This client wanted their Terrace Level to be comprised of the warm finishes and colors found in a true Tuscan home. Basement was completely unfinished so once we space planned for all necessary areas including pre-teen media area and game room, adult media area, home bar and wine cellar guest suite and bathroom; we started selecting materials that were authentic and yet low maintenance since the entire space opens to an outdoor living area with pool. The wood like porcelain tile used to create interest on floors was complimented by custom distressed beams on the ceilings. Real stucco walls and brick floors lit by a wrought iron lantern create a true wine cellar mood. A sloped fireplace designed with brick, stone and stucco was enhanced with the rustic wood beam mantle to resemble a fireplace seen in Italy while adding a perfect and unexpected rustic charm and coziness to the bar area. Finally decorative finishes were applied to columns for a layered and worn appearance. Tumbled stone backsplash behind the bar was hand painted for another one of a kind focal point. Some other important features are the double sided iron railed staircase designed to make the space feel more unified and open and the barrel ceiling in the wine cellar. Carefully selected furniture and accessories complete the look.

Astonishing luxury and resort-like amenities in this gated, entirely private, and newly-refinished, approximately 14,000 square foot residence on approximately 1.4 level acres. The living quarters comprise the five-bedroom, five full, and three half-bath main residence; the separate two-level, one bedroom, one and one-half bath guest house with kitchenette; and the separate one bedroom, one bath au pair apartment. The luxurious amenities include the curved pool, spa, sauna and steam room, tennis court, large level lawns and manicured gardens, recreation/media room with adjacent wine cellar, elevator to all levels of the main residence, four-car enclosed garage, three-car carport, and large circular motor court. The stunning main residence provides exciting entry doors and impressive foyer with grand staircase and chandelier, large formal living and dining rooms, paneled library, and dream-like kitchen/family area. The en-suite bedrooms are large with generous closet space and the master suite offers a huge lounge and fireplace. The sweeping views from this property include Mount Tamalpais, Sausalito, Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, and the East Bay. Few homes in Marin County can offer the rare combination of privacy, captivating views, and resort-like amenities in newly finished, modern detail. Total of seven bedrooms, seven full, and four half baths. 185 Gimartin Drive Tiburon CA Presented by Bill Bullock and Lydia Sarkissian Decker Bullock Sotheby's International Realty www.deckerbullocksir.com

This charming European-inspired home juxtaposes old-world architecture with more contemporary details. The exterior is primarily comprised of granite stonework with limestone accents. The stair turret provides circulation throughout all three levels of the home, and custom iron windows afford expansive lake and mountain views. The interior features custom iron windows, plaster walls, reclaimed heart pine timbers, quartersawn oak floors and reclaimed oak millwork.

How fun to create a fresh English country living room This room features a herringbone floor made to look aged A faux finish on the walls is meant to look like aged plaster. We also painted the ceiling in a similar color. Notice the stripe that goes around the perimeter of the room on the ceiling. The drapery fabric is modern chintz by Lee Jofa. The two table lamps are Italian from Carlos de la Puente. We designed custom lamp shades to coordinate with the drapery. The view you are seeing is to the foyer which was done in a waxed pine paneling The central table in the room is comprised of two layers of clothes and is a handy landing spot for books and flowers

I have previously worked in every level of this home – project images can be viewed on Riverdale Top to Bottom Renovation – the Third Floor was the final frontier and the transformation is quite spectacular (even if I say so myself!). Before and after pictures can be found on our website. My client’s twin boys were rapidly outgrowing their little nursery on the second floor and so plans were drawn up to renovate the third floor…. All of this work was done with my clients / kids / pets living at home. We erected a scaffolding tower at the side of the home and this was how all the trades got in and out throughout the project – the scaffolding stairs were actually wider and provided easier access than the original staircase. The original footprint comprised of 3 bedrooms (one generous sized guest bedroom at the front of the house that we retained and two smaller oddly shaped rooms with cove ceilings and angles that really prevented them being useful) plus an internal powder room. We pushed the rear internal wall of the powder room back to the exterior wall so that we could build a generous sized bathroom that will see the boys through the years. The walls and floors are neutral and we added a pop of blue with the vanity. One of my favourite elements is the river rock tile inset mat that is great for little feet to walk on – especially when the underfloor heating is on! The twin bedroom is breathtaking – the previous rooms were so small it was really hard to photograph them but if you check out the before and after section below it paints a pretty good picture. A 12’ wide dormer makes this floor feel like a treehouse and the light is amazing. We incorporated some gorgeous lighting in this room – 2 styles of sconces and a custom pendant. I love the second life carpet and the checked roman blind fabric. It’s a space that is large and comfortable enough for the whole family to sit in and enjoy. The third floor hallway was transformed by straightening the walls and levelling the ceiling. The custom light fixture / art installation guarantees you pause at the foot of the stairs. Photography by Tim McGhie

