Distant - Photos & Ideas

Similar to many of my projects, the main objectives for this Royal Oaks garden design were that it not use a lot of water or take a lot of time to maintain. This farming family is busy and wanted a beautiful garden to match their beautiful home. The result was a particularly stunning complementary color scheme with multiple shades of purple and lilac, along with orange, rust and yellow. Low-growing, mounding ground covers prevent weeds from recurring and are interspersed with fountain-like grasses, architectural cordylines, leucadendrons, and boulders. The back garden frames a view of the Watsonville farmlands and distant Santa Cruz Mountains. Couldn't be prettier!

Stanley Ridge Shed

SALA Architects

For more than a decade the owners of this property dreamed of replacing a well-worn trailer, parked by a previous owner onto a forested corner of the site, with a permanent structure that took advantage of breathtaking views across South Park basin. Accompanying a mutual friend nearly as long ago, the architect visited the site as a guest and years later could easily recall the inspiration inherent in the site. Ultimately dream and inspiration met to create this weekend retreat. With a mere 440 square feet planted in the ground, and just 1500 square feet combined across three levels, the design creates indoor and outdoor spaces to frame distant range views and protect inhabitants from the intense Colorado sun and evening chill with minimal impact on its surroundings. Designed by Bryan Anderson Construction by Mountain View Homes Photographs by Troy Thies

Millbrook Occupied Staging

User

This 10,920 square foot house built in 1993 in the Arts and Crafts style is surrounded by 178 acres and sited high on a hilltop at the end of a long driveway with scenic mountain views. The house is totally secluded and quiet featuring all the essentials of a quality life style. Built to the highest standards with generous spaces, light and sunny rooms, cozy in winter with a log burning fireplace and with wide cool porches for summer living. There are three floors. The large master suite on the second floor with a private balcony looks south to a layers of distant hills. The private guest wing is on the ground floor. The third floor has studio and playroom space as well as an extra bedroom and bath. There are 5 bedrooms in all with a 5 bedroom guest house.

Find the right local pro for your project

Find top design and renovation professionals on Houzz

Luxurious Hacienda Estate

Prime Realty

Nestled at the top of the prestigious Enclave neighborhood established in 2006, this privately gated and architecturally rich Hacienda estate lacks nothing. Situated at the end of a cul-de-sac on nearly 4 acres and with approx 5,000 sqft of single story luxurious living, the estate boasts a Cabernet vineyard of 120+/- vines and manicured grounds. Stroll to the top of what feels like your own private mountain and relax on the Koi pond deck, sink golf balls on the putting green, and soak in the sweeping vistas from the pergola. Stunning views of mountains, farms, cafe lights, an orchard of 43 mature fruit trees, 4 avocado trees, a large self-sustainable vegetable/herb garden and lush lawns. This is the entertainer’s estate you have dreamed of but could never find. The newer infinity edge saltwater oversized pool/spa features PebbleTek surfaces, a custom waterfall, rock slide, dreamy deck jets, beach entry, and baja shelf –-all strategically positioned to capture the extensive views of the distant mountain ranges (at times snow-capped). A sleek cabana is flanked by Mediterranean columns, vaulted ceilings, stone fireplace & hearth, plus an outdoor spa-like bathroom w/travertine floors, frameless glass walkin shower + dual sinks. Cook like a pro in the fully equipped outdoor kitchen featuring 3 granite islands consisting of a new built in gas BBQ grill, two outdoor sinks, gas cooktop, fridge, & service island w/patio bar. Inside you will enjoy your chef’s kitchen with the GE Monogram 6 burner cooktop + grill, GE Mono dual ovens, newer SubZero Built-in Refrigeration system, substantial granite island w/seating, and endless views from all windows. Enjoy the luxury of a Butler’s Pantry plus an oversized walkin pantry, ideal for staying stocked and organized w/everyday essentials + entertainer’s supplies. Inviting full size granite-clad wet bar is open to family room w/fireplace as well as the kitchen area with eat-in dining. An intentional front Parlor room is utilized as the perfect Piano Lounge, ideal for entertaining guests as they enter or as they enjoy a meal in the adjacent Dining Room. Efficiency at its finest! A mudroom hallway & workhorse laundry rm w/hookups for 2 washer/dryer sets. Dualpane windows, newer AC w/new ductwork, newer paint, plumbed for central vac, and security camera sys. With plenty of natural light & mountain views, the master bed/bath rivals the amenities of any day spa. Marble clad finishes, include walkin frameless glass shower w/multi-showerheads + bench. Two walkin closets, soaking tub, W/C, and segregated dual sinks w/custom seated vanity. Total of 3 bedrooms in west wing + 2 bedrooms in east wing. Ensuite bathrooms & walkin closets in nearly each bedroom! Floorplan suitable for multi-generational living and/or caretaker quarters. Wheelchair accessible/RV Access + hookups. Park 10+ cars on paver driveway! 4 car direct & finished garage! Ready for recreation in the comfort of your own home? Built in trampoline, sandpit + playset w/turf. Zoned for Horses w/equestrian trails, hiking in backyard, room for volleyball, basketball, soccer, and more. In addition to the putting green, property is located near Sunset Hills, WoodRanch & Moorpark Country Club Golf Courses. Near Presidential Library, Underwood Farms, beaches & easy FWY access. Ideally located near: 47mi to LAX, 6mi to Westlake Village, 5mi to T.O. Mall. Find peace and tranquility at 5018 Read Rd: Where the outdoor & indoor spaces feel more like a sanctuary and less like the outside world.

