The opening to the left of the server leads to the Kitchen. Photo by Glen Grayson, AIA
Example of an arts and crafts medium tone wood floor dining room design in New York with beige walls

Architect: Blaine Bonadies, Bonadies Architect Photography By: Jean Allsopp Photography “Just as described, there is an edgy, irreverent vibe here, but the result has an appropriate stature and seriousness. Love the overscale windows. And the outdoor spaces are so great.” Situated atop an old Civil War battle site, this new residence was conceived for a couple with southern values and a rock-and-roll attitude. The project consists of a house, a pool with a pool house and a renovated music studio. A marriage of modern and traditional design, this project used a combination of California redwood siding, stone and a slate roof with flat-seam lead overhangs. Intimate and well planned, there is no space wasted in this home. The execution of the detail work, such as handmade railings, metal awnings and custom windows jambs, made this project mesmerizing. Cues from the client and how they use their space helped inspire and develop the initial floor plan, making it live at a human scale but with dramatic elements. Their varying taste then inspired the theme of traditional with an edge. The lines and rhythm of the house were simplified, and then complemented with some key details that made the house a juxtaposition of styles. The wood Ultimate Casement windows were all standard sizes. However, there was a desire to make the windows have a “deep pocket” look to create a break in the facade and add a dramatic shadow line. Marvin was able to customize the jambs by extruding them to the exterior. They added a very thin exterior profile, which negated the need for exterior casing. The same detail was in the stone veneers and walls, as well as the horizontal siding walls, with no need for any modification. This resulted in a very sleek look. MARVIN PRODUCTS USED: Marvin Ultimate Casement Window

Example of a mid-sized trendy l-shaped porcelain tile and beige floor open concept kitchen design in Seattle with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and black countertops

Designed and constructed by Los Angeles architect, John Southern and his firm Urban Operations, the Slice and Fold House is a contemporary hillside home in the cosmopolitan neighborhood of Highland Park. Nestling into its steep hillside site, the house steps gracefully up the sloping topography, and provides outdoor space for every room without additional sitework. The first floor is conceived as an open plan, and features strategically located light-wells that flood the home with sunlight from above. On the second floor, each bedroom has access to outdoor space, decks and an at-grade patio, which opens onto a landscaped backyard. The home also features a roof deck inspired by Le Corbusier’s early villas, and where one can see Griffith Park and the San Gabriel Mountains in the distance.

When an international client moved from Brazil to Stamford, Connecticut, they reached out to Decor Aid, and asked for our help in modernizing a recently purchased suburban home. The client felt that the house was too “cookie-cutter,” and wanted to transform their space into a highly individualized home for their energetic family of four. In addition to giving the house a more updated and modern feel, the client wanted to use the interior design as an opportunity to segment and demarcate each area of the home. They requested that the downstairs area be transformed into a media room, where the whole family could hang out together. Both of the parents work from home, and so their office spaces had to be sequestered from the rest of the house, but conceived without any disruptive design elements. And as the husband is a photographer, he wanted to put his own artwork on display. So the furniture that we sourced had to balance the more traditional elements of the house, while also feeling cohesive with the husband’s bold, graphic, contemporary style of photography. The first step in transforming this house was repainting the interior and exterior, which were originally done in outdated beige and taupe colors. To set the tone for a classically modern design scheme, we painted the exterior a charcoal grey, with a white trim, and repainted the door a crimson red. The home offices were placed in a quiet corner of the house, and outfitted with a similar color palette: grey walls, a white trim, and red accents, for a seamless transition between work space and home life. The house is situated on the edge of a Connecticut forest, with clusters of maple, birch, and hemlock trees lining the property. So we installed white window treatments, to accentuate the natural surroundings, and to highlight the angular architecture of the home. In the entryway, a bold, graphic print, and a thick-pile sheepskin rug set the tone for this modern, yet comfortable home. While the formal room was conceived with a high-contrast neutral palette and angular, contemporary furniture, the downstairs media area includes a spiral staircase, comfortable furniture, and patterned accent pillows, which creates a more relaxed atmosphere. Equipped with a television, a fully-stocked bar, and a variety of table games, the downstairs media area has something for everyone in this energetic young family.

