Designed by Black + Vernooy, built by Schatz Homes Designed to accommodate the clients' desire for a house that "sits beautifully and confidently" on its dramatic ridge-top site, the Mirador Residence takes full advantage of the site's natural terracing and sweeping Hill Country views by providing seamless transitions to its generous outdoor living spaces. The plan expresses the owner’s casual lifestyle and need for a variety of spaces strongly connected to the outdoors. Central Texas materials, such as native limestone and aromatic cedar, are chosen for their regional appropriateness and are deployed and detailed in ways designed to further integrate the house with its natural surroundings. The house comprises approximately 5900 square feet of living space wrapped around a hillside courtyard, and was completed in 2005.

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.

The design of this four bedroom Upper West Side apartment involved the complete renovation of one half of the unit and the remodeling of the other half. The main living space includes a foyer, lounge, library, kitchen and island. The library can be converted into the fourth bedroom by deploying a series of sliding/folding glass doors together with a pivoting wall panel to separate it from the rest of the living area. The kitchen is delineated as a special space within the open floor plan by virtue of a folded wooden volume around the island - inviting casual congregation and dining. All three bathrooms were designed with a common language of modern finishes and fixtures, with functional variations depending on their location within the apartment. New closets serve each bedroom as well as the foyer and lounge spaces. Materials are kept to a limited palette of dark stained wood flooring, American Walnut for bathroom vanities and the kitchen island, white gloss and lacquer finish cabinetry, and translucent glass door panelling with natural anodized aluminum trim. Lightly veined carrara marble lines the bathroom floors and walls. www.archphoto.com

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

Designed By: Black + Vernooy Built By: Schatz Homes Designed to accommodate the clients' desire for a house that "sits beautifully and confidently" on its dramatic ridge-top site, the Mirador Residence takes full advantage of the site's natural terracing and sweeping Hill Country views by providing seamless transitions to its generous outdoor living spaces. The plan expresses the owner’s casual lifestyle and need for a variety of spaces strongly connected to the outdoors. Central Texas materials, such as native limestone and aromatic cedar, are chosen for their regional appropriateness and are deployed and detailed in ways designed to further integrate the house with its natural surroundings. The house comprises approximately 5900 square feet of living space wrapped around a hillside courtyard, and was completed in 2005.

Designed By: Black + Vernooy Built By: Schatz Homes Designed to accommodate the clients' desire for a house that "sits beautifully and confidently" on its dramatic ridge-top site, the Mirador Residence takes full advantage of the site's natural terracing and sweeping Hill Country views by providing seamless transitions to its generous outdoor living spaces. The plan expresses the owner’s casual lifestyle and need for a variety of spaces strongly connected to the outdoors. Central Texas materials, such as native limestone and aromatic cedar, are chosen for their regional appropriateness and are deployed and detailed in ways designed to further integrate the house with its natural surroundings. The house comprises approximately 5900 square feet of living space wrapped around a hillside courtyard, and was completed in 2005.

Example of a minimalist home design design in Austin

Designed by Black + Vernooy, built by Schatz Homes Designed to accommodate the clients' desire for a house that "sits beautifully and confidently" on its dramatic ridge-top site, the Mirador Residence takes full advantage of the site's natural terracing and sweeping Hill Country views by providing seamless transitions to its generous outdoor living spaces. The plan expresses the owner’s casual lifestyle and need for a variety of spaces strongly connected to the outdoors. Central Texas materials, such as native limestone and aromatic cedar, are chosen for their regional appropriateness and are deployed and detailed in ways designed to further integrate the house with its natural surroundings. The house comprises approximately 5900 square feet of living space wrapped around a hillside courtyard, and was completed in 2005.

Exterior view with awning deployed. 13 feet extended creating 100% shade below while maintaining 100% of their view to the backyard.
Patio - mid-sized traditional backyard patio idea in Los Angeles

The idea of the 4 '' backsplash was replaced by a wall completely covered by tile, that allows you to deploy more complete designs and reduce the paint spaces that are often a headache to keep them as new.

The design of this four bedroom Upper West Side apartment involved the complete renovation of one half of the unit and the remodeling of the other half. The main living space includes a foyer, lounge, library, kitchen and island. The library can be converted into the fourth bedroom by deploying a series of sliding/folding glass doors together with a pivoting wall panel to separate it from the rest of the living area. The kitchen is delineated as a special space within the open floor plan by virtue of a folded wooden volume around the island - inviting casual congregation and dining. All three bathrooms were designed with a common language of modern finishes and fixtures, with functional variations depending on their location within the apartment. New closets serve each bedroom as well as the foyer and lounge spaces. Materials are kept to a limited palette of dark stained wood flooring, American Walnut for bathroom vanities and the kitchen island, white gloss and lacquer finish cabinetry, and translucent glass door panelling with natural anodized aluminum trim. Lightly veined carrara marble lines the bathroom floors and walls. www.archphoto.com

