Here's my shop/office. I call it the "Shoffice". It's a space to house my classic cars, a workshop to work on them, and an office on the loft for my work from home day job. The interior of the visible space is 50' x 50', but there's an additional 12' x 50' space through the door under the stairs that leads to an RV bay and an additional "dirty" workspace that contains a deep utility sink, compressor, work benches and storage shelves, a storage loft, and the water heater.

This project is another example of how to maximize small spaces. This customer’s small Brentwood yard was centered around their new plunge pool. However, the existing pavers and layout left much to be desired. We reworked the pavers to create usable spaces and clean lines, and a vines and lighting work with the custom pergola to increase the privacy and add a soft vertical element to encourage the intimate feel of the space. Two other structures block the pool equipment and AC compressor from sight. This reduces the visual weight of these areas and allows the eye to focus on the crown jewel of the space… the pool.

Ductless mini split installation in bonus or sunroom
Home design - traditional home design idea in Austin

The super energy efficient ductless heat pump (DHP) heats and cools the whole house!
Mid-sized arts and crafts brown two-story concrete fiberboard exterior home photo

Example of a classic home design design in New York

2010 NARI CAPITAL COTY FINALIST AWARD WINNER Project Scope: Transform a little-used room in the client’s lower level into an entertainment center, featuring a 1,500-bottle refrigerated wine cabinet, a wet bar, a custom-made bookshelves surround for existing hearth, and television hanging built-ins. Challenges: Primary technical challenge was to find a way to unobtrusively install a large “split system” chilling unit to service the wine cooler. Solutions The contractor started with a rectangular space that was appreciably stripped down, except for the fireplace at the far end. An adjacent room housed a professional pool table. The client’s primary concern was how to situate the custom-built wine rack were to specify and fabricate. Although there was plenty of space in niche to the left of the stairway, there was no obvious way to locate the wine rack’s chilling unit for ducting and chiller unit. Both client and contractor agreed that the logical setting for the rack would be along the short wall adjacent to the room’s entrance. But the short wall afforded no room for the chiller, a “split system” unit that needed adequate “breathing room” to avoid overheating After many design sketches, the contractor had a tentative solution: house the chilling unit in a utility room behind the stairs leading to the basement. This would keep the unit out of sight and muffle the sound of the compressor. Then question was how to “circumnavigate” the stairwell and run plumbing lines from the utility room – which was about 20 feet away — to the rack. A floor-level path would be exposed to possible damage and aesthetically unpleasing. Installing the line in the concrete slab flooring would be difficult and expensive – and any repairs to the line would mean tearing up the floor.The only alternative, the contractor suggested, would be to route the lines overhead – run them straight up from the chilling unit, over the joists above, and around the back of the stair case. Once past the staircase, it was straight shot above the joists to the short wall; the lines would then run behind the wall to the wine cooler resting on the floor. This highly creative solution pleased the client greatly: it not only isolated the chilling unit, but allowed it to be easily serviced; the lines were protected and out of sight; and the wine rack – situated as it was in the room – seemed like it was part of the original house design. At that point, the contractor needed a wine rack design that seemed equally “original” to the home – and here, too, the challenge was met. Custom-built cabinetry span the length of the wall, with two floor-level cabinets flanking the wine cooler. Above, twin glass-facing walnut displays – lighted and rising nearly to the ceiling – rest on a black marble countertop, showcasing the client’s impressive wine collection. On the long wall perpendicular to the rack, a widescreen television hangs between two built-in bookcases designed by the contractor. The firm also fabricated the two bookcases now flanking the original fireplace in the far end wall – as well as the glass-faced hanging cabinets which are lighted above the newly installed wet bar.

Among the other goodies in this coveted space include spacious cabinets that rest over the recycle bins; a compressor under the work bench with in-wall plumbing; a refrigerator under the workbench; a staircase in the back of the garage that leads to full storage underneath and a high-lift garage door system that is the envy of the neighborhood. Photo by Matt Kocourek http://www.mattkocourek.com/

Here's my shop/office. I call it the "Shoffice". It's a space to house my classic cars, a workshop to work on them, and an office on the loft for my work from home day job. The interior of the visible space is 50' x 50', but there's an additional 12' x 50' space through the door under the stairs that leads to an RV bay and an additional "dirty" workspace that contains a deep utility sink, compressor, work benches and storage shelves, a storage loft, and the water heater.

