Kitchen in Bronco Revival | Key Feature: A warm, masculine, family-friendly Scottsdale home refresh designed to function as both a lived-in family space and a design showroom, blending current trends with timeless style. Challenge: The main challenge was maintaining a cohesive design while replacing underperforming elements from a previous installation, all within an existing architectural framework. Additional hurdles included sourcing pieces that worked with existing furniture, finding properly scaled rugs for large North Scottsdale rooms, ensuring correct counter stool height for a substantial 3-inch stone slab island, and coordinating the timeline around photography/videography schedules and local contractor availability. Solution: We approached the refresh strategically by preserving the strongest existing elements while updating key furnishings and finishes to create a warmer, more sophisticated look. New vendor relationships and products were tested before specifying for broader client use, while all selections prioritized durability for an active family lifestyle. Timeline flexibility became a creative advantage, allowing for an unconventional beam wallpaper application that ultimately became a signature design moment. Our construction management ensured seamless coordination across trades throughout the Scottsdale area. Materials: Moss Studio- Sofa + Pillows | Coffee tables by MadeGoods: Davion Coffee Tables – sculptural mango wood with rich texture | Performance rugs by Loloi: High-traffic wool construction perfect for pets and children | Custom drapery fabric by Schumacher: Premium textiles maintaining original custom window treatments | Drapery hardware by Hesler Brothers | Palmer Industries - | Sun Lighting - Chandeliers, Table Lamps, Pendants | Budget ($ Range): $75-$100K | Timeline (Duration): 3 months

Photo: Ten Ten Creative
Wet bar - transitional single-wall dark wood floor and brown floor wet bar idea in Dallas with shaker cabinets, black cabinets, black backsplash, subway tile backsplash and gray countertops

For a client with a deep appreciation for all manner of architectural styles – and the passion to transform his lifelong dream of a single home showcasing their wide variety into reality – we were thrilled to meet the challenge. Consider the elements: an English conservatory-style kitchen. A Bahamian plantation-inspired bedroom. Florentine palazzos, Swiss chalets, Lowcountry fishing huts – all informed our journey from broad concept to unified, cohesive actuality. First and foremost a home meant to cosset and comfort an active family, it is also an elegant and gracious example of the many handcrafted arts too seldom seen. From custom ceiling treatments to hand-woven rugs, evidence of the artist’s hand abounds, imparting exquisite detail on virtually each and every surface. Nestled waterside along shimmering shores, this home is truly a dream come true – and proof the fanciful notions of the heart can indeed be transformed into functional living spaces that nurture, inspire, and satisfy the soul. Photo: Carlos Domenech Photography

Why can't the side access be beautiful too? Most important is that this was safe and easily accessible for Grandma. This active family needed to overhaul this large property but didn't know where to start. "It's like three acres of boring dirt and weeds", said my client. The steeply sloped property did indeed present unique challenges with ever-present voracious deer, the need for erosion control and bank stabilization, large areas that required planting while still considering water conservation, and the need for beautification and modernization to tie into the aesthetic of the newly renovated home. Concurrently, safety and access to all parts of the property were a consideration. Landscaping goals were accomplished through careful plant selection and judicious use of retaining walls in various styles throughout the property. Generous railroad tie steps were used on sloping side yards. The landscaped portions converge gracefully with the existing oak woodland. Children can play and hide in many fun spots, while my client's elderly grandmother can safely walk around.

Being the second home we have designed for this family, The challenge was creating spaces that were functional for this active family!. With the help of Jim Bulejski Architects, we completely gutted/renovated the first floor. Adding onto the original back of the house creating the new kitchen space any chef would want to create in. Renovated the original/existing "kitchen" to be an eat-in and side extension to the kitchen and coffee bar area. We added a working laundry room for the kids to dump backpacks and sports gear and a refuge for her 5 dogs, a fresh den/seating area for the mom and dad, and last but not least, updated the old Living Room to create a cozy space for the kids and adults to retreat to! Using cool grays, navy, white and gold accents, these spaces are as gorgeous as they are comfortable.

