It's a nice idea, toasting next to a roaring fire on Christmas Eve while Jack Frost nips at your nose (or safely outside), and these eight projects seem to have been designed just for it. But will those dreams of a White Christmas come true?
Pleated House by Johnsen Schmaling Architects
This 1,850-square-foot, cedar-clad house for two sits on four acres in a Wisconsin forest, and seems primed for winter-weather festivities. Chestnut Roasting Meter: Definitely. The high in Sturgeon Bay, Wis.,—the county seat—is predicted to be 34 F.
House in Frogs Hollow by Williamson Chong Architects
Toronto firm Williamson Chong Architects designed this 2,000-square-foot house in Grey Highlands, Ontario, which includes a ground-floor bicycle shop as well as a living room fireplace flanked by some pretty sweet views. Chestnut Roasting Meter: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Toronto's temps are predicted to be between 39 and 56 F.
Moonlight Cabin by Jackson Clements Burrows Architects
This tiny cabin in Melbourne, Australia, already glows from the tiny openings on the spotted-gum façade. A hanging fireplace surrounded by a purple-upholstered sofa begs to be snuggled next to. Chestnut Roasting Meter: No way. A high of 94 F is predicted on Dec. 24.
Red Rock House by Anmahian Winton Architects
Roughly 30 miles southeast of Albany in the woods of Red Rock, N.Y., this house includes a living room fireplace as well as a one in another reading area (not pictured). Chestnut Roasting Meter: Doubtful. The weather in this zip code is predicted to be between 45 and 69 F.
Curved House by Hufft Projects
A roaring blaze in this outdoor fireplace in this Springfield, Mo., house has the added bonus of flickering against the varying textures of the ipe and brick walls as well as the pool nearby. Chestnut Roasting Meter: Maybe, baby. If it reaches the low of 38 F!
Redaction House by Johnsen Schmaling Architects
This Oconomowoc, Wis., house gets its name from the way the architects treated the views: the less pretty views are blocked by walls. The colored-board treatment on the house's exterior façade is also carried into the interior fireplace. Chestnut Roasting Meter: Absolutely! The town is supposed to only get up to 38 F.
Elizabeth II by Bates Masi + Architects
The cedar siding in this 3,200-square-foot Hamptons house gives the whole place a cozy, snuggle-up-with-blankets-and-a-book feel. Chestnut Roasting Meter: Nah. The low for Amagansett, N.Y., is predicted to be 54 F.
Family Retreat by Salmela Architect
If the rest of the house was shoddy (which it's not—it was recognized in the 2015 Residential Architect Design Awards), this room and its view of Lake Superior would almost make up for it. Chestnut Roasting Meter: For sure. The weather in Herbster, Wis., is not supposed to exceed 30 F.
