A key feature in the home’s energy efficiency is the use of the sun. Architect Christopher Briley designed the roof cutouts in the south-facing porch to capture the sun’s rays but angled them to let in the warm winter sun (which is lower in the sky) while blocking the hot, penetrating summer sun (which is higher in the sky). Photo by John W. Hession

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.

Eirik Johnson
Example of a mid-sized trendy home design design in Seattle

Milestone plaster walls create a calming environment for the walk-in shower, which can be turned into a pseudo outdoor shower by opening the large frosted-glass door. Photography: Andrew Pogue Photography.

Photographer: Michael Skott
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Eirik Johnson
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary brown three-story wood exterior home remodel in Seattle with a green roof

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Hen and Chicks 'Carmen', Sempervivum, Photo Credit: Bushnell Gardens Nursery, Granite Bay, CA
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Builder: Vujovich Builders | Photographer: Spacecrafting
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lucas finley
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Photography: Eirik Johnson
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This hot tub is part of a backyard space that offers plenty of sunny and shaded areas with a cabana, a pergola, and plantings. Family and guests will find a thoughtfully located outdoor kitchen with visibility to all the outdoor entertaining. Near the swimming pool, is a built-in spa on the opposite side of the cabana - which contains foldaway glass doors for easy access. The golf enthusiasts will find themselves on the putting green tucked away in the corner of the property. Throughout the spaces, Unilock Brussels block, Cumberland brown, and a larger veneer stone was used to tie together the beiges on the house. Final pops of colors come from the plantings.

American black walnut tongue and groove flooring with various widths of 5", 6", and 7" and lengths from 3'-10'. Floor to ceiling built in cabinets and shiplap walls. Wall color is Sherwin Williams Balanced Beige (SW#7037) with a flat finsih and cabinet color and trim is Sherwin Williams Westhighland White (SW#7566).

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A feature unique to this house, the inset nook functions like an inverted bay window on the interior, with built-in bench seating included, while simultaneously providing built-in seating for the exterior eating area as well. Large sliding windows allow the boundary to dissolve completely here. Photography: Andrew Pogue Photography.

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THS Creative
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Once a sunken living room closed off from the kitchen, we aimed to change the awkward accessibility of the space into an open and easily functional space that is cohesive. To open up the space even further, we designed a blackened steel structure with mirrorpane glass to reflect light and enlarge the room. Within the structure lives a previously existing lava rock wall. We painted this wall in glitter gold and enhanced the gold luster with built-in backlit LEDs. Centered within the steel framing is a TV, which has the ability to be hidden when the mirrorpane doors are closed. The adjacent staircase wall is cladded with a large format white casework grid and seamlessly houses the wine refrigerator. The clean lines create a simplistic ornate design as a fresh backdrop for the repurposed crystal chandelier. Nothing short of bold sophistication, this kitchen overflows with playful elegance — from the gold accents to the glistening crystal chandelier above the island. We took advantage of the large window above the 7’ galley workstation to bring in a great deal of natural light and a beautiful view of the backyard. In a kitchen full of light and symmetrical elements, on the end of the island we incorporated an asymmetrical focal point finished in a dark slate. This four drawer piece is wrapped in safari brasilica wood that purposefully carries the warmth of the floor up and around the end piece to ground the space further. The wow factor of this kitchen is the geometric glossy gold tiles of the hood creating a glamourous accent against a marble backsplash above the cooktop. This kitchen is not only classically striking but also highly functional. The versatile wall, opposite of the galley sink, includes an integrated refrigerator, freezer, steam oven, convection oven, two appliance garages, and tall cabinetry for pantry items. The kitchen’s layout of appliances creates a fluid circular flow in the kitchen. Across from the kitchen stands a slate gray wine hutch incorporated into the wall. The doors and drawers have a gilded diamond mesh in the center panels. This mesh ties in the golden accents around the kitchens décor and allows you to have a peek inside the hutch when the interior lights are on for a soft glow creating a beautiful transition into the living room. Between the warm tones of light flooring and the light whites and blues of the cabinetry, the kitchen is well-balanced with a bright and airy atmosphere. The powder room for this home is gilded with glamor. The rich tones of the walnut wood vanity come forth midst the cool hues of the marble countertops and backdrops. Keeping the walls light, the ornate framed mirror pops within the space. We brought this mirror into the place from another room within the home to balance the window alongside it. The star of this powder room is the repurposed golden swan faucet extending from the marble countertop. We places a facet patterned glass vessel to create a transparent complement adjacent to the gold swan faucet. In front of the window hangs an asymmetrical pendant light with a sculptural glass form that does not compete with the mirror.