Grand Dunes Coastal Cottage Model

Cara McBroom, Licensed Interior Designer

On the large wall, I flanked two large arched mirrors around a bench seat. The mirrors provide depth, making the room appear larger, by reflecting the distant view of the beach.

Ventura Kitchen, Oakville, ON

Oakville Kitchen and Bath Centre

Transitional dining room photo in Toronto

Luxurious Hacienda Estate

Prime Realty

Pac Heights refined continuity: BRIDGING CLASSIC ARCHITECTURE & MODERN LIVING

EAG Studio

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.

Luxurious Hacienda Estate

Prime Realty

Natural Fit

Wright Residential

Located in Sonoma on 2.5 acres with sweeping canyon views, our client's home was built on a long, rectangular lot in 1972. They had owned it for just over ten years and used it for weekend escapes and entertaining. The home burnt down during the 2017 Tubbs fire, and our firm was engaged to design the rebuild. The site did not offer much wiggle room for a new footprint, given the flat bench area that had been graded into a steep hillside when the original subdivision and road were developed. This resulted in a plan that would mostly remain the same; a linear rectangle designed to fit between the driveway and the pool. The primary site strategy move was to change the front entry from the driveway end of the site to the middle of the rectangle, improving the privacy between the master bedroom and public space. We were also able to add a partial second floor to relocate the guest bedrooms from the main level upstairs, thereby enlarging the entertaining spaces to expand graciously to the pool (which remained undamaged). A large pantry and kitchen area were also essential. Fireproof materials include fiber cement board siding and soffits, standing seam metal roofing, and concrete slab porch floors which do not catch embers underneath. The renovated pool was outfitted for fire prevention. The interiors showcase light and distant views and connect seamlessly to the flat areas outside, providing ample space for entertaining year-round and the clients' two springer spaniels. Materials: • HardiePlank and board for firesafe siding, panels, trim, per CalFire WUI approved exterior wall siding and sheathing • Town & Country fireplace • Western Window Systems and Loewen Doors/Windows • Thermador appliances • Flooring: Brushed & Aged French Oak Hardwood Flooring - Mediterranean Kerrew French Oak, • StoneK2 Black Pearl Ledgestone, • Utopia Series Florence Hot Tub

The Bromley (Coach House)

Karly Kristina Design

This waterfall island counter top adds a beautiful statement to the space. We took this element by wrapping the walnut around the integrated fridge, pulling the waterfall detail throughout the home. This feature adds warmth to the tall white cabinetry, making the fridge stand out beautifully.

Fritillary Kitchen

Oakville Kitchen and Bath Centre

Example of a classic l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Toronto with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Luxurious Hacienda Estate

Prime Realty

Telegraph Hill Residence

House + House Architects

A tiny 1906 earthquake relief home nestled at the end of a narrow alley on the western slope of Telegraph Hill had been lifted above a garage in the 1930’s then added onto in the 1950’s. Built on the foundations of a church destroyed in the earthquake, the original home had an awkward plan, low ceilings, dark spaces and a collection of odd and clumsy materials. Positioned in the center of the block, with distant views to Nob Hill this is a distinctly urban setting, yet the home is surrounded by its neighbor’s gardens. Directly behind the home stood one of the largest Japanese maple trees in Northern California. This beautiful tree and its preservation prompted the architect to incorporate it as the focal point around which the new home evolved. During the remodel the 1950’s addition was demolished, the remaining structure gutted and 400 additional square feet were added to create a dramatic new contemporary home of high ceilings and flowing spaces all filled with natural light. Carefully skewed geometry and a sleek palette of materials in sensuous colors compliment the drama of space and garden. In the shadow of the City’s historic landmark Coit Tower, this home is still a tiny wood sided bungalow from the street. The surprise hits immediately when one enters and an 18-foot high grid of windows embraces the Japanese Maple into the corner of the living room. The curving stairway wraps the bar, defining the kitchen and connects to an open bridge flying above to the secluded master bedroom. An arc of perforated steel off the master bedroom deck recalls the radiating forms inside, screening for privacy while filtering rays of sunlight. Radiating lines scored into the rose colored concrete further accentuate the rigorous geometry. Flush overlay birch cabinets are dyed purple for a continuing flow of color from the carpet. Black knobs, appliances, sink and laminate counters complete a composition, which starts with the black hex-crete concrete counter of the bar. Swirls ground into the aluminum facing of the bar wrap a sparkle into the foot of the stair. Sculpted walls shape the space and form niches, each washed with light from geometric fixtures, all linked by the rhythm of the steel cable rails. Smooth exterior grade plywood siding stained gray and turquoise provides crisp form on the exterior, at once in scale with the neighborhood, while denying scale altogether.

