A secluded fire pit provides the opportunity to separate from house activities and view the calm Monterey Bay and distant Peninsula.
Photo of a contemporary backyard landscaping in San Francisco.

Babcock Custom Pools presents its latest marvel, Signal Hills, that transcends the typical pool experience to the apex of opulence and sophistication. Concealed in the urban jungle, this aquatic heaven showcases a spectrum of awe-inspiring facilities that will leave you spellbound. One of the most remarkable aspects of Signal Hills is its seamless combination of coping and decking, fostering a uniform and sophisticated flow from the pool to its environment. This creative design innovation not only amplifies the beauty of the pool, but it also acts as a crucial safety measure, ensuring a secure and anti-slip surface for all patrons. The elevated tile spa is a show-stopper in the Signal Hills project, offering warm water jets to knead away anxiety and stress while you bask in the magnificent views of the metropolis. Whether you seek a moment of solace after a grueling day or crave an unrivaled spa experience, the spa at Signal Hills caters to your every need. For those who prefer a leisurely pace, the Signal Hills project also features a serene spa, tailored for you to escape the chaos of the city. With warm water, serene surroundings, and captivating views, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to a distant paradise. The Signal Hills pool boasts soft curves that amplify its sophistication and elegance, creating a calming and peaceful atmosphere that’s ideal for lazy afternoons or evening get-togethers with friends. This refined touch distinguishes the pool from others, making it the very essence of style and luxury. In conclusion, Babcock Custom Pools has exceeded all expectations with the Signal Hills project. Its unique design elements, such as the seamless coping and deck, the elevated tile spa, and the tranquil spa for relaxation, along with the sophisticated curves of the pool, make this project an unprecedented and unforgettable experience. If you seek a pool that embodies sophistication, luxury, and elegance, Signal Hills is your answer.

This home features a traditional rough sawn siding and timbers mixed with stone on the exterior. The interior has a more modern feel with large expanses of glass to open it up to the distant views of Colorado’s Gore mountain range. The floor plan is open and inviting with a private main level master and study.

This 2400 sq. ft. home rests at the very beginning of the high mesa just outside of Taos. To the east, the Taos valley is green and verdant fed by rivers and streams that run down from the mountains, and to the west the high sagebrush mesa stretches off to the distant Brazos range. The house is sited to capture the high mountains to the northeast through the floor to ceiling height corner window off the kitchen/dining room.The main feature of this house is the central Atrium which is an 18 foot adobe octagon topped with a skylight to form an indoor courtyard complete with a fountain. Off of this central space are two offset squares, one to the east and one to the west. The bedrooms and mechanical room are on the west side and the kitchen, dining, living room and an office are on the east side. The house is a straw bale/adobe hybrid, has custom hand dyed plaster throughout with Talavera Tile in the public spaces and Saltillo Tile in the bedrooms. There is a large kiva fireplace in the living room, and a smaller one occupies a corner in the Master Bedroom. The Master Bathroom is finished in white marble tile. The separate garage is connected to the house with a triangular, arched breezeway with a copper ceiling.

Expansive wood flooring upper level hallway to master bedroom and guest rooms overlooking rural Connecticut farmland with distant long island sound water views

From neglected hoarder house to showplace! This post-war traditional ranch was remodeled into a sophisticated contemporary home by Tim Braseth of ArtCraft Homes, completed in 2013. Located in the Crenshaw Manor neighborhood of central Los Angeles with direct access to neighboring Culver City and downtown L.A. via the new Expo line. Space reconfiguration resulted in 3 spacious bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. Features include all-new custom kitchen with stainless steel appliances, glass tile bathrooms, and solid oak floors throughout. The private master retreat features its own glass-tiled en suite bathroom with dual vanities, generously-sized walk-in closet, vaulted ceiling and French doors to the expansive patio with a direct view to the distant Hollywood sign. Remodel by ArtCraft Homes. Staging by Leslie Whitlock. "After" photography by Marc Angeles of Unlimited Style.