HNA Hardscape Project Award Winner Wayne Pool Wayne, New Jersey Monello Landscape Industries Design elements and features include six multi level paver patios, three permeable paver patios, and a sunken pool bar and kitchen with seating inside and outside the pool. A 20 foot double water falls drops into a pond with glass panels that separate the pool from the pond enabling views of koi. A 24 in. by 30 foot running/trickle water wall over natural stone into the the pool is also features. Additional items include three built-in bistro tables, a 20 foot high boulder wall system featuring perennial garden plantings, and floating boulders built into the pool. Design challenges included a 12 foot high bar wall engineered with ¾ in. rebar and a solid concrete pour. Lower levels of the patio system were built and excavated below the water table level, so an extensive and creative drainage system was installed. In addition, water pumps were active during construction. Trenching was so extensive under and around the hardscape areas that all soil had to be removed from the site and replaced with compacted clean stone so there was no threat of future settlement. There was over 1500 cubic yards of soil removed from the site and over 1500 yards of aggregate trucked into the site.

This lakefront diamond in the rough lot was waiting to be discovered by someone with a modern naturalistic vision and passion. Maintaining an eco-friendly, and sustainable build was at the top of the client priority list. Designed and situated to benefit from passive and active solar as well as through breezes from the lake, this indoor/outdoor living space truly establishes a symbiotic relationship with its natural surroundings. The pie-shaped lot provided significant challenges with a street width of 50ft, a steep shoreline buffer of 50ft, as well as a powerline easement reducing the buildable area. The client desired a smaller home of approximately 2500sf that juxtaposed modern lines with the free form of the natural setting. The 250ft of lakefront afforded 180-degree views which guided the design to maximize this vantage point while supporting the adjacent environment through preservation of heritage trees. Prior to construction the shoreline buffer had been rewilded with wildflowers, perennials, utilization of clover and meadow grasses to support healthy animal and insect re-population. The inclusion of solar panels as well as hydroponic heated floors and wood stove supported the owner’s desire to be self-sufficient. Core ten steel was selected as the predominant material to allow it to “rust” as it weathers thus blending into the natural environment.

New England Ranch Remodel This rambling mid-century house in Andover, MA was designed in 1952 by William Hajjar. Hajjar graduated from MIT in 1942, 40 years before Flavin Architects' founding principal, Colin Flavin enrolled there. In addition to his focus on designing houses, Hajjar was also active in research, and developed double glass curtain walls, an early innovation in making buildings more energy efficient. Our client had outgrown the original single-story house, and our challenge was to add a second floor without losing the low-slung character of the original massing. Our addition is set discretely at the rear of the house away from the street. We extended a rectangular bay window up to the new second floor, linking the new to the existing. To reach the second floor, we designed a new steel stair that wraps around the home’s original massive bluestone fireplace The second floor includes a master bedroom suite and study. The exterior color scheme is a striking contrast of charcoal siding and white painted concrete masonry units. In keeping with the spirit of Hajjar’s vision of energy efficient housing, the home features a generous number of south-facing windows to maximize passive solar light and heat.

A pretty little planting bed near the front door breaks up the expanse of asphalt and adds interest. This active family needed to overhaul this large property but didn't know where to start. "It's like three acres of boring dirt and weeds", said my client. The steeply sloped property did indeed present unique challenges with ever-present voracious deer, the need for erosion control and bank stabilization, large areas that required planting while still considering water conservation, and the need for beautification and modernization to tie into the aesthetic of the newly renovated home. Concurrently, safety and access to all parts of the property were a consideration. Landscaping goals were accomplished through careful plant selection and judicious use of retaining walls in various styles throughout the property. Generous railroad tie steps were used on sloping side yards. The landscaped portions converge gracefully with the existing oak woodland. Children can play and hide in many fun spots, while my client's elderly grandmother can safely walk around.