Gallery House

Christopher Simmonds Architect

The double-height foyer and finely-detailed stairwell is a celebration of light, illuminating the interior of the home and framing views of the distant streetscape.

Wilderness Ridge

Teton Heritage Builders

Nestled into the woods of the Club at Spanish Peaks in Big Sky, Montana, this distinctive home was designed by architect Reid Smith. Currently the only modern home in the development, this spectacular space boasts expansive windows, and an elegant steel structure. Artful infusions of stone and rough hewn elements create a uniquely contemporary and yet Western character. Featured on the cover of Mountain Living Magazine’s first issue of 2017, where the homeowner boasts “I can walk into a room and be totally captivated by the Yellowstone Club, Spanish Peaks, Yellowstone National Park and some of the far distant mountain ranges.” Photo: Audrey Hall

Mid-Century Modern

Studio Nexus Architects + Planners

This 1950's split-level ranch house was completely renovated to meet the needs of a growing family. The central roof was raised to admit generous natural ambient light to the kitchen and living spaces. New metal windows were enlarged and repositioned to capture distant views. Interior finishes were replaced and the mechanical system revised to provide radiantly heated floors. The project was undertaken while Jim was a partner with Richard Brown Architects, AIA, LLP.

Raymar Kitchen

Oakville Kitchen and Bath Centre

Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in Toronto

Aries the White Wolf 2 Rustic Farmhouse Style Wall Art Prints

PI Photography Wall Art & Fine Art

This captivating artwork presents the serene profile of an Arctic wolf, its gaze fixed on some distant point, evoking a sense of quiet contemplation and wild beauty. The wolf's pristine white coat blends seamlessly with the rustic wooden planks in the background, creating a harmonious blend of nature and artistry. The subtle textures and soft tones of the image create a calming atmosphere, perfect for adding a touch of tranquility to any space. This piece is ideal for those seeking unique and affordable wall art to enhance their living room, dining room, bedroom, or office. Available in various formats, including loose art prints, framed pieces, and classic canvas, this artwork can be tailored to suit your individual style and preferences. For print options, please visit: https://pipafineart.com/pages/aries-the-white-wolf-portrait-on-faux-weathered-wood-texture-wall-art-prints

Warm & Welcoming Littleton Kitchen Renovation

TVL Creative Ltd.

This kitchen took a tired, 90's builder kitchen and revamped it into a personalized gathering space for our wonderful Centennial family. The existing space was in good condition, but carried a visual weight and functionality that was overall displeasing for our clients. Our clients desired a central gathering island where their family of 5 can sit and dine together or events can be hosted outside of the formal dining room. The old oak cabinets weren't maximizing storage and were dated and orange. We removed a half wall that used to be a desk area inside of the kitchen to create a sprawling island easily capable of hosting 6 guests. We used Waypoint Living Spaces cabinets in Silk around the perimeter of the kitchen: stacking cabinets to create a tall, dramatic look around the space. On the south wall, we created a hutch-like stack that features seeded glass panels in the upper and lower cabinet doors. These allow china and colorful dishes to be displayed for a pop of fun color in an otherwise quietly neutral space. The island cabinets are a dramatic contrast in Ultracraft's Truffle paint with oversized island legs for a more furniture-like feel. The island countertop is Caesarstone Quartz in Frosty Carrina, and the perimeter is MSI Quartz in Lagos Azul. The handsome, structured cabinet hardware is from our friends at Amerock in a gorgeous oil rubbed bronze. The island chandelier is a gorgeous 7 light open frame bronze fixture from Hinkley Lighting. One of the most striking features in the space is the countertop-to-ceiling glass mosaic tile. This mosaic is a delicate hand-blown stained glass look. It captures a wide range of light and color tones, and looks different from every angle in the room. Our clients commented that, at night when the other lights are off, the backsplash feels like a distant city glittering beyond. We love the way this space turned out and are so happy that our clients now have such a warm and welcoming gathering space as the heart of their home!