8' x 12' playhouse with an overall height of ten feet. It can be converted to a very attractive storage shed when the kids out grow it. Reminiscent of old Victorian houses, the steep rooflines and graceful dormer add a fresh style to boring backyard sheds. The two 2×2 opening windows fill the 96 square feet with lots of light making this quaint little cottage irresistible for the kid inside us all. The single door in the dormer is complemented with large double doors on the gable end allowing bulky items to fit in the shelter.

Overhaul Converts Classic Rambler to A Modern Yet Classic Family Home in Fairfax This 1970 rambler in middle of old town in Fairfax City has been home to a growing family of five. Ready for a massive overhaul, the family reached out to Michael Nash Design Build & Homes for assistance. Eligible for a special Fairfax City Renaissance program, this project was awarded special attention and favorable financing. We removed the entire roof and added a bump up, second story three-bedroom, two bathroom and loft addition. The main level was reformatted to eliminate the smallest bedroom and split the space among adjacent bedroom and the main living room. The partition walls between the living room and dining room and the partition wall between dining room and kitchen were eliminated, making space for a new enlarged kitchen. The outside brick chimney was rebuilt and extended to pass into the new second floor roof lines. Flu lines for heater and furnace were eliminated. A furnace was added in the new attic space for second floor heating and cooling, while a new hot water heater and furnace was re-positioned and installed in the basement. Second floor was furnished with its own laundry room. A new stairway to the second floor was designed and built were furnace chase used to be, opening up into a loft area for a kids study or gaming area. The master bedroom suite includes a large walk-in closet, large stoned shower, slip-free standing tub, separate commode area, double vanities and more amenities. A kid’s bathroom was built in the middle of upstairs hallway. The exterior of this home was wrapped around with cement board siding, maintenance free trims and gutters, and life time architectural shingles. Added to a new front porch were Trex boards and stone and tapered style columns. Double staircase entrance from front and side yard made this residence a stand out home of the community. This remodeled two-story colonial home with its country style front porch, five bedrooms, four and half bathrooms and second floor laundry room, will be this family’s home for many years to come. Happier than before, this family moved back into this Extreme Makeover Home to love every inch of their new home.

Large trendy backyard concrete and rectangular pool photo in Charleston

We converted an underused back yard into a modern outdoor living space. A bright tiled planter anchors an otherwise neutral space. The decking is ipe hardwood, the fence is stained cedar, and cast concrete with gravel adds texture at the fire pit. The gas fire pit unit is by Cement Elegance. Photos copyright Laurie Black Photography.

The fire bowl doubles as a table during the summer months. Dimensional steppers connect one patio space to the other. Photography by Larry Huene Photography. Landscape design by John Algozzini.

Overhaul Converts Classic Rambler to A Modern Yet Classic Family Home in Fairfax This 1970 rambler in middle of old town in Fairfax City has been home to a growing family of five. Ready for a massive overhaul, the family reached out to Michael Nash Design Build & Homes for assistance. Eligible for a special Fairfax City Renaissance program, this project was awarded special attention and favorable financing. We removed the entire roof and added a bump up, second story three-bedroom, two bathroom and loft addition. The main level was reformatted to eliminate the smallest bedroom and split the space among adjacent bedroom and the main living room. The partition walls between the living room and dining room and the partition wall between dining room and kitchen were eliminated, making space for a new enlarged kitchen. The outside brick chimney was rebuilt and extended to pass into the new second floor roof lines. Flu lines for heater and furnace were eliminated. A furnace was added in the new attic space for second floor heating and cooling, while a new hot water heater and furnace was re-positioned and installed in the basement. Second floor was furnished with its own laundry room. A new stairway to the second floor was designed and built were furnace chase used to be, opening up into a loft area for a kids study or gaming area. The master bedroom suite includes a large walk-in closet, large stoned shower, slip-free standing tub, separate commode area, double vanities and more amenities. A kid’s bathroom was built in the middle of upstairs hallway. The exterior of this home was wrapped around with cement board siding, maintenance free trims and gutters, and life time architectural shingles. Added to a new front porch were Trex boards and stone and tapered style columns. Double staircase entrance from front and side yard made this residence a stand out home of the community. This remodeled two-story colonial home with its country style front porch, five bedrooms, four and half bathrooms and second floor laundry room, will be this family’s home for many years to come. Happier than before, this family moved back into this Extreme Makeover Home to love every inch of their new home.

Complete backyard renovation. Backyard converted into usable living space.
This is an example of a large mid-century modern partial sun backyard stone landscaping in Dallas for spring.

