Impluvium Architecture Alamo, CA, USA The realtor who sold the property to the Dinstells mentioned that an Architect just bought the property next door (we were neighbors for our first house - found under Houzz Projects = Haley 3) I was the Architect and helped coordinate with various sub-contractors. I also co-designed the project with various consultants including Interior and Landscape Design (+our house concurrently being built next door) This project I had to put professional ethics above my personal needs for my new house concurrently built next door. I originally wanted a Modern House and the Dinstell's wanted a French Country but I knew that they would clash next to each other so I redesigned our house to be a Contemporary Craftsman style.

Impluvium Architecture Alamo, CA, USA The realtor who sold the property to the Dinstells mentioned that an Architect just bought the property next door (we were neighbors for our first house - found under Houzz Projects = Haley 3) I was the Architect and helped coordinate with various sub-contractors. I also co-designed the project with various consultants including Interior and Landscape Design (+our house concurrently being built next door) This project I had to put professional ethics above my personal needs for my new house concurrently built next door. I originally wanted a Modern House and the Dinstell's wanted a French Country but I knew that they would clash next to each other so I redesigned our house to be a Contemporary Craftsman style. Photographed by: Tim Haley

Everything begins with one look, a glimpse of everyday life. A plastered wall which becomes the source of inspiration to create a new surface where simplicity and concurrently softness become the distinguishing aesthetic and tactile features. A structure and a texture of the utmost appeal.

The objective of this project was to create a self-contained guest house and provide a great room that would serve the main house. Over half the volume of this guest house is occupied by a high-ceilinged living room suitable for multiple concurrent activities. At one side of the large space is a fanciful stair leading up around the chimney to a second floor sleeping loft and bathroom. The chinoiserie railing and the immense cast lion's head mounted on the chimney contribute to a festive air. From the sleeping loft it is possible to climb up into a small cupola built around the chimney top. At the opposite side a stairway provides access to an interior and exterior balcony.

Impluvium Architecture Alamo, CA, USA The realtor who sold the property to the Dinstells mentioned that an Architect just bought the property next door (we were neighbors for our first house - found under Houzz Projects = Haley 3) I was the Architect and helped coordinate with various sub-contractors. I also co-designed the project with various consultants including Interior and Landscape Design (+our house concurrently being built next door) This project I had to put professional ethics above my personal needs for my new house concurrently built next door. I originally wanted a Modern House and the Dinstell's wanted a French Country but I knew that they would clash next to each other so I redesigned our house to be a Contemporary Craftsman style. Photographed by: Tim Haley

Impluvium Architecture Alamo, CA, USA The realtor who sold the property to the Dinstells mentioned that an Architect just bought the property next door (we were neighbors for our first house - found under Houzz Projects = Haley 3) I was the Architect and helped coordinate with various sub-contractors. I also co-designed the project with various consultants including Interior and Landscape Design (+our house concurrently being built next door) This project I had to put professional ethics above my personal needs for my new house concurrently built next door. I originally wanted a Modern House and the Dinstell's wanted a French Country but I knew that they would clash next to each other so I redesigned our house to be a Contemporary Craftsman style.

The entrance to "Grandma's House", where the brides now prepare for the big day. Surrounded by redwood trees and the flowing sound of Soquel Creek, this charming multi-generational family winery is concurrently a tasting room, working winery and wedding venue. Clients wanted to update the landscaping, lighting and overall look of the property to reflect a rustic yet elegant European aesthetic that matches their fine wine. As such, striking and colorful plants were chosen in deep reds and pinks to match the brick and tile as well as the wine itself. High-quality FX Luminaire lighting was added throughout parking lot and trees were illuminated with uplights for a beautiful nighttime effect. The vintage cottage which was once "Grandma's House" is still affectionately referred to as such and now hosts bridal parties! The courtyard outside Grandma's House was updated with large pots, cascading roses and olive trees. The wedding reservations are coming in and tasting room guests are sipping Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir on the patio next to the creek.

Surrounded by redwood trees and the flowing sound of Soquel Creek, this charming multi-generational family winery is concurrently a tasting room, working winery and wedding venue. Clients wanted to update the landscaping, lighting and overall look of the property to reflect a rustic yet elegant European aesthetic that matches their fine wine. As such, striking and colorful plants were chosen in deep reds and pinks to match the brick and tile as well as the wine itself. High-quality FX Luminaire lighting was added throughout parking lot and trees were illuminated with uplights for a beautiful nighttime effect. The vintage cottage which was once "Grandma's House" is still affectionately referred to as such and now hosts bridal parties! The courtyard outside Grandma's House was updated with large pots, cascading roses and olive trees. The wedding reservations are coming in and tasting room guests are sipping Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir on the patio next to the creek.

Everything begins with one look, a glimpse of everyday life. A plastered wall which becomes the source of inspiration to create a new surface where simplicity and concurrently softness become the distinguishing aesthetic and tactile features. A structure and a texture of the utmost appeal.

Impluvium Architecture Alamo, CA, USA The realtor who sold the property to the Dinstells mentioned that an Architect just bought the property next door (we were neighbors for our first house - found under Houzz Projects = Haley 3) I was the Architect and helped coordinate with various sub-contractors. I also co-designed the project with various consultants including Interior and Landscape Design (+our house concurrently being built next door) This project I had to put professional ethics above my personal needs for my new house concurrently built next door. I originally wanted a Modern House and the Dinstell's wanted a French Country but I knew that they would clash next to each other so I redesigned our house to be a Contemporary Craftsman style.

