In choosing modular cooktop units over a full range, Franklin was able to keep the open galley kitchen streamlined in appearance and gain storage space to boot. The commercial grade components sport strong down draft units beneath the burners to eliminate cooking odors, which is a major consideration when designing an open concept space. One of the highlights of the work area is the gleaming stainless backsplash that Franklin designed. "I simply had a large piece of stainless steel bent into shape and attached with industrial grade adhesive," he explains. "Big look, inexpensive price!" The integrated shelf keeps necessities close at hand for easy access during cooking. Cooktop Units: GE Monogram (commercial) Adrienne DeRosa Photography

Stained Gazebo on Deck
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A cozy space was transformed into an exercise room and enhanced for this purpose as follows: Fluorescent light fixtures recessed into the ceiling provide cool lighting without reducing headroom; windows on three walls balance the natural light and allow for cross ventilation; a mirrored wall widens the appearance of the space and the wood paneled end wall warms the space with the same richness found in the rest of the house.

Ward Jewell, AIA was asked to design a comfortable one-story stone and wood pool house that was "barn-like" in keeping with the owner’s gentleman farmer concept. Thus, Mr. Jewell was inspired to create an elegant New England Stone Farm House designed to provide an exceptional environment for them to live, entertain, cook and swim in the large reflection lap pool. Mr. Jewell envisioned a dramatic vaulted great room with hand selected 200 year old reclaimed wood beams and 10 foot tall pocketing French doors that would connect the house to a pool, deck areas, loggia and lush garden spaces, thus bringing the outdoors in. A large cupola “lantern clerestory” in the main vaulted ceiling casts a natural warm light over the graceful room below. The rustic walk-in stone fireplace provides a central focal point for the inviting living room lounge. Important to the functionality of the pool house are a chef’s working farm kitchen with open cabinetry, free-standing stove and a soapstone topped central island with bar height seating. Grey washed barn doors glide open to reveal a vaulted and beamed quilting room with full bath and a vaulted and beamed library/guest room with full bath that bookend the main space. The private garden expanded and evolved over time. After purchasing two adjacent lots, the owners decided to redesign the garden and unify it by eliminating the tennis court, relocating the pool and building an inspired "barn". The concept behind the garden’s new design came from Thomas Jefferson’s home at Monticello with its wandering paths, orchards, and experimental vegetable garden. As a result this small organic farm, was born. Today the farm produces more than fifty varieties of vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers; many of which are rare and hard to find locally. The farm also grows a wide variety of fruits including plums, pluots, nectarines, apricots, apples, figs, peaches, guavas, avocados (Haas, Fuerte and Reed), olives, pomegranates, persimmons, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and ten different types of citrus. The remaining areas consist of drought-tolerant sweeps of rosemary, lavender, rockrose, and sage all of which attract butterflies and dueling hummingbirds. Photo Credit: Laura Hull Photography. Interior Design: Jeffrey Hitchcock. Landscape Design: Laurie Lewis Design. General Contractor: Martin Perry Premier General Contractors

Tamara Flanagan Photography
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Composition #328 is an arrangement made up of a tv unit, fireplace, bookshelves and cabinets. The structure is finished in matt bianco candido lacquer. Glass doors are also finished in bianco candido lacquer. A bioethanol fireplace is finished in Silver Shine stone. On the opposite wall the Style sideboard has doors shown in coordinating Silver Shine stone with a frame in bianco candido lacquer.

Pool and Deck
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A wood-clad pool house lit at night, with the glowing pool in front. Residential design by Strand Design, Minneapolis.
1960s pool photo in Minneapolis

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The outdoor kitchen, dining area and upper level deck are all in a singular rhythm surrounded by beds of ground cover and perennials woven into the landscape.

Jon Encarnacion
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This compact backyard was transformed into a fun entertainment space complete with shaded kitchen/bar area, fireplace, custom hot tub with sheer decent wall and outdoor tile patio large enough to entertain. Tom Minczeski photographer

The Oregon Dream 2017 built by Stone Bridge Homes NW is a traditional farmhouse accented throughout with urban, industrial features. The home has a traditional attached garage for cars and a secondary detached recreation garage with an indoor basketball court and a fully equipped bar, along with a full bath and a separate space for pool equipment. Garage doors: Clopay Avante Collection black aluminum and frosted glass panels installed by Best Overhead Door LLC.

Beautiful outdoor living structure with kitchen, bar, TV and fireplace. Dal-Rich Construction, Inc. ©
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