Linda Oyama Bryan
Inspiration for a modern exterior home remodel in Chicago

Tall House on Colonel Willie Cove Westerly, RI Interiors by Studio InSitu and Tricia Upton Architectural Design by Tim Hess and Jeff Dearing for DSK Architects. Christian Lanciaux project manager. Builder: Gardner Woodwrights, Gene Ciccone project manager. Structural Engineer: Simpson Gumpetz and Heger Landscape Architects: Tupelo Gardens photographs by Studio InSitu. On this coastal site subject to high winds and flooding, governmental review and permitting authorities overlap and combine to create some pret-ty tough weather of their own. On the relatively small footprint available for construction, this house was stacked in functional layers: Entry and kids' spaces are on the ground level. The Master Suite is tucked under the eaves (pried-open to distant views) on the third floor, and the middle level is wide-open from outside wall to outside wall for entertaining and sweeping views.

Talk about bringing a kitchen up to date! Little details like the bin pulls and farmhouse sink give a nod to the distant past, but the general tone for this Hood River kitchen is "today." The white on white palette leaves the homeowner free to accessorize at will, but is grounded by the wood accents and beadboard texture of the cabinetry. The dining nook with beautiful distressed table brings people into the kitchen to enjoy time together and gives the area a homey feeling. Medallion Cabinetry will stand up to many years of use and preserve the look of this lovely kitchen for countless meals and gatherings. As always, the design was carefully curated by Allen's Fine Woodworking to ensure the space allows the homeowner to work smarter, not harder.

This home features a traditional rough sawn siding and timbers mixed with stone on the exterior. The interior has a more modern feel with large expanses of glass to open it up to the distant views of Colorado’s Gore mountain range. The floor plan is open and inviting with a private main level master and study.

This home was designed for a professional couple with several children, the promise of many grandchildren, and the prospect of an active retirement in the not too distant future. With a painting studio for her and a study/office for him were special requirements on top of the usual gracious living space, and formal as well as informal dining spaces. The outdoor living areas, terraces, decks, pool, and a boathouse significantly expand the space of the house and opportunities for outdoor leisure activities. The materials are rich throughout—cedar columns and roof deck, slate counters, mesquite and stone floors, and limestone walls inside and out. A small entry court and a terraced deck relate the building to the rapidly changing grade. Large steel trellises with wisteria provide shade for the deck area and block the view of a neighboring house. This house received a Merit Award from the Austin Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Featured on the cover of Southern Living, February 2000, for the National Design Award for new construction, this house exemplifies Black + Vernooy’s concept of Texas residential architecture. Built By: Dalgleish Construction Co. Photography By: Paul Bardagjy

Inspiration for a large transitional kitchen remodel in Charleston

This new four-bedroom house with three and one-half baths and an attached two-car garage was designed to take advantage of a long, narrow, buildable area on a Cape Cod lot bordering wetlands. It’s composed of clean-lined, simple, shingled forms with gable and shed roofs. Natural light travels deep within the shared living spaces thanks to an open family/dining/kitchen area with ample windows (including facing clerestory windows) and a building width of twenty-two feet. A rear screen porch and decks, which run the length of the house, overlook wetlands. Outdoor showers are located at both ends of the home. The second floor master suite includes a library and roof deck with a distant water view. photo by Katie Hutchison

This Foothills Contemporary House stands at the edge of a steep mountain slope, looking down into a deep ravine and out to distant snowy peaks. Conforming to its rugged site, this house stacks three stories tall and stretches along a north-south axis, framing views of the vast western landscape from almost every living space in the house. This home is characterized by a dynamic geometry of simple forms shifting in and out of alignment, stacking and sometimes perforating each other.

