Photo by Jay Sifford.
Inspiration for an eclectic landscaping in Charlotte.

Pennsylvania Bluestone pool patio surrounding a rectangular/formal swimming pool. Emerald Green Arborvitae provide privacy.
Example of a mid-sized classic backyard rectangular lap pool design in New York

Inspiration for a rustic exterior home remodel in Portland Maine

No strangers to remodeling, the new owners of this St. Paul tudor knew they could update this decrepit 1920 duplex into a single-family forever home. A list of desired amenities was a catalyst for turning a bedroom into a large mudroom, an open kitchen space where their large family can gather, an additional exterior door for direct access to a patio, two home offices, an additional laundry room central to bedrooms, and a large master bathroom. To best understand the complexity of the floor plan changes, see the construction documents. As for the aesthetic, this was inspired by a deep appreciation for the durability, colors, textures and simplicity of Norwegian design. The home’s light paint colors set a positive tone. An abundance of tile creates character. New lighting reflecting the home’s original design is mixed with simplistic modern lighting. To pay homage to the original character several light fixtures were reused, wallpaper was repurposed at a ceiling, the chimney was exposed, and a new coffered ceiling was created. Overall, this eclectic design style was carefully thought out to create a cohesive design throughout the home. Come see this project in person, September 29 – 30th on the 2018 Castle Home Tour.

This is a lovely old home that experienced major renovations last year. We were very fortunate to be requested by the owners to update their landscaping upon completion of the renovations. The project relied heavily on collaboration with the owners who made the key decisions in choosing the plants that I suggested and deciding upon concepts. We decided to re-create the formal garden by using informal plants. We also decided that the flower color should be white throughout the formal garden. We spent time deciding upon color preferences, plants they like (such as lilac), and the "look" of the plants. We wanted them to fit the architecture of the house. The goal was to come up with interesting and unusual plants that provided lots of year round color and did not require lots of maintenance. The landscape will require periodic maintenance to monitor the plants and keep everything looking good. We used lots of Native plants where appropriate and re-used many of the plants on site. For example, we removed the cranesbill geranium from the old formal garden but discarded the dead and dying boxwood. We used the cranesbill geranium in beds against the back of the house. The plants will form a low carpet that flowers and reduces weed growth. We moved a very large pink flowering crape myrtle that was blocking the view to a corner of the house where it brackets the corner with another large pink crape myrtle on the other side of the corner.

This is a lovely old home that experienced major renovations last year. We were very fortunate to be requested by the owners to update their landscaping upon completion of the renovations. The project relied heavily on collaboration with the owners who made the key decisions in choosing the plants that I suggested and deciding upon concepts. We decided to re-create the formal garden by using informal plants. We also decided that the flower color should be white throughout the formal garden. We spent time deciding upon color preferences, plants they like (such as lilac), and the "look" of the plants. We wanted them to fit the architecture of the house. The goal was to come up with interesting and unusual plants that provided lots of year round color and did not require lots of maintenance. The landscape will require periodic maintenance to monitor the plants and keep everything looking good. We used lots of Native plants where appropriate and re-used many of the plants on site. For example, we removed the cranesbill geranium from the old formal garden but discarded the dead and dying boxwood. We used the cranesbill geranium in beds against the back of the house. The plants will form a low carpet that flowers and reduces weed growth. We moved a very large pink flowering crape myrtle that was blocking the view to a corner of the house where it brackets the corner with another large pink crape myrtle on the other side of the corner.

Rodney A.
Example of a small beach style galley vinyl floor enclosed kitchen design in San Luis Obispo with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

The compact subdued cabin nestled under a lush second-growth forest overlooking Lake Rosegir. Built over an existing foundation, the new building is just over 800 square feet. Early design discussions focused on creating a compact, structure that was simple, unimposing, and efficient. Hidden in the foliage clad in dark stained cedar, the house welcomes light inside even on the grayest days. A deck sheltered under 100 yr old cedars is a perfect place to watch the water. Project Team | Lindal Home Architectural Designer | OTO Design General Contractor | Love and sons Photography | Patrick

Tassel fern. Photo by Jay Sifford.
Inspiration for an eclectic landscaping in Charlotte.

This new 6400 s.f. two-story split-level home lifts upward and orients toward unobstructed views of Windy Hill. The deep overhanging flat roof design with a stepped fascia preserves the classic modern lines of the building while incorporating a Zero-Net Energy photovoltaic panel system. From start to finish, the construction is uniformly energy efficient and follows California Build It Green guidelines. Many sustainable finish materials are used on both the interior and exterior, including recycled old growth cedar and pre-fabricated concrete panel siding. Photo by: www.bernardandre.com

Photo by Jay Sifford.
Inspiration for a landscaping in Charlotte.

Design ideas for a southwestern landscaping in Phoenix.

Ostrich fern. Photo by Jay Sifford.
Eclectic home design photo in Charlotte

the bamboo is a clumping variety called Bambusa eutuldoides viridi-vittata , Asian lemon bamboo. This variety is a clumper and you do not need to contain it, however, do allow an 8'by 10' area for its ultimate growth. Bamboo does require constant maintenance and you will need to do some research for the specific variety you choose. Once planted, it will become a beautiful focal point and add a stunning tropical accent. Photo Credit: Sherwood Cox

Huggy Bear Quaker style door in Cherry with Nutmeg stain. Island is Cherry with Slate stain. Backsplash is split-face travertine. Custom paneled hood. Cambria Cardiff Cream countertops. Wolf gas range.

This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income. DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request. MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic. RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income. ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them. URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances. OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values. Eric Roth Photo

This new 6400 s.f. two-story split-level home lifts upward and orients toward unobstructed views of Windy Hill. The deep overhanging flat roof design with a stepped fascia preserves the classic modern lines of the building while incorporating a Zero-Net Energy photovoltaic panel system. From start to finish, the construction is uniformly energy efficient and follows California Build It Green guidelines. Many sustainable finish materials are used on both the interior and exterior, including recycled old growth cedar and pre-fabricated concrete panel siding. Photo by: www.bernardandre.com

Taking inspiration from the homeowner’s Norwegian heritage and mid-century modern style, this landscape is meant to be enjoyed year-round. The bluestone patios and paths are visually connected by a garden of northwest native pollinators, a waterfall, an outdoor family room and a raised bed vegetable garden. All while leaving a large grass yard for the dogs to enjoy! The cedar barrel sauna fits right in.

Photo of a transitional landscaping in San Francisco.