2010 NATIONAL NARI REGIONAL AWARD WINNER Project Scope The owners of this 7,000 square foot colonial in Oakton, Virginia, were seeking a multi-level Mediterranean-style indoor/outdoor living space off the back of their home. They turned to Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes for a design solution that would include a stone patio, a second-story deck, a screened-in porch and linking staircases. While the structure was designed primarily for family dining and entertaining, it also had to accommodate periodic social gatherings of one hundred guests or more. To meet these needs, the project would include a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen, several serving counters with permanent refrigeration, and well-delineated socializing and dining zones. The existing home’s setting offered several impressive assets the new outdoor living area was designed to exploit. The sprawling acreage features old stand trees, wooded paths and a private lake. Beautifully landscaped, it unfolds as an idyllic panorama that naturally draws people to the outdoors. Challenges Since the rear elevation was situated on a slope that drops away from the house, the Michael Nash team had to raise the grade two feet within in a 2,000 square foot area extending out from the back of the house. Infrastructure plans also called for a sophisticated drainage system that had to accommodate a whole series of water “runoff” considerations to be integrated into the decking itself. Excavation included constructing retaining walls to bolster the elevated grade—which also had to support a concrete slab, the primary foundation for the entire complex. Solutions The ground level decking consists of a 2,000 square foot flagstone patio level with the home’s lower level doors. There is a decorative water fountain mid-patio—an ornate collectible acquired in Florida. Food preparation is concentrated within a specially designed semi-circular wall that creates an “outdoor kitchen” equipped with a 60” Viking barbecue grill, a prep sink, a warming drawer, refrigerator and appropriate storage. There is a granite surfaced dining counter with seating for eight. Wrought iron railing and approximately 20 decorative columns (some encasing steel vertical supports) are incorporated into the design scheme. Many of the columns house accent lights. The top level—supported by horizontal steel beams– is a 2,500 square foot deck constructed entirely of Trex decking. The open air decking is, again, directly accessible from rooms on the second level of the house including the kitchen, sunroom and family room. The platform’s most prominent feature is a U-shaped “kitchenette” with cedar shake shingle roofing. Like its counterpart one level below, the facility is equipped with grill, refrigerator and stainless steel cabinetry. One portion of the deck has been allocated for a 16’ x 16’ octagonal screened-in porch crowned by a pair of 2’ x 4’ skylights. The porch can be accessed from the home’s conservatory via a set of French doors. With its mosaic tile flooring, stained cedar panel ceiling and honed granite counters, the interior is elegant and calming. Hand-painted stenciling and a wall-mounted water feature provide distinctive detailing. Finally, the design introduced elements to highlight and reinforce an awareness of the lovely bucolic setting. Fountains and water features combined with textured surfaces and mosaic tiling and backsplashes to present a villa-like ambiance well-suited to the Virginia countryside.

Showcase Photographers
Mid-sized arts and crafts galley dark wood floor open concept kitchen photo in Nashville with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Lake Front Country Estate Back Entry Hall, design by Tom Markalunas, built by Resort Custom Homes. Photography by Rachael Boling.
Inspiration for a huge timeless home design remodel in Other

This mountain-top retreat is made with durable, wood-alternative decking materials -- Fiberon composite decking to be exact. Choosing Fiberon is a smart choice because you'll never need to stain or refinish, giving you more time to enjoy the great outdoors.

ocean
Family room - coastal family room idea in Portland Maine

This cozy lake cottage skillfully incorporates a number of features that would normally be restricted to a larger home design. A glance of the exterior reveals a simple story and a half gable running the length of the home, enveloping the majority of the interior spaces. To the rear, a pair of gables with copper roofing flanks a covered dining area that connects to a screened porch. Inside, a linear foyer reveals a generous staircase with cascading landing. Further back, a centrally placed kitchen is connected to all of the other main level entertaining spaces through expansive cased openings. A private study serves as the perfect buffer between the homes master suite and living room. Despite its small footprint, the master suite manages to incorporate several closets, built-ins, and adjacent master bath complete with a soaker tub flanked by separate enclosures for shower and water closet. Upstairs, a generous double vanity bathroom is shared by a bunkroom, exercise space, and private bedroom. The bunkroom is configured to provide sleeping accommodations for up to 4 people. The rear facing exercise has great views of the rear yard through a set of windows that overlook the copper roof of the screened porch below. Builder: DeVries & Onderlinde Builders Interior Designer: Vision Interiors by Visbeen Photographer: Ashley Avila Photography

