The clients for this project wanted a home with a traditional feel that fit the local aesthetic, but with a contemporary flare. The gabled forms and materials call back, while the exaggerated knee-braces and large banks of windows lend a little modernity. With a northerly exposure towards the lake the design opens up to the view without having concerns about excessive solar gain. A personal touch was added by the client fabricating the brackets for the post and beam connections.

These wonderful clients returned to us for their newest home remodel adventure. Their newly purchased custom built 1970s modern ranch sits in one of the loveliest neighborhoods south of the city but the current conditions of the home were out-dated and not so lovely. Upon entering the front door through the court you were greeted abruptly by a very boring staircase and an excessive number of doors. Just to the left of the double door entry was a large slider and on your right once inside the home was a soldier line up of doors. This made for an uneasy and uninviting entry that guests would quickly forget and our clients would often avoid. We also had our hands full in the kitchen. The existing space included many elements that felt out of place in a modern ranch including a rustic mountain scene backsplash, cherry cabinets with raised panel and detailed profile, and an island so massive you couldn’t pass a drink across the stone. Our design sought to address the functional pain points of the home and transform the overall aesthetic into something that felt like home for our clients. For the entry, we re-worked the front door configuration by switching from the double door to a large single door with side lights. The sliding door next to the main entry door was replaced with a large window to eliminate entry door confusion. In our re-work of the entry staircase, guesta are now greeted into the foyer which features the Coral Pendant by David Trubridge. Guests are drawn into the home by stunning views of the front range via the large floor-to-ceiling glass wall in the living room. To the left, the staircases leading down to the basement and up to the master bedroom received a massive aesthetic upgrade. The rebuilt 2nd-floor staircase has a center spine with wood rise and run appearing to float upwards towards the master suite. A slatted wall of wood separates the two staircases which brings more light into the basement stairwell. Black metal railings add a stunning contrast to the light wood. Other fabulous upgrades to this home included new wide plank flooring throughout the home, which offers both modernity and warmth. The once too-large kitchen island was downsized to create a functional focal point that is still accessible and intimate. The old dark and heavy kitchen cabinetry was replaced with sleek white cabinets, brightening up the space and elevating the aesthetic of the entire room. The kitchen countertops are marble look quartz with dramatic veining that offers an artistic feature behind the range and across all horizontal surfaces in the kitchen. As a final touch, cascading island pendants were installed which emphasize the gorgeous ceiling vault and provide warm feature lighting over the central point of the kitchen. This transformation reintroduces light and simplicity to this gorgeous home, and we are so happy that our clients can reap the benefits of this elegant and functional design for years to come.

Known as “The Black Barn,” this Culver City residence is a ground-up modern home defined by clarity of form, restraint in materiality, and carefully executed architectural details. Designed by Laney LA, the home pairs a dark, wood-clad exterior with a bright, vaulted interior. Cunningham Construction & Development served as the general contractor, working closely with the architect and homeowners to execute a design that relied on precision, alignment, and structural clarity rather than excess.

LOOKING FOR IDEAS TO INSPIRE YOUR OWN NET-ZERO LUXURY LIFESTYLE? Check out this Sun Valley, Idaho net-zero property on 300 of the most pristine private acres with Hyndman Creek running through it. That made this project a perfect candidate for combining a 5kW continuous 24/7 and 365 days a year micro-hydro power system with solar thermal on the pool house, guest house, and main house. The ranch had 8M BTUs running the electric/propane boilers for the snow melt system alone, add another 8M BTUs to heat the facilities and it’s no wonder they had to replace the utility meters every year due to excessive wear. We were able to offset all loads, heat the pool, and enable the property owner to eliminate ~ $300,000/year in propane and electric bills. No more need to constantly replace the utility meter! Click link to see more of this picture perfect property. https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/300-Hyndman-Creek-Rd_Ketchum_ID_83340_M22603-68969

Warm wood and cold glass don't always work well together, but here they do. This white oak staircase pairs naturally grained treads with a sleek glass balustrade anchored by bold black metal posts, a combination that feels considered rather than contrived. The wrap-around starting steps ease the entry, softening what could have been a hard geometric statement into something more welcoming. Overhead, a statement lighting installation pulls the eye upward, casting a warm glow that works with the oak rather than against it. Clean lines throughout, nothing excessive. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

This new dry stream bed diverts excess water away from the lawn, while also creating an eye-catching focal point for the backyard. Large flagstones act as "foot bridges" to the "island" where the river birch lives.

