While homes in the urban wildlife interface (UWI) face greater fire dangers, homeowners can choose to make them much safer. By conscientiously addressing architectural vulnerabilities (home hardening), homeowners protect firefighters and reduce their chances of losing a home. An ember resistant Zone 0, effectively spaced and placed foliage supported with smart irrigation, and conscientious maintenance can add further defenses. Photo: Lesly Hall Photography

Creating 5-10 feet of defensible space around a home is key. After directly addressing the home's vulnerabilities to collecting embers, we planted low-lying, mostly-native foliage to protect the home from rolling embers. Should the home catch fire, this space also gives fire fighters safe space to address issues. Photo: Lesly Hall Photography

Custom water feature
Photo of a small southwestern drought-tolerant and full sun front yard stone water fountain landscape in San Diego for summer.

Inspiration for a timeless multicolored tile home design remodel in Denver

While most every home has and needs rain gutters, they too can catch flying embers and hold them at the base of the roof. Here, we've addressed that vulnerability by placing a fine wire mesh over the top of all gutters, preventing the collection of both embers and leaf liter. From this view, it is possible to see that the elevation of the ember-catching trees protects the elevated deck side of the home. Note that the golden seed heads seen here are from a hydrated, native Deer Grass, not invasive arson grasses like Feather, Fountain or Pampas. Photo: Lesly Hall Photography

.Mid-century custom cabinets wall to ceiling with 42 inch double door refrigerator with beautiful natural walnut matching pattern door panels, pull out pantry for extra storage

Latch hardware in upper cabinets.
Inspiration for a mid-sized craftsman u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in San Francisco with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, green backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

Due to its deteriorating condition, the asphalt roll roofing on this ADU required replacement before the Fall rains. Asphalt roll roofing generally lasts only 5-10 years, leading to ongoing maintenance challenges. The original 1×10 sheathing showed significant sagging in several spots, resulting in standing water not suitable for asphalt. Additionally, there was a complete absence of ventilation after improper installation of R-21 fiberglass insulation, leaving no air gap between the sheathing and insulation. A noticeable hump along the center of the roof indicated that the load-bearing wall had been supporting that section since construction, contributing to light sagging between the walls. The old roof was completely removed down to the joists, revealing a solid base for the new installation. The central hump was eliminated by shaving the high point along that line. 2×6 beams were ripped in half then nailed on top of the existing joists, creating a 1.5″ gap for insulation and providing strong attachment points for the OSB sheathing, which was secured with screws to prevent any potential issues with nail heads popping through over the roof’s expected lifespan of over 50 years. The EPDM membrane was then adhered using glue and contact cement along the edges of each sheet, with the ends folded over the roof edges and secured with termination bars. Drip edge flashing was added and taped to ensure a water-tight seal, and EPDM-safe caulking was applied over the seams for additional protection. Finally, all exposed wood was primed and painted. The new roof features a 60mil commercial-grade EPDM rubber membrane, offering a lifespan exceeding 50 years, in stark contrast to the 5-10 year lifespan of asphalt roll roofing. Using two sheets of EPDM for installation streamlined the process, resulting in one single seam across the entire roof, compared to the asphalt roll’s dimensions of 3 feet wide by 33 feet long, which created 8 vertical seams and 9 horizontal seams—significantly increasing the risk of leakage and failure. Wrapping the rubber over the edge of the roof effectively addressed concerns about water infiltration at the edges, an issue prevalent with the asphalt and drip edge interface. Another benefit to removing the splitting 1×10 decking and replacing it with OSB sheathing is the increase in structural integrity, moisture resistance, longevity and consistency. The project successfully transformed the ADU’s roof from a maintenance-prone asphalt roll system to a highly durable 60mil EPDM rubber membrane. By addressing critical structural issues, including sagging sheathing and inadequate ventilation, the team ensured that the new roof not only offers superior water resistance and longevity but also meets higher performance standards for insulation and durability. The replacement process eliminated common weak points, such as numerous seams and poor edge sealing, which were vulnerabilities in the old roofing system. The result is a streamlined, secure installation that provides peace of mind and long-term value, with a lifespan extending well beyond the original roof.

Heavy hand hammered Bronze door hardware is part of the Teracottage "Fancy That" potting shed. photo by DJS Photography
Inspiration for a country shed remodel in New York

Park City Showcase of Homes 2013 by Utah Home Builder, Cameo Homes Inc., in Tuhaye, Park City, Utah. www.cameohomesinc.com
Inspiration for a rustic living room remodel in Salt Lake City

Eat-in kitchen - huge transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in New York with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, metallic backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Angle Eye Photography
Example of a country front door design in Philadelphia with a white front door

Joseph Narcisse
Mid-sized mountain style enclosed dark wood floor family room photo in New York with beige walls and a wall-mounted tv

Rob Karosis
Example of a classic hallway design in New York

Arts and crafts kitchen photo in Charlotte with beaded inset cabinets and medium tone wood cabinets

When Cummings Architects first met with the owners of this understated country farmhouse, the building’s layout and design was an incoherent jumble. The original bones of the building were almost unrecognizable. All of the original windows, doors, flooring, and trims – even the country kitchen – had been removed. Mathew and his team began a thorough design discovery process to find the design solution that would enable them to breathe life back into the old farmhouse in a way that acknowledged the building’s venerable history while also providing for a modern living by a growing family. The redesign included the addition of a new eat-in kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, wrap around porch, and stone fireplaces. To begin the transforming restoration, the team designed a generous, twenty-four square foot kitchen addition with custom, farmers-style cabinetry and timber framing. The team walked the homeowners through each detail the cabinetry layout, materials, and finishes. Salvaged materials were used and authentic craftsmanship lent a sense of place and history to the fabric of the space. The new master suite included a cathedral ceiling showcasing beautifully worn salvaged timbers. The team continued with the farm theme, using sliding barn doors to separate the custom-designed master bath and closet. The new second-floor hallway features a bold, red floor while new transoms in each bedroom let in plenty of light. A summer stair, detailed and crafted with authentic details, was added for additional access and charm. Finally, a welcoming farmer’s porch wraps around the side entry, connecting to the rear yard via a gracefully engineered grade. This large outdoor space provides seating for large groups of people to visit and dine next to the beautiful outdoor landscape and the new exterior stone fireplace. Though it had temporarily lost its identity, with the help of the team at Cummings Architects, this lovely farmhouse has regained not only its former charm but also a new life through beautifully integrated modern features designed for today’s family. Photo by Eric Roth

Photo: Margot Hartford © 2017 Houzz
Entryway - contemporary entryway idea in New York

Example of a country bathroom design in Calgary

An old door and brass backplate with a new reproduction black knob give this beach house front door charm.
Inspiration for a coastal single front door remodel in Portland