Adding a penthouse perch to this 1899 row house with a harbor view demanded unusual tactics. To circumvent municipal limitations on floor area, a section of floor was removed from one level and “transferred” to the roof as a new studio space. To comply with local height limitations, an innovative structure of solid wood studs was deployed to reduce floor and ceiling thicknesses to the bare minimum. Aside from creating the desired rooftop refuge, these gymnastics also created a dynamic cascade of interior living spaces for an urban designer and his family. Photos by Bruce Buck.

Adding a penthouse perch to this 1899 row house with a harbor view demanded unusual tactics. To circumvent municipal limitations on floor area, a section of floor was removed from one level and “transferred” to the roof as a new studio space. To comply with local height limitations, an innovative structure of solid wood studs was deployed to reduce floor and ceiling thicknesses to the bare minimum. Aside from creating the desired rooftop refuge, these gymnastics also created a dynamic cascade of interior living spaces for an urban designer and his family. Photos by Bruce Buck.

Photo by Tara Bussema © 2013 Houzz Cork flooring: Dorado by Celestial Cork; wall color: Waterby, Vista Paint; sofa: Vintage Gondola Style sofa, possibly by Adrian Pearsall, Xcape; coffee Table: Vintage Acclaim table in Walnut, Lane Furniture Company, Craigslist; rocking chair: Vintage 1960s Kofod Larsen for Selig of Denmark, Xcape; floor lamp: 1950s teak floor lamp, possibly Paul McCobb, Inretrospect; bar stools: 1960s Erik Buck for O.D. Mobler Denmark, Xcape

The perfect set up for an outdoorsman and his dog - in-line garage doors allow you to drive in, unload cargo with the ceiling mounted winch and exit out the back. There is also a dog washing station, a dedicated air conditioned doggy apartment/kennel with dog door and epoxy floors for easy clean up.

The Finleigh - Transitional Craftsman in Vancouver, Washington by Cascade West Development Inc. Spreading out luxuriously from the large, rectangular foyer, you feel welcomed by the perfect blend of contemporary and traditional elements. From the moment you step through the double knotty alder doors into the extra wide entry way, you feel the openness and warmth of an entertainment-inspired home. A massive two story great room surrounded by windows overlooking the green space, along with the large 12’ wide bi-folding glass doors opening to the covered outdoor living area brings the outside in, like an extension of your living space. Cascade West Facebook: https://goo.gl/MCD2U1 Cascade West Website: https://goo.gl/XHm7Un These photos, like many of ours, were taken by the good people of ExposioHDR - Portland, Or Exposio Facebook: https://goo.gl/SpSvyo Exposio Website: https://goo.gl/Cbm8Ya

Dean J. Birinyi Architectural Photography http://www.djbphoto.com

Tuscan hallway photo in San Francisco with beige walls

SIEGEL SWANSEA LOFT Flatiron District, New York Partner-in-Charge: David Sherman Contractor: Massartre Ltd. Photographer: Michael Moran Completed: 1997 Project Team: Marcus Donaghy PUBLICATIONS: Minimalist Lofts, LOFT Publications, March 2001 Working at Home: Living Working Spaces, December 2000 Interior Design, March 1999 Oculus, March 1999 The writer/critic Joel Siegel and his wife, the painter Ena Swansea, purchased this space with the intention of making a unified living loft and art studio, by integrating the various aesthetic impulses that would normally separate the two programs. The principal desire was to maintain the early twentieth-century character of the shell, with its vaulted ceilings, plaster walls, and industrial details. This character was enhanced by utilizing a similar palette of materials and products to restore the envelope and to upgrade it visibly with exposed piping, electrical conduit, light fixtures and devices. Within the space, an entirely new kit-of-parts was deployed, featuring an attitude towards detail that is both primitive and very precise. The painting studio is located on the north side, taking advantage of the landmarked windows onto 17th Street. It is open to the living space with the southern exposure, but a large Media Room resides between them in the center of the loft. This is the office and entertainment center for Mr. Siegel, containing a state-of-the-art audio/visual system, and creates an acoustically- and visually- private domain. The original wood floor is preserved in this room only, heightening the sense of an island within the loft. The remainder of the loft?s floor has been covered with a completely uniform and level epoxy/urethane finish. Along with the partitions, which are covered in joint compound in lieu of paint, a three-dimensional abstract gray field is established as a background for the owner?s artwork.

