Klopf Architecture and Jesse Ososki Art remodeled an existing Eichler atrium home into a brighter, more open, and more functional version of its original self. The goals were to preserve the Eichler look and feel without the need to strictly adhere to it. The scope of work included re-configuring the master bedroom/bath, the kitchen, and the hall bath/laundry area, as well as updating interior finishes throughout to be more sophisticated. The owners are detail-oriented and were very involved in the design process, down to the selection of lighting controls and stainless steel faceplates.Their design aesthetic leans toward the Scandinavian — light and bright, with simple straight lines and pure geometric shapes. The finish flooring is large porcelain tile (24” x 24”) in a neutral grey tone, providing a uniform backdrop against which other materials can stand out. The same tile continues into the shower floor (with a different finish texture for slip-resistance) and up the shower/tub walls (in a smaller size). Heath Classic Field ceramic tile in Modern Blue was used sparingly, to add color at the hall bath vanity backsplash and at the shampoo niches in both bathrooms. Back-painted soda glass in pale blue to match the Heath tile was used at the kitchen backsplash. This same accent color was also used at the front entry atrium door. Kitchen cabinetry, countertops, appliances, and light fixtures are all white, making the kitchen feel more airy and light. Countertops are Caesarstone Blizzard. The owners chose to keep some of the original Eichler elements: the concrete masonry fireplace; the stained tongue-and-groove redwood ceiling decking; and the luan wall paneling. The luan paneling was lightly sanded, cleaned, and re-stained. The owners also kept an added element that was installed by a previous owner: sliding shoji panels at all bedroom windows and sliding glass doors, for both privacy and sun control. Grooves were cut into the new tile flooring for the shoji panels to slide in, creating a more integrated look. Walnut was used to add warmth and contrast at the kitchen bar top and niche, the bathroom vanities, and the window sill/ledge under the kitchen window. This Burlingame Eichler Remodel is a 2,121 sf, 4 bedroom/2 bath home located in the heart of Silicon Valley. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, Klara Kevane and Yegvenia Torres Zavala Contractor: Jesse Ososki Art Structural Engineer: Emmanuel Pun Photography ©2018 Mariko Reed Location: Burlingame, CA Year completed: 2017

This built-in was a small part of a project that coincided with some modern hand railing and ladders. We played around with some interesting lines through the design process. The result was this geometric abstraction design back panel (all built in reclaimed Ash) meant to draw attention to a space that could have been stark. The objective of this design also needed to be functional. We incorporated a tiered offset reclaimed Ash shelf unit that allows the light to fall through and tastefully illuminate the records. The slatted feature below is a cover panel for the lower space housing electronic (i.e. router, external hard drive…). Its built with 3/4″ reclaimed Ash slats resting in laser cut slots in the steel rails. The space allocation between each slat allows for air movement for the electronics. 2016 © Ray Chan Photo, All Rights Reserved

This built-in was a small part of a project that coincided with some modern hand railing and ladders. We played around with some interesting lines through the design process. The result was this geometric abstraction design back panel (all built in reclaimed Ash) meant to draw attention to a space that could have been stark. The objective of this design also needed to be functional. We incorporated a tiered offset reclaimed Ash shelf unit that allows the light to fall through and tastefully illuminate the records. The slatted feature below is a cover panel for the lower space housing electronic (i.e. router, external hard drive…). Its built with 3/4″ reclaimed Ash slats resting in laser cut slots in the steel rails. The space allocation between each slat allows for air movement for the electronics. 2016 © Ray Chan Photo, All Rights Reserved

There were some druthers with the kitchen and there was a desire to make certain rooms more grown-up again. Unlike some of our clients who get rid of their formal dining rooms, this family wanted to keep theirs. They saw it as good space for entertaining and doing work – why not make it more stylish and purposeful? THE REMODEL Design Objectives Keep the craftsman style of the home but make it more modern Update the dining room to be more formal for entertaining and provide storage for china, stemware, wine, etc. Open up the kitchen to improve flow Incorporate new decorative lighting throughout the home to accent the home’s style Transform the staircase into a statement piece that greets visitors – redesign it with arts & crafts details in the balusters, newel posts and handrails Design Challenges: Open up the dining room window for more light and a better view of the backyard. The previous window felt closed in with heavy shutters. Improve kitchen flow without making the footprint larger Make the entire home feel updated and cohesive while staying true to the house’s style. THE RENEWED SPACES We bumped out the dining room window to make a new bay window. The glass mullion design mimics the craftsman style, setting the tone for the room while letting plenty of light in. It really opened up that end of the dining room. The view of the backyard is much bigger now, too. It’s also a great nook for playing board games, doing puzzles and playing with Legos. We actually got rid of a walk-in pantry that had cut off a corner of the kitchen, and were able to keep all the main walls intact. The old pantry room is where the fridge is now, as well as a tall pantry cabinet, some additional cabinets and a new countertop surface. The flow is much better and it’s roomy now, with a kitchen table that’s great for informal meals, homework and kids seating when adults are entertaining in the dining room. The cabinet, tile and countertop colors are still neutral but offer a more muted palette. To bring in the craftsman style, simple architectural details were added such as the hood and window valance, decorative furniture toes, a shaker door on the perimeter cabinets and a more modern cabinet door style on the island, pantry and refrigerator areas. New decorative lighting was added in the kitchen, dining room, living room, foyer and second-floor hallway to make the entire first floor feel updated. Also, the entire staircase was revamped. The existing hardwood was kept in place but stained medium brown to bring in some warmth. “The Drury process made this project turn out better than we imagined,” one of the homeowners told us during the final photoshoot. “There were so many features we didn’t know about – like charging drawers – and ways of going about the remodel that didn’t come to us naturally. We’re so glad Alicia had so much experience and so many checklists. We got to think through everything and arrive at the best possible design for our family.”

