Refined Continuity: Bridging Classical Architecture and Modern Living This comprehensive remodel of a grand Cow Hollow residence reimagines a historically expressive envelope through a lens of contemporary livability, precision detailing, and material restraint. The design approach carefully balances the home’s classical proportions and ornamental heritage with a refined, modern sensibility—evident in the disciplined palette of warm neutrals, soft plasters, pale oak flooring, and tailored millwork. Circulation has been clarified and subtly expanded to enhance spatial flow, while openings are leveraged to capture light, garden outlooks, and distant water views. Throughout, architectural interventions are executed with a high level of craft, ensuring that new insertions—whether cabinetry, railings, or apertures—read as seamless continuations of the original structure rather than applied elements. The kitchen serves as the operational and visual anchor of the home, conceived as a sculptural yet highly functional environment. Custom rift-cut cabinetry, softened through a desaturated finish, is paired with honed stone surfaces and integrated brass hardware to create a quiet, tactile richness. A monolithic island establishes a central gathering point, while perimeter work zones are carefully layered with concealed storage, integrated appliances, and open, backlit shelving that elevates everyday objects into curated displays. The adjacent bar and entertaining areas extend this language, reinforcing a cohesive hospitality-driven program. In parallel, the primary bathroom is designed as a serene, spa-like retreat, where bookmatched stone, frameless glass enclosures, and finely detailed metalwork converge. The composition prioritizes symmetry, clarity, and light—balancing generous volumes with intimate moments through integrated lighting, custom vanities, and a restrained material hierarchy. The library and ancillary living spaces introduce a more intimate scale, anchored by bespoke built-ins that combine closed storage with illuminated display niches, creating depth and rhythm along the walls. Here, material transitions and furniture integration are handled with particular nuance, allowing the architecture to support both quiet retreat and social gathering. A continuous language of custom railings—executed in refined metal profiles—threads through the interior and extends outward, where the exterior gate and garden elements have been reinterpreted to align with the home’s renewed identity. The entry sequence is now defined by a calibrated interplay of solidity and transparency, with sculptural metalwork and landscape integration establishing a sense of arrival that is both secure and elegant. Collectively, the project reflects a holistic transformation—one that elevates performance, livability, and aesthetic clarity while preserving the inherent dignity of the original architecture.

On first glance, this staircase reads as restrained. White oak treads rise with natural warmth, metal balusters hold their disciplined rhythm, and the painted black railing traces a clean, straight path upward. Then you notice the elliptical stringer wrap, and the whole composition shifts. Unlike a circular curve drawn with a compass, an ellipse requires mathematical calculation and a craftsman who knows how to make that complexity disappear. Here, it does exactly that. Natural light finishes the story. Moving through the space across the day, it deepens the oak grain, catches the metal, and lets the black railing guide the eye along the handrail's elliptical path from start to finish. Restraint brought the design this far. One well-executed curve made it memorable. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

The need for Universal Design and/or Aging in Place Design is becoming more and more common and needed in our aging, society of increasing life expectancy. Murphy Bros. design/build CAPs certified expert Cherie Poissant explains some of the unique elements that went into this project which touch on both disciplines. "In this particular case, my client, Dorothy, a widow, wanted to stay in the home she has lived in for decades. No surprise, most adults over 65 say they do too. But this 1920's home was not constructed with the principles of Universal or Aging-in-Place design concepts, which is true with most homes on the market these days. She also suffers from macular degeneration, which affects central vision. As is the case with senior clients dealing with vision issues, I needed to pay close attention to lighting and color that would give her peripheral vision cues. I chose a high contrast color scheme in the design to make navigating the room easier and safer," explains Poissant. "In addition, every wall and contact point, such as the the towel racks and TP dispenser also doubles as a grab bar to address fall prevention, which is a huge issue with the elderly." Murphy Bros. Design/Build Consultant — Cherie Poissant Alyssa Lee Photography

In this composition, restraint becomes the defining characteristic. The clean geometry of the horizontal black rod railing pairs effortlessly with warm wood elements, allowing the staircase to integrate with quiet confidence rather than overt display. The treads, newels, and handrail are finished in a refined taupe-brown stain that adds depth and softness, while crisp white risers introduce a subtle luminosity that enhances the surrounding architecture. The result is a staircase that feels effortless at first glance yet reveals itself as a carefully considered study in proportion, material balance, and disciplined design. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

