Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

This is an example of a mid-sized modern partial sun front yard concrete paver formal garden in Orange County.

Bedroom lit by skylights features catwalks. © Holly Lepere
Bedroom - eclectic guest bedroom idea in Santa Barbara with beige walls

Landscape Water Feature Design & Installation Rochester NY Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls brought this Rochester (NY) front yard landscape to life with the installation of this stunning custom designed water feature which consists of bubbling urns, waterfalls, led lighting and beautiful aquatic plants. The sound of water running softly through this lovely water feature provides a relaxing sound that inspires relaxation which makes you want to sit down, relax, and enjoy all the simple pleasures life has to offer. Not only are water features lovely, they will make any space look more aesthetically pleasing and are the next best thing to living on a lovely lake or a sparking fish pond. This water feature has bubbling urns which can be installed with multiple sizes in groupings or we can design & install your water feature to have only one gorgeous stand alone urn. We love installing these beautiful urns in pondless waterfalls as well as in streams and fish ponds while adding LED lighting to them. Another cool feature is the addition of FIRE to the top of our fountains which really enhances the whole garden and makes the house stand out from the rest. The owners can sip their morning coffee on the porch and see a myriad of lovely birds and other pretty wildlife stop by for a quick sip of water. It’s a simple pleasure, but it brings a smile to the lives of our Western NY clients in Rochester & Buffalo New York (NY) and we love what we do. Our unique water features are also easy to maintain! Homeowners worry their new custom water feature requires ample work to maintain, but they do not. Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls design experts are happy to discuss seasonal care of water features with our clients to ensure they’re being cared for properly, no matter the season. Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls can help you design and install a beautiful water feature to add that peace and tranquility to your outdoor spaces. For large or small projects, there are always solutions to adding a water feature in your garden weather you are thinking about installing a pondless waterfall, one of a kind fish pond, custom water feature or large recreational pond. Acorn works with you from beginning to end so you can have a worry free addition to your backyard.

Make the most of a small space! The existing laundry room in this charming craftsman was converted into a laundry and bathroom with personality. We demoed a wall to make room for the shower. Next, we installed new tile, granite countertops, a vessel sink, toilet, exhaust fan, and two recessed lights over the vanity.

A beautiful Room designed by Rebecca Stratton of Metropolitan Interiors with drapes made by Drapery Street. Picture by Tony Valainas http://draperystreet.com

The entry foyer sets the tone for this Florida home. A collection of black and white artwork adds personality to this brand new home. A star pendant light casts beautiful shadows in the evening and a mercury glass lamp adds a soft glow. We added a large brass tray to corral clutter and a duo of concrete vases make the entry feel special. The hand knotted rug in an abstract blue, gray, and ivory pattern hints at the colors to be found throughout the home.

Food storage has never been more attractive. This maple wood pantry features pull out baskets, turntable spice storage and wine racks. An organized storage solution for pantry items, this custom built pantry provides easy access for often used kitchen and food items.

Photos courtesy of BrazelBerries Raspberry Shortcake - one of the Brazelberries

Utility room - transitional utility room idea in Portland with gray cabinets, white walls and a stacked washer/dryer

Nantucket Residence Duffy Design Group, Inc. Sam Gray Photography
Inspiration for a coastal master bathroom remodel in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets and white walls

Casey Dunn
Modern beige two-story flat roof idea in Austin

Blue Horse Building + Design // Tre Dunham Fine Focus Photography
Example of an eclectic two-story blue front door design in Austin with a glass front door

Heiser Media
Example of a huge country l-shaped dark wood floor open concept kitchen design in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Alcove bathtub - large modern master beige tile and brown tile porcelain tile and beige floor alcove bathtub idea in Houston with flat-panel cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink and quartzite countertops

Example of an eclectic master medium tone wood floor bedroom design in Los Angeles with gray walls and no fireplace

Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal guest bedroom remodel in Orange County with brown walls

San Francisco, CA - This modern style home was recently completed in Northern California. Beautiful clean lines run through the home's exterior with the beautiful wooden siding and large rectangular windows at the front. The custom-made garage doors were manufactured in a minimalistic design with flush panels and minimal lines. Finished in a dark bronze just like the window frames throughout the house pulled the entire home's curb appeal together into a majestic modern marvel. The modern garage doors were handmade out of eco-friendly composite materials that will prevent bowing or splitting in the future. As you drive up to the residence one of the focal points of the home's exterior elevation are the garage doors with all their simplicity and smooth texture. The look of modern luxury never looked better with Dynamic Garage Doors. Call our Design Center at: (855) 343-3667 for pricing on our custom garage doors.

Example of a transitional family room design in Minneapolis