Modern new construction house at the top of the Hollywood Hills. Designed and built by INTESION design.
Example of a mid-sized open concept light wood floor and yellow floor living room design in Los Angeles with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Located in the agricultural outskirts of Grand Junction, this project was designed as a forever home for our client to enjoy the views and live in the heart of her daughter’s ranch. This is the second home on the property, and being sensitive to the existing structures was key to the success of the project. Our client values privacy and maintaining the wide open nature of living within the farm lands that built the Grand Valley. We were able to be mindful of the existing home, as well as the distant neighbors, to create a mountain modern farmhouse, rooted in Grand Junction’s agricultural landscape. Design Concept One of the most prominent items on our client’s wish list was an abundance of natural light and a connection to the outdoor spaces. Without any natural features to provide shade to the home, we designed awning features, deep eaves and spacious porches to shield the large expanses of glass from the intense western Colorado sun. We designed well shaded clerestory windows to allow natural light to reach deep into the interior spaces and installed energy efficient, Low-E Weathershield windows to provide year round interior comfort. Our client also valued an open floor plan and durability of materials to make the home as maintenance free as possible. We installed tile flooring throughout for ease of cleaning, installed standing seam metal on the roof for longevity, and fiber cement board siding for durability. It is a harsh landscape in the Western Colorado sun, and we wanted our client’s home to withstand the tests of the desert. Aging in Place Because this was designed as a forever home, we used a number of unique design techniques to ensure the home was safe and suitable for aging in place. The most important technique we utilized was designing a “dropped” floor system allowing our floor to be level with the exterior patios. As in all of our homes, we utilized an energy efficient Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) stem wall foundation. This system also allowed us to easily drop our floor joists into it, eliminating any steps, big or small, going into the house. The seamless transitions not only provide safe maneuvering throughout the home, but also a contemporary flair on the farmhouse aesthetic. The positioning of the house relative to the existing home, large expanses of wood plank stamped concrete patios and 3+ foot wide doors throughout are only a few of the other approaches we took to make sure our client was safe and comfortable as they age in this home.

Modern new construction house at the top of the Hollywood Hills. Designed and built by INTESION design.
Home design - mid-sized modern home design idea in Los Angeles

Photography by Ryan Davis | CG&S Design-Build
Example of a mid-sized classic medium tone wood floor vestibule design in Austin with blue walls

Project Overview: This intensively-designed small project by MQ Architecture expanded on a functional outbuilding to make something beautiful, matching the fantastic wooded location directly across the Hudson River from West Point. From MQ Architecture: “This project entitled a surgical demolition of an existing shed and the erection of a small ancillary building. The old structure housed the electrical and communications utilities of a large compound, and the new project had to preserve the location and function of all this equipment, therefore some walls and floor levels are set from the beginning. The program required two different type of users, therefore we decided to split the building in two, allowing for a separate circulation for each group. The upper piece houses the electrical room and the team quarters, while the lower portion holds two individual restrooms for visitors. The project sits in the middle of the forest therefore we chose charred wood to make it blend with the surrounding nature. On the other hand, the polycarbonate façade brings natural light and privacy to the interior. All floors are made of polished concrete for easy maintenance and a radiant slab keeps an optimal temperature during extreme winters.” Product: Gendai 1×6 select grade shiplap Prefinish: Black Application: Residential – Exterior SF: 1100SF Designer: Miguel Quismondo (MQ Architecture) Builder: Miguel Quismondo Date: August 2018 Location: Garrison, NY

