Janice Rohlf

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.