Nestled in the lush landscape, a modern reinterpretation of a once-fallen barn now features a charming guest cottage with stylish details and contemporary amenities. Situated along a narrow lot in Germantown, New York, the cottage completes a cluster of existing buildings, forming an intimate courtyard on one side. Steel effect folding patio doors fully open the living areas to the expansive fields and the Catskill Mountains beyond. The homeowners, a young family with parents living abroad, envisioned a cozy yet modern ADU for extended stays. Designed by Lauren Cawse, AIA, architect and partner at The Art of Building, the year-round retreat draws inspiration from traditional local barns while embracing a seamless indoor-outdoor connection. Captivating Guest Cottage Design Enhances the Senses with Steel Effect Folding Patio Doors The modern ADU design started with the site itself. Positioned between residential and commercial neighbors, the elongated property required a careful balance of privacy and openness. Architect Lauren Cawse approached the layout by redefining the existing house and garage as the east and west sides of an outdoor room, with the new cottage forming its southern boundary. This arrangement created a clear courtyard near the main residence while directing the 800-square-foot guest house toward the open meadow and the distant Catskill Mountains. “The unique character of the site and its history inspired the architectural direction,” says Cawse. “The intent was to create a secondary structure in the compound in clear contrast to the modern farmhouse style of the house and garage.” A Barn-Inspired Exterior Adds Visual Flair The exterior envelope evokes a traditional barn with a simple gable shape, weathered wood siding, cedar shingles, and a foundation veneer made of local fieldstone. A large sliding barn door adds a complementary feature to the courtyard-facing side, creating a dynamic opening that maintains uninterrupted views through the cottage to the meadow beyond. Steel effect folding patio doors surrounding the structure add a modern touch of transparency, and simulated divided lites allow the contemporary glass wall systems to harmonize with the traditional elements of the modern ADU design. “The goal was to fully open the living areas to the outdoors, framing views to the meadows and mountains,” says Cawse. “The positioning of the NanaWall systems frames the views and, when open, dissolves the boundary between inside and out.” Interior Design That Mirrors Nature’s Tranquility Inside, the design program features a simple layout with one bedroom, a full bath, a kitchenette, and a living area with a wood-burning stove. The interior, a collaboration between The Art of Building and the homeowners, is defined by an understated palette and tactile materials that reflect the natural setting. Color is introduced through the framed glass views on all sides of the structure. Reclaimed timber collar ties span the ceiling overhead, while stone surfaces and naturally patinated metal accents add quiet texture throughout. Custom hand-painted Delft tiles along the kitchen backsplash add personal detail, and terra cotta flooring in the bathroom brings warmth and old-world charm. Soaring ceilings and abundant daylight create a peaceful play of light and shadow, shifting subtly with the seasons and emphasizing the cottage’s connection to the natural landscape outside. Sleek Steel Effect Folding Patio Doors Elevate the Modern ADU Design Aesthetic Three customized steel effect folding patio doors define the living space, each aligned to respond to a different edge of the site. The largest, spanning nearly 20 feet wide and just under eight feet tall, opens directly onto the stone patio, allowing the main gathering area to extend fully into the landscape. Along the side of the living room, a smaller 10-foot-wide system introduces more light and ventilation, nearly creating an open corner condition if not for the structural post that supports the façade and roofline. At the rear, a fourth ten-foot-wide system features a French door swing panel configuration that opens toward the courtyard, strengthening the design connection to the main residence. All steel effect folding patio doors were specified with a low-maintenance, water-rated Performance Sill to safeguard against inclement weather while providing a seamless, barrier-free transition to the outdoor patio. Unique Customizations for Visual Appeal and a Steel Effect Each folding patio door system is configured to open outward, maximizing usable floor space in the compact interior and allowing furniture placement to remain uninterrupted. By stacking outward, the steel effect folding patio doors, specified in a SE Classic Bronze powder coat, ensure every inch of the cottage is optimized. Simulated divided lites create a consistent rhythm across windows and doors, maintaining alignment with the traditional barn-inspired exterior. In the bedroom, a three-panel, 10-foot-wide system mirrors these customizations, matching the steel effect divided-lite pattern and outward-opening configuration, extending the indoor-outdoor connection while preserving visual continuity throughout the ADU. “The divided lites were crucial to the architectural vision, and while budget prohibited a steel and glass system, NanaWall Systems’ thin frames provide the open and airy feeling we hoped to attain,” says Cawse. “Simulated divided lites transition the thoroughly