Heritage homes essay a sense of gravitas. An architectural pause that reminds, even in the time of Wi-Fi, something quieter remains. This client’s wish was to revamp the previous homeowner’s landscaping while amplifying the traditional character of the property – the Old Washington feel. More structure was desired, restraint favored over excess, function preferred over flair. Above all, the design was to create more space for gathering and family time. A stone retaining wall replaced a slope in the rear yard to create a large terrace at the main rear doors of the house. Stone steps offer a natural transition to a lower level, large open lawn, featuring an intimate patio for grilling and watching the kids play. Evergreens lend shape and structure while tall hornbeams grant the privacy of a garden sanctuary. In the language of Pennsylvania flagstone and long-blooming perennials, the redesign speaks of sturdiness and sincerity; languages known in the body before the mind.

Amiata is the perfect synthesis of the union of an industrial company specialised in working volcanic stone and an Italian studio of product design that has origins in the territory of the Etruscans, the slopes of Monte Amiata where for more than a century bathing rituals and its design is an integral part of the local culture. The design of collection Amiata has a hint of neo-clacisism that is relevant in the ancient context but at the same time is expressed with maximum simplicity of contemporary design accompanied with simple soft lines that recall ancient style. A shot was given for a new life of aged taste and concepts while working on the timeless project which is both simple and elegant and more importantly perfeclty adapting to classic or cantemporary environment with a tasteful tone of never being loud or excessive.

With wall cabinets and drawers that boast excess storage space, this kitchen does not need to have much things piled on the counter top! Photo credits: Fauzi Anuar of http://www.zeeandmarina.com

Caring for aging parents is both a joy and a challenge. The clients wanted to create a more aging-in-place friendly basement area for their mother. The existing kitchenette was more of a glorified bar and did not give her the option of cooking independently, and definitely not stylishly. We re-configured the area so it was all open, with full kitchen capabilities. All appliances were selected to cater to the mother's limited reach, so all functional storage and product usage can be done without raising arms excessively. Special storage solutions include a peg-system for a dish drawer, tiered silverware trays, a slide-up appliance garage, and pivoting pantry storage. The cabinets also give ample display space for her collection of antique glassware. In lieu of an island, we created a solid-surface top for a standard table so food can be prepped while sitting and without damaging the table top. All items reflect the mother's tastes and existing furniture so she can truly feel like this basement is her space, while still being close to her son and daughter-in-law.

Caring for aging parents is both a joy and a challenge. The clients wanted to create a more aging-in-place friendly basement area for their mother. The existing kitchenette was more of a glorified bar and did not give her the option of cooking independently, and definitely not stylishly. We re-configured the area so it was all open, with full kitchen capabilities. All appliances were selected to cater to the mother's limited reach, so all functional storage and product usage can be done without raising arms excessively. Special storage solutions include a peg-system for a dish drawer, tiered silverware trays, a slide-up appliance garage, and pivoting pantry storage. The cabinets also give ample display space for her collection of antique glassware. In lieu of an island, we created a solid-surface top for a standard table so food can be prepped while sitting and without damaging the table top. All items reflect the mother's tastes and existing furniture so she can truly feel like this basement is her space, while still being close to her son and daughter-in-law.

After working through various design concepts, we landed on this spunky layout – A great combination of decking & hardscaping. Fitting the customers’ needs for a simple space without a lot of fluff, or excess space they wouldn’t use. With subtle touches throughout the job; a bump-out for the grill, a flower box to add character to the step, & even continuing the seating wall along the house wall - to hide a less appealing wall, where an old deck once attached to the foundation. Altogether, it’s the little things that help to create a one of a kind custom space for years of enjoying!

Provenza Heirloom Glasgow Installed By Nuno B. Photo by Jose
Transitional living room photo in San Diego

