Janice Rohlf

Boston

Contributor at Fine Homebuilding

Writer and Editor at Freelance

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Articles

2025 Outdoor Design (Living Spaces) Winner: Windermere Residence

1 month ago | nhhomemagazine.com | Janice Rohlf

The vision was clear: a haven on Lake Winnipesaukee where extended family and friends could gather and create lasting memories throughout the summer months. With weekends often hosting nearly 20 guests, the landscape design needed to be both beautiful and practical. The choice of materials for the outdoor spaces emphasized the connection to the natural surroundings.
2025 Kitchen Design(Traditional) Winner: The Bright House

1 month ago | nhhomemagazine.com | Janice Rohlf

This gracious home with fabulous style and history hadn’t had a kitchen update and could no longer meet the needs of a young and growing family. Although the kitchen was connected to a dining space that could easily seat 16, it lacked enough space to easily prepare a meal or for a family to gather. The renovation and addition to this kitchen, as well as adding a large mudroom, powder room, open pantry and sitting room, created just that environment.
Fine Homebuilding

Jan 16, 2025 | finehomebuilding.com | Janice Rohlf |Abby Cote

From the street side, this 2500-sq.-ft., single-story house featuring a garage, entry, and bedroom at the front naturally fits into its suburban neighborhood of typical ranch-style homes. Upon entering, traditional building forms and methods are reimagined with a contemporary touch. At its core, this retirement residence prioritizes ease of access and universal design, with a central great room that unifies the kitchen, dining, living, and outdoor spaces with broad interconnected passageways.
Fine Homebuilding

Jan 16, 2025 | finehomebuilding.com | Janice Rohlf |Abby Cote

This home, like a lot of newer floating homes in Seattle, was built to max out at 2100 sq. ft., including deck space. The home is ideally located at an end-slip position looking out on a waterway. Fleetwood sliding doors at the front take advantage of unimpeded views of Lake Union, a pocket park on the shoreline, and downtown Seattle, and they allow for a seamless indoor-outdoor connection.
Fine Homebuilding

Jan 16, 2025 | finehomebuilding.com | Janice Rohlf |Abby Cote

Located in Austin’s historic Castle Hill neighborhood, this compact, urban abode has three stories stacked to maximize the yard and open space below. From above, downtown views are captured from open-air decks on every level. Guest quarters are on the lowest level, main living spaces occupy the middle level, and the primary suite is on the third level, crowned by a roof deck.
Dynamite DADU - Fine Homebuilding

Nov 14, 2024 | finehomebuilding.com | Janice Rohlf |Abby Cote

The motivation behind this 637-sq.-ft. DADU (detached accessory dwelling unit) was to keep a daughter close to her aging mother while allowing them both to live independently. Thoughtfully nestled into the hillside, the compact cottage sits at the edge of a meadow, distanced from the ridgetop main house. The beautifully landscaped, wooded property creates both a visual and physical separation between the two residences, striking a balance between togetherness and privacy.
An Impressive Rennovation of an Eichler Home

Nov 14, 2024 | finehomebuilding.com | Janice Rohlf |Abby Cote

In a neighborhood of Eichler homes, this one had been notably well preserved. However, some features—such as the dark wood paneling and limited natural light—did not align with how this family of five envisioned a living space. Plus, the house lacked an appropriate space for overnight guests. In a phased renovation that added 480 sq. ft., the house was thoughtfully redesigned with enhancements that modify yet celebrate its signature midcentury-modern aesthetic.
Small Home on a Hill

Nov 14, 2024 | finehomebuilding.com | Janice Rohlf |Abby Cote

The challenge of this custom project was to design and build a small house (under 2000 sq. ft.) on a tricky site that would read “Vermont” without being a reproduction, and also be affordable for a young family. Compromises were necessary; for instance, prioritizing high-quality materials and insulation over design features like big porches, which can be added later.
Steel-Framed House Design Inspiration

Oct 17, 2024 | finehomebuilding.com | Janice Rohlf |Slide-By House |Abby Cote

This family-and-guest retreat, owned and designed by husband-and-wife architects, cantilevers off a cliff. The home, which connects to the earth in only six locations, sits on a recycled steel moment frame rather than concrete to minimize the carbon footprint. While the linear building measures 1386 sq. ft. (and can sleep up to 15, mostly in a bunk room), its actual footprint is less than 100 sq. ft. total.
Texas Home Design Inspiration

Oct 17, 2024 | finehomebuilding.com | Janice Rohlf |Abby Cote

This 3700-sq.-ft. main house occupies the rear portion of a small family compound situated on a deep, narrow flag lot that backs onto a dramatic ravine view. Uniquely secluded and surrounded by nature in a dense urban neighborhood, the house is reached after passing a 1200-sq.-ft. remodeled existing house and an ADU half that size, both used by family members and also designed by the architects as part of the overall project.