This hall bath, prior to the remodel, was a 2 part bath with tub and toilet in one, and the vanity in the other part separated by a wall with a door. We turned it into one sinlge space, and with the use of handmade (irregular) subway tile and Carrara marble turned it into a monochromatic yet fresh and elegant hall bath with a soothing Spa-like ambience. A freestanding open-shelf vanity with a shaped mirror is the focal point. Photo: Sabine Klingler Kane, KK Design Koncepts, Laguna Niguel, CA

After photo - full height tile on lav wall, also on toilet wall, opposite.
Example of a small transitional stone tile powder room design in Portland with open cabinets, dark wood cabinets, beige walls and an integrated sink

Entrance to East London house
1960s entryway photo in London

Inspiration for a mid-sized mediterranean backyard tile patio remodel in Los Angeles with a pergola

Front porch of wrap around porch with Ipe hardwood flooring and custom made cedar shutters.
This is an example of a cottage porch design in Charleston.

The best of past and present architectural styles combine in this welcoming, farmhouse-inspired design. Clad in low-maintenance siding, the distinctive exterior has plenty of street appeal, with its columned porch, multiple gables, shutters and interesting roof lines. Other exterior highlights included trusses over the garage doors, horizontal lap siding and brick and stone accents. The interior is equally impressive, with an open floor plan that accommodates today’s family and modern lifestyles. An eight-foot covered porch leads into a large foyer and a powder room. Beyond, the spacious first floor includes more than 2,000 square feet, with one side dominated by public spaces that include a large open living room, centrally located kitchen with a large island that seats six and a u-shaped counter plan, formal dining area that seats eight for holidays and special occasions and a convenient laundry and mud room. The left side of the floor plan contains the serene master suite, with an oversized master bath, large walk-in closet and 16 by 18-foot master bedroom that includes a large picture window that lets in maximum light and is perfect for capturing nearby views. Relax with a cup of morning coffee or an evening cocktail on the nearby covered patio, which can be accessed from both the living room and the master bedroom. Upstairs, an additional 900 square feet includes two 11 by 14-foot upper bedrooms with bath and closet and a an approximately 700 square foot guest suite over the garage that includes a relaxing sitting area, galley kitchen and bath, perfect for guests or in-laws.

Unique custom-made fountain trough with river stones ©ToddHaimanLandscapeDesign2016
Photo of a mid-sized farmhouse full sun backyard stone landscaping in New York.

Outdoor patio with gas fireplace that lives right off the kitchen. Perfect for hosting or being outside privately, as it's secluded from neighbors. Wood floors, cement walls with a cover.

Photo: www.mikikokikuyama.com
Mid-sized trendy loft-style medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom photo in New York with brown walls and no fireplace

Andrew Buchanan of Subtle Light Photography
This is an example of a coastal landscaping in Seattle.

Elliott Johnson
Eclectic exterior home idea in San Luis Obispo

The original foyer of this 1959 home was dark and cave like. The ceiling could not be raised because of AC equipment above, so the designer decided to "visually open" the space by removing a portion of the wall between the kitchen and the foyer. The team designed and installed a "see through" walnut dividing wall to allow light to spill into the space. A peek into the kitchen through the geometric triangles on the walnut wall provides a "wow" factor for the foyer.

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional white tile and stone tile marble floor bathroom remodel in Nashville with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble countertops, a two-piece toilet and gray walls