Becca Pierce I never thought I'd say this, but that plywood is gorgeous!

ragsangle love the plywood but the rest is just too cold , I don't see any mini anywhere, just a lot of wasted space, it's just too uninviting with no warmth , I would love to see some real homes for a change instead of these big wasted spaces that are so cold and barren

Dolores Stewart Sweet simplicity.

xenasmom Okay, I have to confess that I am somewhat on the fence in regards to minimalist design. My sense of things is that I tend to like the European houses I've seen more than the American, perhaps because I've seen more renos of an existing house rather than a whole new concept. Maybe I'm just a little more comfortable with the combination of a minimalist interior fitted into a more traditional concept which makes 'warmth' a little more natural and less forced. Too often I feel that so-called 'warmth' in minimalist design does little or nothing to remove the sense of cold and starkness. In the case of this house, I think the furniture in the dining area does make the house feel welcoming than all the plywood. I can't quite warm up tot he plywood idea. Yes, the grain is lovely, but for my taste the idea is taken too far. it doesn't feel warm to me and for my taste there is too much of it. I can't shake the idea that the house is waiting to be finished. But like I said - it's about me and minimalist design.

There are a lot of things I like about this house, the light, the screening, the trellis, the general layout - with the exception of the detached bedroom wing.That seems to something of a trend. On the one hand, it's a great idea that accommodates lots of different activities, the noisy teenagers in the kitchen can't wake up their parents in their bedroom. On the other hand, it doesn't seem to be an idea that works for small children who need more supervision. And to me, there's something sort of isolating about leaving one house to go sleep in another. Perhaps if I habitually entertained enough people, I'd see the value of a separate wing.

Laurel Ennis Unless it's coated with a Verathane kind of sealer, plywood is splintery, dusty and stains from the slightest touch. I don't see the point.

midmodfan Our needs for 'warmth' differ greatly, I think. For me, this house is plenty warm enough, I don't find it the least bit cold. I don't care for the plywood, but I love the ceiling in the family room - it has a nice slope and adds lots of texture. The sunscreen is amazing and one thing I'd have good use for, on an even larger scale.

I personally like homes that are split up into several buildings. If I lived in a warmer climate, I'd love to have a little 'compound' of smaller, cleverly placed buildings with lovely protected outdoor areas in between. Oh well ..

I don't know why the size of the house is being discussed. Since when are 2,400 square feet large in the U.S.? Come on folks, minimalist doesn't mean tiny.

normpo I liked the table and chairs.

Erick Gerdeman Usually just the mention of a home in wine country gets me excited. I start imagining my hang out spots but not so much this time. I get it but it could be so much more with out being typical "wine country" look. ..., I'm sure the owners are in love with it and that's what matters. That being said if someone left it in a will to me I would tell my family to pack their bags!

Barbara Elfarr I didn't realize Houzz Tour was a forum for socio/politcal issues. Instead, I like to appreciate the beauty of a design for what it is. An expression of creativity and function. It may not always appeal to my taste but it is should never be about the haves or have not's. Knock the chip off of your shoulder!

trasgorshek Love the floors, the kitchen cabinets and the tongue and groove ceiling! I could sit there and enjoy a glass of wine...or a couple of glasses :).

stormyweather Vanessa, Thanks for bringing the design to us. It's interesting to see materials used differently (plywood) than how they're commonly used.
Barbara... very well said.

Lanie Brown Sparse & sunny; the only accent color I notice is mint green. Different.

robgard I think the plywood would have looked much better if it was cut into 2' squares and applied to the walls with an alternating grain pattern. It would look more decorative and much less like something that was done on-the-cheap.

Majestic Lawnscapes I don't think a lot of folks making comments understand what minimalism in regards to style really mean. It means using the simplest and fewest elements to create a design. That said, the size of the building does not matter, nor the costs involved in the project. This house definitely meets the criteria.

My opinion: It was so minimalist, it made me uncomfortable. I think adding more plants (a potted tree, some ferns, SOMETHING) would really make this place feel less like a museum and more like a home, yet still maintain the minimalist feel they wanted.

suzstim please let me know source of rectangular pendant lights - thank you

stringology I love the design, it's simple with clean lines. I've seen plywood used in creative ways so I'm not surprised to see how well it fit in the design. I must agree with some of the comments here that this is not minimalist at all.

