We love it when a home becomes a family compound with wonderful history. That is exactly what this home on Mullet Lake is. The original cottage was built by our client’s father and enjoyed by the family for years. It finally came to the point that there was simply not enough room and it lacked some of the efficiencies and luxuries enjoyed in permanent residences. The cottage is utilized by several families and space was needed to allow for summer and holiday enjoyment. The focus was on creating additional space on the second level, increasing views of the lake, moving interior spaces and the need to increase the ceiling heights on the main level. All these changes led for the need to start over or at least keep what we could and add to it. The home had an excellent foundation, in more ways than one, so we started from there. It was important to our client to create a northern Michigan cottage using low maintenance exterior finishes. The interior look and feel moved to more timber beam with pine paneling to keep the warmth and appeal of our area. The home features 2 master suites, one on the main level and one on the 2nd level with a balcony. There are 4 additional bedrooms with one also serving as an office. The bunkroom provides plenty of sleeping space for the grandchildren. The great room has vaulted ceilings, plenty of seating and a stone fireplace with vast windows toward the lake. The kitchen and dining are open to each other and enjoy the view. The beach entry provides access to storage, the 3/4 bath, and laundry. The sunroom off the dining area is a great extension of the home with 180 degrees of view. This allows a wonderful morning escape to enjoy your coffee. The covered timber entry porch provides a direct view of the lake upon entering the home. The garage also features a timber bracketed shed roof system which adds wonderful detail to garage doors. The home’s footprint was extended in a few areas to allow for the interior spaces to work with the needs of the family. Plenty of living spaces for all to enjoy as well as bedrooms to rest their heads after a busy day on the lake. This will be enjoyed by generations to come.

A waterfront new build, in collaboration with Pat Stone. This is a custom new build on a secluded waterfront lot near Camden, Maine, overlooking the ocean. It was designed for and with Pat Stone, an interior designer I've collaborated with on many projects. When Pat decided to build her own house, she hired me to draw it, and we worked together on both the exterior and the interior the same way we have on other clients' homes. That kind of trust between architect and designer is rare, and it shows up in the result. The site is sloped and wooded, opening to a long ocean view. The house is two volumes connected by a breezeway: the main house and a detached garage. The vocabulary is contemporary modern with traditional New England barn bones. Gabled roofs, a tall stone chimney, vertical board-and-batten siding, standing seam metal roof. Stone foundation walls anchor the lower level into the slope and give the building its name. The view side opens almost entirely to glass. Interior detailing throughout is Pat's. The early design was done in pencil. The colored-pencil studies and the measured elevation both show the same approach: figure out proportions and rhythm by hand before committing them to drawing software. For a custom build like this, on a difficult site, with a client whose own work is in design, that early hand work is where the real decisions get made. It's the project I'm proudest of in Maine. When a designer trusts you to draw the house she'll live in, you take the responsibility seriously, and the work tends to come out better for it.

"HomeStyling"? This is arguably the best part of the design. Sometimes a stand alone service, HomeStyling is the final step that brings all the pieces of the project together to create a beautiful, finished space that welcomes you home. We are currently offering this courtesy gift available ONLY through HOUZZ to our clients at the completion of a project space in their home. Be sure to mention "HomeStyling" when you call! 818-850-6268/Pamela Are you longing for a warm, welcoming, family-friendly space in your home? Do your beloved treasures not “fit” your current residence? Do you worry a design professional will impose their style or tastes on YOUR home? Perhaps you’re concerned that a designer will make you toss out the things you love? Pamela specializes in creating comprehensive, well-coordinated design plans that include color, fabric texture and style. Most importantly she integrates her clients personal style and existing treasures with the requirements the space and function dictate. Taking a client’s needs into consideration saves both time and money on a high investment project. Background: Pamela has been in the Home Fashions Industry since 1986, beginning with (now known as) Federated Department Stores, working her way through the retail industry. She brings her experience in the field, along with educational training to the design firm she started in 2001. If asked, she might share that she designed her first home at age eight! Involvement: Pamela stays active in the design community to bring her clients the best options for their projects. She has served as the Chapter President of The Interior Design Society, both in Portland, Oregon and currently in Los Angeles, California. She has donated and participated in several charitable organizations including The Annie Ross House, Women of Vision, Susan G. Komen Foundation and Rotary of Portland. Speaking: Pamela taught fun and informative Interior Design classes at Portland Community College for eight years where she shared her love of design with enthusiastic home owners. She has presented Lunch & Learn workshops for Intel Corporation and was a featured speaker at the Northwest Women’s Show, several area Women’s church groups, Portland’s Festival of Trees and the Portland Home & Garden Show.