Where to begin....one of a kind. What began with a text, our client reached out to us to help create a sustainable meditation garden has come to fruition! Design to build began our process that assured our client we had their vision. Cedar structures, sub surface steel reinforced footers, sub surface drains, cmu block framing, oklahoma chop custom cut stone face, artistic pavers, rain harvest containers with overflows, irrigation, native landscape, fruit orchard, vegetable/herb garden, lighting and italian designed Ego recessed outdoor lighting by designer Ernesto Gismondi! Thank you to our clients and all our guys that made this happen! Brian Wancho Photography

Embark on a transformative journey with our Kitchen Remodel project in Menlo Park, showcasing contemporary flair and innovative design. Winner of the prestigious Kitchen & Bath Design Award 2023, this condo-kitchen remodel exemplifies our commitment to excellence and cutting-edge style.

Most species of wood used in hardwood flooring have some special feature that is only visible when the lumber is radially cut, a milling process more commonly known as "quarter-sawn." Every species will showcase tight, vertical grain. Maple figuring can result in "flaming" or a "tiger-stripe" pattern perpendicular to the grain structure; walnut will normalize in color almost completely and present burling and flame. Quarter-sawn oak boasts organic, cross-grain patterns of figuring and flecking that have remarkable depth. The vertical grain structure is still clearly visible, but this historic, old-growth oak houses an explosion of fleck.

Updating Process: > Prepare/Demo: Protect flooring and furniture with plastic. Remove: flooring, fixtures, countertops and cabinets, vent hood ,stove, ceiling light boxes. Tape, float, and texture area as needed. Haul off all debris. > Construct, paint, and install new wall, soft-close cabinets. Install door and drawer pulls. > Construct, paint, and install new island, soft-close cabinets. Install door and drawer pulls. Kitchen Countertops and Tile Backsplash: > Install new quartz countertops Level 3 with standard edge profile and cut out for farm house sink. > Prepare wall surfaces between cabinets for tile backsplash. > Install and grout tile backsplash. Kitchen Plumbing and Appliances Installed: > Install new farm house sink and faucet and connect up plumbing. > Install stove, vent hood, dishwasher, garbage disposal. Kitchen Electrical: > Install 2 pendant lights over bar. Install new switch. > Install 4 new recess LED lights in front of kitchen cabinets. Flooring Installed: > Where flooring was removed prepare concrete surfaces. > Install new Luxury Vinyl Floor in kitchen, eating area, laundry room, living space, foyer, and small hall. > Once flooring is installed, install shoe molding along baseboards. Caulk and fill nail holes. Additions: > Install 24 inch new credenza on cabinet wall. Credenza will have two rows of drawers. > At the end of the island, install new personal desk. > Prime and paint ceiling light over dining table.