Michelle and Dominic had purchased their home in Wake Forest several years earlier with the idea in mind that it would serve as a family-centric place where they could gather with extended family. Situated in a quiet residential neighborhood with large lots, it was the perfect place for them to raise and home school their 4 children. As their family grew, the children’s daily activities were split between the 1st and 2nd floors, making it difficult to coordinate activities amongst them all. And their extended family get-togethers had become cramped and increasingly difficult to accommodate everyone comfortably. They were in need of added living space that could serve their family’s needs as well as provide extra entertaining areas to host family gatherings. With our experience in helping homeowners secure financing for their Home Improvement projects, we worked with Dominic and Michelle to prepare all of the necessary documentation required to apply for an FHA 203K Home Renovation loan. As a result, they were able to finance the full cost of the construction of their new Family Room Addition. Our solution was to add a 1st floor living space that harmonized with the existing floor plan and décor, was central to the existing Kitchen, and flexible enough to facilitate large groups and accommodate the whole family’s daily activities and access to the outdoors. As a result of their newly added flexible living area, they are now able to comfortably gather with their extended family as well accommodate the whole family’s needs, giving them the opportunity spend more quality time with their family and friends. Design Features Harmony with the home’s existing architecture and décor. Seamless Transition into the adjoining Kitchen and Living Room, separating the two with a light and bright 15-Lite Double French Door. Light and bright natural hardwood flooring. A bright and open floor plan achieved by introducing a double 15-Lite French door in the Kitchen and generous amount of double-hung Low-E windows. Window Well in the Roof to accommodate required foot-print placement. Easy access to the outdoors and the large deck and yard. Extra storage space for tools and outdoor equipment. Energy Efficient and Green Features 1st floor HVAC Compressor and Air Handler replaced with a more efficient 15 Seer unit. Floor penetrations and perimeter bottom plates caulked and air sealed. No-VOC Paints and Finishes. Durable Exterior Construction No-Maintenance Composite and PVC Low-E Windows Cement Fiber Siding Cement Fiber and PVC Trim Life-time Architectural Shingles Metal Roof Flashing with Gutter Kick-Outs Superior Window Flashing and Water Intrusion sealing measures

Allavino's 2X-VSWR121-2SST Multi-Zone Wine Cellar Refrigerator is an ideal option for storing up to 242 bottles of red and white wine. It is made up of two dual zone 121 bottle units with opposite hinged doors, which can be controlled using two digital displays with user-friendly push button controls. FlexCount Series wine refrigerators feature innovative new metal shelves that are strong enough to provide reliable stability and prevent sagging over time, and thin enough to allow more space between shelves than you will find in most similarly sized wine refrigerators, letting you store larger bottles without sacrificing bottle capacity. These shelves have elegant stainless steel fronts and wood slats that cradle your bottles to help prevent harmful vibration from affecting your wine. Thanks to it's front-venting design and finished top and sides, the 2X-VSWR121-2SST can be used as a built-in or freestanding unit. 242 Bottle Capacity:The 2X-VSWR121-2SST features 22 shelves that can hold up to 11 bottles each for a maximum capacity of 242 bottles.Multi-Zone Temperature Control:Store both red and white wines with this four zone unit, which features a digital display with easy-to-use push button controls that allow you to easily adjust each zone's temperature.Innovative New Shelf Design:Allavino's state-of-the-art shelf design features metal shelving that is thin enough to maximize available storage space, and strong enough to prevent sagging. Each shelf has wood slats that gently cradle your bottles to minimize harmful vibration that could affect your wine.Shelves Extend Effortlessly:Each shelf glides out smoothly on ball-bearing tracks, allowing you to easily access every bottle in your collection.Security Lock: Built-in security locks protect your collection, and two extra keys are included so that you can always have a backup on hand.Built-In Versatility:This unit is front-venting, and can be built into your cabinetry for a seamless look without requiring extra space on the sides for air circulation. It can also be used as a freestanding unit with finished sides and top. Height: 55.2" Width: 47" Depth: 27" Unit Weight: 410 lbs. (2 units - 205 lbs. each) Shipping Weight: 498.2 lbs. (2 units - 249.1 lbs. each) Built-In Capable: Yes Security Lock: Yes Multiple / Dual Zone: Yes Beverage Center: No Cabinet Color / Material: Black Metal Ada Compliant: No Commercial Use: Yes Outdoor Use: No Energy Star Rated: No Wine Bottle Count: Up to 242 Bottles Adjustable Thermostat: Yes Digital: Yes Type: Compressor Defrost System: Auto Front Ventilation: Yes Type: Glide-Out Number Of Shelves: 22 Material: Metal with Wood Slats Removable: Yes Adjustable: No Glide-Out (Roller Assemblies): Yes Bottles Per Shelf: 11 Bottles Color: Black Compartments (Distinct Zones): 4 Lighting: Yes Type: Glass Number Of Doors: 2 Color / Material: Stainless Steel Frame Door Handle: Towel Bar Field Reversible: No Tinted / Uv Protective: Yes Self-Closing: No Electrical Requirements: 115V/60Hz

