Our custom blown glass chandeliers are made totally custom to fit perfectly in your unique space. We work with you to capture the inner essence you wish to express. Our client wished to add color to their sun room. This Deep Cobalt chandelier looks absolutely brilliant, as the outside sun and internal light of the chandelier converge in a kaleidoscope of blue. The glass dining room table and casual wooden chairs combined with the outside forestry make for a phenomenal combination. This custom blown glass art platter chandelier is made from our golden topaz sconce flowers. This style of chandelier is wonderful for modern contemporary homes, and matches the wooden floors, grey rug, and white ceilings. This custom blown glass art platter chandelier is made from our golden topaz sconce flowers. This style of chandelier is wonderful for modern contemporary homes, and matches the wooden floors, grey rug, and white ceilings. It looks stunning over this wooden kitchen island. Our custom-made glass lighting fixtures are perfect for your foyer, entryway, stairwell, living room, dining room, kitchen, or any room in your home. All of our chandeliers and custom blown glass lighting is fully customizable and tailored to fit your unique space. No two works are the same, each piece is custom made exactly for you. This is a totally unique, Elongated, all-clear Ribbon chandelier we produced for a client's dining room. This fits in with traditional decor but with a modern twist, It matches the wood flooring, oak table, and mahogany dresser, and the abundance of natural sunlight from large windows makes this custom lighting glass fixture sparkle. This is a totally unique, Elongated, all-clear Ribbon chandelier we produced for a client's dining room. This fits in with traditional decor but with a modern twist, It matches the wood flooring, oak table, and mahogany dresser, and the abundance of natural sunlight from large windows makes this custom lighting glass fixture sparkle. We are a three generation family business, with over 50 years of experience. We have installations all over the world, for governments, civic memorials, public works, interior designers, decorators, architects, engineers, museums, art galleries, hotels, restaurants, corporations, corporate clients, businesses, ranches, oceanfront properties, apartment buildings, condominiums, and numerous private clients. This floral custom dining room chandelier chandelier looks like an upside down flower pot miraculously suspended in mid-air. The reds in the chandelier match the red painted walls, while the yellows bring out the bamboo floors and light wood dining room table and dining room chairs. There is also plenty of natural sunlight from big sky windows. This home is traditional with a touch of contemporary in the furniture. For this particular client living in Malibu, we procured for them a chandelier to fit the ultra-contemporary decor of their interior, enhance their home's natural light, and compliment the sun-abundant environment in which they live. 48" high x 72" long x 48" wide Colors shown: Orange, Fire Red, Yellow This blown-glass garden sculpture is designed to uniquely enhance your outdoor space. Dimensions and colors fully customizable, and sculpture can be lit from within for a nighttime glowing effect. 48" high x 72" long x 48" wide Colors shown: Aqua Blue, Lime, Emerald Green, Violet This blown-glass garden sculpture is designed to uniquely enhance your outdoor space. Dimensions and colors fully customizable, and sculpture can be lit from within for a nighttime glowing. 48" high x 48" wide x 24" deep These Opal White sconces seem to work in any space, as their internal lights cast a soft, agreeable glow. This particular pair adds a subtle touch to a forest view, and softens the juxtaposition between inside and out. Just like our chandeliers, our sconces are internally lit with ultra long-lasting, dimmable LEDs. 50" high x 46" wide x 26" deep This is a honey, wood, and grey sconce we produced for a client to accentuate a warm, wooden, yet contemporary feel. Just like our chandeliers, our sconces are internally lit with ultra long-lasting, dimmable LEDs. 72" high x 60" wide x 24" deep This wall sconce is simply fun. Vibrant colors play with each other, yet match because they fall in the same color spectrum, as the client's sitting room is transformed into a display of modern art. Just like our chandeliers, our sconces are internally lit with ultra long-lasting, dimmable LEDs. We serve the entire United States and Canada. We service all 50 states, including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Florida, Miami, Coral Gables, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. In California, we specifically service Orange County, Los Angeles, LA County, and Malibu. Zip code 90210. In the Washington D.C. area, we specifically serve Alexandria, Arlington, Loudon, Bethesda, Upper Marlboro, Kalorama, and the Palisades. In Connecticut, we specifically serve Greenwich. Zip codes 22314 and 2203. Our custom made, blown glass chandeliers are functional glass art and can be customized for apartments, condos, a client’s foyer, living room, dining room, great room, family room, kitchen, kitchen island, even bathroom and bedroom. Our fully custom glass art chandeliers are all blown here in the United States of America. We customize them to go with all furnishings, including one’s mahogany dining room table, wood dining room table, contemporary dining room table, traditional dining room table, and modern dining room table. They also match one’s marble kitchen island, skylight, coffee table, custom wallpaper, other lighting fixtures, custom wall sconces, dining room chairs, marble countertops. They look phenomenal in large or small homes, and seaside villas. Ocean front properties are a speciality of ours as well. A closeup photo of the outdoor patio chandelier, displaying the incredible detail and craftsmanship in each individual piece. This picture is art unto itself. We provide full personalized service, including Lighting Design, Lighting Manufacturer, Custom Lighting, Custom Chandeliers, Multi-story Chandeliers, Multi-level Chandeliers, Glass Lighting, Pendant Lighting, Commercial Lighting, Residential Lighting, Blown Glass, Fused Glass, Bubble Glass Lighting, Bubble Chandeliers, Dining Room Lighting, Kitchen Pendants, Lighting Design Consultation. All chandeliers are hand crafted by our talented artists here in the USA. That’s right, all of our artists and craftsmen are here in the U.S. Each piece is a truly functional work of art. We like to think of it as art primarily, it just happens to be functional! It is true artistic creativity combined with engineering and architectural practicality. At Ethel A. Furman & Associates, the online gallery of GlassArt.net, you are the creator. We like to push the limits of light, color and texture, with our dramatic custom lighting and decor made from our exotic, fused & blown glass. As a lighting and glass manufacturer, Ethel A. Furman & Associates, the online gallery of GlassArt.net is as unique as the products we offer. We're small enough to provide an unparalleled level of service and craftsmanship. That said, we are large enough to handle residential and commercial jobs of any size. Not found everywhere, you can see our exotic materials displayed around the globe. Whether you have a vision or you're looking for one, or several, our artists can create something way beyond the expected. Let us create something exceptional for you. This is the chandelier in full of the previous closeup photo. We produced this vibrantly colored outdoor chandelier for a client's roofed patio area. Do not be deceived by the thin wires; we use taut, aircraft-strength cables that keep the chandelier stable in virtually any weather condition. Please again note the closeup photo of this chandelier, as it is exemplary of the world class quality we are so proud of in our glasswork. This totally fun sculpture was created for a client's wine cellar. Your vision is our direction. You are only restricted by the contents of your imagination. This client wished to have a tropical chandelier while also employing her favorite color: lavender. We played the opaque lavender horns with the transparent ruby and yellow, and green gourds for a wonderfully fun, tropical chandelier that also serve functions as the main dining room light. This is a closeup of an individual platter sconce. These can be used in a large group, like the previous picture, yet are equally elegant hanging alone. These are backlit, just like our chandeliers and other sconces, with ultra long-lasting, dimmable LEDs. Our custom glass art comes in any color and/or color combination imaginable, including purple, grey, clear, gold, silver, white, black, green, yellow, purple, taupe, turquoise, blue, baby blue, lavender, violet, red, and orange. Organic, perforated glass spheres with a lace-like texture. Made from our unique blown glass. Available as individual pendants or multi-pendant chandeliers. Multiple sizes and colors are available. Our modern Custom Glass Lighting perfect for your entryway, foyer, stairwell, living room, dining room, kitchen, and any room in your home. Our dramatic lighting that is fully customizable and tailored to fit your space perfectly. No two pieces are the same 72" high x 48" wide