When a world class sailing champion approached us to design a Newport home for his family, with lodging for his sailing crew, we set out to create a clean, light-filled modern home that would integrate with the natural surroundings of the waterfront property, and respect the character of the historic district. Our approach was to make the marine landscape an integral feature throughout the home. One hundred eighty degree views of the ocean from the top floors are the result of the pinwheel massing. The home is designed as an extension of the curvilinear approach to the property through the woods and reflects the gentle undulating waterline of the adjacent saltwater marsh. Floodplain regulations dictated that the primary occupied spaces be located significantly above grade; accordingly, we designed the first and second floors on a stone “plinth” above a walk-out basement with ample storage for sailing equipment. The curved stone base slopes to grade and houses the shallow entry stair, while the same stone clads the interior’s vertical core to the roof, along which the wood, glass and stainless steel stair ascends to the upper level. One critical programmatic requirement was enough sleeping space for the sailing crew, and informal party spaces for the end of race-day gatherings. The private master suite is situated on one side of the public central volume, giving the homeowners views of approaching visitors. A “bedroom bar,” designed to accommodate a full house of guests, emerges from the other side of the central volume, and serves as a backdrop for the infinity pool and the cove beyond. Also essential to the design process was ecological sensitivity and stewardship. The wetlands of the adjacent saltwater marsh were designed to be restored; an extensive geo-thermal heating and cooling system was implemented; low carbon footprint materials and permeable surfaces were used where possible. Native and non-invasive plant species were utilized in the landscape. The abundance of windows and glass railings maximize views of the landscape, and, in deference to the adjacent bird sanctuary, bird-friendly glazing was used throughout. Photo: Michael Moran/OTTO Photography

View of the newly opened up kitchen in this upper story apartment. The dark brown bamboo flooring contrasts with the light glossy finishes of the kitchen. Curved corian counters, blue-gray lacquered cabinets, and glass and porcelain tile give the kitchen an ethereal feel. Photo by Heidi Solander

Studio Terrain recreated this outdoor entertaining after a major home extension. Taking advantage of sweeping 180 degree views of the Puget sound, Orca Pods, Humpback whales and the Olympic mountains, the design allows for maximum view corridors from the inside while still providing space for 40+ guests. Utilizing a louvered roof system and overhead heat for four seasons entertaining, the wood fired pizza oven provides a central gathering point year round. The lawn was engineered to the same specs as world class soccer fields providing fast draining lawn use in the wettest seasons. A clean concrete lawn edge is actually a hidden structural retaining wall with pin piles to stabilize the slope edge.

In the back of this estate just outside of Omaha, Nebraska, Elite Landscaping designed a custom concrete swimming pool with a covered pool house and 360-degree, negative-edge spa. The pool house features an outdoor kitchen and bar area, which rests on posts that adjoin the raised pool wall. The pool house was built as an exact architectural match to the house, from the stucco, to the cedar decking beams, down to the paint color. This covered outdoor entertaining area provides a shady spot in the afternoons, where guests can lounge on four in-pool, swim up bar stools. The rest of the pool remains in full sun. The sunken swim-up bar is adorned with glass tile accents, and the pool wall features natural stone. Oversized, UniLock bluestone pavers comprise the pool deck and patio. The unique negative-edge spa sits above the pool, and was designed so one half of the spa flows into the pool while the other half flows back into the landscaping. The entire poolscape is automated by a Pentair IntelliTouch system that runs off of a smartphone or other device. With the touch of a button, the homeowners can adjust pool and spa temperatures, change water flow speed, program the FX color-changing LED lights, and even test the pool chemistry.

