natural organic fabrics.

Every detail, from plush slippers to CBD chocolate and cricket insect snacks in the minibar, is thoughtfully curated for the most delightful and comfortable stay. Sustainability is a priority, with upcycled amenities, including eggshell coasters, rubber flip-flops and scrap-tile tumblers. Enjoy breakfast in your robe at the sixth-floor Trunk Pool Club, a rooftop bar exclusive to overnight guests, with a heated outdoor infinity pool and hot tub overlooking the park.

For the ultimate extravagance, book Trunk (House) in Kagurazaka, a former geisha house that’s now a one-room hotel residence with a butler, a private chef, a cypress soaking bath and Tokyo’s tiniest disco and karaoke bar.

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Photography by Scott Amundson

Sometimes, you’re drawn to a place without knowing exactly why. It just feels familiar and right. This is what happened to Theresa and Jim Wise when they first stood on this Lake Minnetonka property in 2019. “Right away, we felt a connection,” Theresa says. No matter that the 1970s A-frame cabin was Boy Scout rustic, and the lake was hard to see given the dense landscape and eroding bluff. They had a good feeling and purchased it thinking they might build a year-round house there someday, just not immediately. “We wanted to wait until the kids were out of college [circa 2025] to see where they would land and what we might need,” Theresa explains.

In the meantime, they figured the property would be a good investment and a fun lake retreat not far from their Rosemount home. So they gave the cabin a good scrub and began repairing the bluff and shoreline — picnicking and boating on the lake during weekend visits. Then the pandemic hit. The Wises’ daughter came home from college for a few months and suddenly, the whole family was doing school, work and everything else at home. Unsurprisingly, having a nearby getaway became very attractive. “That’s when we really started spending time here,” Theresa says. They brought in air mattresses and purchased a new stove for the place so they could spend nights and enjoy the peaceful setting. The kids took up cooking and during those months of isolation, the family grew closer, and the lake house played a big part in that. “In a short period of time, this became a special place,” Theresa says.

She and Jim decided it was time to build. They spent the next year attending home tours and gathering ideas. They surprised themselves by being drawn to a new aesthetic, specifically a few houses by Nor-Son Custom Builders that blended traditional and contemporary architecture. “We imagined a shingle-style cottage, but when we walked in and saw these more modern homes, we loved how they felt,” Theresa says. “Simple yet warm.”

Once Nor-Son was on board, the Wises’ rounded out the team with architectural designer David C. Zweber of David Charlez Designs and Kelly McGauley of Leona Rose Interiors. “Theresa and Jim knew what they liked and were very involved in the process, which made it fun,” Nor-Son Project Manager Brody Schmid says.

One thing everyone agreed on: the importance of maximizing the spectacular blufftop views. “Breathtaking,” Schmid says. “One of the best on the lake.” The opportunity to capture those vistas was exciting, but dealing with a narrow lot with a steep rise from the street on one side and a steep drop to the lake on the other posed a challenge. Schmid and designer David C. Zweber worked with the city and DNR to maintain setbacks and adhere to environmental regulations to preserve the natural bluff.

The Wises’ wanted open, free-flowing spaces that would feel distinct, so Zweber employed different ceiling heights and a series of interior limestone columns in the 5,500-square-foot house to define each space. “Theresa and Jim were open to doing new things that didn’t necessarily adhere to one aesthetic,” Zweber says. “We mixed gables and flat roofs, modern metal and Old World stone.” They also wanted walls of windows to capture the wonderful views and a variety of rooms on the lakeside that open to outdoor counterparts — an indoor family room that leads to an outdoor family room, an indoor dining room that flows to an outdoor dining room — complete with fireplaces and outdoor heaters.

