Example of a mid-sized beach style great room design in San Diego

2010 NATIONAL NARI REGIONAL AWARD WINNER Project Scope The owners of this 7,000 square foot colonial in Oakton, Virginia, were seeking a multi-level Mediterranean-style indoor/outdoor living space off the back of their home. They turned to Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes for a design solution that would include a stone patio, a second-story deck, a screened-in porch and linking staircases. While the structure was designed primarily for family dining and entertaining, it also had to accommodate periodic social gatherings of one hundred guests or more. To meet these needs, the project would include a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen, several serving counters with permanent refrigeration, and well-delineated socializing and dining zones. The existing home’s setting offered several impressive assets the new outdoor living area was designed to exploit. The sprawling acreage features old stand trees, wooded paths and a private lake. Beautifully landscaped, it unfolds as an idyllic panorama that naturally draws people to the outdoors. Challenges Since the rear elevation was situated on a slope that drops away from the house, the Michael Nash team had to raise the grade two feet within in a 2,000 square foot area extending out from the back of the house. Infrastructure plans also called for a sophisticated drainage system that had to accommodate a whole series of water “runoff” considerations to be integrated into the decking itself. Excavation included constructing retaining walls to bolster the elevated grade—which also had to support a concrete slab, the primary foundation for the entire complex. Solutions The ground level decking consists of a 2,000 square foot flagstone patio level with the home’s lower level doors. There is a decorative water fountain mid-patio—an ornate collectible acquired in Florida. Food preparation is concentrated within a specially designed semi-circular wall that creates an “outdoor kitchen” equipped with a 60” Viking barbecue grill, a prep sink, a warming drawer, refrigerator and appropriate storage. There is a granite surfaced dining counter with seating for eight. Wrought iron railing and approximately 20 decorative columns (some encasing steel vertical supports) are incorporated into the design scheme. Many of the columns house accent lights. The top level—supported by horizontal steel beams– is a 2,500 square foot deck constructed entirely of Trex decking. The open air decking is, again, directly accessible from rooms on the second level of the house including the kitchen, sunroom and family room. The platform’s most prominent feature is a U-shaped “kitchenette” with cedar shake shingle roofing. Like its counterpart one level below, the facility is equipped with grill, refrigerator and stainless steel cabinetry. One portion of the deck has been allocated for a 16’ x 16’ octagonal screened-in porch crowned by a pair of 2’ x 4’ skylights. The porch can be accessed from the home’s conservatory via a set of French doors. With its mosaic tile flooring, stained cedar panel ceiling and honed granite counters, the interior is elegant and calming. Hand-painted stenciling and a wall-mounted water feature provide distinctive detailing. Finally, the design introduced elements to highlight and reinforce an awareness of the lovely bucolic setting. Fountains and water features combined with textured surfaces and mosaic tiling and backsplashes to present a villa-like ambiance well-suited to the Virginia countryside.

Graced with an abundance of windows, Alexandria’s modern meets traditional exterior boasts stylish stone accents, interesting rooflines and a pillared and welcoming porch. You’ll never lack for style or sunshine in this inspired transitional design perfect for a growing family. The timeless design merges a variety of classic architectural influences and fits perfectly into any neighborhood. A farmhouse feel can be seen in the exterior’s peaked roof, while the shingled accents reference the ever-popular Craftsman style. Inside, an abundance of windows flood the open-plan interior with light. Beyond the custom front door with its eye-catching sidelights is 2,350 square feet of living space on the first level, with a central foyer leading to a large kitchen and walk-in pantry, adjacent 14 by 16-foot hearth room and spacious living room with a natural fireplace. Also featured is a dining area and convenient home management center perfect for keeping your family life organized on the floor plan’s right side and a private study on the left, which lead to two patios, one covered and one open-air. Private spaces are concentrated on the 1,800-square-foot second level, where a large master suite invites relaxation and rest and includes built-ins, a master bath with double vanity and two walk-in closets. Also upstairs is a loft, laundry and two additional family bedrooms as well as 400 square foot of attic storage. The approximately 1,500-square-foot lower level features a 15 by 24-foot family room, a guest bedroom, billiards and refreshment area, and a 15 by 26-foot home theater perfect for movie nights. Photographer: Ashley Avila Photography

