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CHRISTOPHER STROM ARCHITECTSModern Tudor on the Prairie
Our clients fell in love with the wide-open spaces of the White Oaks Savanna development. They dreamed of a home that celebrated the beauty of Minnesota’s ever-changing landscape and blurred the line between indoor and outdoor. They wanted a home with a traditional exterior, impressive entry, and modern interiors.
The large site provides spectacular views of the restored prairie landscape. All four sides of this home are refined and architecturally resolved since each elevation is highly visible in the open prairie setting. Properly locating the home on the site was critical to maintaining the stunning prairie views. The home is nestled behind a hill instead of sitting on top of it, so it is blocked from the neighbors and respects their views.
Natural materials adorn the exterior, including cedar, stone, stucco, and copper, that act as “jewelry” for the home. The cedar and copper will patina with time, adding richness and texture to the home.
Front Door:
The custom front door is 4 feet wide by 8 feet tall. It is paired with a matching fixed panel, so the door appears to be 8 feet wide from the outside, and is painted a cheery bright blue to greet visitors. The intentional placement of color adds vibrancy throughout the home in contrast to the quiet exterior colors. The bold pops of color requested by the client continue on the interior of the home, including a turquoise dining room, magenta closet doors, and a deep blue basement.
Lantern Staircase:
A triple-height stair floating in front of 18-foot-high windows welcomes visitors. At night, a hidden, remote controlled retractable shade scrim (lightweight shade) limits light pollution to follow the Dark Skies Initiative.
Great Room:
Cased openings of white oak create transition spaces and frame views to and from the grand, two-story great room. The entry and dining room have cozy 8-foot ceilings and are perched 12” up from the great room for views over the living room furniture. To avoid dining chairs sliding over the steps, a custom built-in credenza sits on the steps behind the dining table.
Folding Outswing Door:
The 20’ wide by 9.5’ tall folding outswing door blurs the line between outside and inside. A hidden bi-parting retractable bug screen allows the large door to remain open throughout the day to bring in fresh air.
Catwalk:
A catwalk, or raised walkway, on the upper floor overlooks the great room and leads to the guest suites. A long bench with built-in linen storage is tucked into a niche with clerestory windows, providing a cozy spot for guests to relax. Guest laundry is tucked into the backside of the fireplace chimney.
Owner's Suite:
From the start, the owners wanted their bedroom perched on the second level to maximize views of the prairie beyond. Located in its own wing of the home, the owners’ suite offers privacy. Magenta closet doors guide the owners into the bedroom and adjacent bathroom.
Lifestyle:
The home incorporates numerous lifestyle features that are as much a part of the house as the main spaces. A sauna is located on the main level, allowing for easy access after a dip in the pool and a wine cellar is tucked neatly under the staircase for convenient and beautiful display.
Lundin Architects LLCSet on a narrow lakefront parcel defined by tight setbacks and limited hardscape allowance, this modern cabin demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform restriction into possibility. Carefully composed to preserve privacy while opening fully toward the water, the home feels both expansive and intimate—an elevated retreat grounded in its landscape.
Though modest in footprint, the residence lives generously. Four bedrooms are tucked efficiently within the plan, including a light-filled quilting studio that reflects the homeowners’ creative life. Each bedroom opens onto its own private balcony, offering moments of pause and perspective with views stretching across lake and countryside.
The upper level also includes a family room, providing a quiet gathering space removed from the activity below. From here, the home’s vertical volume becomes apparent, as daylight pours down through a dramatic two-story space framed by glass facing the lake.
At the center of the home, a custom steel-and-wood plank stair acts as both circulation and sculpture. Rising through the double-height volume, it leads the eye upward to a tall Nelson cigar lamp suspended above—an intentional moment of drama and delight.
The main floor is designed around connection and flow. Kitchen, dining, and living areas exist as one continuous space, unified by light, views, and material warmth. A 12-foot-long island anchors the kitchen, serving as the natural gathering place for morning coffee, family meals, and summertime buffet-style entertaining. When fully opened, large folding accordion glass doors dissolve the boundary between inside and out, allowing the screened porch to become a true extension of the living space.
Function is carefully layered throughout the plan. A mudroom entry from the tucked-under two-car garage includes a powder room and utility closet, while a generous entry closet provides essential storage and has been dimensioned to accommodate a future elevator.
Designed intentionally for aging in place, the home incorporates zero-threshold access from the garage, wide halls and doorways, reinforced wall blocking for future grab bars, and infrastructure for a future elevator—ensuring long-term comfort without compromising design.
Clad in dark painted board-and-batten siding, the exterior minimizes visual scale and allows the home to recede quietly into the landscape. Recessed balconies and façade elements are wrapped in warm wood-look siding, adding depth and contrast while bringing warmth into the interior. At night, light spills softly from within, and the cabin glows along the shoreline—welcoming, calm, and enduring.
