Sometimes the unique challenges of a site dictate almost everything about the end design. This European-inspired mountain retreat is one classic example. Perched atop a ridge, the buildable area was long but very narrow. A single axial line connects from the initial approach straight through the house and shoots to the view of mountains at the far end. The architecture of the home was envisioned to feel like an old French monastery-turned-family-home which has been restored and added to over several centuries. It is a place of solace and introspection, where the repetition of stone in house and landscape feels imposing, yet safe. Lush plantings line the sun-soaked parking court and dot the back terrace areas, creating delicate play of light and movement. A stepped water rill between terrace levels completes the atmosphere with its soothing babble.

What do you do when a client asks you to design a space with 6 entry ways? The client needed the space to serve many functions. First, since it is the breezeway between the garage and the home, it needed to serve as a mudroom. It also needed to be a place for dining, a place for doing homework, a place to fold laundry, an area to read, a place to watch TV, and also a place to store doggy toys! We painted the wall a crisp white and let the iron of the screen doors dictate the design. We ordered the Stairstep Jute rug from West Elm and had a custom bar-height table made through Urban Wood Goods. The locker storage came from Ballard Designs and the adorable Schoolhouse pendants came from Pottery Barn. Add some plants from Fancy Free Nursery and we have us a cool hangout spot we are dubbing “The Everything Room.”

Sometimes the unique challenges of a site dictate almost everything about the end design. This European-inspired mountain retreat is one classic example. Perched atop a ridge, the buildable area was long but very narrow. A single axial line connects from the initial approach straight through the house and shoots to the view of mountains at the far end. The architecture of the home was envisioned to feel like an old French monastery-turned-family-home which has been restored and added to over several centuries. It is a place of solace and introspection, where the repetition of stone in house and landscape feels imposing, yet safe. Lush plantings line the sun-soaked parking court and dot the back terrace areas, creating delicate play of light and movement. A stepped water rill between terrace levels completes the atmosphere with its soothing babble.

What do you do when a client asks you to design a space with 6 entry ways? The client needed the space to serve many functions. First, since it is the breezeway between the garage and the home, it needed to serve as a mudroom. It also needed to be a place for dining, a place for doing homework, a place to fold laundry, an area to read, a place to watch TV, and also a place to store doggy toys! We painted the wall a crisp white and let the iron of the screen doors dictate the design. We ordered the Stairstep Jute rug from West Elm and had a custom bar-height table made through Urban Wood Goods. The locker storage came from Ballard Designs and the adorable Schoolhouse pendants came from Pottery Barn. Add some plants from Fancy Free Nursery and we have us a cool hangout spot we are dubbing “The Everything Room.”

CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT CLIPPED CORNERS, AS SEEN IN THIS CLOSE-UP OF TOP CAB. IN BUTLERS PANTRY.....CROWN FOLLOWING ANGLES REALLY MAKE THEM STAND OUT..... LOOK TO USE CLIPPED CORNERS INSTEAD OF JUST A STRAIGHT RUN IF YOU CAN.....GLASS DOORS DICTATE MATCHING FINISHED INTERIORS.....BE SURE YOU'VE GOT SOMETHING DECORATIVE TO PUT INSIDE.....NOT WHERE YOU WANT YOUR POPCORN POPPER DISPLAYED!!

What do you do when a client asks you to design a space with 6 entry ways? The client needed the space to serve many functions. First, since it is the breezeway between the garage and the home, it needed to serve as a mudroom. It also needed to be a place for dining, a place for doing homework, a place to fold laundry, an area to read, a place to watch TV, and also a place to store doggy toys! We painted the wall a crisp white and let the iron of the screen doors dictate the design. We ordered the Stairstep Jute rug from West Elm and had a custom bar-height table made through Urban Wood Goods. The locker storage came from Ballard Designs and the adorable Schoolhouse pendants came from Pottery Barn. Add some plants from Fancy Free Nursery and we have us a cool hangout spot we are dubbing “The Everything Room.”

What do you do when a client asks you to design a space with 6 entry ways? The client needed the space to serve many functions. First, since it is the breezeway between the garage and the home, it needed to serve as a mudroom. It also needed to be a place for dining, a place for doing homework, a place to fold laundry, an area to read, a place to watch TV, and also a place to store doggy toys! We painted the wall a crisp white and let the iron of the screen doors dictate the design. We ordered the Stairstep Jute rug from West Elm and had a custom bar-height table made through Urban Wood Goods. The locker storage came from Ballard Designs and the adorable Schoolhouse pendants came from Pottery Barn. Add some plants from Fancy Free Nursery and we have us a cool hangout spot we are dubbing “The Everything Room.”