Designing an Underground Shelter comprised of 2, 25' tubes... 8' wide... is like designing a tiny submarine! A Huge challenge in the project was to create a luxury bathroom out of a space that was originally intended to provide shelter for a few guys who had no need for modern comforts... much less luxury! Guys who would be happy to have "a Head" ... not exactly what a mother wants for herself and her preteen children! With space at a premium, Rebecca and team pulled out all the stops to create a minimalist modern bathroom with spa-like shower you can actually stand up in as well as a private toilet room and this custom built vanity with sliding cabinet doors below and a sliding mirror concealing the medicine cabinet. A white porcelain vessel sink and a chrome deck mounted waterfall faucet sits atop laminated countertops featuring a subtle striation of white on white which completes this modern Bathroom. Mission Accomplished!

Patio kitchen - mid-sized traditional backyard concrete paver patio kitchen idea in New York with a gazebo

The Sonoma Farmhaus project was designed for a cycling enthusiast with a globally demanding professional career, who wanted to create a place that could serve as both a retreat of solitude and a hub for gathering with friends and family. Located within the town of Graton, California, the site was chosen not only to be close to a small town and its community, but also to be within cycling distance to the picturesque, coastal Sonoma County landscape. Taking the traditional forms of farmhouse, and their notions of sustenance and community, as inspiration, the project comprises an assemblage of two forms - a Main House and a Guest House with Bike Barn - joined in the middle by a central outdoor gathering space anchored by a fireplace. The vision was to create something consciously restrained and one with the ground on which it stands. Simplicity, clear detailing, and an innate understanding of how things go together were all central themes behind the design. Solid walls of rammed earth blocks, fabricated from soils excavated from the site, bookend each of the structures. According to the owner, the use of simple, yet rich materials and textures...“provides a humanness I’ve not known or felt in any living venue I’ve stayed, Farmhaus is an icon of sustenance for me".

Lavender makes a statement in every aspect of design and functionality. As you enter the front door of the home you are immediately engulfed by the covered lanai which runs the entire length of the home. It’s bordered by a uniquely shaped swimming pool and connecting pool deck. A casita with en-suite bathroom is separated from the main residence but is connected to the home through the lanai. The great room spans 31’-8” in length and is bordered by the uniquely designed arched kitchen and arched island. The great room has two sets of 90 degree floor to ceiling, fully retractable and hidden glass doors which open completely allowing for the seamless interaction between the interior and the exterior lanai. The master suite is located on the first floor and comprises the full width of the home. It features two independent vanities and sinks, two separate water closets, and two dressing room/closets that are situated around a free-standing tub and double entry shower. A porte-cochere driveway leads you into a driveway court where a two car garage is on one side of the residence and a single car garage on the opposite side of the driveway court. Lavender has 4,709 square feet of air conditioned area with 7,034 of total under roof square footage. Awards: 2006 Parade of Homes – “Grand Award Winner”, Home Builders Association of Metro Orlando 2006 Orlando Home & Leisure’s: – Second Place Bath of the Year – Third Place Living Room of the Year – Honorable Mention Dining Room – Honorable Mention Kitchen

What began as a renovation project morphed into a new house, driven by the natural beauty of the site. The new structures are perfectly aligned with the coastline, and take full advantage of the views of ocean, islands, and shoals. The location is within walking distance of town and its amenities, yet miles away in the privacy it affords. The house is nestled on a nicely wooded lot, giving the residence screening from the street, with an open meadow leading to the ocean on the rear of the lot. The design concept was driven by the serenity of the site, enhanced by textures of trees, plantings, sand and shoreline. The newly constructed house sits quietly in a location advantageously positioned to take full advantage of natural light and solar orientations. The visual calm is enhanced by the natural material: stone, wood, and metal throughout the home. The main structures are comprised of traditional New England forms, with modern connectors serving to unify the structures. Each building is equally suited for single floor living, if that future needs is ever necessary. Unique too is an underground connection between main house and an outbuilding. With their flowing connections, no room is isolated or ignored; instead each reflects a different level of privacy and social interaction. Just as there are layers to the exterior in beach, field, forest and oceans, the inside has a layered approach. Textures in wood, stone, and neutral colors combine with the warmth of linens, wools, and metals. Personality and character of the interiors and its furnishings are tailored to the client’s lifestyle. Rooms are arranged and organized in an intersection of public and private spaces. The quiet palette within reflects the nature outside, enhanced with artwork and accessories.