“Compelling.” That’s how one of our judges characterized this stair, which manages to embody both reassuring solidity and airy weightlessness. Architect Mahdad Saniee specified beefy maple treads—each laminated from two boards, to resist twisting and cupping—and supported them at the wall with hidden steel hangers. “We wanted to make them look like they are floating,” he says, “so they sit away from the wall by about half an inch.” The stainless steel rods that seem to pierce the treads’ opposite ends are, in fact, joined by threaded couplings hidden within the thickness of the wood. The result is an assembly whose stiffness underfoot defies expectation, Saniee says. “It feels very solid, much more solid than average stairs.” With the rods working in tension from above and compression below, “it’s very hard for those pieces of wood to move.” The interplay of wood and steel makes abstract reference to a Steinway concert grand, Saniee notes. “It’s taking elements of a piano and playing with them.” A gently curved soffit in the ceiling reinforces the visual rhyme. The jury admired the effect but was equally impressed with the technical acumen required to achieve it. “The rhythm established by the vertical rods sets up a rigorous discipline that works with the intricacies of stair dimensions,” observed one judge. “That’s really hard to do.”

In this composition, restraint becomes the defining characteristic. The clean geometry of the horizontal black rod railing pairs effortlessly with warm wood elements, allowing the staircase to integrate with quiet confidence rather than overt display. The treads, newels, and handrail are finished in a refined taupe-brown stain that adds depth and softness, while crisp white risers introduce a subtle luminosity that enhances the surrounding architecture. The result is a staircase that feels effortless at first glance yet reveals itself as a carefully considered study in proportion, material balance, and disciplined design. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Attanasio Landscape Architecture, A Nevada Professional Corporation, (ALA) has a single goal on all projects: To collaborate with quality clients and other consultants contributing talent, skills and discipline directed into a cohesive project vision. ALA take's great pride in providing our clients with projects which create a sense of place, engage and enrich the experiences of the people who use them, and are responsive to the environment.

In this composition, restraint becomes the defining characteristic. The clean geometry of the horizontal black rod railing pairs effortlessly with warm wood elements, allowing the staircase to integrate with quiet confidence rather than overt display. The treads, newels, and handrail are finished in a refined taupe-brown stain that adds depth and softness, while crisp white risers introduce a subtle luminosity that enhances the surrounding architecture. The result is a staircase that feels effortless at first glance yet reveals itself as a carefully considered study in proportion, material balance, and disciplined design. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Attanasio Landscape Architecture, A Nevada Professional Corporation, (ALA) has a single goal on all projects: To collaborate with quality clients and other consultants contributing talent, skills and discipline directed into a cohesive project vision. ALA take's great pride in providing our clients with projects which create a sense of place, engage and enrich the experiences of the people who use them, and are responsive to the environment.

Attanasio Landscape Architecture, A Nevada Professional Corporation, (ALA) has a single goal on all projects: To collaborate with quality clients and other consultants contributing talent, skills and discipline directed into a cohesive project vision. ALA take's great pride in providing our clients with projects which create a sense of place, engage and enrich the experiences of the people who use them, and are responsive to the environment.

Inside, the home continues its disciplined aesthetic—open, airy, and rooted in natural texture. White oak floors, custom cabinetry, and stone countertops create a neutral foundation that highlights the home’s architectural lines. The open floor plan connects kitchen, dining, and living areas, while expansive window walls extend sightlines into the landscape. Mechanical and structural systems are discreetly integrated for comfort and performance. High-efficiency insulation, HVAC zoning, and moisture control ensure long-term durability and efficiency. Outdoor living areas—terraces, porches, and patios—mirror the main structure’s material language, with continuous stone and wood elements that blur the boundary between interior and exterior. Every joint, reveal, and finish at Summit Ridge exemplifies CarsonSpeer Builders’ dedication to authenticity, proportion, and craftsmanship. This modern Southern residence stands as a testament to timeless design—crafted to endure, inspire, and live beautifully within its mountain setting.

Inside, the home continues its disciplined aesthetic—open, airy, and rooted in natural texture. White oak floors, custom cabinetry, and stone countertops create a neutral foundation that highlights the home’s architectural lines. The open floor plan connects kitchen, dining, and living areas, while expansive window walls extend sightlines into the landscape. Mechanical and structural systems are discreetly integrated for comfort and performance. High-efficiency insulation, HVAC zoning, and moisture control ensure long-term durability and efficiency. Outdoor living areas—terraces, porches, and patios—mirror the main structure’s material language, with continuous stone and wood elements that blur the boundary between interior and exterior. Every joint, reveal, and finish at Summit Ridge exemplifies CarsonSpeer Builders’ dedication to authenticity, proportion, and craftsmanship. This modern Southern residence stands as a testament to timeless design—crafted to endure, inspire, and live beautifully within its mountain setting.