The lower level is a full walk-out with floor-to-ceiling windows, something the couple wanted in order to keep the area light, bright and inviting. While it took a minute for the team to figure it out, given the strict setbacks, their clever solution was to carve out a portion of the lot, creating a sunken area with grass for lawn games, a patio, a firepit and hot tub. “It’s really cool. Maybe even better than it would be if it were all flat,” Schmid says. The kids’ bedrooms are on that level along with a bunk room. Theresa is happy to report that the whole house gets a lot of use, providing just the gathering place she and Jim had envisioned.

Last fall, when Theresa was pulling together old recipe cards and pictures for a family cookbook, she came across a black-and-white photo from 1960 of a beautiful young woman on a boat with a smitten young man in the background — Theresa’s parents. “My mom was on a girls’ weekend during college and my dad brought his boat over,” she explains, adding that she only recently asked her mom where it was taken. “It was on Lake Minnetonka, just across the bay,” she says. “Maybe that’s why we felt so connected to this place!”

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Photography by Taylor Hall O’Brien

Every work of art starts with a blank canvas. Accordingly, the first step in this whole-home renovation by the team at Henri Interiors was elimination. “We needed to pare back the markings of trends-gone-by to make way for a new statement,” recalls Amanda Lorenz, founder and creative director at Henri Interiors. From the beginning, homeowners Blair Blanchette and Matt Dumba gravitated toward a modern-organic aesthetic with an unexpected, high-contrast feel. “They wanted to make every space usable and cool,” says Lorenz.

The remodel touched every inch of this 6,805-square-foot lakeside home, though at varying degrees; much of the kitchen perimeter remained intact, but thoughtful finish upgrades took the space from faux Tuscan to fully tranquil. White cabinetry was topped off with pure white quartz counters from Ceasarstone and accented by a lightly veined Vicostone Greylac backsplash. The team also designed a custom white oak island twice the size of the existing unit to maximize storage. In lieu of opulent ironwork and interior columns, Lorenz modernized the space by introducing sleek, black lighting and gold hardware. They also optimized clear sight lines from the kitchen to the living room. “We toned everything down with a neutral palette then created contrast where we actually wanted the eyes to go,” says Lorenz.

Playing with contrast revealed which renovations could be solved without construction, which was important to the young couple. Small yet impactful changes like canvassing the walls in bright white and matching the trim to the windows gave the living room a timeless quality. The team creatively made the most out of the fireplace, which featured a floor-to-ceiling stone surround that exuded a rustic aesthetic. “We used an old-world technique to make things feel new,” says Lorenz, noting the over-grouted, bright white mortar application. She punctuated the hearth renovation with a modern mantel that she slid right over the existing shelf. She then replaced the built-in cabinets with white oak.

Lorenz likes to explore new ways to approach layouts and gather people together, which is evident in her selection of unique living room pieces. Foregoing the traditional sectional and side chairs, the designer chose a large, round chair-and-a-half to complement a linear sofa. Architectural, oversized chairs encourage guests to tuck up their feet, while a pair of black steel benches round out the arrangement and offer sculptural functionality without interrupting views of the fire.

Lorenz often starts a room with a rug, which felt particularly important for this project as durability, comfort and beauty were top of mind for the active household (which includes four dogs). For the dining room, she selected a highly functional yet stylish indoor/outdoor rug with a funky fringe texture. “Rugs are your grounding element, setting the tone for where you want the room to go,” she explains. The rooms were then painted in a largely neutral palette, providing the perfect backdrop for the couple’s collection of contemporary artwork. “Art became a great way to incorporate little moments of what we love,” says Blanchette, who collaborated closely with the team, including Hannah Tillou, interior stylist at Henri Interiors. Portraits of Bob Marley and Juice WRLD hover over a regularly spinning record player. In the home office, portraits of three hip-hop icons pop against a green, Roman clay wall. “Modern art just hits so well on clean, soft lines,” muses the designer.

