A blend of wood shingles and stucco, Port Gibson conjures up the image of a rustic yet elegant French country estate. The two-story foyer opens to a gallery that connects the dining room, family room and master bedroom. Cased openings throughout the first floor allow easy accessibility between rooms. In addition, 9-foot ceilings lend spaciousness. French doors provide access to the outdoors, while permitting natural light indoors. The stairway to the second floor is bathed in natural light from the arched window at the landing. Two of the upstairs bedrooms share a bath, while the third bedroom has a private bath, making it ideal as a guest room. more

Inspiration for the Shoreline Cottage came from the desire for a simple house that would capture serene views from all sides. An urban family in northwest Washington, challenged the architect to create the ideal weekend getaway for their site. The criteria for this retreat included that it be small, livable, and easy to maintain. The board-and-batten exterior, gabled roof, and generous porch set a traditional tone, while tall windows and an open interior make the home more modern. The result is an inviting version of old farm cabins and country cottages. The main level offers an open space that combines the living room, kitchen, and dining room. An island visually separates the kitchen and dining area. Other thoughtful design elements include built-in window seats on two walls in the open living space - ideal for storage and comfortable reading spots. Two bedrooms and a bath complete the main level; upstairs, a sleeping loft (accessed by ladder) provides additional accommodations or storage. more

Our Contemporary Cabin, designed by William O. Moore, of Asheville, North Carolina, offers simple good looks and a flexible floor plan. The plan consists of close to 1,900 square feet if the low- er level is left unfinished, and almost 2,300 square feet with the lower level completed. Materials consist of naturally finished wood on the exterior, and cedar and native stone inside. The plan comprises three levels linked by a circular staircase. Plan variations can provide 2, 3, or 4 bedrooms and either 2 or 3 baths. The large space off the kitchen can be partitioned into a living room and separate dining room. The lower floor can be an unfinished basement, efficiency apartment, or a study/shop area. The house is designed for hillside lots but can be adapted to flat sites. more

How do you retain the pleasures of suburban living on a small lot in the heart of town? This plan, designed by Tulsa architect Jay Sparks provides one good answer. Courtyard House maintains a sense of privacy and offers pleasant garden views by turning inward around a courtyard. Comprising about 1,800 square feet of heated space, with overall dimensions of about 42 x 76 feet, the house might be built on lots similar to those found in many older city neighborhoods-essentially leftover spaces with narrow frontages. The design may also be adapted for a zero lot line development by removing the windows on the side wall. Finally, by rotating the plan, the house could be used on a conventional, wide suburban lot. The traditional exterior features gabled rooflines, clapboard siding, and multipaned windows. The house folds around the central courtyard, which is accessible from the living room, kitchen/dining area, and the master bedroom. A small entry court, tucked into the L-shaped area formed by the foyer and living room, extends the living space farther. The living room is spacious and appealing, with a vaulted ceiling illuminated by floor-to-ceiling windows and a clerestory window in the gable end. A freestanding fireplace divides living room and study. The dining area, between the island kitchen and central courtyard, performs double duty as a breakfast area and formal dining space. more