Building Designers Association of AustraliaThe gently sloping block allowed for a single level easy access home. Living spaces are on the north side, enjoying abundant sunlight from morning until early afternoon and a strong visual connection to the garden. The main bedroom enjoys a segregated, northerly aspect, its articulated form protruding past the living spaces provides additional shading in summer. Additional bedrooms, sitting room and utility spaces are at the rear. External rendered ‘Exsulite’ foam walls, tinted double glazing and high specification insulation means a 7.5 star energy rating. The front of the house creates interest through form and texture, driven by the decision to eliminate windows to the west. The final result, with one small window, uses metal cladding to gently wrap the curved wall leading visitors to the brightly coloured front door. The simple façade is completed by an integrated garage door, effectively hidden in a finely detailed wall of Weathertex cladding.
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Jessica Koltun HomeClassic, timeless, and ideally positioned on a picturesque street in the 4100 block, discover this dream home by Jessica Koltun Home. The blend of traditional architecture and contemporary finishes evokes warmth while understated elegance remains constant throughout this Midway Hollow masterpiece. Countless custom features and finishes include museum-quality walls, white oak beams, reeded cabinetry, stately millwork, and white oak wood floors with custom herringbone patterns. First-floor amenities include a barrel vault, a dedicated study, a formal and casual dining room, and a private primary suite adorned in Carrara marble that has direct access to the laundry room. The second features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and an oversized game room that could also be used as a sixth bedroom. This is your opportunity to own a designer dream home.
Tony SmithMove in Ready 2020 New construction townhome for sale in the Grand Central District of St. Petersburg and just One block to Central Avenue. Part of a townhome collection uniquely centered in St. Petersburg this tri-level modern townhome features 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and a 210 sq. ft. rooftop observation deck. The home has a 3 car garage and was designed for a home charging station to accommodate electric vehicles. The main floor of the townhome includes open space living with 9 ft' ceilings and a 2nd level 400 sq. ft. deck. The indoor and summer kitchens are natural gas equipped including the dryer on the 3rd level. The designer kitchen is an open concept with Woodland Cabinetry and lighting fixtures. The kitchen has Top of the Line Samsung appliances and installed beverage wine cooler combo. From the 3rd level rooftop observation deck you will enjoy amazing sunrises and skyline views the city of St Petersburg. The townhome has a public alley access to the oversized 3-car garage and offers energy efficient kitchen appliances and is pre-wired for Smart Home technologies. Home Buyers will enjoy knowing the home was built with Hurricane Impact Windows and Garage Door. This townhome is single-family zoning with a variance from the City of St. Petersburg, so you can enjoy the benefits of owning a home with no HOA or dues.
Manotick Kitchen and BathWe started with a traditional, builder grade bathroom and re-imagined the space to become a beautiful steam shower retreat. The original layout had a the acrylic tub at the bathroom entrance on the left with the vanity and toilet toward the window. We replace the casement window with a glass block and removed a closet and expanded the area for the new shower. The shower base is recessed to achieve a barrier free entrance. This spa has a steam unit as well as dual rain heads controlled independently. There is a floating tiled bench with four body jets on separate controls.
The custom wall mounted vanity is perfectly integrated with a Vanico over counter sink. Two wall mounted fixtures provide a sleek look with the practical functionality of a dual sink configuration. A matching tall linen maximises storage. There is also a heated wall mounted towel warmer on a digital timer thermostat.
We added a pocket door to the adjacent bedroom to provide convenient private access for guests.
Kuhn Riddle ArchitectsDesign focused on nestling into the hillside, views of the valley, distinct private and public spaces while always considering full accessibility for aging in place.
Energy-efficient design features include geothermal heating and cooling, radiant floors and a super-insulated envelope.
Photo Credits: David Stansbury
Sponsored
Plain City, OH
Kuhns Contracting, Inc.
Central Ohio's Trusted Home Remodeler Specializing in Kitchens & Baths
Woodmaster KitchensThis contemporary kitchen design is a dream come true, full of stylish, practical, and one-of-a-kind features. The large kitchen is part of a great room that includes a living area with built in display shelves for artwork. The kitchen features two separate islands, one for entertaining and one for casual dining and food preparation. A 5' Galley Workstation, pop up knife block, and specialized storage accessories complete one island, along with the fabric wrapped banquette and personalized stainless steel corner wrap designed by Woodmaster Kitchens. The second island includes seating and an undercounter refrigerator allowing guests easy access to beverages. Every detail of this kitchen including the waterfall countertop ends, lighting design, tile features, and hardware work together to create a kitchen design that is a masterpiece at the center of this home.
