Mid-sized classic screened-in back porch idea in Other with a roof extension and decking

Photo Credit: Neil Landino, Counter Top: Connecticut Stone Calacatta Gold Honed Marble, Kitchen Sink: 39" Wide Risinger Double Bowl Fireclay, Paint Color: Benjamin Moore Arctic Gray 1577, Trim Color: Benjamin Moore White Dove, Kitchen Faucet: Perrin and Rowe Bridge Kitchen Faucet VIDEO BLOG, EPISODE 2 – FINDING THE PERFECT STONE Watch this happy client’s testimonial on how Connecticut Stone transformed her existing kitchen into a bright, beautiful and functional space.Featuring Calacatta Gold Marble and Carrara Marble. Video Link: https://youtu.be/hwbWNMFrAV0

Inspiration for a contemporary deck remodel in Other

Inspiration for a large timeless backyard stone and rectangular lap hot tub remodel in New York

Hot tub - large traditional backyard stone and rectangular lap hot tub idea in New York

Two design elements that contribute to the deck’s distinctive finished appearance are picture framing and parting boards. You see the art of picture framing where we used darker contrasting boards to frame the pool and its concrete shoulder. We inserted parting boards where two sections of the deck meet with boards running diagonally in different directions. Diagonals running in different directions and set off with parting boards are visual markers indicating sections of the deck that can be used as individual rooms.

Two design elements that contribute to the deck’s distinctive finished appearance are picture framing and parting boards. You see the art of picture framing where we used darker contrasting boards to frame the pool and its concrete shoulder. We inserted parting boards where two sections of the deck meet with boards running diagonally in different directions. Diagonals running in different directions and set off with parting boards are visual markers indicating sections of the deck that can be used as individual rooms.

Bed alcove features dormer window. photo by Whit Preston
Inspiration for a transitional master bedroom remodel in Austin with white walls

A custom 30' wide by 16' projection Trex Pergola kit finished in Baltic Light with Vintage Lantern square columns rests on a waterproof rooftop made of Trex Decking. Integrated lighting sets the evening ambiance with Trex Furniture adding a comfortable place to relax. An easy, low maintenance, retreat that blends seamlessly into it's wooded surroundings.

Eat-in kitchen - large rustic l-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in San Francisco with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island, marble countertops, beige backsplash and stone tile backsplash

Mid-sized minimalist backyard patio kitchen photo in DC Metro with decking and a pergola

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Large elegant backyard deck photo in New York with no cover

Large beach style master medium tone wood floor bedroom photo in Other with blue walls and no fireplace

Completed in the summer of 2013, this modern garden is located in Highland Park, Texas just north of Dallas. This garden features a modern edge with a swimming pool, concrete terraces, Ipe wood decks, a unique wood fence an outdoor shade structure with fireplace. The garden also includes and outdoor cooking area with Kalamazoo appliances.

Open and screened porches are strategically located to allow pleasant outdoor use at any time of day, particular season or, if necessary, insect challenge. Dramatic cantilevers allow the porches to extend into the site’s beautiful mixed hardwood tree canopy. Essential client goals were a sustainable low-maintenance house, primarily single floor living, orientation to views, natural light to interiors, establishment of individual privacy, creation of a formal outdoor space for gardening, incorporation of a full workshop for cars, generous indoor and outdoor social space for guests and parties.

The decking color used for picture framing and parting boards in this project is TimberTech AZEK’s English Walnut, the perfect contrast to Weathered Teak. For the ceiling on the interior of their new shade cover, the clients selected rich, luxurious Synergywood in the Auburn color. The roof cover itself is supported by six steel posts that run all the way to the ground. With the deck 6’ above the ground, we were able to supply the homeowners with a huge under-deck storage area of 26’ x 14’.

pool with hydraulic floor, movable shade canopy
Patio - contemporary patio idea in New York with a gazebo

This rooftop garden in Manhattan's West Village features custom fencing with built-in lighting, ipe planter boxes, deck tiles, a shade sail, and black fiberglass planters. Container plantings for this NYC terrace design include bamboo, ornamental grasses, hydrangea trees, purple coneflower, weigela, creeping Jenny, and heathers. See more of our projects at www.amberfreda.com.