What do you do when a client asks you to design a space with 6 entry ways? The client needed the space to serve many functions. First, since it is the breezeway between the garage and the home, it needed to serve as a mudroom. It also needed to be a place for dining, a place for doing homework, a place to fold laundry, an area to read, a place to watch TV, and also a place to store doggy toys! We painted the wall a crisp white and let the iron of the screen doors dictate the design. We ordered the Stairstep Jute rug from West Elm and had a custom bar-height table made through Urban Wood Goods. The locker storage came from Ballard Designs and the adorable Schoolhouse pendants came from Pottery Barn. Add some plants from Fancy Free Nursery and we have us a cool hangout spot we are dubbing “The Everything Room.”

Sometimes the unique challenges of a site dictate almost everything about the end design. This European-inspired mountain retreat is one classic example. Perched atop a ridge, the buildable area was long but very narrow. A single axial line connects from the initial approach straight through the house and shoots to the view of mountains at the far end. The architecture of the home was envisioned to feel like an old French monastery-turned-family-home which has been restored and added to over several centuries. It is a place of solace and introspection, where the repetition of stone in house and landscape feels imposing, yet safe. Lush plantings line the sun-soaked parking court and dot the back terrace areas, creating delicate play of light and movement. A stepped water rill between terrace levels completes the atmosphere with its soothing babble.

The dated finishes and the never used bathtub dictated a gut of the master bathroom. Without going outside the original footprint, the new bathroom has a spacious doorless shower, more storage, and separate make-up vanity with a view! Photo by A Kitchen That Works LLC

Sometimes the unique challenges of a site dictate almost everything about the end design. This European-inspired mountain retreat is one classic example. Perched atop a ridge, the buildable area was long but very narrow. A single axial line connects from the initial approach straight through the house and shoots to the view of mountains at the far end. The architecture of the home was envisioned to feel like an old French monastery-turned-family-home which has been restored and added to over several centuries. It is a place of solace and introspection, where the repetition of stone in house and landscape feels imposing, yet safe. Lush plantings line the sun-soaked parking court and dot the back terrace areas, creating delicate play of light and movement. A stepped water rill between terrace levels completes the atmosphere with its soothing babble.

Michael Hospelt Photography, Trainor Builders, St Helena, CA
Example of a cottage bedroom design in San Francisco

Nestled into a tree-covered hilltop in Fairfax CA this simple timber-framed house exploits what many have considered to be a very restrictive and constrained site too small to develop. The perimeter of the house follows exactly the site and its set back lines thus dictating the overall size and volume. The house was designed for a young couple as a starter home in this desirable area where they would normally be priced out. The strict budget influenced the design of standard off-the-shelf components and an easy and quick construction sequence minimalizing the build time. The house straddle’s a small brook in a ravine at the apex of a hairpin bend on an unincorporated road. Supported on eight concrete peers elevating the house to road level, the layout of the house is based on a simple twelve-foot grid, with an adjoining six-foot tapering sliver along the north-facing long edge, giving the overall footprint the shape of a blunt wedge. Accessed over a triangular bridge dictated by site lines, the entrance is via a covered porte cochere with a balcony above. The entranceway can be closed for security by means of a large sliding door of matching slatted wood. The entrance proper is via a stock sliding glass patio door to the main living space. The choice of sliding window is repeated throughout the building. In its current flexible configuration, the living space is a double-height experience, beyond which on the left centrally located is a spiral staircase leading to the bedroom and bathroom above. Both these rooms have built-in storage. Both bedrooms boast a double-height slopping ceiling; clerestory windows that give the building its distinctive character, and a balcony. On the ground floor beyond the spiral staircase is built-in and concealed fully equipped kitchen and open plan dining area, beyond which, externally and underneath one of the bedroom balconies is an outdoor bbq kitchen.

Modenese Gastone is engaged in design and performs the full cycle of production of designer furniture, and has become a classic of interior art, dictating fashion trends and falling into the desires of customers around the world. Warm grace, flowing lines, attractive tactility, animated forms, appropriate color schemes and, most importantly, absolute functionality. The unusual design of furniture and home decor by Modenese Gastone helps to make the interior not only functional, but also aesthetically appealing. Having visited our company, you can see samples of the most interesting furniture and interior solutions created by our designers and artisans. The business card of our brand is a combination of functionality, practicality with the aesthetics of regular, strict forms. When looking for the best solutions, we use high-quality, environmentally friendly materials.

This young family gave us the joint task of creating a pool house and outdoor living in a very tight and limited space, between a retaining wall and their existing home. Additionally, the pool and spa as well as the pool house and kitchen had to incorporate cutting edge technology. The style of the pool house was dictated by the main house. We were tasked with complementing it in style and material. The pool house not only must function on its own, but also as a transitional structure to the absolutely fabulous landscaping provided by an internationally acclaimed landscape designer. Mirrors on the back wall reflect the beautiful landscaping. One is never without a view of the exterior. The front façade of the pool house has accordion glass panels that open up to amazing views of the swimming pool, spa and gardens. The spa is on axis with the center of the pool house, and the pergola and gate entrance with piers share the same materials as the pool house. The spa features a waterfall and has sea foam glass tile. There is also a waterfall in the pool and both waterfalls serve to mask surrounding noises and provide an idyllic setting. Sophisticated technology operates features of the pool house via remote control demands, and includes a drop down screen for movie and television viewing from the swimming pool. The pool house includes the outdoor kitchen, open dining area, the bar, seating area, a bathroom and changing room. Hidden in the alcove is an open air outdoor shower. The patterning of the boards applied horizontally to the interior walls and painted white give the structure a nautical look, provide durability and protect it from the elements. The interior vault is clad with stained bead board.