This eclectic and highly complex chandelier was designed to be reminiscent of a coral reef 96" high x 60" wide x 60" deep Absolutely humongous and stunning chandelier we produced for an javascript:;exceptionally large foyer. Appropriately dubbed "Autumn" because it reminds one of the leaves turning from green to red and slowly falling. We produced our spectacular "Summer Fire" chandelier for The Park at Fourteenth, an exclusive restaurant & nightclub in Washington D.C. This is one of 2 chandeliers we designed and produced for them. Like all of our chandeliers, these are internally lit with warm-colored, dimmable LED's, so the light lasts for many tens of thousands of hours and can be set to the exact brightness to fit any mood. We produced our spectacular "Summer Fire" chandelier for The Park at Fourteenth, an exclusive restaurant & nightclub in Washington D.C. This is one of 2 chandeliers we designed and produced for them. Like all of our chandeliers, these are internally lit with warm-colored, dimmable LED's, so the light lasts for many tens of thousands of hours and can be set to your exact specifications. We produced our spectacular "Miami Sunrise" chandelier for The Park at Fourteenth, an exclusive restaurant & nightclub in Washington D.C. This is one of 2 chandeliers we designed and produced for them. Like all of our chandeliers, these are internally lit with warm-colored, dimmable LED's, so the light lasts for many tens of thousands of hours and can be set to the exact brightness to fit any mood. We produced our spectacular "Summer Fire" chandelier for The Park at Fourteenth, an exclusive restaurant & nightclub in Washington D.C. This is one of 2 chandeliers we designed and produced for them. Like all of our chandeliers, these are internally lit with warm-colored, dimmable LED's, so the light lasts for many tens of thousands of hours and can be set to the exact brightness to fit any mood. Our blown glass chandeliers are made totally custom for your unique tastes and home. We work with you to not only capture the colors and style that fit your space perfectly, but also your unique desired “vibe.” Our client wished to add color to their sun room. This Deep Cobalt chandelier looks absolutely brilliant, as the outside sun and internal light of the chandelier converge in a kaleidoscope of blue. The glass dining room table and casual wooden chairs combined with the outside forestry make for a phenomenal combination. This custom blown glass art platter chandelier is made from our golden topaz sconce flowers. This style of chandelier is wonderful for modern contemporary homes, and matches the wooden floors, grey rug, and white ceilings. This custom blown glass art platter chandelier is made from our golden topaz sconce flowers. This style of chandelier is wonderful for modern contemporary homes, and matches the wooden floors, grey rug, and white ceilings. It looks stunning over this wooden kitchen island. Our custom-made glass lighting fixtures are perfect for your foyer, entryway, stairwell, living room, dining room, kitchen, or any room in your home. All of our chandeliers and custom blown glass lighting is fully customizable and tailored to fit your unique space. No two works are the same, each piece is custom made exactly for you. This is a totally unique, Elongated, all-clear Ribbon chandelier we produced for a client's dining room. This fits in with traditional decor but with a modern twist, It matches the wood flooring, oak table, and mahogany dresser, and the abundance of natural sunlight from large windows makes this custom lighting glass fixture sparkle. This is a totally unique, Elongated, all-clear Ribbon chandelier we produced for a client's dining room. This fits in with traditional decor but with a modern twist, It matches the wood flooring, oak table, and mahogany dresser, and the abundance of natural sunlight from large windows makes this custom lighting glass fixture sparkle. This floral custom dining room chandelier chandelier looks like an upside down flower pot miraculously suspended in mid-air. The reds in the chandelier match the red painted walls, while the yellows bring out the bamboo floors and light wood dining room table and dining room chairs. There is also plenty of natural sunlight from big sky windows. This home is traditional with a touch of contemporary in the furniture. For this particular client living in Malibu, we procured for them a chandelier to fit the ultra-contemporary decor of their interior, enhance their home's natural light, and compliment the sun-abundant environment in which they live. 48" high x 72" long x 48" wide Colors shown: Orange, Fire Red, Yellow This blown-glass garden sculpture is designed to uniquely enhance your outdoor space. Dimensions and colors fully customizable, and sculpture can be lit from within for a nighttime glowing effect. 48" high x 72" long x 48" wide Colors shown: Aqua Blue, Lime, Emerald Green, Violet This blown-glass garden sculpture is designed to uniquely enhance your outdoor space. Dimensions and colors fully customizable, and sculpture can be lit from within for a nighttime glowing. 48" high x 48" wide x 24" deep These Opal White sconces seem to work in any space, as their internal lights cast a soft, agreeable glow. This particular pair adds a subtle touch to a forest view, and softens the juxtaposition between inside and out. Just like our chandeliers, our sconces are internally lit with ultra long-lasting, dimmable LEDs. 50" high x 46" wide x 26" deep This is a honey, wood, and grey sconce we produced for a client to accentuate a warm, wooden, yet contemporary feel. Just like our chandeliers, our sconces are internally lit with ultra long-lasting, dimmable LEDs. 72" high x 60" wide x 24" deep This wall sconce is simply fun. Vibrant colors play with each other, yet match because they fall in the same color spectrum, as the client's sitting room is transformed into a display of modern art. Just like our chandeliers, our sconces are internally lit with ultra long-lasting, dimmable LEDs. We serve the entire United States and Canada. We service all 50 states, including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Florida, Miami, Coral Gables, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. In California, we specifically service Orange County, Los Angeles, LA County, and Malibu. Zip code 90210. In the Washington D.C. area, we specifically serve Alexandria, Arlington, Loudon, Bethesda, Upper Marlboro, Kalorama, and the Palisades. In Connecticut, we specifically serve Greenwich. Zip codes 22314 and 2203. Our custom made, blown glass chandeliers are functional glass art and can be customized for apartments, condos, a client’s foyer, living room, dining room, great room, family room, kitchen, kitchen island, even bathroom and bedroom. Our fully custom glass art chandeliers are all blown here in the United States of America. We customize them to go with all furnishings, including one’s mahogany dining room table, wood dining room table, contemporary dining room table, traditional dining room table, and modern dining room table. They also match one’s marble kitchen island, skylight, coffee table, custom wallpaper, other lighting fixtures, custom wall sconces, dining room chairs, marble countertops. They look phenomenal in large or small homes, and seaside villas. Ocean front properties are a speciality of ours as well. A closeup photo of the outdoor patio chandelier, displaying the incredible detail and craftsmanship in each individual piece. This picture is art unto itself. We provide full personalized service, including Lighting Design, Lighting Manufacturer, Custom Lighting, Custom Chandeliers, Multi-story Chandeliers, Multi-level Chandeliers, Glass Lighting, Pendant Lighting, Commercial Lighting, Residential Lighting, Blown Glass, Fused Glass, Bubble Glass Lighting, Bubble Chandeliers, Dining Room Lighting, Kitchen Pendants, Lighting Design Consultation. All chandeliers are hand crafted by our talented artists here in the USA. That’s right, all of our artists and craftsmen are here in the U.S. Each piece is a truly functional work of art. We like to think of it as art primarily, it just happens to be functional! It is true artistic creativity combined with engineering and architectural practicality. At Ethel A. Furman & Associates, the online gallery of GlassArt.net, you are the creator. We like to push the limits of light, color and texture, with our dramatic custom lighting and decor made from our exotic, fused & blown glass. As a lighting and glass manufacturer, Ethel A. Furman & Associates, the online gallery of GlassArt.net is as unique as the products we offer. We're small enough to provide an unparalleled level of service and craftsmanship. That said, we are large enough to handle residential and commercial jobs of any size. Not found everywhere, you can see our exotic materials displayed around the globe. Whether you have a vision or you're looking for one, or several, our artists can create something way beyond the expected. Let us create something exceptional for you. This is the chandelier in full of the previous closeup photo. We produced this vibrantly colored outdoor chandelier for a client's roofed patio area. Do not be deceived by the thin wires; we use taut, aircraft-strength cables that keep the chandelier stable, secure and safe.

