Nestled perfectly along a mountainside in the North Scottsdale Estancia Community, with views of Pinnacle Peak, and the Valley below, this landscape design honors the surrounding desert and the contemporary architecture of the home. A meandering driveway ascends the hillside to an auto court area where we placed mature cactus and yucca specimens. In the back, terracing was used to create interest and support from the intense hillside. We brought in mass boulders to retain the slope, while adding to the existing terrain. A succulent garden was placed in the terraced hillside using unique and rare species to enhance the surrounding native desert. A vertical fence of well casing rods was installed to preserve the view, while still securing the property. An infinity edge, glass tile pool is the perfect extension of the contemporary home. Project Details: Landscape Architect: Greey|Pickett Architect: Drewett Works Contractor: Manship Builders Interior Designer: David Michael Miller Associates Photography: Dino Tonn

The site descends from the street and is privileged with dynamic natural views toward a creek below and beyond. To incorporate the existing landscape into the daily life of the residents, the house steps down to the natural topography. A continuous and jogging retaining wall from outside to inside embeds the structure below natural grade at the front with flush transitions at its rear facade. All indoor spaces open up to a central courtyard which terraces down to the tree canopy, creating a readily visible and occupiable transitional space between man-made and nature. The courtyard scheme is simplified by two wings representing common and private zones - connected by a glass dining “bridge." This transparent volume also visually connects the front yard to the courtyard, clearing for the prospect view, while maintaining a subdued street presence. The staircase acts as a vertical “knuckle,” mediating shifting wing angles while contrasting the predominant horizontality of the house. Crips materiality and detailing, deep roof overhangs, and the one-and-half story wall at the rear further enhance the connection between outdoors and indoors, providing nuanced natural lighting throughout and a meaningful framed procession through the property. Photography Spaces and Faces Photography

The homeowners were very concerned about over-improving their modest split-level home built in 1961. They liked the “mid-century modern” feel and wanted to enhance that vibe. Top on their wish list was to replace the portable dishwasher with a built-in and add a peninsula for seating and workspace. To keep the labor cost down, the soffits and existing ceiling lighting was left intact. The first option was to keep the existing cabinets; however, the original layout did not allow adequate counter space on either side of the cooktop. After considered the price of new cabinets, they realized the value of having a brand new kitchen. The fun begins in the design phase. We chose the horizontal grain laminate to blend with the color of the existing woodwork in the home. The textured rhomboid shaped tile steals the show when accented with contrasting grout. The kitchen is a little mod and a little hip. And fits in perfectly as today’s “mid-century modern” home.

The conversion of this iconic American barn into a Writer’s Studio was conceived of as a tranquil retreat with natural light and lush views to stimulate inspiration for both husband and wife. Originally used as a garage with two horse stalls, the existing stick framed structure provided a loft with ideal space and orientation for a secluded studio. Signature barn features were maintained and enhanced such as horizontal siding, trim, large barn doors, cupola, roof overhangs, and framing. New features added to compliment the contextual significance and sustainability aspect of the project were reclaimed lumber from a razed barn used as flooring, driftwood retrieved from the shores of the Hudson River used for trim, and distressing / wearing new wood finishes creating an aged look. Along with the efforts for maintaining the historic character of the barn, modern elements were also incorporated into the design to provide a more current ensemble based on its new use. Elements such a light fixtures, window configurations, plumbing fixtures and appliances were all modernized to appropriately represent the present way of life.

Walk-in bathing room. Sporty Spa.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary master multicolored tile and mosaic tile mosaic tile floor and multicolored floor freestanding bathtub remodel in Portland with white walls

Updating the main level Master Suite began with recognizing the En Suite was undersized and inefficient relative to the scale of the home. The Bedroom and Closet were also in need of improvement. Window locations were changed to reorient the bed, creating improved Feng Shui, and beam work and lighting enhanced the existing tray ceiling. Arched openings frame the Shoe Closet designed with glass doors and silver leaf wallpaper, creating separation from the enlarged Dressing Room.

A young couple with three small children purchased this full floor loft in Tribeca in need of a gut renovation. The existing apartment was plagued with awkward spaces, limited natural light and an outdated décor. It was also lacking the required third child’s bedroom desperately needed for their newly expanded family. StudioLAB aimed for a fluid open-plan layout in the larger public spaces while creating smaller, tighter quarters in the rear private spaces to satisfy the family’s programmatic wishes. 3 small children’s bedrooms were carved out of the rear lower level connected by a communal playroom and a shared kid’s bathroom. Upstairs, the master bedroom and master bathroom float above the kid’s rooms on a mezzanine accessed by a newly built staircase. Ample new storage was built underneath the staircase as an extension of the open kitchen and dining areas. A custom pull out drawer containing the food and water bowls was installed for the family’s two dogs to be hidden away out of site when not in use. All wall surfaces, existing and new, were limited to a bright but warm white finish to create a seamless integration in the ceiling and wall structures allowing the spatial progression of the space and sculptural quality of the midcentury modern furniture pieces and colorful original artwork, painted by the wife’s brother, to enhance the space. The existing tin ceiling was left in the living room to maximize ceiling heights and remain a reminder of the historical details of the original construction. A new central AC system was added with an exposed cylindrical duct running along the long living room wall. A small office nook was built next to the elevator tucked away to be out of site.