2010 NARI CAPITAL COTY FINALIST AWARD WINNER Project Scope: Transform a little-used room in the client’s lower level into an entertainment center, featuring a 1,500-bottle refrigerated wine cabinet, a wet bar, a custom-made bookshelves surround for existing hearth, and television hanging built-ins. Challenges: Primary technical challenge was to find a way to unobtrusively install a large “split system” chilling unit to service the wine cooler. Solutions The contractor started with a rectangular space that was appreciably stripped down, except for the fireplace at the far end. An adjacent room housed a professional pool table. The client’s primary concern was how to situate the custom-built wine rack were to specify and fabricate. Although there was plenty of space in niche to the left of the stairway, there was no obvious way to locate the wine rack’s chilling unit for ducting and chiller unit. Both client and contractor agreed that the logical setting for the rack would be along the short wall adjacent to the room’s entrance. But the short wall afforded no room for the chiller, a “split system” unit that needed adequate “breathing room” to avoid overheating After many design sketches, the contractor had a tentative solution: house the chilling unit in a utility room behind the stairs leading to the basement. This would keep the unit out of sight and muffle the sound of the compressor. Then question was how to “circumnavigate” the stairwell and run plumbing lines from the utility room – which was about 20 feet away — to the rack. A floor-level path would be exposed to possible damage and aesthetically unpleasing. Installing the line in the concrete slab flooring would be difficult and expensive – and any repairs to the line would mean tearing up the floor.The only alternative, the contractor suggested, would be to route the lines overhead – run them straight up from the chilling unit, over the joists above, and around the back of the stair case. Once past the staircase, it was straight shot above the joists to the short wall; the lines would then run behind the wall to the wine cooler resting on the floor. This highly creative solution pleased the client greatly: it not only isolated the chilling unit, but allowed it to be easily serviced; the lines were protected and out of sight; and the wine rack – situated as it was in the room – seemed like it was part of the original house design. At that point, the contractor needed a wine rack design that seemed equally “original” to the home – and here, too, the challenge was met. Custom-built cabinetry span the length of the wall, with two floor-level cabinets flanking the wine cooler. Above, twin glass-facing walnut displays – lighted and rising nearly to the ceiling – rest on a black marble countertop, showcasing the client’s impressive wine collection. On the long wall perpendicular to the rack, a widescreen television hangs between two built-in bookcases designed by the contractor. The firm also fabricated the two bookcases now flanking the original fireplace in the far end wall – as well as the glass-faced hanging cabinets which are lighted above the newly installed wet bar.

Scarlet Chaillet
Example of a minimalist home design design in Austin

Melissa and Steve purchased our National Award Winning Green Certified Remodeled Home. They had moved to Colorado previously to expand Business opportunities, but found that they missed being near their extended family members and Melissa’s native city and state. They wanted a home in a quiet neighborhood that suited their needs and had been updated to current design trends and amenities. With 2 young children a single-story home appealed to them. Steve primarily worked from home, using the formal Living Room as his home office which was central to the Kitchen and main living areas. As their children grew, it became increasingly difficult to With 4 children, their daily activities were split between the 1st and second floors, making it difficult to coordinate activities amongst them. Also, with a large extended family close-by, get-togethers were cramped and uncomfortable. With the added 1st floor living space, they are now able to all comfortably gather together and spend more quality time with their family and friends. Design Features Seamless Transition into the adjoining Kitchen and Living Room, separating the two with a light and bright 15-Lite Double French Door. Light and bright natural hardwood flooring. A bright and open floor plan achieved by introducing a double 15-Lite French door in the Kitchen and generous amount of double-hung low-e windows. Window Well in the Roof to accommodate required foot-print placement. Avoidance of installing a Pull-Down Attic Access. No-VOC Paints and Finishes. Durable Exterior Construction No-Maintenance Composite and PVC Low-E Windows and Doors Cement Fiber Siding Cement Fiber and PVC Trim Life-time Architectural Shingles Metal Roof Flashing with Gutter Kick-Outs Superior Window Flashing and Water Intrusion Sealing measures Energy Efficient and Green Features 1st floor HVAC Compressor and Air Handler replaced with a more efficient 15 Seer unit. Floor penetrations and perimeter bottom plates caulked and air sealed. No-VOC Paints and Finishes. Durable Exterior Construction No-Maintenance Composite and PVC Low-E Windows Cement Fiber Siding Cement Fiber and PVC Trim Life-time Architectural Shingles Metal Roof Flashing with Gutter Kick-Outs Superior Window Flashing and Water Intrusion sealing measures

This project is another example of how to maximize small spaces. This customer’s small Brentwood yard was centered around their new plunge pool. However, the existing pavers and layout left much to be desired. We reworked the pavers to create usable spaces and clean lines, and a vines and lighting work with the custom pergola to increase the privacy and add a soft vertical element to encourage the intimate feel of the space. Two other structures block the pool equipment and AC compressor from sight. This reduces the visual weight of these areas and allows the eye to focus on the crown jewel of the space… the pool.

