1. Innovative, low-maintenance materials top homebuilding wish lists. We used Structural Insulated Panels, or SIPs—pre-engineered, pre-insulated wall, floor, and roof panels. Once delivered to the site, they can be assembled by an experienced crew in as little as three days. A building envelope of SIPs is airtight to help save energy costs. And insulated interior walls help muffle sound—important for an open floor plan. While many of the homes surfaces come from the same home retailers you shop, we balanced cost-cutting measures with a few splurges. You don’t have to choose between good looks and good value—you can have the whole package.

The exterior is clad in fiber cement siding, less expensive than wood siding, far more durable, and easier to maintain. Synthetic decking won’t warp or fade; it also eliminated the need for sealing.

2. Fluid indoor-outdoor connections are important to you. Next to the kitchen, that’s where you were most likely to invest your time and money. In our house, those connections flow not only from the open floor plan but also from strategically placed windows and thoughtful use of materials. An unbroken line of sight from the front door to the rear deck, guided by alternating bands of oak and limestone flooring, blurs the distinction between indoors and out. Five exterior doors permit easy transition between the interior and exterior, where cedar and limestone are repeated. We approached outdoor spaces as bona fide rooms, not just seasonal amenities, so there’s a mini-kitchen on the covered porch that’s tailor-made for entertaining.

The limestone and hardwood pattern inside leads the eye out the backdoor. Identical round tables link the indoor and outdoor dining areas.

3. Americans tell us again that their living rooms don’t get enough use. Today’s busy, multifaceted families want a laid-back living area that conforms to the way you need it to function. Our home’s living area is elegant yet casual, and flexible for entertaining groups or enjoying a private haven. Modular furnishings boost its versatility for multiple needs.

Side-by-side slipper chairs form the sofa, but can be separated and utilized throughout the living and dining areas. Multiple ottomans offer extra seating, storage, as well as a spot for a one-on-one card game or a cocktail tray. Airiness and expansiveness were two of your desires, and ceilings soar to two full stories in the living room and 10-foot-high in other rooms.

4. You’re willing to invest in kitchen-centric design. Here’s where you prioritize your home improvement dollars, so we created a layout that puts your favorite room at the heart of our house. Americans use their kitchens not just for cooking and dining, but also for homework, family gatherings, and more. We removed all the barriers between our kitchen and the surrounding living, dining and family rooms. The true central hub of daily life is flooded by sunlight; we played up that brightness with pale, reflective surfaces. We integrated standard home-center products, such as stock cabinetry and flooring, with more specialized ones in a clean design and sophisticated style of the house.

5. American’s crave affordable luxury. So we created the ultimate tranquil retreat in our master bedroom and bath by putting an uptown spin on off-the-shelf materials. Subdued glamour and sophisticated style create a soothing getaway from the bustle of everyday life.

Squares of builder-grade marble on the bathroom floor and up the walls adds to the sense of luxury without much increase in price. Premade furnishings—a simple dresser, nightstand units, and bathroom vanity—were embellished with silver paint and a quick change of hardware for a shimmering effect that adds to the room’s openness.

Even stock windows gain an elegant, custom look when butted corner to corner, as seen the master bedroom. The expanse of glass opens the room to treetop views that enhance the sense of a private retreat and the link between indoors and out.

The Better Home Better Living house has a floor plan that transitions simple and logically between three different stages of live—from a modest starter home to a larger plan that’s geared for an active family, and finally to a suitable setup for middle age and beyond.

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