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Location: Hingham, MA, USA This newly constructed home in Hingham, MA was designed to openly embrace the seashore landscape surrounding it. The front entrance has a relaxed elegance with a classic plant theme of boxwood, hydrangea and grasses. The back opens to beautiful views of the harbor, with a terraced patio running the length of the house. The infinity pool blends seamlessly with the water landscape and splashes over the wall into the weir below. Planting beds break up the expanse of paving and soften the outdoor living spaces. The sculpture, made by a personal friend of the family, creates a stunning focal point with the open sky and sea behind. One side of the property was densely planted with large Spruce, Juniper and Birch on top of a 7' berm to provide instant privacy. Hokonechloa grass weaves its way around Annabelle Hydrangeas and Flower Carpet Roses. The other side had an existing stone stairway which was enhanced with a grove of Birch, hydrangea and Hakone grass. The Limelight Tree Hydrangeas and Boxwood offer a fresh welcome, while the Miscanthus grasses add a casual touch. The Stone wall and patio create a resting spot between rounds of tennis. The granite steps in the lawn allow for a comfortable transition up a steeper slope.

After having lived in 22 different places all around the world, this family decided to settle in a Dutch colonial home in Harding Township. The house sits on a wonderful piece of property that is only challenged by the wetlands that surround it. For this reason, we had to work within the existing footprint and not consider any additions. The homeowners wanted to be able to host the holidays in their new home which meant we had an aggressive design and construction schedule. We started the design work in the Spring of 2012 and construction took place over the Summer and into the Fall. By Thanksgiving, the project was complete, with no meaningful cost overruns. Renovations included a new kitchen, mudroom, and office/library on the first floor and a new master suite, hall bath, home office, and laundry room upstairs. The challenge was creating comfortable space with clean lines that would accommodate the homeowner’s casual and worldly lifestyle, but would not feel out of place with the character of the existing house. The kitchen is a glorious hard-working space with lots of counter space, space for a giant farmer’s table, and symmetrical views through oversized double hung-windows out to the expansive yard. The master bath is outfitted with wood, stone, and metal, and also includes artifacts from some of their world travels. In a second phase of work, we designed some outbuilding to further enhance the character of the property. Currently we are working with the family to design a memorial to honor their child who died of Leukemia.

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.

www.LeichtCA.com MODO | DESIGN OPTIONS A functional vision for the backsplash. The house of LEICHT has designed the MODO system, focusing on the exciting contrast of metal and natural wood. It will enhance every modern kitchen with it's clear lines and puristic form language. It provides easy access to the required cooking utensils and eases the straight lined kitchen architecture at the same time. A horizontal square railing of stainless steel colored aluminium screwed directly onto the niche back wall, provides the basic support element. Several function elements in lacquered solid oak are suspended here in various positions. The choice of instruments: shelves, paper roll holders, hook rail, utensil holder and a knife block. Separate function items can also be used as a shelf for smaller items. All lighting developed and designed by LEICHT demonstrates energy efficiency class A+ UL listed and is thus highly efficient. premium LED light with 4100 K (Kelvin) luminous color.

When the homeowners first purchased the 1925 house, it was compartmentalized, outdated, and completely unfunctional for their growing family. Casework designed the owner's previous kitchen and family room and was brought in to lead up the creative direction for the project. Casework teamed up with architect Paul Crowther and brother sister team Ainslie Davis on the addition and remodel of the Colonial. The existing kitchen and powder bath were demoed and walls expanded to create a new footprint for the home. This created a much larger, more open kitchen and breakfast nook with mudroom, pantry and more private half bath. In the spacious kitchen, a large walnut island perfectly compliments the homes existing oak floors without feeling too heavy. Paired with brass accents, Calcutta Carrera marble countertops, and clean white cabinets and tile, the kitchen feels bright and open - the perfect spot for a glass of wine with friends or dinner with the whole family. There was no official master prior to the renovations. The existing four bedrooms and one separate bathroom became two smaller bedrooms perfectly suited for the client’s two daughters, while the third became the true master complete with walk-in closet and master bath. There are future plans for a second story addition that would transform the current master into a guest suite and build out a master bedroom and bath complete with walk in shower and free standing tub. Overall, a light, neutral palette was incorporated to draw attention to the existing colonial details of the home, like coved ceilings and leaded glass windows, that the homeowners fell in love with. Modern furnishings and art were mixed in to make this space an eclectic haven.