Melissa and Steve purchased our National Award Winning Green Certified Remodeled Home. They had moved to Colorado previously to expand Business opportunities, but found that they missed being near their extended family members and Melissa’s native city and state. They wanted a home in a quiet neighborhood that suited their needs and had been updated to current design trends and amenities. With 2 young children a single-story home appealed to them. Steve primarily worked from home, using the formal Living Room as his home office which was central to the Kitchen and main living areas. As their children grew, it became increasingly difficult to With 4 children, their daily activities were split between the 1st and second floors, making it difficult to coordinate activities amongst them. Also, with a large extended family close-by, get-togethers were cramped and uncomfortable. With the added 1st floor living space, they are now able to all comfortably gather together and spend more quality time with their family and friends. Design Features Seamless Transition into the adjoining Kitchen and Living Room, separating the two with a light and bright 15-Lite Double French Door. Light and bright natural hardwood flooring. A bright and open floor plan achieved by introducing a double 15-Lite French door in the Kitchen and generous amount of double-hung low-e windows. Window Well in the Roof to accommodate required foot-print placement. Avoidance of installing a Pull-Down Attic Access. No-VOC Paints and Finishes. Durable Exterior Construction No-Maintenance Composite and PVC Low-E Windows and Doors Cement Fiber Siding Cement Fiber and PVC Trim Life-time Architectural Shingles Metal Roof Flashing with Gutter Kick-Outs Superior Window Flashing and Water Intrusion Sealing measures Energy Efficient and Green Features 1st floor HVAC Compressor and Air Handler replaced with a more efficient 15 Seer unit. Floor penetrations and perimeter bottom plates caulked and air sealed. No-VOC Paints and Finishes. Durable Exterior Construction No-Maintenance Composite and PVC Low-E Windows Cement Fiber Siding Cement Fiber and PVC Trim Life-time Architectural Shingles Metal Roof Flashing with Gutter Kick-Outs Superior Window Flashing and Water Intrusion sealing measures

Example of a classic home design design in New York

Melissa and Steve purchased our National Award Winning Green Certified Remodeled Home. They had moved to Colorado previously to expand Business opportunities, but found that they missed being near their extended family members and Melissa’s native city and state. They wanted a home in a quiet neighborhood that suited their needs and had been updated to current design trends and amenities. With 2 young children a single-story home appealed to them. Steve primarily worked from home, using the formal Living Room as his home office which was central to the Kitchen and main living areas. As their children grew, it became increasingly difficult to With 4 children, their daily activities were split between the 1st and second floors, making it difficult to coordinate activities amongst them. Also, with a large extended family close-by, get-togethers were cramped and uncomfortable. With the added 1st floor living space, they are now able to all comfortably gather together and spend more quality time with their family and friends. Design Features Seamless Transition into the adjoining Kitchen and Living Room, separating the two with a light and bright 15-Lite Double French Door. Light and bright natural hardwood flooring. A bright and open floor plan achieved by introducing a double 15-Lite French door in the Kitchen and generous amount of double-hung low-e windows. Window Well in the Roof to accommodate required foot-print placement. Avoidance of installing a Pull-Down Attic Access. No-VOC Paints and Finishes. Durable Exterior Construction No-Maintenance Composite and PVC Low-E Windows and Doors Cement Fiber Siding Cement Fiber and PVC Trim Life-time Architectural Shingles Metal Roof Flashing with Gutter Kick-Outs Superior Window Flashing and Water Intrusion Sealing measures Energy Efficient and Green Features 1st floor HVAC Compressor and Air Handler replaced with a more efficient 15 Seer unit. Floor penetrations and perimeter bottom plates caulked and air sealed. No-VOC Paints and Finishes. Durable Exterior Construction No-Maintenance Composite and PVC Low-E Windows Cement Fiber Siding Cement Fiber and PVC Trim Life-time Architectural Shingles Metal Roof Flashing with Gutter Kick-Outs Superior Window Flashing and Water Intrusion sealing measures

This project is another example of how to maximize small spaces. This customer’s small Brentwood yard was centered around their new plunge pool. However, the existing pavers and layout left much to be desired. We reworked the pavers to create usable spaces and clean lines, and a vines and lighting work with the custom pergola to increase the privacy and add a soft vertical element to encourage the intimate feel of the space. Two other structures block the pool equipment and AC compressor from sight. This reduces the visual weight of these areas and allows the eye to focus on the crown jewel of the space… the pool.