Dining room of the Taft Faculty house in historic Watertown CT. A state of the art green home that optimizes the use of passive and active solar energy.

The client’s coastal New England roots inspired this Shingle style design for a lakefront lot. With a background in interior design, her ideas strongly influenced the process, presenting both challenge and reward in executing her exact vision. Vintage coastal style grounds a thoroughly modern open floor plan, designed to house a busy family with three active children. A primary focus was the kitchen, and more importantly, the butler’s pantry tucked behind it. Flowing logically from the garage entry and mudroom, and with two access points from the main kitchen, it fulfills the utilitarian functions of storage and prep, leaving the main kitchen free to shine as an integral part of the open living area. An ARDA for Custom Home Design goes to Royal Oaks Design Designer: Kieran Liebl From: Oakdale, Minnesota

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

Living in the active shipbuilding district of Duxbury, MA brings its challenge for privacy. We created this louvered fence with height and easy access, providing the family with the privacy they desired and a unique aesthetic. The beautiful materials complement the home’s construction and the history of the area with ship lap panels and stately granite posts.

The ultimate goal for this Potomac backyard was to create a lawn for active kids to play on. We focused on building a patio that could be used for grilling and outdoor dining We removed trees, cleared the undergrowth, graded and installed sod to give them a big lawn. We installed a raised patio off the back of the existing screen porch with a walkway connecting to an existing door. We added landscaping around the patio and screen trees along the rear property line. The biggest challenge was creating access points for their sloped lot that was covered in weeds, vines, and scrub trees. We addressed this challenge and created a practical space for the client and their family to use.

The ultimate goal for this Potomac backyard was to create a lawn for active kids to play on. We focused on building a patio that could be used for grilling and outdoor dining We removed trees, cleared the undergrowth, graded and installed sod to give them a big lawn. We installed a raised patio off the back of the existing screen porch with a walkway connecting to an existing door. We added landscaping around the patio and screen trees along the rear property line. The biggest challenge was creating access points for their sloped lot that was covered in weeds, vines, and scrub trees. We addressed this challenge and created a practical space for the client and their family to use.

The ultimate goal for this Potomac backyard was to create a lawn for active kids to play on. We focused on building a patio that could be used for grilling and outdoor dining We removed trees, cleared the undergrowth, graded and installed sod to give them a big lawn. We installed a raised patio off the back of the existing screen porch with a walkway connecting to an existing door. We added landscaping around the patio and screen trees along the rear property line. The biggest challenge was creating access points for their sloped lot that was covered in weeds, vines, and scrub trees. We addressed this challenge and created a practical space for the client and their family to use.

The ultimate goal for this Potomac backyard was to create a lawn for active kids to play on. We focused on building a patio that could be used for grilling and outdoor dining We removed trees, cleared the undergrowth, graded and installed sod to give them a big lawn. We installed a raised patio off the back of the existing screen porch with a walkway connecting to an existing door. We added landscaping around the patio and screen trees along the rear property line. The biggest challenge was creating access points for their sloped lot that was covered in weeds, vines, and scrub trees. We addressed this challenge and created a practical space for the client and their family to use.

The ultimate goal for this Potomac backyard was to create a lawn for active kids to play on. We focused on building a patio that could be used for grilling and outdoor dining We removed trees, cleared the undergrowth, graded and installed sod to give them a big lawn. We installed a raised patio off the back of the existing screen porch with a walkway connecting to an existing door. We added landscaping around the patio and screen trees along the rear property line. The biggest challenge was creating access points for their sloped lot that was covered in weeds, vines, and scrub trees. We addressed this challenge and created a practical space for the client and their family to use.

The ultimate goal for this Potomac backyard was to create a lawn for active kids to play on. We focused on building a patio that could be used for grilling and outdoor dining We removed trees, cleared the undergrowth, graded and installed sod to give them a big lawn. We installed a raised patio off the back of the existing screen porch with a walkway connecting to an existing door. We added landscaping around the patio and screen trees along the rear property line. The biggest challenge was creating access points for their sloped lot that was covered in weeds, vines, and scrub trees. We addressed this challenge and created a practical space for the client and their family to use.

To create a unique kitchen, we take inspiration from the personality of our clients; it’s a collaborative effort to develop the exact look and feel that best suits their lifestyles. The challenge of this kitchen was to re-build the existing kitchen and adjoining full bath, creating a much better flow with plenty of storage for this active family (as they often entertain seaside). The two-toned cabinetry in both white and laguna blue reflected a true beach-feel adorned with a terrific choice of starfish and shell shaped hardware to draw attention to this creative and beautifully transformed seaside kitchen. We remind our clients that in order to be unique, do something unique! And this is nicely demonstrated in both the layout, color scheme and backsplash design details. Our client selected several hand painted decorative ocean creatures for the backsplash, drawing from colors in the room, and this created a truly unique conversation piece! A glint of sparkle from the white quartz countertops brings you closer to the beach in this impressive oceanfront home. From flooring to ceiling, we created a picture perfect beautiful beach house kitchen that is not only functional but provides a relaxed and inviting feel for these seaside owners.