Top Real Estate App Development Companies Delivering Smart PropTech Solutions The real estate industry is experiencing a revolution in technology as there have been developments in the form of mobile applications, which have now become essential tools and prove to be an integral part for buyers and sellers as well as agents and developers in this industry. The application of technology in the form of virtual tours and property recommendations through artificial intelligence and other such technology has brought about a new way of doing real estate business. It has been found out through statistics that the PropTech industry will experience considerable growth in the next decade due to the increased use of smartphones, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. Why Real Estate Apps Are Transforming the PropTech Industry The introduction of digital platforms has revolutionized the way people search for, assess, and buy properties. Modern real estate software ensures easy access to property listings, neighborhood information, mortgage calculators, virtual tours, and direct contact with real estate agents, thus cutting out many of the obstacles that were part of the purchasing process. Real Estate App Development allows companies to manage properties efficiently, automatically generate leads, effectively handle customers, and make informed decisions. The inclusion of artificial intelligence and digital transactions makes the experience of using these apps even more efficient. List of Top Real Estate App Development Companies in the Global Market 1. Suffescom Solutions Suffescom Solutions is a mobile app development company specializing in Real Estate App Development for startups, real estate agencies, property management firms, and enterprises. The company develops scalable, feature-rich applications that simplify property discovery, virtual tours, lead management, and secure digital transactions. By integrating advanced technologies such as AI, AR/VR, cloud computing, and location intelligence, Suffescom Solutions helps businesses build intuitive PropTech platforms that enhance customer engagement and operational efficiency. The company also focuses on customization, security, and post-launch support to ensure long-term business success. Key Features Custom real estate application development AI-powered property recommendations Property listing management Interactive map integration Virtual property tours CRM integration Secure payment gateway Multi-platform development Cloud-native architecture Maintenance and support 2. RisingMax RisingMax develops innovative digital solutions for businesses seeking advanced PropTech platforms. Its expertise in Real Estate App Development enables companies to launch scalable property applications equipped with intelligent search capabilities, real-time property updates, and secure communication tools. RisingMax combines modern UI/UX practices with cloud technologies to deliver applications that improve customer engagement and simplify property management. Key Features Cross-platform app development AI-enabled property search Property management dashboard Cloud deployment Push notifications Digital payment integration Analytics and reporting API integration Secure authentication Ongoing technical support 3. Ascendix Technologies Ascendix Technologies is known for developing enterprise-grade PropTech software for commercial and residential real estate businesses. The company focuses on building customized applications that streamline property management, brokerage operations, customer engagement, and business workflows. Its expertise includes CRM development, cloud solutions, and data analytics, enabling businesses to manage property portfolios more efficiently. Key Features Enterprise real estate solutions CRM integration Commercial property management Cloud infrastructure Advanced analytics Workflow automation Custom software development Secure data management API connectivity Long-term support 4. WillowTree WillowTree develops premium mobile applications across various industries, including real estate and digital commerce. The company creates user-centric property applications that emphasize intuitive navigation, personalized property recommendations, and engaging digital experiences. Its development approach combines robust engineering with modern design principles to build scalable PropTech platforms for growing businesses. Key Features Mobile-first development Personalized user experience Property search optimization Cloud-native architecture Interactive UI/UX Analytics integration Secure user authentication Multi-device compatibility Third-party integrations Continuous optimization 5. Unico Connect Unico Connect specializes in delivering customized digital products for startups and enterprises, including Real Estate App Development solutions. The company builds scalable applications that simplify property listings, communication, lead management, and customer engagement while integrating cloud technologies for improved business performance. Key Features Custom property applications Cloud-based infrastructure Real-time messaging Lead management system Property listing platform API integration Digital documentation Performance analytics Secure payment integration Ongoing maintenance 6. Trango Tech Trango Tech develops intelligent mobile solutions that help real estate businesses digitize property management and customer interactions. Its applications support advanced search functionality, location-based services, secure transactions, and AI-powered recommendations. The company focuses on scalable software architecture that supports long-term business growth and operational efficiency. Key Features Property marketplace development AI-powered recommendations Interactive map integration GPS-enabled search Digital document management User analytics Cross-platform applications Secure backend systems CRM connectivity Cloud deployment 7. MindInventory MindInventory is a software development company delivering digital transformation solutions across multiple industries, including real estate. Its Real Estate App Development services include modern property applications that combine intuitive interfaces with advanced technologies such as AI, IoT, and cloud computing. The company focuses on creating engaging user experiences while ensuring scalability, security, and seamless business operations. Key Features AI-enabled property applications Cloud-native development Property management tools Interactive dashboards IoT integration User engagement features Third-party API integration Business intelligence reporting Secure infrastructure Continuous technical support Essential Features Every Modern Real Estate App Should Include Successful Real Estate App Development requires more than attractive property listings. Modern applications must provide seamless experiences for buyers, sellers, agents, and property managers while simplifying transactions and communication. • User Registration and Profile Management Allow buyers, sellers, agents, and administrators to create personalized accounts with secure authentication and profile customization. • Advanced Property Search Provide powerful filters based on location, property type, price range, amenities, size, and availability to improve property discovery. • Interactive Maps Integrate GPS-enabled maps that display nearby schools, hospitals, transportation hubs, restaurants, and neighborhood information. • High-Quality Property Listings Support multiple images, HD videos, floor plans, property specifications, and detailed descriptions for each listing. • Virtual Tours Enable immersive 360-degree property walkthroughs using AR/VR technology to improve buyer confidence before physical visits. • AI-Powered Property Recommendations Use artificial intelligence to recommend properties based on user preferences, browsing behavior, and previous searches. • Real-Time Chat and Messaging Facilitate instant communication between buyers, sellers, and agents for faster inquiry resolution. • Mortgage Calculator Help users estimate monthly payments, loan eligibility, and financing options directly within the application. • Appointment Scheduling Allow users to schedule property visits, virtual meetings, or consultations with agents through integrated calendars. • Secure Digital Payments Support booking fees, deposits, subscription payments, and service charges through encrypted payment gateways. • Document Management Store contracts, agreements, ownership documents, inspection reports, and legal paperwork securely within the application. • Push Notifications Notify users about new listings, price changes, scheduled visits, document approvals, and promotional offers. • Admin Dashboard Provide centralized control over users, listings, transactions, content moderation, analytics, and platform management. • Analytics and Reporting Offer detailed insights into customer behavior, listing performance, lead generation, conversions, and revenue growth. • Strong Security Implement encrypted communications, secure authentication, role-based access control, data privacy measures, and regulatory compliance. Emerging Trends Shaping the Future of Real Estate App Development The future of Real Estate App Development is being driven by intelligent technologies that improve decision-making, customer experiences, and operational efficiency throughout the property lifecycle. Artificial intelligence is transforming property discovery by delivering personalized recommendations, predictive pricing models, and automated customer support. Machine learning algorithms analyze user preferences and market trends to recommend relevant properties while helping businesses generate qualified leads more effectively. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are becoming essential components of digital property experiences. Virtual property tours allow buyers to explore homes remotely, reducing travel time and accelerating purchasing decisions. Another significant trend is IoT integration within smart properties. Connected devices enable users to monitor energy consumption, security systems, lighting, and climate control directly through mobile applications, enhancing property value and user convenience. Finally, sustainability is becoming an important focus. Modern real estate platforms increasingly highlight green-certified buildings, energy-efficient homes, and environmentally friendly construction projects to meet changing buyer preferences. Conclusion The rapid evolution of the PropTech sector has made Real Estate App Development an essential investment for businesses aiming to deliver seamless, technology-driven property experiences. From AI-powered property recommendations and immersive virtual tours to secure digital transactions and cloud-based management systems, modern applications are transforming every stage of the real estate journey. Selecting an experienced development company with expertise in emerging technologies, scalable architecture, and user-centric design is crucial for building a competitive digital platform. As customer expectations continue to evolve, organizations that invest in innovative real estate applications will be better positioned to improve operational efficiency, strengthen customer relationships, and achieve long-term growth in the digital property marketplace. FAQs 1. What is Real Estate App Development? Real Estate App Development involves building mobile or web applications that help users buy, sell, rent, and manage properties through digital platforms. 2. How much does Real Estate App Development cost? Development costs vary based on features, platforms, integrations, UI/UX complexity, and technology requirements, ranging from basic to enterprise-grade solutions. 3. Which features are essential in a real estate app? Core features include property listings, advanced search, virtual tours, GPS maps, messaging, appointment scheduling, payment integration, and analytics dashboards. 4. Why should businesses invest in Real Estate App Development? It enhances customer engagement, streamlines property management, increases lead generation, supports digital transactions, and helps businesses stay competitive in the evolving PropTech market.

