The design goal of this home was to create an old English cottage. Francis Garcia of Francis Garcia Architect studied the architecture of aged English cottages through photos as well as referenced various homes in Carmel, CA. In search of a stone to complement the client’s stylistic goals, Eldorado Stone’s York Limestone proved to be exactly what they were looking for. The sense of age and authenticity in conjunction with a consistent color palette and profile cut produced the exact feel Garcia was hoping to recreate. Having experienced a great deal of success with the installation, both Francis Garcia and Ken Blaise of Blaise Construction & Development receive a great deal of requests from people inquiring about the kind of stone that brought such a strong sense of authenticity to the client’s home. Eldorado Stone Profile Featured: York Limestone Architect & Photographer: Francis Garcia of Francis Garcia Architect Phone: (925) 984 9983 Website: www.francisgarciaarchitect.com Builder: Ken Blaise of Blaise Construction & Development Phone: (925) 820-4737 Website: www.blaise-construction.com

The 5,000 square foot private residence is located in the community of Horseshoe Bay, above the shores of Lake LBJ, and responds to the Texas Hill Country vernacular prescribed by the community: shallow metal roofs, regional materials, sensitive scale massing and water-wise landscaping. The house opens to the scenic north and north-west views and fractures and shifts in order to keep significant oak, mesquite, elm, cedar and persimmon trees, in the process creating lush private patios and limestone terraces. The Owners desired an accessible residence built for flexibility as they age. This led to a single level home, and the challenge to nestle the step-less house into the sloping landscape. Full height glazing opens the house to the very beautiful arid landscape, while porches and overhangs protect interior spaces from the harsh Texas sun. Expansive walls of industrial insulated glazing panels allow soft modulated light to penetrate the interior while providing visual privacy. An integral lap pool with adjacent low fenestration reflects dappled light deep into the house. Chaste stained concrete floors and blackened steel focal elements contrast with islands of mesquite flooring, cherry casework and fir ceilings. Selective areas of exposed limestone walls, some incorporating salvaged timber lintels, and cor-ten steel components further the contrast within the uncomplicated framework. The Owner’s object and art collection is incorporated into the residence’s sequence of connecting galleries creating a choreography of passage that alternates between the lucid expression of simple ranch house architecture and the rich accumulation of their heritage. The general contractor for the project is local custom homebuilder Dauphine Homes. Structural Engineering is provided by Structures Inc. of Austin, Texas, and Landscape Architecture is provided by Prado Design LLC in conjunction with Jill Nokes, also of Austin. Cecil Baker + Partners Photography

From the gazebo, a view of a small fountain and the edible garden. We updated this backyard in conjunction with an architectural addition. The new architecture provides many new vantage points to contemplate the garden and we have created distinct views from the breakfast, the family room, and the gazebo. The renovation of the garden created new outdoor spaces for planting and family gatherings. After this project's completion, the clients held their daughter's wedding in the garden. Collaborating with stone masons, we created handsome dry-stack retaining walls that provided level areas. We blended warm ledge stone and lichen-covered moss rock in some places for visual variety while in other places we let the elegant stonework act as the focal point. We were inspired by the regal stand of redwoods on the site that encloses the garden in privacy and provides dappled light throughout. The planting palette formed around their distinct character. We selected green and red Japanese maples as well as dogwoods to complement the colors of the redwoods, and accommodated for the horticultural qualities by choosing shade-lovers such as hydrangeas, hellebores, astilbe, and ferns to create a luscious understory. In sunnier areas, we dappled the garden with our client's favorite roses and cutting perennials. Raised beds of edible plantings provide nourishment for family gatherings.

