Beneficial wildlife attracted by backyard ponds are delightful to watch and listen to. More than that, their presence offer natural ways to a healthier environment. Frogs eat algae in the water which contributes to keeping the water clean; adult toads aid in controlling insects, as do the birds the water attracts; and the koi, which are so much fun to feed, eat any mosquito larva that might develop. www.deckandpatio.com

The Ultimate Luxury Getaway Our client wanted to create a vacation home for the perfect remote up north retreat with all the amenities to entertain during any season or weather. This theater room was created to offer the ultimate space to enjoy some downtime from the lake or entertainment for a rainy day. The homeowner and his guest can relax on the custom leather couch while enjoying their favorite movie or concert. It’s like being at the theater without having to travel far. From concept development to installation, through the finishing touches, Spire was involved at every step to help create this incredible theater room. Right down to the studs, the room was built for the optimal performance.

Custom Client Project. Modern Smart Home on a 1 acre lot. Stunning open floor plan, custom walls of glass with electronic shades, designer tile flooring, Sub-Zero & Wolf gourmet kitchen, butler's pantry, heated pool, emergency generator, iPad-controlled Savant system, Lutron lighting and a dedicated master wing with his/her bathrooms, closet and study.

Custom Client Project. Modern Smart Home on a 1 acre lot. Stunning open floor plan, custom walls of glass with electronic shades, designer tile flooring, Sub-Zero & Wolf gourmet kitchen, butler's pantry, heated pool, emergency generator, iPad-controlled Savant system, Lutron lighting and a dedicated master wing with his/her bathrooms, closet and study.

A fissure has developed on the hillside above this residence. This long narrow cleft in the ground directs water from up the hill right down into the yard of the house below. In a previous rain event, the retaining wall was overwhelmed, and the house was hit by a mudslide.

Custom Client Project. Modern Smart Home on a 1 acre lot. Stunning open floor plan, custom walls of glass with electronic shades, designer tile flooring, Sub-Zero & Wolf gourmet kitchen, butler's pantry, heated pool, emergency generator, iPad-controlled Savant system, Lutron lighting and a dedicated master wing with his/her bathrooms, closet and study.

This 5687 sf home was a major renovation including significant modifications to exterior and interior structural components, walls and foundations. Included were the addition of several multi slide exterior doors, windows, new patio cover structure with master deck, climate controlled wine room, master bath steam shower, 4 new gas fireplace appliances and the center piece- a cantilever structural steel staircase with custom wood handrail and treads. A complete demo down to drywall of all areas was performed excluding only the secondary baths, game room and laundry room where only the existing cabinets were kept and refinished. Some of the interior structural and partition walls were removed. All flooring, counter tops, shower walls, shower pans and tubs were removed and replaced. New cabinets in kitchen and main bar by Mid Continent. All other cabinetry was custom fabricated and some existing cabinets refinished. Counter tops consist of Quartz, granite and marble. Flooring is porcelain tile and marble throughout. Wall surfaces are porcelain tile, natural stacked stone and custom wood throughout. All drywall surfaces are floated to smooth wall finish. Many electrical upgrades including LED recessed can lighting, LED strip lighting under cabinets and ceiling tray lighting throughout. The front and rear yard was completely re landscaped including 2 gas fire features in the rear and a built in BBQ. The pool tile and plaster was refinished including all new concrete decking.

This 5687 sf home was a major renovation including significant modifications to exterior and interior structural components, walls and foundations. Included were the addition of several multi slide exterior doors, windows, new patio cover structure with master deck, climate controlled wine room, master bath steam shower, 4 new gas fireplace appliances and the center piece- a cantilever structural steel staircase with custom wood handrail and treads. A complete demo down to drywall of all areas was performed excluding only the secondary baths, game room and laundry room where only the existing cabinets were kept and refinished. Some of the interior structural and partition walls were removed. All flooring, counter tops, shower walls, shower pans and tubs were removed and replaced. New cabinets in kitchen and main bar by Mid Continent. All other cabinetry was custom fabricated and some existing cabinets refinished. Counter tops consist of Quartz, granite and marble. Flooring is porcelain tile and marble throughout. Wall surfaces are porcelain tile, natural stacked stone and custom wood throughout. All drywall surfaces are floated to smooth wall finish. Many electrical upgrades including LED recessed can lighting, LED strip lighting under cabinets and ceiling tray lighting throughout. The front and rear yard was completely re landscaped including 2 gas fire features in the rear and a built in BBQ. The pool tile and plaster was refinished including all new concrete decking.