This gorgeous Bocage home was originally too compartmentalized for entertaining guests. The kitchen itself and the opening between the kitchen and family area were both small, making the space feel closed in and cut off from the rest of the house. Our goal was to open the space as much as possible and give the clients everything they needed to entertain. Early in the design process, we decided it was necessary to add square footage to give these clients their dream kitchen. Adding this space allowed for a large kitchen island, tons of cabinet storage, a walk-in pantry, half bath and small office, all accessible from the focal kitchen. Flanking the kitchen window are sets of floating shelves from The Olde Mill. The hollow floating shelf design allowed for color-changing LED lights to be set into the shelves, allowing for a change of mood at the press of a button. We were able to widen the opening between the kitchen and family room to allow the spaces to flow together. The doorway was framed with reclaimed wood posts and headers, also from The Olde Mill. After the expansion, a structural beam was added to support the second floor, and the clients decided to cover it with a beautiful reclaimed wood beam as well. To wrap the laminated structural beam, this beam was made 22″ wide. All of these elements gave the clients a large, show-stopping kitchen with tons of storage and plenty of room to entertain family and friends. Space Planning by Ourso Designs Designer: Rachel Cannon Limited Builder/Remodeler: Bertell Cook Construction Beams, Mantel, and Floating Shelves: The Olde Mill Photos: Collin Richie Photography

Exterior Shutters Whether you’re building or remodeling, exterior shutters can provide a colorful enhancement to your home. Our exterior shutters are cosmetic accents designed to complement any home design or style. Our heat-reflective paint, available in a vast array of colors, ensures that the color of your shutters will be vibrant for years to come, making your home the one everyone talks about. We offer the finest hardware offered in America. All of our exterior shutters are installed with heavy-duty wrought steel. For the most discerning homeowners who are looking to enhance or protect their home, you will find that The Plantation Shutter Company has a full selection of top-of-the-line shutter designs that are historically correct and built to withstand the elements. At The Plantation Shutter Company, we think that beauty should last a lifetime, which is why we offer a comprehensive lifetime warranty that is the best in the industry. We offer a full line of custom polymer shutters, aluminum Bahamas and wood shutters Because the Plantation Shutter Company uses the most advanced technology, cutting edge construction design, and the best materials around, we can offer a Comprehensive Lifetime Warranty on our Polymer Composite shutters, as well as our new “Aluminum Bahamas”. We use a revolutionary process that takes exterior shutters to a new level, unmatched by any traditional shutter in the industry. This patented construction design has proven to be the most durable in the entire exterior shutter industry for over a decade. The Plantation Shutter Company also features Hurricane rated shutters that meet the large missile and wind load requirements of the ASTM E330, ASTM E1896 and ASTM E1996. Our beautifully designed hardware is made with 304 Stainless Steel with black powder coating that integrates well with our architecturally designed shutters, creating the complete workable and aesthetic package. Select from one of the styles in the options gallery below. Color options are endless, as they are custom painted to match any color you desire. Anyone looking for exterior shutters around the Carolinas cannot find better than the choices offered by The Plantation Shutter Company. #southcarolina #sc #northcarolina #nc #greenvillesc #raleighnc #charleston #columbiasc #charlottesc #plantationshutters #securityshutters #hurricaneshutters

Hallmark Floors Courtier Paladin, Oak Premium Vinyl Flooring is 7" wide and was created to replicate contemporary hardwood floors. The innovative process provides the most natural wood visuals and textures – you won’t believe it isn’t real wood. The depth of color in this diverse collection is unlike any other vinyl flooring product, but it’s still completely waterproof, durable, easy to clean, FloorScore Certified and made using 100% pure virgin vinyl. Courtier PVP is the most elegant and dependable wood alternative. Courtier has a 20 mil wear layer is 100% waterproof and is built with Purcore Ultra. The EZ Loc installation system makes it easy to install and provides higher locking integrity. The higher density of the floor provides greater comfort for feet and spine. Courtier is healthy and certified, contains no formaldehyde, has neutral VOC and Micro Nanocontrol technology effectively kills micro organisms.

