2010 NATIONAL NARI REGIONAL AWARD WINNER Project Scope The owners of this 7,000 square foot colonial in Oakton, Virginia, were seeking a multi-level Mediterranean-style indoor/outdoor living space off the back of their home. They turned to Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes for a design solution that would include a stone patio, a second-story deck, a screened-in porch and linking staircases. While the structure was designed primarily for family dining and entertaining, it also had to accommodate periodic social gatherings of one hundred guests or more. To meet these needs, the project would include a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen, several serving counters with permanent refrigeration, and well-delineated socializing and dining zones. The existing home’s setting offered several impressive assets the new outdoor living area was designed to exploit. The sprawling acreage features old stand trees, wooded paths and a private lake. Beautifully landscaped, it unfolds as an idyllic panorama that naturally draws people to the outdoors. Challenges Since the rear elevation was situated on a slope that drops away from the house, the Michael Nash team had to raise the grade two feet within in a 2,000 square foot area extending out from the back of the house. Infrastructure plans also called for a sophisticated drainage system that had to accommodate a whole series of water “runoff” considerations to be integrated into the decking itself. Excavation included constructing retaining walls to bolster the elevated grade—which also had to support a concrete slab, the primary foundation for the entire complex. Solutions The ground level decking consists of a 2,000 square foot flagstone patio level with the home’s lower level doors. There is a decorative water fountain mid-patio—an ornate collectible acquired in Florida. Food preparation is concentrated within a specially designed semi-circular wall that creates an “outdoor kitchen” equipped with a 60” Viking barbecue grill, a prep sink, a warming drawer, refrigerator and appropriate storage. There is a granite surfaced dining counter with seating for eight. Wrought iron railing and approximately 20 decorative columns (some encasing steel vertical supports) are incorporated into the design scheme. Many of the columns house accent lights. The top level—supported by horizontal steel beams– is a 2,500 square foot deck constructed entirely of Trex decking. The open air decking is, again, directly accessible from rooms on the second level of the house including the kitchen, sunroom and family room. The platform’s most prominent feature is a U-shaped “kitchenette” with cedar shake shingle roofing. Like its counterpart one level below, the facility is equipped with grill, refrigerator and stainless steel cabinetry. One portion of the deck has been allocated for a 16’ x 16’ octagonal screened-in porch crowned by a pair of 2’ x 4’ skylights. The porch can be accessed from the home’s conservatory via a set of French doors. With its mosaic tile flooring, stained cedar panel ceiling and honed granite counters, the interior is elegant and calming. Hand-painted stenciling and a wall-mounted water feature provide distinctive detailing. Finally, the design introduced elements to highlight and reinforce an awareness of the lovely bucolic setting. Fountains and water features combined with textured surfaces and mosaic tiling and backsplashes to present a villa-like ambiance well-suited to the Virginia countryside.

photos by Rob Karosis Architecture by TMS Architects General Contractor Castelli Construction, Inc.. Landascape Conteactor Site Structures Landscape

Mid-Century Remodel on Tabor Hill This sensitively sited house was designed by Robert Coolidge, a renowned architect and grandson of President Calvin Coolidge. The house features a symmetrical gable roof and beautiful floor to ceiling glass facing due south, smartly oriented for passive solar heating. Situated on a steep lot, the house is primarily a single story that steps down to a family room. This lower level opens to a New England exterior. Our goals for this project were to maintain the integrity of the original design while creating more modern spaces. Our design team worked to envision what Coolidge himself might have designed if he'd had access to modern materials and fixtures. With the aim of creating a signature space that ties together the living, dining, and kitchen areas, we designed a variation on the 1950's "floating kitchen." In this inviting assembly, the kitchen is located away from exterior walls, which allows views from the floor-to-ceiling glass to remain uninterrupted by cabinetry. We updated rooms throughout the house; installing modern features that pay homage to the fine, sleek lines of the original design. Finally, we opened the family room to a terrace featuring a fire pit. Since a hallmark of our design is the diminishment of the hard line between interior and exterior, we were especially pleased for the opportunity to update this classic work.

