© Ascendant Imaging
Dry bar - small transitional single-wall medium tone wood floor and brown floor dry bar idea in Charlotte with quartz countertops, multicolored backsplash, white countertops, no sink and shaker cabinets

From the moment you enter this home, the stairway draws you in. A gentle curved structure ascends through the grand foyer, featuring beautifully finished red oak handrails and treads that complement the home’s hardwood floors. The wrought iron balustrade tells a cohesive design story. Its pattern echoes the forged-iron doors on the main level, then continues upward along the staircase and across the second-floor balconies, creating visual continuity throughout the home's vertical spaces. Crisp lines and shadow play add depth and dimension, conveying the rich sense of old-world luxury the design team envisioned. This is more than a staircase. It's the architectural centerpiece that sets the tone for the entire residence. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

© Ascendant Imaging
Kitchen - transitional kitchen idea in Charlotte

These impressive double curved staircases create a grand entrance worthy of this exquisite custom home. Black-painted oak treads and handrail, which match the upstairs hardwood flooring, are paired with crisp white risers, establishing a bold foundation for the design, while a custom wrought-iron balustrade brings Old World craftsmanship to the space. Rounded bullnose starting steps on each staircase provide an elegant invitation to ascend, softening the grand scale with graceful curves. Rising symmetrically on either side of the foyer, these staircases transform the entrance into an architectural statement that sets the tone for the entire residence. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

These impressive double curved staircases create a grand entrance worthy of this exquisite custom home. Black-painted oak treads and handrail, which match the upstairs hardwood flooring, are paired with crisp white risers, establishing a bold foundation for the design, while a custom wrought-iron balustrade brings Old World craftsmanship to the space. Rounded bullnose starting steps on each staircase provide an elegant invitation to ascend, softening the grand scale with graceful curves. Rising symmetrically on either side of the foyer, these staircases transform the entrance into an architectural statement that sets the tone for the entire residence. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

© Ascendant Imaging
Example of a mid-sized freestanding desk medium tone wood floor and brown floor home office library design in Charlotte with blue walls

Perched on a ridge at the edge of a wooded expanse, this mid-century modern home was designed to embrace both the intimate connection to the forest and the expansive valley views beyond. The site—carefully chosen from the family’s 52-acre homestead in western Wisconsin—balances privacy and openness, placing the home at the meeting point of dense trees and rolling fields. The approach winds through the forest, offering only glimpses of the structure. Upon arrival, the parking area is subtly positioned below the main level, reinforcing the sense of discovery. As one ascends the entry walk, the house unfolds, revealing a dramatic view through the two-story living space, anchored by a brick fireplace that extends from floor to ceiling. The asymmetrical roofline lifts upward, accentuating the openness and maximizing natural light. Inside, warm materials define the interiors. Wood ceilings and floors, complemented by concrete-look tile, establish a natural, grounded aesthetic. Black wood-clad beams provide scale and structure, subtly delineating spaces within the open-plan layout. A wood lattice screen partially conceals the dining area from the foyer, offering both openness and privacy. The kitchen—designed for gathering—features a large island, a dedicated baking station, and a breakfast counter that catches morning light while serving as a pass-through to the adjacent patio. Two textured glass sliding panels allow the kitchen to be closed off when needed. Just beyond, a hidden gem: the home’s personal Tiki room, complete with a vintage mug collection and a full bar. To the east, the central fireplace marks the transition to more intimate spaces. A wide stair, integrated with the hearth, leads to the lower level, while a library with a corner window creates a quiet retreat, perfect for reading and taking in the valley beyond. The primary suite extends off this wing, featuring a spa-like bath with a textured tile walk-in shower, a soaking tub positioned for dramatic views, and a private balcony overlooking the landscape. The lower level is designed for family gatherings and extended stays. A secondary fireplace, echoing the materials of the main level, anchors a cozy living area with an adjacent kitchenette. Additional bedrooms and baths provide ample accommodations, while a hidden playhouse under the stair and a dedicated bunk room add playful touches for visiting grandchildren. The home is a balance of openness and enclosure, modernity and warmth—designed not only as a retreat but as a multigenerational gathering place, deeply connected to the land.