This proposal is for a new two-story home on the vacant heavily wooded lot with an existing 150-foot-long driveway lined by several beautiful oak trees culminating in a behemoth 43-inch oak tree where the driveway meets the main lot. The far end of the driveway terminates in a grove of three 43/40/43-inch redwoods and at the very center of the vacant lot stands a gargantuan V-twin 59-inch redwood tree paired with a “small” 29-inch redwood tree. The owners want to build a beautiful contemporary-styled home for their family that fully enjoys and embraces the mature trees on their cozy 65-foot by 100-foot lot. As with all small, constrained lots, this project’s site design started first with meeting the relatively large parking and car maneuvering requirements. Menlo Park’s Department of Transportation typically requires side-facing garages to have 24-feet of backup space. So that they could give the largest feature redwood tree on site an added four feet (50%) of clearance outside of its critical root zone, the owners agreed to install a vehicle turntable at the end of their driveway to eliminate the extra four feet of space needed to back up and turnaround. This allowed them to pull their garage forward an additional four feet towards the front property line on the panhandle side, drastically reducing the rest of the home’s impact on the gargantuan V-Twin paired redwood tree at the center of the lot. One of the owners has mobility issues, and accordingly, they first sought to design a one-story floor plan that incorporated all their family’s needs including plenty of covered patio and deck space to enjoy our fantastic California weather. But that single-story footprint spread too far into the critical root zones of several of the redwood trees on site, even despite the use of the vehicle turntable. During my interview process with the owners, they made it clear to me that one of their primary concerns is ensuring that the largest trees on site would thrive and become features of their new home after construction is complete. The single-story designs that removed the grove of three huge redwood trees were non-starters, as was the skimpy 5x10 master bath I designed when trying to squeeze the whole house program into an overly compromised single-story design. It was therefore deemed necessary to go with a two-story design despite the owner’s mobility issues. This two-story design has a much more compact ground floor footprint and has no bedrooms downstairs, other than the detached ADU. The owners must give up the floor area and incur the costs to install a residential elevator to access their upstairs master suite. Our ground floor footprint is smaller due to the two-story design decision, and our foundation is pulled away from the trees thanks to the vehicle turntable. Yet, a tiny portion of the home’s ground floor footprint still encroaches into the critical root zones of the largest 59” redwood tree. Therefore, as outlined in the Arborist Report prepared by Aesculus Arboricultural Consulting, the structural engineers are incorporating an array of drilled piers and shallow-grade beams for the main home’s foundation and deck area nearest the redwood’s critical root zone. This drilled piers and grade beam foundation is a type of “bridging” foundation as outlined in Aesculus’ report to preserve the health of these trees that the property was designed around. The rest of the foundation will be constructed as an insulated slab-on-grade foundation to minimize the number of steps and ramps needed for the owners to enjoy their home and patio areas. Despite the owner’s desire to keep as many trees as possible on site, and despite the smaller ground floor footprint and the advantage of the vehicle turntable, the need for a 20x20-foot garage and 20x20/25-foot guest parking space on our panhandle lot requires the removal of two heritage trees in the required driveway, a 16” coast redwood, and a 17” coast redwood. An alternate design, such as swapping the garage and guest parking locations north-to-south, still requires the removal of these two trees for vehicle maneuvering but has the added disadvantage of cutting off the home’s sightlines to the behemoth 43” oak tree just outside the currently proposed front patio space and living room. Jim Redman of Elements Landscape is proposing 13 new trees be planted on site to replace the lost value of these two heritage coast redwood trees. This contemporary architectural design features clean lines, and an abundance of full-height windows and large skylights to best take in the immense trees on site. To blend in with the forest-like setting, the home boasts a mix of rich textures and features a color palette of natural wood tones contrasted with dark blue and black. Once through the new steel gate at the street and down the 150-foot tree-lined driveway, a large covered front patio becomes visible past the neighbor’s detached accessory structure. The covered patio is just across the driveway from the beautiful 43” behemoth coast live oak. The single plane of the covered patio roof is delicately supported by a pair of steel posts in a “V-twin” configuration much like the largest redwood trees that tower over the center of the lot and will still be visible above the new two-story home, even from the front yard. The patio is covered in a dark-colored standing seam roof, with steel C-channel fascias, and tongue-and-groove wood ceiling planks on the underside. Generously sized skylights on the patio roof and inside the living area allow for impressive views of the amazing oak canopy as well as precious natural light. Supporting the sloped covered patio on the other side is the two-car garage with a secondary bedroom suite stacked above the garage. This two-story volume is to be clad in vertical clear-coated redwood siding, to tie in with the grove of three 43-inch redwood trees just beyond. The garage door, and the bank of windows for Bedroom#2 above feature a steel fascia eyebrow header feature to provide shade and overhang protection, as we are not proposing a large overhang at this “redwood trunk”. The garage and bedroom volume are pulled 16 feet away from the side property line, instead of the minimum required setback of 6’-6”, thus leaving plenty of room for the redwood grove and existing mature pear tree to continue to thrive. This existing mature green screen in this 16-foot-wide side yard is a feature worth soaking in, which is why tall windows with low sill heights are proposed for both the stairs and the upstairs hallway. Though it may be infrequent to approve side-facing 2nd floor windows with sill heights as low as what we’re proposing, we are confident that the mature green screen and the over 16-foot-wide side yard are sufficient to provide for the continued privacy of our neighbor’s rear yard space, especially considering theses windows are in walkway zones. The covered patio at the front entry is also bound by the 10-foot-tall living room. The great room is clad in a dark blue brick veneer, which wraps around all three sides of the living room. Upon entering the home from the covered patio, you are immediately greeted with one of the most impressive features of the home’s design: a 10-foot-tall by 24-foot-wide set of sliding glass doors. From the entry, this huge opening gives merely an initial glimpse of the massive trunks of the gargantuan V-twin redwoods sitting at the center of the lot. All three sliding glass panels open directly out into the smaller partially covered deck in the rear. This roof overhang element matches the design of the front patio with a steel C-channel fascia and a large skylight. But the rear deck’s roof element is set flat at a ten-foot ceiling height so that the living room’s ceiling seems to float above and out beyond the expanse of full-height sliding doors, thus creating an indoor-outdoor living space that will feel much larger than the home’s actual footprint. This rear covered deck is smaller than the patio in the front and also has a mix of solid and open-slatted roofing to allow for more solar access for the relatively small amount of open sky available. The downstairs living room is open to the dining and kitchen areas, as well as the stair-and-elevator tower beyond. The stair tower is very open and glassy, and the stairs wind up and around the redwood-clad elevator tower. From certain perspectives in the 16-foot-wide side yard, it will almost seem as if the grove of three redwoods has a fourth tree that the house and the stairs were carefully built around. Other than the 3-foot-wide windows, the exterior walls of the stair tower, downstairs utility spaces, and Bedroom#3 above are finished in cement plaster, painted dark blue and black. The sloped roof over the stair-and-elevator tower continues cleanly over the area of upstairs Bedroom#3. This roof level is set by the side daylight plane and only yields an inside wall height of just under 6 feet in height. The owners are satisfied that the rest of this upstairs room has a nice vaulted ceiling to make up for the one short wall under the daylight plane. The rest of the ground floor adjacent to the stair tower consists of a small utility wing containing a half-bath, laundry, storage area, and an exterior alcove for the electric heat pump HVAC unit. This short wing also gives more accessible access to the rear yard deck, as well as a backdrop for an outdoor kitchen. The bright white stone backsplash for the outdoor kitchen provides contrast to the otherwise consistent use of cement plaster painted dark blue and black for the two-story wing closest to the detached ADU. Though Bedroom#3 is stacked directly above this small wing, it is relatively short to comply with the side daylight plane of this narrow lot. Still, to further help break up the scale of this wall, another steel fascia eyebrow element is set about 8 feet above the rear deck. The master suite sits centered above the ten-foot-tall great room. The master bedroom and its balcony, as well as the master bathtub area, have a commanding view of the central redwood trees and their impressive canopy, though the balcony is mostly recessed and should pose no privacy concerns to the neighbor’s rear yards. The master balcony parapet is clad in the same brick veneer continuing up from the living room below. A dark-painted metal rail makes up the rest of the open guardrail height. The entire length of the master balcony is comprised of 9-foot-tall sliding glass doors, but the area above the doors, as well as the area below the master bathroom windows, is accented with more redwood siding. The remainder of the master suite bathroom and walk-in closet is finished in cement plaster painted dark blue. The master bathroom has one side yard-facing window but will be frosted glass for both the owner’s and the neighbor’s privacy. The 2nd floor is capped under a simple gable roof design with one roof ridge and varying eave and rake overhangs depending on the 2nd-floor layout and solar orientation. Since these roof planes are quite difficult to see in the middle of the heavily wooded panhandle lot, we are proposing a white TPO roofing for these two upper roof planes as a more sustainable choice compared to more dark-colored roofing like the covered patios and detached ADU. The owners also wish to build a detached 292-square-foot Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) as an office and guest suite. For the ADU foundation to be situated outside the central redwood tree’s critical root zone, this relatively tiny structure takes advantage of the narrower 4-foot side and rear setbacks allowed for ADUs smaller than 800 square feet. The small L-shaped detached ADU frames a wonderful quasi-courtyard around the gargantuan V-twin redwoods at the center of the lot. The ADU shares a matching material palette consisting of cement plaster painted blue and black, vertical redwood siding and soffits, and thin brick veneer. The ADU also features large full-height windows. The only difference between the main home and the ADU material palette is that the roofing will be a dark composition shingle roofing since it will be quite visible from the master balcony.

