A young couple from New York decided to move to the peaceful area of Stamford. They bought a house that needed the love and vision of my clients. We removed the wallpaper and applied a skim coat of plaster to the entire upper area of the house to resurface the walls that had been poorly treated over time and were hidden beneath the wallpaper. It was an intense and careful job because the walls are made of plaster, a type of material used over 40 years ago. We covered areas like the floor and other details that should not be damaged or painted.

Our client decided to move back into her family home to take care of her aging father. A remodel and size-appropriate addition transformed this home to allow both generations to live safely and comfortably. Aging-in-place design strategies were used in the new master bathroom on the first floor. Photo credits Sean Carter

This charming house was built in 1924 with all the aspiration of the California transplants of that era - mimicking a traditional, English cottage built into the hillside of scenic Los Feliz. When our clients moved in, nearly 100 years later, the house was suffering from a poorly-built, 2006 addition which was a jumble of walls and bathrooms that also turned out to be a breeding ground for black mold. After careful remediation, the clients decided to make the most of the fact that their primary suite had been taken down to the studs by reconceiving the layout of the 300 sf wing to accommodate a generous new primary bathroom, walk-in closet and convertible home office / guest bedroom.

This charming house was built in 1924 with all the aspiration of the California transplants of that era - mimicking a traditional, English cottage built into the hillside of scenic Los Feliz. When our clients moved in, nearly 100 years later, the house was suffering from a poorly-built, 2006 addition which was a jumble of walls and bathrooms that also turned out to be a breeding ground for black mold. After careful remediation, the clients decided to make the most of the fact that their primary suite had been taken down to the studs by reconceiving the layout of the 300 sf wing to accommodate a generous new primary bathroom, walk-in closet and convertible home office / guest bedroom.

This charming house was built in 1924 with all the aspiration of the California transplants of that era - mimicking a traditional, English cottage built into the hillside of scenic Los Feliz. When our clients moved in, nearly 100 years later, the house was suffering from a poorly-built, 2006 addition which was a jumble of walls and bathrooms that also turned out to be a breeding ground for black mold. After careful remediation, the clients decided to make the most of the fact that their primary suite had been taken down to the studs by reconceiving the layout of the 300 sf wing to accommodate a generous new primary bathroom, walk-in closet and convertible home office / guest bedroom.

A young couple from New York decided to move to the peaceful area of Stamford. They bought a house that needed the love and vision of my clients. We removed the wallpaper and applied a skim coat of plaster to the entire upper area of the house to resurface the walls that had been poorly treated over time and were hidden beneath the wallpaper. It was an intense and careful job because the walls are made of plaster, a type of material used over 40 years ago. We covered areas like the floor and other details that should not be damaged or painted.

This charming house was built in 1924 with all the aspiration of the California transplants of that era - mimicking a traditional, English cottage built into the hillside of scenic Los Feliz. When our clients moved in, nearly 100 years later, the house was suffering from a poorly-built, 2006 addition which was a jumble of walls and bathrooms that also turned out to be a breeding ground for black mold. After careful remediation, the clients decided to make the most of the fact that their primary suite had been taken down to the studs by reconceiving the layout of the 300 sf wing to accommodate a generous new primary bathroom, walk-in closet and convertible home office / guest bedroom.

This charming house was built in 1924 with all the aspiration of the California transplants of that era - mimicking a traditional, English cottage built into the hillside of scenic Los Feliz. When our clients moved in, nearly 100 years later, the house was suffering from a poorly-built, 2006 addition which was a jumble of walls and bathrooms that also turned out to be a breeding ground for black mold. After careful remediation, the clients decided to make the most of the fact that their primary suite had been taken down to the studs by reconceiving the layout of the 300 sf wing to accommodate a generous new primary bathroom, walk-in closet and convertible home office / guest bedroom.

A young couple from New York decided to move to the peaceful area of Stamford. They bought a house that needed the love and vision of my clients. We removed the wallpaper and applied a skim coat of plaster to the entire upper area of the house to resurface the walls that had been poorly treated over time and were hidden beneath the wallpaper. It was an intense and careful job because the walls are made of plaster, a type of material used over 40 years ago. We covered areas like the floor and other details that should not be damaged or painted.

A young couple from New York decided to move to the peaceful area of Stamford. They bought a house that needed the love and vision of my clients. We removed the wallpaper and applied a skim coat of plaster to the entire upper area of the house to resurface the walls that had been poorly treated over time and were hidden beneath the wallpaper. It was an intense and careful job because the walls are made of plaster, a type of material used over 40 years ago. We covered areas like the floor and other details that should not be damaged or painted.

This charming house was built in 1924 with all the aspiration of the California transplants of that era - mimicking a traditional, English cottage built into the hillside of scenic Los Feliz. When our clients moved in, nearly 100 years later, the house was suffering from a poorly-built, 2006 addition which was a jumble of walls and bathrooms that also turned out to be a breeding ground for black mold. After careful remediation, the clients decided to make the most of the fact that their primary suite had been taken down to the studs by reconceiving the layout of the 300 sf wing to accommodate a generous new primary bathroom, walk-in closet and convertible home office / guest bedroom.

This charming house was built in 1924 with all the aspiration of the California transplants of that era - mimicking a traditional, English cottage built into the hillside of scenic Los Feliz. When our clients moved in, nearly 100 years later, the house was suffering from a poorly-built, 2006 addition which was a jumble of walls and bathrooms that also turned out to be a breeding ground for black mold. After careful remediation, the clients decided to make the most of the fact that their primary suite had been taken down to the studs by reconceiving the layout of the 300 sf wing to accommodate a generous new primary bathroom, walk-in closet and convertible home office / guest bedroom.