Downstairs, earthy elements are reinterpreted in clean ways. Reimagining the existing bar to be more sophisticated, the team removed the raised portion of the previously two-tiered countertop and added live-edge wood for an organic feel that contrasted nicely with swanky finishes — like the white concrete sink and the bar’s metallic facade, complete with Dumba’s crest. “It [the crest] was such a cool way to weave in Matt’s story,” says Blanchette, referencing her fiance’s NHL history. To break up the raw materials, a plant wall is positioned above the built-in nook. The burst of green and soft shapes creates an inviting atmosphere for anyone hunkering down for happy hour before heading out to the backyard firepit and sand volleyball court.

Hosting is a big part of the homeowners’ lives. In addition to multiple guest rooms upstairs, the couple’s primary suite underwent a major facelift. Tray ceilings were constructed in both the bedroom and bath, and window trims were painted black for visual variation. Compared to the hustle and bustle of the lower levels, the upstairs functions like a calm retreat. “What I love about this home is that it feels like only Matt and Blair could live there,” says Lorenz, who formed such a tight connection with the couple that they enlisted her for yet another new venture: collaborating on a new office space for Blanchette’s wellness practice, Be Your Kind. “At Henri, we love to create spaces that reflect who our clients are. You can feel that when you walk through the doors of Matt and Blair’s home as well as Be Your Kind,” says Brand Manager, Jamie Otte.

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Upon entering the home, this goal is immediately apparent in the clean, beachy palette. Throughout the home, you’ll find the softest shades of azure mixed with crisp creams and warm whites, thoughtfully selected by Studio M Interiors’ Melissa Musgjerd. “The use of these colors by our design team is strategic and intentional,” says Gustafson. “Reminiscent of clear skies and tranquil waters, the light blue shades induce a sense of calm and relaxation. Whites amplify the brightness of the spaces, evoking the freshness of a beachside retreat.” These traditional coastal colors also highlight the natural materials and textures used throughout the house, bringing an organic, down-to-earth feel to the architecture.

Photography provided by Stonewood

We sense that simplicity in the very center of the home, where the kitchen, dining room and great room all come together in one glorious and inviting space. This bright, open area is where the family gathers for meals or just chills out in front of the fireplace. “The coherence in the design is achieved through the deliberate and harmonious selection of materials and fabrics that echo throughout the spaces, creating a seamless transition from one area to the next,” Gustafson explains.

It’s easy to imagine languid days in the home’s nearby sunroom, which nods to a more tropical state of mind. Here the vaulted, wood-paneled ceiling is a tour de force, creating a sense of expansiveness and drama. Accented with stylized ceiling fans, it projects a sweet dose of Floridian flair — you can almost feel the cool breezes washing over you. “The room’s versatility is heightened by the large sliding door that can seal it from the main home for privacy or open up to connect with the outdoor patio, effectively blending indoor comfort with an outdoor experience,” Gustafson explains.

This kind of versatility and tailor-made design is what puts Stonewood in a league of its own. In business since 1945, this fourth-generation company is one of the most established builders in the Lake Minnetonka/West Metro area. The son and grandson of home builders, Gustafson grew up working alongside his dad on job sites where he learned the trade from the bottom up. “I always thought of my father as an artist and knew that I wanted to follow in his footsteps,” Gustafson says. With a commitment to authenticity, craftsmanship and innovation, the builder shares his father’s meticulous attention to artistry. For Gustafson, it’s not just about building homes but creating masterpieces that seamlessly combine the firm’s rich heritage with the unique vision of the individual homeowner.

The homeowner of this lakeside abode is passionate about wine, so the team incorporated a bespoke, glassed-in wine vault that operates like a functional art piece. Beautifully poised between the kitchen and great room, the glass wall magically holds bottles of wine which seem to float in midair. “This feature requires precise engineering to ensure the perfect climate control for wine storage, while maintaining the aesthetic requirement of transparent walls to showcase the collection,” Gustafson explains.