One morning, you’re starting your day as you normally would. Then you take a look at your closet, and it’s all the same. There’s not much room for anything, and everything is a mess. That was the daily routine for Mary, one of our recent Baton Rouge clients, until she decided she had finally had enough. Little to No Closet Space: The Start of a Solution Mary and her family moved into their new home in 2020, and they quickly realized they had had little to no closet space. Knowing that she needed that space for herself, she was inspired and wanted to see if she could turn a 10x12 office in her home into a closet. Mary took charge and found us through an online search for closet installations, and she decided to give us a call. After speaking with our expert designer Felicity and sharing some photos she saw online, she decided to trust us with her closet installation. “We had an instant connection and relationship,” Mary said. “Felicity was so down-to-earth and personable that a relationship was built immediately.” Get the Ball Rolling: Designing and Constructing the Closet Mary thought that the process was beautiful and simple. Felicity provided a 3D interactive design of the project and based it on Mary’s needs. Mary said, “It felt like she was trying to accommodate my needs by using her knowledge of what I would need in my closet. It felt very natural.” Felicity had a contractor she worked with closely. Together, they handled the project in two days, even with the crown molding that needed to be removed for the projected closet cabinets to reach the ceiling. Once we finished, Mary was amazed at how quickly we finished the closet. The Final Product: When Fashion and Functionality Work Together “I love how everything has a place, is very organized, and can all be seen very quickly,” Mary said. Along with the closet’s functionality, Mary loves that her closet looks like a boutique showroom. We were able to bring fashion and functionality to this closet with: Showroom lights; makes it look more like a boutique rather than a closet Hidden hamper Separate space to see her purses and shoes Jewelry drawer Display cabinet for belts and scarves Small closet for her four-year-old daughter to put her items in See for yourself! Saving Time and Stress Through The Day Now Mary has cut down on both her time and wardrobe. Thanks to her new closet, finding an outfit each day is “quick and easy.” She even entertains guests in her closet space, thanks to the showroom look we gave her closet. What makes it better? The small closet inside helps her daughter find her things and keep organized. Let Us Make Your Dreams Come True Our work has Mary making plans to work with us for the future. She is already planning to convert another room into a closet, design her pantry, and renovate her garage. Let us help you achieve your dream pantry, laundry room, or even a closet space like Mary’s!

M-S Pro Architects announce the completion of an indoor swimming pool in a state-of-the-art, single storey family home set in a picturesque location on the outskirts of Bratislava - one of Europe’s youngest capital cities. Kebony, a beautiful wood recommended by leading architects, was chosen to craft the ceiling of the swimming pool, which is designed to emulate rippling waves as well as for the terrace deck and structural beams. Sustainability and a desire to recreate the close proximity often seen between wood and water in the natural environment were primary focuses in the design of this project. This led a requirement for a low maintenance wood, compatible humidity and with advanced durability, for the swimming pool ceiling. In addition, a high level of precision when cutting the wood was required in order to achieve the desired appearance of waves. Supplied by Leading Market, Kebony was carefully selected for the pool ceiling, which consists of 490 lamellae of timber, due to its versatility, durability and environmental credentials. Kebony was also installed throughout the exterior of this property, both for the spacious outdoor terrace and the exterior and interior beams. One of the reasons to choose Kebony was the unified look of wood in all these different applications. Developed in Norway, the patented Kebony technology uses an environmentally friendly process, which permanently enhances the properties of sustainable softwood with a bio-based liquid derived from agricultural crop waste. By polymerising the wood’s cell wall with furfuryl alcohol, the wood gains greatly improved durability and dimensional stability, giving it characteristics similar to those of tropical hardwood. In creating a wood with comparable properties to tropical hardwood that can be grown in a FSC certified, sustainably managed forest, the demand for tropical woods is reduced, allowing timber to once again be an important part of sustainable construction. Tomáš Hubinský, Lead Architect at M-S Pro, commented: “From conception through to completion, the creation of this ceiling has been a real feat. Despite the challenges faced by such an intricate design, Kebony was the perfect material to convey our desired effect of waves rippling along the ceiling. We will continue to incorporate Kebony into our interior and exterior designs, with wood fast becoming the first choice material for all architects.” Mette Valen, Sales Manager Norway at Kebony, explained: “The distinctive nature of this design cleverly portrays the capability of Kebony, demonstrating both the aesthetic and performance qualities of the product. We would be honoured to work with M-S Pro in the future and look forward to seeing how they utilise Kebony in their future projects.”