Sited in an atypical suburban lot in the heart of Naperville IL, the Bieniek Residence ascends from the ground much like the dense vegetation which surrounds it. Taking advantage of its isolation from neighboring houses, serene views are framed to overlook the site’s preserved wetlands and mature foliage. The house consists of two very distinct elevations. The lower profile east facade creates a soft and inviting experience from the street level corridor. Conversely, the west facade, with three different terrace levels integrates indoor/outdoor space opening up to the wetlands and embracing nature. Evoking the rich qualities of its surrounding natural environment, the exterior envelope consists of zinc, IPE, kumara, and natural stone. Throughout the house, outside is brought in through various framed views and continuous clerestory windows. The living natural light experience culminates at the 3rd level “tree house” where the views are elevated to the level of the surrounding tree canopy.

Welcome to your urban oasis nestled in the heart of the city! This contemporary 3-level new construction townhome boasts unparalleled sophistication and convenience. Perfectly situated on a tranquil street yet surrounded by the vibrant pulse of the city, this residence offers the best of both worlds with high-end finishes at every turn. Step inside to an open-concept living space where natural light pours in from expansive windows. The kitchen is a chef's dream, featuring a striking waterfall island, stainless steel appliances, and sleek cabinetry. Ascend to the upper levels to find serene bedrooms and bathrooms with marble flooring, and floating vanities. A private balcony off the primary bedroom and game room on the top level overlooks the city skyline. Outside, a spacious outdoor area awaits, offering ample room for entertaining or simply unwinding in the fresh air. With its central location and upscale amenities, this townhome epitomizes modern city living at its finest.

Welcome to the Azure model at Delta Coves - a waterfront haven nestled in the heart of the California Delta. This home is designed with a great room concept on the first floor, seamlessly connecting the dining room and outdoor living space for a fluid living experience. The kitchen, equipped with a walk-in pantry and a large island featuring a sink and dishwasher, makes preparing your daily catch a breeze. The first-floor bedroom offers flexibility and can be converted into a den, perfect for those who work from home. The three-car tandem garage, with optional French doors, provides easy access to your boating gear. As you ascend to the second floor, you're greeted by breathtaking views from the master suite deck. Both second-floor bedrooms come with walk-in closets, offering ample storage space. The convenience of an upstairs laundry room, complete with an optional sink, minimizes the need for frequent trips up and down the stairs. The Azure model at Delta Coves combines functionality and luxury, creating an idyllic retreat on the water.

These impressive double curved staircases create a grand entrance worthy of this exquisite custom home. Black-painted oak treads and handrail, which match the upstairs hardwood flooring, are paired with crisp white risers, establishing a bold foundation for the design, while a custom wrought-iron balustrade brings Old World craftsmanship to the space. Rounded bullnose starting steps on each staircase provide an elegant invitation to ascend, softening the grand scale with graceful curves. Rising symmetrically on either side of the foyer, these staircases transform the entrance into an architectural statement that sets the tone for the entire residence. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

"About this Home: Upon entering, the grandeur of the home is immediately apparent, with 15' vaulted ceilings gracing the main living areas and a barrer ceiling in the foyer, creating an atmosphere of openness and airiness. The living space, adorned with cedar beams and a gas fireplace, flows effortlessly into the dining area, which opens to a covered back deck overlooking a large private yard—an ideal canvas for creating an outdoor oasis, perhaps with a pool and pool house. The heart of this home is undoubtedly the meticulously designed kitchen. A culinary haven, it boasts Jenn Air appliances, custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, and a striking custom hood. Every detail was considered to provide both functionality and aesthetic pleasure. The site-finished hardwood floors underfoot enhance the overall sense of refinement. The master suite, located on the main level, is a sanctuary of indulgence. The oversized bedroom leads to a spa-like master bathroom featuring a freestanding tub, an oversized shower with dual shower heads, and opulent finishes throughout. Ascending to the second level, you'll find a large en-suite bedroom and two additional bedrooms sharing a Jack & Jill bathroom, ensuring privacy and comfort for all residents. Beyond the impeccable interior, the home is framed by a generous lot size of 0.7 acres, offering the potential to create a private retreat within the city. The vision for this home was not just to provide shelter but to curate a lifestyle—a life filled with refined comfort, entertaining possibilities, and an enduring sense of home. As the builder, we are proud to present a residence where every detail has been thoughtfully considered, resulting in a timeless masterpiece that will be cherished for generations to come. Distinctive Domain is a member of the Certified Luxury Builders Network. Certified Luxury Builders is a network of leading custom home builders and luxury home and condo remodelers who create 5-Star experiences for luxury home and condo owners from New York to Los Angeles and Boston to Naples. As a Certified Luxury Builder, Distinctive Domain is proud to feature photos of select projects from our members around the country to inspire you with design ideas. Please feel free to contact the specific Certified Luxury Builder with any questions or inquiries you may have about their projects. Please visit www.CLBNetwork.com for a directory of CLB members featured on Houzz and their contact information."

