House and garden design become a bridge between two different bodies of water: gentle Mecox Bay to the north and wild Atlantic Ocean to the south. An existing house was radically transformed as opposed to being demolished. Substantial effort was undertaken in order to reuse, rethink and modify existing conditions and materials. Much of the material removed was recycled or reused elsewhere. The plans were reworked to create smaller, staggered volumes, which are visually disconnected. Deep overhangs were added to strengthen the indoor/outdoor relationship and new bay to ocean views through the structure result in house as breezeway and bridge. The dunescape between house and shore was restored to a natural state while low maintenance building materials, allowed to weather naturally, will continue to strengthen the relationship of the structure to its surroundings. Photography credit: Kay Wettstein von Westersheimb Francesca Giovanelli Titlisstrasse 35 CH-8032 Zurich Switzerland

Enclosed kitchen - large transitional u-shaped terra-cotta tile enclosed kitchen idea in Dallas with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

The Berry family of Houston, Texas hired us to do swimming pool renovation in their backyard. The pool was badly in need of repair. Its surface, plaster, tile, and coping all needed reworking. The Berry’s had finally decided it was time to do something about this, so they contacted us to inquire about swimming pool restoration. We told them that we could certainly repair the damaged elements. After we took a closer look at the pool, however, we realized that more was required here than a cosmetic solution to wear and tear. Because of some serious design flaws, the aesthetic of the pool worked against surrounding landscape design. The rear portion of the pool was framed by architectural wall, and the water was surrounded by a brick and bluestone patio. The problem lay in the fact that the wall was too tall. It created a sense of separation from the remainder of the yard, and it obscured the view of a beautiful arbor that had been built beneath the trees behind the pool. It also hosted a contemporary-style, sheer-descent waterfall fountain that looked too modern for a traditional lawn and garden design. Restoring this wall to its proper relationship with the landscape would turn out to be one of the key elements to our swimming pool renovations work. We began by lowering the wall the wall so you could see the arbor and trees in the backyard more clearly. We also did away with the sheer-descent waterfall that clashed with surrounding backyard landscape design. We decided that a more traditional fountain would be more appropriate to the setting, and more aesthetically apropos if it complimented the brick and bluestone patio. To create this façade, we had to reconstruct the wall with bluestone columns rising up through the brick. These columns matched the bluestone in the patio, and added a stately form to the otherwise plain brick wall. Each column rose slightly higher than the top of the wall and was capped at the top. Thermal-finish weirs crafted in a flame detail jutted from under the capstones and poured water into the pool below. To draw greater emphasis to the pool itself as a body of water, we continued our swimming pool renovation with an expansion of the brick coping. This drew greater emphasis to the body of water within its form, and helps focus awareness on the tranquility created by the fountain. We also removed the outdated diving board and replaced it with a diving rock. This was safer and more attractive than the board. We also extended the entire pool and patio another 15 feet toward the right. This made the entire area a more relaxed and sweeping expanse of hardscape. While doing so, we expanded the brick coping around the pool from 8 inches to 12 inches. Because the spa had a rather unique shape, we decided to replace the coping here with custom brink interlace style that would fit its irregular design. Now that the swimming pool renovation itself was complete, we sought to extend the new sense of expansiveness into the rest of the yard. To accomplish this, we built a walkway out of bluestone stepping pads that ran across the surface of the water to the arbor on the other side of the fountain wall. This unique pathway created invitation to the world of the trees beyond the water’s edge, and counterbalanced the focal point of the pool area with the arbor as a secondary point of interest. We built a terrace and a dining area here so people could remain here in comfort for as long as they liked without having to run back to the patio or dash inside the kitchen for food and drinks.

The gray-blue matte glass tile mosaic and soft brown linear-striped porcelain tile of the master bathroom's spacious shower are illuminated by a skylight. The curbless shower includes a linear floor drain. The simple, clean geometric forms of the shower fittings include body spray jets and a handheld shower wand. © Jeffrey Totaro

Designer: Paul Dybdahl Photographer: Shanna Wolf Designer’s Note: One of the main project goals was to develop a kitchen space that complimented the homes quality while blending elements of the new kitchen space with the homes eclectic materials. Japanese Ash veneers were chosen for the main body of the kitchen for it's quite linear appeals. Quarter Sawn White Oak, in a natural finish, was chosen for the island to compliment the dark finished Quarter Sawn Oak floor that runs throughout this home. The west end of the island, under the Walnut top, is a metal finished wood. This was to speak to the metal wrapped fireplace on the west end of the space. A massive Walnut Log was sourced to create the 2.5" thick 72" long and 45" wide (at widest end) living edge top for an elevated seating area at the island. This was created from two pieces of solid Walnut, sliced and joined in a book-match configuration. The homeowner loves the new space!! Cabinets: Premier Custom-Built Countertops: Leathered Granite The Granite Shop of Madison Location: Vermont Township, Mt. Horeb, WI

This lovely home sits in one of the most pristine and preserved places in the country - Palmetto Bluff, in Bluffton, SC. The natural beauty and richness of this area create an exceptional place to call home or to visit. The house lies along the river and fits in perfectly with its surroundings. 4,000 square feet - four bedrooms, four and one-half baths All photos taken by Rachael Boling Photography

Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Selections & Furnishings | Charles Cudd De Novo, Architecture | Troy Thies Photography | Shannon Gale, Photo Styling

Dan Murdock
Transitional dining room photo in New York with gray walls

This Hawaiian home takes nature to the interior by highlighting custom items like concrete bathtubs and sinks. The large, pocket doors create the walls to this home--walls that can be added and removed as desired. This Kukio home rests on the sunny side of the Big Island and serves as a perfect example of our style, blending the outdoors with the inside of a home.