Mid-sized trendy l-shaped porcelain tile and beige floor open concept kitchen photo in Seattle with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and black countertops

Conceived more similar to a loft type space rather than a traditional single family home, the homeowner was seeking to challenge a normal arrangement of rooms in favor of spaces that are dynamic in all 3 dimensions, interact with the yard, and capture the movement of light and air. As an artist that explores the beauty of natural objects and scenes, she tasked us with creating a building that was not precious - one that explores the essence of its raw building materials and is not afraid of expressing them as finished. We designed opportunities for kinetic fixtures, many built by the homeowner, to allow flexibility and movement. The result is a building that compliments the casual artistic lifestyle of the occupant as part home, part work space, part gallery. The spaces are interactive, contemplative, and fun. More details to come. ​ credits: design: Matthew O. Daby - m.o.daby design / construction: Cellar Ridge Construction / structural engineer: Darla Wall - Willamette Building Solutions / photography: Erin Riddle - KLIK Concepts

This project encompasses the renovation of two aging metal warehouses located on an acre just North of the 610 loop. The larger warehouse, previously an auto body shop, measures 6000 square feet and will contain a residence, art studio, and garage. A light well puncturing the middle of the main residence brightens the core of the deep building. The over-sized roof opening washes light down three masonry walls that define the light well and divide the public and private realms of the residence. The interior of the light well is conceived as a serene place of reflection while providing ample natural light into the Master Bedroom. Large windows infill the previous garage door openings and are shaded by a generous steel canopy as well as a new evergreen tree court to the west. Adjacent, a 1200 sf building is reconfigured for a guest or visiting artist residence and studio with a shared outdoor patio for entertaining. Photo by Peter Molick, Art by Karin Broker

Set amongst a splendid display of forty-one oaks, the design for this family residence demanded an intimate knowledge and respectful acceptance of the trees as the indigenous inhabitants of the space. Crafted from this symbiotic relationship, the architecture found natural placement in the beautiful spaces between the forty-one, acknowledging their presence and pedagogy. Conceived as a series of interconnected pavilions, the home hovers slightly above the native grasslands as it settles down amongst the oaks. Broad overhanging flat plate roofs cantilever out, connecting indoor living space to the nature beyond. Large windows are strategically placed to capture views of particularly well-sculptured trees, and enhance the connection of the grove and the home to the valley surround.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped porcelain tile and beige floor open concept kitchen remodel in Seattle with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and black countertops

The goal for this mid-century home was to exploit the best features of the property, taking advantage of views, the dramatic light, the potential for an incredible indoor-outdoor experience and the mid-century bones of the house. When we first visited the property, I was struck by the potential for a beautiful mountain view that was currently cut off by a low ceiling height in the main living area. Raising the roof of the main living area became the largest gesture in our scope of work. The former chopped-up side entry and tiny kitchen were combined to make a long, generous kitchen and built-in banquette. The original rhombus-shaped pool was kept, restored and lined with Ann Sacks tiles. In the center of the action, we conceived a large floating desk surface suspended from a black metal screen to define the space and allow filtered light and views to pass between. The clients were drawn to clean lines, pared-down details and highly disciplined palettes of white, grey and matte black. We generally opted for deep, muted colors balanced with crisp white, adding textures to create patterns with the shifting daylight throughout the house. This soothing collection of finishes playing with light and shadow would achieve a peaceful and elegant home that would stand the test of time and honor the landscape of the surrounding area. ​ Photography: Douglas Friedman

The owner proposed a Rustic Modern aesthetic, and the design highlights trees harvested from the site as columns for the timber frame structure. Nestled into a Western slope the house enjoys dramatic views to the East. Conceived as the ultimate family house, the main floor is the heart of the residence, and the third floor houses the master bedroom suite with guest rooms lower level. Photo by Tom Bodell

Conceived more similar to a loft type space rather than a traditional single family home, the homeowner was seeking to challenge a normal arrangement of rooms in favor of spaces that are dynamic in all 3 dimensions, interact with the yard, and capture the movement of light and air. As an artist that explores the beauty of natural objects and scenes, she tasked us with creating a building that was not precious - one that explores the essence of its raw building materials and is not afraid of expressing them as finished. We designed opportunities for kinetic fixtures, many built by the homeowner, to allow flexibility and movement. The result is a building that compliments the casual artistic lifestyle of the occupant as part home, part work space, part gallery. The spaces are interactive, contemplative, and fun. More details to come. ​ credits: design: Matthew O. Daby - m.o.daby design / construction: Cellar Ridge Construction / structural engineer: Darla Wall - Willamette Building Solutions / photography: Erin Riddle - KLIK Concepts

