Peter Margonelli
Coastal three-story stone exterior home idea in New York

The Clients contacted Cecil Baker + Partners to reconfigure and remodel the top floor of a prominent Philadelphia high-rise into an urban pied-a-terre. The forty-five story apartment building, overlooking Washington Square Park and its surrounding neighborhoods, provided a modern shell for this truly contemporary renovation. Originally configured as three penthouse units, the 8,700 sf interior, as well as 2,500 square feet of terrace space, was to become a single residence with sweeping views of the city in all directions. The Client’s mission was to create a city home for collecting and displaying contemporary glass crafts. Their stated desire was to cast an urban home that was, in itself, a gallery. While they enjoy a very vital family life, this home was targeted to their urban activities - entertainment being a central element. The living areas are designed to be open and to flow into each other, with pockets of secondary functions. At large social events, guests feel free to access all areas of the penthouse, including the master bedroom suite. A main gallery was created in order to house unique, travelling art shows. Stemming from their desire to entertain, the penthouse was built around the need for elaborate food preparation. Cooking would be visible from several entertainment areas with a “show” kitchen, provided for their renowned chef. Secondary preparation and cleaning facilities were tucked away. The architects crafted a distinctive residence that is framed around the gallery experience, while also incorporating softer residential moments. Cecil Baker + Partners embraced every element of the new penthouse design beyond those normally associated with an architect’s sphere, from all material selections, furniture selections, furniture design, and art placement. Barry Halkin and Todd Mason Photography

Tom Bonner
Example of a large trendy open concept light wood floor living room design in Los Angeles with white walls, a corner fireplace and a brick fireplace

MALIBU RESTAURANT The stacked volumes of 22716 Pacific Coast Highway, recall Rudolph Schindler’s beach side Lovell house with its clean modern lines, generous overhangs and framed views of the Santa Monica bay and the Malibu pier. In a palette rich with teak timbers, meticulous wood detailing and rugged stone accents, this restaurant offers secluded moments in intimately-sized spaces as well as expansive areas for dining and event gatherings, each with their own breezy vistas. Away from the hum of the Pacific Coast Highway, the low-lying forms and earthy materials were derived from the site’s exquisite natural setting on Carbon Beach in Malibu. Passing through a tall stone wall one is escorted from the hectic PCH to the tranquil interiors filled with luxurious natural woods and stones, accented with bronze and glass. The expansive south facing glass facade then encourages the visitor to take in the panoramic views of the sea. Deep overhangs ensure that those seeking protection can be shielded from the rays, but sun-hungry guests can also chose an outdoor deck area with cozy spots between the canopy trees that recall the fashionably intimate beaches of Saint Tropez.

Telfer MacArthur House (Charles White & Bertram A. Weber, 1928). A beautifully appointed Arts and Crafts-influenced home with a dramatic two-story addition.

Jay Sifford
This is an example of an eclectic landscaping in Charlotte.

Our reach extends beyond New England: in the heart of Sea Island, Georgia, a custom mahogany conservatory roof now stands as another testament to Sunspace Design’s commitment to quality glass construction near and far. This expansive 14′ x 16′ roof was crafted in our New Hampshire workshop before being sent on a journey south by truck. Upon reaching the job site, our team carefully reassembled it piece by piece. The unit was then crane-lifted into its final position atop the conventionally constructed walls provided by the general contractor. The Sunspace team then finished installation. Meticulous logistical planning and careful execution made this possible. The project is a great example of productive collaboration between industry professionals. Working hand-in-hand with Ussery-Rule Architects and Joe Bowles Construction (both local to St. Simons Island), Sunspace’s first contribution was the provision of engineered drawings for the local team’s use. Working in sync from afar, the new construction was perfectly prepared to receive our custom glass roof components well before our arrival. The new space is stunning. Sunlight floods the entertainment area below through high-performance PPG Solarban 70 insulated glass. Glass selection is crucial, and Solarban 70 ensures a comfortable interior environment throughout the year. The exterior is no less beautiful, and is adorned with elegant copper cladding and flashing that creates a striking effect beside the surrounding architecture. No glass space is more elegant than a traditional conservatory, and here we see a gorgeous example which fuses New England ingenuity and Southern charm. We take immense pride in our contribution and hope the clients enjoy their space for years to come, nature and architecture coexisting in perfect harmony on the shores of Sea Island.

