Scot Gordon Photography
Inspiration for a transitional staircase remodel in Richmond

Matthies Builders
Beach style entryway photo in Chicago with a dark wood front door

Meghan Beierle-O'Brien
Inspiration for a timeless dark wood floor dressing room remodel in Los Angeles with white cabinets

This shade arbor, located in The Woodlands, TX north of Houston, spans the entire length of the back yard. It combines a number of elements with custom structures that were constructed to emulate specific aspects of a Zen garden. The homeowner wanted a low-maintenance garden whose beauty could withstand the tough seasonal weather that strikes the area at various times of the year. He also desired a mood-altering aesthetic that would relax the senses and calm the mind. Most importantly, he wanted this meditative environment completely shielded from the outside world so he could find serenity in total privacy. The most unique design element in this entire project is the roof of the shade arbor itself. It features a “negative space” leaf pattern that was designed in a software suite and cut out of the metal with a water jet cutter. Each form in the pattern is loosely suggestive of either a leaf, or a cluster of leaves. These small, negative spaces cut from the metal are the source of the structure’ powerful visual and emotional impact. During the day, sunlight shines down and highlights columns, furniture, plantings, and gravel with a blend of dappling and shade that make you feel like you are sitting under the branches of a tree. At night, the effects are even more brilliant. Skillfully concealed lights mounted on the trusses reflect off the steel in places, while in other places they penetrate the negative spaces, cascading brilliant patterns of ambient light down on vegetation, hardscape, and water alike. The shade arbor shelters two gravel patios that are almost identical in space. The patio closest to the living room features a mini outdoor dining room, replete with tables and chairs. The patio is ornamented with a blend of ornamental grass, a small human figurine sculpture, and mid-level impact ground cover. Gravel was chosen as the preferred hardscape material because of its Zen-like connotations. It is also remarkably soft to walk on, helping to set the mood for a relaxed afternoon in the dappled shade of gently filtered sunlight. The second patio, spaced 15 feet away from the first, resides adjacent to the home at the opposite end of the shade arbor. Like its twin, it is also ornamented with ground cover borders, ornamental grasses, and a large urn identical to the first. Seating here is even more private and contemplative. Instead of a table and chairs, there is a large decorative concrete bench cut in the shape of a giant four-leaf clover. Spanning the distance between these two patios, a bluestone walkway connects the two spaces. Along the way, its borders are punctuated in places by low-level ornamental grasses, a large flowering bush, another sculpture in the form of human faces, and foxtail ferns that spring up from a spread of river rock that punctuates the ends of the walkway. The meditative quality of the shade arbor is reinforced by two special features. The first of these is a disappearing fountain that flows from the top of a large vertical stone embedded like a monolith in the other edges of the river rock. The drains and pumps to this fountain are carefully concealed underneath the covering of smooth stones, and the sound of the water is only barely perceptible, as if it is trying to force you to let go of your thoughts to hear it. A large piece of core-10 steel, which is deliberately intended to rust quickly, rises up like an arced wall from behind the fountain stone. The dark color of the metal helps the casual viewer catch just a glimpse of light reflecting off the slow trickle of water that runs down the side of the stone into the river rock bed. To complete the quiet moment that the shade arbor is intended to invoke, a thick wall of cypress trees rises up on all sides of the yard, completely shutting out the disturbances of the world with a comforting wall of living greenery that comforts the thoughts and emotions.

Windows and door panels reaching for the 12 foot ceilings flood this kitchen with natural light. Custom stainless cabinetry with an integral sink and commercial style faucet carry out the industrial theme of the space. Photo by Lincoln Barber

Our Princeton design build team designed and rebuilt this three car garage to suit the traditional style of the home. A living space was also include above the garage.

Entry Foyer, Photo by J.Sinclair
Example of a classic dark wood floor and brown floor entryway design in Other with a black front door and white walls

EMR Photography
Corner shower - contemporary brown tile and travertine tile corner shower idea in Denver with an integrated sink

Traditional kitchen with painted white cabinets, a large kitchen island with room for 3 barstools, built in bench for the breakfast nook and desk with cork bulletin board.

An industrial modern design + build project placed among the trees at the top of a hill. More projects at www.IversonSignatureHomes.com 2012 KaDa Photography

Rick Pharaoh
Large tuscan ceramic tile open concept kitchen photo in Other with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, cement tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

This new riverfront townhouse is on three levels. The interiors blend clean contemporary elements with traditional cottage architecture. It is luxurious, yet very relaxed. The Weiland sliding door is fully recessed in the wall on the left. The fireplace stone is called Hudson Ledgestone by NSVI. The cabinets are custom. The cabinet on the left has articulated doors that slide out and around the back to reveal the tv. It is a beautiful solution to the hide/show tv dilemma that goes on in many households! The wall paint is a custom mix of a Benjamin Moore color, Glacial Till, AF-390. The trim paint is Benjamin Moore, Floral White, OC-29. Project by Portland interior design studio Jenni Leasia Interior Design. Also serving Lake Oswego, West Linn, Vancouver, Sherwood, Camas, Oregon City, Beaverton, and the whole of Greater Portland. For more about Jenni Leasia Interior Design, click here: https://www.jennileasiadesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.jennileasiadesign.com/lakeoswegoriverfront

Kitchen - contemporary u-shaped kitchen idea in Other with stainless steel appliances, a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, black backsplash, marble countertops and stone slab backsplash

Home office - contemporary home office idea in Seattle

Sumptuous spaces are created throughout the house with the use of dark, moody colors, elegant upholstery with bespoke trim details, unique wall coverings, and natural stone with lots of movement. The mix of print, pattern, and artwork creates a modern twist on traditional design.

Kitchen - scandinavian kitchen idea in Denver

Transitional u-shaped gray floor kitchen photo in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Classic and gorgeous. Guest bath featuring wallpaper, original hardwood flooring, brass hardware and plumbing and antique vanity with sink and marble top.

Beach style bedroom photo in Tampa