We updated this backyard in conjunction with an architectural addition. The new architecture provides many new vantage points to contemplate the garden and we have created distinct views from the breakfast, the family room, and the gazebo. The renovation of the garden created new outdoor spaces for planting and family gatherings. After this project's completion, the clients held their daughter's wedding in the garden. Collaborating with stone masons, we created handsome dry-stack retaining walls that provided level areas. We blended warm ledge stone and lichen-covered moss rock in some places for visual variety while in other places we let the elegant stonework act as the focal point. We were inspired by the regal stand of redwoods on the site that encloses the garden in privacy and provides dappled light throughout. The planting palette formed around their distinct character. We selected green and red Japanese maples as well as dogwoods to complement the colors of the redwoods, and accommodated for the horticultural qualities by choosing shade-lovers such as hydrangeas, hellebores, astilbe, and ferns to create a luscious understory. In sunnier areas, we dappled the garden with our client's favorite roses and cutting perennials. Raised beds of edible plantings provide nourishment for family gatherings.

The design goal of this home was to create an old English cottage. Francis Garcia of Francis Garcia Architect studied the architecture of aged English cottages through photos as well as referenced various homes in Carmel, CA. In search of a stone to complement the client’s stylistic goals, Eldorado Stone’s York Limestone proved to be exactly what they were looking for. The sense of age and authenticity in conjunction with a consistent color palette and profile cut produced the exact feel Garcia was hoping to recreate. Having experienced a great deal of success with the installation, both Francis Garcia and Ken Blaise of Blaise Construction & Development receive a great deal of requests from people inquiring about the kind of stone that brought such a strong sense of authenticity to the client’s home. Eldorado Stone Profile Featured: York Limestone Architect & Photographer: Francis Garcia of Francis Garcia Architect Phone: (925) 984 9983 Website: www.francisgarciaarchitect.com Builder: Ken Blaise of Blaise Construction & Development Phone: (925) 820-4737 Website: www.blaise-construction.com

Hired in conjunction with John Lum Architects, RBD collaborated in the redesign of this three bedroom, four bath home for an art savvy family of four in Noe Valley. RBD's key contributions include the design and decoration of the kitchen breakfast nook, fireplace, four bathrooms and reconfiguration of the existing master bathroom and downstairs guest room/family room. The reconfiguration of the master bathroom creates a more open layout while also featuring a custom danish modern hairpin leg vanity as its focal point. Downstairs, the guest room/family room, designed for an open, one-room concept, showcases custom built-in millwork for excellent TV watching and game storage. Finishing off the space architecturally, a custom built-in walnut entry bench and coat cabinet help modestly accentuate their secondary entry into the home given this is the family's main entrance. Working on an extremely tight budget, RBD mixed low and high end finishes and fixtures to achieve a high end overall look without breaking the bank. Key Contributors: John Lum Architects and Mick Clarke Construction

The longing for values, for what is genuine is becoming ever greater in a digitized world in which networking and mechanisation are becoming overpowering. In our personal environment, this is reflected in the search for the elegantly simple: people want to be surrounded by things which communicate calm, clarity and concentration on the essential. In conjunction with VALAIS LEICHT developed the new planning concept EVO.The seamless transition from worktop to fronts is sensational: the virtually invisible worktop with its surrounding metal edge has a flush finish with the fronts and gives the kitchen an exceedingly puristic air. The material mix too makes the ensemble all the more exciting: structured genuine wood meets velvety matt lacquer, the warm tone of the wood meets the cooler air of the carbon grey – a skilful combination of contrasts, also essential in the new planning concept.