Absolutely stunning Taj Mahal natural quartz countertop fabricated with a waterfall end on both sides. Upper wall cabinets were prepped with amber colored glass inserts. All Gaggenau appliances; 36" refrigerator, 24" microwave and oven, 30" cooktop. Stainless steel toekick throughout to enhance the other chrome and stainless steel hardware and appliances used. Appliance panels were used on the dishwasher and refrigerator. Two finish options are featured; Harbor Mist with Pewter Glaze and a custom high gloss paint. All Wood-Mode cabinets. Interior Design by: Slovack Bass. Cabinet Design by: Nicole Bruno Marino Cabinet Innovations Copyright 2013 Don A. Hoffman

The conversion of this iconic American barn into a Writer’s Studio was conceived of as a tranquil retreat with natural light and lush views to stimulate inspiration for both husband and wife. Originally used as a garage with two horse stalls, the existing stick framed structure provided a loft with ideal space and orientation for a secluded studio. Signature barn features were maintained and enhanced such as horizontal siding, trim, large barn doors, cupola, roof overhangs, and framing. New features added to compliment the contextual significance and sustainability aspect of the project were reclaimed lumber from a razed barn used as flooring, driftwood retrieved from the shores of the Hudson River used for trim, and distressing / wearing new wood finishes creating an aged look. Along with the efforts for maintaining the historic character of the barn, modern elements were also incorporated into the design to provide a more current ensemble based on its new use. Elements such a light fixtures, window configurations, plumbing fixtures and appliances were all modernized to appropriately represent the present way of life. Photographer: Erik Fred

Lloyd Wright, son of Frank Lloyd Wright, designed the low-slung Gainsburg House in 1946 in the spirit of his father’s Usonian House prototypes of the 1930s. The new owners sought to reverse years of insensitive alterations while including a new kitchen, dining and family rooms, updated bathrooms, lighting and finishes, with accommodation for contemporary art display. The house was conceived as one area within an overall site geometry and the exterior can be seen from all interior angles and spaces. Our new palette compliments the original finishes and reinforces the existing geometry, enhancing a rhythm that moves throughout the house and engages the landscape in a continuous spatial composition. Images by Steve King Architectural Photography

“Dramatic” and “no detail spared” are two ways to describe this stunning home in Corona del Mar. Located on an oversized bluff side lot with views of Newport Harbor, Catalina, and the Pacific Ocean, the contemporary dwelling is the work of Brandon Architects Inc. and Spinnaker Development. Door and window systems from Western are used throughout, especially the Series 600 Multi-Slide, where it’s used to enhance features such as indoor/outdoor living areas and a guest casita that opens to a courtyard. Photos by Jeri Koegel.

Addition to an existing traditional brick home. Completely reoriented the original plan and flow of the house and enhancing the existing pool area. Chris Little, photographer

Photo by Barbara Wilson Landscape Architect, LLC A small residential, seaside property located on Fairfield Beach, Fairfield was renovated by the new owners and adapted for their active family. Barbara was the landscape architect in charge of all of the landscape elements upgrades. She designed new bluestone curving paths to access the front and side doors and designed new landscape lighting to enhance the walks. The existing trees were saved and she designed new shade and salt-tolerant plantings which were added to provide seasonal color and interest while respecting the existing plantings. Along the beach front additional native beach grasses were added to stabilize the dunes while removing some invasive plantings. This work will be phased over the next few years in an effort to keep the sand stable. Beach roses were incorporated into a hollow in the dunes. A small lawn area was renovated and the surrounding Black Pines pruned to provide a small play area and respite from the sun. Beautiful reblooming hydrangeas line the edge of the gravel driveway. Rounded beach stones were used instead of mulch in the island planting along the edge of the adjacent road planted with Miscanthus, Mugo pine and yucca. Barbara designed a custom kayak rack, custom garbage enclosure, a new layout of the existing wooden deck to facilitate access to the side doors, and detailed how to renovate the front door into only an emergency access with new railings and steps. She coordinating obtaining bids and then supervised the installation of all elements for the new landscape the project. The interiors were designed by Jack Montgomery Design of Greenwich, CT and NYC . Tree work was completed by Bartlett Tree Experts. Freddy’s Landscape Company of Fairfield, CT installed the new plantings, installed all the new masonry work and provides landscape maintenance services. JT Low Voltage and Electric installed the landscape lighting.