Setting the penthouse 12 feet away from the property lines allowed for outdoor rooms. as well as another opportunity for an environmental feature: storm water management. With tall light embracing windows and bifold doors the indoors feels a part of the outdoors and vice versa. Photo by Lincoln Barber

This gracious property in the award-winning Blaine school district - and just off the Southport Corridor - marries an old world European design sensibility with contemporary technologies and unique artisan details. With more than 5,200 square feet, the home has four bedrooms and three bathrooms on the second floor, including a luxurious master suite with a private terrace. The house also boasts a distinct foyer; formal living and dining rooms designed in an open-plan concept; an expansive, eat-in, gourmet kitchen which is open to the first floor great room; lower-level family room; an attached, heated, 2-½ car garage with roof deck; a penthouse den and roof deck; and two additional rooms on the lower level which could be used as bedrooms, home offices or exercise rooms. The home, designed with an extra-wide floorplan, achieved through side yard relief, also has considerable, professionally-landscaped outdoor living spaces. This brick and limestone residence has been designed with family-functional experiences and classically proportioned spaces in mind. Highly-efficient environmental technologies have been integrated into the design and construction and the plan also takes into consideration the incorporation of all types of advanced communications systems. The home went under contract in less than 45 days in 2011. Jim Yochum

Matthew Williams
Large beach style side yard rectangular infinity pool photo in New York with decking

Albatron Rustic White Oak 9/16 x 9 ½ x 96” Albatron: This light white washed hardwood floor inspired by snowy mountains brings elegance to your home. This hardwood floor offers a light wire brushed texture. Specie: Rustic French White Oak Appearance: Color: Light White Variation: Moderate Properties: Durability: Dense, strong, excellent resistance. Construction: T&G, 3 Ply Engineered floor. The use of Heveas or Rubber core makes this floor environmentally friendly. Finish: 8% UV acrylic urethane with scratch resistant by Klumpp Sizes: 9/16 x 9 ½ x 96”, (85% of its board), with a 3.2mm wear layer. Warranty: 25 years limited warranty.

This gracious property in the award-winning Blaine school district - and just off the Southport Corridor - marries an old world European design sensibility with contemporary technologies and unique artisan details. With more than 5,200 square feet, the home has four bedrooms and three bathrooms on the second floor, including a luxurious master suite with a private terrace. The house also boasts a distinct foyer; formal living and dining rooms designed in an open-plan concept; an expansive, eat-in, gourmet kitchen which is open to the first floor great room; lower-level family room; an attached, heated, 2-½ car garage with roof deck; a penthouse den and roof deck; and two additional rooms on the lower level which could be used as bedrooms, home offices or exercise rooms. The home, designed with an extra-wide floorplan, achieved through side yard relief, also has considerable, professionally-landscaped outdoor living spaces. This brick and limestone residence has been designed with family-functional experiences and classically proportioned spaces in mind. Highly-efficient environmental technologies have been integrated into the design and construction and the plan also takes into consideration the incorporation of all types of advanced communications systems. The home went under contract in less than 45 days in 2011. Jim Yochum

The design of this home was driven by the owners’ desire for a three-bedroom waterfront home that showcased the spectacular views and park-like setting. As nature lovers, they wanted their home to be organic, minimize any environmental impact on the sensitive site and embrace nature. This unique home is sited on a high ridge with a 45° slope to the water on the right and a deep ravine on the left. The five-acre site is completely wooded and tree preservation was a major emphasis. Very few trees were removed and special care was taken to protect the trees and environment throughout the project. To further minimize disturbance, grades were not changed and the home was designed to take full advantage of the site’s natural topography. Oak from the home site was re-purposed for the mantle, powder room counter and select furniture. The visually powerful twin pavilions were born from the need for level ground and parking on an otherwise challenging site. Fill dirt excavated from the main home provided the foundation. All structures are anchored with a natural stone base and exterior materials include timber framing, fir ceilings, shingle siding, a partial metal roof and corten steel walls. Stone, wood, metal and glass transition the exterior to the interior and large wood windows flood the home with light and showcase the setting. Interior finishes include reclaimed heart pine floors, Douglas fir trim, dry-stacked stone, rustic cherry cabinets and soapstone counters. Exterior spaces include a timber-framed porch, stone patio with fire pit and commanding views of the Occoquan reservoir. A second porch overlooks the ravine and a breezeway connects the garage to the home. Numerous energy-saving features have been incorporated, including LED lighting, on-demand gas water heating and special insulation. Smart technology helps manage and control the entire house. Greg Hadley Photography

