I built this on my property for my aging father who has some health issues. Handicap accessibility was a factor in design. His dream has always been to try retire to a cabin in the woods. This is what he got. It is a 1 bedroom, 1 bath with a great room. It is 600 sqft of AC space. The footprint is 40' x 26' overall. The site was the former home of our pig pen. I only had to take 1 tree to make this work and I planted 3 in its place. The axis is set from root ball to root ball. The rear center is aligned with mean sunset and is visible across a wetland. The goal was to make the home feel like it was floating in the palms. The geometry had to simple and I didn't want it feeling heavy on the land so I cantilevered the structure beyond exposed foundation walls. My barn is nearby and it features old 1950's "S" corrugated metal panel walls. I used the same panel profile for my siding. I ran it vertical to match the barn, but also to balance the length of the structure and stretch the high point into the canopy, visually. The wood is all Southern Yellow Pine. This material came from clearing at the Babcock Ranch Development site. I ran it through the structure, end to end and horizontally, to create a seamless feel and to stretch the space. It worked. It feels MUCH bigger than it is. I milled the material to specific sizes in specific areas to create precise alignments. Floor starters align with base. Wall tops adjoin ceiling starters to create the illusion of a seamless board. All light fixtures, HVAC supports, cabinets, switches, outlets, are set specifically to wood joints. The front and rear porch wood has three different milling profiles so the hypotenuse on the ceilings, align with the walls, and yield an aligned deck board below. Yes, I over did it. It is spectacular in its detailing. That's the benefit of small spaces. Concrete counters and IKEA cabinets round out the conversation. For those who cannot live tiny, I offer the Tiny-ish House. Photos by Ryan Gamma Staging by iStage Homes Design Assistance Jimmy Thornton

Porchfront Homes, Mark Quentin Photography
Huge arts and crafts three-story mixed siding beige entryway photo in Denver

Inspiration for a farmhouse exterior home remodel in New York

Example of a transitional exterior home design in Charleston

Minimalist pool photo in Dallas

A floral needlepoint rug from the clients' previous Park Avenue residence was incorporated adding pattern and a traditional foundation to the more modern Master Bedroom. Stephen Karlisch, photographer

Awards at 2014 Homearoma include "Best Curb Appeal"
Large arts and crafts two-story and backyard mixed siding and tile blue patio photo in Richmond with a roof extension

This incredible backyard, a true example of high-end outdoor living, was masterfully designed by a skilled landscape architect from Alterra Landscaping. The space features a custom pergola and a luxurious stone outdoor kitchen with a built-in Big Green Egg. The paver patio provides a perfect foundation for distinct lounge and dining areas, all overlooking a picturesque green landscape, creating a resort-like retreat for relaxation and entertainment.

In addition to the covered porch itself, exquisite design details made this renovation all that more impressive—from the new copper and asphalt roof to the Hardiplank, clapboard, and cedar shake shingles, and the beautiful, panel-style front door. Alicia Gbur Photography

This 5687 sf home was a major renovation including significant modifications to exterior and interior structural components, walls and foundations. Included were the addition of several multi slide exterior doors, windows, new patio cover structure with master deck, climate controlled wine room, master bath steam shower, 4 new gas fireplace appliances and the center piece- a cantilever structural steel staircase with custom wood handrail and treads. A complete demo down to drywall of all areas was performed excluding only the secondary baths, game room and laundry room where only the existing cabinets were kept and refinished. Some of the interior structural and partition walls were removed. All flooring, counter tops, shower walls, shower pans and tubs were removed and replaced. New cabinets in kitchen and main bar by Mid Continent. All other cabinetry was custom fabricated and some existing cabinets refinished. Counter tops consist of Quartz, granite and marble. Flooring is porcelain tile and marble throughout. Wall surfaces are porcelain tile, natural stacked stone and custom wood throughout. All drywall surfaces are floated to smooth wall finish. Many electrical upgrades including LED recessed can lighting, LED strip lighting under cabinets and ceiling tray lighting throughout. The front and rear yard was completely re landscaped including 2 gas fire features in the rear and a built in BBQ. The pool tile and plaster was refinished including all new concrete decking.

1920 Craftsman home after; added 2 dormers in attic space providing 3 new bedrooms and a bathroom. Project included a new concrete foundation and footing, previously had none.