Located in the agricultural outskirts of Grand Junction, this project was designed as a forever home for our client to enjoy the views and live in the heart of her daughter’s ranch. This is the second home on the property, and being sensitive to the existing structures was key to the success of the project. Our client values privacy and maintaining the wide open nature of living within the farm lands that built the Grand Valley. We were able to be mindful of the existing home, as well as the distant neighbors, to create a mountain modern farmhouse, rooted in Grand Junction’s agricultural landscape. Design Concept One of the most prominent items on our client’s wish list was an abundance of natural light and a connection to the outdoor spaces. Without any natural features to provide shade to the home, we designed awning features, deep eaves and spacious porches to shield the large expanses of glass from the intense western Colorado sun. We designed well shaded clerestory windows to allow natural light to reach deep into the interior spaces and installed energy efficient, Low-E Weathershield windows to provide year round interior comfort. Our client also valued an open floor plan and durability of materials to make the home as maintenance free as possible. We installed tile flooring throughout for ease of cleaning, installed standing seam metal on the roof for longevity, and fiber cement board siding for durability. It is a harsh landscape in the Western Colorado sun, and we wanted our client’s home to withstand the tests of the desert. Aging in Place Because this was designed as a forever home, we used a number of unique design techniques to ensure the home was safe and suitable for aging in place. The most important technique we utilized was designing a “dropped” floor system allowing our floor to be level with the exterior patios. As in all of our homes, we utilized an energy efficient Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) stem wall foundation. This system also allowed us to easily drop our floor joists into it, eliminating any steps, big or small, going into the house. The seamless transitions not only provide safe maneuvering throughout the home, but also a contemporary flair on the farmhouse aesthetic. The positioning of the house relative to the existing home, large expanses of wood plank stamped concrete patios and 3+ foot wide doors throughout are only a few of the other approaches we took to make sure our client was safe and comfortable as they age in this home.

Before we came in, the foyer had no wow factor and didn’t say much about the home. So to fix that, we started by adding a hefty white oak pivot door with large sidelights to let in lots of light. This custom door is a deep, dark chocolate brown stain that complements the custom distressed and stained oak hardwood flooring we installed. In sum, the whole front door unit, including the glass sidelights, is 10 feet long! Typically, I prefer to install the same flooring throughout a house for continuity. But here, our clients wanted to pack a punch with a statement tile. Plus, being on a lake, they have lots of messy foot traffic passing through, so they wanted a more durable material. They chose to splurge on this tile, a thassos marble with stainless steel grout inlays, but I think it was worth it. As per the Scandi style, the husband really pushed for a floating staircase, so we designed a 3-floor floating tread staircase connecting the main floor, upstairs, and basement. Truthfully, this was an intense, dangerous install, but we got it done for our clients!

Located in the agricultural outskirts of Grand Junction, this project was designed as a forever home for our client to enjoy the views and live in the heart of her daughter’s ranch. This is the second home on the property, and being sensitive to the existing structures was key to the success of the project. Our client values privacy and maintaining the wide open nature of living within the farm lands that built the Grand Valley. We were able to be mindful of the existing home, as well as the distant neighbors, to create a mountain modern farmhouse, rooted in Grand Junction’s agricultural landscape. Design Concept One of the most prominent items on our client’s wish list was an abundance of natural light and a connection to the outdoor spaces. Without any natural features to provide shade to the home, we designed awning features, deep eaves and spacious porches to shield the large expanses of glass from the intense western Colorado sun. We designed well shaded clerestory windows to allow natural light to reach deep into the interior spaces and installed energy efficient, Low-E Weathershield windows to provide year round interior comfort. Our client also valued an open floor plan and durability of materials to make the home as maintenance free as possible. We installed tile flooring throughout for ease of cleaning, installed standing seam metal on the roof for longevity, and fiber cement board siding for durability. It is a harsh landscape in the Western Colorado sun, and we wanted our client’s home to withstand the tests of the desert. Aging in Place Because this was designed as a forever home, we used a number of unique design techniques to ensure the home was safe and suitable for aging in place. The most important technique we utilized was designing a “dropped” floor system allowing our floor to be level with the exterior patios. As in all of our homes, we utilized an energy efficient Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) stem wall foundation. This system also allowed us to easily drop our floor joists into it, eliminating any steps, big or small, going into the house. The seamless transitions not only provide safe maneuvering throughout the home, but also a contemporary flair on the farmhouse aesthetic. The positioning of the house relative to the existing home, large expanses of wood plank stamped concrete patios and 3+ foot wide doors throughout are only a few of the other approaches we took to make sure our client was safe and comfortable as they age in this home.