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW For many, extra time at home during COVID left them wanting more from their homes. Whether you realized the shortcomings of your space or simply wanted to combat boredom, a well-designed and functional home was no longer a want, it became a need. Tina found herself wanting more from her Old Irving Park home and reached out to The Kitchen Studio about adding function to her kitchen to make the most of the available real estate. At the end of the day, there is nothing better than returning home to a bright and happy space you love. And this kitchen wasn’t that for Tina. Dark and dated, with a palette from the past and features that didn’t make the most of the available square footage, this remodel required vision and a fresh approach to the space. Lead designer, Stephanie Cole’s main design goal was better flow, while adding greater functionality with organized storage, accessible open shelving, and an overall sense of cohesion with the adjoining family room. The original kitchen featured a large pizza oven, which was rarely used, yet its footprint limited storage space. The nearby pantry had become a catch-all, lacking the organization needed in the home. The initial plan was to keep the pizza oven, but eventually Tina realized she preferred the design possibilities that came from removing this cumbersome feature, with the goal of adding function throughout the upgraded and elevated space. Eliminating the pantry added square footage and length to the kitchen for greater function and more storage. This redesigned space reflects how she lives and uses her home, as well as her love for entertaining. The kitchen features a classic, clean, and timeless palette. White cabinetry, with brass and bronze finishes, contrasts with rich wood flooring, and lets the large, deep blue island in Woodland’s custom color Harbor – a neutral, yet statement color – draw your eye. The kitchen was the main priority. In addition to updating and elevating this space, Tina wanted to maximize what her home had to offer. From moving the location of the patio door and eliminating a window to removing an existing closet in the mudroom and the cluttered pantry, the kitchen footprint grew. Once the floorplan was set, it was time to bring cohesion to her home, creating connection between the kitchen and surrounding spaces. The color palette carries into the mudroom, where we added beautiful new cabinetry, practical bench seating, and accessible hooks, perfect for guests and everyday living. The nearby bar continues the aesthetic, with stunning Carrara marble subway tile, hints of brass and bronze, and a design that further captures the vibe of the kitchen. Every home has its unique design challenges. But with a fresh perspective and a bit of creativity, there is always a way to give the client exactly what they want [and need]. In this particular kitchen, the existing soffits and high slanted ceilings added a layer of complexity to the lighting layout and upper perimeter cabinets. While a space needs to look good, it also needs to function well. This meant making the most of the height of the room and accounting for the varied ceiling features, while also giving Tina everything she wanted and more. Pendants and task lighting paired with an abundance of natural light amplify the bright aesthetic. The cabinetry layout and design compliments the soffits with subtle profile details that bring everything together. The tile selections add visual interest, drawing the eye to the focal area above the range. Glass-doored cabinets further customize the space and give the illusion of even more height within the room. While her family may be grown and out of the house, Tina was focused on adding function without sacrificing a stunning aesthetic and dreamy finishes that make the kitchen the gathering place of any home. It was time to love her kitchen again, and if you’re wondering what she loves most, it’s the niche with glass door cabinetry and open shelving for display paired with the marble mosaic backsplash over the range and complimenting hood. Each of these features is a stunning point of interest within the kitchen – both brag-worthy additions to a perimeter layout that previously felt limited and lacking. Whether your remodel is the result of special needs in your home or simply the excitement of focusing your energy on creating a fun new aesthetic, we are here for it. We love a good challenge because there is always a way to make a space better – adding function and beauty simultaneously.