Graced with an abundance of windows, Alexandria’s modern meets traditional exterior boasts stylish stone accents, interesting rooflines and a pillared and welcoming porch. You’ll never lack for style or sunshine in this inspired transitional design perfect for a growing family. The timeless design merges a variety of classic architectural influences and fits perfectly into any neighborhood. A farmhouse feel can be seen in the exterior’s peaked roof, while the shingled accents reference the ever-popular Craftsman style. Inside, an abundance of windows flood the open-plan interior with light. Beyond the custom front door with its eye-catching sidelights is 2,350 square feet of living space on the first level, with a central foyer leading to a large kitchen and walk-in pantry, adjacent 14 by 16-foot hearth room and spacious living room with a natural fireplace. Also featured is a dining area and convenient home management center perfect for keeping your family life organized on the floor plan’s right side and a private study on the left, which lead to two patios, one covered and one open-air. Private spaces are concentrated on the 1,800-square-foot second level, where a large master suite invites relaxation and rest and includes built-ins, a master bath with double vanity and two walk-in closets. Also upstairs is a loft, laundry and two additional family bedrooms as well as 400 square foot of attic storage. The approximately 1,500-square-foot lower level features a 15 by 24-foot family room, a guest bedroom, billiards and refreshment area, and a 15 by 26-foot home theater perfect for movie nights. Photographer: Ashley Avila Photography

Generous windows in the greatroom provide passive solar heating in the winter months, while deep roof overhangs provide protection from solar gain in the summer months. Photo: E.A. Weymuller

Large elegant l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, marble countertops, beige backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and raised-panel cabinets

2010 NATIONAL NARI REGIONAL AWARD WINNER Project Scope The owners of this 7,000 square foot colonial in Oakton, Virginia, were seeking a multi-level Mediterranean-style indoor/outdoor living space off the back of their home. They turned to Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes for a design solution that would include a stone patio, a second-story deck, a screened-in porch and linking staircases. While the structure was designed primarily for family dining and entertaining, it also had to accommodate periodic social gatherings of one hundred guests or more. To meet these needs, the project would include a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen, several serving counters with permanent refrigeration, and well-delineated socializing and dining zones. The existing home’s setting offered several impressive assets the new outdoor living area was designed to exploit. The sprawling acreage features old stand trees, wooded paths and a private lake. Beautifully landscaped, it unfolds as an idyllic panorama that naturally draws people to the outdoors. Challenges Since the rear elevation was situated on a slope that drops away from the house, the Michael Nash team had to raise the grade two feet within in a 2,000 square foot area extending out from the back of the house. Infrastructure plans also called for a sophisticated drainage system that had to accommodate a whole series of water “runoff” considerations to be integrated into the decking itself. Excavation included constructing retaining walls to bolster the elevated grade—which also had to support a concrete slab, the primary foundation for the entire complex. Solutions The ground level decking consists of a 2,000 square foot flagstone patio level with the home’s lower level doors. There is a decorative water fountain mid-patio—an ornate collectible acquired in Florida. Food preparation is concentrated within a specially designed semi-circular wall that creates an “outdoor kitchen” equipped with a 60” Viking barbecue grill, a prep sink, a warming drawer, refrigerator and appropriate storage. There is a granite surfaced dining counter with seating for eight. Wrought iron railing and approximately 20 decorative columns (some encasing steel vertical supports) are incorporated into the design scheme. Many of the columns house accent lights. The top level—supported by horizontal steel beams– is a 2,500 square foot deck constructed entirely of Trex decking. The open air decking is, again, directly accessible from rooms on the second level of the house including the kitchen, sunroom and family room. The platform’s most prominent feature is a U-shaped “kitchenette” with cedar shake shingle roofing. Like its counterpart one level below, the facility is equipped with grill, refrigerator and stainless steel cabinetry. One portion of the deck has been allocated for a 16’ x 16’ octagonal screened-in porch crowned by a pair of 2’ x 4’ skylights. The porch can be accessed from the home’s conservatory via a set of French doors. With its mosaic tile flooring, stained cedar panel ceiling and honed granite counters, the interior is elegant and calming. Hand-painted stenciling and a wall-mounted water feature provide distinctive detailing. Finally, the design introduced elements to highlight and reinforce an awareness of the lovely bucolic setting. Fountains and water features combined with textured surfaces and mosaic tiling and backsplashes to present a villa-like ambiance well-suited to the Virginia countryside.

The home office has evolved into an indispensable space that seamlessly blends productivity and comfort. Tailored to the demands of remote work or personal projects, a well-designed home office often features ergonomic furniture, ample storage, and efficient technology integration. Thoughtful placement of desks and chairs enhances workflow, while strategic lighting promotes focus and reduces eye strain. The home office is not only a functional workspace but also an expression of individual style, with personalized decor and organizational elements contributing to a conducive and inspiring atmosphere. As the boundary between work and home blurs, the home office emerges as a versatile sanctuary that fosters concentration, creativity, and a harmonious work-life balance.

