Small elegant gray one-story mixed siding gable roof photo in Charleston

This gem of a house was built in the 1950s, when its neighborhood undoubtedly felt remote. The university footprint has expanded in the 70 years since, however, and today this home sits on prime real estate—easy biking and reasonable walking distance to campus. When it went up for sale in 2017, it was largely unaltered. Our clients purchased it to renovate and resell, and while we all knew we'd need to add square footage to make it profitable, we also wanted to respect the neighborhood and the house’s own history. Swedes have a word that means “just the right amount”: lagom. It is a guiding philosophy for us at SYH, and especially applied in this renovation. Part of the soul of this house was about living in just the right amount of space. Super sizing wasn’t a thing in 1950s America. So, the solution emerged: keep the original rectangle, but add an L off the back. With no owner to design with and for, SYH created a layout to appeal to the masses. All public spaces are the back of the home--the new addition that extends into the property’s expansive backyard. A den and four smallish bedrooms are atypically located in the front of the house, in the original 1500 square feet. Lagom is behind that choice: conserve space in the rooms where you spend most of your time with your eyes shut. Put money and square footage toward the spaces in which you mostly have your eyes open. In the studio, we started calling this project the Mullet Ranch—business up front, party in the back. The front has a sleek but quiet effect, mimicking its original low-profile architecture street-side. It’s very Hoosier of us to keep appearances modest, we think. But get around to the back, and surprise! lofted ceilings and walls of windows. Gorgeous.

Onsite rainwater capture has become an issue of ever-increasing importance in semi-arid California, particularly as we realize the need to conserve water on a ongoing basis. This project employs the use of rainwater infiltration by diverting existing downspouts into a dry creek. Instead of being diverted into the storm drain system and wasted, the water is recharged back into the ground. Soils are able to hold the moisture and plant watering needs decrease. In addition to being functional, rock features such as dry creeks contribute to the aesthetic and create a beautiful contrast to the plant material.

This Dallas area family desired to have a small scale grotto similar to the caves found in Italy and France in addition to a luxury pool and fire pit patio area to all harmonize with their newly built home. A challenge One Specialty gladly took on! In addition to the grotto and slide made of 1x1 blue porcelain tiles, we added a stone beach entry to the custom swimming pool design which complements the custom stepping stones in the poolside area. Note the artificial turf used between these poolside stepping stones to lower water usage and for easy maintenance. Drip irrigation and low-water plants were utilized as well for water conservation in the swimming pool landscaping. http://www.onespecialty.com/stone-oasis/

Inspiration for a master medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom remodel in San Francisco with white walls

Mid-sized elegant dark wood floor and brown floor hallway photo in Philadelphia with gray walls

Completed in two phases, the kitchen in this home was first overhauled and the wall separating it from the dining room was torn down. The structure, hidden in the boxed ceiling, compliments the original details as they were woven into this new great room. New sliding doors replacing the relocated bathroom at the rear beckon one to the garden. This created the palette for the owner to tailor the finishes exquisitely. The resplendent marble counter top is the heart of their tasteful new living space, ideal for entertaining. For phase two, the owner commissioned ONE Design to flood the upper level of the home with light. The owner, inspired by her rural upbringing in Humboldt, wished to draw inspiration from this and her Eichler-like grandparent’s home. ONE Design vaulted the ceilings to create an open soaring roof and provide a clean three dimensional canvass. Adding skylights which bathe the clean walls in an ever changing light show was the centerpiece of this transformation. Transom windows over the bedroom doors offer additional light to the interior circulation space. Enlarged windows combine the owner’s desire to live in a “glass house,” while paying respect to the Edwardian heritage of the home and providing expansive views of the meadow-like garden oasis. The cherry on top is the attic retreat, adding a north facing dormer that peeks at the Golden Gate Bridge offers a serene perch — perfect escapism for a creative writer!

Undulating planting beds are filled with the color and texture of layered shrubs and perennials and punctuated by ornamental trees. The generous depth of the beds and use of upright elements complements the proportions of the house. Designed by Mary Kirk Menefee; installed by Merrifield Garden Center. Photo: Mary Kirk Menefee

The 10,000 sq. ft. Bellagio Residence was a 1939 Georgian Revival overlooking the manicured links of the Bel Air Country Club that was in need of a modern touch. Stripped down to the studs, Wearstler worked to create an additional 3,000 sq. ft. of living space, pushed up the ceiling heights, broadened windows and doors to allow more light and completely carved out a new master suite upstairs. Mixing the personalities of the clients, one slightly more conservative and focused on comfort, the other a little feistier that wanted something unique, Wearstler took a daredevil approach and created a high-chroma style that has become her new signature approach. Italian antiques, custom rugs inspired by silk scarves, hand-painted wallcoverings, bright hits of color like a tiger print Fuchsia velvet sofa against a plum colored pyramid studded wall and endless amounts of onyx and marble slab walls and floors make for an unapologetically lavish and seductive home. Photo Credit: Grey Crawford

With their recently purchased home, the clients wanted to add a pool & spa to their backyard, with a space for entertaining. They also needed a new driveway with additional parking spots, without disturbing their entire front yard. To address their needs and reflect their taste and lifestyle, a design with a broad set of stairs which opens out to the landscape, descending to a perched pool, was developed. A parapet wall provides an edge to the pool, while woodland plantings frame the view to the conservation area and transcends the boundary between yard and wild. Photography by Neil Landino, designed while at Dan Gordon Landscape Architects

Exceptional opportunity to own an expanded Cape style home sited in one of Weston's favorite neighborhoods. Features include freshly painted rooms throughout, gleaming hardwood floors, spacious kitchen with dining area, a light filled family room with fireplace and built-ins. Enjoy one floor living with a lovely master suite and two additional well proportioned bedrooms. Second floor has a bonus room with expansion possibilities. The walkout lower level includes a bedroom, full bath, family room with fireplace, picture bay window, built in desk and wall of bookshelves. The screened in porch overlooks a beautiful inground pool and lush backyard. Convenient location with easy access to town center, conservation trails, major routes and the train station.

