Douglas VanderHorn Architects From grand estates, to exquisite country homes, to whole house renovations, the quality and attention to detail of a "Significant Homes" custom home is immediately apparent. Full time on-site supervision, a dedicated office staff and hand picked professional craftsmen are the team that take you from groundbreaking to occupancy. Every "Significant Homes" project represents 45 years of luxury homebuilding experience, and a commitment to quality widely recognized by architects, the press and, most of all....thoroughly satisfied homeowners. Our projects have been published in Architectural Digest 6 times along with many other publications and books. Though the lion share of our work has been in Fairfield and Westchester counties, we have built homes in Palm Beach, Aspen, Maine, Nantucket and Long Island.

Casa A137 is harmoniously nestled on a property that borders the spring forest to the south and west, with a gentle 14m drop from its highest point. This natural topography was not a challenge but an inspiration for our architecture, guiding us to open the views towards the forest and blend seamlessly with the terrain. The project gracefully ascends from street level, ensuring the ground floor merges with the rear garden level while the upper floor offers unobstructed views of the natural landscape. We used stone materials and steel to create a sober and simple appearance for the residence. Apparent concrete has an important role in all exterior and interior areas; in the same way, the green areas visually accompany each space. The house’s gardens go hand in hand with the architecture. Several interior areas were designed to integrate vegetation, which accompanies the exterior, where the landscaped spaces that complement the facade and the side corridors are projected. For our clients, social areas were very important, especially the terrace. An important project area is destined for an outdoor terrace overlooking the forest. It comprises a kitchen area with a bar and a space for living and dining. The warmth of a fire pit accompanies it.

Douglas VanderHorn Architects From grand estates, to exquisite country homes, to whole house renovations, the quality and attention to detail of a "Significant Homes" custom home is immediately apparent. Full time on-site supervision, a dedicated office staff and hand picked professional craftsmen are the team that take you from groundbreaking to occupancy. Every "Significant Homes" project represents 45 years of luxury homebuilding experience, and a commitment to quality widely recognized by architects, the press and, most of all....thoroughly satisfied homeowners. Our projects have been published in Architectural Digest 6 times along with many other publications and books. Though the lion share of our work has been in Fairfield and Westchester counties, we have built homes in Palm Beach, Aspen, Maine, Nantucket and Long Island.

It was apparent by the existing condition of this pre-war Upper West Side apartment that Morpurgo Architects would need to “gut” it to make a home for our clients, a young family with two children. The homeowners requested that we convert this two-bedroom coop into a three-bedroom unit that would include two distinct living areas, one for the adults and one for the children. We took this blank slate, reconfigured the rooms, and developed a floor plan with an easy flow throughout the apartment. As a bonus, we creatively carved out a space for a small office. Our firm expanded the entry, making it a significant focal point of this home. The striking, marble foyer acts as a unifying element between the living and dining rooms and also provides a transition to the bedroom wing. From the window wall of the living room, there is a view of the entire apartment through the entry and dining room/den to the kitchen. Yet, when privacy is preferred, the dining area can be closed with beautiful pocket-glazed French Doors that enhance the entry as well. The apartment is painted with a cohesive color palette that gives it a warm golden glow.

We are delighted to have completed the radical transformation of a tired detached property in South Croydon. When they appointed Granit, our clients were living in the property which had previously been divided into a number of flats. The historic sub-division had resulted in an extremely poor use of space with redundant staircases, kitchens and bathrooms throughout. Our clients sought to reconfigure the property back into a single dwelling for his growing family. Our client had an eye for design and was keen to balance contemporary design whilst maintaining as much of the character of the original house. Maximising natural light, space and establishing a visual and physical connection were also key drivers for the design. Owing to the size of the property, it became apparent that reconfiguration rather than extension provided the solution to meet the brief. A metal clad ‘intervention’ was introduced to the rear facade. This created a strong horizontal element creating a visual balance with the vertical nature of the three storey gable. The metal cladding specified echoed the colour of the red brick string courses tying old with new. Slender frame sliding doors provide access and views of the large garden. The central circulation space was transformed by the introduction of a double height glazed slot wrapping up the rear facade and onto the roof. This allows daylight to permeate into the heart of the otherwise dark deep floor plan. The staircase was reconfigured into a series of landings looking down over the main void space below and out towards the tree canopies at the rear of the garden. The introduction of double pocket doors throughout the ground floor creates a series of interconnected spaces and the whitewashed Larch flooring flows seamlessly from room to room. A bold palette of colours and materials lends character and texture throughout the property. The end result is a spacious yet cosy environment for the family to inhabit for years to come.