The homeowners of this wanted to create an informal year-round residence for their active family that reflected their love of the outdoors and time spent in ski and camping lodges. The result is a luxurious, yet understated, comfortable kitchen/dining area that exudes a feeling of warmth and relaxation. The open floor plan offers views throughout the first floor, while large picture windows integrate the outdoors and fill the space with light. A door to the three-season room offers easy access to an outdoor kitchen and living area. The dark wood floors, cabinets with natural wood grain, leathered stone counters, and coffered ceilings offer the ambiance of a 19th century mountain lodge, yet this is combined with painted wainscoting and woodwork to brighten and modernize the space. A blue center island in the kitchen adds a fun splash of color, while a gas fireplace and lit upper cabinets adds a cozy feeling. A separate butler’s pantry contains additional refrigeration, storage, and a wine cooler. Challenges included integrating the perimeter cabinetry into the crown moldings and coffered ceilings, so the lines of millwork are aligned through multiple living spaces. In particular, there is a structural steel column on the corner of the raised island around which oak millwork was wrapped to match the living room columns. Another challenge was concealing second floor plumbing in the beams of the coffered ceiling.

This second-story addition to an already 'picture perfect' Naples home presented many challenges. The main tension between adding the many 'must haves' the client wanted on their second floor, but at the same time not overwhelming the first floor. Working with David Benner of Safety Harbor Builders was key in the design and construction process – keeping the critical aesthetic elements in check. The owners were very 'detail oriented' and actively involved throughout the process. The result was adding 924 sq ft to the 1,600 sq ft home, with the addition of a large Bonus/Game Room, Guest Suite, 1-1/2 Baths and Laundry. But most importantly — the second floor is in complete harmony with the first, it looks as it was always meant to be that way. ©Energy Smart Home Plans, Safety Harbor Builders, Glenn Hettinger Photography

The ultimate goal for this Potomac backyard was to create a lawn for active kids to play on. We focused on building a patio that could be used for grilling and outdoor dining We removed trees, cleared the undergrowth, graded and installed sod to give them a big lawn. We installed a raised patio off the back of the existing screen porch with a walkway connecting to an existing door. We added landscaping around the patio and screen trees along the rear property line. The biggest challenge was creating access points for their sloped lot that was covered in weeds, vines, and scrub trees. We addressed this challenge and created a practical space for the client and their family to use.

Spacious and organized mudroom that is both casual and attractive, and perhaps most importantly, could absorb the chaos of a busy family with three kids involved in lots of sports and school activities. Another challenge was that there was no bathroom on the first floor of the house. Through the construction of the mudroom we were able to nestle a half bath opposite the coat cubbies.

This second-story addition to an already 'picture perfect' Naples home presented many challenges. The main tension between adding the many 'must haves' the client wanted on their second floor, but at the same time not overwhelming the first floor. Working with David Benner of Safety Harbor Builders was key in the design and construction process – keeping the critical aesthetic elements in check. The owners were very 'detail oriented' and actively involved throughout the process. The result was adding 924 sq ft to the 1,600 sq ft home, with the addition of a large Bonus/Game Room, Guest Suite, 1-1/2 Baths and Laundry. But most importantly — the second floor is in complete harmony with the first, it looks as it was always meant to be that way. ©Energy Smart Home Plans, Safety Harbor Builders, Glenn Hettinger Photography

This project started unconventionally with a Feng Shui site analysis. This influenced the planning of the passive and active spaces within as well as various elements in the house. It was a fun challenge to design a feng shui and site responsive home that maximised ocean views while maintaining privacy from the street. Built by Dennis Andrighetto

The client’s coastal New England roots inspired this Shingle style design for a lakefront lot. With a background in interior design, her ideas strongly influenced the process, presenting both challenge and reward in executing her exact vision. Vintage coastal style grounds a thoroughly modern open floor plan, designed to house a busy family with three active children. A primary focus was the kitchen, and more importantly, the butler’s pantry tucked behind it. Flowing logically from the garage entry and mudroom, and with two access points from the main kitchen, it fulfills the utilitarian functions of storage and prep, leaving the main kitchen free to shine as an integral part of the open living area. An ARDA for Custom Home Design goes to Royal Oaks Design Designer: Kieran Liebl From: Oakdale, Minnesota

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