This family also likes to entertain, so the kitchen was designed with social gatherings in mind. In this space, appearance and functionality are given equal priority. Custom cabinetry conveys a sleek, uncluttered look, while the marble countertops add an element of organic panache. Meanwhile, a mini-prep kitchen is quietly hidden right behind the cabinetry, allowing the main kitchen to always look tidy and neat. “The strategic placement of the prep kitchen tucked out of sight is a masterstroke in design,” Gustafson says. “This setup speaks to our understanding of the homeowners’ need for a space that’s as practical as it is beautiful.”

On the warm and cozy lower level, which serves as an entertainment hub, movie watching and pool games take center stage. A piano is tucked into a nearby music nook where signed guitars and a modern turntable set the scene for melodious evenings. “Ultimately, this home is a testament to the adaptability of design and the personal narrative of the homeowners,” Gustafson sums up. “They managed to capture Florida’s bright, coastal ambiance within a structure that feels inherently at home in the Lake Minnetonka setting.”

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The latest trend to emerge from the horse world: high-end equestrian architecture that rivals the ritziest of residences. Perhaps the most prominent example is polo player turned Ralph Lauren model Nacho Figueras’s stunning Argentinian stables. Developed in partnership with architect Juan Ignacio Ramos in 2017, the hyper-modern 38,750-square-foot structure boasts 44 stalls for his beloved polo ponies, a grass-covered roof for grazing, a sculptural spiral staircase, a mesmerizing reflective pool and more. “We wanted to create a place that was practical yet as inspiring as an art museum,” Figueras told Architectural Digest. (In fact, that project prompted the duo to launch Figueras Design Group, with a focus on horse havens.)

But you needn’t be a world-famous polo player to get in on this craze. With help from top talents like Blackburn Architects, hippophiles (that is, horse lovers) are making their wildest barn dreams a reality. The sky’s the limit when it comes to these opulent, amenity-filled properties, ranging from traditional to modern to rustic, where both horse and human feel perfectly at home.

Photography by Chad Jackson and provided by Blackburn Architects | Meadow Creek Farm, Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia

Leading the way long before everyone jumped on the bandwagon was John Blackburn, out of Washington, D.C. In 1983, he got a life-changing opportunity to work on the historic Heronwood Farm, situated near the East Coast horse capital of Middleburg, Virginia (the 550-acre property sold for $23.5 million in 2022).

Back then, renowned real estate developer and philanthropist Robert Smith had taken a liking to horse racing and bought the iconic estate to breed Thoroughbreds. To make the property his own, he tapped esteemed landscape architect Morgan Dix Wheelock, who in turn sought out an architect to help bring the farm to life. Among the candidates was Blackburn, who impressed Smith with a presentation showcasing contextual designs that reflected the area’s predominantly Federal-style buildings. He and his then partner were hired on the spot to develop seven structures for the estate.

“I was just a young kid, and Bob Smith gave me my start,” recalls Blackburn, who has an unmatched aptitude for this work. To this day, he lets build sites speak to him as he walks the land ahead of designing. “I’ve been riding that horse for 40 years, and it’s been a total pleasure.”

Photography by Rhonda Ann Gregorio and provided by Blackburn Architects | Creative direction by Nelina Loiselle | River Farm, Leesburg, Virginia

That prestigious project helped Blackburn zero in on the principles that have guided his award-winning firm’s work over four decades, including hundreds of facilities across the country and the globe in far-flung destinations like Australia, Greece and the United Arab Emirates. He and his team develop custom designs that fit into their surrounding environs and address clients’ every desire. Two key elements are emphasized throughout their portfolio: natural light and proper ventilation, created via the chimney effect and the Bernoulli principle. Together, these techniques pull in air low and vent it out high, thanks to vertical lift and a steeply sloped roof — resulting in excellent airflow and cooler interior temps.

