Beige Gable Form - living space. White Box Form - circulation and staircases Photo Credit - EBA
Example of a minimalist exterior home design in New York

A secondary path helps with circulation. The boulder is nestled into the garden, creating a focal point and divider between slow and fast traffic.

The client hired Swati Goorha Designs after they downsized from a 5 bedroom house to a smaller fixer-upper in Scotch Plains NJ. The main pain point of the house was an awkward circulation flow and a tiny dated kitchen. Our clients love cooking and entertain often. The small kitchen was crowded with just two people in it, lacked ample prep space and storage. Additionally, there was no direct access to the kitchen from the main entrance. In order to get to the “Sitting room” the clients had to circulate through a tiny powder room off of the entry. The client had to circulate through the Living room, the formal Dining Room, to finally arrive at the Kitchen. The entire space was awkward, choppy and dark. We assessed the existing space, our clients needs and wants, and designed a utilitarian kitchen to fit the client’s lifestyle, their entertaining habits, and their aesthetic sensibilities. We knocked down the wall between the kitchen and the family room to open the area, and made the entire space into one large kitchen. We designed an unusual custom angled island to maximize the use of space without infringing the circulation or the usability of the kitchen. The island can now accommodate 3-4 people for an intimate dinner or function as a food setup area for larger parties. The island also provides extra storage. We used dark kitchen cabinets with light backsplash, countertops, and floor to brighten the space and hide the inevitable pet hair from clients four dogs. We moved the Dining Room into the earlier Sitting room. In order to improve the circulation in the home, we closed the entry through the powder room and knocked out a coat closet. This allowed direct access to the kitchen and created a more open and easy flowing space. Now the entire house is a bright, light-filled space, with natural light and open circulation. Our client’s needs and wants have been satisfied!

This is the circulation path along the family room. The large windows provide a great view out to the ravine. The bottom awning windows are operable to provide enhanced natural ventilation.

A staircase as a dialogue between architecture and nature. A circulation area transformed into a living space in its own right.
Staircase - contemporary staircase idea in Montreal

Second floor with main circulation stair on right. Elevator can be seen to right of small beach view window.
Inspiration for a mid-sized craftsman dark wood floor hallway remodel

The client hired Swati Goorha Designs after they downsized from a 5 bedroom house, to a smaller fixer upper in Scotch Plains NJ. The main pain point of the house was an awkward circulation flow, and a tiny dated kitchen. Our clients love cooking and entertain often. The small kitchen was crowded with just two people in it, lacked ample prep space and storage. Additionally, there was no direct access to the kitchen from the main entrance. In order to get to the “Sitting room” the clients had to circulate through a tiny powder room off of the entry. The client had to circulate through the Living room, the formal Dining Room, to finally arrive at the Kitchen. The entire space was awkward, choppy and dark. We assessed the existing space, our clients needs and wants, and designed a utilitarian kitchen to fit the client’s lifestyle, their entertaining habits and their aesthetic sensibilities. We knocked down the wall between the kitchen and the family room to open the area, and made the entire space into one large kitchen. We designed an unusual custom angled island to maximize the use of space without infringing the circulation or the usability of the kitchen. The island can now accommodate 3-4 people for a intimate dinner or function as a food setup area for larger parties. The island also provides extra storage. We used dark kitchen cabinets with light backsplash, countertops and floor to brighten the space and hide the inevitable pet hair from clients four dogs. We moved the Dining Room into the earlier Sitting room. In order to improve the circulation in the home we closed the entry through the powder room and knocked out a coat closet. This allowed direct access into the kitchen and created a more open and easy flowing space. Now the entire house is a bright, light filled space, with natural light and open circulation. Our client’s needs and wants have been satisfied!

Photography: Puspa Lohmeyer
Example of a 1960s patio design in Phoenix

The client hired Swati Goorha Designs after they downsized from a 5 bedroom house to a smaller fixer-upper in Scotch Plains NJ. The main pain point of the house was an awkward circulation flow and a tiny dated kitchen. Our clients love cooking and entertain often. The small kitchen was crowded with just two people in it, lacked ample prep space and storage. Additionally, there was no direct access to the kitchen from the main entrance. In order to get to the “Sitting room” the clients had to circulate through a tiny powder room off of the entry. The client had to circulate through the Living room, the formal Dining Room, to finally arrive at the Kitchen. The entire space was awkward, choppy and dark. We assessed the existing space, our clients needs and wants, and designed a utilitarian kitchen to fit the client’s lifestyle, their entertaining habits, and their aesthetic sensibilities. We knocked down the wall between the kitchen and the family room to open the area, and made the entire space into one large kitchen. We designed an unusual custom angled island to maximize the use of space without infringing the circulation or the usability of the kitchen. The island can now accommodate 3-4 people for an intimate dinner or function as a food setup area for larger parties. The island also provides extra storage. We used dark kitchen cabinets with light backsplash, countertops, and floor to brighten the space and hide the inevitable pet hair from clients four dogs. We moved the Dining Room into the earlier Sitting room. In order to improve the circulation in the home, we closed the entry through the powder room and knocked out a coat closet. This allowed direct access to the kitchen and created a more open and easy flowing space. Now the entire house is a bright, light-filled space, with natural light and open circulation. Our client’s needs and wants have been satisfied!