Located on a private ranch on the Central Coast of California, The North Coast Ranch is a contemporary agrarian compound with a rich family heritage. The compound includes a main house, guest house, and detached garage/workshop situated on what was once a hog farm. The agrarian setting and history of the property inspired much of the design and detailing. The agrarian influences are apparent in the exposed framing, cedar siding, barn form roof lines, and a tower element inspired by the existing concrete silos located on the property. To celebrate the family’s Swiss heritage, the exposed rafter tails are individually branded with the Swiss flag insignia. On the interior, a large open floor plan and 10’ sliding glass doors provide plenty of space for family gatherings and opportunities for indoor/outdoor living. Adding to the grandeur of the spaces, the kitchen and living room boast vaulted cathedral ceilings. The agrarian detailing continues throughout the house with the incorporation of warm materials and exposed structure. Concrete slats, originally a part of the old hog pen infrastructure, were reutilized to create a feature wall in the dining room.

We are delighted to have completed the radical transformation of a tired detached property in South Croydon. When they appointed Granit, our clients were living in the property which had previously been divided into a number of flats. The historic sub-division had resulted in an extremely poor use of space with redundant staircases, kitchens and bathrooms throughout. Our clients sought to reconfigure the property back into a single dwelling for his growing family. Our client had an eye for design and was keen to balance contemporary design whilst maintaining as much of the character of the original house. Maximising natural light, space and establishing a visual and physical connection were also key drivers for the design. Owing to the size of the property, it became apparent that reconfiguration rather than extension provided the solution to meet the brief. A metal clad ‘intervention’ was introduced to the rear facade. This created a strong horizontal element creating a visual balance with the vertical nature of the three storey gable. The metal cladding specified echoed the colour of the red brick string courses tying old with new. Slender frame sliding doors provide access and views of the large garden. The central circulation space was transformed by the introduction of a double height glazed slot wrapping up the rear facade and onto the roof. This allows daylight to permeate into the heart of the otherwise dark deep floor plan. The staircase was reconfigured into a series of landings looking down over the main void space below and out towards the tree canopies at the rear of the garden. The introduction of double pocket doors throughout the ground floor creates a series of interconnected spaces and the whitewashed Larch flooring flows seamlessly from room to room. A bold palette of colours and materials lends character and texture throughout the property. The end result is a spacious yet cosy environment for the family to inhabit for years to come.

The Padiglioni table by Alain Gilles draws its inspiration from the iconic Barcelona pavilion designed by Mies van der Rohe. The focal point of this table is the base which is made up of three asymmetrical elements, each with a particular shape and placed in an apparently random position in order to make the composition visually dynamic.

Located on a private ranch on the Central Coast of California, The North Coast Ranch is a contemporary agrarian compound with a rich family heritage. The compound includes a main house, guest house, and detached garage/workshop situated on what was once a hog farm. The agrarian setting and history of the property inspired much of the design and detailing. The agrarian influences are apparent in the exposed framing, cedar siding, barn form roof lines, and a tower element inspired by the existing concrete silos located on the property. To celebrate the family’s Swiss heritage, the exposed rafter tails are individually branded with the Swiss flag insignia. On the interior, a large open floor plan and 10’ sliding glass doors provide plenty of space for family gatherings and opportunities for indoor/outdoor living. Adding to the grandeur of the spaces, the kitchen and living room boast vaulted cathedral ceilings. The agrarian detailing continues throughout the house with the incorporation of warm materials and exposed structure. Concrete slats, originally a part of the old hog pen infrastructure, were reutilized to create a feature wall in the dining room.