modern element of the glass walls to remain in harmony with the otherwise traditional palette.” Matching Windows and Doors: Create a Cohesive Design Program Alongside the larger openings in the living areas and bedroom, a smaller 3-foot-tall NanaWall tilt turn window was added to the bathroom. This window-sized NanaWall system perfectly matches the divided lite panels and sleek frames of the steel effect folding patio doors, creating a cohesive modern ADU design throughout. The compact opening provides ventilation and natural light, enhancing the spa-like atmosphere along with natural stone flooring. The matching glass lines and sleek profiles of the NanaWall Generation 4 comprehensive product line further unify visual consistency, allowing each system to fit into the architectural style seamlessly. “This project had three bifold glass walls, a pair of double French doors with sidelites, and a single tilt turn window,” says architect Lauren Cawse. “Being able to work with a single manufacturer provided aesthetic cohesiveness and simplified coordination.” Sustainability Where It Matters Most New York weather can vary from hot 85-degree summers to cold 26-degree winters. Creating an efficient living space was a primary goal. To achieve this, the design included Timber HP-insulated walls and floors with a heat pump system for effective heating and cooling. Additionally, the steel effect folding patio doors and windows were specified with double-glazed panels to ensure a tight building envelope. Indoor-Outdoor Living Spaces for Relaxing and Entertaining In-house landscape designer Liz Pulver worked closely with the team to conceive open-air spaces that enhanced the connection between inside and outside. To the south end of the lot, the landscape transitions into an “enhanced meadow,” allowing the cottage to feel embedded within the surrounding fields rather than set apart from them. A circular pool was designed to mimic a natural pond with a modest footprint. Around it, a minimalist fence and sunken stone ha-ha wall offer discreet safety for young children. Limited space due to existing infrastructure and zoning setbacks left only a small footprint for the swimming pool, prompting the designer to propose a circular form that maximized the usable swimming area. “We felt that the perfect way to integrate a pool into the property and to honor the landscape would be to treat the pool as a piece of art itself,” says Pulver. “The result is a beautiful round pool that serves as both a functional retreat and a sculptural moment.” Final Thoughts: A Barn-Inspired Design for Contemporary Living This modern ADU design skillfully combines modern features with the enduring charm of traditional barns. The outcome is a welcoming living space that stands out amid a stunning landscape. Natural materials that mimic the beauty of the outdoors, expansive steel effect folding patio doors that fill the space with fresh air and natural light, and a restrained interior design work together to create an inviting retreat for everyday living, throughout the seasons. “When entering the site, the cottage feels as though it was always there,” says Cawse. “It achieves its two opposing goals by creating a feeling of intimacy and enclosure near the house while also functioning as a threshold to the expansive fields and views beyond.” Explore how NanaWall folding patio doors elevate other ADU spaces in our inspiring project photo gallery! Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What is Slimline Steel Effect? Steel Effect is a folding patio door design option that replicates the appearance of traditional steel-framed glass doors. It combines the look of steel with the performance benefits of aluminum, including energy efficiency, low maintenance, greater design flexibility, and lower cost. How does a NanaWall Steel Effect aluminum system compare to traditional steel-framed glass doors? NanaWall Slimline Steel Effect folding patio doors replicate the narrow frames of traditional steel doors with improved weather and thermal performance and easier operation. They are lighter, more corrosion-resistant, and feature a thermally broken design for better energy efficiency and lower long-term maintenance. What are the benefits of Steel Effect folding glass walls? Steel Effect folding glass walls deliver the narrow sightlines and grid patterns of traditional steel, combined with the performance and low maintenance of aluminum. The slimline steel effect option offers all the benefits of our Generation 4 product line, including the FourFold / SixFold floating panel set option and smooth operation with Gothic arch stainless steel rollers on a stainless steel track. Can Slimline Steel Effect glass walls be customized? Yes, these systems offer a high level of customization to suit different architectural styles, including simulated divided lites specified in various patterns, popular SE colors for a true steel effect look, and a contemporary glass stop option for a refined look. Contact your local NanaWall representative for additional options here. How energy-efficient and weather-resistant are Slimline Steel Effect folding patio doors? Steel effect folding systems are engineered for strong thermal and weather performance. Thermally broken frames and high-performance glazing help improve energy efficiency. Each NanaWall system has been independently tested for air, water, structural integrity, and forced entry with excellent results.

