A small footprint finds many functions through transformable space: fold down a murphy bed for guests, or bring it up for a group meditation space. Sleeping alcoves saddlebag off the long kitchen / dining / living space in this guest and recreation pavilion. Outside, vined trellises overlook a natural swimming pond. Photo: David Barrett

Inspiration for a bedroom remodel in Providence with green walls

Emily Minton Redfield
Inspiration for a mid-sized farmhouse enclosed medium tone wood floor and brown floor family room remodel in Denver with white walls, no fireplace and no tv

Our clients on this project were inspired by their travels to Asia and wanted to mimic this aesthetic at their DC property. We designed a water feature that effectively masks adjacent traffic noise and maintains a small footprint.

A quiet space in the backyard. First used as a meditation space, this modern shed was later transformed into a kid’s playhouse. Maybe not as ‘quiet’ nowadays…!

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.

Various shades of blue were used to create this serene, modern space. Built in cabinetry house computer equipment, filing cabinets, and misc storage. The built in window seat also has fiiing cabinets below.

Window seat with storage
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept carpeted living room remodel in San Francisco with green walls and no fireplace

This tranquil master bedroom suite includes a small seating area, beautiful views and an interior hallway to the master bathroom & closet. All furnishings in this space are available through Martha O'Hara Interiors. www.oharainteriors.com - 952.908.3150 Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Selections & Furnishings | Charles Cudd De Novo, Architecture | Troy Thies Photography | Shannon Gale, Photo Styling

A meditation space designed for the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Vertical tamarack boards on the exterior align with the vertical nature of the surrounding pine trees. Inside, horizontal boards allow the eye to slowly step upward toward the opening and tree canopy above. The simple box form gracefully floats above the pine needle carpet of the ground. A reflecting pool merges ground, sky, trees, and viewers. Designed by David O'Brien Wagner, AIA of SALA Architects. Photos by Peter Kerze.

Build out of the Meditation Hut next to the spa deck and gravel filled steps that lead into a recessed fire pit area. Photo by Ketti Kupper.
This is an example of a small asian drought-tolerant and partial sun backyard landscaping in Los Angeles with decking.

A once forgotten side yard turns into a charming gravel garden Martin Residence Cardiff by the Sea, Ca
Design ideas for a small mediterranean side yard formal garden in San Diego.

Bedroom - contemporary master medium tone wood floor bedroom idea in Los Angeles with gray walls

A simple shed roof design allows for an open-feeling living area, featuring Tansu stairs that lead to the sleeping loft. This statement piece of cabinetry become stairway is adorned with Asian brass hardware and grass cloth.

Photo of a small contemporary backyard landscaping in San Luis Obispo.

When our clients acquired this classic Beacon Hill condominium overlooking Boston Common, they sought collaboration with Feinmann Design|Build to renovate the entire space. The lack of connection between the kitchen, located in the back of the home, and the living and dining rooms was the focus of the redesign. Also on the wish list was a new bedroom and a second family bathroom to be located in the area of the existing kitchen. The resulting plan for this extensive renovation was an updated floor plan to match our clients’ modern lifestyle, while retaining much of the homes original detail. Connecting the most frequented rooms in the house required relocating the kitchen to the front of the condo to be closer to the living and dining rooms. A wall anchored by elegant columns defines the kitchen and adds sophistication to the adjoining dining room. Natural light shines through skylights that were exposed when the kitchen ceiling was opened and then styled to reflect the classic woodworking details found in the rest of the home. White marble counters grace the custom built island, perfect for a casual meal or for doing homework. While reconfiguring the master bathroom and renovating the second bedroom proved to be a major project, our skilled team also relocated the new bedroom and family bathroom to the area where the kitchen formally was. Each of the three renovated bathrooms truly achieved a style of their own – in the Master Bath, a soaking tub and shower are enclosed, as is traditional in Japan, in floor to ceiling glass. To complete our clients wish list, we designed and built a classic Japanese Tatami room to double as both a guest bedroom and meditation space – a unique feature within a classically designed home. Photos by John Horner

Example of a classic home yoga studio design in New York with white walls

The many patterns and warm colors make this space extra calming and peaceful. We also love the Asian elements brought in along with the Buddha statue and flowers.

From CDK Architects: This is a new home that replaced an existing 1949 home in Rosedale. The design concept for the new house is “Mid Century Modern Meets Modern.” This is clearly a new home, but we wanted to give reverence to the neighborhood and its roots. It was important to us to re-purpose the old home. Rather than demolishing it, we worked with our contractor to disassemble the house piece by piece, eventually donating about 80% of the home to Habitat for Humanity. The wood floors were salvaged and reused on the new fireplace wall. The home contains 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, plus a home office and a music studio, totaling 2,650 square feet. One of the home’s most striking features is its large vaulted ceiling in the Living/Dining/Kitchen area. Substantial clerestory windows provide treetop views and bring dappled light into the space from high above. There’s natural light in every room in the house. Balancing the desire for natural light and privacy was very important, as was the connection to nature. What we hoped to achieve was a fun, flexible home with beautiful light and a nice balance of public and private spaces. We also wanted a home that would adapt to a growing family but would still fit our needs far into the future. The end result is a home with a calming, organic feel to it. Built by R Builders LLC (General Contractor) Interior Design by Becca Stephens Interiors Landscape Design by Seedlings Gardening Photos by Reagen Taylor Photography