The corner pergola over this deck is the perfect cover for this outdoor cooking area.
Example of a mid-sized classic backyard deck design in Kansas City with a pergola

The customer asked us to create an outdoor living space that was significantly larger than the space that was built with their home. The slope of the yard required the addition of a retaining wall to separate the backyard into two level areas. The upper level is the location of the new covered space and a large uncovered travertine patio. The lower area was beautifully landscaped by the homeowner after Texas Custom Patios completed the retaining wall and upper level patio & cover. Priorities included making the area usable year-round with heaters, fireplace, and retractable screens; and adding an outdoor kitchen. Also, the structure needed to match the Transitional architectural design of the home and blend with the finishes. Photography credit: Snap Point Media Photography credit: Snap Point Media

The goal of this project was to provide a lush and vast garden for the new owners of this recently remodeled brick Georgian. Located in Wheaton this acre plus property is surrounded by beautiful Oaks. Preserving the Oaks became a particular challenge with the ample front walk and generous entertaining spaces the client desired. Under most of the Oaks the turf was in very poor condition, and most of the property was covered with undesirable overgrown underbrush such as Garlic Mustard weed and Buckthorn. With a recently completed addition, the garages were pushed farther from the front door leaving a large distance between the drive and entry to the home. This prompted the addition of a secondary door off the kitchen. A meandering walk curves past the secondary entry and leads guests through the front garden to the main entry. Off the secondary door a “kitchen patio” complete with a custom gate and Green Mountain Boxwood hedge give the clients a quaint space to enjoy a morning cup of joe. Stepping stone pathways lead around the home and weave through multiple pocket gardens within the vast backyard. The paths extend deep into the property leading to individual and unique gardens with a variety of plantings that are tied together with rustic stonewalls and sinuous turf areas. Closer to the home a large paver patio opens up to the backyard gardens. New stoops were constructed and existing stoops were covered in bluestone and mortared stonewalls were added, complimenting the classic Georgian architecture. The completed project accomplished all the goals of creating a lush and vast garden that fit the remodeled home and lifestyle of its new owners. Through careful planning, all mature Oaks were preserved, undesirables removed and numerous new plantings along with detailed stonework helped to define the new landscape.

The best of past and present architectural styles combine in this welcoming, farmhouse-inspired design. Clad in low-maintenance siding, the distinctive exterior has plenty of street appeal, with its columned porch, multiple gables, shutters and interesting roof lines. Other exterior highlights included trusses over the garage doors, horizontal lap siding and brick and stone accents. The interior is equally impressive, with an open floor plan that accommodates today’s family and modern lifestyles. An eight-foot covered porch leads into a large foyer and a powder room. Beyond, the spacious first floor includes more than 2,000 square feet, with one side dominated by public spaces that include a large open living room, centrally located kitchen with a large island that seats six and a u-shaped counter plan, formal dining area that seats eight for holidays and special occasions and a convenient laundry and mud room. The left side of the floor plan contains the serene master suite, with an oversized master bath, large walk-in closet and 16 by 18-foot master bedroom that includes a large picture window that lets in maximum light and is perfect for capturing nearby views. Relax with a cup of morning coffee or an evening cocktail on the nearby covered patio, which can be accessed from both the living room and the master bedroom. Upstairs, an additional 900 square feet includes two 11 by 14-foot upper bedrooms with bath and closet and a an approximately 700 square foot guest suite over the garage that includes a relaxing sitting area, galley kitchen and bath, perfect for guests or in-laws.

Why pay for a vacation when you have a backyard that looks like this? You don't need to leave the comfort of your own home when you have a backyard like this one. The deck was beautifully designed to comfort all who visit this home. Want to stay out of the sun for a little while? No problem! Step into the covered patio to relax outdoors without having to be burdened by direct sunlight. Photos by: Robert Woolley , Wolf

A modern mid-century house in the Los Feliz neighborhood of the Hollywood Hills, this was an extensive renovation. The house was brought down to its studs, new foundations poured, and many walls and rooms relocated and resized. The aim was to improve the flow through the house, to make if feel more open and light, and connected to the outside, both literally through a new stair leading to exterior sliding doors, and through new windows along the back that open up to canyon views. photos by Undine Prohl

An enclosed stucco porch with storm windows was replaced by a covered front porch with a knotty pine floor. Photo by David J. Turner
This is an example of a modern front porch design in Minneapolis with decking and a roof extension.

Why pay for a vacation when you have a backyard that looks like this? You don't need to leave the comfort of your own home when you have a backyard like this one. The deck was beautifully designed to comfort all who visit this home. Want to stay out of the sun for a little while? No problem! Step into the covered patio to relax outdoors without having to be burdened by direct sunlight. Photos by: Robert Woolley , Wolf