The clients contacted Pro-Land shortly after purchasing the home, providing us with a bare landscape ready for construction. In the front yard the clients wanted a simple and elegant flagstone walkway, with some planting for pleasing street presence. To differentiate from other homes in the subdivision, custom aluminum planters were placed on either side of the porch steps, adding a contemporary flare. This client was realistic about their smaller backyard and what they would be able to fit within it. They brought to us the idea of a swim spa, rather than a pool, to allow space to accommodate the other items on their wish list. However, large grade changes between the back door and the ground required a special casing to be built around the spa, allowing it to be flush with the turf. A raised flagstone patio overlooking the spa was built due to the grades as well. It is complimented by a raised ipe deck and privacy screen off the back door of the house, which brings some warmth to the yard.

Sunday, June 28, 3:30 to 5:00pm | Potomac, MD Family Retreat by Lila Fendrick and Doug Stookey of Lila Fendrick Landscape Architecture and Garden Design The landscape architects incorporated an adjoining lot to create this delightful family retreat where the clients spend time with their two sons growing vegetables, swimming, playing in splash pools, soaking in the hot tub, hiding in a below-grade fort, and running through a maze of paths formed by towering shrubs. The height differential between the owner’s house and the crest of the new lot presented opportunities for linking the two lots. The landscape architect designed dramatic lawn steps up to the new pool and pool house complex, designing tiers of waterfalls around a sunken spa, terracing the site with playfully hidden paths, and concealing a lower level parking area and garage. The project uses locally sourced Western Maryland stone on the pool house/guest house and Delaware River Jacks for the pebble paving. Utah-sourced quartzite-sandstone boulders reflect the clients’ appreciation for rugged western American landscapes. The variety of materials, linked by color and texture, and the unusual programming create a place of retreat and fun that feels far from the typical Washington, DC, area backyard. Photo by Gordon Beall

The guest house underwent a massive renovation, transforming a dated space with small rooms into an open, modern, multi-functional area for entertaining, working, and hosting guests. The original galley layout was changed to a long wall with black leather granite countertops and a backsplash in herringbone natural stone. The island is a dark stained walnut with a durable quartz countertop, echoed by the frameless cabinetry painted in a black matte finish. Soft satin brass accents are complemented by the chandelier. The coffee/wine bar area is differentiated by open shelving and a wood plank backsplash painted with walnut shelves to anchor it as a separate area. Full SubZero columns add true functionality to this guest house, so much so that the homeowners lived here while renovating their main house.

The guest house underwent a massive renovation, transforming a dated space with small rooms into an open, modern, multi-functional area for entertaining, working, and hosting guests. The original galley layout was changed to a long wall with black leather granite countertops and a backsplash in herringbone natural stone. The island is a dark stained walnut with a durable quartz countertop, echoed by the frameless cabinetry painted in a black matte finish. Soft satin brass accents are complemented by the chandelier. The coffee/wine bar area is differentiated by open shelving and a wood plank backsplash painted with walnut shelves to anchor it as a separate area. Full SubZero columns add true functionality to this guest house, so much so that the homeowners lived here while renovating their main house.

This 6,300 square foot custom home by Orlando Custom Home Builder Jorge Ulibarri is located in the country club community of Heathrow, just north of Orlando, Florida. Curb appeal comes from its two-story tower entry, a signature of Jorge Ulibarri custom homes. The front door features solid distressed wood for an Old World character with wrought iron embellished windows. Specialty glass windows with wrought iron detailing crown the tower and cast a beautiful light grid on the interior entryway . The home’s exterior color of terra cotta purposely makes a statement differentiating itself from the ubiquitous beige exterior colored homes in the neighborhood. The home’s metal garage door mimics the look of wood with faux trim that ties together the corbels. The metal garage doors with wood grain finish are framed in precast and together these materials are much more durable in Florida’s heat and humidity than real wood garage doors. Photo credit: Harvey Smith