Welcome to a culinary haven where contemporary sophistication meets practical design in this custom kitchen adorned with soaring 10 ft ceilings. The modern ambiance is immediately apparent, with sleek Shaker-style doors painted in a bold, elegant black, creating a striking contrast against the expansive height of the room. The kitchen is not merely a cooking space; it's a statement of style and functionality. A walk-in butler's pantry offers an abundance of storage and organizational possibilities, ensuring that every culinary tool and ingredient has its designated place. This pantry is seamlessly integrated into the kitchen layout, allowing for easy access to essentials while maintaining a clean, uncluttered appearance. At the heart of the kitchen stands a spacious working island, its sleek black surface providing a chic and durable workspace. This island is designed for efficiency, equipped with state-of-the-art appliances and ample storage, making meal preparation a seamless and enjoyable experience. Adjacent to the working island, a stylish dining island beckons, featuring exquisite waterfall countertops that cascade gracefully to the floor. This design not only adds a touch of luxury but also serves as an inviting space for casual dining and entertaining guests. The smooth, uninterrupted surface of the waterfall countertops enhances the modern aesthetic, while the choice of gold-colored handles and knobs adds a touch of opulence to the overall design. Emphasizing the kitchen's commitment to customization and luxury, the appliances seamlessly blend into the cabinetry. The panel-ready fridge maintains the sleek, uniform appearance of the kitchen, ensuring that the focus remains on the design elements rather than the machinery. Crowning this culinary masterpiece is a custom wood hood, adding a touch of warmth and organic texture to the predominantly modern setting. This thoughtful integration of natural materials creates a harmonious balance between contemporary aesthetics and timeless appeal. In this custom kitchen with its high ceilings, modern Shaker-style doors, black color palette, and opulent gold accents, culinary enthusiasts are invited to elevate their cooking experience in an environment where functionality meets exquisite design.

Set on a narrow lakefront parcel defined by tight setbacks and limited hardscape allowance, this modern cabin demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform restriction into possibility. Carefully composed to preserve privacy while opening fully toward the water, the home feels both expansive and intimate—an elevated retreat grounded in its landscape. Though modest in footprint, the residence lives generously. Four bedrooms are tucked efficiently within the plan, including a light-filled quilting studio that reflects the homeowners’ creative life. Each bedroom opens onto its own private balcony, offering moments of pause and perspective with views stretching across lake and countryside. The upper level also includes a family room, providing a quiet gathering space removed from the activity below. From here, the home’s vertical volume becomes apparent, as daylight pours down through a dramatic two-story space framed by glass facing the lake. At the center of the home, a custom steel-and-wood plank stair acts as both circulation and sculpture. Rising through the double-height volume, it leads the eye upward to a tall Nelson cigar lamp suspended above—an intentional moment of drama and delight. The main floor is designed around connection and flow. Kitchen, dining, and living areas exist as one continuous space, unified by light, views, and material warmth. A 12-foot-long island anchors the kitchen, serving as the natural gathering place for morning coffee, family meals, and summertime buffet-style entertaining. When fully opened, large folding accordion glass doors dissolve the boundary between inside and out, allowing the screened porch to become a true extension of the living space. Function is carefully layered throughout the plan. A mudroom entry from the tucked-under two-car garage includes a powder room and utility closet, while a generous entry closet provides essential storage and has been dimensioned to accommodate a future elevator. Designed intentionally for aging in place, the home incorporates zero-threshold access from the garage, wide halls and doorways, reinforced wall blocking for future grab bars, and infrastructure for a future elevator—ensuring long-term comfort without compromising design. Clad in dark painted board-and-batten siding, the exterior minimizes visual scale and allows the home to recede quietly into the landscape. Recessed balconies and façade elements are wrapped in warm wood-look siding, adding depth and contrast while bringing warmth into the interior. At night, light spills softly from within, and the cabin glows along the shoreline—welcoming, calm, and enduring.