Location was a key factor for the developer of these 72 luxury beachfront condominiums in New Rochelle, NY, offering prime real estate with spectacular water views, all within a short commute to New York City. An unusual aspect of this project was the developer’s commitment to offer prospective buyers completely customizable interior buildouts. The architect and developer teamed with Bilotta to devise a program offering 17 stains, 17 paint finishes and a variety of door styles, giving homeowners total control of their kitchen and bathroom details and accessories, a significant and successful selling point. In this particular unit, sand, surf, and sunshine are transported indoors with light-reflecting white cabinetry atop natural oak flooring, punctuated by a slate blue island that seats five. Practical blue-gray quartz countertops are a complementary echo of the island’s hue. A generous molding treatment emphasizes the tall ceiling height. There’s plenty of room for two pantry cabinets, as well as a wine refrigerator in the island. “Flying Saucer” island pendants and a cubist dining chandelier add contemporary flair. The stunning highlight of each residence is a 30-foot-long wall of glass facing the water. With 2,400- 2,700 square feet apiece, the proportions of the open plan kitchen, dining and family room live like a gracious freestanding home. Written by Paulette Gambacorta, adapted for Houzz WatermarkPointe was the vision of National Realty & Development, a Westchester-based real estate owner and developer. Bilotta Designer: Paula Greer Builder: National Realty & Development National Realty & Development

Location was a key factor for the developer of these 72 luxury beachfront condominiums in New Rochelle, NY, offering prime real estate with spectacular water views, all within a short commute to New York City. An unusual aspect of this project was the developer’s commitment to offer prospective buyers completely customizable interior buildouts. The architect and developer teamed with Bilotta to devise a program offering 17 stains, 17 paint finishes and a variety of door styles, giving homeowners total control of their kitchen and bathroom details and accessories, a significant and successful selling point. In this particular unit, sand, surf, and sunshine are transported indoors with light-reflecting white cabinetry atop natural oak flooring, punctuated by a slate blue island that seats five. Practical blue-gray quartz countertops are a complementary echo of the island’s hue. A generous molding treatment emphasizes the tall ceiling height. There’s plenty of room for two pantry cabinets, as well as a wine refrigerator in the island. “Flying Saucer” island pendants and a cubist dining chandelier add contemporary flair. The stunning highlight of each residence is a 30-foot-long wall of glass facing the water. With 2,400- 2,700 square feet apiece, the proportions of the open plan kitchen, dining and family room live like a gracious freestanding home. Written by Paulette Gambacorta, adapted for Houzz WatermarkPointe was the vision of National Realty & Development, a Westchester-based real estate owner and developer. Bilotta Designer: Paula Greer Builder: National Realty & Development National Realty & Development

The Legacy™ S260 is designed with convenience and high-heating capacity in mind. Blending outstanding heating with unique styling, the Legacy boasts a large firebox for easy loading and the ability to heat up to 2,500 square feet. The unique T-top design provides greater heat output than conventional flat-top stoves. And to add your distinctive style, the Legacy can be customized with options for a perfect, personalized appearance. Aesthetics Unique, integral airwash system keeps the glass clean and clear for a wide-open view of the fire. Constructed from premium materials, like heavy-gauge stainless steel, for dependable performance and striking appearance. Comfort Ceramic-fiber blanket utilizes technology developed by NASA that has 10 times the insulation value of firebrick, radiating heat back into the firebox and creating higher efficiencies and cleaner gas. Uniquely designed refractory baffle assists in igniting fuel-rich gases, increasing efficiency and reducing emissions. Stainless steel afterburner tubes mix oxygen with unburned gases and smoke to create a secondary burn, lowering fuel costs. Heavy-duty door contains no nuts or washers, forming a 360° seal for long-lasting durability. EPA Phase II-certified for clean and efficient operation. Ease of Operation Singular draft control for simple operation and burn rate adjustment. Design Versatility Five unique door finishes and a choice of glass styling options. Pedestal or leg choices provide customization for personalized styling preference. *Square-feet heating capacities are approximations only. Actual performance may vary depending upon home design and insulation, ceiling heights, climate, condition and type of wood used, appliance location, burn rate, accessories chosen, chimney installation and how the appliance is operated.

Home design - contemporary home design idea in London

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.

Steve Lambert Garden Lights Landscape
Example of a mid-sized classic front yard stone patio design in San Francisco with a fire pit and a gazebo

German Kitchen Center’s luxury kitchen systems are brilliantly developed, manufactured, and constructed through industry leading quality control standards, and to your unique specifications.