Fu-Tung Cheng, CHENG Design • Exterior Shot of Outdoor Staircase in Tiburon House Tiburon House is Cheng Design's eighth custom home project. The topography of the site for Bluff House was a rift cut into the hillside, which inspired the design concept of an ascent up a narrow canyon path. Two main wings comprise a “T” floor plan; the first includes a two-story family living wing with office, children’s rooms and baths, and Master bedroom suite. The second wing features the living room, media room, kitchen and dining space that open to a rewarding 180-degree panorama of the San Francisco Bay, the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, and Belvedere Island. Photography: Tim Maloney

In the back of this estate just outside of Omaha, Nebraska, Elite Landscaping designed a custom concrete swimming pool with a covered pool house and 360-degree, negative-edge spa. The pool house features an outdoor kitchen and bar area, which rests on posts that adjoin the raised pool wall. The pool house was built as an exact architectural match to the house, from the stucco, to the cedar decking beams, down to the paint color. This covered outdoor entertaining area provides a shady spot in the afternoons, where guests can lounge on four in-pool, swim up bar stools. The rest of the pool remains in full sun. The sunken swim-up bar is adorned with glass tile accents, and the pool wall features natural stone. Oversized, UniLock bluestone pavers comprise the pool deck and patio. The unique negative-edge spa sits above the pool, and was designed so one half of the spa flows into the pool while the other half flows back into the landscaping. The entire poolscape is automated by a Pentair IntelliTouch system that runs off of a smartphone or other device. With the touch of a button, the homeowners can adjust pool and spa temperatures, change water flow speed, program the FX color-changing LED lights, and even test the pool chemistry.

A dream home in every aspect, we resurfaced the pool and patio and focused on the indoor/outdoor living that makes Palm Beach luxury homes so desirable. This gorgeous 6000-square-foot waterfront estate features innovative design and luxurious details that blend seamlessly alongside comfort, warmth, and a lot of whimsy. Our clients wanted a home that catered to their gregarious lifestyle which inspired us to make some nontraditional choices. Opening a wall allowed us to install an eye-catching 360-degree bar that serves as a focal point within the open concept, delivering on the clients' desire for a home designed for fun and relaxation. The wine cellar in the entryway is as much a bold design statement as it is a high-end lifestyle feature. It now lives where an expected coat closet once resided! Next, we eliminated the dining room entirely, turning it into a pool room while still providing plenty of seating throughout the expansive first floor. Our clients’ lively personality is shown in many of the details of this complete transformation, inside and out.

Fu-Tung Cheng, CHENG Design • Close-up Interior Shot of Concrete Wall Detail in Tiburon House Tiburon House is Cheng Design's eighth custom home project. The topography of the site for Bluff House was a rift cut into the hillside, which inspired the design concept of an ascent up a narrow canyon path. Two main wings comprise a “T” floor plan; the first includes a two-story family living wing with office, children’s rooms and baths, and Master bedroom suite. The second wing features the living room, media room, kitchen and dining space that open to a rewarding 180-degree panorama of the San Francisco Bay, the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, and Belvedere Island. Photography: Tim Maloney

The Pneumatic Vacuum Elevator is the perfect choice for those looking for a home elevator which can be easily retrofitted while still maintaining a luxurious feel. This elevator gives a 360 panoramic view, is the most ecofriendly home elevator on the market while being aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

- Design by Jeff Overman at Overman Custom Design www.austinhomedesigner.com Email - joverman[@]austin.rr.com Instagram- @overmancustomdesign -Builder and Real Estate Agent, Charlotte Aceituno at Pura Vida LLC Email - charlotteaceituno[@]gmail.com

Building a home for this dynamic family was a true joy! Cook Construction was brought on to fix the mistakes of two previous GC’s and get them out of the extremely frustrating situation they found themselves in. Although a delicate and daunting task to take on the homeowner alone made the entire process worth it. This full scale, four-story, re-build home boasts it all; bold, contemporary, interior design from San Francisco’s finest, radiant heat throughout, high lacquer paint finishes, custom iron railings spanning all floors of the open staircase and a finished attic with 360 views to create the ultimate getaway/workspace.