We are delighted to have completed the radical transformation of a tired detached property in South Croydon. When they appointed Granit, our clients were living in the property which had previously been divided into a number of flats. The historic sub-division had resulted in an extremely poor use of space with redundant staircases, kitchens and bathrooms throughout. Our clients sought to reconfigure the property back into a single dwelling for his growing family. Our client had an eye for design and was keen to balance contemporary design whilst maintaining as much of the character of the original house. Maximising natural light, space and establishing a visual and physical connection were also key drivers for the design. Owing to the size of the property, it became apparent that reconfiguration rather than extension provided the solution to meet the brief. A metal clad ‘intervention’ was introduced to the rear facade. This created a strong horizontal element creating a visual balance with the vertical nature of the three storey gable. The metal cladding specified echoed the colour of the red brick string courses tying old with new. Slender frame sliding doors provide access and views of the large garden. The central circulation space was transformed by the introduction of a double height glazed slot wrapping up the rear facade and onto the roof. This allows daylight to permeate into the heart of the otherwise dark deep floor plan. The staircase was reconfigured into a series of landings looking down over the main void space below and out towards the tree canopies at the rear of the garden. The introduction of double pocket doors throughout the ground floor creates a series of interconnected spaces and the whitewashed Larch flooring flows seamlessly from room to room. A bold palette of colours and materials lends character and texture throughout the property. The end result is a spacious yet cosy environment for the family to inhabit for years to come.

We are delighted to have completed the radical transformation of a tired detached property in South Croydon. When they appointed Granit, our clients were living in the property which had previously been divided into a number of flats. The historic sub-division had resulted in an extremely poor use of space with redundant staircases, kitchens and bathrooms throughout. Our clients sought to reconfigure the property back into a single dwelling for his growing family. Our client had an eye for design and was keen to balance contemporary design whilst maintaining as much of the character of the original house. Maximising natural light, space and establishing a visual and physical connection were also key drivers for the design. Owing to the size of the property, it became apparent that reconfiguration rather than extension provided the solution to meet the brief. A metal clad ‘intervention’ was introduced to the rear facade. This created a strong horizontal element creating a visual balance with the vertical nature of the three storey gable. The metal cladding specified echoed the colour of the red brick string courses tying old with new. Slender frame sliding doors provide access and views of the large garden. The central circulation space was transformed by the introduction of a double height glazed slot wrapping up the rear facade and onto the roof. This allows daylight to permeate into the heart of the otherwise dark deep floor plan. The staircase was reconfigured into a series of landings looking down over the main void space below and out towards the tree canopies at the rear of the garden. The introduction of double pocket doors throughout the ground floor creates a series of interconnected spaces and the whitewashed Larch flooring flows seamlessly from room to room. A bold palette of colours and materials lends character and texture throughout the property. The end result is a spacious yet cosy environment for the family to inhabit for years to come.

Creating a bridge between buildings at The Sea Ranch is an unusual undertaking. Though several residential, elevated walkways and a couple of residential bridges do exist, in general, the design elements of The Sea Ranch favor smaller, separate buildings. However, to make all of these buildings work for the owners and their pets, they really needed a bridge. Early on David Moulton AIA consulted The Sea Ranch Design Review Committee on their receptiveness to this project. Many different ideas were discussed with the Design Committee but ultimately, given the strong need for the bridge, they asked that it be designed in a way that expressed the organic nature of the landscape. There was strong opposition to creating a straight, longitudinal structure. Soon it became apparent that a central tower sporting a small viewing deck and screened window seat provided the owners with key wildlife viewing spots and gave the bridge a central structural point from which the adjacent, angled arms could reach west between the trees to the main house and east between the trees to the new master suite. The result is a precise and carefully designed expression of the landscape: an enclosed bridge elevated above wildlife paths and woven within inches of towering redwood trees.

