From the Editor

Sunset, Oct, 1999 by Rosalie Muller Wright

Window on Western design

* Twenty winners out of 529 entries. In this issue, Sunset and the American Institute of Architects present the 22nd biennial Western Home Awards. The jury (pictured above), weary after hours of thoughtful deliberation, came to the conclusion that this year's winners reflect a growing trend among Westerners: the urge to build gracious, yet affordable homes.

Said one juror, "The number of smaller-scale winners - from cabins to remodels - is heartening because it shows that you don't have to have a lot of square footage to live well in the West."

And another: "The 20 winners - from five states - provide a unique window into Western residential design at the turn of the century, and include great cabin and remodel ideas, inspiration for designing on a $100,000 budget, and planning for wheelchair accessibility. Locations are diverse and range from urban L.A. to rural Montana."

We hope you'll enjoy the visual walk-through of these exciting houses. And if you'd like a television tour, tune in to HGTV on October 13 or 16, when these winning homes will be presented in a one-hour special.