We love it when a home becomes a family compound with wonderful history. That is exactly what this home on Mullet Lake is. The original cottage was built by our client’s father and enjoyed by the family for years. It finally came to the point that there was simply not enough room and it lacked some of the efficiencies and luxuries enjoyed in permanent residences. The cottage is utilized by several families and space was needed to allow for summer and holiday enjoyment. The focus was on creating additional space on the second level, increasing views of the lake, moving interior spaces and the need to increase the ceiling heights on the main level. All these changes led for the need to start over or at least keep what we could and add to it. The home had an excellent foundation, in more ways than one, so we started from there. It was important to our client to create a northern Michigan cottage using low maintenance exterior finishes. The interior look and feel moved to more timber beam with pine paneling to keep the warmth and appeal of our area. The home features 2 master suites, one on the main level and one on the 2nd level with a balcony. There are 4 additional bedrooms with one also serving as an office. The bunkroom provides plenty of sleeping space for the grandchildren. The great room has vaulted ceilings, plenty of seating and a stone fireplace with vast windows toward the lake. The kitchen and dining are open to each other and enjoy the view. The beach entry provides access to storage, the 3/4 bath, and laundry. The sunroom off the dining area is a great extension of the home with 180 degrees of view. This allows a wonderful morning escape to enjoy your coffee. The covered timber entry porch provides a direct view of the lake upon entering the home. The garage also features a timber bracketed shed roof system which adds wonderful detail to garage doors. The home’s footprint was extended in a few areas to allow for the interior spaces to work with the needs of the family. Plenty of living spaces for all to enjoy as well as bedrooms to rest their heads after a busy day on the lake. This will be enjoyed by generations to come.

We love it when a home becomes a family compound with wonderful history. That is exactly what this home on Mullet Lake is. The original cottage was built by our client’s father and enjoyed by the family for years. It finally came to the point that there was simply not enough room and it lacked some of the efficiencies and luxuries enjoyed in permanent residences. The cottage is utilized by several families and space was needed to allow for summer and holiday enjoyment. The focus was on creating additional space on the second level, increasing views of the lake, moving interior spaces and the need to increase the ceiling heights on the main level. All these changes led for the need to start over or at least keep what we could and add to it. The home had an excellent foundation, in more ways than one, so we started from there. It was important to our client to create a northern Michigan cottage using low maintenance exterior finishes. The interior look and feel moved to more timber beam with pine paneling to keep the warmth and appeal of our area. The home features 2 master suites, one on the main level and one on the 2nd level with a balcony. There are 4 additional bedrooms with one also serving as an office. The bunkroom provides plenty of sleeping space for the grandchildren. The great room has vaulted ceilings, plenty of seating and a stone fireplace with vast windows toward the lake. The kitchen and dining are open to each other and enjoy the view. The beach entry provides access to storage, the 3/4 bath, and laundry. The sunroom off the dining area is a great extension of the home with 180 degrees of view. This allows a wonderful morning escape to enjoy your coffee. The covered timber entry porch provides a direct view of the lake upon entering the home. The garage also features a timber bracketed shed roof system which adds wonderful detail to garage doors. The home’s footprint was extended in a few areas to allow for the interior spaces to work with the needs of the family. Plenty of living spaces for all to enjoy as well as bedrooms to rest their heads after a busy day on the lake. This will be enjoyed by generations to come.