Minimalism is often practiced to achieve simplicity in design. Dmitry Fadeyev of Usability Post beautifully puts down the true meaning of minimalism.

"I can see how minimalism can have a clear meaning in art, where the artist is free to create their own rules and ideas. Minimalism is a style that can be characterized by that use of simple, basic forms and white space. But when we apply this term to everyday design, the term begins to lose meaning. Clear, clean and simple design isn’t minimalist. It’s just good, clear design."

And about simplicity, he says:

"Simplicity isn’t a design trend, it’s an attribute of good design."

http://www.usabilitypost.com/2010/07/20/it-isnt-minimalism/

One of my favorite sites on minimalism.
http://www.lifeedited.com/

bigwallboy Love the idea... Cleared plywood on the walls, fire resistant and mold resistant verses normal Sheetrock or 6" pine T and G , for a cabin style house that is left for long periods of time uninhabited and cold. For those a little jealous of the "Haves" just think, we are stealing there ideas they payed a designer and a architect for and now can cut 40% of the cost and implement it in your own projects taking the design credit ..... Thank you Houzz

Kokosonto Not mini, but definitely lovely!!

Sabina McKenna Architectural and Interior Design Great spaces! The plywood looks fantastic and warms up the space. I would like to see some art on the walls to create a pop!

Ann Stewart I absolutely love this! Plywood has such a fabulous grain. Can't wait to use it in the Duck House! My little oasis away from the boys.

John Gardner I love the exterior design and room layouts, but I am not a fan of the plywood walls. I don't consider 2400 to be BIG as a previous poster puts it. It's a good size for a family of 4. For my own tastes I think drywall or plaster on the walls with some moulding and boom. Done.

jilljennn Really Minimalism?

pete55 Looks ok, sometimes minimal is to minimal.

tabre3 I'm surprised how crazy well the plywood works and how much I like it! The grain gives a real depth and richness to the rooms without being overbearing. Yes, I prefer more color, but if you have a beautiful outdoor surrounding, then that is your color & art... nature! It's simple, stylish and clean. Kudos!

kathyjmw I loved seeing this unique home. It definitely has a "cabin" vibe. The simple, open living area looks like a perfect place to gather with family and friends. Great views, nothing too precious to worry about. To me it has the feeling of a beach house. I always like seeing materials used in a different way, and plywood as the main surface in an entire house, is very different. It felt a little too busy for me, as did the narrow lap siding on the exterior, but I loved the doors, ceilings, windows, lighting fixtures and kitchen finishes. Thanks for showing this to us!

Nan robgard mentioned cutting the plywood into 2' squares. I cannot imagine that much grainy pattern on that much surface space. wow.....way too busy for my eye but on a floor in a smaller room it would be nice.

Annie Thornton This home is one of the most uniquely modern but livable homes I've seen. I love how family's livelihood and history are engrained so beautifully and boldly with the plywood walls. I especially appreciate how toned-down all colors and materials are inside the home, allowing the expansive views of the vineyards to be showcased without competition.

cathbrad31 This family should consider renting out the property for weddings when they are not using it. It is completely on-trend with wedding spaces that are in high demand right now and they could make a boat load of money...

CAROLE MEYER Yes.....plywood can be beautiful....who thought!!

Murals and more by Patrice I'll take a glass of Chardonnay! Beautiful home! Perfect wine tasting table to entertain with, in the heart of the vineyards. The simplicity and grain compliments the gorgeous scenery. I love!!

mcbriec I am the uber non-minimalist, and non-modernist, but I think the plywood is absolutely stunning and adds a tremendous warmth that I almost always feel is missing from modernist designs. The plywood is also consistent with the cabin-type vibe and the metal roof. To my eye, there is not too much plywood since it is functioning the same way sheetrock does in a regular house and is a cohesive feature throughout the house. I think the house could benefit from some art and some area rugs to give it a bit more color, though.

jsmbythebay Curious as to what the cost /sf was with this type of minimalism....

ptmatthews Not sure I like the plywood - just looks unfinished to me. But I DO like the layout of the house and I like a linear greatroom. Also, to me, a house is never "warm" without rugs and art. But I might feel different in a climate that is warm year round like California (I live in Colorado).

love2brouzz I'm just not feeling that plywood at all. I think of plywood as something not finished. I think in time they will tire of the no color, cold wooden box they chose to live in. Just not warm or cozy but, to each his own!

casimmons These homes are gorgeous, BUT, unrealistic for someone like me, who will never own a summer home, and live in a 560 square foot home that I am struggling to keep!!

person2person How did they attach the grape stakes to the metal poles on the sunscreen? The stakes appear to have nail heads, which obviously wouldn't work in this application. I must be missing something. Anyone know the answer?

