Milo House in Vermont with bark-like dark yakisugi siding blends into the forested hillside.

Vermont’s Milo House Embraces Nature with Charred Cedar and Expansive Design

2026-09-04

The harmony of landscape and architecture

Set in the lush landscapes of Cornwall, Vermont, this house stands as a striking blend of modern architecture and natural beauty. Designed by Elizabeth Herrmann Architecture + Design and constructed by Red House Building, this residence melds with its environment, drawing inspiration from the surrounding woodlands and vistas of the Adirondack Mountains.

A home tailored for modern living

After relocating from Boston, Nathan and Seth, along with their dog Milo, sought a home fostering both remote work and relaxation. The residence achieves this through a balance of grand communal areas and private corners, all wrapped in the distinctive, dark facade of Nakamoto Forestry’s Gendai yakisugi. Inside, however, the atmosphere shifts to incorporate light wood tones and abundant natural light.

Dark Gendai yakisugi siding and irregular volumes blend this Vermont home into the forest. — Discover the Milo House in Cornwall, Vermont, where irregular architectural volumes and dark Gendai® yakisugi siding give this hillside home a bark-like appearance among the trees.

Designing with the hillside

The design of this fabulous property responds intricately to the landscape. Rather than imposing on the hillside, the structure moves with it—irregular, offset volumes cater to the slope, canopy, and views. This configuration results in varied ceiling heights and a journey through diverse spaces, from intimate nooks to soaring interiors.

Vermont's Milo House with dark bark-like siding nestled among trees on a hillside. — Discover the Milo House in Cornwall, Vermont, where irregular architectural volumes and dark Gendai® yakisugi siding give this hillside home a bark-like appearance among the trees.

Embracing nature with yakisugi

The use of yakisugi—a charred Japanese cedar—enhances the home’s connection to its wooded surroundings. This material, known for its durability and resistance, simultaneously adds a bark-like texture that will develop a unique patina over time. It was a deliberate selection by both the architect and homeowners, combining aesthetic vision with practical maintenance.

Vermont hillside home with irregular volumes covered in dark yakisugi siding. — Discover the Milo House in Cornwall, Vermont, where irregular architectural volumes and dark Gendai® yakisugi siding give this hillside home a bark-like appearance among the trees.

Welcoming yet dramatic entrances

Upon entering, the transition from the dark exterior to a bright, welcoming interior is unmistakable. The palette warms with natural wood accents and sunlight, setting a serene tone. A comfortable built-in couch greets visitors as they walk in, adding a cozy and practical element.

Milo House's dark exterior blends into the woodland setting, with a bark-like texture. — Discover the Milo House in Cornwall, Vermont, where irregular architectural volumes and dark Gendai® yakisugi siding give this hillside home a bark-like appearance among the trees.

Living spaces open to nature

Inside, the house’s heart lies in the kitchen and dining areas, where high ceilings enhance the sense of openness. Light pours in through expansive windows, connecting the interior with the surrounding forest. The contrast with the exterior’s dark cladding highlights the inviting light wood finishes that define this unique home.

Bark-like dark siding on the Milo House amidst Vermont's trees and terrain. — Discover the Milo House in Cornwall, Vermont, where irregular architectural volumes and dark Gendai® yakisugi siding give this hillside home a bark-like appearance among the trees.

A cascading journey through spaces

The stairs guide you through the unique levels of the home, each revealing shifts in spatial scale due to the home’s responsive design. From compressed, cozy areas to airy, open rooms, this movement enriches the living experience, navigating the natural terrain effortlessly.

Entryway transitioning from dark exterior to lighter wood interior with natural light. — The entryway begins the transition from the dark exterior into the lighter interior. The material palette becomes brighter as you move inside, with natural wood and daylight replacing the deep tones of the charred cedar outside. Just of the entrance, a built-in couch adds a cozy and practical element.

Intimate retreats within the home

Beyond the social areas, the primary bedroom offers a personal refuge. Here, the same light materials and natural scenery create a peaceful environment. a reading corner with a built-in bookshelf and a window provides the perfect spot for relaxation.

Entryway transitioning from dark yakisugi siding to lighter, airy wooden interior. — The entryway begins the transition from the dark exterior into the lighter interior. The material palette becomes brighter as you move inside, with natural wood and daylight replacing the deep tones of the charred cedar outside. Just of the entrance, a built-in couch adds a cozy and practical element.

Bathrooms with distinct characters

The primary bathroom invites tranquility with an oak vanity, a freestanding tub by a large window, and a contrastive dark floor. Meanwhile, the guest bathroom opts for a darker aesthetic, featuring slate-look tiles and a frameless glass shower that maintains an open feeling despite the deeper tones.

Dining and kitchen area with lofty ceilings, natural light, and views through trees. — Explore the dining and kitchen spaces of this Vermont hillside home, featuring lofty ceilings, lighter wood finishes, natural light and views through the surrounding trees.

Outbuildings in sync with nature

A small sauna, clad in the same yakisugi siding, rests further along the property, echoing the main house’s architecture. Together with a matching garden shed, these structures complete a cohesive design that respects and enhances its natural setting.

Vermont hillside home's dining and kitchen spaces with light finishes and natural views. — Explore the dining and kitchen spaces of this Vermont hillside home, featuring lofty ceilings, lighter wood finishes, natural light and views through the surrounding trees.