Isaman design, Inc.Located on a prime corner lot in Shell beach is this quaint but contemporary beach house. Designed to be either a vacation retreat or full time residence, the floor plan provides 2 downstairs bedrooms perfect for kids or guests and a large upstairs master suite complete private deck. The great room space occupies the most desirable second floor location, with Ocean views out to the south. A mitered corner pocketing sliding door gives way to a spacious corner deck that wraps around the south and west sides of the house. From this main level deck there is access to the roof deck, which provides even better ocean views. The large roof deck contains a living area, bar area and dining area with built in kitchen amenities, which serves as a hub for outdoor living. The exterior of the house embodies the classic contemporary style, incorporating clear cedar eaves, standing seam metal roofing, smooth finish stucco and a CMU block spine wall which beckons visitors into the lower level entry off of Ocean Ave.
FiveSTAR LandscapeFor this landscape design project in Garden Oaks, we designed and installed a new dry-laid brick patio with an Austin chopped block border. Enhancing accessibility, we've added new steps and a custom wrought iron decorative railing. Surrounding the patio, fragrant herbs thrive alongside a native multi-trunk Yaupon tree and trimmed boxwood hedges. This thoughtfully designed outdoor space blends elegance and practicality.
H2D Architecture + DesignThe staggered ladder allows for safer access to the loft space, while providing visual interest. The barn door with glazing at the top helps light pass through the spaces.
Greenbrook Design CenterThe newly remodeled kitchen creates a better workflow for a family of five. Now updated this kitchen is brighter with the focus on function. To eliminate clutter and create a workstation, the new design expanded the pantry from a single door to a double door walk-in pantry, a command center for schedules and communication, as well as plenty of storage for canned goods and groceries. Now everything can be tucked away behind closed doors, but is still easily accessible and well organized.
Greentree Outdoor LivingThis sleek and contemporary landscape really completes the look of this modern home. Straight lines and modern grasses are used throughout this landscape, with linear concrete blocks leading to-and-from features and entrances. These white, polished concrete rectangles really stand out between the lush green grass and the black lava rocks, and makes for a wonderful stroll to the main feature of the backyard: the custom firepit and seating area. This propane-powered firepit gives off fantastic heat to anyone relaxing on the wooden seats, and the tall Karl Foerster grasses surrounding provides an intimate and secretive experience. As well, a custom wooden hot tub deck provides privacy, shade, and easy access to the waters. The main planting outside of the sunroom provides a view from the inside, while still providing privacy to the sunbathers on the outside.
In the front, the layered look of grasses provide a ascending experience for visitors and homeowners alike.
It was a pleasure doing the landscape for this homeowner!
Designed by Zac Marks
Sponsored
Sunbury, OH
J.Holderby - Renovations
Franklin County's Leading General Contractors - 2X Best of Houzz!
Crystal Kitchen + BathThe Plymouth clients faced a dilemma with a non-functioning dishwasher, ovens, and cooktop, an awkward layout, and dated arches straight from the ’80s. Despite the challenges, their love for the school district, neighborhood, and home prevailed.
We undertook a transformative journey, turning their first floor into an entertainer’s haven with a stunning kitchen, a chic dining room, an enchanting powder bath, and a practical mudroom.
Breaking down barriers, we removed the wall between the kitchen and living room, widening entrances to the dining room. Faux beams and a window in the family room were eliminated, and the old Chicago fireplace brick received a sleek black makeover crowned with a live edge mantel. A pop of terracotta paint and floating shelves in the new record player niche set the stage for nostalgic LPs.
Considering the family’s love for baking and grilling, we prioritized ample storage. Pull-out spice racks, a charging drawer, built-in knife block, trash & recycle pull-out, built-in tray dividers, corner storage, large drawers, and roll-out shelves now keep everything organized and easily accessible.
Embracing a Scandifornian design style, favored by the clients, infused the space with color and natural materials. A woven grass light fixture in the dining room, light wood-look luxury vinyl floors, and a vibrant green herringbone tile backsplash all contributed to the refreshing aesthetic. Throughout the home, terracotta and green hues with accents of black added depth and interest, while the redesigned layout now bathes the entire space in natural light.
In addressing practical needs, we removed an exterior door from the mudroom to create a closet and a built-in bench with hooks. The main entry and powder bath now share playful floral wallpaper, complemented by a walnut vanity and gold fixtures in the powder room, offering a sophisticated touch amidst vibrant botanicals.
RemodelWestThis professional chef requires a menagerie of appliances. In this kitchen we have 6 ovens and our challenge was how to make it all fit in the new space. With lots of research on requirements of installation with regards to height above floor, heat, weight and electrical/gas outlets, we stacked them up, keeping access a priority.
