This St. Helena residence was an exciting enhancement from a regular backyard into a hidden oasis, based on our clients’ vision. They desired a “secret garden” that was drought resistant and included a large vegetable garden that could produce a variety of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. We delivered a unique and cohesive backyard that has something new to discover around every corner. The backyard features a “rock river” that solves drainage issues and ensures the garden thrives year-round. Designed with drought-resistant plants native to California, the landscaping incorporates numerous succulents to create a lush, low-water environment. The centerpiece of the backyard is the prized vegetable area, featuring custom vegetable boxes. We continue to work closely with the client to find new ways to update the space by filling bare spots, adding vibrant color hues, and rotating the crops. By maintaining this collaborative partnership, we have crafted a dynamic and ever-evolving secret garden that continues to delight the clients and their guests.

Our clients chose a modern tile was in the shower and on the floor to provide a continuous flow. We used Lanmark solid surfacing as the shower pan in this bathroom as it has no grout lines and is easy to maintain. The matching tile base trim continued the pattern in the floor up onto the trim vertically. We installed a Signature Hardware vanity made in bamboo, and replaced the countertop and undermount sink. George Kovacs Saber II lights were used to frame the new mirror. Hansgrohe shower fixtures and faucets were installed in brushed nickel. Sherwin Williams White Shoulders paint was applied to add more brightness to this lovely bathroom. Agalite sliding glass shower doors were installed with clear glass to further expand the small bathroom space. Holly Needham

This central living space was designed to anchor a segmented floor plan, creating visual continuity between adjacent rooms while maintaining clear circulation paths. Low-profile furnishings, layered textures, and a restrained palette were used to define the seating area without interrupting flow to the kitchen and surrounding spaces. The result is a balanced, functional layout that enhances openness while preserving distinct zones within the home.

A wall of custom cabinetry anchors the kitchen’s storage while maintaining visual continuity with the rest of the home. The layout flows effortlessly into adjacent spaces, highlighting the open-concept design and thoughtful planning.

A wall of custom cabinetry anchors the kitchen’s storage while maintaining visual continuity with the rest of the home. The layout flows effortlessly into adjacent spaces, highlighting the open-concept design and thoughtful planning.

We identified the client's desire for easy-to-maintain materials and dynamic contrasts. Porcelain slabs for the shower walls, vanity tops, and vanity walls, created a beautiful, elegant backdrop for the textured and dynamic contrast of black marble Chevron tile on the floors throughout. In keeping with the high gloss look, we specified Italian Laminate metallic cabinetry over slab doors with a hint of color to continue the luxury look. Finishing off with large-scale Illuminated mirrors and crystal light fixtures, this client's master bath suite exceeded their expectations and desires!

This custom staircase leading to the basement continues the home’s refined modern transitional aesthetic. Natural wood stair treads and matching handrail provide warmth, while sleek black metal balusters introduce contrast and a clean architectural edge. The open railing design maintains visual continuity with the surrounding living spaces, allowing light to flow freely while reinforcing thoughtful craftsmanship and cohesive interior design.

Ernesto Santalla was approached to create a new home for two Washington, DC lawyers wishing to downsize their living space. The move took them from a row house in Washington's historic Dupont Circle neighborhood to a two bedroom apartment in the vibrant, up-and-coming U Street Corridor. Our task was to transform a rather plain and generic apartment into a custom, sophisticated space in a few strategic moves. Ceiling details serve to define functional areas of the living space without creating divisions. Changing some doors from wood to frosted glass, creates a sense of continuity between spaces, and allows light to travel between spaces. Lighting was inserted strategically, to enhance certain functions of the home. The kitchen was partially enclosed with a plane of frosted glass to create visual separation from the main living space while still allowing natural light to filter in from the expansive wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. Color was used to reinforce the architectural intent and simplify spaces, such as the entry, which as many doors and frames. Furniture was selected to blend with the client's collection of heirloom pieces, creating a sophisticated juxtaposition. Statement pieces like a ceiling light from Viabizzuno create impact while maintaining the visual simplicity of our minimal approach. This project was featured in DC Modern Luxury. https://www.modernluxury.com/washington-dc/story/grand-nest Photography by Geoffrey Hodgdon

This primary bathroom was designed using large-format porcelain slabs to create a clean, continuous surface with minimal grout lines. The combination of white and black porcelain introduces contrast while maintaining the restrained character of the overall design. Matte black cabinetry and plumbing fixtures complement the porcelain, while brushed brass shower fixtures add warmth to the space. A frameless glass shower enclosure preserves open sight lines, allowing the full-height porcelain slabs to remain the defining feature of the design. Or, if you want to reinforce the spa idea a little more: Primary Bathroom with Large-Format Porcelain Large-format porcelain slabs wrap the walls of this primary bathroom, creating a continuous surface with minimal grout lines and a refined modern aesthetic. The contrast between the white and black porcelain defines the shower while maintaining a simple, restrained material palette. Matte black fixtures and cabinetry are paired with brushed brass plumbing fixtures to introduce warmth and contrast. A frameless glass enclosure preserves the openness of the room, allowing the porcelain to become the focal point of the space.