We love it when a home becomes a family compound with wonderful history. That is exactly what this home on Mullet Lake is. The original cottage was built by our client’s father and enjoyed by the family for years. It finally came to the point that there was simply not enough room and it lacked some of the efficiencies and luxuries enjoyed in permanent residences. The cottage is utilized by several families and space was needed to allow for summer and holiday enjoyment. The focus was on creating additional space on the second level, increasing views of the lake, moving interior spaces and the need to increase the ceiling heights on the main level. All these changes led for the need to start over or at least keep what we could and add to it. The home had an excellent foundation, in more ways than one, so we started from there. It was important to our client to create a northern Michigan cottage using low maintenance exterior finishes. The interior look and feel moved to more timber beam with pine paneling to keep the warmth and appeal of our area. The home features 2 master suites, one on the main level and one on the 2nd level with a balcony. There are 4 additional bedrooms with one also serving as an office. The bunkroom provides plenty of sleeping space for the grandchildren. The great room has vaulted ceilings, plenty of seating and a stone fireplace with vast windows toward the lake. The kitchen and dining are open to each other and enjoy the view. The beach entry provides access to storage, the 3/4 bath, and laundry. The sunroom off the dining area is a great extension of the home with 180 degrees of view. This allows a wonderful morning escape to enjoy your coffee. The covered timber entry porch provides a direct view of the lake upon entering the home. The garage also features a timber bracketed shed roof system which adds wonderful detail to garage doors. The home’s footprint was extended in a few areas to allow for the interior spaces to work with the needs of the family. Plenty of living spaces for all to enjoy as well as bedrooms to rest their heads after a busy day on the lake. This will be enjoyed by generations to come.

Inspired by the client’s frequent trips to Martha’s Vineyard, this renovation project’s primary goal was to create a landscape complimentary of this Colonial Revival style home, reminiscent of Edgartown, Massachusetts. The front landscape was specifically designed to offer expansive views of a layered horizontal foundation planting that nestled itself around the base of the home, allowing the home itself to be the star of the show. Flowering borders that rotate with the seasons create a strong foreground while a clipped yew hedge forms the barrier needed to separate the billowing panicle hydrangeas in the background. The axial design of the herringbone front walk, punctuated by a bluestone transitional space and formal cast limestone urn, create an axis by which all other landscape elements are symmetrically mirrored. Desiring a rear entertainment space separated from the adjacent 4 car garage and recreational lawn, a series of intimate gathering spaces were designed to include Edgartown inspired architectural features that would establish the character of the garden while setting the backdrop for a robust mix of perennials, grasses, hedges and annuals. Mimicking the pattern and detail previously established on the stone base of the home, individually hand chiseled pieces of Valders veneer were used to construct the garden walls. Reclaimed street pavers border a reconfigured bluestone patio and create a garden walk that separates the garden into 4 equal quadrants; each section of the walk connecting itself to a prominent feature of the garden. The central paver transition space is backed by a concentric hedge of low growing boxwoods, delineating annual and perennial. The relocation of an arbor, in conjunction with a new evergreen hedge, creates the desired partition between relaxed conversation and open lawn activities. A brick masonry water feature with reclaimed 1916 antique cast iron tub anchors the garden and terminates the perennial adorned paver walk opposite the home’s fireplace centered within the main seating area. Whether spending an evening with friends or a quiet moment alone, this quaint garden space offers our clients the perfect ambiance to pause and reflect on life’s special treasures.

This family had outgrown their home. They needed a larger kitchen with more seating that opened up to the rest of the living space, a proper mudroom and laundry area, and a true master suite with a bedroom, walk-in closet, and bathroom featuring a large walk-in shower. They also wanted a custom bar. Because the house sat on a slab, HTZ planned the layout carefully. On a slab foundation, the placement of each space directly affects the cost of plumbing, electrical, and other trades, so we designed with both function and the clients' budget in mind. We removed a load-bearing wall to create an open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area. The existing two-car garage became a mudroom, laundry room, and custom bar, while the single-car garage and old laundry room were converted into the new master suite. To replace the lost parking, we added a new two-car garage to the home. The finishes bring it all together. Luxury vinyl plank flooring runs throughout, creating a seamless flow between spaces. The kitchen features custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, a matching quartz backsplash, and a custom spice shelf above the large range. The bar also has quartz countertops. In the master bath, large-format tile lines the spacious custom walk-in shower. We also raised the master suite floor to match the rest of the home, eliminating steps and transitions so the clients can comfortably age in place. The result is a home that fits how this family lives now and will continue to serve them for years to come.