This modern family home sits atop stone ledges overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The newly constructed home is a contemporary shingle style with a twist of Vermont country. The first floor is anchored by a family style eat-in kitchen adjoining an open floor plan that takes advantage of the panoramic views of the Atlantic. The second floor is comprised of three junior suites and a master suite with a balcony. The three car garage, play room above and in-law suite in the basement complete the interior of the home. The approach up the driveway provides a glimpse of the dramatic ocean views through a passageway between the house and mature arborvitae. A series of retaining walls undulating from the ocean facing elevation creates gathering areas at different levels as the lot slopes downward toward the stone ledge. Photo Credit: Eric Roth

Windows reaching a grand 12’ in height fully capture the allurement of the area, bringing the outdoors into each space. Furthermore, the large 16’ multi-paneled doors provide the constant awareness of forest life just beyond. The unique roof lines are mimicked throughout the home with trapezoid transom windows, ensuring optimal daylighting and design interest. A standing-seam metal, clads the multi-tiered shed-roof line. The dark aesthetic of the roof anchors the home and brings a cohesion to the exterior design. The contemporary exterior is comprised of cedar shake, horizontal and vertical wood siding, and aluminum clad panels creating dimension while remaining true to the natural environment. The Glo A5 double pane windows and doors were utilized for their cost-effective durability and efficiency. The A5 Series provides a thermally-broken aluminum frame with multiple air seals, low iron glass, argon filled glazing, and low-e coating. These features create an unparalleled double-pane product equipped for the variant northern temperatures of the region. With u-values as low as 0.280, these windows ensure year-round comfort.

Hidden next to the fairways of The Bears Club in Jupiter Florida. This home is a classic 8,200 square foot Mediterranean estate with some contemporary flare. Custom built for our client, this home is comprised of all the essentials including five bedrooms, six full baths in addition to two half baths, grand room featuring a marble fireplace, dining room adjacent to a large wine room, family room overlooking the loggia and pool as well as a master wing complete with separate his and her closets and bathrooms.

This 4,500 sq. foot house is set on a spectacular coastal site overlooking the Yankee Point and the rocky Carmel coastline. The house is comprised of three volumes, each with a distinctive roof shape, and is organized around an outdoor courtyard that is screened from ocean breezes. Built with sustainable materials, each space enjoys dramatic views of the ocean crashing against the jagged California coastline.

Annadelle is an exquisite, solid color, cut and loop diamond design. Skillfully crafted with a soft hand and clean finish, Annadelle incorporates an outlined diamond design that creates depth and dimension on the floor. This traditional motif, mixed with its heavy weight construction, evokes a classic sophistication. Constructed of STAINMASTER® Luxerell® nylon fiber and part of the Active Family™ brand, Annadelle is comprised of thirty-six gorgeous tones.

This charming European-inspired home juxtaposes old-world architecture with more contemporary details. The exterior is primarily comprised of granite stonework with limestone accents. The stair turret provides circulation throughout all three levels of the home, and custom iron windows afford expansive lake and mountain views. The interior features custom iron windows, plaster walls, reclaimed heart pine timbers, quartersawn oak floors and reclaimed oak millwork.

This lovely home has TWO home offices...His and Hers. "His" study is punctuated by black interior doors and deeper blue hues, while "her" study is comprised of soft neutrals. Artwork makes a statement in each space.

This triptych is comprised of three panels, each 8' x 4', to cover an area larger than 8' x 12'. Each panel is filled with 50 million year old fossil fish from Green River Stone Company's private quarry.

This client wanted their Terrace Level to be comprised of the warm finishes and colors found in a true Tuscan home. Basement was completely unfinished so once we space planned for all necessary areas including pre-teen media area and game room, adult media area, home bar and wine cellar guest suite and bathroom; we started selecting materials that were authentic and yet low maintenance since the entire space opens to an outdoor living area with pool. The wood like porcelain tile used to create interest on floors was complimented by custom distressed beams on the ceilings. Real stucco walls and brick floors lit by a wrought iron lantern create a true wine cellar mood. A sloped fireplace designed with brick, stone and stucco was enhanced with the rustic wood beam mantle to resemble a fireplace seen in Italy while adding a perfect and unexpected rustic charm and coziness to the bar area. Finally decorative finishes were applied to columns for a layered and worn appearance. Tumbled stone backsplash behind the bar was hand painted for another one of a kind focal point. Some other important features are the double sided iron railed staircase designed to make the space feel more unified and open and the barrel ceiling in the wine cellar. Carefully selected furniture and accessories complete the look.