Contemporary exterior home idea in Edmonton

A new, ground-up attached house facing Cooper Park in Williamsburg Brooklyn. The site is in a row of small 1950s two-story, split-level brick townhouses, some of which have been modified and enlarged over the years and one of which was replaced by this building. The exterior is intentionally subdued, reminiscent of the brick warehouse architecture that occupies much of the neighborhood. In contrast, the interior is bright, dynamic and highly-innovative. In a nod to the original house, nC2 opted to explore the idea of a new, urban version of the split-level home. The house is organized around a stair oriented laterally at its center, which becomes a focal point for the free-flowing spaces that surround it. All of the main spaces of the house - entry hall, kitchen/dining area, living room, mezzanine and a tv room on the top floor - are open to each other and to the main stair. The split-level configuration serves to differentiate these spaces while maintaining the open quality of the house. A four-story high mural by the artist Jerry Inscoe occupies one entire side of the building and creates a dialog with the architecture. Like the building itself, it can only be truly appreciated by moving through the spaces.

This Divisadero Street remodel project brought new life to a classic San Francisco home, revealing an elegant Victorian façade and a polished, contemporary interior. Working to blend the two styles, a simple yet elegant design was employed with specific accents to add life and a modern sensibility to the home. Making the most of the home’s backyard was of great concern for the owner. The decking was designed to maximize the space for entertaining, and complement beauty of the landscaping. Traditional ornamental millwork was used throughout to match the existing wainscoting and crown molding. Rendered as a monochromatic white without any color differentiation from the interior walls, the effect is contemporary, as if it were a blank canvas with detailed articulations on its surface. Furthermore, the contrast of its dark wood floors to the home's largely white color scheme gives it a modern aesthetic.

The 5,769 sq. ft. house overlooks Santa Monica from a timelessly bucolic Palisades neighborhood and sits on a 15,500 sq. ft. lot. The clients desire for open, spacious, indoor/ outdoor living is combined with the casual charm and ambiance of traditional beach-town cottage Architecture. Sensitive massing subtlety weaves the home into its street context, and creates a variety of spaces within for the young active family. The main living areas open to one another and the adjoining landscape in a progression of spaces that range from casually elegant to comfortably informal. The primary color used throughout the interior is sunlight. The house traverses the course of a day awash in daydreamy Southern California light, and is rich with subtle surprises: instances of used brick on walls and ceilings, built-in, hand crafted cabinetry, pennies used as flooring in the powder room; Creative uses of tile, fixtures and cabinet hardware differentiate each bathroom.

White and navy kitchen designs are still a hot commodity. We opted for the two-toned colour palette in this kitchen design. We carried the white cabinets into the pantry to keep the space bright and differentiate this area from the main kitchen. The white and navy cabinets are complimented with stained maple floating shelves throughout the kitchen and pantry. In order to provide additional storage, we designed this walk-in pantry with a beautiful arched doorway. Adding classic finishes such as this beautiful granite countertop and textured backsplash tile really add an elegant touch to the overall design.

Example of a small arts and crafts medium tone wood floor living room design in Portland with red walls

The custom builder went to great lengths to accent differentiate this home with quality finishings and attention to detail. We carefully selected each item in our design plan to highlight and showcase these features, so prospective buyers would be drawn to and impressed by the home.

The Santa Lucia Estate is located on a private reserve in Upper Carmel Valley situated on a gentle grassland ridge with dramatic views of the surrounding valleys and coastal range. The house is not immediately visible and is approached from below by a winding drive and the initial view of the house is revealed through a masonry gateway surrounded by curvilinear walls made from local stone that enclose a protected forecourt. The forms of the house are expressed in two materials, stucco and dry stack stone veneer to differentiate the elements, to reflect the vernacular of the Monterey regional style, and to give the house the appearance of having various elements that have been added over time. The entry façade and the arched arcade of the entry court are symmetrical, and that formality gives way to asymmetrical enclosing wings. The building elements are placed to reflect both the Owner’s program and to fit in the topography of the site. A dominant gabled roof centers the composition of the front façade and creates space and light for the Entry Foyer and to the Dining and Living areas that open to the views on the opposite side. The Garage is located on the right of the forecourt, and the three arched openings reiterate the arches of the French doors in the main arcade. This wing contains a second story floor and traditional decorative timber balcony with views of the surrounding landscape. The main hallway that runs the length of the house is located at the entry court, forming and enfilade from which the formal living spaces and outdoor terraces are located on the opposite southeast side. The placement of these rooms allows a transition from indoor to outdoor terraces that takes advantage of protection from the prevailing wind, provides optimal solar exposure, and orients the living spaces toward the dramatic view corridor down the Potrero Valley. Two roof towers at either end of the longitudinal ridge anchor the building and provide space, focal point and daylight to the interior. A stone Caretaker’s Cottage is located down slope from the main residence.