Designed and built in conjunction with Freemont #2, this home pays homage to surrounding architecture, including that of St. James Lutheran Church. The home is comprised of stately, well-proportioned rooms; significant architectural detailing; appropriate spaces for today's active family; and sophisticated wiring to service any HD video, audio, lighting, HVAC and / or security needs. The focal point of the first floor is the sweeping curved staircase, ascending through all three floors of the home and topped with skylights. Surrounding this staircase on the main floor are the formal living and dining rooms, as well as the beautifully-detailed Butler's Pantry. A gourmet kitchen and great room, designed to receive considerable eastern light, is at the rear of the house, connected to the lower level family room by a rear staircase. Four bedrooms (two en-suite) make up the second floor, with a fifth bedroom on the third floor and a sixth bedroom in the lower level. A third floor recreation room is at the top of the staircase, adjacent to the 400SF roof deck. A connected, heated garage is accessible from the rear staircase of the home, as well as the rear yard and garage roof deck. This home went under contract after being on the MLS for one day. Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing

This unique screened porch located in Darnestown, Maryland provides its hard-working homeowner with an abundance of outdoor space. Situated on a vast wooded lot, the views are absolutely stunning. The elevated sun deck wraps around the complete rear facade the home and features unique cut-outs and a sizable screen room. To successfully preserve the lot's lively green view, a delicate SCREENEZE screening system was used in the screened room in conjunction with WOLF vinyl railings and Deckorators Classic Balusters. The 3/4" round balusters, which are also found around the deck's organic perimeter, blend in seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. AZEK low-maintenance PVC decking serves as the basis of both the deck and the top cop on the handrail system. Multiple sliding doors give access to the screened-in porch and deck, and all of the materials used in the build are low-maintenance.

The light from South Arch side window is focused upon the North wall where there is a large granite fossil. A smaller version of these swimming creatures appears above. Next to these is a cave-like opening where a thyme plant meanders down the rock wall. Other interesting artifacts are included in the design. Photo credits: Dan Drobnick

Medallion Cabinetry Glennwood Maple Hazelnut cabinetry provided by A&C Kitchens
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized transitional u-shaped ceramic tile eat-in kitchen idea in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

Designed and built in conjunction with Freemont #2, this home pays homage to surrounding architecture, including that of St. James Lutheran Church. The home is comprised of stately, well-proportioned rooms; significant architectural detailing; appropriate spaces for today's active family; and sophisticated wiring to service any HD video, audio, lighting, HVAC and / or security needs. The focal point of the first floor is the sweeping curved staircase, ascending through all three floors of the home and topped with skylights. Surrounding this staircase on the main floor are the formal living and dining rooms, as well as the beautifully-detailed Butler's Pantry. A gourmet kitchen and great room, designed to receive considerable eastern light, is at the rear of the house, connected to the lower level family room by a rear staircase. Four bedrooms (two en-suite) make up the second floor, with a fifth bedroom on the third floor and a sixth bedroom in the lower level. A third floor recreation room is at the top of the staircase, adjacent to the 400SF roof deck. A connected, heated garage is accessible from the rear staircase of the home, as well as the rear yard and garage roof deck. This home went under contract after being on the MLS for one day. Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing

Designed and built in conjunction with Freemont #2, this home pays homage to surrounding architecture, including that of St. James Lutheran Church. The home is comprised of stately, well-proportioned rooms; significant architectural detailing; appropriate spaces for today's active family; and sophisticated wiring to service any HD video, audio, lighting, HVAC and / or security needs. The focal point of the first floor is the sweeping curved staircase, ascending through all three floors of the home and topped with skylights. Surrounding this staircase on the main floor are the formal living and dining rooms, as well as the beautifully-detailed Butler's Pantry. A gourmet kitchen and great room, designed to receive considerable eastern light, is at the rear of the house, connected to the lower level family room by a rear staircase. Four bedrooms (two en-suite) make up the second floor, with a fifth bedroom on the third floor and a sixth bedroom in the lower level. A third floor recreation room is at the top of the staircase, adjacent to the 400SF roof deck. A connected, heated garage is accessible from the rear staircase of the home, as well as the rear yard and garage roof deck. This home went under contract after being on the MLS for one day. Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing

The longing for values, for what is genuine is becoming ever greater in a digitized world in which networking and mechanisation are becoming overpowering. In our personal environment, this is reflected in the search for the elegantly simple: people want to be surrounded by things which communicate calm, clarity and concentration on the essential. In conjunction with VALAIS LEICHT developed the new planning concept EVO.The seamless transition from worktop to fronts is sensational: the virtually invisible worktop with its surrounding metal edge has a flush finish with the fronts and gives the kitchen an exceedingly puristic air. The material mix too makes the ensemble all the more exciting: structured genuine wood meets velvety matt lacquer, the warm tone of the wood meets the cooler air of the carbon grey – a skilful combination of contrasts, also essential in the new planning concept.