This project included the addition of a new entry, circulation space, powder room and office spaces. The addition fixed the inadequate flow of the house and the new stair and railing design was the focal point of the project. All bathrooms and kitchens were remodeled.

Dry laid, stone retaining wall
Inspiration for a tropical courtyard stone formal garden.

Watershed block used to create an outdoor kitchen and fireplace off of the pool area.
Patio kitchen - large contemporary backyard concrete paver patio kitchen idea in San Luis Obispo with a roof extension

Beautiful custom runner to match the unique measurements of this staircase.
Small wooden curved staircase photo in Minneapolis with wooden risers

This deck was designed with cooking and entertaining in mind. The dual burner cooktop, 36" wide grill and storage provide plenty of cooking and staging space. The dining table niche, mobile island with seating and additional space allows enough table/chair space for seating 30+ people. By separating the beverage station from the cooking area, the deck encourages guests to circulate through the space (and reduced installation costs by tapping into the house main kitchen sink plumbing located on the other side of the exterior wall). The mobile island, with it's cantilevered countertop is perfectly stable despite the 225 pound countertop slab. This was achieved with a ballast inside the box combined with the industrial casters that allow the wheels to be pumped up off the deck, providing solid foot for the island.

Example of a mid-sized mountain style master light wood floor and brown floor bedroom design in Los Angeles with white walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace

Example of a mid-sized transitional multicolored floor entry hall design in Paris with white walls and a blue front door

Pondless Waterfall Pondless Waterfalls are simply a re-circulating waterfall and/or stream without the presence of a pond. You can enjoy the sight and sound of running water without the maintenance of a pond. The waterfall is undoubtedly the most beautiful and favored feature in a water garden. If space is lacking in your yard or you have safety concerns with a pond, go Pondless! The name basically explains it all. It’s a waterfall and stream, without the pond. So why would you want a waterfall without a pond? The truth is that a Pondless Waterfall isn’t for everyone, but it can be a great alternative for someone who isn’t quite sure if a pond is right for their family. Safety Because there is no pool of water, a Pondless Waterfall is a great option if you are concerned about safety issues associated with a traditional pond. Cost Cost can be a big factor when considering the type of pond you want to build. In most cases, the price of a Pondless waterfall will be less than a pond, because there is less labor involved, as well as less rock and materials. Operating costs are also less. Because you’re not dealing with an established ecosystem, it’s not necessary to run the pump 24/7. Space The small size of the Pondless Waterfall means you can build and enjoy a beautiful waterfall anywhere in you yard. Maintenance - Taking care of your Pondless Waterfall is easy. Filling the reservoir every few weeks to compensate for water loss because of evaporation is all that’s required. Flexibility Perhaps the best part of the Pondless Waterfall is the possibility for the future. If you change your mind later, wishing you’d build a pond, that’s ok! If you leave enough room around the base of the waterfall, it’s easy to add a pond onto a Pondless Waterfall. Complete System It might be difficult to imagine a waterfall and stream without a pond. Where does the water go? A Pondless Waterfall works much like a regular pond. The hole, deeper than a normal pond, is dug then lined with rock and gravel, and filled with water. The water is then circulated from beneath the rocks and gravel by a pump that sits on the bottom, inside a Snorkel Vault and Centipede Module. A pipe runs from there up to a BioFalls Filter and into an overflowing waterfall, where it falls back into the reservoir. Since the water level never pools above the level of the rock and gravel fill, it give the appearance of a waterfall without a pond, when in fact, the “pond” is there but not visible. The Pondless Waterfall has made many water-lovers who were previously unable to indulge in the sweet sounds of falling water, very happy. It’s a great alternative for those who are trying to get their feet wet, or looking to fit a little bit of paradise into their own backyard. In other words, when all else fails … go Pondless!

The client hired Swati Goorha Designs after they downsized from a 5 bedroom house to a smaller fixer-upper in Scotch Plains NJ. The main pain point of the house was an awkward circulation flow and a tiny dated kitchen. Our clients love cooking and entertain often. The small kitchen was crowded with just two people in it, lacked ample prep space and storage. Additionally, there was no direct access to the kitchen from the main entrance. In order to get to the “Sitting room” the clients had to circulate through a tiny powder room off of the entry. The client had to circulate through the Living room, the formal Dining Room, to finally arrive at the Kitchen. The entire space was awkward, choppy and dark. We assessed the existing space, our clients needs and wants, and designed a utilitarian kitchen to fit the client’s lifestyle, their entertaining habits, and their aesthetic sensibilities. We knocked down the wall between the kitchen and the family room to open the area, and made the entire space into one large kitchen. We designed an unusual custom angled island to maximize the use of space without infringing the circulation or the usability of the kitchen. The island can now accommodate 3-4 people for an intimate dinner or function as a food setup area for larger parties. The island also provides extra storage. We used dark kitchen cabinets with light backsplash, countertops, and floor to brighten the space and hide the inevitable pet hair from clients four dogs. We moved the Dining Room into the earlier Sitting room. In order to improve the circulation in the home, we closed the entry through the powder room and knocked out a coat closet. This allowed direct access to the kitchen and created a more open and easy flowing space. Now the entire house is a bright, light-filled space, with natural light and open circulation. Our client’s needs and wants have been satisfied!

Iron Mountain flagstone + gravel walkway with steel edging and moss boulders.
Inspiration for a small modern full sun front yard stone landscaping.