Asian single front door photo in Los Angeles with a dark wood front door

Adding a penthouse perch to this 1899 row house with a harbor view demanded unusual tactics. To circumvent municipal limitations on floor area, a section of floor was removed from one level and “transferred” to the roof as a new studio space. To comply with local height limitations, an innovative structure of solid wood studs was deployed to reduce floor and ceiling thicknesses to the bare minimum. Aside from creating the desired rooftop refuge, these gymnastics also created a dynamic cascade of interior living spaces for an urban designer and his family. Photos by Bruce Buck

Tim Griffth
Inspiration for a small modern medium tone wood floor bathroom remodel in San Francisco with a console sink

Won 2013 AIANC Design Award
Inspiration for a transitional beige two-story mixed siding house exterior remodel in Charlotte with a metal roof

SIEGEL SWANSEA LOFT Flatiron District, New York Partner-in-Charge: David Sherman Contractor: Massartre Ltd. Photographer: Michael Moran Completed: 1997 Project Team: Marcus Donaghy PUBLICATIONS: Minimalist Lofts, LOFT Publications, March 2001 Working at Home: Living Working Spaces, December 2000 Interior Design, March 1999 Oculus, March 1999 The writer/critic Joel Siegel and his wife, the painter Ena Swansea, purchased this space with the intention of making a unified living loft and art studio, by integrating the various aesthetic impulses that would normally separate the two programs. The principal desire was to maintain the early twentieth-century character of the shell, with its vaulted ceilings, plaster walls, and industrial details. This character was enhanced by utilizing a similar palette of materials and products to restore the envelope and to upgrade it visibly with exposed piping, electrical conduit, light fixtures and devices. Within the space, an entirely new kit-of-parts was deployed, featuring an attitude towards detail that is both primitive and very precise. The painting studio is located on the north side, taking advantage of the landmarked windows onto 17th Street. It is open to the living space with the southern exposure, but a large Media Room resides between them in the center of the loft. This is the office and entertainment center for Mr. Siegel, containing a state-of-the-art audio/visual system, and creates an acoustically- and visually- private domain. The original wood floor is preserved in this room only, heightening the sense of an island within the loft. The remainder of the loft?s floor has been covered with a completely uniform and level epoxy/urethane finish. Along with the partitions, which are covered in joint compound in lieu of paint, a three-dimensional abstract gray field is established as a background for the owner?s artwork.

Enclosed kitchen - large contemporary single-wall light wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen idea in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, stainless steel cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island, limestone countertops, metallic backsplash and metal backsplash

View of Murphy bed deployed in studio cottage. There's a rail for a rolling library ladder on both sides of room - as seen, to access upper storage cabinets, on opposite wall, to access sleeping loft.

Adding a penthouse perch to this 1899 row house with a harbor view demanded unusual tactics. To circumvent municipal limitations on floor area, a section of floor was removed from one level and “transferred” to the roof as a new studio space. To comply with local height limitations, an innovative structure of solid wood studs was deployed to reduce floor and ceiling thicknesses to the bare minimum. Aside from creating the desired rooftop refuge, these gymnastics also created a dynamic cascade of interior living spaces for an urban designer and his family. Photos by Bruce Buck

Inspiration for a contemporary backyard concrete and custom-shaped infinity hot tub remodel in Santa Barbara

A bold sense of color grounded with walnut cabinetry makes this space pop.
Mid-sized trendy galley porcelain tile and gray floor enclosed kitchen photo in Los Angeles with a single-bowl sink, glass-front cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, orange backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

Adding a penthouse perch to this 1899 row house with a harbor view demanded unusual tactics. To circumvent municipal limitations on floor area, a section of floor was removed from one level and “transferred” to the roof as a new studio space. To comply with local height limitations, an innovative structure of solid wood studs was deployed to reduce floor and ceiling thicknesses to the bare minimum. Aside from creating the desired rooftop refuge, these gymnastics also created a dynamic cascade of interior living spaces for an urban designer and his family. Photos by Bruce Buck.