Sheila Schmitz Thanks for your comment, casimmons! You are not alone; check out the whole page of small homes in the Houzz Tours section: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/Small-Homes#Houzz-Tours

Plus, it's fun to think about taking details from a home like this and thinking about how we can use it in our own modest abodes. Just to grab one example, I've seen sealed plywood as great looking desktops and even a backsplash:

hollywoodland I love the house but not the plywood, which looks cheap in an otherwise expensive house. Otherwise, the design is wonderful. Those who find it too stark should keep in mind that it is a vacation house--presumably, the owners' main house has a more lived-in look.

missfifi While it is a beautiful design,I think what I dislike about some of the executions of minimalism is that it seems devoid of life. I agree with another commenter that some plant life would add a touch of warmth to the home. While the plywood is beautiful, for some reason I am not really feeling it in the kitchen. Go figure. LOL May the homeowners enjoy the home for years to come.

mikephx The general color effect of the bare plywood works for me but not the bare engineered look. Not that it maters...but I'd reach for a full spectrum type of paint that matches to the various shades in say, 3 colors, and get much the same affect of warmth and clean in that manner.

VovaYa Too much wood too much light...there is no privacy. There is a lot of empty spaces but not because of minimalist design. Could be better solution.

Sheri Barber With just plywood for walls, isn't it freezing in the winter? No insulation?

ptmatthews Sheri - I think the plywood is used just as drywall or any other panelling would be - with the insulation behind it.

idiot123 That house is not particularly "minimalist." I have a cabin in the Adirondacks that is so minimalist it doesn't even EXIST!

Thanks, I'll be here all week. Don't forget to tip the waitstaff.

goddesswarior What about if I want to place a painting or if I grow tired of where is located and want to place it at another location it will damage the plywood,I think this house is not minimalist in any or shape.

vixter1 "each piece was carefully chosen from the families factory". Ok. That explains that. Economy as well as possibly trying something new. Love the dining/LR. Its a bit busy the first time you look at it, but the wood grain grows on you if you give it a few. Stylish!

miekeh Wow, that is some cabin! love the sunscreen.

midmodfan @VovoYa: There is no privacy - really? In the middle of a 40-acre vineyard?

ptmatthews According to Wikipedia: Minimalism is any design or style in which the simplest and fewest elements are used to create the maximum effect. I think this house IS minimalist by that definition. The house has few embellishments, and the plywood is certainly a simple material used to create a large effect. I wouldn't call it a cabin though. I'd call it a farmhouse.

Michael Martin Architect AIA I think its safe to suggest that plywood as a finish material is not for everyone, however it provides a nice contrast to the surrounding white wood. Great layout, Nice quality. Love the trusses. Nicely done Nick.

Rick Steres, Architect Nicely done...clean, confidant, simple and inviting.

SPACIALISTS One Word. Stunning!

stoney818 that's a lot of plywood.......

tsingtaomama This design seems to meet client's function perfectly. The use of the plywood as a finish was successful in my opinion. The risk was that it would look unfinished. But it looks completely intentional to me. Well done. Faux bois is popular. This is real McCoy un-faux bois. Lovely! I would love to have a long weekend here with a copa de vino or two!

Cody Hawkrigg Absolutely in love with the raw materials and simplicity of this place!

Michele I can appreciate the spareness in this design. But with the walls of windows and the abundance of hard surfaces, I'm not sure I'd call this warm as the headline suggests. Interesting though.

lkunf I agree with some of the other comments. In my opinion, there is a big difference between minimal and barren. Some of these homes lean toward the latter.

marcella100 My first thought was "how did they get such great plywood?" Then I learned that someone in the family owns a mill! I have seen many interiors sheathed in plywood and they never really worked for me, but the high quality (no knots, no chinks) makes all the difference. Nicely done.

speedman911 Very good

ptjody Guess I'm not minimalist.

sallyknecht Where's the pool?

bacci what a handsome cat ! he is adorable

Stacy Bender I'm a "traditional"girl at heart.... I like some stuff... Pillows etc. However I think this home is stunning. I think it is warm and inviting and just perfect for a weekend get away. Well done!