Spacecrafting
Inspiration for a timeless gray three-story mixed siding exterior home remodel in Minneapolis

This Montclair kitchen is given brand new life as the core of the house and is opened to its concentric interior and exterior spaces. This kitchen is now the entry, the patio area, the serving area and the dining area. The space is versatile as a daily home for a family of four as well as accommodating large groups for entertaining. An existing fireplace was re-faced and acts as an anchor to the renovations on all four sides of it. Brightly colored accents of yellow and orange give orientation to the constantly shifting perspectives within the home. Photo by David Duncan Livingston

s.zovko
Example of a 1950s bathroom design in Phoenix

This Montclair kitchen is given brand new life as the core of the house and is opened to its concentric interior and exterior spaces. This kitchen is now the entry, the patio area, the serving area and the dining area. The space is versatile as a daily home for a family of four as well as accommodating large groups for entertaining. An existing fireplace was re-faced and acts as an anchor to the renovations on all four sides of it. Brightly colored accents of yellow and orange give orientation to the constantly shifting perspectives within the home. Photo by David Duncan Livingston

Example of a trendy galley eat-in kitchen design in Miami with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, multicolored backsplash and paneled appliances

This Montclair kitchen is given brand new life as the core of the house and is opened to its concentric interior and exterior spaces. This kitchen is now the entry, the patio area, the serving area and the dining area. The space is versatile as a daily home for a family of four as well as accommodating large groups for entertaining. An existing fireplace was re-faced and acts as an anchor to the renovations on all four sides of it. Brightly colored accents of yellow and orange give orientation to the constantly shifting perspectives within the home. Photo by David Duncan Livingston

Builder: Brad DeHaan Homes Photographer: Brad Gillette Every day feels like a celebration in this stylish design that features a main level floor plan perfect for both entertaining and convenient one-level living. The distinctive transitional exterior welcomes friends and family with interesting peaked rooflines, stone pillars, stucco details and a symmetrical bank of windows. A three-car garage and custom details throughout give this compact home the appeal and amenities of a much-larger design and are a nod to the Craftsman and Mediterranean designs that influenced this updated architectural gem. A custom wood entry with sidelights match the triple transom windows featured throughout the house and echo the trim and features seen in the spacious three-car garage. While concentrated on one main floor and a lower level, there is no shortage of living and entertaining space inside. The main level includes more than 2,100 square feet, with a roomy 31 by 18-foot living room and kitchen combination off the central foyer that’s perfect for hosting parties or family holidays. The left side of the floor plan includes a 10 by 14-foot dining room, a laundry and a guest bedroom with bath. To the right is the more private spaces, with a relaxing 11 by 10-foot study/office which leads to the master suite featuring a master bath, closet and 13 by 13-foot sleeping area with an attractive peaked ceiling. The walkout lower level offers another 1,500 square feet of living space, with a large family room, three additional family bedrooms and a shared bath.

This is a great example of a low maintenance contemporary landscape design. The backyard consist mostly of stone and gravel in a geometric shapes. Rectangular concentric "rings" highlight the fountains. The landscape is accented with outdoor modern LED lighting fixtures.

Circle-on-circle and curve-on-curve became the theme for this suburban Minneapolis back yard. A step-out deck connects to the lower screened porch and several outdoor patios. Each curve becomes concentric, as patterns and paths expand throughout the landscape setting. Credit: Tad Anderson. All rights exclusively reserved.

To the manor born… or at least it will feel like it in this elegant yet easygoing French Country home designed by Visbeen Architects with a busy family who wants the best of the past and the present in mind. Drawn from both French and English traditional architecture, this two-story 5,463-square-foot home is a pleasing and timeless blend of two perennially popular styles. Driving up the circular driveway, the home’s front façade impresses with its distinctive details, including a covered porch, iron and stone accents, a roofline with multiple peaks, large windows and its central turret capping two bay windows. The back is no less eye-catching, with a series of large central windows on all three floors overlooking the backyard, two private balconies and both a covered second-floor screen porch and an open-air main-level patio perfect for al fresco entertaining. There’s magic on the inside too. The expansive 2,900-square-foot main level revolves around a welcoming two-story foyer with a grand curved staircase that leads into the rest of the luxurious yet not excessive floor plan. Highlights of the public spaces on the left include a spacious two-story light-filled living room with a wall of windows overlooking the backyard and a fireplace, an adjacent dining room perfect for entertaining with its own deck, and a open-plan kitchen with central island, convenient home management area and walk-in pantry. A nearby screened porch is the perfect place for enjoying outdoors meals bug-free. Private rooms are concentrated on the first-floor’s right side, with a secluded master suite that includes spa-like bath with his and her vanities and a large tub as well as a private balcony, large walk-in closet and secluded nearby study/office. Upstairs, another 1,100 square feet of living space is designed with family living in mind, including two bedrooms, each with private bath and large closet, and a convenient kids study with peaked ceiling overlooking the street. The central circular staircase leads to another 1,800 square-feet in the lower level, with a large family room with kitchen /bar, a guest bedroom suite, a handy exercise area and access to a nearby covered patio. Photographer: Brad Gillette

A French cottage in Atlanta gets a facelift with a new coat of paint, front door surround made of rusticated limestone, limestone steps, and a new walk way. A new front door made of sapele mahogany with leaded restoration glass was constructed by Architectural Details and Millwork. Architect J. Ryan Duffey. Limestone front door surround by Cutting Edge Stone.