Scott Braman Photography
Inspiration for a craftsman two-story wood exterior home remodel in DC Metro

Darren Miles
Mid-sized contemporary concrete floor and white one-story mixed siding flat roof idea in Miami with gray walls and a medium wood front door

This Boulder, Colorado remodel by fuentesdesign demonstrates the possibility of renewal in American suburbs, and Passive House design principles. Once an inefficient single story 1,000 square-foot ranch house with a forced air furnace, has been transformed into a two-story, solar powered 2500 square-foot three bedroom home ready for the next generation. The new design for the home is modern with a sustainable theme, incorporating a palette of natural materials including; reclaimed wood finishes, FSC-certified pine Zola windows and doors, and natural earth and lime plasters that soften the interior and crisp contemporary exterior with a flavor of the west. A Ninety-percent efficient energy recovery fresh air ventilation system provides constant filtered fresh air to every room. The existing interior brick was removed and replaced with insulation. The remaining heating and cooling loads are easily met with the highest degree of comfort via a mini-split heat pump, the peak heat load has been cut by a factor of 4, despite the house doubling in size. During the coldest part of the Colorado winter, a wood stove for ambiance and low carbon back up heat creates a special place in both the living and kitchen area, and upstairs loft. This ultra energy efficient home relies on extremely high levels of insulation, air-tight detailing and construction, and the implementation of high performance, custom made European windows and doors by Zola Windows. Zola’s ThermoPlus Clad line, which boasts R-11 triple glazing and is thermally broken with a layer of patented German Purenit®, was selected for the project. These windows also provide a seamless indoor/outdoor connection, with 9′ wide folding doors from the dining area and a matching 9′ wide custom countertop folding window that opens the kitchen up to a grassy court where mature trees provide shade and extend the living space during the summer months. With air-tight construction, this home meets the Passive House Retrofit (EnerPHit) air-tightness standard of

Our Demonstration Home allows clients to experience all facets of home lighting design and control from inside to exterior. Our Lutron Homeworks Lighting Control system automates the exterior areas and several interior areas for a consistent look, energy savings and safety. By integrating recessed lighting at the peaks of the roof and under soffit areas, we are able to showcase the architectural appeal & texture of the brick and stone. Support lighting is accomplished through an embedded up-light in the driveway to illuminate the address block. Several sconces and landscape lighting provide the final layer of lighting design.

Texture and layering define this modern outdoor living entrance. Alterra’s design+build team utilized weathered steel edging to contain a bed of smooth river stone, providing a clean, industrial contrast to the lush turf. By incorporating structural evergreens and a low-profile Japanese Maple, we’ve created a multi-dimensional garden that thrives under the shade of mature oaks. This project demonstrates how a thoughtful master plan can balance hard, architectural lines with soft, organic movement to enhance a home’s natural character.

Look how clean and visually quiet this kitchen can be. There was so little exposed wall left after the cabinetry went in that we didn't overthink using black on the walls. Of course it doesn't "make the room dark". This room has ample light to begin with and at night, a fantastic city lights view is out those doors, so it's as if the walls recede.

Family room library - eclectic family room library idea in Boston

This perspective captures the geometric rhythm of the oversized concrete paver walkway. By setting the smooth, light pavers in a bed of dark basalt gravel, our design+build team created a high-contrast entrance that guides the eye toward the front door. The precision of the hardscape installation is balanced by zones of decomposed granite and lush turf, demonstrating a versatile approach to modern landscape architecture. It’s a bold, architectural statement that redefines the standard for suburban curb appeal.

Vertical interest and soft organic textures bring this modern master plan to life. We utilized weathered steel and smooth concrete for these tiered planters, housing a vibrant mix of perennials that provide a soft counterpoint to the home’s brick and mortar. Our landscape architecture team carefully preserved the mature canopy trees, using them to frame the new outdoor living elements. This approach demonstrates our commitment to the design+build philosophy, where we honor the existing environment while introducing contemporary, structural beauty.

