The clients were inspired to renovate following exposure to Zen architecture while honeymooning in Japan. The architectural brief was to deliver a modern Australian home that serves as a private, meditative retreat that would also cater to a buzzing family as their relationship evolves; and transform into a welcoming and generous entertaining space. The home would need to maximise the potential of the sites orientation and create a strong connection to generous and versatile outdoor spaces including sheltered entertaining areas and spacious areas for planting and lawn. It was essential that elements of the existing residence be retained where possible to reduce waste, however disguised so that the final product was effectively a new home.

Exquisite craftsmanship creates a breathtaking backyard oasis. When the scope of this project evolved from a new driveway and patio to include a full-size pool and outdoor eating area, D. A. Dunlevy approached the design with an extra eye on the details. Our team of craftsmen and artisans created a one-of-a-kind living space with stone walls, intricate plantings, walkways merged with greenery, an expansive outdoor dining area, and a stone fire pit. The pool and hot tub were incorporated into the design to blend perfectly with the landscaping, resulting in a breathtaking outdoor area perfect for entertaining and recharging.

This rental condo needed an update and refresh after the tenants’ style and needs evolved. The young professional couple had been living in the space for almost ten years and had gone through a series of career and lifestyle changes, including the arrival of their first child. By taking full advantage of vertical space and clever multi-purpose storage, this 650 sq.ft., 1 bedroom-plus-den condo now includes a large pantry (complete with freezer), space for a home office, lots of storage, and a fully functioning nursery - all without taking away from the comfy and stylish principal bedroom or main living space.

“The Hill Country has a strong tradition of design using its local materials and simple regional forms,” says Dallas architect Stephen Chambers. In this region of Texas, local means limestone, and the regional forms of steeply pitched metal roofs, deep porches, and wide overhangs. To create the look of a ranch house that has evolved over the years, Steve broke the house into a series of wings. Varied rooflines, window configurations, and dormers also enhance the feeling of an ongoing expansion. Photo © 2019 Peter Larsen.

These empty-nesters designed their dream “in-town home” by evolving the kitchen in their former home to meet their needs today. The owner loves to entertain, and there were three key elements behind the design to make this kitchen a cook’s dream: accommodating a generous banquette for seating, an L shaped island with two full-sized sinks and dishwashers along with virtually indestructible Pyrolave countertops with integrated drainboards.

The outdated style of this bathroom required not only an aesthetic refresh but also enhanced safety and accessibility for the homeowners. The redesign features a larger, curbless shower equipped with grab bars, a built-in shower bench, and a teak folding seat. These upgrades significantly improve the bathroom’s functionality while thoughtfully accommodating the homeowners’ evolving safety and mobility needs.

This rental condo needed an update and refresh after the tenants’ style and needs evolved. The young professional couple had been living in the space for almost ten years and had gone through a series of career and lifestyle changes, including the arrival of their first child. By taking full advantage of vertical space and clever multi-purpose storage, this 650 sq.ft., 1 bedroom-plus-den condo now includes a large pantry (complete with freezer), space for a home office, lots of storage, and a fully functioning nursery - all without taking away from the comfy and stylish principal bedroom or main living space.

The outdated style of this bathroom required not only an aesthetic refresh but also enhanced safety and accessibility for the homeowners. The redesign features a larger, curbless shower equipped with grab bars, a built-in shower bench, and a teak folding seat. These upgrades significantly improve the bathroom’s functionality while thoughtfully accommodating the homeowners’ evolving safety and mobility needs.

In a span of about 18 months, I worked with this homeowner to redesign all of the bathrooms in her home. None of them generic- all of them fully customized to her specific taste. As we completed each bathroom, I watched her taste evolve, as she really wanted these bathrooms to tell her story

This rental condo needed an update and refresh after the tenants’ style and needs evolved. The young professional couple had been living in the space for almost ten years and had gone through a series of career and lifestyle changes, including the arrival of their first child. By taking full advantage of vertical space and clever multi-purpose storage, this 650 sq.ft., 1 bedroom-plus-den condo now includes a large pantry (complete with freezer), space for a home office, lots of storage, and a fully functioning nursery - all without taking away from the comfy and stylish principal bedroom or main living space.

