I built this on my property for my aging father who has some health issues. Handicap accessibility was a factor in design. His dream has always been to try retire to a cabin in the woods. This is what he got. It is a 1 bedroom, 1 bath with a great room. It is 600 sqft of AC space. The footprint is 40' x 26' overall. The site was the former home of our pig pen. I only had to take 1 tree to make this work and I planted 3 in its place. The axis is set from root ball to root ball. The rear center is aligned with mean sunset and is visible across a wetland. The goal was to make the home feel like it was floating in the palms. The geometry had to simple and I didn't want it feeling heavy on the land so I cantilevered the structure beyond exposed foundation walls. My barn is nearby and it features old 1950's "S" corrugated metal panel walls. I used the same panel profile for my siding. I ran it vertical to math the barn, but also to balance the length of the structure and stretch the high point into the canopy, visually. The wood is all Southern Yellow Pine. This material came from clearing at the Babcock Ranch Development site. I ran it through the structure, end to end and horizontally, to create a seamless feel and to stretch the space. It worked. It feels MUCH bigger than it is. I milled the material to specific sizes in specific areas to create precise alignments. Floor starters align with base. Wall tops adjoin ceiling starters to create the illusion of a seamless board. All light fixtures, HVAC supports, cabinets, switches, outlets, are set specifically to wood joints. The front and rear porch wood has three different milling profiles so the hypotenuse on the ceilings, align with the walls, and yield an aligned deck board below. Yes, I over did it. It is spectacular in its detailing. That's the benefit of small spaces. Concrete counters and IKEA cabinets round out the conversation. For those who could not live in a tiny house, I offer the Tiny-ish House. Photos by Ryan Gamma Staging by iStage Homes Design assistance by Jimmy Thornton

Developers Dream Renovation~ I designed this home for a developer who took a dated house and transformed it into an inviting wonderful family home! Every area of the home shows innovative detail and wonderful styling of materials~

Cantoni designer Sarah Buehlman brings modern European luxury to Vici Luxury Rentals, a stylish new development in the heart of little Italy. Photos by Chad Mellon

The design goal of this home was to create an old English cottage. Francis Garcia of Francis Garcia Architect studied the architecture of aged English cottages through photos as well as referenced various homes in Carmel, CA. In search of a stone to complement the client’s stylistic goals, Eldorado Stone’s York Limestone proved to be exactly what they were looking for. The sense of age and authenticity in conjunction with a consistent color palette and profile cut produced the exact feel Garcia was hoping to recreate. Having experienced a great deal of success with the installation, both Francis Garcia and Ken Blaise of Blaise Construction & Development receive a great deal of requests from people inquiring about the kind of stone that brought such a strong sense of authenticity to the client’s home. Eldorado Stone Profile Featured: York Limestone Architect & Photographer: Francis Garcia of Francis Garcia Architect Phone: (925) 984 9983 Website: www.francisgarciaarchitect.com Builder: Ken Blaise of Blaise Construction & Development Phone: (925) 820-4737 Website: www.blaise-construction.com

The design goal of this home was to create an old English cottage. Francis Garcia of Francis Garcia Architect studied the architecture of aged English cottages through photos as well as referenced various homes in Carmel, CA. In search of a stone to complement the client’s stylistic goals, Eldorado Stone’s York Limestone proved to be exactly what they were looking for. The sense of age and authenticity in conjunction with a consistent color palette and profile cut produced the exact feel Garcia was hoping to recreate. Having experienced a great deal of success with the installation, both Francis Garcia and Ken Blaise of Blaise Construction & Development receive a great deal of requests from people inquiring about the kind of stone that brought such a strong sense of authenticity to the client’s home. Eldorado Stone Profile Featured: York Limestone Architect & Photographer: Francis Garcia of Francis Garcia Architect Phone: (925) 984 9983 Website: www.francisgarciaarchitect.com Builder: Ken Blaise of Blaise Construction & Development Phone: (925) 820-4737 Website: www.blaise-construction.com

Example of a huge farmhouse open concept porcelain tile and beige floor family room design in San Diego with gray walls, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Example of a large beach style backyard deck design in Philadelphia with a roof extension

Fu-Tung Cheng, CHENG Design • Exterior View from Back Yard, House 6 Concrete and Wood Home House 6, is Cheng Design’s sixth custom home project, was redesigned and constructed from top-to-bottom. The project represents a major career milestone thanks to the unique and innovative use of concrete, as this residence is one of Cheng Design’s first-ever ‘hybrid’ structures, constructed as a combination of wood and concrete. Photography: Matthew Millman

A beautiful double island kitchen is perfect for entertaining with lots of cabinet space
Example of a trendy kitchen design in Edmonton with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, metallic backsplash, paneled appliances and two islands

Project Developer Mary Englert https://www.houzz.com/pro/mjenglert/mary-englert-case-design-remodeling-inc Designer Hope Hassell https://www.houzz.com/pro/hgh91193/hope-hassell-ckbr-udcp Photography by Stacy Zarin Goldberg

The Owners of a home that had been consumed by the moving dunes of Lake Michigan wanted a home that would not only stand the test of aesthetic time, but survive the vicissitudes of the environment. With the assistance of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality as well as the consulting civil engineer and the City of Grand Haven Zoning Department, a soil stabilization site plan was developed based on raising the new home’s main floor elevation by almost three feet, implementing erosion studies, screen walls and planting indigenous, drought tolerant xeriscaping. The screen walls, as well as the low profile of the home and the use of sand trapping marrum beachgrass all help to create a wind shadow buffer around the home and reduce blowing sand erosion and accretion. The Owners wanted to minimize the stylistic baggage which consumes most “cottage” residences, and with the Architect created a home with simple lines focused on the view and the natural environment. Sustainable energy requirements on a budget directed the design decisions regarding the SIPs panel insulation, energy systems, roof shading, other insulation systems, lighting and detailing. Easily constructed and linear, the home harkens back to mid century modern pavilions with present day environmental sensitivities and harmony with the site. James Yochum