Our inspiration for this home was an updated and refined approach to Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Prairie-style”; one that responds well to the harsh Central Texas heat. By DESIGN we achieved soft balanced and glare-free daylighting, comfortable temperatures via passive solar control measures, energy efficiency without reliance on maintenance-intensive Green “gizmos” and lower exterior maintenance. The client’s desire for a healthy, comfortable and fun home to raise a young family and to accommodate extended visitor stays, while being environmentally responsible through “high performance” building attributes, was met. Harmonious response to the site’s micro-climate, excellent Indoor Air Quality, enhanced natural ventilation strategies, and an elegant bug-free semi-outdoor “living room” that connects one to the outdoors are a few examples of the architect’s approach to Green by Design that results in a home that exceeds the expectations of its owners. Photo by Mark Adams Media

Example of an urban kitchen design in Dallas

Located in the agricultural outskirts of Grand Junction, this project was designed as a forever home for our client to enjoy the views and live in the heart of her daughter’s ranch. This is the second home on the property, and being sensitive to the existing structures was key to the success of the project. Our client values privacy and maintaining the wide open nature of living within the farm lands that built the Grand Valley. We were able to be mindful of the existing home, as well as the distant neighbors, to create a mountain modern farmhouse, rooted in Grand Junction’s agricultural landscape. Design Concept One of the most prominent items on our client’s wish list was an abundance of natural light and a connection to the outdoor spaces. Without any natural features to provide shade to the home, we designed awning features, deep eaves and spacious porches to shield the large expanses of glass from the intense western Colorado sun. We designed well shaded clerestory windows to allow natural light to reach deep into the interior spaces and installed energy efficient, Low-E Weathershield windows to provide year round interior comfort. Our client also valued an open floor plan and durability of materials to make the home as maintenance free as possible. We installed tile flooring throughout for ease of cleaning, installed standing seam metal on the roof for longevity, and fiber cement board siding for durability. It is a harsh landscape in the Western Colorado sun, and we wanted our client’s home to withstand the tests of the desert. Aging in Place Because this was designed as a forever home, we used a number of unique design techniques to ensure the home was safe and suitable for aging in place. The most important technique we utilized was designing a “dropped” floor system allowing our floor to be level with the exterior patios. As in all of our homes, we utilized an energy efficient Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) stem wall foundation. This system also allowed us to easily drop our floor joists into it, eliminating any steps, big or small, going into the house. The seamless transitions not only provide safe maneuvering throughout the home, but also a contemporary flair on the farmhouse aesthetic. The positioning of the house relative to the existing home, large expanses of wood plank stamped concrete patios and 3+ foot wide doors throughout are only a few of the other approaches we took to make sure our client was safe and comfortable as they age in this home.

Project Overview: This intensively-designed small project by MQ Architecture expanded on a functional outbuilding to make something beautiful, matching the fantastic wooded location directly across the Hudson River from West Point. From MQ Architecture: “This project entitled a surgical demolition of an existing shed and the erection of a small ancillary building. The old structure housed the electrical and communications utilities of a large compound, and the new project had to preserve the location and function of all this equipment, therefore some walls and floor levels are set from the beginning. The program required two different type of users, therefore we decided to split the building in two, allowing for a separate circulation for each group. The upper piece houses the electrical room and the team quarters, while the lower portion holds two individual restrooms for visitors. The project sits in the middle of the forest therefore we chose charred wood to make it blend with the surrounding nature. On the other hand, the polycarbonate façade brings natural light and privacy to the interior. All floors are made of polished concrete for easy maintenance and a radiant slab keeps an optimal temperature during extreme winters.” Product: Gendai 1×6 select grade shiplap Prefinish: Black Application: Residential – Exterior SF: 1100SF Designer: Miguel Quismondo (MQ Architecture) Builder: Miguel Quismondo Date: August 2018 Location: Garrison, NY