From the moment you enter this home, the stairway draws you in. A gentle curved structure ascends through the grand foyer, featuring beautifully finished red oak handrails and treads that complement the home’s hardwood floors. The wrought iron balustrade tells a cohesive design story. Its pattern echoes the forged-iron doors on the main level, then continues upward along the staircase and across the second-floor balconies, creating visual continuity throughout the home's vertical spaces. Crisp lines and shadow play add depth and dimension, conveying the rich sense of old-world luxury the design team envisioned. This is more than a staircase. It's the architectural centerpiece that sets the tone for the entire residence. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

These impressive double curved staircases create a grand entrance worthy of this exquisite custom home. Black-painted oak treads and handrail, which match the upstairs hardwood flooring, are paired with crisp white risers, establishing a bold foundation for the design, while a custom wrought-iron balustrade brings Old World craftsmanship to the space. Rounded bullnose starting steps on each staircase provide an elegant invitation to ascend, softening the grand scale with graceful curves. Rising symmetrically on either side of the foyer, these staircases transform the entrance into an architectural statement that sets the tone for the entire residence. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

As you ascend the steps you begin to discover all that awaits you in this amazing backyard. The view of the city is only the beginning of what this property has to offer.

© Ascendant Imaging
Beach style kitchen photo in Charlotte

Welcome to your urban oasis nestled in the heart of the city! This contemporary 3-level new construction townhome boasts unparalleled sophistication and convenience. Perfectly situated on a tranquil street yet surrounded by the vibrant pulse of the city, this residence offers the best of both worlds with high-end finishes at every turn. Step inside to an open-concept living space where natural light pours in from expansive windows. The kitchen is a chef's dream, featuring a striking waterfall island, stainless steel appliances, and sleek cabinetry. Ascend to the upper levels to find serene bedrooms and bathrooms with marble flooring, and floating vanities. A private balcony off the primary bedroom and game room on the top level overlooks the city skyline. Outside, a spacious outdoor area awaits, offering ample room for entertaining or simply unwinding in the fresh air. With its central location and upscale amenities, this townhome epitomizes modern city living at its finest.

Andreas and Naomi Kunert of Ancient Art of Stone created the stone artwork “Memories Surround Me.” This unique, fully functioning natural stone fireplace created in their studio on Vancouver Island was delivered to the clients’ new home 450 miles away in Spokane, Washington. The completed 22' tall commission was delivered in two pieces on Christmas Eve as an anniversary gift to the client’s wife. The clients requested Kunert to design an artwork which captured the essence of their 50 years together and that filled the required space within the design of the great room while not overwhelming it. They wished the piece to represent their passion for fly fishing, their love of the movement and patterns in the waters, and the stones experienced, both large and small. Kunert envisioned and proposed a scale drawing, suggesting the artwork rise from the “still waters” of polished basalt, with sandstone blocks on either side carved into shorelines, creating the desired secret caverns for their use. This cradles a lifetime of stories and adventures that rise into the all-encompassing Fibonacci sequence of life, a swirl of stones. A hybrid concrete substructure supported the tons of stone being secured to it and then moved. It was then enveloped in sandstone blocks which were carved, adding a granite mantle and glacial erratics, ascending into an astonishingly complex pattern of Sacred Geometry. Giving movement to the stone was intensely challenging, yet imperative in giving the piece a feeling of lightness and spiritual grace. The final challenge was to lift the piece by crane from the low bed onto the foundation within the initial framing of the house, which was set within an exclusive residential neighborhood in sub-zero temperatures. Ancient Art of Stone was intimately involved in every aspect of the project. They designed the artwork, sourced the stone, created the commission in their studio, and delivered and oversaw the final installation into the client’s home.

As you ascend, a soft watercolor-inspired mural wraps the stair wall, creating a sense of movement and calm. The palette shifts gently from earthy greens to deep indigo, anchoring the space while maintaining a sense of airiness.