Request Free Quote This swimming pool on Lake Delavan in Wisconsin measures 16'0" x 36'0", and the separate hot tub measures 6'0" x 9'0". Both pool and hot tub are equipped with separate automatic pool covers and custom stone lid systems. The coping on both is Valders Wisconsin Limestone. The pool stays pristine utilizing an in-floor cleaning system. The pool deck is Greyflek Lannon stone. The fire pit possesses River Walk stone. The pool and hot tub finishes are Ceramaquartz. Other landscape features include Eden cut stone steps, Boulder walls and various placed Boulders. Photos by Larry Huene

Example of a classic home office design in Edinburgh

Fu-Tung Cheng, CHENG Design • Interior Shot of Master Bathroom in Tiburon House Tiburon House is Cheng Design's eighth custom home project. The topography of the site for Bluff House was a rift cut into the hillside, which inspired the design concept of an ascent up a narrow canyon path. Two main wings comprise a “T” floor plan; the first includes a two-story family living wing with office, children’s rooms and baths, and Master bedroom suite. The second wing features the living room, media room, kitchen and dining space that open to a rewarding 180-degree panorama of the San Francisco Bay, the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, and Belvedere Island. Photography: Tim Maloney

A dream home in every aspect, we resurfaced the pool and patio and focused on the indoor/outdoor living that makes Palm Beach luxury homes so desirable. This gorgeous 6000-square-foot waterfront estate features innovative design and luxurious details that blend seamlessly alongside comfort, warmth, and a lot of whimsy. Our clients wanted a home that catered to their gregarious lifestyle which inspired us to make some nontraditional choices. Opening a wall allowed us to install an eye-catching 360-degree bar that serves as a focal point within the open concept, delivering on the clients' desire for a home designed for fun and relaxation. The wine cellar in the entryway is as much a bold design statement as it is a high-end lifestyle feature. It now lives where an expected coat closet once resided! Next, we eliminated the dining room entirely, turning it into a pool room while still providing plenty of seating throughout the expansive first floor. Our clients’ lively personality is shown in many of the details of this complete transformation, inside and out.

The MyNest is a new concept of armchair. A “nest” to enjoy at home, specially made to lie while seated. The MyNest is a custom made piece of furniture crafted by the world-renowned Spanish manufacturer Famaliving. This over sized armchair can be upholstered in an array of colors and patterns that can match any decor. The frame of the MyNest is crafted from pine wood and MDF construction making it very durable. All Fama products use a webbing system for suspension and support instead of the old spring design that will sag over years to come. Attached to the bottom is a silver finished circular base that allows the MyNest to swivel 360 degrees and allows it to maintain its low profile look. Dimensions: W53.1" x D51.2" x H27.5" Seat Height: 15.7" Arm Height: 27.5" Back Height: 11.8" We deliver Nationwide! Visit our showroom at: Famaliving San Diego 401 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103 Questions? Ready to purchase? Tel. 1-619-900-7674 sandiego@famaliving.com

Request Free Quote This swimming pool on Lake Delavan in Wisconsin measures 16'0" x 36'0", and the separate hot tub measures 6'0" x 9'0". Both pool and hot tub are equipped with separate automatic pool covers and custom stone lid systems. The coping on both is Valders Wisconsin Limestone. The pool stays pristine utilizing an in-floor cleaning system. The pool deck is Greyflek Lannon stone. The fire pit possesses River Walk stone. The pool and hot tub finishes are Ceramaquartz. Other landscape features include Eden cut stone steps, Boulder walls and various placed Boulders. Photos by Larry Huene

A dream home in every aspect, we resurfaced the pool and patio and focused on the indoor/outdoor living that makes Palm Beach luxury homes so desirable. This gorgeous 6000 square foot waterfront estate features innovative design and luxurious details that blend seamlessly along side comfort, warmth and a lot of whimsy. Our clients wanted a home that catered to their gregarious lifestyle which inspired us to make some nontraditional choices. Opening a wall allowed us to install an eye catching 360 degree bar that serves as a focal point within the open concept, delivering on the clients desire for a home designed for fun and relaxation. The wine cellar in the entryway is as much a bold design statement as it is a high-end lifestyle feature. It now lives where an expected coat closet once resided! Next, we eliminated the dinning room entirely, turning it into a pool room while still providing plenty of seating throughout the expansive first floor. Our clients’ lively personality is shown in many of the details of this complete transformation, inside and out.