Everything begins with one look, a glimpse of everyday life. A plastered wall which becomes the source of inspiration to create a new surface where simplicity and concurrently softness become the distinguishing aesthetic and tactile features. A structure and a texture of the utmost appeal.

Everything begins with one look, a glimpse of everyday life. A plastered wall which becomes the source of inspiration to create a new surface where simplicity and concurrently softness become the distinguishing aesthetic and tactile features. A structure and a texture of the utmost appeal.

Beautiful steps up the side of the home are flanked by textural shrubs, succulents and boulders. This active family needed to overhaul this large property but didn't know where to start. "It's like three acres of boring dirt and weeds", said my client. The steeply sloped property did indeed present unique challenges with ever-present voracious deer, the need for erosion control and bank stabilization, large areas that required planting while still considering water conservation, and the need for beautification and modernization to tie into the aesthetic of the newly renovated home. Concurrently, safety and access to all parts of the property were a consideration. Landscaping goals were accomplished through careful plant selection and judicious use of retaining walls in various styles throughout the property. Generous railroad tie steps were used on sloping side yards. The landscaped portions converge gracefully with the existing oak woodland. Children can play and hide in many fun spots, while my client's elderly grandmother can safely walk around.

Why can't the side access be beautiful too? Most important is that this was safe and easily accessible for Grandma. This active family needed to overhaul this large property but didn't know where to start. "It's like three acres of boring dirt and weeds", said my client. The steeply sloped property did indeed present unique challenges with ever-present voracious deer, the need for erosion control and bank stabilization, large areas that required planting while still considering water conservation, and the need for beautification and modernization to tie into the aesthetic of the newly renovated home. Concurrently, safety and access to all parts of the property were a consideration. Landscaping goals were accomplished through careful plant selection and judicious use of retaining walls in various styles throughout the property. Generous railroad tie steps were used on sloping side yards. The landscaped portions converge gracefully with the existing oak woodland. Children can play and hide in many fun spots, while my client's elderly grandmother can safely walk around.

Impluvium Architecture Alamo, CA, USA The realtor who sold the property to the Dinstells mentioned that an Architect just bought the property next door (we were neighbors for our first house - found under Houzz Projects = Haley 3) I was the Architect and helped coordinate with various sub-contractors. I also co-designed the project with various consultants including Interior and Landscape Design (+our house concurrently being built next door) This project I had to put professional ethics above my personal needs for my new house concurrently built next door. I originally wanted a Modern House and the Dinstell's wanted a French Country but I knew that they would clash next to each other so I redesigned our house to be a Contemporary Craftsman style.

Impluvium Architecture Alamo, CA, USA The realtor who sold the property to the Dinstells mentioned that an Architect just bought the property next door (we were neighbors for our first house - found under Houzz Projects = Haley 3) I was the Architect and helped coordinate with various sub-contractors. I also co-designed the project with various consultants including Interior and Landscape Design (+our house concurrently being built next door) This project I had to put professional ethics above my personal needs for my new house concurrently built next door. I originally wanted a Modern House and the Dinstell's wanted a French Country but I knew that they would clash next to each other so I redesigned our house to be a Contemporary Craftsman style.

Impluvium Architecture Alamo, CA, USA The realtor who sold the property to the Dinstells mentioned that an Architect just bought the property next door (we were neighbors for our first house - found under Houzz Projects = Haley 3) I was the Architect and helped coordinate with various sub-contractors. I also co-designed the project with various consultants including Interior and Landscape Design (+our house concurrently being built next door) This project I had to put professional ethics above my personal needs for my new house concurrently built next door. I originally wanted a Modern House and the Dinstell's wanted a French Country but I knew that they would clash next to each other so I redesigned our house to be a Contemporary Craftsman style.

Impluvium Architecture Alamo, CA, USA The realtor who sold the property to the Dinstells mentioned that an Architect just bought the property next door (we were neighbors for our first house - found under Houzz Projects = Haley 3) I was the Architect and helped coordinate with various sub-contractors. I also co-designed the project with various consultants including Interior and Landscape Design (+our house concurrently being built next door) This project I had to put professional ethics above my personal needs for my new house concurrently built next door. I originally wanted a Modern House and the Dinstell's wanted a French Country but I knew that they would clash next to each other so I redesigned our house to be a Contemporary Craftsman style.

A steeply sloped property needs many retaining walls! This active family needed to overhaul this large property but didn't know where to start. "It's like three acres of boring dirt and weeds", said my client. The steeply sloped property did indeed present unique challenges with ever-present voracious deer, the need for erosion control and bank stabilization, large areas that required planting while still considering water conservation, and the need for beautification and modernization to tie into the aesthetic of the newly renovated home. Concurrently, safety and access to all parts of the property were a consideration. Landscaping goals were accomplished through careful plant selection and judicious use of retaining walls in various styles throughout the property. Generous railroad tie steps were used on sloping side yards. The landscaped portions converge gracefully with the existing oak woodland. Children can play and hide in many fun spots, while my client's elderly grandmother can safely walk around.