Completed in late 2019, this new residence features and elegant and understated landscape design to fit well with the transitional and modern aspects of the house. Major design elements and aspects included are simplified plantings, stone walkways, custom lanterns, brick privacy wall, swimming pool garden, outdoor seating, play area, synthetic lawn, privacy screening, decorative planters, sport court, decorative driveway and porte cochere. The residence creates a balance between clean design lines and a functional family residence with plenty of play room for the kids and dogs.

photography: Julie Soefer
Kitchen photo in Houston

Completed in late 2019, this new residence features and elegant and understated landscape design to fit well with the transitional and modern aspects of the house. Major design elements and aspects included are simplified plantings, stone walkways, custom lanterns, brick privacy wall, swimming pool garden, outdoor seating, play area, synthetic lawn, privacy screening, decorative planters, sport court, decorative driveway and porte cochere. The residence creates a balance between clean design lines and a functional family residence with plenty of play room for the kids and dogs.

Completed in late 2019, this new residence features and elegant and understated landscape design to fit well with the transitional and modern aspects of the house. Major design elements and aspects included are simplified plantings, stone walkways, custom lanterns, brick privacy wall, swimming pool garden, outdoor seating, play area, synthetic lawn, privacy screening, decorative planters, sport court, decorative driveway and porte cochere. The residence creates a balance between clean design lines and a functional family residence with plenty of play room for the kids and dogs.

Completed in late 2019, this new residence features and elegant and understated landscape design to fit well with the transitional and modern aspects of the house. Major design elements and aspects included are simplified plantings, stone walkways, custom lanterns, brick privacy wall, swimming pool garden, outdoor seating, play area, synthetic lawn, privacy screening, decorative planters, sport court, decorative driveway and porte cochere. The residence creates a balance between clean design lines and a functional family residence with plenty of play room for the kids and dogs.

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.

Completed in late 2019, this new residence features and elegant and understated landscape design to fit well with the transitional and modern aspects of the house. Major design elements and aspects included are simplified plantings, stone walkways, custom lanterns, brick privacy wall, swimming pool garden, outdoor seating, play area, synthetic lawn, privacy screening, decorative planters, sport court, decorative driveway and porte cochere. The residence creates a balance between clean design lines and a functional family residence with plenty of play room for the kids and dogs.

Completed in late 2019, this new residence features and elegant and understated landscape design to fit well with the transitional and modern aspects of the house. Major design elements and aspects included are simplified plantings, stone walkways, custom lanterns, brick privacy wall, swimming pool garden, outdoor seating, play area, synthetic lawn, privacy screening, decorative planters, sport court, decorative driveway and porte cochere. The residence creates a balance between clean design lines and a functional family residence with plenty of play room for the kids and dogs.

Soft night lighting highlights all the beautiful aspects of this 18 x 45 rectilinear swimming pool and cedar-clad pool house. Inside the pool house, beyond the outdoor shower and outdoor kitchen, a sauna beckons.

Completed in late 2019, this new residence features and elegant and understated landscape design to fit well with the transitional and modern aspects of the house. Major design elements and aspects included are simplified plantings, stone walkways, custom lanterns, brick privacy wall, swimming pool garden, outdoor seating, play area, synthetic lawn, privacy screening, decorative planters, sport court, decorative driveway and porte cochere. The residence creates a balance between clean design lines and a functional family residence with plenty of play room for the kids and dogs.

Completed in late 2019, this new residence features and elegant and understated landscape design to fit well with the transitional and modern aspects of the house. Major design elements and aspects included are simplified plantings, stone walkways, custom lanterns, brick privacy wall, swimming pool garden, outdoor seating, play area, synthetic lawn, privacy screening, decorative planters, sport court, decorative driveway and porte cochere. The residence creates a balance between clean design lines and a functional family residence with plenty of play room for the kids and dogs.

Photo: Sarah Greenman © 2015 Houzz
Nursery - traditional nursery idea in Dallas

Completed in late 2019, this new residence features and elegant and understated landscape design to fit well with the transitional and modern aspects of the house. Major design elements and aspects included are simplified plantings, stone walkways, custom lanterns, brick privacy wall, swimming pool garden, outdoor seating, play area, synthetic lawn, privacy screening, decorative planters, sport court, decorative driveway and porte cochere. The residence creates a balance between clean design lines and a functional family residence with plenty of play room for the kids and dogs.

Completed in late 2019, this new residence features and elegant and understated landscape design to fit well with the transitional and modern aspects of the house. Major design elements and aspects included are simplified plantings, stone walkways, custom lanterns, brick privacy wall, swimming pool garden, outdoor seating, play area, synthetic lawn, privacy screening, decorative planters, sport court, decorative driveway and porte cochere. The residence creates a balance between clean design lines and a functional family residence with plenty of play room for the kids and dogs.