The process of a kitchen going back together , we installed the cabinetry for the sink first and put in a template top ( old door we cut and installed sink in ) so the customer could still use it. Back wall modern farm kitchen with butcher block. Refinished cast iron radiator with white finished and painted background black

This proposal is for a new two-story home on the vacant heavily wooded lot with an existing 150-foot-long driveway lined by several beautiful oak trees culminating in a behemoth 43-inch oak tree where the driveway meets the main lot. The far end of the driveway terminates in a grove of three 43/40/43-inch redwoods and at the very center of the vacant lot stands a gargantuan V-twin 59-inch redwood tree paired with a “small” 29-inch redwood tree. The owners want to build a beautiful contemporary-styled home for their family that fully enjoys and embraces the mature trees on their cozy 65-foot by 100-foot lot. As with all small, constrained lots, this project’s site design started first with meeting the relatively large parking and car maneuvering requirements. Menlo Park’s Department of Transportation typically requires side-facing garages to have 24-feet of backup space. So that they could give the largest feature redwood tree on site an added four feet (50%) of clearance outside of its critical root zone, the owners agreed to install a vehicle turntable at the end of their driveway to eliminate the extra four feet of space needed to back up and turnaround. This allowed them to pull their garage forward an additional four feet towards the front property line on the panhandle side, drastically reducing the rest of the home’s impact on the gargantuan V-Twin paired redwood tree at the center of the lot. One of the owners has mobility issues, and accordingly, they first sought to design a one-story floor plan that incorporated all their family’s needs including plenty of covered patio and deck space to enjoy our fantastic California weather. But that single-story footprint spread too far into the critical root zones of several of the redwood trees on site, even despite the use of the vehicle turntable. During my interview process with the owners, they made it clear to me that one of their primary concerns is ensuring that the largest trees on site would thrive and become features of their new home after construction is complete. The single-story designs that removed the grove of three huge redwood trees were non-starters, as was the skimpy 5x10 master bath I designed when trying to squeeze the whole house program into an overly compromised single-story design. It was therefore deemed necessary to go with a two-story design despite the owner’s mobility issues. This two-story design has a much more compact ground floor footprint and has no bedrooms downstairs, other than the detached ADU. The owners must give up the floor area and incur the costs to install a residential elevator to access their upstairs master suite. Our ground floor footprint is smaller due to the two-story design decision, and our foundation is pulled away from the trees thanks to the vehicle turntable. Yet, a tiny portion of the home’s ground floor footprint still encroaches into the critical root zones of the largest 59” redwood tree. Therefore, as outlined in the Arborist Report prepared by Aesculus Arboricultural Consulting, the structural engineers are incorporating an array of drilled piers and shallow-grade beams for the main home’s foundation and deck area nearest the redwood’s critical root zone. This drilled piers and grade beam foundation is a type of “bridging” foundation as outlined in Aesculus’ report to preserve the health of these trees that the property was designed around. The rest of the foundation will be constructed as an insulated slab-on-grade foundation to minimize the number of steps and ramps needed for the owners to enjoy their home and patio areas. Despite the owner’s desire to keep as many trees as possible on site, and despite the smaller ground floor footprint and the advantage of the vehicle turntable, the need for a 20x20-foot garage and 20x20/25-foot guest parking space on our panhandle lot requires the removal of two heritage trees in the required driveway, a 16” coast redwood, and a 17” coast redwood. An alternate design, such as swapping the garage and guest parking locations north-to-south, still requires the removal of these two trees for vehicle maneuvering but has the added disadvantage of cutting off the home’s sightlines to the behemoth 43” oak tree just outside the currently proposed front patio space and living room. Jim Redman of Elements Landscape is proposing 13 new trees be planted on site to replace the lost value of these two heritage coast redwood trees. This contemporary architectural design features clean lines, and an abundance of full-height windows and large skylights to best take in the immense trees on site. To blend in with the forest-like setting, the home boasts a mix of rich textures and features a color palette of natural wood tones contrasted with dark blue and black. Once through the new steel gate at the street and down the 150-foot tree-lined driveway, a large covered front patio becomes visible past the neighbor’s detached accessory structure. The covered patio is just across the driveway from the beautiful 43” behemoth coast live oak. The single plane of the covered patio roof is delicately supported by a pair of steel posts in a “V-twin” configuration much like the largest redwood trees that tower over the center of the lot and will still be visible above the new two-story home, even from the front yard. The patio is covered in a dark-colored standing seam roof, with steel C-channel fascias, and tongue-and-groove wood ceiling planks on the underside. Generously sized skylights on the patio roof and inside the living area allow for impressive views of the amazing oak canopy as well as precious natural light. Supporting the sloped covered patio on the other side is the two-car garage with a secondary bedroom suite stacked above the garage. This two-story volume is to be clad in vertical clear-coated redwood siding, to tie in with the grove of three 43-inch redwood trees just beyond. The garage door, and the bank of windows for Bedroom#2 above feature a steel fascia eyebrow header feature to provide shade and overhang protection, as we are not proposing a large overhang at this “redwood trunk”. The garage and bedroom volume are pulled 16 feet away from the side property line, instead of the minimum required setback of 6’-6”, thus leaving plenty of room for the redwood grove and existing mature pear tree to continue to thrive. This existing mature green screen in this 16-foot-wide side yard is a feature worth soaking in, which is why tall windows with low sill heights are proposed for both the stairs and the upstairs hallway. Though it may be infrequent to approve side-facing 2nd floor windows with sill heights as low as what we’re proposing, we are confident that the mature green screen and the over 16-foot-wide side yard are sufficient to provide for the continued privacy of our neighbor’s rear yard space, especially considering theses windows are in walkway zones. The covered patio at the front entry is also bound by the 10-foot-tall living room. The great room is clad in a dark blue brick veneer, which wraps around all three sides of the living room. Upon entering the home from the covered patio, you are immediately greeted with one of the most impressive features of the home’s design: a 10-foot-tall by 24-foot-wide set of sliding glass doors. From the entry, this huge opening gives merely an initial glimpse of the massive trunks of the gargantuan V-twin redwoods sitting at the center of the lot. All three sliding glass panels open directly out into the smaller partially covered deck in the rear. This roof overhang element matches the design of the front patio with a steel C-channel fascia and a large skylight. But the rear deck’s roof element is set flat at a ten-foot ceiling height so that the living room’s ceiling seems to float above and out beyond the expanse of full-height sliding doors, thus creating an indoor-outdoor living space that will feel much larger than the home’s actual footprint. This rear covered deck is smaller than the patio in the front and also has a mix of solid and open-slatted roofing to allow for more solar access for the relatively small amount of open sky available. The downstairs living room is open to the dining and kitchen areas, as well as the stair-and-elevator tower beyond. The stair tower is very open and glassy, and the stairs wind up and around the redwood-clad elevator tower. From certain perspectives in the 16-foot-wide side yard, it will almost seem as if the grove of three redwoods has a fourth tree that the house and the stairs were carefully built around. Other than the 3-foot-wide windows, the exterior walls of the stair tower, downstairs utility spaces, and Bedroom#3 above are finished in cement plaster, painted dark blue and black. The sloped roof over the stair-and-elevator tower continues cleanly over the area of upstairs Bedroom#3. This roof level is set by the side daylight plane and only yields an inside wall height of just under 6 feet in height. The owners are satisfied that the rest of this upstairs room has a nice vaulted ceiling to make up for the one short wall under the daylight plane. The rest of the ground floor adjacent to the stair tower consists of a small utility wing containing a half-bath, laundry, storage area, and an exterior alcove for the electric heat pump HVAC unit. This short wing also gives more accessible access to the rear yard deck, as well as a backdrop for an outdoor kitchen. The bright white stone backsplash for the outdoor kitchen provides contrast to the otherwise consistent use of cement plaster painted dark blue and black for the two-story wing closest to the detached ADU. Though Bedroom#3 is stacked directly above this small wing, it is relatively short to comply with the side daylight plane of this narrow lot. Still, to further help break up the scale of this wall, another steel fascia eyebrow element is set about 8 feet above the rear deck. The master suite sits centered above the ten-foot-tall great room. The master bedroom and its balcony, as well as the master bathtub area, have a commanding view of the central redwood trees and their impressive canopy, though the balcony is mostly recessed and should pose no privacy concerns to the neighbor’s rear yards. The master balcony parapet is clad in the same brick veneer continuing up from the living room below. A dark-painted metal rail makes up the rest of the open guardrail height. The entire length of the master balcony is comprised of 9-foot-tall sliding glass doors, but the area above the doors, as well as the area below the master bathroom windows, is accented with more redwood siding. The remainder of the master suite bathroom and walk-in closet is finished in cement plaster painted dark blue. The master bathroom has one side yard-facing window but will be frosted glass for both the owner’s and the neighbor’s privacy. The 2nd floor is capped under a simple gable roof design with one roof ridge and varying eave and rake overhangs depending on the 2nd-floor layout and solar orientation. Since these roof planes are quite difficult to see in the middle of the heavily wooded panhandle lot, we are proposing a white TPO roofing for these two upper roof planes as a more sustainable choice compared to more dark-colored roofing like the covered patios and detached ADU. The owners also wish to build a detached 292-square-foot Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) as an office and guest suite. For the ADU foundation to be situated outside the central redwood tree’s critical root zone, this relatively tiny structure takes advantage of the narrower 4-foot side and rear setbacks allowed for ADUs smaller than 800 square feet. The small L-shaped detached ADU frames a wonderful quasi-courtyard around the gargantuan V-twin redwoods at the center of the lot. The ADU shares a matching material palette consisting of cement plaster painted blue and black, vertical redwood siding and soffits, and thin brick veneer. The ADU also features large full-height windows. The only difference between the main home and the ADU material palette is that the roofing will be a dark composition shingle roofing since it will be quite visible from the master balcony.