For this kitchen remodeling project, the homeowners were tired of their old backsplash and wanted a change. We discussed several options that they might be interested in, and after careful consideration, they decided to do it. They chose a Mohawk Phase Pearl Mosaic tile backsplash and a bright white grout. We also changed out the outlets to complement the new backsplash, while also installing a new microwave. The homeowners are very happy with the final product.

For this kitchen remodeling project, the homeowners were tired of their old backsplash and wanted a change. We discussed several options that they might be interested in, and after careful consideration, they decided to do it. They chose a Mohawk Phase Pearl Mosaic tile backsplash and a bright white grout. We also changed out the outlets to complement the new backsplash, while also installing a new microwave. The homeowners are very happy with the final product.

We decided to build this home to match the scenic Central Oregon piece of land that it fits on. This is the entry with a triple garage and large driveway.

A young couple from New York decided to move to the peaceful area of Stamford. They bought a house that needed the love and vision of my clients. We removed the wallpaper and applied a skim coat of plaster to the entire upper area of the house to resurface the walls that had been poorly treated over time and were hidden beneath the wallpaper. It was an intense and careful job because the walls are made of plaster, a type of material used over 40 years ago. We covered areas like the floor and other details that should not be damaged or painted.

A young couple from New York decided to move to the peaceful area of Stamford. They bought a house that needed the love and vision of my clients. We removed the wallpaper and applied a skim coat of plaster to the entire upper area of the house to resurface the walls that had been poorly treated over time and were hidden beneath the wallpaper. It was an intense and careful job because the walls are made of plaster, a type of material used over 40 years ago. We covered areas like the floor and other details that should not be damaged or painted.

This modern green home offers both a vacation destination on Cape Cod near local family members and an opportunity for rental income. FAMILY ROOTS. A West Coast couple living in the San Francisco Bay Area sought a permanent East Coast vacation home near family members living on Cape Cod. As academic professionals focused on sustainability, they sought a green, energy efficient home that was well-aligned with their values. With no green homes available for sale on Cape Cod, they decided to purchase land near their family and build their own. SLOPED SITE. Comprised of a 3/4 acre lot nestled in the pines, the steeply sloping terrain called for a plan that embraced and took advantage of the slope. Of equal priority was optimizing solar exposure, preserving privacy from abutters, and creating outdoor living space. The design accomplished these goals with a simple, rectilinear form, offering living space on the both entry and lower/basement levels. The stepped foundation allows for a walk-out basement level with light-filled living space on the down-hill side of the home. The traditional basement on the eastern, up-hill side houses mechanical equipment and a home gym. The house welcomes natural light throughout, captures views of the forest, and delivers entertainment space that connects indoor living space to outdoor deck and dining patio. MODERN VISION. The clean building form and uncomplicated finishes pay homage to the modern architectural legacy on the outer Cape. Durable and economical fiber cement panels, fixed with aluminum channels, clad the primary form. Cedar clapboards provide a visual accent at the south-facing living room, which extends a single roof plane to cover the entry porch. SMART USE OF SPACE. On the entry level, the “L”-shaped living, dining, and kitchen space connects to the exterior living, dining, and grilling spaces to effectively double the home’s summertime entertainment area. Placed at the western end of the entry level (where it can retain privacy but still claim expansive downhill views) is the master suite with a built-in study. The lower level has two guest bedrooms, a second full bathroom, and laundry. The flexibility of the space—crucial in a house with a modest footprint—emerges in one of the guest bedrooms, which doubles as home office by opening the barn-style double doors to connect it to the bright, airy open stair leading up to the entry level. Thoughtful design, generous ceiling heights and large windows transform the modest 1,100 sf* footprint into a well-lit, spacious home. *(total finished space is 1800 sf) RENTAL INCOME. The property works for its owners by netting rental income when the owners are home in San Francisco. The house especially caters to vacationers bound for nearby Mayo Beach and includes an outdoor shower adjacent to the lower level entry door. In contrast to the bare bones cottages that are typically available on the Cape, this home offers prospective tenants a modern aesthetic, paired with luxurious and green features. Durable finishes inside and out will ensure longevity with the heavier use that comes with a rental property. COMFORT YEAR-ROUND. The home is super-insulated and air-tight, with mechanical ventilation to provide continuous fresh air from the outside. High performance triple-paned windows complement the building enclosure and maximize passive solar gain while ensuring a warm, draft-free winter, even when sitting close to the glass. A properly sized air source heat pump offers efficient heating & cooling, and includes a carefully designed the duct distribution system to provide even comfort throughout the house. The super-insulated envelope allows us to significantly reduce the equipment capacity, duct size, and airflow quantities, while maintaining unparalleled thermal comfort. ENERGY EFFICIENT. The building’s shell and mechanical systems play instrumental roles in the home’s exceptional performance. The building enclosure reduces the most significant energy glutton: heating. Continuous super-insulation, thorough air sealing, triple-pane windows, and passive solar gain work together to yield a miniscule heating load. All active energy consumers are extremely efficient: an air source heat pump for heating and cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation (ERV), and high efficiency appliances. The result is a home that uses 70% less energy than a similar new home built to code requirements. OVERALL. The home embodies the owners’ goals and values while comprehensively enabling thermal comfort, energy efficiency, a vacation respite, and supplementary income. PROJECT TEAM ZeroEnergy Design - Architect & Mechanical Designer A.F. Hultin & Co. - Contractor Pamet Valley Landscape Design - Landscape & Masonry Lisa Finch - Original Artwork European Architectural Supply - Windows Eric Roth Photography - Photography

Our client decided to move back into her family home to take care of her aging father. A remodel and size-appropriate addition transformed this home to allow both generations to live safely and comfortably. This remodel and addition was designed and built by Meadowlark Design+Build in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Photo credits Sean Carter