Blending with the land

Architectural drawings reveal how the structure masterfully follows the land’s contours, using its form to enhance both function and aesthetic. By aligning with the slope and canopy, it delivers varied experiences in height and space, fully responsive to the environment.

Lofty kitchen and dining space with ample natural light and views through trees. — Explore the dining and kitchen spaces of this Vermont hillside home, featuring lofty ceilings, lighter wood finishes, natural light and views through the surrounding trees.

Photography by Ryan Bent Photography | Drawings by Elizabeth Herrmann Architecture + Design

Living room with cathedral-like ceilings, natural light, and Adirondack views. — See inside the soaring living room of the Milo House, where cathedral-like ceilings, natural light, pale wood and views toward the Adirondacks create an airy interior.

For another stunning example of architecture aligning with natural surroundings, explore the revival of ancient techniques in architecture that highlights similar themes of harmony with nature.

Sunny living room with high ceilings and panoramic views towards the Adirondacks. — See inside the soaring living room of the Milo House, where cathedral-like ceilings, natural light, pale wood and views toward the Adirondacks create an airy interior.

Explore another residence where design meets nature in the enchanting Casa de los Milagros, which similarly blends with its environment.

Stairs showcasing shifting levels and ceiling heights within Vermont hillside house. — Follow the stairs through this Vermont hillside home, where changing levels, offset volumes and shifting ceiling heights make moving between floors part of the architectural experience.

Primary bedroom with lighter wood and natural light featuring a cozy, intimate feel. — This primary bedroom moves away from the scale of the main gathering spaces, offering a more intimate interior within the larger house. Lighter wood and natural light continue the material palette used throughout the residence. A nook within the bedroom has been transformed into a reading corner with a built-in bookshelf and a window.

Intimate Vermont home bedroom with light wood tones and soft natural lighting. — This primary bedroom moves away from the scale of the main gathering spaces, offering a more intimate interior within the larger house. Lighter wood and natural light continue the material palette used throughout the residence. A nook within the bedroom has been transformed into a reading corner with a built-in bookshelf and a window.

Cozy primary bedroom with natural light and lighter wood finishes for an inviting space. — This primary bedroom moves away from the scale of the main gathering spaces, offering a more intimate interior within the larger house. Lighter wood and natural light continue the material palette used throughout the residence. A nook within the bedroom has been transformed into a reading corner with a built-in bookshelf and a window.

Bright primary bathroom with white bathtub and large window facing forest views. — The primary bathroom is bright and pared back, with a freestanding white bathtub positioned beside a large window looking into the trees. White walls and fixtures keep the room feeling fresh and open, while the dark floor adds contrast, and a oak vanity runs along one wall beneath a large mirror.

Freestanding bathtub beside large forest-view window in a fresh, open bathroom. — The primary bathroom is bright and pared back, with a freestanding white bathtub positioned beside a large window looking into the trees. White walls and fixtures keep the room feeling fresh and open, while the dark floor adds contrast, and a oak vanity runs along one wall beneath a large mirror.

Guest bathroom with grey slate tiles covering shower walls and floor. — The guest bathroom takes a darker approach, with grey slate-look tiles covering the shower walls and floor. The large-format tiles give the space a consistent material palette, while the varied surface markings add texture across the walls.

Detached sauna with dark yakisugi siding matching the Vermont house exterior. — See the detached sauna at the Milo House in Cornwall, Vermont, clad in the same dark yakisugi siding as the main residence and garden shed.

Vermont home's sauna with consistent yakisugi siding like main house and shed. — See the detached sauna at the Milo House in Cornwall, Vermont, clad in the same dark yakisugi siding as the main residence and garden shed.

Yakusugi-clad sauna near Vermont's Milo House, matching the main structure. — See the detached sauna at the Milo House in Cornwall, Vermont, clad in the same dark yakisugi siding as the main residence and garden shed.

Detached sauna with dark siding nestled amidst forest near Vermont's Milo House. — See the detached sauna at the Milo House in Cornwall, Vermont, clad in the same dark yakisugi siding as the main residence and garden shed.

Sauna with yakisugi siding in Vermont garden matching the main residence. — See the detached sauna at the Milo House in Cornwall, Vermont, clad in the same dark yakisugi siding as the main residence and garden shed.

Nestled sauna with dark yakisugi siding near Vermont's forested Milo House. — See the detached sauna at the Milo House in Cornwall, Vermont, clad in the same dark yakisugi siding as the main residence and garden shed.

Architectural drawings of Milo House responding to Vermont's landscape and views. — Explore the architectural drawings for the Milo House and see how its irregular volumes respond to the Vermont hillside, tree canopy and views toward the Adirondacks.

Architectural plans showing Milo House's adaptation to hillside and tree canopy. — Explore the architectural drawings for the Milo House and see how its irregular volumes respond to the Vermont hillside, tree canopy and views toward the Adirondacks.

Source: contemporist.com

Frequently asked questions

What design firms were involved in the project?

The house was designed by Elizabeth Herrmann Architecture + Design and constructed by Red House Building.

How does the home integrate with the hillside?

The design of the property responds intricately to the landscape by moving with the hillside through irregular, offset volumes that cater to the slope, canopy, and views.

What material is used for the home’s exterior?

The home’s exterior features the distinctive dark facade of Nakamoto Forestry’s Gendai yakisugi, a charred Japanese cedar.