Our client's central stairwell is dramatically lit by a custom domed acrylic skylight. They soon discovered that the stairwell became too bright and hot, especially during summer months. The challenge was to control the temperature and glare without overheating the acrylic of the skylight or compromising the elegant character of the stairway. The solution is a nearly 12’ long x 8’ wide horizontal OpenLight shade that operates with the push of a button. White/white 3% open fabric stops 97% of the light while allowing sufficient light to brighten the stairway. It also minimizes heating falling into the stairwell while letting enough heat dissipate so as not to overheat the skylight. The fabric itself has a fiberglass substrate so that it can withstand the heat without stretching. OpenLight shades are fabricated in the Creative Windows Ann Arbor plant and are available in an exceptionally wide selection of fabrics and creative applications. Shade shown here is partially deployed to highlight the dramatic stairwell and interesting architecture of the home. The white fabric of the shade matches the shade fabric used throughout the house. The white casing blends with the wall and trim color. The shade is an elegant solution to the problem that complements the homes modern aesthetic. Best of all, our client now can enjoy their stairway year-round. Our client purchased a lakeside home in Fenton, MI that features a central stairwell that is dramatically lit by a custom 12’ long x8’ wide domed skylight. Positioned over the entry stairwell and running the entire length of the foyer below, they soon discovered that the stairwell became too bright and hot, especially during summer months. The challenge was to control the temperature and glare without compromising the clean lines and elegant character of the home’s main entry. The solution was an expansive motorized screen shade that operates with the simple push of a button. The selected shade cloth, in 3% openness, stops 97% of the harsh light while allowing sufficient brightness in the stairway. The white color not only compliments the home’s interior finishes but serves to reflect heat that would otherwise fall into the stairwell, without overheating the acrylic skylight. The fabric itself has a fiberglass substrate and can withstand the heat without stretching, and the unique shading system features a zippered design that holds the shade cloth perfectly taut, regardless of the expansive coverage required. The shade, shown here, is partially deployed to highlight the dramatic stairwell and reveal the interesting architecture of the domed skylight above. The shade is an elegant solution to the problem that not only compliments the homes modern aesthetic but allows our client to enjoy their stairway year-round.

These Retractable Screens are top of the line luxury with built in, full enclosed, pulley systems designed to give two finger control. These screens may stop anywhere within the travel path and are not operated by a full tension spring. Most retractable screens of this size have large "full tension springs" that are under heavy loads while the screen is deployed. These springs will often pull out of the user's hands as they try to open the screen to pass through. The retractable screen you see in this photo will go up to 10' tall x 24' wide, with a completely clear opening. The screens are also available in insect screen, solar screen, privacy screen, and combination screens. They are completely incased and have billet aluminum frames. This Retractable Screen is the perfect solution to the Custom Builder or Architect needing a large span screen solution. These are also great for noise abatement within open floor plan homes and structures. Knock down echoes, close off TV or office spaces, or create sections within a large space for a more intimate setting in seconds. Our Product Specialists are always available to speak with at 800-522-1599 if you would like more information.

Interior view with awning deployed. Notice the lighter colors in the striped fabric illuminating but still creating 100% shade.
Mid-sized elegant backyard patio photo in Los Angeles

Landscape and design by Jpm Landscape
Design ideas for a landscaping in San Francisco.

The design of this four bedroom Upper West Side apartment involved the complete renovation of one half of the unit and the remodeling of the other half. The main living space includes a foyer, lounge, library, kitchen and island. The library can be converted into the fourth bedroom by deploying a series of sliding/folding glass doors together with a pivoting wall panel to separate it from the rest of the living area. The kitchen is delineated as a special space within the open floor plan by virtue of a folded wooden volume around the island - inviting casual congregation and dining. All three bathrooms were designed with a common language of modern finishes and fixtures, with functional variations depending on their location within the apartment. New closets serve each bedroom as well as the foyer and lounge spaces. Materials are kept to a limited palette of dark stained wood flooring, American Walnut for bathroom vanities and the kitchen island, white gloss and lacquer finish cabinetry, and translucent glass door panelling with natural anodized aluminum trim. Lightly veined carrara marble lines the bathroom floors and walls. www.archphoto.com

This home located in the Lely community of Naples is using AstroGuard hurricane fabric for its storm protection. They chose AstroGuard because they could leave it deployed during the entire hurricane season while they were away.

The design of this four bedroom Upper West Side apartment involved the complete renovation of one half of the unit and the remodeling of the other half. The main living space includes a foyer, lounge, library, kitchen and island. The library can be converted into the fourth bedroom by deploying a series of sliding/folding glass doors together with a pivoting wall panel to separate it from the rest of the living area. The kitchen is delineated as a special space within the open floor plan by virtue of a folded wooden volume around the island - inviting casual congregation and dining. All three bathrooms were designed with a common language of modern finishes and fixtures, with functional variations depending on their location within the apartment. New closets serve each bedroom as well as the foyer and lounge spaces. Materials are kept to a limited palette of dark stained wood flooring, American Walnut for bathroom vanities and the kitchen island, white gloss and lacquer finish cabinetry, and translucent glass door panelling with natural anodized aluminum trim. Lightly veined carrara marble lines the bathroom floors and walls. www.archphoto.com

The design of this four bedroom Upper West Side apartment involved the complete renovation of one half of the unit and the remodeling of the other half. The main living space includes a foyer, lounge, library, kitchen and island. The library can be converted into the fourth bedroom by deploying a series of sliding/folding glass doors together with a pivoting wall panel to separate it from the rest of the living area. The kitchen is delineated as a special space within the open floor plan by virtue of a folded wooden volume around the island - inviting casual congregation and dining. All three bathrooms were designed with a common language of modern finishes and fixtures, with functional variations depending on their location within the apartment. New closets serve each bedroom as well as the foyer and lounge spaces. Materials are kept to a limited palette of dark stained wood flooring, American Walnut for bathroom vanities and the kitchen island, white gloss and lacquer finish cabinetry, and translucent glass door panelling with natural anodized aluminum trim. Lightly veined carrara marble lines the bathroom floors and walls. www.archphoto.com