[Our Clients] We were so excited to help these new homeowners re-envision their split-level diamond in the rough. There was so much potential in those walls, and we couldn’t wait to delve in and start transforming spaces. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. So, we started by converting the existing single car garage into their living room (complete with a new fireplace) and opening up the kitchen to the rest of the level. [Kitchen] The original kitchen had been on the small side and cut-off from the rest of the home, but after we removed the coat closet, this kitchen opened up beautifully. Our plan was to create an open and light filled kitchen with a design that translated well to the other spaces in this home, and a layout that offered plenty of space for multiple cooks. We utilized clean white cabinets around the perimeter of the kitchen and popped the island with a spunky shade of blue. To add a real element of fun, we jazzed it up with the colorful escher tile at the backsplash and brought in accents of brass in the hardware and light fixtures to tie it all together. Through out this home we brought in warm wood accents and the kitchen was no exception, with its custom floating shelves and graceful waterfall butcher block counter at the island. [Dining Room] The dining room had once been the home’s living room, but we had other plans in mind. With its dramatic vaulted ceiling and new custom steel railing, this room was just screaming for a dramatic light fixture and a large table to welcome one-and-all. [Living Room] We converted the original garage into a lovely little living room with a cozy fireplace. There is plenty of new storage in this space (that ties in with the kitchen finishes), but the real gem is the reading nook with two of the most comfortable armchairs you’ve ever sat in. [Master Suite] This home didn’t originally have a master suite, so we decided to convert one of the bedrooms and create a charming suite that you’d never want to leave. The master bathroom aesthetic quickly became all about the textures. With a sultry black hex on the floor and a dimensional geometric tile on the walls we set the stage for a calm space. The warm walnut vanity and touches of brass cozy up the space and relate with the feel of the rest of the home. We continued the warm wood touches into the master bedroom, but went for a rich accent wall that elevated the sophistication level and sets this space apart. [Hall Bathroom] The floor tile in this bathroom still makes our hearts skip a beat. We designed the rest of the space to be a clean and bright white, and really let the lovely blue of the floor tile pop. The walnut vanity cabinet (complete with hairpin legs) adds a lovely level of warmth to this bathroom, and the black and brass accents add the sophisticated touch we were looking for. [Office] We loved the original built-ins in this space, and knew they needed to always be a part of this house, but these 60-year-old beauties definitely needed a little help. We cleaned up the cabinets and brass hardware, switched out the formica counter for a new quartz top, and painted wall a cheery accent color to liven it up a bit. And voila! We have an office that is the envy of the neighborhood.