Conceived by architect Rafael Viñoly—432 Park Avenue is the tallest residential skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere. This apartment designed by John Beckmann and his design firm Axis Mundi has some of the most breathtaking views in Manhattan. Known for their glamorous low-slung aesthetic, Axis Mundi took the challenge to design the residence for an American client living in China with a family of four, and an important art collection (including the likes of Cy Twombly, Gerhard Richter, Susan Frecon, Vik Muniz and Lisette Schumacher, among others). In the dining room, a Bocci “28 Chandelier” hangs above an intricate marble and brass table by Henge, with ceramics by John Born. Entering the main living area, a monumental “Let it Be” sectional from Poltrona Frau sits on a silver custom-designed Joseph Carini wool and silk rug. A ‘Surface” coffee table designed by Vincent Van Duysen and “Fulgens” armchairs in saddle leather by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia create the penultimate space for entertaining. The sensuous red library features custom-designed bookshelves in burnished brass and walnut, as a “Wing Sofa” in red velvet from Flexform floats atop a “Ponti” area rug from the Rug Company. “JJ Chairs” in Mongolian lamb fur from B&B Italia add a rock and roll swagger to the space. The kitchen accentuates the grey marble flooring and all-white color palette, with the exception of a few light wood and marble details. A dramatic pendant in hand-burnished brass, designed by Henge, hovers above the kitchen island, while a floating marble counter spans the window opening. It is a serene spot to enjoy a morning cappuccino while pondering the ever-changing skyline of the Metropolis. In a counterintuitive move, Beckmann decided to make the gallery dark by finishing the walls in a smoked lacquered plaster with hints of mica, which add sparkle and glitter. John Beckmann made sure to include extravagant fabrics from Christopher Hyland and a deft mix of textures and colors to the design. In the master bedroom is a wall-length headboard system in leather and velvet panels from Poliform, with luxurious bedding from Frette. Dupre Lafon lounge chairs in a buttery leather rest on a custom golden silk carpet by Joseph Carini, while a pair of parchment bedside lamps by Jean Michel Frank complete the design. The facade is treated with an LED lighting system which changes colors and can be controlled by the client with their iPhone from the street. Design: John Beckmann, with Hannah LaSota Photography: Durston Saylor Renderings: 3DS Contractor: Cardinal Construction Size: 4000 sf © Axis Mundi Design LLC

This 7,000 square foot, single family home, nestled at the base of San Francisco’s skyline Landmark, Sutro Tower, is an impressive representation of the quality of work Cook Construction produces. Designed by visionary John Maniscalco Architects, this 4 story modern marvel has impressive 23’ custom windows revealing breathtaking panoramic views of the city and surrounding bay. Its’ expansive kitchen and living areas include state-of-the-art appliances, European cabinetry and Lucifer mud-in lighting. A handsomely showcased wine room, a nourishing spa, complete with sauna, steam room and custom stainless hot tub, and large fitness studio with garden views, are only some of its elegantly conceived amenities. Floor to ceiling pocket doors, trim-less casings and baseboards, and other hidden reveals situated throughout this home create a sleek yet functional gravitas.

SDH Studio - Architecture and Design Location: Bal Harbour, Florida, USA Set in a magnificent corner lot in Bal Harbour Village the site is filled with natural light. This contemporary home is conceived as an open floor plan that integrates indoor with outdoor maximizing family living and entertaining.

Open concept kitchen - mid-sized contemporary l-shaped porcelain tile open concept kitchen idea in Seattle with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and black countertops

When an international client moved from Brazil to Stamford, Connecticut, they reached out to Decor Aid, and asked for our help in modernizing a recently purchased suburban home. The client felt that the house was too “cookie-cutter,” and wanted to transform their space into a highly individualized home for their energetic family of four. In addition to giving the house a more updated and modern feel, the client wanted to use the interior design as an opportunity to segment and demarcate each area of the home. They requested that the downstairs area be transformed into a media room, where the whole family could hang out together. Both of the parents work from home, and so their office spaces had to be sequestered from the rest of the house, but conceived without any disruptive design elements. And as the husband is a photographer, he wanted to put his own artwork on display. So the furniture that we sourced had to balance the more traditional elements of the house, while also feeling cohesive with the husband’s bold, graphic, contemporary style of photography. The first step in transforming this house was repainting the interior and exterior, which were originally done in outdated beige and taupe colors. To set the tone for a classically modern design scheme, we painted the exterior a charcoal grey, with a white trim, and repainted the door a crimson red. The home offices were placed in a quiet corner of the house, and outfitted with a similar color palette: grey walls, a white trim, and red accents, for a seamless transition between work space and home life. The house is situated on the edge of a Connecticut forest, with clusters of maple, birch, and hemlock trees lining the property. So we installed white window treatments, to accentuate the natural surroundings, and to highlight the angular architecture of the home. In the entryway, a bold, graphic print, and a thick-pile sheepskin rug set the tone for this modern, yet comfortable home. While the formal room was conceived with a high-contrast neutral palette and angular, contemporary furniture, the downstairs media area includes a spiral staircase, comfortable furniture, and patterned accent pillows, which creates a more relaxed atmosphere. Equipped with a television, a fully-stocked bar, and a variety of table games, the downstairs media area has something for everyone in this energetic young family.

SDH Studio - Architecture and Design Location: Bal Harbour, Florida, USA Set in a magnificent corner lot in Bal Harbour Village the site is filled with natural light. This contemporary home is conceived as an open floor plan that integrates indoor with outdoor maximizing family living and entertaining.