Although sumptuous touches like chandeliers, clay roof tiles and custom German cabinetry are de rigueur in many of these barns, for Blackburn, it always comes back to the health and safety of the horse. He even penned a coffee table book on the subject, Healthy Stables by Design, which has earned him great respect in the equestrian community.

“After reading John’s book, there was no question we wanted to work with Blackburn,” explains Robin Smith, who, with Karen Freeman, owns Meadow Creek Farm in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. “Their knowledge of and focus on designing functional, safe, healthy and beautiful facilities was exactly what we were looking for. Every detail was exceptional, from site planning to scale to the stable and arena positioning that allows the property to take advantage of the prevailing winds.”

Photography by Arrowood Photography and provided by Blackburn Architects | Eagle Point Equestrian, Livermore, California

Smith and Freeman’s picturesque property sits on 250 rolling acres and features a nine-stall barn and a 100-by-200-foot indoor riding arena, as well as two hay barns, ample equipment storage, several pastures and paddocks, and riding trails throughout. And that’s just for the 13 Rocky Mountain horses that live there. For the humans, there’s the owner’s residence, the farm manager’s residence and two guesthouses.

“After building and selling our biotech company, we dreamed of a slower-paced, peaceful life that focused on our love for horses and dogs,” says Smith. “Our inspiration was to create an environment that complemented the natural topography and scenery. We envisioned structures that blend in with the land, thanks to an earth-tone palette and natural materials, like hemlock siding, stone and timber framing. Meadow Creek Farm is a dream fulfilled.”

That includes amenities like an inviting observation lounge with comfortable seating, a kitchen and a striking stone fireplace, as well as a spacious, light-filled tack room with rider lockers, laundry and doggy-door access to the fenced-in canine turnout area. Of course,  Blackburn’s services extend far beyond his thoughtful blueprints; his team is also instrumental in siting, permitting, project managing and other key steps of the process.

Photography by Arrowood Photography and provided by Blackburn Architects | Eagle Point Equestrian, Livermore, California

Much like Smith, Gundi and Peter Younger knew upon reading his book that Blackburn was the right architect to design their property in Livermore, California. Set on seven acres, Eagle Point Equestrian has three separate areas to accommodate the Youngers’ six personal horses, their daughter’s hunter/jumper training services and a boutique boarding program.

“Over my lifetime, I have been in many barns in different countries, so I had pretty strong feelings about the kind of space I wanted to build,” says Gundi, who grew up in Germany and rides dressage. “Building in California is different than in other states, because we have hot summers and wildfires, and most structures are built from wood, not bricks and mortar. So I designed my dream barn with Blackburn Architects and took their plans to California-based Castlebrook Barns. Everything is built with the safety of horses and people in mind. I just love walking into the main barn every morning and being able to see the blue California skies from anywhere.”

Equestrians interested in a prefab option often turn to Oregon-based DC Structures, which offers fully customizable heavy-timber barn and arena kits. Clients start with one of the brand’s base models, then modify it to meet their specific needs. The sustainably oriented structural elements are designed, engineered and fabricated within a matter of months, then shipped to the build site to be erected (by sister company DC Builders, if desired).

Photography by Chad Jackson and provided by Blackburn Architects | Meadow Creek Farm, Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia

Prefab has plenty of benefits, project coordinator Samantha Etsell explains. “It is extremely accurate and increases efficiency, decreases waste and just makes the whole process super simple,” she says. “It also cuts down framing time by about 40%, which is awesome when you’re trying to get horses moved in.”

Safety is a top priority for DC Structures, as is sturdiness to ensure that its buildings stand the test of time. From there, clients can get creative with handsome stall fronts, custom windows, kitted-out entertaining spaces and integrated technology, such as Wi-Fi, cameras and sound systems. The brand’s Oakridge apartment barn kit is among the company’s best sellers, yielding a haven for both horses and humans. Those living quarters can range in size from a modest 864 square feet to an expansive 5,760 square feet, replete with extravagant elements like wine cellars or bunkers.