This 2400 sq. ft. home rests at the very beginning of the high mesa just outside of Taos. To the east, the Taos valley is green and verdant fed by rivers and streams that run down from the mountains, and to the west the high sagebrush mesa stretches off to the distant Brazos range. The house is sited to capture the high mountains to the northeast through the floor to ceiling height corner window off the kitchen/dining room.The main feature of this house is the central Atrium which is an 18 foot adobe octagon topped with a skylight to form an indoor courtyard complete with a fountain. Off of this central space are two offset squares, one to the east and one to the west. The bedrooms and mechanical room are on the west side and the kitchen, dining, living room and an office are on the east side. The house is a straw bale/adobe hybrid, has custom hand dyed plaster throughout with Talavera Tile in the public spaces and Saltillo Tile in the bedrooms. There is a large kiva fireplace in the living room, and a smaller one occupies a corner in the Master Bedroom. The Master Bathroom is finished in white marble tile. The separate garage is connected to the house with a triangular, arched breezeway with a copper ceiling.

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

When we started this project, the original builder kitchen was divided from the dining room in the front of the house, and the rooms were very closed off from the rest of the house. Our first task was to open the loadbearing and non loadbearing divider walls that was keeping everything separate in order to unify the space and make the house look and feel much larger. New Everwood waterproof plank flooring was installed to meet the daily needs of the family, as it wears exceptionally well, looks amazing and is unaffected by damp mopping. New Cabinetry was then installed, in Benjamn Moores "Distant Grey" colour, followed by Cambria "Brittanica" Luxury Quartz countertops complete with matching backsplash and dual waterfalls on the island.....stunning! A faux Quartz Farm Sink was installed and Restaurant style faucet was chosen. The same look was also applied to the Home office area and the landing area seat where Kids arriving home from School are able to sit down and take off coats and shoes! The end result is absolutely gorgeous and truly a Kitchen "To Die for!!!!!"

Aspect 221 is a multi-experiential home designed for a multi-generational family. Set on a sloping corner property in a 1960's Golden Valley neighborhood, this home offers a variety of ways to connect to the immediate landscapes and distant views. The house itself is divided vertically with interaction between families occurring through the centrally located sculptural stair. Horizontal movement in each direction leads to distinct environments provided for the families; multiple habitats offering variety of space, light, and privacy. Expanding towards the west, the property takes advantage of the sweeping views and provides a perfect opportunity for a walk-out lower level and tuck under garage. The young family occupies the middle and upper floors, while the parents occupy the lower level. Each family has their own private entry and dedicated outdoor space. The home has 4 distinct outdoor spaces; a north shade deck and south sun deck, as well as an upper east lawn and lower west lawn. These spaces provide multiple habitats for the families to come together or move apart, offering variety and privacy. We designed Aspect 221 with a nod to the various “aspects” offered by the site and its natural context. The base of the house is a black monolithic plinth anchored into the hillside, containing the garage and older parent’s home. This allows the upper two floors, enclosed in a fractured white and wood box, to remain humanly scaled and to move and gesture freely by twisting the middle floor off axis, and then twisting the upper floor off axis again. Each level offers views in varied directions revealing the site in different ways as you rise in elevation. Location: Golden Valley, MN Project Team: Ben Awes, AIA, Principal-In-Charge Chris Bach Nate Dodge