Complete backyard renovation. Backyard converted into usable living space.
Design ideas for a large mid-century modern partial sun backyard stone landscaping in Dallas for spring.

Complete backyard renovation. Backyard converted into usable living space.
Inspiration for a large mid-century modern partial sun backyard stone landscaping in Dallas for spring.

In Southern California there are pockets of darling cottages built in the early 20th century that we like to call jewelry boxes. They are quaint, full of charm and usually a bit cramped. Our clients have a growing family and needed a modern, functional home. They opted for a renovation that directly addressed their concerns. When we first saw this 2,170 square-foot 3-bedroom beach cottage, the front door opened directly into a staircase and a dead-end hallway. The kitchen was cramped, the living room was claustrophobic and everything felt dark and dated. The big picture items included pitching the living room ceiling to create space and taking down a kitchen wall. We added a French oven and luxury range that the wife had always dreamed about, a custom vent hood, and custom-paneled appliances. We added a downstairs half-bath for guests (entirely designed around its whimsical wallpaper) and converted one of the existing bathrooms into a Jack-and-Jill, connecting the kids’ bedrooms, with double sinks and a closed-off toilet and shower for privacy. In the bathrooms, we added white marble floors and wainscoting. We created storage throughout the home with custom-cabinets, new closets and built-ins, such as bookcases, desks and shelving. White Sands Design/Build furnished the entire cottage mostly with commissioned pieces, including a custom dining table and upholstered chairs. We updated light fixtures and added brass hardware throughout, to create a vintage, bo-ho vibe. The best thing about this cottage is the charming backyard accessory dwelling unit (ADU), designed in the same style as the larger structure. In order to keep the ADU it was necessary to renovate less than 50% of the main home, which took some serious strategy, otherwise the non-conforming ADU would need to be torn out. We renovated the bathroom with white walls and pine flooring, transforming it into a get-away that will grow with the girls.

Overhaul Converts Classic Rambler to A Modern Yet Classic Family Home in Fairfax This 1970 rambler in middle of old town in Fairfax City has been home to a growing family of five. Ready for a massive overhaul, the family reached out to Michael Nash Design Build & Homes for assistance. Eligible for a special Fairfax City Renaissance program, this project was awarded special attention and favorable financing. We removed the entire roof and added a bump up, second story three-bedroom, two bathroom and loft addition. The main level was reformatted to eliminate the smallest bedroom and split the space among adjacent bedroom and the main living room. The partition walls between the living room and dining room and the partition wall between dining room and kitchen were eliminated, making space for a new enlarged kitchen. The outside brick chimney was rebuilt and extended to pass into the new second floor roof lines. Flu lines for heater and furnace were eliminated. A furnace was added in the new attic space for second floor heating and cooling, while a new hot water heater and furnace was re-positioned and installed in the basement. Second floor was furnished with its own laundry room. A new stairway to the second floor was designed and built were furnace chase used to be, opening up into a loft area for a kids study or gaming area. The master bedroom suite includes a large walk-in closet, large stoned shower, slip-free standing tub, separate commode area, double vanities and more amenities. A kid’s bathroom was built in the middle of upstairs hallway. The exterior of this home was wrapped around with cement board siding, maintenance free trims and gutters, and life time architectural shingles. Added to a new front porch were Trex boards and stone and tapered style columns. Double staircase entrance from front and side yard made this residence a stand out home of the community. This remodeled two-story colonial home with its country style front porch, five bedrooms, four and half bathrooms and second floor laundry room, will be this family’s home for many years to come. Happier than before, this family moved back into this Extreme Makeover Home to love every inch of their new home.

David Duncan Livingston
Example of a mid-sized eclectic open concept slate floor family room design in San Francisco with white walls and a media wall

Complete backyard renovation. Backyard converted into usable living space.
This is an example of a large mid-century modern partial sun backyard stone landscaping in Dallas for spring.

Severine Photography
Large trendy backyard deck photo in Jacksonville with a roof extension

Arts and crafts home office photo in DC Metro

Karen Bobotas
Design ideas for a huge traditional full sun backyard landscaping in Boston with a fire pit for summer.

sunken fire pit and seating area
Trendy patio photo in San Francisco

Sargent Photography
Example of a tuscan concrete paver and custom-shaped pool design in Miami

Landscape Design: Molly Wood Garden Design Architect: Brandon Architects, Inc. Interior/ Styling: Kelly Nutt Design Photo Credit: Lane Dittoe
Inspiration for a modern landscaping in Orange County.