Located in the agricultural outskirts of Grand Junction, this project was designed as a forever home for our client to enjoy the views and live in the heart of her daughter’s ranch. This is the second home on the property, and being sensitive to the existing structures was key to the success of the project. Our client values privacy and maintaining the wide open nature of living within the farm lands that built the Grand Valley. We were able to be mindful of the existing home, as well as the distant neighbors, to create a mountain modern farmhouse, rooted in Grand Junction’s agricultural landscape. Design Concept One of the most prominent items on our client’s wish list was an abundance of natural light and a connection to the outdoor spaces. Without any natural features to provide shade to the home, we designed awning features, deep eaves and spacious porches to shield the large expanses of glass from the intense western Colorado sun. We designed well shaded clerestory windows to allow natural light to reach deep into the interior spaces and installed energy efficient, Low-E Weathershield windows to provide year round interior comfort. Our client also valued an open floor plan and durability of materials to make the home as maintenance free as possible. We installed tile flooring throughout for ease of cleaning, installed standing seam metal on the roof for longevity, and fiber cement board siding for durability. It is a harsh landscape in the Western Colorado sun, and we wanted our client’s home to withstand the tests of the desert. Aging in Place Because this was designed as a forever home, we used a number of unique design techniques to ensure the home was safe and suitable for aging in place. The most important technique we utilized was designing a “dropped” floor system allowing our floor to be level with the exterior patios. As in all of our homes, we utilized an energy efficient Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) stem wall foundation. This system also allowed us to easily drop our floor joists into it, eliminating any steps, big or small, going into the house. The seamless transitions not only provide safe maneuvering throughout the home, but also a contemporary flair on the farmhouse aesthetic. The positioning of the house relative to the existing home, large expanses of wood plank stamped concrete patios and 3+ foot wide doors throughout are only a few of the other approaches we took to make sure our client was safe and comfortable as they age in this home.

Before we came in, the foyer had no wow factor and didn’t say much about the home. So to fix that, we started by adding a hefty white oak pivot door with large sidelights to let in lots of light. This custom door is a deep, dark chocolate brown stain that complements the custom distressed and stained oak hardwood flooring we installed. In sum, the whole front door unit, including the glass sidelights, is 10 feet long! Typically, I prefer to install the same flooring throughout a house for continuity. But here, our clients wanted to pack a punch with a statement tile. Plus, being on a lake, they have lots of messy foot traffic passing through, so they wanted a more durable material. They chose to splurge on this tile, a thassos marble with stainless steel grout inlays, but I think it was worth it. As per the Scandi style, the husband really pushed for a floating staircase, so we designed a 3-floor floating tread staircase connecting the main floor, upstairs, and basement. Truthfully, this was an intense, dangerous install, but we got it done for our clients!

For more than a decade the owners of this property dreamed of replacing a well-worn trailer, parked by a previous owner onto a forested corner of the site, with a permanent structure that took advantage of breathtaking views across South Park basin. Accompanying a mutual friend nearly as long ago, the architect visited the site as a guest and years later could easily recall the inspiration inherent in the site. Ultimately dream and inspiration met to create this weekend retreat. With a mere 440 square feet planted in the ground, and just 1500 square feet combined across three levels, the design creates indoor and outdoor spaces to frame distant range views and protect inhabitants from the intense Colorado sun and evening chill with minimal impact on its surroundings. Designed by Bryan Anderson Construction by Mountain View Homes Photographs by Troy Thies