This family had outgrown their home. They needed a larger kitchen with more seating that opened up to the rest of the living space, a proper mudroom and laundry area, and a true master suite with a bedroom, walk-in closet, and bathroom featuring a large walk-in shower. They also wanted a custom bar. Because the house sat on a slab, HTZ planned the layout carefully. On a slab foundation, the placement of each space directly affects the cost of plumbing, electrical, and other trades, so we designed with both function and the clients' budget in mind. We removed a load-bearing wall to create an open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area. The existing two-car garage became a mudroom, laundry room, and custom bar, while the single-car garage and old laundry room were converted into the new master suite. To replace the lost parking, we added a new two-car garage to the home. The finishes bring it all together. Luxury vinyl plank flooring runs throughout, creating a seamless flow between spaces. The kitchen features custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, a matching quartz backsplash, and a custom spice shelf above the large range. The bar also has quartz countertops. In the master bath, large-format tile lines the spacious custom walk-in shower. We also raised the master suite floor to match the rest of the home, eliminating steps and transitions so the clients can comfortably age in place. The result is a home that fits how this family lives now and will continue to serve them for years to come.

A waterfront new build, in collaboration with Pat Stone. This is a custom new build on a secluded waterfront lot near Camden, Maine, overlooking the ocean. It was designed for and with Pat Stone, an interior designer I've collaborated with on many projects. When Pat decided to build her own house, she hired me to draw it, and we worked together on both the exterior and the interior the same way we have on other clients' homes. That kind of trust between architect and designer is rare, and it shows up in the result. The site is sloped and wooded, opening to a long ocean view. The house is two volumes connected by a breezeway: the main house and a detached garage. The vocabulary is contemporary modern with traditional New England barn bones. Gabled roofs, a tall stone chimney, vertical board-and-batten siding, standing seam metal roof. Stone foundation walls anchor the lower level into the slope and give the building its name. The view side opens almost entirely to glass. Interior detailing throughout is Pat's. The early design was done in pencil. The colored-pencil studies and the measured elevation both show the same approach: figure out proportions and rhythm by hand before committing them to drawing software. For a custom build like this, on a difficult site, with a client whose own work is in design, that early hand work is where the real decisions get made. It's the project I'm proudest of in Maine. When a designer trusts you to draw the house she'll live in, you take the responsibility seriously, and the work tends to come out better for it.

This project was a full-scale transformation that reimagined both the layout and aesthetic of the home’s main living spaces. The original 1990's kitchen, once enclosed and limited in function, was completely opened up by removing walls and expanding into the former dining room. This structural change allowed for a significantly larger, more functional kitchen with improved flow, natural light, and a stronger connection to the surrounding spaces. With the kitchen taking over the original dining area, the formal living room was thoughtfully repurposed into a new dining room. This space was refreshed with a crisp white palette, creating a bright and airy foundation. A new chandelier was installed to serve as a modern focal point, while custom draperies added softness and elegance. Carefully selected new furnishings completed the space, balancing comfort with a clean, contemporary aesthetic. The overall design direction marked a dramatic shift—from warm, dated, and traditional to bright, fresh, and modern. The result is a cohesive, light-filled environment that feels both sophisticated and highly livable, tailored to better suit the client’s lifestyle.

This family had outgrown their home. They needed a larger kitchen with more seating that opened up to the rest of the living space, a proper mudroom and laundry area, and a true master suite with a bedroom, walk-in closet, and bathroom featuring a large walk-in shower. They also wanted a custom bar. Because the house sat on a slab, HTZ planned the layout carefully. On a slab foundation, the placement of each space directly affects the cost of plumbing, electrical, and other trades, so we designed with both function and the clients' budget in mind. We removed a load-bearing wall to create an open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area. The existing two-car garage became a mudroom, laundry room, and custom bar, while the single-car garage and old laundry room were converted into the new master suite. To replace the lost parking, we added a new two-car garage to the home. The finishes bring it all together. Luxury vinyl plank flooring runs throughout, creating a seamless flow between spaces. The kitchen features custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, a matching quartz backsplash, and a custom spice shelf above the large range. The bar also has quartz countertops. In the master bath, large-format tile lines the spacious custom walk-in shower. We also raised the master suite floor to match the rest of the home, eliminating steps and transitions so the clients can comfortably age in place. The result is a home that fits how this family lives now and will continue to serve them for years to come.