South Elevation: 7,000 SF, 4 bed, 4 bath, Guest Suite, 4 car garage, pool Township’s Victorian styles catalyzed design initiating use of 7 separate materials to comply with style rules: brick, slate, wood, copper, marble, glass and tile. Corner lot’s diagonal axis (north/south) established structures orientation (east/west). Asymmetry commences on axis intersect with formal functions housed in split pyramid shape with monumental steps whose locus, a Palladian Window, accesses Grand Foyer with barrel vault hovering above double curvilinear staircases exiting at South facing window wall balcony which attaches to 2 bedroom suites with private baths. The Master Suite contains platform sleeping area adjoining covered balcony, barrel vaulted seating area with fireplace and French door barrel vaulted seating area with fireplace and French door barrel vaulted sauna. Formal 20 seat dinning area and living area with study and alcove library adjoin grand foyer on ground floor. Den with bar and fireplace adjoin kitchen with walk in pantry. A glass wall spills kitchen onto entertainment plaza. Salt box form completes 2 car garage and second floor guest quarters with private entrance. Ground plane completes design with Grecian shaped perennial/flowering landscaping. Design includes Multi zoned hydronic heating with booster electrical coil fans, full basement, exterior storage sheds, Jen-air appliances, Waterford chandeliers, security and burglar alarm system complete estate’s appointments.

Bathroom by MF Construction & Design Inc.
Bathroom - contemporary bathroom idea in Los Angeles

We take care of your property, doing everything we can to prevent scratches and damage. Let us know of any areas of concern and we will address it immediately.

This 1980's home started out looking more like a cabin in the woods rather than the ocean front beach house it is. It had cedar wood ceilings, walls, wood-look laminate flooring, oak cabinets, and very outdated tile everywhere else. Almost everything was torn out with only the ceiling and some of the walls remaining, which were painted out in white and light gray to open up and brighten the space. Existing walls were smooth plastered to remove the dated heavy texture and the floors were replaced with a very beach friendly and practical wood-print porcelain tile in a herringbone pattern. Everything beach was the inspiration without becoming too kitschy. And the one rule was "no lighthouses", but there are corals, sea shells, coral, and a sail boat for good measure.

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.

Our reach extends beyond New England: in the heart of Sea Island, Georgia, a custom mahogany conservatory roof now stands as another testament to Sunspace Design’s commitment to quality glass construction near and far. This expansive 14′ x 16′ roof was crafted in our New Hampshire workshop before being sent on a journey south by truck. Upon reaching the job site, our team carefully reassembled it piece by piece. The unit was then crane-lifted into its final position atop the conventionally constructed walls provided by the general contractor. The Sunspace team then finished installation. Meticulous logistical planning and careful execution made this possible. The project is a great example of productive collaboration between industry professionals. Working hand-in-hand with Ussery-Rule Architects and Joe Bowles Construction (both local to St. Simons Island), Sunspace’s first contribution was the provision of engineered drawings for the local team’s use. Working in sync from afar, the new construction was perfectly prepared to receive our custom glass roof components well before our arrival. The new space is stunning. Sunlight floods the entertainment area below through high-performance PPG Solarban 70 insulated glass. Glass selection is crucial, and Solarban 70 ensures a comfortable interior environment throughout the year. The exterior is no less beautiful, and is adorned with elegant copper cladding and flashing that creates a striking effect beside the surrounding architecture. No glass space is more elegant than a traditional conservatory, and here we see a gorgeous example which fuses New England ingenuity and Southern charm. We take immense pride in our contribution and hope the clients enjoy their space for years to come, nature and architecture coexisting in perfect harmony on the shores of Sea Island.