This Dallas area family desired to have a small scale grotto similar to the caves found in Italy and France in addition to a luxury pool and fire pit patio area to all harmonize with their newly built home. A challenge One Specialty gladly took on! In addition to the grotto and slide made of 1x1 blue porcelain tiles, we added a stone beach entry to the custom swimming pool design which complements the custom stepping stones in the poolside area. Note the artificial turf used between these poolside stepping stones to lower water usage and for easy maintenance. Drip irrigation and low-water plants were utilized as well for water conservation in the swimming pool landscaping. http://www.onespecialty.com/stone-oasis/

Exceptional opportunity to own an expanded Cape style home sited in one of Weston's favorite neighborhoods. Features include freshly painted rooms throughout, gleaming hardwood floors, spacious kitchen with dining area, a light filled family room with fireplace and built-ins. Enjoy one floor living with a lovely master suite and two additional well proportioned bedrooms. Second floor has a bonus room with expansion possibilities. The walkout lower level includes a bedroom, full bath, family room with fireplace, picture bay window, built in desk and wall of bookshelves. The screened in porch overlooks a beautiful inground pool and lush backyard. Convenient location with easy access to town center, conservation trails, major routes and the train station.

Front porch addition. What a great use of space and an enhacement to the front of this home. A perfect place to sit and swing.
Mid-sized classic front porch idea in Philadelphia with a roof extension

The client asked us to reconsider the front entry and associated landscape to give the house not only more curb appeal but to create a safer approach. The previous walkway was sloped and meandered for no apparent reason while the landscape plantings were overgrown and lacked the design aesthetic the client desired. We graded the area to eliminate the slope and straightened the walkway to compliment the homes contemporary architecture. We used custom cut bluestone in a modified running bond pattern for a unique look. Additionally, we widened the front stoop and added what we like to call a Hello / Goodbye terrace directly off the entrance landing. As guests arrive or depart, there’s a comfortable transition area that allows for quick conversation and an easy pedestrian flow. We simplified the plantings by using only 3 species, lavender, boxwood, and hydrangea, along the foundation while adding ornamental grasses for additional colors and textures in other areas. The back yard features a small deck overlooking a conservation area that we enlarged to create a dining area & a lounge with a sectional sofa. We choose a stainless steel railing system to open up the view and replaced the old wooden deck with a sustainable wood similar to mahogany called Ipe. We carried the Ipe over the side to create a horizontal lattice that encloses the underside of the deck for storage and adds to the contemporary feel of the home.

This Dallas area family desired to have a small scale grotto similar to the caves found in Italy and France in addition to a luxury pool and fire pit patio area to all harmonize with their newly built home. A challenge One Specialty gladly took on! In addition to the grotto and slide made of 1x1 blue porcelain tiles, we added a stone beach entry to the custom swimming pool design which complements the custom stepping stones in the poolside area. Note the artificial turf used between these poolside stepping stones to lower water usage and for easy maintenance. Drip irrigation and low-water plants were utilized as well for water conservation in the swimming pool landscaping. http://www.onespecialty.com/stone-oasis/

This residence is situated on a flat site with views north and west to the mountain range. The opposing roof forms open the primary living spaces on the ground floor to these views, while the upper floor captures the sun and view to the south. The integrity of these two forms are emphasized by a linear skylight at their meeting point. The sequence of entry to the house begins at the south of the property adjacent to a vast conservation easement, and is fortified by a wall that defines a path of movement and connects the interior spaces to the outdoors. The addition of the garage outbuilding creates an arrival courtyard. A.I.A Wyoming Chapter Design Award of Merit 2014 Project Year: 2008

Exceptional opportunity to own an expanded Cape style home sited in one of Weston's favorite neighborhoods. Features include freshly painted rooms throughout, gleaming hardwood floors, spacious kitchen with dining area, a light filled family room with fireplace and built-ins. Enjoy one floor living with a lovely master suite and two additional well proportioned bedrooms. Second floor has a bonus room with expansion possibilities. The walkout lower level includes a bedroom, full bath, family room with fireplace, picture bay window, built in desk and wall of bookshelves. The screened in porch overlooks a beautiful inground pool and lush backyard. Convenient location with easy access to town center, conservation trails, major routes and the train station.

Exceptional opportunity to own an expanded Cape style home sited in one of Weston's favorite neighborhoods. Features include freshly painted rooms throughout, gleaming hardwood floors, spacious kitchen with dining area, a light filled family room with fireplace and built-ins. Enjoy one floor living with a lovely master suite and two additional well proportioned bedrooms. Second floor has a bonus room with expansion possibilities. The walkout lower level includes a bedroom, full bath, family room with fireplace, picture bay window, built in desk and wall of bookshelves. The screened in porch overlooks a beautiful inground pool and lush backyard. Convenient location with easy access to town center, conservation trails, major routes and the train station.