Stover House in Illinois

The spacious 8,000-square-foot home features contemporary lines and traditional details, and uses an open floor plan design (figure B). This permits the living room (figure C), family room and dining room to soak in the morning sun. Ceramic tiles absorb the heat while the white walls allow for maximum light. Located upstairs is the spacious master bedroom overlooking the adjacent river as well as the living room below (figure D). Also located upstairs is the master bathroom featuring a Jacuzzi and a double size shower (figure E). It's easy to forget that you're underground, with at least six feet of earth covering the house.

Downstairs, deeper into the earth, is a cozy den and reading room that gets much of its light from a fireplace (figure F). The hearth was produced from sandstone blocks salvaged from a historic building. Exposed aggregate stone surrounds the fireplace and serves as a reminder that you are underground. A blazing fire, comfy chair and a good book makes this room a perfect place for hibernating on a cold wintry day.

The expansive cherry wood kitchen area features two stoves and a central 12-foot island, ensuring that there is ample counter and storage space (figure G). This kitchen / dining room environment is a perfect place for entertaining. On the front section of the home is a redwood porch that peeks out and reveals an inspiring view of the Midwest plains (figure H).