Discover the Stunning Natural Modern House: A Unique 2-Story Design for Privacy and Openness
Daniel Kim Views
Translation result

A cozy, natural‑modern house that deliberately reverses the conventional single‑family plan—placing private bedrooms on the first floor and the living room, kitchen and dining area above—has attracted attention for its practical layout, which reflects the homeowner family’s lifestyle.

Located in Chicago, the 288 m² (87 pyeong; about 3,100 sq ft) house adopts an inventive plan that puts privacy‑oriented spaces on the ground level and open, communal rooms on the second. The arrangement deftly balances two central—and often competing—aspects of residential design: seclusion and openness.

The home’s understated façade—a contemporary reinterpretation of a traditional gabled house—draws the eye. The first floor contains a master bedroom with an en‑suite bath, two family bedrooms, a bathroom, a hall and an entryway; the second floor accommodates the living room, dining room, kitchen and a powder room.

Flooded with daylight and fresh air through a parade of windows along the walls, the second floor features clean white finishes and oak hardwood floors. A wood truss in the ceiling helps define the living, dining and kitchen zones without closing them off.


The living room, with its pitched ceiling and generous volume, feels deliberately relaxed. Furnishings—sofas, lounge chairs, a tea table, stools, lighting and rugs—are arranged with restraint, and green plants provide fresh, lively accents that complete a welcoming family space.



To promote ventilation and maintain sightlines, the designers retained the kitchen window and omitted upper cabinets. The result is an open, airy kitchen where marble countertops rest on solid wood base cabinets, anchored by a large island and wooden shelving for a cohesive, natural look.


The dining room, centered on a wooden table flanked by chairs and a bench, adds warmth and style. Designed like a home café, it accommodates meals, tea, hosting and reading, enriching the family’s daily routine.





The staircase leads down to the first floor, which mirrors the second in its restrained palette of white and oak. The result is a snug, refined atmosphere throughout the home.



The master bedroom, finished in a clean natural style that reflects the owners’ tastes, includes an en‑suite bathroom and a white built‑in closet with ample storage—creating a neat, convenient private retreat.











Most Commented