Casa A137 is harmoniously nestled on a property that borders the spring forest to the south and west, with a gentle 14m drop from its highest point. This natural topography was not a challenge but an inspiration for our architecture, guiding us to open the views towards the forest and blend seamlessly with the terrain. The project gracefully ascends from street level, ensuring the ground floor merges with the rear garden level while the upper floor offers unobstructed views of the natural landscape. We used stone materials and steel to create a sober and simple appearance for the residence. Apparent concrete has an important role in all exterior and interior areas; in the same way, the green areas visually accompany each space. The house’s gardens go hand in hand with the architecture. Several interior areas were designed to integrate vegetation, which accompanies the exterior, where the landscaped spaces that complement the facade and the side corridors are projected. For our clients, social areas were very important, especially the terrace. An important project area is destined for an outdoor terrace overlooking the forest. It comprises a kitchen area with a bar and a space for living and dining. The warmth of a fire pit accompanies it.

JUMA architects were contacted for the interior design of a shell-state apartment on the coast. The structural construction, the plastering, the floor screed and the technical fittings (heating ducts, plumbing, electricity and ventilation) of the apartment had already been realised. It soon became apparent, however, that the assignment could not be limited to the interior decoration only, as the placement of kitchen, bathroom and dressing room in the existing plan turned out to be entirely impractical. More extensive renovation work was needed to meet the needs of the customer. The structure of the unit was therefore slightly adjusted to make the bathroom and dressing larger and more functional. Also, the living room was dominated by a huge radiator that drew all the attention. To solve this problem, new pipes were laid to accommodate an integrated heating element in the sideboard. Gas pipes were fitted in the kitchen for the gas cooker which JUMA included in the design as a real eye-catcher. The sinks, in contrast, were given a more discreet placement. Light oak parquet was selected for the floors throughout the apartment. The natural appearance of the wood gives all the rooms a warm feel. The built-in furniture was custom made and is finished in black satin lacquer to contrast the light-coloured wood. The dominant colour palette is deliberately kept very simple and neutral and is complemented with light grey tones and colour accents. The colour choice was in fact inspired by a beautiful picture of the coast. The freestanding furniture and overall decorations were also selected or designed by JUMA architects. The arrangement of the seating area is very playful and atypical. JUMA did not want to put in a couch that would divide the space in two. The composition is meant to create a very open ambiance. A round table was chosen for the same reason. The round shape does not divide the space but allows fluid circulation. Pictures © Liesbet Goetschalckx

Martha’s Vineyard; Vineyard Haven, MA This home features a welcoming entryway that blends classic Cape Cod charm with modern design elements. The dark, traditional-style staircase with a carpet runner and decorative balusters creates a striking contrast against the light-colored walls and polished hardwood floors, immediately setting a tone of timeless elegance. The entryway leads into a spacious and open living area. A key feature is the fireplace, which is set into a wall painted Benjamin Moore Hale Navy. This accent wall provides a bold and modern focal point. The fireplace is framed by a traditional white mantel and houses a classic wood-burning stove, combining rustic charm with functional heating. On either side of the fireplace, a pair of wall sconces, add a touch of classic sophistication. The open layout is apparent, with a clear sightline through a wide entryway into the next room, revealing a light-filled space with hardwood floors. The walls are painted a neutral light gray, which allows the architectural details and the accent wall to stand out. This design creates a seamless flow between spaces, making the home feel both cozy and expansive, perfect for a coastal home on Cape Cod.

Douglas VanderHorn Architects From grand estates, to exquisite country homes, to whole house renovations, the quality and attention to detail of a "Significant Homes" custom home is immediately apparent. Full time on-site supervision, a dedicated office staff and hand picked professional craftsmen are the team that take you from groundbreaking to occupancy. Every "Significant Homes" project represents 45 years of luxury homebuilding experience, and a commitment to quality widely recognized by architects, the press and, most of all....thoroughly satisfied homeowners. Our projects have been published in Architectural Digest 6 times along with many other publications and books. Though the lion share of our work has been in Fairfield and Westchester counties, we have built homes in Palm Beach, Aspen, Maine, Nantucket and Long Island.

Inspiration for an eclectic exterior home remodel in Ottawa