Hear what our clients, Lisa & Rick, have to say about their project by clicking on the Facebook link and then the Videos tab. Hannah Goering Photography

The peeks of container throughout the home are a nod to its signature architectural detail. Bringing the outdoors in was also important to the homeowners and the designers were able to harvest trees from the property to use throughout the home. Natural light pours into the home during the day from the many purposefully positioned windows.

This project won in the 2013 Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh Housing Excellence Award for Best Urban Renewal Renovation Project. The glass bowl was made in the glass studio owned by the owner which is adjacent to the residence. The mirror is a repurposed window. The door is repurposed from a boarding house. George Mendel

Photo: Jason Snyder © 2013 Houzz
Inspiration for a farmhouse three-car garage remodel

A trellised terrace opens up to a quieter view of a magnificent existing redwood grove and bioswale filled with clusters of ornamental grasses and perennials. Photography by Marion Brenner

Rear Gabions filled with salvaged "rounds" from storm felled local trees. ©ToddHaimanLandscapeDesign2014
Photo of a small eclectic partial sun backyard gravel water fountain landscape in New York.

This award-winning home in Cannon Beach, Oregon takes advantage of excellent ocean views and southern solar exposure. The client’s goal was for a home that would last for multiple generations and capture their love of materials and forms found in nature. Designed to generate as much energy as it consumes on an annual basis, the home is pursuing the goal of being a “net-zero-energy” residence. The environmentally responsive design promotes a healthy indoor environment, saves energy with an ultra energy-efficient envelope, and utilized recycled and salvaged materials in its construction. Daniel Root

Eric Roth Photography
Country light wood floor mudroom photo in Boston with white walls and a glass front door

NanDro manufactures and installs environmentally-friendly protective shields, sealants and concrete materials. Our coatings, sealers and materials can be used to defend your surface from harmful environmental elements as well as everyday wear and tear! NanDro also is an applicator and can coat your products in house or out in the field. NanDro Concrete Shield protects concrete and masonry surfaces from multiple destructive forces. Unprotected concrete surfaces can be damaged by water, salt spray, acid from food/beverages & waste, gum, graffiti, and chloride ion. When coated, the concrete surface will not only be protected from these damaging elements, but will also be aesthetically enhanced with a peel and flake resistant gloss or satin finish. NanDro Wood Shield is the all in one solution for protecting your everyday wooden surfaces. It protects from UV damage, acid etching, water spots, moisture and other natural decay. These features make it ideal for use not only in the home, but also in industries such as restaurants, marinas, decks, furniture, and the rest of the great outdoors. NanDro Metal Shield is ideal for protecting, and preserving metal surfaces under various conditions. It provides protection against all types of corrosion from water, salt spray, chemical exposure, as well as other damaging environmental elements. Due to its anti-corrosion properties, the Metal Coat also eliminates the need to polish easily tarnished metals, such as aluminum, copper, and brass. It also provides UV protection for the metal surface and reduces ice adhesion. Also available is the NanDro Stainless Steel Coating.

A rain garden on the property line is shared by both neighbors and provides a beautiful solution to a common problem Design by Amy Whitworth Installation and Stonework by Stormwater Resource Group

metal panels used on this project for entry and property fencing
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary partial sun front yard garden path in Brisbane with decking.

Decomposed Granite path between Giant Sequoias leads to repurposed, reshaped and stained rear concrete slab. Micro-climate appropriate plants complete the picture. Photo by Ketti Kupper.