In the summer of 2012 we embarked on a remodel of our 1912 Craftsman. We wanted to redo the kitchen and the upper floor which contained the master bedroom, bathroom, guest room and office. We interviewed approximately 5 other architects prior to finding Mark. We knew right away he was the right person for the job. He was patient, thorough and we could tell he truly loved our home and wanted to work with us to make it even better. His vast experience showed through during the interview process which validated his portfolio. Mark truly became a trusted advisor who would guide us through this remodel process from beginning to end. His planning was precise and he came by many times to re-measure to get every detail accounted for. He was patient and helpful as we made decisions and then changed our minds! He was with us every week of the 10 weeks of the remodel. He attended each weekly meeting with the General Contractor and was at the house numerous other times guiding and really looking out for our best interests. I came to trust him enough to ask his opinion on almost everything from layout to colors and decorating tips! He consistently threw out ideas....many of which we took. Additionally Mark was a tremendous help in referring us to contractors, designers, and retailers to help us along the way. I am ecstatic over the results of the remodel. The kitchen and bath are truly beautiful and full of modern conveniences while maintaining the integrity of the 1912 structure. We were right about our decision to hire Mark and we wholehearted recommend him as an outstanding architect, and more!!

We took a very nice kitchen and turned it into a BEAUTIFUL kitchen. We added space by bumping into an existing unused bath room. This added space and natural lighting. There are Centra cabinets by Mouser, inset, Mocha with a chocolate glaze. The countertops are an antiqued finish by Surface 1. We added an eating area with reclaimed wood finish in a natural oil and wax. A decision had not been made yet on new counter depth stools.

This photo is a view from the living room to the kitchen. Notice the mid sized fridge which fits under the slope of the ceiling. This is a good example of what drove much of the decision making, finding ways to make the best of the limited space.

Photo: Hoi Ning Wong © 2014 Houzz
Inspiration for a timeless entryway remodel in San Francisco

A well-designed property should still look like the original idea when the work is finished. That sounds simple, but outdoor projects involve dozens of decisions that can pull a plan in different directions: grade, drainage, access, permitting, materials, budget, utilities, planting, lighting, and construction sequencing. Design-build brings those decisions into the same conversation at the start. Instead of designing a property and asking how to build it later, the site, the budget, and the realities of construction shape the design from the beginning. A retaining wall affects grade. Grade affects drainage. Drainage affects planting. A patio changes circulation. An outdoor kitchen changes utility planning. The pieces are connected, the planning should be too. Our latest Journal article looks at "What design-build actually means", and why one team, working from one plan and one vision makes such a difference in the finished property.

Uniquely situated on a double lot high above the river, this home stands proudly amongst the wooded backdrop. The homeowner's decision for the two-toned siding with dark stained cedar beams fits well with the natural setting. Tour this 2,000 sq ft open plan home with unique spaces above the garage and in the daylight basement.

Uniquely situated on a double lot high above the river, this home stands proudly amongst the wooded backdrop. The homeowner's decision for the two-toned siding with dark stained cedar beams fits well with the natural setting. Tour this 2,000 sq ft open plan home with unique spaces above the garage and in the daylight basement.

Custom Home Built for Real Life Our clients came to us with a clear vision: a home that could adapt to their lifestyle and growing family. They needed a home built with intention, designed with the future in mind, and built around the routines they loved and the people they loved more. Open-Concept Living With Hosting in Mind Our clients hosted often and lived actively, so the main level had to be flexible for all of life’s moments. The goal was a space that felt grand without losing its warmth. Cooking together as a family mattered to our clients – the Wolf range, farmhouse sink, integrated appliances, and large island gave them a kitchen that flowed effortlessly while looking beautiful. This space also served as the bridge between other parts of the main level so that they would stay in view of the next. This created the perfect environment for gathering where everyone had their own spot without ever feeling apart from the whole group. For the living room, our clients wanted space that felt open without losing its warmth. Soaring ceilings created that sense of scale, while warm tones and materials, like the wood coffered ceiling and fireplace wall, kept it grounded. That same warmth carried outside, where an outdoor lounge with a fireplace and dining area made sure guests felt welcomed the moment they stepped out. A Backyard Built for Real Rest Every corner of the backyard was designed with one goal: to be the ultimate outdoor retreat. The elevated, white-brick-framed pool and integrated spa hot tub gave them a place to truly exhale. As the sun set, the fire pit lounge next to the pool became the hangout spot when they hosted their youth groups and family gatherings. Room to Grow With kids in the house, “custom” had to also mean flexible. Our clients had 2 young sons and needed their rooms to grow with them through the years. The two bedrooms and a full bath sat beside a loft that served as both their hangout-and-homework spot. The guest suite sat on the same level where a four-poster bed, floor-to-ceiling wood-look tile, and a frameless glass shower welcomed their guests from day one. A Retreat That’s Actually Theirs Between hosting and raising kids, this couple needed a suite that felt like a true escape. The wood-planked tray ceiling and French doors grounded the room in warmth the moment you walked in, while the ensuite bathroom carried a spa-like feeling with a freestanding soaking tub, custom double vanity, and a glass-enclosed shower. This Is What Approachable Luxury Looks Like The approachable luxury experience meant starting with conversations about how they wanted their space to live with them – how they hosted, how their kids played, how they wanted to feel walking through their own front door, and how we took their goals and experience and used it as the foundation of every decision that was made from start to finish. We wanted our clients to feel taken care of through the process and, most importantly, feel heard.

