Before and After
Inspiration for a mid-sized mid-century modern 3/4 white tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile, black floor, single-sink and wainscoting walk-in shower remodel in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops, white countertops, a niche and a built-in vanity

Example of a small minimalist master white tile and porcelain tile single-sink doorless shower design in Denver with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white countertops and a floating vanity

Stephen Dunn
Example of a small island style backyard tile and custom-shaped lap pool fountain design in Miami

Elegant exterior home photo in Cincinnati

Master bath. Custom walk in shower with bench , Calicatta gold marble slabs and tiles . Vanity is custom .
Inspiration for a small timeless 3/4 white tile and stone slab marble floor alcove shower remodel in New York with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink and marble countertops

Photo of a mediterranean driveway in Los Angeles.

Benjamin Benschneider
Example of a mid-sized minimalist two-story wood exterior home design in Seattle

View of the family room from the backyard. Floor to ceiling windows allow maximum light and a feeling of openness that brings the outside in. All new trims, baseboards and doors in the redone family room. All new, modern lighting was installed. Heated du chateau flooring was added. The fireplace was reconfigured to allow for a wide-screen TV on the family room side of this vaulted, open space. Bruce Damonte Photography

Resort Modern in Frisco Texas Photographer - Jimi Smith
Example of a huge minimalist backyard rectangular pool design in Dallas

Builder: John Kraemer & Sons, Inc. - Architect: Charlie & Co. Design, Ltd. - Interior Design: Martha O’Hara Interiors - Photo: Spacecrafting Photography

Inspiration for a contemporary hillside landscaping in San Diego.

Great Island Photography
Alcove shower - rustic beige tile alcove shower idea in Boston with an undermount sink, medium tone wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet and white walls

Zack Benson Photography
Freestanding bathtub - transitional master gray tile and subway tile medium tone wood floor freestanding bathtub idea in San Diego with gray cabinets

Whit Preston Photography
Bathroom - small transitional master gray tile and stone tile mosaic tile floor bathroom idea in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops and white walls

Jon Friedrich
Alcove shower - small traditional master white tile and porcelain tile marble floor alcove shower idea with furniture-like cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, a console sink, quartz countertops and a hinged shower door

Kolanowski Studio
Freestanding bathtub - large mediterranean master beige tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and beige floor freestanding bathtub idea in Houston with black cabinets, beige walls and recessed-panel cabinets

Walk-in bathing room. Sporty Spa.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary master multicolored tile and mosaic tile mosaic tile floor and multicolored floor freestanding bathtub remodel in Portland with white walls

This project presented unique opportunities that are not often found in residential landscaping. The homeowners were not only restoring their 1840's era farmhouse, a piece of their family’s history, but also enlarging and updating the home for modern living. The landscape designers continued this idea by creating a space that is a modern day interpretation of an 1840s era farm rather then a strict recreation. The resulting design combines elements of farm living from that time, as well as acknowledging the property’s history as a horse farm, with staples of 21st century landscapes such as space for outdoor living, lighting, and newer plant varieties. Guests approach from the main driveway which winds through the property and ends at the main barn. There is secondary gated driveway just for the homeowners. Connected to this main driveway is a narrower gravel lane which leads directly to the residence. The lane passes near fruit trees planted in broken rows to give the illusion that they are the remains of an orchard that once existed on the site. The lane widens at the entrance to the gardens where there is a hitching post built into the fence that surrounds the gardens and a watering trough. The widened section is intended as a place to park a golf cart or, in a nod to the home’s past, tie up horses before entering. The gravel lane passes between two stone pillars and then ends at a square gravel court edged in cobblestones. The gravel court transitions into a wide flagstone walk bordered with yew hedges and lavender leading to the front door. Directly to the right, upon entering the gravel court, is located a gravel and cobblestone edged walk leading to a secondary entrance into the residence. The walk is gated where it connects with the gravel court to close it off so as not to confuse visitors and guests to the main residence and to emphasize the primary entrance. An area for a bench is provided along this walk to encourage stopping to view and enjoy the gardens. On either side of the front door, gravel and cobblestone walks branch off into the garden spaces. The one on the right leads to a flagstone with cobblestone border patio space. Since the home has no designated backyard like most modern suburban homes the outdoor living space had to be placed in what would traditionally be thought of as the front of the house. The patio is separated from the entrance walk by the yew hedge and further enclosed by three Amelanchiers and a variety of plantings including modern cultivars of old fashioned plants such as Itea and Hydrangea. A third entrance, the original front door to the 1840’s era section, connects to the patio from the home’s kitchen, making the space ideal for outdoor dining. The gravel and cobblestone walk branching off to the left of the front door leads to the vegetable and perennial gardens. The idea for the vegetable garden was to recreate the tradition of a kitchen garden which would have been planted close to the residence for easy access. The vegetable garden is surrounded by mixed perennial beds along the inside of the wood picket fence which surrounds the entire garden space. Another area designated for a bench is provided here to encourage stopping and viewing. The home’s original smokehouse, completely restored and used as a garden shed, provides a strong architectural focal point to the vegetable garden. Behind the smokehouse is planted lilacs and other plants to give mass and balance to the corner and help screen the garden from the neighboring subdivision. At the rear corner of the garden a wood arbor was constructed to provide a structure on which to grow grapes or other vines should the homeowners choose to. The landscape and gardens for this restored farmhouse and property are a thoughtfully designed and planned recreation of a historic landscape reinterpreted for modern living. The idea was to give a sense of timelessness when walking through the gardens as if they had been there for years but had possibly been updated and rejuvenated as lifestyles changed. The attention to materials and craftsmanship blend seamlessly with the residence and insure the gardens and landscape remain an integral part of the property. The farm has been in the homeowner’s family for many years and they are thrilled at the results and happy to see respect given to the home’s history and to its meticulous restoration.

Reverse Shed Eichler This project is part tear-down, part remodel. The original L-shaped plan allowed the living/ dining/ kitchen wing to be completely re-built while retaining the shell of the bedroom wing virtually intact. The rebuilt entertainment wing was enlarged 50% and covered with a low-slope reverse-shed roof sloping from eleven to thirteen feet. The shed roof floats on a continuous glass clerestory with eight foot transom. Cantilevered steel frames support wood roof beams with eaves of up to ten feet. An interior glass clerestory separates the kitchen and livingroom for sound control. A wall-to-wall skylight illuminates the north wall of the kitchen/family room. New additions at the back of the house add several “sliding” wall planes, where interior walls continue past full-height windows to the exterior, complimenting the typical Eichler indoor-outdoor ceiling and floor planes. The existing bedroom wing has been re-configured on the interior, changing three small bedrooms into two larger ones, and adding a guest suite in part of the original garage. A previous den addition provided the perfect spot for a large master ensuite bath and walk-in closet. Natural materials predominate, with fir ceilings, limestone veneer fireplace walls, anigre veneer cabinets, fir sliding windows and interior doors, bamboo floors, and concrete patios and walks. Landscape design by Bernard Trainor: www.bernardtrainor.com (see “Concrete Jungle” in April 2014 edition of Dwell magazine). Microsoft Media Center installation of the Year, 2008: www.cybermanor.com/ultimate_install.html (automated shades, radiant heating system, and lights, as well as security & sound).