Hired in conjunction with John Lum Architects, RBD collaborated in the redesign of this three bedroom, four bath home for an art savvy family of four in Noe Valley. RBD's key contributions include the design and decoration of the kitchen breakfast nook, fireplace, four bathrooms and reconfiguration of the existing master bathroom and downstairs guest room/family room. The reconfiguration of the master bathroom creates a more open layout while also featuring a custom danish modern hairpin leg vanity as its focal point. Downstairs, the guest room/family room, designed for an open, one-room concept, showcases custom built-in millwork for excellent TV watching and game storage. Finishing off the space architecturally, a custom built-in walnut entry bench and coat cabinet help modestly accentuate their secondary entry into the home given this is the family's main entrance. Working on an extremely tight budget, RBD mixed low and high end finishes and fixtures to achieve a high end overall look without breaking the bank. Key Contributors: John Lum Architects and Mick Clarke Construction

As part of this complete bathroom renovation, our client wanted to replace her existing tub with a new lower threshold shower. In order for the space to accommodate the new design, it needed to be extended into the adjoining guest bedroom. Therefore we eliminated the wall next to the toilet and added a 4’x5’ shower complete with an adjustable shower system, shower seat, and shelving. In addition, we replaced the old tub area with new double bowl vanity. New selections included 12×24 wall and floor tile in Qualis Ardor “Passion” and round shower floor tile in 12×12 pebble stone. Granite pieces were chosen in “Blizzard” in conjunction with a 5’ Wolf Classic cabinet in “York White”.

Sheer Rodpocket Draperies are just the right added touch for this inviting sunroom. They are an excellent solution for these corner windows, adding a gentle softness to the area. We used short wood poles to maintain the gorgeous outdoor view, and the accompanying wood ball finials naturally finish these treatments. In conjunction with these draperies are the reupholstered seat cushions on the wicker furniture. Sunbrella fabric was used to protect against fading from the sun. Two custom throw pillows, also in Sunbrella fabric, complete this this cozy sunroom. Sunbrella fabric also provides extra durability to furniture.

When the developer found this brownstone on the Upper Westside he immediately researched and found its potential for expansion. We were hired to maximize the existing brownstone and turn it from its current existence as 5 individual apartments into a large luxury single family home. The existing building was extended 16 feet into the rear yard and a new sixth story was added along with an occupied roof. The project was not a complete gut renovation, the character of the parlor floor was maintained, along with the original front facade, windows, shutters, and fireplaces throughout. A new solid oak stair was built from the garden floor to the roof in conjunction with a small supplemental passenger elevator directly adjacent to the staircase. The new brick rear facade features oversized windows; one special aspect of which is the folding window wall at the ground level that can be completely opened to the garden. The goal to keep the original character of the brownstone yet to update it with modern touches can be seen throughout the house. The large kitchen has Italian lacquer cabinetry with walnut and glass accents, white quartz counters and backsplash and a Calcutta gold arabesque mosaic accent wall. On the parlor floor a custom wetbar, large closet and powder room are housed in a new floor to ceiling wood paneled core. The master bathroom contains a large freestanding tub, a glass enclosed white marbled steam shower, and grey wood vanities accented by a white marble floral mosaic. The new forth floor front room is highlighted by a unique sloped skylight that offers wide skyline views. The house is topped off with a glass stair enclosure that contains an integrated window seat offering views of the roof and an intimate space to relax in the sun.