This project is a whole home remodel that is being completed in 2 phases. The first phase included this bathroom remodel. The whole home will maintain the Mid Century styling. The cabinets are stained in Alder Wood. The countertop is Ceasarstone in Pure White. The shower features Kohler Purist Fixtures in Vibrant Modern Brushed Gold finish. The flooring is Large Hexagon Tile from Dal Tile. The decorative tile is Wayfair “Illica” ceramic. The lighting is Mid-Century pendent lights. The vanity is custom made with traditional mid-century tapered legs. The next phase of the project will be added once it is completed. Read the article here: https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/82478496

A shared children's full bath wrapped in vintage trellis wallpaper. Infused with fun using paper mache animal wall sculptures. A happy and vibrant space in a traditional family home. Design by Courtney B. Smith.

This beautiful one-story brick rancher located in Henrico County is impressive. Painting brick can be a hard decision to make but it’s a tried and true way of updating your home’s exterior without replacing the masonry. While some brick styles have stood the test of time, others have become dated more quickly. Moreover, many homeowners prefer a solid color for their home as compared to the natural variety of brick. This home was painted with Benjamin Moore’s Mayonnaise, a versatile bright white with a touch of creamy yellow.

A video tour of this beautiful home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lbfy9PYTsBQ Bright inviting Kitchen great room Paul Grdina

Kitchen - modern kitchen idea

Every design project has its own story, and this one stands out for the creative collaboration and smart decision-making that brought it to life. Our client—a designer herself—came to us with a clear vision: she wanted a lighter, brighter kitchen with more functional storage and a larger island for seating that wouldn’t disrupt the flow of the space. From our first meeting, I knew we were going to build something special together!

Example of a transitional l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen design in Portland Maine with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, paneled appliances and an island

One sided open staircase. in a somewhat peculiar area. The stair treads were pine box with carpet. The stair treads were stained dark to finish and match the upstairs flooring. This was an economical based decision. This typically is never even noticed.

An artistic eye and knowledge of cabinetry influenced many of the design decisions as each wooden detail was hand drawn using exotic and unique woods.

Summary of Scope: gut renovation/reconfiguration of kitchen, coffee bar, mudroom, powder room, 2 kids baths, guest bath, master bath and dressing room, kids study and playroom, study/office, laundry room, restoration of windows, adding wallpapers and window treatments Background/description: The house was built in 1908, my clients are only the 3rd owners of the house. The prior owner lived there from 1940s until she died at age of 98! The old home had loads of character and charm but was in pretty bad condition and desperately needed updates. The clients purchased the home a few years ago and did some work before they moved in (roof, HVAC, electrical) but decided to live in the house for a 6 months or so before embarking on the next renovation phase. I had worked with the clients previously on the wife's office space and a few projects in a previous home including the nursery design for their first child so they reached out when they were ready to start thinking about the interior renovations. The goal was to respect and enhance the historic architecture of the home but make the spaces more functional for this couple with two small kids. Clients were open to color and some more bold/unexpected design choices. The design style is updated traditional with some eclectic elements. An early design decision was to incorporate a dark colored french range which would be the focal point of the kitchen and to do dark high gloss lacquered cabinets in the adjacent coffee bar, and we ultimately went with dark green.

New to the Pacific Northwest, our recently retired clients had relocated from the Fairbanks area to take advantage of the more moderate climate and improved access to family and resources. They selected a nice home in a desirable location with a large enough lot next to some green space to afford them some breathing room. Taking a less is more approach, the homeowners’ goal was to establish a more neutral pallet with white walls, wood and earthy accents. We kept the budget at the forefront of our conversations, and they took care to make practical decisions, investing strategically in the upgrades to their home. Every decision and change made went a long way toward aligning the style of the home with the values of its new owners. The homeowners identify with their Danish heritage, which they express through their aesthetic and selections. The master bathroom improvements were especially important to the homeowners. We added heated floors and completely reworked the layout and design. It featured a new tub, a custom shower, tile throughout, shower glass, a custom cabinet made by a local cabinet maker and new lights and fixtures.