This family had outgrown their home. They needed a larger kitchen with more seating that opened up to the rest of the living space, a proper mudroom and laundry area, and a true master suite with a bedroom, walk-in closet, and bathroom featuring a large walk-in shower. They also wanted a custom bar. Because the house sat on a slab, HTZ planned the layout carefully. On a slab foundation, the placement of each space directly affects the cost of plumbing, electrical, and other trades, so we designed with both function and the clients' budget in mind. We removed a load-bearing wall to create an open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area. The existing two-car garage became a mudroom, laundry room, and custom bar, while the single-car garage and old laundry room were converted into the new master suite. To replace the lost parking, we added a new two-car garage to the home. The finishes bring it all together. Luxury vinyl plank flooring runs throughout, creating a seamless flow between spaces. The kitchen features custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, a matching quartz backsplash, and a custom spice shelf above the large range. The bar also has quartz countertops. In the master bath, large-format tile lines the spacious custom walk-in shower. We also raised the master suite floor to match the rest of the home, eliminating steps and transitions so the clients can comfortably age in place. The result is a home that fits how this family lives now and will continue to serve them for years to come.

This family had outgrown their home. They needed a larger kitchen with more seating that opened up to the rest of the living space, a proper mudroom and laundry area, and a true master suite with a bedroom, walk-in closet, and bathroom featuring a large walk-in shower. They also wanted a custom bar. Because the house sat on a slab, HTZ planned the layout carefully. On a slab foundation, the placement of each space directly affects the cost of plumbing, electrical, and other trades, so we designed with both function and the clients' budget in mind. We removed a load-bearing wall to create an open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area. The existing two-car garage became a mudroom, laundry room, and custom bar, while the single-car garage and old laundry room were converted into the new master suite. To replace the lost parking, we added a new two-car garage to the home. The finishes bring it all together. Luxury vinyl plank flooring runs throughout, creating a seamless flow between spaces. The kitchen features custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, a matching quartz backsplash, and a custom spice shelf above the large range. The bar also has quartz countertops. In the master bath, large-format tile lines the spacious custom walk-in shower. We also raised the master suite floor to match the rest of the home, eliminating steps and transitions so the clients can comfortably age in place. The result is a home that fits how this family lives now and will continue to serve them for years to come.

This project was a full-scale transformation that reimagined both the layout and aesthetic of the home’s main living spaces. The original 1990's kitchen, once enclosed and limited in function, was completely opened up by removing walls and expanding into the former dining room. This structural change allowed for a significantly larger, more functional kitchen with improved flow, natural light, and a stronger connection to the surrounding spaces. With the kitchen taking over the original dining area, the formal living room was thoughtfully repurposed into a new dining room. This space was refreshed with a crisp white palette, creating a bright and airy foundation. A new chandelier was installed to serve as a modern focal point, while custom draperies added softness and elegance. Carefully selected new furnishings completed the space, balancing comfort with a clean, contemporary aesthetic. The overall design direction marked a dramatic shift—from warm, dated, and traditional to bright, fresh, and modern. The result is a cohesive, light-filled environment that feels both sophisticated and highly livable, tailored to better suit the client’s lifestyle.