The magnificent Casey Flat Ranch Guinda CA consists of 5,284.43 acres in the Capay Valley and abuts the eastern border of Napa Valley, 90 minutes from San Francisco. There are 24 acres of vineyard, a grass-fed Longhorn cattle herd (with 95 pairs), significant 6-mile private road and access infrastructure, a beautiful ~5,000 square foot main house, a pool, a guest house, a manager's house, a bunkhouse and a "honeymoon cottage" with total accommodation for up to 30 people. Agriculture improvements include barn, corral, hay barn, 2 vineyard buildings, self-sustaining solar grid and 6 water wells, all managed by full time Ranch Manager and Vineyard Manager.The climate at the ranch is similar to northern St. Helena with diurnal temperature fluctuations up to 40 degrees of warm days, mild nights and plenty of sunshine - perfect weather for both Bordeaux and Rhone varieties. The vineyard produces grapes for wines under 2 brands: "Casey Flat Ranch" and "Open Range" varietals produced include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier. There is expansion opportunity of additional vineyards to more than 80 incremental acres and an additional 50-100 acres for potential agricultural business of walnuts, olives and other products. Casey Flat Ranch brand longhorns offer a differentiated beef delight to families with ranch-to-table program of lean, superior-taste "Coddled Cattle". Other income opportunities include resort-retreat usage for Bay Area individuals and corporations as a hunting lodge, horse-riding ranch, or elite conference-retreat.

Our St. Pete studio gave this beautiful home a colorful, cheerful vibe by adding bold colors and patterns. In the dining room, a lovely shade of teal creates the perfect backdrop for a triptych style tortoise artwork. The kitchen is bright and airy, and the beautiful bar chairs in pretty blue patterns add a hint of style. The bedrooms are all designed to feel cozy and relaxed, with soothing textures and details that differentiate the three bedrooms as unique and distinctive. --- Pamela Harvey Interiors offers interior design services in St. Petersburg and Tampa, and throughout Florida's Suncoast area, from Tarpon Springs to Naples, including Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and Sarasota. For more about Pamela Harvey Interiors, see here: https://www.pamelaharveyinteriors.com/ To learn more about this project, see here: https://www.pamelaharveyinteriors.com/portfolio-galleries/livable-glamour-gainesville-va

Keyes Road is a two-storey, semi-detached red brick house dating to around 1890-1910. The focus of our work was on the ground floor where we were asked to improve the layout and use of the main living areas of the house, for an active family of four. Important to the design was to maximise the quality and amount of light as well as connection to the garden and flow to the rest of the house. Our proposal introduces three single storey extensions, comprising a central, large space that extends the main outrigger of the house. To each side are smaller volumes, affording a full width kitchen. While defining a series of discrete volumes, it was important for us to ensure that the kitchen, living, family and dining rooms that are interconnecting and continuous. The result is a big space punctuated by a series of differently sized arches, defining spaces to ensure their intimacy. It was important for our client to have a sense of warmth and comfort - perhaps not dissimilar to the qualities of a hotel lobby. The colour scheme of the rooms are warm white painted plaster, natural wood flooring with black, bronze and brass accents. Indirect and carefully placed light fittings pulls together the atmosphere of the rooms - particularly in the evenings. Externally, we felt it important to differentiate the extensions from the main house by using a dark, charcoal grey brick. This sets up a contrasting yet complimentary relationship to the rich red coloured brick house. The facets of the brick play with light and depth as do the graduated brick arches. During the design process, we grappled with floor levels, the direction of sunlight, and care to not encroach on the neighbouring properties. As the house is in a conservation area, we worked closely with our trusted planning advisor. Throughout, we pursued a sensitive design strategy, using pitched roofs, matching materials and careful detailing. Internally, many of the original details are intact. This has enabled us to create an eclectic ensemble of elements, colours and materials varying in age and period.