“Greensboro’s Grandest House” was recently selected as the 2013 ShowHouse presented by the Junior League of Greensboro and national media sponsor Traditional Home. Among the local and national design talent featured in this special fundraising event was design duo Patti Allen and Stephanie James of Furnitureland South, who transformed the estate’s patio into a classic, colorful and cozy space. Built in the early 1920s, the Adamsleigh estate is more than 15,000 square feet and covers 13.5 acres that include pools, a lake, tennis courts, a stone gazebo and a five-car garage. The 30×60 patio presented a special design challenge – the space was in disrepair and sat unevenly on a downward slope. Rising to the challenge, Patti and Stephanie partnered with Outer Space Landscapes to change the elevation of the patio in order to draw attention to the focal point and inspiration of the project: a beautiful canopy sofa by Century Furniture. The addition of 6 tons of landscaping material included Pennsylvania blue stone, pebbles, sand, cherry trees, azaleas and geraniums all blooming in the colors of the latest Sunbrella fabrics featured in the outdoor furnishings: crisp, sandy white, fuchsia and tangerine. Patti and Stephanie wanted to showcase clean and classic outdoor style with an edge of color and unexpected elements. Playful ottomans by Baker float in the space for multiple functions, adding an extra pop of color to the sophisticated setting which includes a dining table by Oscar de la Renta, organic spot tables from Phillips Collection, and daybeds and seating from Century Furniture. Combining their passion for interior spaces with signature designs, Allen and James Designs gave this outdoor space the comfort, color and style it deserved. Patti and Stephanie, co-founders of Allen and James Designs, are committed to inspire and influence unique spaces for home, work, play and relaxation. With over 25 years of experience and a dedication to client relationships, their infusion of international inspiration with style, color, texture and vision make Patti and Stephanie a creative duo capable of exceeding the expectations of any client’s design project. By forming over 400 connections with key manufactures such as Henredon, Century, Lillian August, Dovetail, Maitland Smith and Huntington House, Allen and James Designs can provide a broad range of options that virtually meet any need a client has to create their dream home.