This family had outgrown their home. They needed a larger kitchen with more seating that opened up to the rest of the living space, a proper mudroom and laundry area, and a true master suite with a bedroom, walk-in closet, and bathroom featuring a large walk-in shower. They also wanted a custom bar. Because the house sat on a slab, HTZ planned the layout carefully. On a slab foundation, the placement of each space directly affects the cost of plumbing, electrical, and other trades, so we designed with both function and the clients' budget in mind. We removed a load-bearing wall to create an open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area. The existing two-car garage became a mudroom, laundry room, and custom bar, while the single-car garage and old laundry room were converted into the new master suite. To replace the lost parking, we added a new two-car garage to the home. The finishes bring it all together. Luxury vinyl plank flooring runs throughout, creating a seamless flow between spaces. The kitchen features custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, a matching quartz backsplash, and a custom spice shelf above the large range. The bar also has quartz countertops. In the master bath, large-format tile lines the spacious custom walk-in shower. We also raised the master suite floor to match the rest of the home, eliminating steps and transitions so the clients can comfortably age in place. The result is a home that fits how this family lives now and will continue to serve them for years to come.

This family had outgrown their home. They needed a larger kitchen with more seating that opened up to the rest of the living space, a proper mudroom and laundry area, and a true master suite with a bedroom, walk-in closet, and bathroom featuring a large walk-in shower. They also wanted a custom bar. Because the house sat on a slab, HTZ planned the layout carefully. On a slab foundation, the placement of each space directly affects the cost of plumbing, electrical, and other trades, so we designed with both function and the clients' budget in mind. We removed a load-bearing wall to create an open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area. The existing two-car garage became a mudroom, laundry room, and custom bar, while the single-car garage and old laundry room were converted into the new master suite. To replace the lost parking, we added a new two-car garage to the home. The finishes bring it all together. Luxury vinyl plank flooring runs throughout, creating a seamless flow between spaces. The kitchen features custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, a matching quartz backsplash, and a custom spice shelf above the large range. The bar also has quartz countertops. In the master bath, large-format tile lines the spacious custom walk-in shower. We also raised the master suite floor to match the rest of the home, eliminating steps and transitions so the clients can comfortably age in place. The result is a home that fits how this family lives now and will continue to serve them for years to come.

This family had outgrown their home. They needed a larger kitchen with more seating that opened up to the rest of the living space, a proper mudroom and laundry area, and a true master suite with a bedroom, walk-in closet, and bathroom featuring a large walk-in shower. They also wanted a custom bar. Because the house sat on a slab, HTZ planned the layout carefully. On a slab foundation, the placement of each space directly affects the cost of plumbing, electrical, and other trades, so we designed with both function and the clients' budget in mind. We removed a load-bearing wall to create an open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area. The existing two-car garage became a mudroom, laundry room, and custom bar, while the single-car garage and old laundry room were converted into the new master suite. To replace the lost parking, we added a new two-car garage to the home. The finishes bring it all together. Luxury vinyl plank flooring runs throughout, creating a seamless flow between spaces. The kitchen features custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, a matching quartz backsplash, and a custom spice shelf above the large range. The bar also has quartz countertops. In the master bath, large-format tile lines the spacious custom walk-in shower. We also raised the master suite floor to match the rest of the home, eliminating steps and transitions so the clients can comfortably age in place. The result is a home that fits how this family lives now and will continue to serve them for years to come.

This family had outgrown their home. They needed a larger kitchen with more seating that opened up to the rest of the living space, a proper mudroom and laundry area, and a true master suite with a bedroom, walk-in closet, and bathroom featuring a large walk-in shower. They also wanted a custom bar. Because the house sat on a slab, HTZ planned the layout carefully. On a slab foundation, the placement of each space directly affects the cost of plumbing, electrical, and other trades, so we designed with both function and the clients' budget in mind. We removed a load-bearing wall to create an open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area. The existing two-car garage became a mudroom, laundry room, and custom bar, while the single-car garage and old laundry room were converted into the new master suite. To replace the lost parking, we added a new two-car garage to the home. The finishes bring it all together. Luxury vinyl plank flooring runs throughout, creating a seamless flow between spaces. The kitchen features custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, a matching quartz backsplash, and a custom spice shelf above the large range. The bar also has quartz countertops. In the master bath, large-format tile lines the spacious custom walk-in shower. We also raised the master suite floor to match the rest of the home, eliminating steps and transitions so the clients can comfortably age in place. The result is a home that fits how this family lives now and will continue to serve them for years to come.