Open Floor Plan Patio around a black water pool and spa. Builder – GEF Development, Interiors - Ownby Design, Photographer – Thompson Photographic, Sculpture - Guy Dill

Example of a mid-sized transitional freestanding desk dark wood floor and brown floor study room design in New York with beige walls and no fireplace

The Owners of a home that had been consumed by the moving dunes of Lake Michigan wanted a home that would not only stand the test of aesthetic time, but survive the vicissitudes of the environment. With the assistance of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality as well as the consulting civil engineer and the City of Grand Haven Zoning Department, a soil stabilization site plan was developed based on raising the new home’s main floor elevation by almost three feet, implementing erosion studies, screen walls and planting indigenous, drought tolerant xeriscaping. The screen walls, as well as the low profile of the home and the use of sand trapping marrum beachgrass all help to create a wind shadow buffer around the home and reduce blowing sand erosion and accretion. The Owners wanted to minimize the stylistic baggage which consumes most “cottage” residences, and with the Architect created a home with simple lines focused on the view and the natural environment. Sustainable energy requirements on a budget directed the design decisions regarding the SIPs panel insulation, energy systems, roof shading, other insulation systems, lighting and detailing. Easily constructed and linear, the home harkens back to mid century modern pavilions with present day environmental sensitivities and harmony with the site. James Yochum

Example of an arts and crafts green two-story exterior home design in Indianapolis

Developer: JP Development Corp Architect: LDa Architecture & Interiors Photography: Gregory Premru Photography
Kitchen - rustic medium tone wood floor kitchen idea in Boston with a drop-in sink, wood countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Valerie Wilcox A simple update to flush a wall, install new windows, flooring, trim and paint, as well as change the radiator from a bulky cast iron rad to a low profile modern rad transformed this child's bedroom into an open, airy and efficient space.

The Kiguchi family moved into their Austin, Texas home in 1994. Built in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood development, they happily raised their family here but longed for something more contemporary. Once they became empty nesters, they decided it was time for a major remodel. After spending many years visiting Austin AIA Home Tours that highlight contemporary residential architecture, they had a lot of ideas and in 2013 were ready to interview architects and get their renovation underway. The project turned into a major remodel due to an unstable foundation. Architects Ben Arbib and Ed Hughey, of Arbib Hughey Design were hired to solve the structural issue and look for inspiration in the bones of the house, which sat on top of a hillside and was surrounded by great views. Unfortunately, with the old floor plan, the beautiful views were hidden by small windows that were poorly placed. In order to bring more natural light into the house the window sizes and configurations had to be addressed, all while keeping in mind the homeowners desire for a modern look and feel. To achieve a more contemporary and sophisticated front of house, a new entry was designed that included removing a two-story bay window and porch. The entrance of the home also became more integrated with the landscape creating a template for new foliage to be planted. Older exterior materials were updated to incorporate a more muted palette of colors with a metal roof, dark grey siding in the back and white stucco in the front. Deep eaves were added over many of the new large windows for clean lines and sun protection. “Inside it was about opening up the floor plan, expanding the views throughout the house, and updating the material palette to get a modern look that was also warm and inviting,” said Ben from Arbib Hughey Design. “Prior to the remodel, the house had the typical separation of rooms. We removed the walls between them and changed all of the windows to Milgard Thermally Improved Aluminum to connect the inside with the outside. No matter where you are you get nice views and natural light.” The architects wanted to create some drama, which they accomplished with the window placement and opening up the interior floor plan to an open concept approach. Cabinetry was used to help delineate intimate spaces. To add warmth to an all-white living room, white-washed oak wood floors were installed and pine planks were used around the fireplace. The large windows served as artwork bringing the color of nature into the space. An octagon shaped, elevated dining room, (named “the turret”), had a big impact on the design of the house. They architects rounded the corners and added larger window openings overlooking a new sunken garden. The great room was also softened by rounding out the corners and that circular theme continued throughout the house, being picked up in skylight wells and kitchen cabinetry. A staircase leading to a catwalk was added and the result was a two-story window wall that flooded the home with natural light. When asked why Milgard® Thermally Improved Aluminum windows were selected, the architectural team listed many reasons: 1) Aesthetics: “We liked the slim profiles and narrow sightlines. The window frames never get in the way of the view and that was important to us. They also have a very contemporary look that went well with our design.” 2) Options: “We liked that we could get large sliding doors that matched the windows, giving us a very cohesive look and feel throughout the project.” 3) Cost Effective: “Milgard windows are affordable. You get a good product at a good price.” 4) Custom Sizes: “Milgard windows are customizable, which allowed us to get the right window for each location.” Ready to take on your own traditional to modern home remodeling project? Arbib Hughey Design advises, “Work with a good architect. That means picking a team that is creative, communicative, listens well and is responsive. We think it’s important for an architect to listen to their clients and give them something they want, not something the architect thinks they should have. At the same time you want an architect who is willing and able to think outside the box and offer up design options that you may not have considered. Design is about a lot of back and forth, trying out ideas, getting feedback and trying again.” The home was completely transformed into a unique, contemporary house perfectly integrated with its site. Internally the home has a natural flow for the occupants and externally it is integrated with the surroundings taking advantage of great natural light. As a side note, it was highly praised as part of the Austin AIA homes tour.