HNA Hardscape Project Award Winner Wayne Pool Wayne, New Jersey Monello Landscape Industries Design elements and features include six multi level paver patios, three permeable paver patios, and a sunken pool bar and kitchen with seating inside and outside the pool. A 20 foot double water falls drops into a pond with glass panels that separate the pool from the pond enabling views of koi. A 24 in. by 30 foot running/trickle water wall over natural stone into the the pool is also features. Additional items include three built-in bistro tables, a 20 foot high boulder wall system featuring perennial garden plantings, and floating boulders built into the pool. Design challenges included a 12 foot high bar wall engineered with ¾ in. rebar and a solid concrete pour. Lower levels of the patio system were built and excavated below the water table level, so an extensive and creative drainage system was installed. In addition, water pumps were active during construction. Trenching was so extensive under and around the hardscape areas that all soil had to be removed from the site and replaced with compacted clean stone so there was no threat of future settlement. There was over 1500 cubic yards of soil removed from the site and over 1500 yards of aggregate trucked into the site.

This lovely little modern farmhouse is located at the base of the foothills in one of Boulder’s most prized neighborhoods. Tucked onto a challenging narrow lot, this inviting and sustainably designed 2400 sf., 4 bedroom home lives much larger than its compact form. The open floor plan and vaulted ceilings of the Great room, kitchen and dining room lead to a beautiful covered back patio and lush, private back yard. These rooms are flooded with natural light and blend a warm Colorado material palette and heavy timber accents with a modern sensibility. A lyrical open-riser steel and wood stair floats above the baby grand in the center of the home and takes you to three bedrooms on the second floor. The Master has a covered balcony with exposed beamwork & warm Beetle-kill pine soffits, framing their million-dollar view of the Flatirons. Its simple and familiar style is a modern twist on a classic farmhouse vernacular. The stone, Hardie board siding and standing seam metal roofing create a resilient and low-maintenance shell. The alley-loaded home has a solar-panel covered garage that was custom designed for the family’s active & athletic lifestyle (aka “lots of toys”). The front yard is a local food & water-wise Master-class, with beautiful rain-chains delivering roof run-off straight to the family garden.

HNA Hardscape Project Award Winner Wayne Pool Wayne, New Jersey Monello Landscape Industries Design elements and features include six multi level paver patios, three permeable paver patios, and a sunken pool bar and kitchen with seating inside and outside the pool. A 20 foot double water falls drops into a pond with glass panels that separate the pool from the pond enabling views of koi. A 24 in. by 30 foot running/trickle water wall over natural stone into the the pool is also features. Additional items include three built-in bistro tables, a 20 foot high boulder wall system featuring perennial garden plantings, and floating boulders built into the pool. Design challenges included a 12 foot high bar wall engineered with ¾ in. rebar and a solid concrete pour. Lower levels of the patio system were built and excavated below the water table level, so an extensive and creative drainage system was installed. In addition, water pumps were active during construction. Trenching was so extensive under and around the hardscape areas that all soil had to be removed from the site and replaced with compacted clean stone so there was no threat of future settlement. There was over 1500 cubic yards of soil removed from the site and over 1500 yards of aggregate trucked into the site.

Beautiful steps up the side of the home are flanked by textural shrubs, succulents and boulders. This active family needed to overhaul this large property but didn't know where to start. "It's like three acres of boring dirt and weeds", said my client. The steeply sloped property did indeed present unique challenges with ever-present voracious deer, the need for erosion control and bank stabilization, large areas that required planting while still considering water conservation, and the need for beautification and modernization to tie into the aesthetic of the newly renovated home. Concurrently, safety and access to all parts of the property were a consideration. Landscaping goals were accomplished through careful plant selection and judicious use of retaining walls in various styles throughout the property. Generous railroad tie steps were used on sloping side yards. The landscaped portions converge gracefully with the existing oak woodland. Children can play and hide in many fun spots, while my client's elderly grandmother can safely walk around.