Custom bar fabrication process
Wet bar - small cottage u-shaped wet bar idea in Los Angeles with floating shelves and light wood cabinets

This gorgeous Bocage home was originally too compartmentalized for entertaining guests. The kitchen itself and the opening between the kitchen and family area were both small, making the space feel closed in and cut off from the rest of the house. Our goal was to open the space as much as possible and give the clients everything they needed to entertain. Early in the design process, we decided it was necessary to add square footage to give these clients their dream kitchen. Adding this space allowed for a large kitchen island, tons of cabinet storage, a walk-in pantry, half bath and small office, all accessible from the focal kitchen. Flanking the kitchen window are sets of floating shelves from The Olde Mill. The hollow floating shelf design allowed for color-changing LED lights to be set into the shelves, allowing for a change of mood at the press of a button. We were able to widen the opening between the kitchen and family room to allow the spaces to flow together. The doorway was framed with reclaimed wood posts and headers, also from The Olde Mill. After the expansion, a structural beam was added to support the second floor, and the clients decided to cover it with a beautiful reclaimed wood beam as well. To wrap the laminated structural beam, this beam was made 22″ wide. All of these elements gave the clients a large, show-stopping kitchen with tons of storage and plenty of room to entertain family and friends. Space Planning by Ourso Designs Designer: Rachel Cannon Limited Builder/Remodeler: Bertell Cook Construction Beams, Mantel, and Floating Shelves: The Olde Mill Photos: Collin Richie Photography