Refined Continuity: Bridging Classical Architecture and Modern Living This comprehensive remodel of a grand Cow Hollow residence reimagines a historically expressive envelope through a lens of contemporary livability, precision detailing, and material restraint. The design approach carefully balances the home’s classical proportions and ornamental heritage with a refined, modern sensibility—evident in the disciplined palette of warm neutrals, soft plasters, pale oak flooring, and tailored millwork. Circulation has been clarified and subtly expanded to enhance spatial flow, while openings are leveraged to capture light, garden outlooks, and distant water views. Throughout, architectural interventions are executed with a high level of craft, ensuring that new insertions—whether cabinetry, railings, or apertures—read as seamless continuations of the original structure rather than applied elements. The kitchen serves as the operational and visual anchor of the home, conceived as a sculptural yet highly functional environment. Custom rift-cut cabinetry, softened through a desaturated finish, is paired with honed stone surfaces and integrated brass hardware to create a quiet, tactile richness. A monolithic island establishes a central gathering point, while perimeter work zones are carefully layered with concealed storage, integrated appliances, and open, backlit shelving that elevates everyday objects into curated displays. The adjacent bar and entertaining areas extend this language, reinforcing a cohesive hospitality-driven program. In parallel, the primary bathroom is designed as a serene, spa-like retreat, where bookmatched stone, frameless glass enclosures, and finely detailed metalwork converge. The composition prioritizes symmetry, clarity, and light—balancing generous volumes with intimate moments through integrated lighting, custom vanities, and a restrained material hierarchy. The library and ancillary living spaces introduce a more intimate scale, anchored by bespoke built-ins that combine closed storage with illuminated display niches, creating depth and rhythm along the walls. Here, material transitions and furniture integration are handled with particular nuance, allowing the architecture to support both quiet retreat and social gathering. A continuous language of custom railings—executed in refined metal profiles—threads through the interior and extends outward, where the exterior gate and garden elements have been reinterpreted to align with the home’s renewed identity. The entry sequence is now defined by a calibrated interplay of solidity and transparency, with sculptural metalwork and landscape integration establishing a sense of arrival that is both secure and elegant. Collectively, the project reflects a holistic transformation—one that elevates performance, livability, and aesthetic clarity while preserving the inherent dignity of the original architecture.

Refined Continuity: Bridging Classical Architecture and Modern Living This comprehensive remodel of a grand Cow Hollow residence reimagines a historically expressive envelope through a lens of contemporary livability, precision detailing, and material restraint. The design approach carefully balances the home’s classical proportions and ornamental heritage with a refined, modern sensibility—evident in the disciplined palette of warm neutrals, soft plasters, pale oak flooring, and tailored millwork. Circulation has been clarified and subtly expanded to enhance spatial flow, while openings are leveraged to capture light, garden outlooks, and distant water views. Throughout, architectural interventions are executed with a high level of craft, ensuring that new insertions—whether cabinetry, railings, or apertures—read as seamless continuations of the original structure rather than applied elements. The kitchen serves as the operational and visual anchor of the home, conceived as a sculptural yet highly functional environment. Custom rift-cut cabinetry, softened through a desaturated finish, is paired with honed stone surfaces and integrated brass hardware to create a quiet, tactile richness. A monolithic island establishes a central gathering point, while perimeter work zones are carefully layered with concealed storage, integrated appliances, and open, backlit shelving that elevates everyday objects into curated displays. The adjacent bar and entertaining areas extend this language, reinforcing a cohesive hospitality-driven program. In parallel, the primary bathroom is designed as a serene, spa-like retreat, where bookmatched stone, frameless glass enclosures, and finely detailed metalwork converge. The composition prioritizes symmetry, clarity, and light—balancing generous volumes with intimate moments through integrated lighting, custom vanities, and a restrained material hierarchy. The library and ancillary living spaces introduce a more intimate scale, anchored by bespoke built-ins that combine closed storage with illuminated display niches, creating depth and rhythm along the walls. Here, material transitions and furniture integration are handled with particular nuance, allowing the architecture to support both quiet retreat and social gathering. A continuous language of custom railings—executed in refined metal profiles—threads through the interior and extends outward, where the exterior gate and garden elements have been reinterpreted to align with the home’s renewed identity. The entry sequence is now defined by a calibrated interplay of solidity and transparency, with sculptural metalwork and landscape integration establishing a sense of arrival that is both secure and elegant. Collectively, the project reflects a holistic transformation—one that elevates performance, livability, and aesthetic clarity while preserving the inherent dignity of the original architecture.