This brownstone, located in Harlem, consists of five stories which had been duplexed to create a two story rental unit and a 3 story home for the owners. The owner hired us to do a modern renovation of their home and rear garden. The garden was under utilized, barely visible from the interior and could only be accessed via a small steel stair at the rear of the second floor. We enlarged the owner’s home to include the rear third of the floor below which had walk out access to the garden. The additional square footage became a new family room connected to the living room and kitchen on the floor above via a double height space and a new sculptural stair. The rear facade was completely restructured to allow us to install a wall to wall two story window and door system within the new double height space creating a connection not only between the two floors but with the outside. The garden itself was terraced into two levels, the bottom level of which is directly accessed from the new family room space, the upper level accessed via a few stone clad steps. The upper level of the garden features a playful interplay of stone pavers with wood decking adjacent to a large seating area and a new planting bed. Wet bar cabinetry at the family room level is mirrored by an outside cabinetry/grill configuration as another way to visually tie inside to out. The second floor features the dining room, kitchen and living room in a large open space. Wall to wall builtins from the front to the rear transition from storage to dining display to kitchen; ending at an open shelf display with a fireplace feature in the base. The third floor serves as the children’s floor with two bedrooms and two ensuite baths. The fourth floor is a master suite with a large bedroom and a large bathroom bridged by a walnut clad hall that conceals a closet system and features a built in desk. The master bath consists of a tiled partition wall dividing the space to create a large walkthrough shower for two on one side and showcasing a free standing tub on the other. The house is full of custom modern details such as the recessed, lit handrail at the house’s main stair, floor to ceiling glass partitions separating the halls from the stairs and a whimsical builtin bench in the entry.

This LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood. INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site. EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot. THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place. HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde. YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting. ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements. RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage. OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet. ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings Eric Roth Photography - Photography

This outdoor kitchen has all of the amenities you could ever ask for in an outdoor space! The all weather Nature Kast cabinets are built to last a lifetime! They will withstand UV exposure, wind, rain, heat, or snow! The louver doors are beautiful and have the Weathered Graphite finish applied. All of the client's high end appliances were carefully planned to maintain functionality and optimal storage for all of their cooking needs. The curved egg grill cabinet is a highlight of this kitchen. Also included in this kitchen are a sink, waste basket pullout, double gas burner, kegerator cabinet, under counter refrigeration, and even a warming drawer. The appliances are by Lynx. The egg is a Kamado Joe, and the Nature Kast cabinets complete this space!

Photography by Studio H Landscape Architecture. Post processing by Isabella Li.
Design ideas for a small contemporary drought-tolerant and partial sun side yard stone garden path in Orange County.

Designed to maximize function with minimal impact, the studio serves up adaptable square footage in a wrapping almost healthy enough to eat. The open interior space organically transitions from personal to communal with the guidance of an angled roof plane. Beneath the tallest elevation, a sunny workspace awaits creative endeavors. The high ceiling provides room for big ideas in a small space, while a cluster of windows offers a glimpse of the structure’s soaring eave. Solid walls hugging the workspace add both privacy and anchors for wall-mounted storage. Towards the studio’s southern end, the ceiling plane slopes downward into a more intimate gathering space with playfully angled lines. The building is as sustainable as it is versatile. Its all-wood construction includes interior paneling sourced locally from the Wood Mill of Maine. Lengths of eastern white pine span up to 16 feet to reach from floor to ceiling, creating visual warmth from a material that doubles as a natural insulator. Non-toxic wood fiber insulation, made from sawdust and wax, partners with triple-glazed windows to further insulate against extreme weather. During the winter, the interior temperature is able to reach 70 degrees without any heat on. As it neared completion, the studio became a family project with Jesse, Betsy, and their kids working together to add the finishing touches. “Our whole life is a bit of an architectural experiment”, says Jesse, “but this has become an incredibly useful space.”

The bathroom was previously closed in and had a large tub off the door. Making this a glass stand up shower, left the space brighter and more spacious. Other tricks like the wall mount faucet and light finishes add to the open clean feel.

This open and airy kitchen features extra counter seating and plenty of space to get around. Perfect for entertaining. Clean Scandinavian look using luxury materials. Downtown Brooklyn space;

The owners requested that their home harmonize with the spirit of the surrounding Colorado mountain setting and enhance their outdoor recreational lifestyle - while reflecting their contemporary architectural tastes. The site was burdened with a myriad of strict design criteria enforced by the neighborhood covenants and architectural review board. Creating a distinct design challenge, the covenants included a narrow interpretation of a “mountain style” home which established predetermined roof pitches, glazing percentages and material palettes - at direct odds with the client‘s vision of a flat-roofed, glass, “contemporary” home. Our solution finds inspiration and opportunities within the site covenant’s strict definitions. It promotes and celebrates the client’s outdoor lifestyle and resolves the definition of a contemporary “mountain style” home by reducing the architecture to its most basic vernacular forms and relying upon local materials. The home utilizes a simple base, middle and top that echoes the surrounding mountains and vegetation. The massing takes its cues from the prevalent lodgepole pine trees that grow at the mountain’s high altitudes. These pine trees have a distinct growth pattern, highlighted by a single vertical trunk and a peaked, densely foliated growth zone above a sparse base. This growth pattern is referenced by placing the wood-clad body of the home at the second story above an open base composed of wood posts and glass. A simple peaked roof rests lightly atop the home - visually floating above a triangular glass transom. The home itself is neatly inserted amongst an existing grove of lodgepole pines and oriented to take advantage of panoramic views of the adjacent meadow and Continental Divide beyond. The main functions of the house are arranged into public and private areas and this division is made apparent on the home’s exterior. Two large roof forms, clad in pre-patinated zinc, are separated by a sheltering central deck - which signals the main entry to the home. At this connection, the roof deck is opened to allow a cluster of aspen trees to grow – further reinforcing nature as an integral part of arrival. Outdoor living spaces are provided on all levels of the house and are positioned to take advantage of sunrise and sunset moments. The distinction between interior and exterior space is blurred via the use of large expanses of glass. The dry stacked stone base and natural cedar cladding both reappear within the home’s interior spaces. This home offers a unique solution to the client’s requests while satisfying the design requirements of the neighborhood covenants. The house provides a variety of indoor and outdoor living spaces that can be utilized in all seasons. Most importantly, the house takes its cues directly from its natural surroundings and local building traditions to become a prototype solution for the “modern mountain house”. Overview Ranch Creek Ranch Winter Park, Colorado Completion Date October, 2007 Services Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture

It was arduous to find space for sleeping, reading, sewing, writing, painting and sitting - all within a 168 square foot room. Success depended on creative use of every nook and savvy space planning. There were two closets, so one was repurposed into a small office area. The mesh bins are used for storing sewing materials or other craft supplies.

This LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood. INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site. EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot. THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place. HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde. YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting. ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements. RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage. OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet. ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings Eric Roth Photography - Photography

The original foyer of this 1959 home was dark and cave like. The ceiling could not be raised because of AC equipment above, so the designer decided to "visually open" the space by removing a portion of the wall between the kitchen and the foyer. The team designed and installed a "see through" walnut dividing wall to allow light to spill into the space. A peek into the kitchen through the geometric triangles on the walnut wall provides a "wow" factor for the foyer.

A challenging building envelope made for some creative space planning and solutions to this contemporary Tuscan home. The symmetry of the front elevation adds drama to the Entry focal point. Expansive windows enhances the beautiful views of the valley and Pinnacle Peak. The dramatic rock outcroppings of the hillside behind the home makes for an unsurpassed tranquil retreat.