What do you do when a client asks you to design a space with 6 entry ways? The client needed the space to serve many functions. First, since it is the breezeway between the garage and the home, it needed to serve as a mudroom. It also needed to be a place for dining, a place for doing homework, a place to fold laundry, an area to read, a place to watch TV, and also a place to store doggy toys! We painted the wall a crisp white and let the iron of the screen doors dictate the design. We ordered the Stairstep Jute rug from West Elm and had a custom bar-height table made through Urban Wood Goods. The locker storage came from Ballard Designs and the adorable Schoolhouse pendants came from Pottery Barn. Add some plants from Fancy Free Nursery and we have us a cool hangout spot we are dubbing “The Everything Room.”

After many years of having no outdoor living space and dealing with overgrown plants and trees the owner’s decided it was time to revitalize their backyard. They knew they wanted a large sitting area with a wood burning fireplace, room for outdoor dining and a place for the grill. A connecting walk would be needed to get guests from the driveway to the outdoor space. Last but not least, the owners wanted the ability to and a reason for stepping out of their unusable patio doors. The designers decided from the start the fireplace would be the prominent feature and focal point for the entire project. A large fireplace accented with sitting walls and arbors was positioned to anchor the corner of the patio. Stone was chosen to set the fireplace apart as its own element. Brick was used for the sitting walls and brick accents were added to the fireplace to tie into the house. An inlaid herringbone brick detail was incorporated above the stone mantle to simulate artwork which is typically found above indoor fireplaces. Flagstone was used for the wall caps and hearth to match the patio and thicker flagstone tread stock was used for the mantle and top. The arbors were added to visually balance the pergolas at the opposite side of the patio. For the patio the designers created a series of offset spaces to help subtly divide the space into two areas, sitting and dining. Two large existing trees also help dictate the shape of the patio. Cut flagstone was chosen for the surface bordered by a double soldier edge of brick. The brick edging also surrounds a decorative gravel area topped with an urn fountain which provides a secondary focal point and the sound of water. Large flagstone treads were used for the steps leading to the previously unused patio doors. Opposite the fireplace a short walk leads to a square transition area with a statue chosen by the owner. The statue provides a strong focal point when entering from the driveway. A longer walk leads from this space along the house to the driveway. The pergolas and arbors were designed by the landscape designer as part of this project but were ultimately contracted separately by the owner. The larger square pergola was intended as an area for a bench or two separate from the main patio. The longer pergola was added later in the design phase to help provide shade to the interior of the house. The arbors at the fireplace were added to balance out the wood elements at the opposite side while adding additional architectural interest to the fireplace. While this project was predominantly hardscaping, planting and lighting were also incorporated into the design. Several large existing trees were retained and serious of smaller understory trees were added to help enclose the space. The designer’s took advantage of the large trees to place down lights on the branches to achieve a moonlight effect at night. Additional lighting was used on the pergola, to accent focal points, to up light the smaller trees and around the patio. Massed planting of Japanese forest grass provides bold foliage color for the shady garden. A mulch path leads off behind the fireplace to another garden and a secluded area ideal for a bench or small table and chairs. Additional plantings were added along the rear property line to screen and unsightly fence. This project has obviously completely changed the way the owners use their backyard. They now have a seamless transition from indoors to outdoors with the use of the patio doors. The large patio allows for entertaining small gatherings outdoors for the first time. The fireplace has definitely become the primary gathering place for family and friends.

Feng Shui dictated the orientation and functional layout of this 2 bed, 3 full bath apartment to harmonize with spiritual forces. The 1,600sf plan creates generous, open, and clutter-free spaces, as small, dark areas restrict the flow of positive energy. The den area can be separated from the main living/dining areas into a flex-bedroom with a series of 3 interlocked translucent sliding panels that span 26 feet. When not needed, the panels stack unobtrusively at the entry. A welcoming mask floats in a NE-facing niche at the central axis of the apartment to protect the occupants from evil spirits. © Francis Dzikowski

Sometimes the unique challenges of a site dictate almost everything about the end design. This European-inspired mountain retreat is one classic example. Perched atop a ridge, the buildable area was long but very narrow. A single axial line connects from the initial approach straight through the house and shoots to the view of mountains at the far end. The architecture of the home was envisioned to feel like an old French monastery-turned-family-home which has been restored and added to over several centuries. It is a place of solace and introspection, where the repetition of stone in house and landscape feels imposing, yet safe. Lush plantings line the sun-soaked parking court and dot the back terrace areas, creating delicate play of light and movement. A stepped water rill between terrace levels completes the atmosphere with its soothing babble.