HNA Hardscape Project Award Winner Wayne Pool Wayne, New Jersey Monello Landscape Industries Design elements and features include six multi level paver patios, three permeable paver patios, and a sunken pool bar and kitchen with seating inside and outside the pool. A 20 foot double water falls drops into a pond with glass panels that separate the pool from the pond enabling views of koi. A 24 in. by 30 foot running/trickle water wall over natural stone into the the pool is also features. Additional items include three built-in bistro tables, a 20 foot high boulder wall system featuring perennial garden plantings, and floating boulders built into the pool. Design challenges included a 12 foot high bar wall engineered with ¾ in. rebar and a solid concrete pour. Lower levels of the patio system were built and excavated below the water table level, so an extensive and creative drainage system was installed. In addition, water pumps were active during construction. Trenching was so extensive under and around the hardscape areas that all soil had to be removed from the site and replaced with compacted clean stone so there was no threat of future settlement. There was over 1500 cubic yards of soil removed from the site and over 1500 yards of aggregate trucked into the site.

Being the second home we have designed for this family, The challenge was creating spaces that were functional for this active family!. With the help of Jim Bulejski Architects, we completely gutted/renovated the first floor. Adding onto the original back of the house creating the new kitchen space any chef would want to create in. Renovated the original/existing "kitchen" to be an eat-in and side extension to the kitchen and coffee bar area. We added a working laundry room for the kids to dump backpacks and sports gear and a refuge for her 5 dogs, a fresh den/seating area for the mom and dad, and last but not least, updated the old Living Room to create a cozy space for the kids and adults to retreat to! Using cool grays, navy, white and gold accents, these spaces are as gorgeous as they are comfortable.

Open concept kitchen - large cottage u-shaped light wood floor, gray floor, vaulted ceiling and shiplap ceiling open concept kitchen idea in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, an island, white countertops and stainless steel appliances

Being the second home we have designed for this family, The challenge was creating spaces that were functional for this active family!. With the help of Jim Bulejski Architects, we completely gutted/renovated the first floor. Adding onto the original back of the house creating the new kitchen space any chef would want to create in. Renovated the original/existing "kitchen" to be an eat-in and side extension to the kitchen and coffee bar area. We added a working laundry room for the kids to dump backpacks and sports gear and a refuge for her 5 dogs, a fresh den/seating area for the mom and dad, and last but not least, updated the old Living Room to create a cozy space for the kids and adults to retreat to! Using cool grays, navy, white and gold accents, these spaces are as gorgeous as they are comfortable.

Clerestory windows to bring in added light and save on wall space. Overall - single level modern home on golf course with peak-aboo mtn views. The design was an open concept with multiple sitting options. Kitchen is the hub of activity so adding an extra sitting area allows the chef to move freely while still engaging with guests in an open environment. The direction from the owner was to have lots of light and clear views of the mountains and golf course. She also wanted lots of wall space for art which was important to her. It's easy to put lots of windows in, but how do you decide which walls get windows and which get art? Regarding the lot: There’s a golf bunker near the lot so the challenge was to get up high enough, still be a single level home. We designed the home to step up from the garage to achieve views. Greg Welch Construction: http://gregwelchconstruction.com/ Interiors finishes: Legum Design: https://www.legumdesign.com/ Photo credit: Cheryl McIntosh of www.greatthingsaredone.com

This lovely little modern farmhouse is located at the base of the foothills in one of Boulder’s most prized neighborhoods. Tucked onto a challenging narrow lot, this inviting and sustainably designed 2400 sf., 4 bedroom home lives much larger than its compact form. The open floor plan and vaulted ceilings of the Great room, kitchen and dining room lead to a beautiful covered back patio and lush, private back yard. These rooms are flooded with natural light and blend a warm Colorado material palette and heavy timber accents with a modern sensibility. A lyrical open-riser steel and wood stair floats above the baby grand in the center of the home and takes you to three bedrooms on the second floor. The Master has a covered balcony with exposed beamwork & warm Beetle-kill pine soffits, framing their million-dollar view of the Flatirons. Its simple and familiar style is a modern twist on a classic farmhouse vernacular. The stone, Hardie board siding and standing seam metal roofing create a resilient and low-maintenance shell. The alley-loaded home has a solar-panel covered garage that was custom designed for the family’s active & athletic lifestyle (aka “lots of toys”). The front yard is a local food & water-wise Master-class, with beautiful rain-chains delivering roof run-off straight to the family garden.