This 1960’s home underwent a striking transformation--remodeling the kitchen, hall bathroom and laundry room. These homeowners dreamed of an open floor plan that would unite the kitchen and adjacent living areas. To accomplish this, we removed an imposing chimney that separated the kitchen from the living room. Additionally, we eliminated a weight-bearing wall that was between the kitchen and dining room. What a change! The spaces that formerly felt dark and confined are now bright and connected, comfortably accommodating larger gatherings. When considering the specifics of design, we wanted to stay true to the home’s mid-century roots, while updating it with today’s style elements. Embracing the mid-century aspects, we played off some of the existing features of the home by mirroring them in the spaces we redesigned. To introduce today’s style, we thoughtfully incorporated the finishes and touches that would aptly reflect that component. The resulting design is beautifully juxtaposed by the homeowners’ treasured antique furniture pieces. In the kitchen, we enhanced the open and airy feel by choosing a light greige color for the inset cabinetry paired with a tonal light-colored, blue-veined quartz for the countertops. These tones are perfectly complemented by the gold finishes of the cabinet hardware, faucets, and mid-century modern pendants. To maximize the storage potential of this kitchen, we customized the cabinetry with a convenient utensil organizer and a blind corner “cloud” pullout. A full height zellige-style tile backsplash with custom floating shelves makes for an impressive statement wall. With family get togethers in mind, we added an additional bar/prep sink and a spacious breakfast nook with a good deal of bench storage. A vertically-slatted wood half-wall separates the kitchen and breakfast nook, replicating the original mid-century wall detail at the entry. Between the living room and kitchen, we designed a semi-open bar-height peninsula, accenting the bar front with a vertical shiplap kickplate in a bold blue. Carrying this color statement through the kitchen, the homeowner selected a “Navy Steel” Samsung Bespoke refrigerator and an AGA Mercury range, in “Blueberry.” These colors are also echoed in the multi-tonal quartz. In the hall bathroom, we were aiming for the bright ambiance we’d achieved in the living areas. The penny round tile flooring and full height zellige-look tile combine for a classy, elevated look. In keeping with the kitchen, we installed similar gold fixtures and inset cabinetry and the same beautiful quartz countertop. The vanity towers provide these happy homeowners with additional room to store all their necessities. Through the design process, we were able to gain square footage in the laundry room which allowed for the extra cabinet space the homeowners were looking for. Of course, a remodel is never complete without conveniences for the pets. The kitty’s litter box is neatly tucked in the cabinet behind a custom cat-cutout--a cute and tidy idea! Kitchen Selections: Cabinet color-Farrow & Ball Ammonite No. 274; Countertops-Silestone Pietra; Cabinet hardware-Top Knobs Barrington collection in Honey Bronze; Pendants-Rejuvenation Palo Alto; Faucets- Delta Trinsic in Champagne Bronze; Tile-Tilebar Portmore 4x4 in White; Island bar shiplap color-Farrow and Ball Wine Dark No. 308 Bathroom Selections: Floor tile-Cepac Classic Rounds in Cloud; Tile-Tilebar Portmore 4x4 in White; Cabinet color-Farrow & Ball Purbeck Stone No. 275; Countertop-Silestone Pietra; Faucet-Delta Trinsic in Champagne Bronze

Completed in late 2019, this new residence features and elegant and understated landscape design to fit well with the transitional and modern aspects of the house. Major design elements and aspects included are simplified plantings, stone walkways, custom lanterns, brick privacy wall, swimming pool garden, outdoor seating, play area, synthetic lawn, privacy screening, decorative planters, sport court, decorative driveway and porte cochere. The residence creates a balance between clean design lines and a functional family residence with plenty of play room for the kids and dogs.

Haris Kenjar
Example of a beach style open concept medium tone wood floor living room design in Seattle with white walls, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace

This customer bought a Decorist Makeover because she wanted to take her "bland" bedroom with a "dated" sleigh bed in a new direction stylistically, but just didn't know where to start. She had her eye on the West Elm Morocco Headboard, and liked the idea of a playful paint color for the walls, but that was it. Whimsical, light and airy were the design objectives she shared with her Decorist designer Simone, who recommended Pratt and Lambert Cabbage White - a white with a hint of mint - for the walls. This, coupled with the linen drapes, creates an incredible feeling of height and openness in the room. Simone also recommended a playful palette of blue, pink and orange, mixing colors and patterns in a fresh way. The customer's favorite aspect of the room is the reflection of the modern, mesh pendant in the gilded sunburst mirror - "there's just something so unexpected about the combination." Can you believe the transformation? Photo Credit: John Hodges Photography