The Kitchen has a very open feeling, aided by the wood beam lighting and very high ceilings. The island is beautifully warm with the Iroko wood insert on the honed Zebrino marble. Large windows over the sink allow natural light to fill the space and the white cabinetry lends a nice contrast to the dark walnut island. Marble and Stainless steel backsplash with open shelving is contemporary yet fuctional, giving the owner a beautiful backdrop to his professional Wolf range. The apron sink is also a wonderful touch under-mounted below the marble countertop.

Architect: Blaine Bonadies, Bonadies Architect Photography By: Jean Allsopp Photography “Just as described, there is an edgy, irreverent vibe here, but the result has an appropriate stature and seriousness. Love the overscale windows. And the outdoor spaces are so great.” Situated atop an old Civil War battle site, this new residence was conceived for a couple with southern values and a rock-and-roll attitude. The project consists of a house, a pool with a pool house and a renovated music studio. A marriage of modern and traditional design, this project used a combination of California redwood siding, stone and a slate roof with flat-seam lead overhangs. Intimate and well planned, there is no space wasted in this home. The execution of the detail work, such as handmade railings, metal awnings and custom windows jambs, made this project mesmerizing. Cues from the client and how they use their space helped inspire and develop the initial floor plan, making it live at a human scale but with dramatic elements. Their varying taste then inspired the theme of traditional with an edge. The lines and rhythm of the house were simplified, and then complemented with some key details that made the house a juxtaposition of styles. The wood Ultimate Casement windows were all standard sizes. However, there was a desire to make the windows have a “deep pocket” look to create a break in the facade and add a dramatic shadow line. Marvin was able to customize the jambs by extruding them to the exterior. They added a very thin exterior profile, which negated the need for exterior casing. The same detail was in the stone veneers and walls, as well as the horizontal siding walls, with no need for any modification. This resulted in a very sleek look. MARVIN PRODUCTS USED: Marvin Ultimate Casement Window

Architect: Celeste Robbins, Robbins Architecture Inc. Photography By: Hedrich Blessing “Simple and sophisticated interior and exterior that harmonizes with the site. Like the integration of the flat roof element into the main gabled form next to garage. It negotiates the line between traditional and modernist forms and details successfully.” This single-family vacation home on the Michigan shoreline accomplished the balance of large, glass window walls with the quaint beach aesthetic found on the neighboring dunes. Drawing from the vernacular language of nearby beach porches, a composition of flat and gable roofs was designed. This blending of rooflines gave the ability to maintain the scale of a beach cottage without compromising the fullness of the lake views. The result was a space that continuously displays views of Lake Michigan as you move throughout the home. From the front door to the upper bedroom suites, the home reminds you why you came to the water’s edge, and emphasizes the vastness of the lake view. Marvin Windows helped frame the dramatic lake scene. The products met the performance needs of the challenging lake wind and sun. Marvin also fit within the budget, and the technical support made it easy to design everything from large fixed windows to motorized awnings in hard-to-reach locations. Featuring: Marvin Ultimate Awning Window Marvin Ultimate Casement Window Marvin Ultimate Swinging French Door

Living room - large contemporary formal dark wood floor living room idea in San Francisco with white walls and a two-sided fireplace

Reverse Shed Eichler This project is part tear-down, part remodel. The original L-shaped plan allowed the living/ dining/ kitchen wing to be completely re-built while retaining the shell of the bedroom wing virtually intact. The rebuilt entertainment wing was enlarged 50% and covered with a low-slope reverse-shed roof sloping from eleven to thirteen feet. The shed roof floats on a continuous glass clerestory with eight foot transom. Cantilevered steel frames support wood roof beams with eaves of up to ten feet. An interior glass clerestory separates the kitchen and livingroom for sound control. A wall-to-wall skylight illuminates the north wall of the kitchen/family room. New additions at the back of the house add several “sliding” wall planes, where interior walls continue past full-height windows to the exterior, complimenting the typical Eichler indoor-outdoor ceiling and floor planes. The existing bedroom wing has been re-configured on the interior, changing three small bedrooms into two larger ones, and adding a guest suite in part of the original garage. A previous den addition provided the perfect spot for a large master ensuite bath and walk-in closet. Natural materials predominate, with fir ceilings, limestone veneer fireplace walls, anigre veneer cabinets, fir sliding windows and interior doors, bamboo floors, and concrete patios and walks. Landscape design by Bernard Trainor: www.bernardtrainor.com (see “Concrete Jungle” in April 2014 edition of Dwell magazine). Microsoft Media Center installation of the Year, 2008: www.cybermanor.com/ultimate_install.html (automated shades, radiant heating system, and lights, as well as security & sound).

Raised beds and gate surrounded by Joseph's Coat climbing rose in this beautiful garden
Inspiration for a large mediterranean full sun backyard decomposed granite vegetable garden landscape in San Diego.

The Tice Residences replace a run-down and aging duplex with two separate, modern, Santa Barbara homes. Although the unique creek-side site (which the client’s original home looked toward across a small ravine) proposed significant challenges, the clients were certain they wanted to live on the lush “Riviera” hillside. The challenges presented were ultimately overcome through a thorough and careful study of site conditions. With an extremely efficient use of space and strategic placement of windows and decks, privacy is maintained while affording expansive views from each home to the creek, downtown Santa Barbara and Pacific Ocean beyond. Both homes appear to have far more openness than their compact lots afford. The solution strikes a balance between enclosure and openness. Walls and landscape elements divide and protect two private domains, and are in turn, carefully penetrated to reveal views. Both homes are variations on one consistent theme: elegant composition of contemporary, “warm” materials; strong roof planes punctuated by vertical masses; and floating decks. The project forms an intimate connection with its setting by using site-excavated stone, terracing landscape planters with native plantings, and utilizing the shade provided by its ancient Riviera Oak trees. 2012 AIA Santa Barbara Chapter Merit Award Jim Bartsch Photography

Fully encapsulated by tile and glass, the wet room features a free standing Maax tub, multi-function showering experience with Brizo Virage valves and body sprays as well as a useful corner seat.This project was a joint effort between J. Stephen Peterson, architect and Riddle Construction & Design.

The children's bathroom has playful wallpaper and a custom designed vanity that integrates into the wainscot around the room. Interior Design by Ashley Whitakker.

Anice Hoachlander/Hoachlander-Davis Photography
Inspiration for a large rustic backyard stone patio remodel in DC Metro with a fire pit and a roof extension

A tub shower transformed into a standing open shower. A concrete composite vanity top incorporates the sink and counter making it low maintenance. Photography by Jacob Hand

Michael Lowry Photography
Transitional formal dark wood floor living room photo in Orlando with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Amber Frederiksen Photography
Inspiration for a timeless master beige tile and porcelain tile travertine floor double shower remodel in Miami with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, limestone countertops and white walls

Urban gray tile pebble tile floor alcove shower photo in San Francisco with gray walls

sectional sofa
Example of a classic open concept living room design in San Francisco

Builder & Interior Selections: Kyle Hunt & Partners, Architect: Sharratt Design Company, Landscape Design: Yardscapes, Photography by James Kruger, LandMark Photography

Large laundry room with (2) washers & (2) dryers built-in. Open shelves provided for laundry baskets and other storage. Cabinetry storage provided on both sides of room.

Bathroom - large modern master blue tile and mosaic tile concrete floor and gray floor bathroom idea in New York with brown walls and a hinged shower door

Bathroom - transitional blue tile and mosaic tile bathroom idea in San Francisco