San Marino based clients were interested in developing a property that had been in their family for generations. This was an exciting proposition as it was one of the last surviving bayside double lots on the scenic Coronado peninsula in San Diego. They desired a holiday home that would be a gathering place for their large, close- knit family. San Marino based clients were interested in developing a property that had been in their family for generations. This was an exciting proposition as it was one of the last surviving bayside double lots on the scenic Coronado peninsula in San Diego. They desired a holiday home that would be a gathering place for their large, close-knit family. Facing the Back Bay, overlooking downtown and the Bay Bridge, this property presented us with a unique opportunity to design a vacation home with a dual personality. One side faces a bustling harbor with a constant parade of yachts, cargo vessels and military ships while the other opens onto a deep, quiet contemplative garden. The home’s shingle-style influence carries on the historical Coronado tradition of clapboard and Craftsman bungalows built in the shadow of the great Hotel Del Coronado which was erected at the turn of the last century. In order to create an informal feel to the residence, we devised a concept that eliminated the need for a “front door”. Instead, one walks through the garden and enters the “Great Hall” through either one of two French doors flanking a walk-in stone fireplace. Both two-story bedroom wings bookend this central wood beam vaulted room which serves as the “heart of the home”, and opens to both views. Three sets of stairs are discretely tucked away inside the bedroom wings. In lieu of a formal dining room, the family convenes and dines around a beautiful table and banquette set into a circular window bay off the kitchen which overlooks the lights of the city beyond the harbor. Working with noted interior designer Betty Ann Marshall, we designed a unique kitchen that was inspired by the colors and textures of a fossil the couple found on a honeymoon trip to the quarries of Montana. We set that ancient fossil into a matte glass backsplash behind the professional cook’s stove. A warm library with walnut paneling and a bayed window seat affords a refuge for the family to read or play board games. The couple’s fine craft and folk art collection is on prominent display throughout the house and helps to set an intimate and whimsical tone. Another architectural feature devoted to family is the play room lit by a dramatic cupola which beacons the older grandchildren and their friends. Below the play room is a four car garage that allows the patriarch space to refurbish an antique fire truck, a mahogany launch boat and several vintage cars. Their jet skis and kayaks are housed in another garage designed for that purpose. Lattice covered skylights that allow dappled sunlight to bathe the loggia affords a comfortable refuge to watch the kids swim and gaze out upon the rushing water, the Coronado Bay Bridge and the romantic downtown San Diego skyline. Architect: Ward Jewell Architect, AIA Interior Design: Betty Ann Marshall Construction: Bill Lyons Photographer: Laura Hull Styling: Zale Design Studio

Jess Blackwell Photography
Small elegant white tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile bathroom photo in Denver with green walls and a wall-mount sink

This is one smart kitchen in this beautiful new technologically advanced home. Lighting control is only one feature - streaming music, telephone and intercom system and hidden speakers make this home hub really hum. Photography by Greg Premru

Ashley Avila
Elegant family room photo in Grand Rapids

Modern Sliding Doors with Italian Hardware
Example of a mid-sized trendy enclosed limestone floor living room design in Miami with white walls, no fireplace and a tv stand

The entry foyer is reminiscent of a traditional japanese genkan, the zone where one’s shoes are removed, one step lower than the main house. Shoes can be stored discreetly under the floating millwork.

This house is discreetly tucked into its wooded site in the Mad River Valley near the Sugarbush Resort in Vermont. The soaring roof lines complement the slope of the land and open up views though large windows to a meadow planted with native wildflowers. The house was built with natural materials of cedar shingles, fir beams and native stone walls. These materials are complemented with innovative touches including concrete floors, composite exterior wall panels and exposed steel beams. The home is passively heated by the sun, aided by triple pane windows and super-insulated walls. Photo by: Nat Rea Photography

Built-in storage and bookcases around the staircase, utilise all available space. Photo credit: Mark Bolton Photography
Staircase - mid-sized modern wooden u-shaped staircase idea in Gloucestershire with wooden risers

Example of a transitional light wood floor, beige floor and wallpaper powder room design in Philadelphia with multicolored walls, an undermount sink and gray countertops

Minimalist bathroom photo in Phoenix

Example of a small classic galley bamboo floor home design design in San Francisco with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, wood countertops, brown backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

1950s kitchen photo in Vancouver

This media room has tri-folding doors beneath a paneled arched header to conceal the screen when not in use. Doors below the screen are on touch-catches for discreet equipment storage. The media center is flanked on both sides by open display cabinets. In the background to the left, you see the wet bar with custom leaded glass designs and a matching leaded glass interior door into the wine room - all by Banner's Cabinets.

Cesar Rubio
Trendy medium tone wood floor bedroom photo in San Francisco with white walls

Situated on a 3.5 acre, oak-studded ridge atop Santa Barbara's Riviera, the Greene Compound is a 6,500 square foot custom residence with guest house and pool capturing spectacular views of the City, Coastal Islands to the south, and La Cumbre peak to the north. Carefully sited to kiss the tips of many existing large oaks, the home is rustic Mediterranean in style which blends integral color plaster walls with Santa Barbara sandstone and cedar board and batt. Landscape Architect Lane Goodkind restored the native grass meadow and added a stream bio-swale which complements the rural setting. 20' mahogany, pocketing sliding doors maximize the indoor / outdoor Santa Barbara lifestyle by opening the living spaces to the pool and island view beyond. A monumental exterior fireplace and camp-style margarita bar add to this romantic living. Discreetly buried in the mission tile roof, solar panels help to offset the home's overall energy consumption. Truly an amazing and unique property, the Greene Residence blends in beautifully with the pastoral setting of the ridge while complementing and enhancing this Riviera neighborhood.

We think this centrally located custom metal/brass bar is an entertainers dream! ©David Lauer Photography
Wet bar - mid-sized rustic single-wall wet bar idea in Denver with flat-panel cabinets

Nina Phillips
Inspiration for a large timeless wooden curved open and mixed material railing staircase remodel in DC Metro with beige walls

photography by photography by Andrea Calo
Huge transitional backyard outdoor kitchen deck photo in Austin with a pergola

Inspiration for a contemporary one-story exterior home remodel in Portland