Powder room - contemporary powder room idea in Seattle with a vessel sink and white walls

Lara Swimmer
Example of a transitional outdoor patio shower design in Seattle

Eichler in Marinwood - At the larger scale of the property existed a desire to soften and deepen the engagement between the house and the street frontage. As such, the landscaping palette consists of textures chosen for subtlety and granularity. Spaces are layered by way of planting, diaphanous fencing and lighting. The interior engages the front of the house by the insertion of a floor to ceiling glazing at the dining room. Jog-in path from street to house maintains a sense of privacy and sequential unveiling of interior/private spaces. This non-atrium model is invested with the best aspects of the iconic eichler configuration without compromise to the sense of order and orientation. photo: scott hargis

photography by Anice Hoachlander
Inspiration for a large contemporary master gray tile gray floor alcove bathtub remodel in DC Metro with gray walls, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets and quartz countertops

Photos © Anice HoachlanderOur client was drawn to the property in Wesley Heights as it was in an established neighborhood of stately homes, on a quiet street with views of park. They wanted a traditional home for their young family with great entertaining spaces that took full advantage of the site. The site was the challenge. The natural grade of the site was far from traditional. The natural grade at the rear of the property was about thirty feet above the street level. Large mature trees provided shade and needed to be preserved. The solution was sectional. The first floor level was elevated from the street by 12 feet, with French doors facing the park. We created a courtyard at the first floor level that provide an outdoor entertaining space, with French doors that open the home to the courtyard.. By elevating the first floor level, we were able to allow on-grade parking and a private direct entrance to the lower level pub "Mulligans". An arched passage affords access to the courtyard from a shared driveway with the neighboring homes, while the stone fountain provides a focus. A sweeping stone stair anchors one of the existing mature trees that was preserved and leads to the elevated rear garden. The second floor master suite opens to a sitting porch at the level of the upper garden, providing the third level of outdoor space that can be used for the children to play. The home's traditional language is in context with its neighbors, while the design allows each of the three primary levels of the home to relate directly to the outside. Builder: Peterson & Collins, Inc Photos © Anice Hoachlander

AZEK Deck's Silver Oak® offers warm, vibrant wood tones with natural color variations. Subtle streaking to mimic exotic wood gives Silver Oak some of the most natural aesthetics in capped PVC decking. Silver Oak(R) has the aged look of teak with the rich personality of weathered wood.

Inspiration for a tropical master carpeted bedroom remodel in Charleston with beige walls and no fireplace

Large tuscan master beige tile and stone tile beige floor and double-sink open shower photo in Orange County with medium tone wood cabinets, beige walls, an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige countertops and a freestanding vanity

Example of a minimalist exterior home design in San Francisco

Borrowing from ship design, this small beach house bedroom features a compact ladder up to a roof deck.OnSite Studios
Beach style bedroom photo in Boston

Jim Bartsch
Tuscan brick porch photo in Santa Barbara with a roof extension

Lisa Petrole
Example of a mid-sized and bedroom transitional guest and gender-neutral carpeted kids' bedroom design in Toronto with gray walls

This sitting room, with built in desk, is in the master bedroom, with pocket doors to close off. Perfect private spot all of your own. .
Example of a mid-sized arts and crafts master and built-in desk medium tone wood floor and brown floor study room design in Atlanta with beige walls and no fireplace

Roger Wade Studio
Example of a mid-sized mountain style guest dark wood floor and brown floor bedroom design in Sacramento with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

The Cycle House by chadbourne + doss architects includes a bike shop for the storage and maintenance of 18 bikes and opens to an enclosed work yard. photo by Benjamin Benschneider

Providing quality service, this Pleasanton ADU construction project turned the entire unit into a serene and stylish haven. Focusing on contemporary design, we added dark hardwood floors, a striking tray ceiling, and ample natural light. The kitchen features sleek custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, and elegant pendant lighting. The glass walk-in shower and marble-look tiles in the bathroom create a spa-like experience. As expert Pleasanton ADU builders, our design and build process ensures a seamless blend of comfort, luxury, and craftsmanship throughout the space. Pleasanton ADU Builders - https://www.aduspecialistbayarea.com/locations/pleasanton/ Pleasanton ADU Floor Plan - https://www.aduspecialistbayarea.com/adu-floor-plans/pleasanton/1-bed-2-bath/ Pleasanton ADU Regulations - https://www.aduspecialistbayarea.com/adu-regulations/pleasanton/ ADU Project in Pleasanton - https://www.aduspecialistbayarea.com/projects/pleasanton/bailey-family-adu/