In this composition, restraint becomes the defining characteristic. The clean geometry of the horizontal black rod railing pairs effortlessly with warm wood elements, allowing the staircase to integrate with quiet confidence rather than overt display. The treads, newels, and handrail are finished in a refined taupe-brown stain that adds depth and softness, while crisp white risers introduce a subtle luminosity that enhances the surrounding architecture. The result is a staircase that feels effortless at first glance yet reveals itself as a carefully considered study in proportion, material balance, and disciplined design. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

On first glance, this staircase reads as restrained. White oak treads rise with natural warmth, metal balusters hold their disciplined rhythm, and the painted black railing traces a clean, straight path upward. Then you notice the elliptical stringer wrap, and the whole composition shifts. Unlike a circular curve drawn with a compass, an ellipse requires mathematical calculation and a craftsman who knows how to make that complexity disappear. Here, it does exactly that. Natural light finishes the story. Moving through the space across the day, it deepens the oak grain, catches the metal, and lets the black railing guide the eye along the handrail's elliptical path from start to finish. Restraint brought the design this far. One well-executed curve made it memorable. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Attanasio Landscape Architecture, A Nevada Professional Corporation, (ALA) has a single goal on all projects: To collaborate with quality clients and other consultants contributing talent, skills and discipline directed into a cohesive project vision. ALA take's great pride in providing our clients with projects which create a sense of place, engage and enrich the experiences of the people who use them, and are responsive to the environment.

Bridle Path Residence — Grand Traditional Entrance This Bridle Path Residence entry is designed around the idea of a formal architectural arrival, where craftsmanship, proportion, and heritage-inspired detailing create an immediate sense of permanence. Rather than treating the foyer as simply a passage into the home, the design gives the entrance its own identity and establishes a sophisticated visual language from the moment of arrival. The custom wood entry door is the defining architectural element. Richly stained timber brings warmth and depth to the predominantly light interior, while the extensive decorative glasswork introduces a handcrafted quality. The intricate leaded-glass pattern combines geometric structure with ornamental curves, creating a focal point that feels timeless rather than tied to a particular trend. The surrounding architecture intentionally remains restrained. Crisp white wall panelling and tailored trim provide a quiet backdrop for the richness of the door, allowing the craftsmanship of the entry to take center stage. This contrast between the clean architectural envelope and the detailed timber and glasswork gives the foyer a refined sense of hierarchy. The marble floor reinforces the formality of the entrance. Its light field and dark border create a tailored, almost estate-inspired foundation, while the small geometric insets add another layer of detail without competing with the door. The reflective stone also amplifies natural and artificial light, making the relatively compact entry feel brighter and more expansive. Above, the crystal chandelier introduces a moment of understated glamour. Its cascading form draws the eye upward toward the coffered ceiling and reinforces the verticality of the foyer. The combination of sparkling crystal, polished stone, stained wood, and painted millwork creates a carefully balanced material palette. The staircase and railing extend the traditional character of the entrance into the circulation space. Decorative metalwork adds rhythm and craftsmanship along the stair edge, while the open railing maintains visual connection between the levels. A sculptural artwork positioned along the stair further reinforces the idea that the circulation areas are treated as curated architectural spaces rather than secondary zones. The overall design is rooted in timeless elegance and craftsmanship. Rich natural wood, ornamental glazing, marble, refined millwork, decorative metalwork, and crystal lighting are brought together with disciplined proportions so that the space feels luxurious without becoming overly ornate. The result is a grand yet welcoming entrance with a distinctly sophisticated, enduring character.

In this composition, restraint becomes the defining characteristic. The clean geometry of the horizontal black rod railing pairs effortlessly with warm wood elements, allowing the staircase to integrate with quiet confidence rather than overt display. The treads, newels, and handrail are finished in a refined taupe-brown stain that adds depth and softness, while crisp white risers introduce a subtle luminosity that enhances the surrounding architecture. The result is a staircase that feels effortless at first glance yet reveals itself as a carefully considered study in proportion, material balance, and disciplined design. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company