Who wouldn't want to keep their apartment in Buenos Aires? This family did. Which meant their new home in Bloomington was a fresh start and needed remodeling as well as furnishings—rugs, seating, art and everything in between. Local architect Russ Herndon revamped and opened up the kitchen in this 1970s ranch, moving awkwardly placed doors in three different locations to improve the traffic flow and allow for optimal furniture placement. SYI swept in to furnish and finish the public spaces with a careful mix of vintage and new, neutral and bold, family comfort and modern chic. The homeowner (turned friend) was a wonderful collaborator and speedy decision maker. Only one hard and fast rule governed the process: no yellow and blue, the colors of Brazil, Argentina's arch rival in soccer.

This 1980's home started out looking more like a cabin in the woods rather than the ocean front beach house it is. It had cedar wood ceilings, walls, wood-look laminate flooring, oak cabinets, and very outdated tile everywhere else. Almost everything was torn out with only the ceiling and some of the walls remaining, which were painted out in white and light gray to open up and brighten the space. Existing walls were smooth plastered to remove the dated heavy texture and the floors were replaced with a very beach friendly and practical wood-print porcelain tile in a herringbone pattern. Everything beach was the inspiration without becoming too kitschy. And the one rule was "no lighthouses", but there are corals, sea shells, coral, and a sail boat for good measure.

A modern take on a butler's pantry now fills the space that was formerly the kitchen. This colorful space not only provides a secondary prep area, complete with a bar sink and freezer drawers but it also includes airy, glass-doored cabinetry for displaying china.

https://www.beangroup.com/homes/45-E-Andover-Road-Andover/ME/04216/AGT-2261431456-942410/index.html Merrill House is a gracious, Early American Country Estate located in the picturesque Androscoggin River Valley, about a half hour northeast of Sunday River Ski Resort, Maine. This baronial estate, once a trophy of successful American frontier family and railroads industry publisher, Henry Varnum Poor, founder of Standard & Poor’s Corp., is comprised of a grand main house, caretaker’s house, and several barns. Entrance is through a Gothic great hall standing 30’ x 60’ and another 30’ high in the apex of its cathedral ceiling and showcases a granite hearth and mantel 12’ wide. Owned by the same family for over 225 years, it is currently a family retreat and is available for seasonal weddings and events with the capacity to accommodate 32 overnight guests and 200 outdoor guests. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and heralding contributions from Frederick Law Olmsted and Stanford White, the beautiful, legacy property sits on 110 acres of fields and forest with expansive views of the scenic Ellis River Valley and Mahoosuc mountains, offering more than a half-mile of pristine river-front, private spring-fed pond and beach, and 5 acres of manicured lawns and gardens. The historic property can be envisioned as a magnificent private residence, ski lodge, corporate retreat, hunting and fishing lodge, potential bed and breakfast, farm - with options for organic farming, commercial solar, storage or subdivision. Showings offered by appointment.

Complete Renovation
Great room - mid-sized modern light wood floor great room idea in New York with white walls and no fireplace

The Clients contacted Cecil Baker + Partners to reconfigure and remodel the top floor of a prominent Philadelphia high-rise into an urban pied-a-terre. The forty-five story apartment building, overlooking Washington Square Park and its surrounding neighborhoods, provided a modern shell for this truly contemporary renovation. Originally configured as three penthouse units, the 8,700 sf interior, as well as 2,500 square feet of terrace space, was to become a single residence with sweeping views of the city in all directions. The Client’s mission was to create a city home for collecting and displaying contemporary glass crafts. Their stated desire was to cast an urban home that was, in itself, a gallery. While they enjoy a very vital family life, this home was targeted to their urban activities - entertainment being a central element. The living areas are designed to be open and to flow into each other, with pockets of secondary functions. At large social events, guests feel free to access all areas of the penthouse, including the master bedroom suite. A main gallery was created in order to house unique, travelling art shows. Stemming from their desire to entertain, the penthouse was built around the need for elaborate food preparation. Cooking would be visible from several entertainment areas with a “show” kitchen, provided for their renowned chef. Secondary preparation and cleaning facilities were tucked away. The architects crafted a distinctive residence that is framed around the gallery experience, while also incorporating softer residential moments. Cecil Baker + Partners embraced every element of the new penthouse design beyond those normally associated with an architect’s sphere, from all material selections, furniture selections, furniture design, and art placement. Barry Halkin and Todd Mason Photography