Charles Hilton Architects, Robert Benson Photography From grand estates, to exquisite country homes, to whole house renovations, the quality and attention to detail of a "Significant Homes" custom home is immediately apparent. Full time on-site supervision, a dedicated office staff and hand picked professional craftsmen are the team that take you from groundbreaking to occupancy. Every "Significant Homes" project represents 45 years of luxury homebuilding experience, and a commitment to quality widely recognized by architects, the press and, most of all....thoroughly satisfied homeowners. Our projects have been published in Architectural Digest 6 times along with many other publications and books. Though the lion share of our work has been in Fairfield and Westchester counties, we have built homes in Palm Beach, Aspen, Maine, Nantucket and Long Island.

Rift-sawn white oak cabinetry, white walls, and tasteful blend of wood furniture and interior woodworking give this new construction home a bright, warm, and homey feel.

Custom fireplace & built-in surround w/ boxed trim.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary enclosed porcelain tile family room remodel in New York with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace and a tv stand

Inspiration for a contemporary landscaping in Portland.

Framed by mature trees and nestled within Sarasota’s historic McClellan Park, Sunset Place is a home shaped by a deep understanding of, and sensibility for, its setting—reflecting the charm of the neighborhood, the rhythm of downtown living, and the client’s vision of entertaining, connection, and family life. Every decision—from site strategy to spatial flow—was made with intention: to support a lifestyle centered on warmth, community, and a strong sense of place. At its core, the project is a masterclass in leveraging zoning and code to unlock the full potential of a complex site. Though landlocked, the home lives like waterfront—offering openness, privacy, and expansive sunset views. Placing the pool in the front yard, within the 25-foot setback, redefines the entry experience. It captures the western light and sets a relaxed, resort-like tone from the very first step inside the gate. Paired with a rear-loaded garage, accessed discreetly via the side setback, the layout transforms the site’s limitations into its greatest assets. Architecture and landscape take center stage, while the full buildable envelope is maximized without compromise. A natural rise of eight feet from front to back—rare in Sarasota—was embraced as an opportunity. Site walls function as both retaining structures and architectural elements, elevating the pool terrace and entry by over four feet to align with the main interior floor level. The result is a fluid connection between indoors and out: kitchen, dining, and living spaces unfold onto the terrace, blurring boundaries and enhancing everyday rituals as well as social gatherings. Architecturally, the home is coastal contemporary: open yet composed, airy yet grounded. Clarity in the massing tells a story of the inhabitants from the first glance, while the interior planning offers spatial generosity and ease. The interiors echo this sensibility with a palette that is soft, natural, and tactile—serene without being neutral. The landscape design provides a lush tropical frame, softening edges and reinforcing privacy through layered plantings rather than enclosure. Ultimately, Sunset Place is not defined by any single gesture, but by the way the home reflects its owners. Their gracious, family-centered nature informed every layer of design—resulting in a space that feels deeply personal, tailored for connection and ease, and perfectly suited for gathering, unwinding, and watching the sun slip behind the trees from the comfort of home.

Photographer: Roger Foley
Photo of a traditional full sun front yard landscaping in DC Metro.

Pool - transitional pool idea in Atlanta

This client required a sloping ramp from driveway to front door for wheelchair access. We built the ramp with Permeable concrete pavers to alleviate run-off rushing down slope. The ramp is hidden from the street view by the wall be built which we later augmented with a boxwood hedge. We installed low voltage lighting in the wall at the driveway entrance. We designed the project with Google Sketch-up. Very successful!

John Granen
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern one-story wood exterior home remodel in Other

This large side yard in the Lakeshore Historic District was redeveloped into a natural woodland clearing. Stormwater from the roof has been directed through a steel runnel into a native rain garden where it replenishes the cistern for a bubbling stone fountain. Weathered concrete slabs act as a thread from a firepit seating area, across the rain garden to the rear yard. This additional garden has a lawn parking pad, extensive kitchen gardens and a custom-built garden shower for visits to the beach. Darris Lee Harris Photography

Example of a classic staircase design in Other

Large coastal gray two-story wood house exterior idea in New York with a hip roof and a mixed material roof

Designed with frequent guests in mind, we layered furnishings and textiles to create a light and spacious bedroom. The floor to ceiling drapery blocks out light for restful sleep. Featured are a velvet-upholstered bed frame, bedside sconces, custom pillows, contemporary art, painted beams, and light oak flooring.

Example of a classic backyard custom-shaped and stone pool fountain design in New York

Few materials can match the natural beauty of a newly installed wood deck and fence, which were a dramatic transformation for this small backyard patio. A paraffin treatment brings out the rich colors of ipe, a hardwood with a 30 year life expectancy. We gave the fence a contemporary twist by running the boards horizontally and varying the width, gradually thinning them as they go up. The bluestone pavers add a bit of contrast and visual interest on the patio floor. In order to save space, our clients asked us to build the planters into the fence itself, rather than resting any free-standing planters on the patio floor. This backyard is located in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood. See more garden design photos at www.amberfreda.com.

Inspiration for a contemporary bathroom remodel in Phoenix

Set on a site defined by wetlands, steep slopes, and a canopy of mature trees, this home was designed as a response to both the challenges and the beauty of the land. Every design decision was guided by the unique topography, with the architecture embracing the hillside and integrating seamlessly into its natural contours. The garage is accessed at the street level, with a gradual ascent leading to the main living floor. This level was thoughtfully positioned to sit at grade with the side of the property, opening directly to the landscape and creating effortless indoor-outdoor connections. The primary living spaces flow outward, anchored by expansive windows that frame woodland views and flood the interiors with natural light. This design not only maximizes the stunning surroundings but also grounds the home in a strong relationship to its environment. The upper level houses the private spaces of the home, including a serene primary suite, additional bedrooms, and a spacious recreation room designed for gathering. Large windows and open interiors allow for sweeping views of the wooded, private property, bringing the natural surroundings into the heart of daily living. The result is a home that balances elegance and comfort while celebrating the character of its site. + Architecture: H2D Architecture + Design + Interior Design: H2D Architecture + Design www.h2darchitects.com + Built by: Rainier Custom Homes + Photography: Anastasiya Homes

Evening view of the exterior - photo: Ben Benschneider
Inspiration for a contemporary three-story exterior home remodel in Seattle with a shed roof

The shape of the angled porch-roof, sets the tone for a truly modern entryway. This protective covering makes a dramatic statement, as it hovers over the front door. The blue-stone terrace conveys even more interest, as it gradually moves upward, morphing into steps, until it reaches the porch. Porch Detail The multicolored tan stone, used for the risers and retaining walls, is proportionally carried around the base of the house. Horizontal sustainable-fiber cement board replaces the original vertical wood siding, and widens the appearance of the facade. The color scheme — blue-grey siding, cherry-wood door and roof underside, and varied shades of tan and blue stone — is complimented by the crisp-contrasting black accents of the thin-round metal columns, railing, window sashes, and the roof fascia board and gutters. This project is a stunning example of an exterior, that is both asymmetrical and symmetrical. Prior to the renovation, the house had a bland 1970s exterior. Now, it is interesting, unique, and inviting. Photography Credit: Tom Holdsworth Photography Contractor: Owings Brothers Contracting