This project for a builder husband and interior-designer wife involved adding onto and restoring the luster of a c. 1883 Carpenter Gothic cottage in Barrington that they had occupied for years while raising their two sons. They were ready to ditch their small tacked-on kitchen that was mostly isolated from the rest of the house, views/daylight, as well as the yard, and replace it with something more generous, brighter, and more open that would improve flow inside and out. They were also eager for a better mudroom, new first-floor 3/4 bath, new basement stair, and a new second-floor master suite above. The design challenge was to conceive of an addition and renovations that would be in balanced conversation with the original house without dwarfing or competing with it. The new cross-gable addition echoes the original house form, at a somewhat smaller scale and with a simplified more contemporary exterior treatment that is sympathetic to the old house but clearly differentiated from it. Renovations included the removal of replacement vinyl windows by others and the installation of new Pella black clad windows in the original house, a new dormer in one of the son’s bedrooms, and in the addition. At the first-floor interior intersection between the existing house and the addition, two new large openings enhance flow and access to daylight/view and are outfitted with pairs of salvaged oversized clear-finished wooden barn-slider doors that lend character and visual warmth. A new exterior deck off the kitchen addition leads to a new enlarged backyard patio that is also accessible from the new full basement directly below the addition. (Interior fit-out and interior finishes/fixtures by the Owners)

Custom-built in the early eighties, this contemporary home was cloaked in all brown board siding with brown windows and a cumbersome street-facing carport. The current owners had raised their family there on property that borders serene conservation land. Now they were ready for a new, brighter exterior look that would include all new windows to take in the exquisite view, unobscured by the fog of failing window seals; new siding that wouldn’t be subject to woodpecker wear and tear; a refinished screen porch; a new garage to replace the undersized carport; and new entry access. On the interior, they wanted the new, fresh vibe to extend to the design of three renovated modern bathrooms. In response, KHS proposed black-framed windows throughout in simpler configurations; fiber-cement (and PVC) exterior cladding in three textures to differentiate functions and features; a unifying light-gray and white palette teamed with clear-finished mahogany/sapele to carry across the exterior as well as the bathroom renovations; a stream-lined screen porch with cable rails; a new shed-roofed garage to resolve the exterior massing; and a new covered walkway entrance delivering those arriving into a repurposed interior space. Once the overall design was resolved, the owners elected to complete the work in phases over several years. Phase 1 included renovating the powder room, guest bathroom, and primary bathroom, and refreshing the screen porch. See the reconceived modern bathrooms here on the KHS website. Next came constructing the new garage and entry, which on the interior included new floor tile and a new entry wall-paneling system to conceal electrical, solar, and security panels/controls. Phase III involved installing the rest of the new windows and completing the comprehensive new exterior cladding and palette to tie the earlier phases together. To cap it off, KHS worked with the owners to select new clean-lined furnishings for the living area in colors inspired by their coastal view.

White and navy kitchen designs are still a hot commodity. We opted for the two-toned colour palette in this kitchen design. We carried the white cabinets into the pantry to keep the space bright and differentiate this area from the main kitchen. The white and navy cabinets are complimented with stained maple floating shelves throughout the kitchen and pantry. In order to provide additional storage, we designed this walk-in pantry with a beautiful arched doorway. Adding classic finishes such as this beautiful granite countertop and textured backsplash tile really add an elegant touch to the overall design.