But even with all these alluring modern-day trappings, the high-end architecture trend is ultimately driven by one thing: equestrians’ undying devotion to their horses. “I always describe it as protecting four different values,” says Blackburn. “You have the value of the horse, the investment in the horse’s training and the cost of caring for the horse. But the fourth value — which is the most important for many horse owners — is that emotional connection. You love your horse; it’s part of your family.”

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Photography by Spacecrafting

The 3,500-square-foot house was sound but dated, with hallmarks of its build year (1997) — loads of honey oak woodwork, a bulky fireplace and a peninsula in the kitchen. The couple wanted to remodel but took their time finding a partner for the project. For three years, they attended local home tours to see what was out there. They even considered doing it themselves. “We did that at our previous homes but couldn’t quite figure out how to do it here,” Mark explains. None of the tour houses resonated with them (“Everything was white on white on white, and we didn’t want that,” Jill says) until they saw a 1929 Mediterranean in St. Paul by Vujovich Design Build. The timeless quality of the remodel, particularly the abundance of natural woodwork, struck a chord with the couple. The son of a woodworker, Mark is a skilled carpenter who quickly honed in on the quality of the craftsmanship. “Both he and Jill have a sharp eye for design,” says Lori Balestri, the sales and design director for Vujovich.

The Heggestads brought Vujovich on board to help bring their nineties-era house up to date. They wanted to improve the lake views and make the home feel more like them. But not too much. With a cabin up north and two sons living out of state, the couple wanted to keep their options open. “We planned to live here about seven years before moving on and wanted to be mindful of resale,” says Mark.

Balestri opened the main floor by removing a wall separating the kitchen and living room and installing new picture windows along the entire area. She unified the space with white oak hardwood floors and replaced the burly fireplace with a slimmer, more sophisticated version in limestone and walnut. In the kitchen, the Heggestads took a leap of faith when the Vujovich team suggested they skip a walk-in pantry in favor of more cabinets (including a few that are cleverly integrated with the range hood). “I was worried we wouldn’t have enough storage, but they were right,” said Jill. “We have more than we need!” A large quartz-topped island accommodates family cooking projects celebrating the Heggestads’ Norwegian heritage — lefse, krumkake and meatballs. Warm, rift-sawn walnut cabinets and a charcoal island and range hood help ground the light-filled kitchen. Balestri also picked up the walnut to trim a cased opening between the kitchen and living room — a smart-looking frame that distinguishes the rooms. Mark contributed his woodworking artistry via an integrated wine rack of his own design. Placed under a counter along a window wall, it breaks up the cabinet and creates a stylish bar with a great view.

As is sometimes the case when remodeling older homes, there were a few surprises. “Halfway through the project, when we removed the old windows and decking, we discovered the house hadn’t been wrapped properly and was rotting,” Balestri said. The whole house would need to be rewrapped and sided, at a considerable expense. The Heggestads loved how the house was being transformed and realized they might stay longer than they initially thought so they didn’t hesitate to approve the work. “Mark and Jill wanted to do this right,” Balestri says.

Sunset views of the lake are now a highlight of Jill and Mark’s everyday life in the house, as are visits from the grandchildren and peaceful paddle boarding and kayak outings on the lake. They see no reason to live anyplace else. “We’ll be here as long as it is physically possible,” Mark says. For Vujovich, there is no higher praise. “The fact that we helped create a home where Mark and Jill feel inspired and comfortable is the best compliment,” Balestri says.

Explore this home in person during the Artisan Home Tour June 21–23.

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Photography by Spacecrafting

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Olow Bird Migration Pullover in Ecru, Jaxen Grey $164, Smartwool Everyday Fair Isle Sweater Crew Socks in Chestnut, Trailmark, $27   •   Filson Original Goatskin Gloves, $110   •   Moma Polacco Uomo Boot in Marrone, Trailmark, $450

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