With an amalgamation of moody elegance, innovative features, and meticulous craftsmanship, this bathroom has evolved into a captivating haven that truly stands as a testament to the fusion of art and design.

This rental condo needed an update and refresh after the tenants’ style and needs evolved. The young professional couple had been living in the space for almost ten years and had gone through a series of career and lifestyle changes, including the arrival of their first child. By taking full advantage of vertical space and clever multi-purpose storage, this 650 sq.ft., 1 bedroom-plus-den condo now includes a large pantry (complete with freezer), space for a home office, lots of storage, and a fully functioning nursery - all without taking away from the comfy and stylish principal bedroom or main living space.

This rental condo needed an update and refresh after the tenants’ style and needs evolved. The young professional couple had been living in the space for almost ten years and had gone through a series of career and lifestyle changes, including the arrival of their first child. By taking full advantage of vertical space and clever multi-purpose storage, this 650 sq.ft., 1 bedroom-plus-den condo now includes a large pantry (complete with freezer), space for a home office, lots of storage, and a fully functioning nursery - all without taking away from the comfy and stylish principal bedroom or main living space.

The clients were inspired to renovate following exposure to Zen architecture while honeymooning in Japan. The architectural brief was to deliver a modern Australian home that serves as a private, meditative retreat that would also cater to a buzzing family as their relationship evolves; and transform into a welcoming and generous entertaining space. The home would need to maximise the potential of the sites orientation and create a strong connection to generous and versatile outdoor spaces including sheltered entertaining areas and spacious areas for planting and lawn. It was essential that elements of the existing residence be retained where possible to reduce waste, however disguised so that the final product was effectively a new home.

This rental condo needed an update and refresh after the tenants’ style and needs evolved. The young professional couple had been living in the space for almost ten years and had gone through a series of career and lifestyle changes, including the arrival of their first child. By taking full advantage of vertical space and clever multi-purpose storage, this 650 sq.ft., 1 bedroom-plus-den condo now includes a large pantry (complete with freezer), space for a home office, lots of storage, and a fully functioning nursery - all without taking away from the comfy and stylish principal bedroom or main living space.

Once the interior walls were removed, the old eating area was transformed into a new playroom for their young son, which was intentionally designed to evolve with him as he matures—to be repurposed into a video room with a computer/homework station. This room, while separate from the kitchen, is in close proximity to the great room to ensure mom and dad can maintain close contact and safely supervise.

This rental condo needed an update and refresh after the tenants’ style and needs evolved. The young professional couple had been living in the space for almost ten years and had gone through a series of career and lifestyle changes, including the arrival of their first child. By taking full advantage of vertical space and clever multi-purpose storage, this 650 sq.ft., 1 bedroom-plus-den condo now includes a large pantry (complete with freezer), space for a home office, lots of storage, and a fully functioning nursery - all without taking away from the comfy and stylish principal bedroom or main living space.

This rental condo needed an update and refresh after the tenants’ style and needs evolved. The young professional couple had been living in the space for almost ten years and had gone through a series of career and lifestyle changes, including the arrival of their first child. By taking full advantage of vertical space and clever multi-purpose storage, this 650 sq.ft., 1 bedroom-plus-den condo now includes a large pantry (complete with freezer), space for a home office, lots of storage, and a fully functioning nursery - all without taking away from the comfy and stylish principal bedroom or main living space.

This rental condo needed an update and refresh after the tenants’ style and needs evolved. The young professional couple had been living in the space for almost ten years and had gone through a series of career and lifestyle changes, including the arrival of their first child. By taking full advantage of vertical space and clever multi-purpose storage, this 650 sq.ft., 1 bedroom-plus-den condo now includes a large pantry (complete with freezer), space for a home office, lots of storage, and a fully functioning nursery - all without taking away from the comfy and stylish principal bedroom or main living space.