Location was a key factor for the developer of these 72 luxury beachfront condominiums in New Rochelle, NY, offering prime real estate with spectacular water views, all within a short commute to New York City. An unusual aspect of this project was the developer’s commitment to offer prospective buyers completely customizable interior buildouts. The architect and developer teamed with Bilotta to devise a program offering 17 stains, 17 paint finishes and a variety of door styles, giving homeowners total control of their kitchen and bathroom details and accessories, a significant and successful selling point. In this particular unit, sand, surf, and sunshine are transported indoors with light-reflecting white cabinetry atop natural oak flooring, punctuated by a slate blue island that seats five. Practical blue-gray quartz countertops are a complementary echo of the island’s hue. A generous molding treatment emphasizes the tall ceiling height. There’s plenty of room for two pantry cabinets, as well as a wine refrigerator in the island. “Flying Saucer” island pendants and a cubist dining chandelier add contemporary flair. The stunning highlight of each residence is a 30-foot-long wall of glass facing the water. With 2,400- 2,700 square feet apiece, the proportions of the open plan kitchen, dining and family room live like a gracious freestanding home. Written by Paulette Gambacorta, adapted for Houzz WatermarkPointe was the vision of National Realty & Development, a Westchester-based real estate owner and developer. Bilotta Designer: Paula Greer Builder: National Realty & Development National Realty & Development

BUILD GREEN. BUILD BETTER. COMPROMISE NOTHING. We were commissioned to design, engineer and develop this 70-acre mountain sub-division northwest of Nederland, CO. The development offered platinum award-winning custom homes. When we finished the Flagship home we incorporated and installed a solar PV array and wind turbine connected to a localized battery back-up system. We also had solar thermal collectors that worked together with in-floor and domestic hot water heating systems. HRV/ERV environmental control systems kept the air moving and constantly fresh. Grey water irrigation systems, recycled content, and locally sourced products, helped us accomplish yet another net-zero homestead with stunning Colorado Rocky Mountain views. With whole home digital automation and audio systems, custom finishes, and master craftsmanship around every corner…building better and building green required no compromise in comfort or aesthetic appeal.

Location was a key factor for the developer of these 72 luxury beachfront condominiums in New Rochelle, NY, offering prime real estate with spectacular water views, all within a short commute to New York City. An unusual aspect of this project was the developer’s commitment to offer prospective buyers completely customizable interior buildouts. The architect and developer teamed with Bilotta to devise a program offering 17 stains, 17 paint finishes and a variety of door styles, giving homeowners total control of their kitchen and bathroom details and accessories, a significant and successful selling point. In this particular unit, sand, surf, and sunshine are transported indoors with light-reflecting white cabinetry atop natural oak flooring, punctuated by a slate blue island that seats five. Practical blue-gray quartz countertops are a complementary echo of the island’s hue. A generous molding treatment emphasizes the tall ceiling height. There’s plenty of room for two pantry cabinets, as well as a wine refrigerator in the island. “Flying Saucer” island pendants and a cubist dining chandelier add contemporary flair. The stunning highlight of each residence is a 30-foot-long wall of glass facing the water. With 2,400- 2,700 square feet apiece, the proportions of the open plan kitchen, dining and family room live like a gracious freestanding home. Written by Paulette Gambacorta, adapted for Houzz WatermarkPointe was the vision of National Realty & Development, a Westchester-based real estate owner and developer. Bilotta Designer: Paula Greer Builder: National Realty & Development National Realty & Development

Location was a key factor for the developer of these 72 luxury beachfront condominiums in New Rochelle, NY, offering prime real estate with spectacular water views, all within a short commute to New York City. An unusual aspect of this project was the developer’s commitment to offer prospective buyers completely customizable interior buildouts. The architect and developer teamed with Bilotta to devise a program offering 17 stains, 17 paint finishes and a variety of door styles, giving homeowners total control of their kitchen and bathroom details and accessories, a significant and successful selling point. In this particular unit, sand, surf, and sunshine are transported indoors with light-reflecting white cabinetry atop natural oak flooring, punctuated by a slate blue island that seats five. Practical blue-gray quartz countertops are a complementary echo of the island’s hue. A generous molding treatment emphasizes the tall ceiling height. There’s plenty of room for two pantry cabinets, as well as a wine refrigerator in the island. “Flying Saucer” island pendants and a cubist dining chandelier add contemporary flair. The stunning highlight of each residence is a 30-foot-long wall of glass facing the water. With 2,400- 2,700 square feet apiece, the proportions of the open plan kitchen, dining and family room live like a gracious freestanding home. Written by Paulette Gambacorta, adapted for Houzz WatermarkPointe was the vision of National Realty & Development, a Westchester-based real estate owner and developer. Bilotta Designer: Paula Greer Builder: National Realty & Development National Realty & Development