Originally designed by one of the most notable landscape architects in town, this once impressive project had faltered in recent years. The pool and spa still functioned well, and the client wanted to keep it intact. In addition, they wanted to keep as much of the existing landscaping as possible. The surrounding decks, walls, and steps were fair game. At first glance, one might think that our changes were simple material changes. Upon closer inspection, however, one can see the subtle, yet transformative changes that come together to update this classic pool in a tasteful, timeless manner, and improve the flow and usability of the deck areas, while softening the feel of the massive hardscape. The subtle changes begin as soon as you walk out the back door of the house. The existing decking had a lot of what we call “tweeners”; areas that are overly generous walkways, yet not large enough to house furniture. The awkwardly small bluestone patio was expanded to accommodate a generous seating area, by pushing the step-down closer to the pool. Our talented stone mason carefully married the new bluestone into the existing, resulting in an imperceptible difference between the two. As you descend the new bluestone steps to the pool level, your bare feet will be thankful for the new smooth-finished limestone colored concrete, with a hand cut pattern carefully etched into its surface. The old red brick decking was so hot that the owners could not walk around the pool in bare feet. The brick coping was also replaced with an eased edge Pennsylvania Premier Stone which matches the new step treads throughout the project. Between the house and the pool, a large raised planter was reconfigured, giving additional space to the pool deck for a shaded lounge chair area. Across the pool, a bank of rather tall painted brick retaining walls were cut down, shortened, and moved. This lessened the visual impact of the walls, which were rather overwhelming in the space, as well as opening up a new seating area, nestled under the arms of the massive pecan at the back of the property. Rather than continuing solid decking around the entire pool, the area near these walls has been transformed to large stone stepper pads set in a sea of beautiful St. Augustine lawn. This creates a visually softened area that is still suited to setting tables and chairs when the guest list calls for additional seating. The spa area is quite possibly the most dramatic change on this project. Yet more raised planter walls divided this area into awkward spaces, unsuited to proper furniture placement. The planters were removed, new stone decks, once again expertly married into the existing, opening the area to house a large dining table and new built in bbq area. The spa itself was re-imagined with the bluestone coping, and painted brick veneer. The most impressive addition though is the new handmade glazed tiles that surround the existing cast stone water feature. This water feature was almost unnoticeable against the painted brick wall, but now the dramatic arch and pop of color draw the eye to this quaint little corner of the property.

Creatively Designed Space full of custom details Kitchen Pantry Office Combo
Beach style home office photo in Boston

An old stone mansion built in 1924 had seen a number of renovations over the decades and the time had finally come to address a growing list of issues. Rather than continue with a patchwork of fixes, the owners engaged us to conduct a full house renovation to bring this home back to its former glory and in line with its status as an international consulate residence where dignitaries are hosted on a regular basis. One of the biggest projects was remodeling the expansive 365 SF kitchen; the main kitchen needed to be both a workhorse for the weekly catered events as well as serve as the residents’ primary hub. We made adjustments to the kitchen layout to maximize countertop and storage space as well as enhance overall functionality, being mindful of the dual purposes this kitchen serves. To add visual interest to the large space we used two toned cabinets – classic white along the perimeter and a deep blue to distinguish the two islands and tall pantry. Brushed brass accents echo the original brass hardware and fixtures throughout the home. A kitchen this large needed a statement when it came to the countertops so we selected a stunning Nuvolato quartzite with distinctive veining that complements the blue cabinets. We restored and refinished the original Heart of Pine floors, letting the natural character of the wood shine through. A custom antique Heart of Pine wood top was commissioned for the fixed island – the warmth of wood was preferable to stone for the informal seating area. The second island serves as both prep area and staging space for dinners and events. This mobile island can be pushed flush with the stationary island to provide a generous area for the caterers to expedite service. Adjacent to the main kitchen, we added a second service kitchen for the live-in staff and their family. This room used to be a catch-all laundry/storage/mudroom so we had to get creative in order to incorporate all of those features while adding a fully functioning eat-in kitchen. Using smaller appliances allowed us to capture more space for cabinetry and by stacking the cabinets and washer/dryer (relocated to the rear service foyer) we managed to meet all the requirements. We installed salvaged Heart of Pine floors to match the originals in the adjacent kitchen and chose a neutral finish palette that will be easy to maintain. These kitchens weren’t the only projects we undertook in the historic stone mansion. Other renovations include 7 bathrooms, flooring throughout (hardwoods, custom carpets/runners/wall-to-wall), custom drapery and window treatments, new lighting/electric, as well as paint/trim and custom closet and cabinetry.