Photo Credit: Ali Atri Photography
Hudson Place RealtyRare to market! Picture perfect 2 bedroom, 2 bath with garage parking and balcony at the Gate, an award winning steel and concrete, elevator building on sought after corner of uptown Bloomfield Street. Timeless galley kitchen with classic white cabinetry, granite counters, stainless steel appliances and wine refrigeration. Separate dining room features unique gray exposed brick pass through to kitchen and access to private balcony. Master suite features large walk-in closet with tailored built-ins, freshly refinished hardwood floors, in home washer/dryer and central heat and air. Across from NYC bus, gym and uptown Farmer’s Market. Just blocks from ferry, shopping, dining and nightlife.
Aardvark ArchitectureEilien and Kim's property relatively small property is located at the end of a long oak-tree-lined driveway. Once past the huge 55" oak tree, the property reveals a grove of 40" redwoods, as well as two gargantuan 65" redwoods smack dab in the middle of the buildable area. Eilien and Kim desired a home that celebrates these beautiful mature trees and that blended the indoor-outdoor barrier.
The home that Aardvark Architecture designed for their family takes the shape of a pseudo-courtyard home built right up to the critical root zones of the gargantuan redwoods in the middle of the lot. Full-height sliding glass doors are centered on these huge trees and open directly onto a large deck built tight to these unique feature trees.
A rich material palette of redwood siding and brick veneer blends in harmoniously with the serenely wooded site. Large banks of skylights allow for views of the huge oak tree canopy that would otherwise have been blocked off by other spaces.
The second floor is accessed by a light-filled staircase that wraps around a redwood-clad elevator shaft. When coming down the stairs, the full-height windows direct the eye towards a grove of 40" redwood trees.
The second floor hosts a luxurious master suite, as well as a second bedroom and a home gym. These spaces are raised up into the canopy of the mature redwood and oak trees, and incorporate full-height windows so the residents can take full advantage of these beautiful specimens.
Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Hope Restoration & General Contracting
Columbus Design-Build, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Historic Renovations
Aardvark ArchitectureEilien and Kim's property relatively small property is located at the end of a long oak-tree-lined driveway. Once past the huge 55" oak tree, the property reveals a grove of 40" redwoods, as well as two gargantuan 65" redwoods smack dab in the middle of the buildable area. Eilien and Kim desired a home that celebrates these beautiful mature trees and that blended the indoor-outdoor barrier.
The home that Aardvark Architecture designed for their family takes the shape of a pseudo-courtyard home built right up to the critical root zones of the gargantuan redwoods in the middle of the lot. Full-height sliding glass doors are centered on these huge trees and open directly onto a large deck built tight to these unique feature trees.
A rich material palette of redwood siding and brick veneer blends in harmoniously with the serenely wooded site. Large banks of skylights allow for views of the huge oak tree canopy that would otherwise have been blocked off by other spaces.
The second floor is accessed by a light-filled staircase that wraps around a redwood-clad elevator shaft. When coming down the stairs, the full-height windows direct the eye towards a grove of 40" redwood trees.
The second floor hosts a luxurious master suite, as well as a second bedroom and a home gym. These spaces are raised up into the canopy of the mature redwood and oak trees, and incorporate full-height windows so the residents can take full advantage of these beautiful specimens.
London Bay HomesThe three-bedroom, three-bath Anguilla is just blocks from shopping and dining at the picturesque Village of Venetian Bay and the Gulf of Mexico beaches at Clam Pass Park.
With 3,584 square feet of air-conditioned living space, this luxury single-family home offers wood flooring throughout the study, separate dining room, and kitchen with café.
The café, great room and study open up into the outdoor living area and covered lanai via 10-foot sliding glass doors. Outdoors, you’ll enjoy unique luxury features that include an outdoor linear fire pit and seating, raised wood deck at the pool, a water feature at the pool focal point and a garden wall.
The master suite occupies an entire wing and boasts an expansive bedroom and bathroom, and his-and-her walk-in closets.
An additional two-car garage located on the other wing of the home is accessible through an in-and-out driveway for added convenience, and camera surveillance and security provide peace of mind.
Image ©Advanced Photography Specialists
Ryann Reed Design BuildOur customers came to us with a desire to open up their kitchen into the dining and living rooms. They wanted an open concept to make their home more comfortable and easy to get around in when their grandchildren came over to visit. We were able to take down two walls and leave a post where the island is currently located. We were also able to continue and match the hardwood floors in the kitchen. The ginger stained cabinets and the under cabinet lighting add a warmth to the kitchen. The staggered wall cabinets with the large crown mounding added an interesting touch. And lastly the washing machine was moved from the basement into the kitchen for easier access to our customers who have a hard time walking up and down the staircase. The customers love their new kitchen and enjoy spending time with their family.
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