This St. Helena residence was an exciting enhancement from a regular backyard into a hidden oasis, based on our clients’ vision. They desired a “secret garden” that was drought resistant and included a large vegetable garden that could produce a variety of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. We delivered a unique and cohesive backyard that has something new to discover around every corner. The backyard features a “rock river” that solves drainage issues and ensures the garden thrives year-round. Designed with drought-resistant plants native to California, the landscaping incorporates numerous succulents to create a lush, low-water environment. The centerpiece of the backyard is the prized vegetable area, featuring custom vegetable boxes. We continue to work closely with the client to find new ways to update the space by filling bare spots, adding vibrant color hues, and rotating the crops. By maintaining this collaborative partnership, we have crafted a dynamic and ever-evolving secret garden that continues to delight the clients and their guests.

Free Float is a pool house that continues UP's obsession with contextual contradiction. Located on a three acre estate in Sands Point NY, the modern pool house is juxtaposed against the existing traditional home. Using structural gymnastics, a column-free, simple shading area was created to protect occupants from the summer sun while still allowing the structure to feel light and open, maintaining views of the Long Island Sound and surrounding beaches. Photography : Harriet Andronikides

This photo gives a closer look at the entrance wall, now with the door closed and seamlessly blending into the space with the same Sherwin Williams Dried Thyme finish. The built-ins continue across the wall, maintaining the cohesive look. On the left side, the built-in desk is paired with a cork board, a practical and stylish workspace tucked right into the room. The right side mirrors the shelving layout from the main wall, complete with open shelves and two lower cabinets. The unified color palette makes the entire wall feel intentional and beautifully integrated.

A unique historic renovation. Our windows maintain the historic look with modern performance. Equipped with tilt and turn, wood aluminum triple-pane, Glo European Windows. The Glo wood aluminum triple pane windows were chosen for this historic renovation to maintain comfortable temperatures and provide clear views. Our client wanted to match the historic aesthetic and continue their goal of energy efficient updates. High performance values with multiple air seals were required to keep the building comfortable through Missoula's changing weather. Warm wood interior frames were selected and the original paint color chosen to match the original design aesthetic, while durable aluminum frames provide protection from the elements.

This St. Helena residence was an exciting enhancement from a regular backyard into a hidden oasis, based on our clients’ vision. They desired a “secret garden” that was drought resistant and included a large vegetable garden that could produce a variety of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. We delivered a unique and cohesive backyard that has something new to discover around every corner. The backyard features a “rock river” that solves drainage issues and ensures the garden thrives year-round. Designed with drought-resistant plants native to California, the landscaping incorporates numerous succulents to create a lush, low-water environment. The centerpiece of the backyard is the prized vegetable area, featuring custom vegetable boxes. We continue to work closely with the client to find new ways to update the space by filling bare spots, adding vibrant color hues, and rotating the crops. By maintaining this collaborative partnership, we have crafted a dynamic and ever-evolving secret garden that continues to delight the clients and their guests.

This St. Helena residence was an exciting enhancement from a regular backyard into a hidden oasis, based on our clients’ vision. They desired a “secret garden” that was drought resistant and included a large vegetable garden that could produce a variety of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. We delivered a unique and cohesive backyard that has something new to discover around every corner. The backyard features a “rock river” that solves drainage issues and ensures the garden thrives year-round. Designed with drought-resistant plants native to California, the landscaping incorporates numerous succulents to create a lush, low-water environment. The centerpiece of the backyard is the prized vegetable area, featuring custom vegetable boxes. We continue to work closely with the client to find new ways to update the space by filling bare spots, adding vibrant color hues, and rotating the crops. By maintaining this collaborative partnership, we have crafted a dynamic and ever-evolving secret garden that continues to delight the clients and their guests.

Our clients chose a modern tile was in the shower and on the floor to provide a continuous flow. We used Lanmark solid surfacing as the shower pan in this bathroom as it has no grout lines and is easy to maintain. The matching tile base trim continued the pattern in the floor up onto the trim vertically. We installed a Signature Hardware vanity made in bamboo, and replaced the countertop and undermount sink. George Kovacs Saber II lights were used to frame the new mirror. Hansgrohe shower fixtures and faucets were installed in brushed nickel. Sherwin Williams White Shoulders paint was applied to add more brightness to this lovely bathroom. Agalite sliding glass shower doors were installed with clear glass to further expand the small bathroom space. Holly Needham

Inspiration for a small modern partial sun front yard stone garden path in Toronto.

A unique historic renovation. Our windows maintain the historic look with modern performance. Equipped with tilt and turn, wood aluminum triple-pane, Glo European Windows. The Glo wood aluminum triple pane windows were chosen for this historic renovation to maintain comfortable temperatures and provide clear views. Our client wanted to match the historic aesthetic and continue their goal of energy efficient updates. High performance values with multiple air seals were required to keep the building comfortable through Missoula's changing weather. Warm wood interior frames were selected and the original paint color chosen to match the original design aesthetic, while durable aluminum frames provide protection from the elements.

OUR INSPIRATION - When we enter a space, we want our designs to feel as organic as possible, imbued with the latest in trends and technology. Our first instincts were to derive our inspiration from the simplicity of the homes design, the beauty of the surrounding landscape and its historic characteristics. As we continued to explore the nature of this project further, we were faced with a couple of existing design elements in the home that were to remain; the marble and travertine checkerboard floor, as well as the entrance hall wallpaper. With the floor, since it is a classic design, we knew we had to maintain a base of traditional styling. The wallpaper expanded our inspiration, specifically from its seemingly Persian iconography with its curvilinear natural elements (seen in the tile) juxtaposed with sharp clean lines (seen on the countertop edges).