Details - Hand polished corners in natural marble Photos by Blackstock Photography
Example of a large classic master gray tile and stone tile marble floor bathroom design in New York with an undermount sink, furniture-like cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, a two-piece toilet and white walls

Solar Luminance – Semi-Custom Daylight Light Fixture Model#: DLF-154 Style: Pendant Finish: Brushed Nickel Shade(s): (1) Large Laura Beige Linen Drum Shade with White Bottom Diffuser *Note: Price does not include Daylight Tube Product and/or Installation Semi-Custom Product Shipment Lead Time: 6-10 Weeks* The Solar Luminance DLF-154, is an Architectural Element Transitional Semi Flush Pendant, designed to assist the home owner, retail location and/or office location, the ability to benefit from Natural Daylight available with Tubular Skylight systems, while also reflecting your custom interior design and décor theme and needs. Natural Daylight provides incredible mental and physical health and wellness benefits that help the human body and mind maintain a sense of time, absorb natural vitamins, and work with the human eye to perceive color and definition in clarity and contrast to increase visual awareness. Our hope is that your friends, colleagues and guests will be “Inspired & Design” in a way that is both elegant and considerate of the impact we have on the earth and its resources. The DLF-154 is a Semi-Custom Fixture. Full Custom Versions and Options are available for price quote. Please feel free to contact a Solar Luminance Design Assistant for Full Custom Options.

This stunning master bath remodel is a place of peace and solitude from the soft muted hues of white, gray and blue to the luxurious deep soaking tub and shower area with a combination of multiple shower heads and body jets. The frameless glass shower enclosure furthers the open feel of the room, and showcases the shower’s glittering mosaic marble and polished nickel fixtures.

Photo: Lisa Petrole
Huge trendy porcelain tile and gray floor entryway photo in San Francisco with a medium wood front door and white walls

Naturalist, hot tub with flagstone, Stone Fire Pit, adirondack chairs make a great outdoor living space. Holly Lepere
Inspiration for a rustic backyard stone patio remodel in Santa Barbara with a fire pit

Tom Bonner Photography
Mid-sized 1950s master brown tile and porcelain tile pebble tile floor bathroom photo in Los Angeles with beige walls

Trendy bathroom photo in San Francisco with a trough sink

The owners requested that their home harmonize with the spirit of the surrounding Colorado mountain setting and enhance their outdoor recreational lifestyle - while reflecting their contemporary architectural tastes. The site was burdened with a myriad of strict design criteria enforced by the neighborhood covenants and architectural review board. Creating a distinct design challenge, the covenants included a narrow interpretation of a “mountain style” home which established predetermined roof pitches, glazing percentages and material palettes - at direct odds with the client‘s vision of a flat-roofed, glass, “contemporary” home. Our solution finds inspiration and opportunities within the site covenant’s strict definitions. It promotes and celebrates the client’s outdoor lifestyle and resolves the definition of a contemporary “mountain style” home by reducing the architecture to its most basic vernacular forms and relying upon local materials. The home utilizes a simple base, middle and top that echoes the surrounding mountains and vegetation. The massing takes its cues from the prevalent lodgepole pine trees that grow at the mountain’s high altitudes. These pine trees have a distinct growth pattern, highlighted by a single vertical trunk and a peaked, densely foliated growth zone above a sparse base. This growth pattern is referenced by placing the wood-clad body of the home at the second story above an open base composed of wood posts and glass. A simple peaked roof rests lightly atop the home - visually floating above a triangular glass transom. The home itself is neatly inserted amongst an existing grove of lodgepole pines and oriented to take advantage of panoramic views of the adjacent meadow and Continental Divide beyond. The main functions of the house are arranged into public and private areas and this division is made apparent on the home’s exterior. Two large roof forms, clad in pre-patinated zinc, are separated by a sheltering central deck - which signals the main entry to the home. At this connection, the roof deck is opened to allow a cluster of aspen trees to grow – further reinforcing nature as an integral part of arrival. Outdoor living spaces are provided on all levels of the house and are positioned to take advantage of sunrise and sunset moments. The distinction between interior and exterior space is blurred via the use of large expanses of glass. The dry stacked stone base and natural cedar cladding both reappear within the home’s interior spaces. This home offers a unique solution to the client’s requests while satisfying the design requirements of the neighborhood covenants. The house provides a variety of indoor and outdoor living spaces that can be utilized in all seasons. Most importantly, the house takes its cues directly from its natural surroundings and local building traditions to become a prototype solution for the “modern mountain house”. Overview Ranch Creek Ranch Winter Park, Colorado Completion Date October, 2007 Services Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture

The epitome of relaxation, this shower offers the answer to day-time stress! With 6 body sprays, fixed and hand-held shower heads, as well as a rain shower head and steam unit, this homeowner can wash away the tensions of the day. Easy to clean, large-scale porcelain tile walls, along with the pebble shower floor and glass mosaic tiles, add to the ambiance of privacy and luxury.

How do you make a split entry not look like a split entry? Several challenges presented themselves when designing the new entry/portico. The homeowners wanted to keep the large transom window above the front door and the need to address “where is” the front entry and of course, curb appeal. With the addition of the new portico, custom built cedar beams and brackets along with new custom made cedar entry and garage doors added warmth and style. Final touches of natural stone, a paver stoop and walkway, along professionally designed landscaping. This home went from ordinary to extraordinary! Architecture was done by KBA Architects in Minneapolis.