Trendy porch photo in Burlington

Side Addition to Oak Hill Home After living in their Oak Hill home for several years, they decided that they needed a larger, multi-functional laundry room, a side entrance and mudroom that suited their busy lifestyles. A small powder room was a closet placed in the middle of the kitchen, while a tight laundry closet space overflowed into the kitchen. After meeting with Michael Nash Custom Kitchens, plans were drawn for a side addition to the right elevation of the home. This modification filled in an open space at end of driveway which helped boost the front elevation of this home. Covering it with matching brick facade made it appear as a seamless addition. The side entrance allows kids easy access to mudroom, for hang clothes in new lockers and storing used clothes in new large laundry room. This new state of the art, 10 feet by 12 feet laundry room is wrapped up with upscale cabinetry and a quartzite counter top. The garage entrance door was relocated into the new mudroom, with a large side closet allowing the old doorway to become a pantry for the kitchen, while the old powder room was converted into a walk-in pantry. A new adjacent powder room covered in plank looking porcelain tile was furnished with embedded black toilet tanks. A wall mounted custom vanity covered with stunning one-piece concrete and sink top and inlay mirror in stone covered black wall with gorgeous surround lighting. Smart use of intense and bold color tones, help improve this amazing side addition. Dark grey built-in lockers complementing slate finished in place stone floors created a continuous floor place with the adjacent kitchen flooring. Now this family are getting to enjoy every bit of the added space which makes life easier for all.

To stay or to go? This is the question our clients are still pondering. Yet, as their youngest child heads off to college, they are ready to enjoy their new kitchen or feature it in a real estate listing. Since they were unsure of their plans, we decided a pull and replace renovation was the logical — and most economical—choice. While all appliances remain in their same locations, we were able to make easy adjustments with cabinetry to update the space: convert a desk to a beverage center; increase the size of the island; install an island countertop with overhang for seating; and lengthen the perimeter cabinetry and add a tip-up, on-counter cabinet to house small appliances. The color palette was based on introducing warm grays to the space while ensuring the existing Brazilian cherry floor remained compatible with the new design. A combination of light gray and dark gray painted cabinetry (Medallion, Irish Crème and Frappe) updates the space, along with bronze finishes. A unique hex-patterned white tile backsplash with contrasting gray grout on the perimeter adds interest yet keeps the focus on the island. We installed the understated Cambria Whitehall on the perimeter with the vivid Cambria Skara Brae on the island. We worked closely with the stone fabricator to ensure the Skara Brae’s veining pattern matched the client’s vision. Above the island countertop, we installed two oversized pendants to add intensity and beauty as you enter the room.

Side Addition to Oak Hill Home After living in their Oak Hill home for several years, they decided that they needed a larger, multi-functional laundry room, a side entrance and mudroom that suited their busy lifestyles. A small powder room was a closet placed in the middle of the kitchen, while a tight laundry closet space overflowed into the kitchen. After meeting with Michael Nash Custom Kitchens, plans were drawn for a side addition to the right elevation of the home. This modification filled in an open space at end of driveway which helped boost the front elevation of this home. Covering it with matching brick facade made it appear as a seamless addition. The side entrance allows kids easy access to mudroom, for hang clothes in new lockers and storing used clothes in new large laundry room. This new state of the art, 10 feet by 12 feet laundry room is wrapped up with upscale cabinetry and a quartzite counter top. The garage entrance door was relocated into the new mudroom, with a large side closet allowing the old doorway to become a pantry for the kitchen, while the old powder room was converted into a walk-in pantry. A new adjacent powder room covered in plank looking porcelain tile was furnished with embedded black toilet tanks. A wall mounted custom vanity covered with stunning one-piece concrete and sink top and inlay mirror in stone covered black wall with gorgeous surround lighting. Smart use of intense and bold color tones, help improve this amazing side addition. Dark grey built-in lockers complementing slate finished in place stone floors created a continuous floor place with the adjacent kitchen flooring. Now this family are getting to enjoy every bit of the added space which makes life easier for all.