Designed for a family who is relocating back to California, this contemporary residence sits atop a severely steep site in the community of Las Ventanas. Working with the topography led to some creative design solutions, structurally and aesthetically, to accommodate all of the family’s programatic needs. The 4127 s.f. home fits into the relatively small building footprint while an infinity edge pool cantilevers 22′ above grade. With spectacular views of the Arroyo Grande foothills and farms, this main pool deck becomes a major feature of the home. All living spaces, including the great room and kitchen open up to this deck, ideal for relaxation and entertainment. Given that the owners have five golden retrievers, this outdoor space also serves as an area for the dogs. The design includes multiple water features and even a dog pond. To further emphasize the views, a third story mitered glass reading room gives one the impression of sitting above the treetops. The use of warm IPE hardwood siding and stone cladding blend the structure into the surrounding landscape while still offering a clean and contemporary aesthetic.

This gorgeous kitchen is on display at our Bradford and Kent design center. A client favorite, we combined classic white cabinets with a siletone brown counter top and multi colored back splash. The glass inserts in the cabinetry, farmhouse sink and paneled appliances enhances the elegant feel.

Black PVC vinyl privacy fence. V300-6 Illusions Vinyl Tongue and Groove Privacy Fence shown in the Grand Illusions Color Spectrum Black (L105).
Photo of a traditional landscaping in New York.

Overview Extension and complete refurbishment. The Brief The existing house had very shallow rooms with a need for more depth throughout the property by extending into the rear garden which is large and south facing. We were to look at extending to the rear and to the end of the property, where we had redundant garden space, to maximise the footprint and yield a series of WOW factor spaces maximising the value of the house. The brief requested 4 bedrooms plus a luxurious guest space with separate access; large, open plan living spaces with large kitchen/entertaining area, utility and larder; family bathroom space and a high specification ensuite to two bedrooms. In addition, we were to create balconies overlooking a beautiful garden and design a ‘kerb appeal’ frontage facing the sought-after street location. Buildings of this age lend themselves to use of natural materials like handmade tiles, good quality bricks and external insulation/render systems with timber windows. We specified high quality materials to achieve a highly desirable look which has become a hit on Houzz. Our Solution One of our specialisms is the refurbishment and extension of detached 1930’s properties. Taking the existing small rooms and lack of relationship to a large garden we added a double height rear extension to both ends of the plan and a new garage annex with guest suite. We wanted to create a view of, and route to the garden from the front door and a series of living spaces to meet our client’s needs. The front of the building needed a fresh approach to the ordinary palette of materials and we re-glazed throughout working closely with a great build team.

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Polett Photo
Elegant kitchen photo in Baltimore with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, white backsplash and paneled appliances

Photography by Keith Scott Morton From grand estates, to exquisite country homes, to whole house renovations, the quality and attention to detail of a "Significant Homes" custom home is immediately apparent. Full time on-site supervision, a dedicated office staff and hand picked professional craftsmen are the team that take you from groundbreaking to occupancy. Every "Significant Homes" project represents 45 years of luxury homebuilding experience, and a commitment to quality widely recognized by architects, the press and, most of all....thoroughly satisfied homeowners. Our projects have been published in Architectural Digest 6 times along with many other publications and books. Though the lion share of our work has been in Fairfield and Westchester counties, we have built homes in Palm Beach, Aspen, Maine, Nantucket and Long Island.

This 1910 masterpiece designed by famed architect Howard van Doren Shaw was transformed by us specifically for formal entertaining. Its elegantly-appointed interiors emphasize a museum-quality collection of fine art and antiques. Photos by: June Suthigoseeya

Unmatched quality. Attention to every detail. Stunning visual appeal. Eurowood Cabinets provides the finest custom cabinetry available. Contact us today. (402) 393-4110. tylerp@eurowood.net.

Innovative Wine Cellar Designs is the nation’s leading custom wine cellar design, build, installation and refrigeration firm. As a wine cellar design build company, we believe in the fundamental principles of architecture, design, and functionality while also recognizing the value of the visual impact and financial investment of a quality wine cellar. By combining our experience and skill with our attention to detail and complete project management, the end result will be a state of the art, custom masterpiece. Our design consultants and sales staff are well versed in every feature that your custom wine cellar will require.

This modern farmhouse located outside of Spokane, Washington, creates a prominent focal point among the landscape of rolling plains. The composition of the home is dominated by three steep gable rooflines linked together by a central spine. This unique design evokes a sense of expansion and contraction from one space to the next. Vertical cedar siding, poured concrete, and zinc gray metal elements clad the modern farmhouse, which, combined with a shop that has the aesthetic of a weathered barn, creates a sense of modernity that remains rooted to the surrounding environment. The Glo double pane A5 Series windows and doors were selected for the project because of their sleek, modern aesthetic and advanced thermal technology over traditional aluminum windows. High performance spacers, low iron glass, larger continuous thermal breaks, and multiple air seals allows the A5 Series to deliver high performance values and cost effective durability while remaining a sophisticated and stylish design choice. Strategically placed operable windows paired with large expanses of fixed picture windows provide natural ventilation and a visual connection to the outdoors.

Tuscan living room photo in Houston with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional full sun backyard formal garden in Austin for spring.

This front garden was transformed into a garden patio that attracts birds and butterflies. Kelly Greenwood
Photo of a mid-sized mediterranean partial sun backyard stone formal garden in San Francisco.

Located in Whitefish, Montana near one of our nation’s most beautiful national parks, Glacier National Park, Great Northern Lodge was designed and constructed with a grandeur and timelessness that is rarely found in much of today’s fast paced construction practices. Influenced by the solid stacked masonry constructed for Sperry Chalet in Glacier National Park, Great Northern Lodge uniquely exemplifies Parkitecture style masonry. The owner had made a commitment to quality at the onset of the project and was adamant about designating stone as the most dominant material. The criteria for the stone selection was to be an indigenous stone that replicated the unique, maroon colored Sperry Chalet stone accompanied by a masculine scale. Great Northern Lodge incorporates centuries of gained knowledge on masonry construction with modern design and construction capabilities and will stand as one of northern Montana’s most distinguished structures for centuries to come.

This guest bathroom has white marble tile in the shower and small herringbone mosaic on the floor. The shower tile is taken all the way to the ceiling to emphasize height and create a larger volume in an otherwise small space. large 12 x24 marble tiles were cut down in three widths, to create a pleasing rhythm and pattern. The sink cabinet also has a marble top.

The modern faucet on the floating vanity, emphasizing clean design and quality craftsmanship.
Example of a trendy bathroom design in New York

Kitchen - mediterranean u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen idea in Portland with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, white backsplash, black appliances, an island and gray countertops