This Tuscan style gate in reclaimed wood gate could have easily been pulled out of a villa in Tuscany! Nonetheless, it was custom designed and hand made by Dynamic Garage Door's skilled designers and experienced craftsmen. Working with centuries-old reclaimed wood is a skill that requires a taste for the finer things in life much like aged wine. We strive to conserve the authentic and natural characteristics that mother nature has given every piece of lumber we collect from our supplying lumber yards in California. Our rustic style gates are intricately crafted to showcase the charming characteristics of the century-old wood used to fabricate our gates. This particular gate was made by hand using reclaimed oak wood, a species that commonly yields earthy brown tones that played well with this home's existing rock walls and natural landscaping. Beefy knocker pulls were used to decorate and reinforce that rough, rustic appearance you would find on doors located in the Tuscan Riviera. Our designer, Mario Collazo, pulled his knowledge of authentic Tuscan architecture fusing it together with the home's existing color scheme and surfaces as an art canvas to further elaborate and enhance the home's Tuscan architectural taste. The curb appeal of this Tuscan Style home in Newport Beach, CA was automatically enhanced adding old world charm and artistic appeal. Get custom designed gates that go with YOUR home, not ones that will resonate your neighbor's taste onto your home. Let Dynamic Garage Door create something unique, out-of-the-box that will harmonize with your home, express your personal taste and demonstrate true and accurate custom design! Get a price or design consultation on any of our gate, shutter or garage door projects by calling our design and manufacturing center in Orange County, CA: (855) 343-3667

A top-down perspective highlights the intricate hardscape details and geometric precision of this project. Our Explore+Design+Build process focused on creating visual interest through contrast—using bright concrete curbing to define lush lawn areas and drought-tolerant planting beds. The inclusion of large moss boulders provides a natural, rugged accent to the polished layout. This bird’s-eye view demonstrates how thoughtful landscape architecture can turn a standard front lawn into a high-end, multi-dimensional work of art.

All of the small details like the embedded step light into the concrete and soldiered brick detail in the concrete overlay at all patio grade changes were handled by ela and were designed to add additional safety and cosmetic appeal at the same time.

A closer look at the home’s façade reveals how the hardscape and softscape work in tandem. Crisp concrete curbing defines the lawn with surgical precision, while tiered planting beds soften the transition to the porch. Our Explore+Design+Build process ensures that every element—from the wood-toned porch steps to the vibrant floral containers—is cohesive. This project demonstrates how thoughtful landscape architecture can create a clean, modern aesthetic that still feels warm and inviting for any residential property.

This vibrant front yard entry by Alterra Landscape Design elevates outdoor living with striking details. As innovative landscape architects, they've adorned the modern entryway with brilliant cobalt blue planters, each holding a meticulously sculpted spiral topiary and contrasting chartreuse foliage. The lush greenery and bold pottery create a lively focal point against the white brick and warm wood siding, demonstrating a keen eye for color and texture in enhancing curb appeal.

This close-up showcases a key element of a Dallas backyard designed by Alterra Landscape Design: a meticulously maintained putting green. Demonstrating their expertise as landscape architects, this feature elevates outdoor living by providing a dedicated recreational space. The vibrant green turf, complete with a flag, is set against a backdrop of lush trees and a warm wooden fence, highlighting the thoughtful integration of leisure and natural beauty within the landscape design.

This dated split-level home was reimagined with a timeless exterior design that feels fresh, balanced, and effortlessly inviting. The updated design pairs warm neutral siding with painted white brick, dark trim, and contemporary lighting to create clean lines and lasting curb appeal. A redesigned front entry establishes a stronger focal point, while layered landscaping and modern railings add texture, dimension, and a welcoming sense of arrival. Every element was selected to work together, creating a cohesive exterior that complements both the home's architecture and its beautiful wooded surroundings. The finished design transforms the home's appearance without changing its footprint, demonstrating how thoughtful material selections, color, and architectural details can completely redefine curb appeal. Looking to reimagine your own home's exterior? Our virtual exterior design services help homeowners visualize their home's potential before renovation begins.

This modern landscape design was inspired by a variety of our products to create the ultimate luxurious curb appeal! This driveway was designed with our Diamond paver! Inspired by the geometric patterns of which contemporary interior decors are currently made, the Diamand paver is used to produce similar effects on the exterior. This modern style product, which combines a diamond shape with various colors and finishes to demonstrate great creativity, is one of the pavers offering the most versatility.

This modern landscape design was inspired by a variety of our products to create the ultimate luxurious curb appeal! This driveway was designed with our Diamond paver! Inspired by the geometric patterns of which contemporary interior decors are currently made, the Diamand paver is used to produce similar effects on the exterior. This modern style product, which combines a diamond shape with various colors and finishes to demonstrate great creativity, is one of the pavers offering the most versatility.

This modern landscape design was inspired by a variety of our products to create the ultimate luxurious curb appeal! This driveway was designed with our Diamond paver! Inspired by the geometric patterns of which contemporary interior decors are currently made, the Diamand paver is used to produce similar effects on the exterior. This modern style product, which combines a diamond shape with various colors and finishes to demonstrate great creativity, is one of the pavers offering the most versatility.