THE SETUP When we first encountered this basement for a family with three boys, we saw a space with untapped potential. Though previously remodeled, it lacked a cohesive design strategy. The expansive area housed various entertainment pieces (a shuffleboard table, air hockey, foosball, etc.) scattered haphazardly throughout the space. While the basement included a workout room and a rudimentary kitchen area, it lacked a dedicated game room or proper bar. Excessive storage closets along the back wall consumed valuable real estate that could be repurposed for more engaging uses. In essence, the basement was spacious but disjointed—functional for family use but falling short as an entertainment hub. It didn’t align with the sophistication of the rest of the home. Our clients envisioned a transformation: a fresh, organized space that would not only serve their family’s needs but also shine as an inviting arena for entertaining friends and hosting gatherings – especially sports-focused gatherings! Design Objectives: Reimagine the basement layout, creating distinct zones for varied activities. Expand the workout area to accommodate new equipment, including a Smith machine. Implement a multi-screen setup inspired by high-end sports bars, allowing guests to follow multiple games while socializing. Enhance existing features while developing new areas: Optimize a workout space for all equipment needs Establish a dedicated children’s space with guest room capabilities Create an integrated bar and entertainment area Retain and incorporate the existing projector setup Design Challenges: Navigate layout constraints in the new workout room due to fixed utility areas. Carve out a distinct space for kids within the open plan. Revitalize an underutilized section of the basement. Elevate the existing big screen area with purposeful design elements. Develop a full-fledged bar area while maintaining kitchen functions applicable for hangout snacking. Work around immovable structural elements (soffits, load-bearing support columns) THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: Install a stylish barn door for the utility area of the new workout space, improving aesthetics and accessibility. Repurpose the former workout room into a dedicated game room for kids, utilizing couches with pull-out beds so the area can double as overflow guest accommodations. Transform the unused area into a vibrant pub-style area for card and table games. Enhance the big screen area with elegant wainscoting and ambient theatre-style lighting. Design a multi-functional wet bar area featuring varied seating, prep areas, and a microwave. Base the bar sink area width off the soffit above it. In the big screen area, use the soffit to inform the width of a wainscoting section. For the immovable support columns, dress one up to match the wainscoting of the nearby big screen wall. Hide the other one in a new wall. Final Thoughts: The reimagined basement has exceeded our clients’ expectations, evolving into the ultimate entertainment hub. With seven strategically placed screens, it’s perfect for gatherings focused on major sporting events and casual gatherings, as well. The space strikes a balance between adult sophistication and family-friendly functionality, featuring distinct zones for various activities. The new design not only maximizes functionality for modern, multi-screen entertainment but also elevates the aesthetic appeal. It integrates flawlessly with the rest of the home’s transitional style while allowing each basement section to maintain its unique character. The result is a versatile space that caters to both intimate family time and large-scale entertaining.

Warm wood and cold glass don't always work well together, but here they do. This white oak staircase pairs naturally grained treads with a sleek glass balustrade anchored by bold black metal posts, a combination that feels considered rather than contrived. The wrap-around starting steps ease the entry, softening what could have been a hard geometric statement into something more welcoming. Overhead, a statement lighting installation pulls the eye upward, casting a warm glow that works with the oak rather than against it. Clean lines throughout, nothing excessive. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

AirField installed an AirPave grass fire lane for their porous flexible paving at Baptist Trinity Residential Hospice, creating a beautiful, functional, ecological friendly solution to facility access. An installation of an AirField Systems grass fire lane at Baptist Trinity Residential Hospice brings green building benefits and incredible strength to a beautiful new facility. A time lapse photo series highlight the installation process of the 6,747 PSI sand filled 100% recycled geocell technology, providing the strength of asphalt and concrete while relieving some of the burden of costly storm sewers and drainage. This new installation highlights the benefits of paving with grass, as well as the comparative ease of installation. Concrete and asphalt surfaces occupy twice the area of buildings and are the most detrimental to clean water. Concrete and asphalt surfaces dominate the landscape of our urban environments and prevent rainwater from being filtered naturally. They send harmful polluted water straight into our streams, rivers and lakes. In urban America, concrete and asphalt pavements produce two thirds of our excess water runoff. They are responsible for significant hydrocarbon pollutants on our ground and in our water, causing ground water decline, and resulting in local water shortages. These concrete and asphalt surfaces also create huge increases in temperature known as the urban “heat island effect”. The pollution caused by impervious surfaces deteriorate the quality of our storm water runoff and create large overflows that our storm sewer systems cannot handle. It is also important to realize that the urban forest force is drastically diminishing, causing CO2 levels to rise, which in turn causes global warming. With all the negative influences of impervious pavements now is the time to turn our attention to alternatives for the benefit of the environment. From fire lanes, overflow, and event parking, to temporary and stadium parking, reinforced grass parking systems deliver the same strength and durability of asphalt and concrete without the negative affects mentioned above. These incredibly strong geocells reinforce grass parking, prevent rutting from traffic, protect turf roots, and promote beautiful grass. Reinforced grass parking structures, also know as grass pavements, enhance the environment by naturally filtering auto and truck liquids such as oil drippings, antifreeze overflows and many other leaks and spills. They also help with air pollutants after they have been knocked to the ground by rainwater and greatly reduce hot surface temperatures thus fighting global warming and the “heat island effect”. Grass pavements allow our groundwater to be naturally replenished, the roots of trees to breathe, and they help our streams and rivers flow cleanly in dry hot summers. A large part of the solution to urban environmental problems is under our feet. By paying appropriate attention to the everyday materials on which we walk and drive, we can replenish renewable resources, restore the natural regenerative processes, and produce a cleaner, healthier, safer, more sustainable world in which we must live. Porous pavements are potentially the most important development in urban watersheds since the invention of storm sewers. By routing rainwater directly into the earth as nature intended, the need for costly storm water structures can be drastically reduced. Reinforced grass parking has built in permeable spaces through which water and air can pass. Although some porous paving materials are nearly indistinguishable from nonporous materials in construction and superficial appearance, their environmental effects are qualitatively exponential. They allow air, water and heat to dissipate into the environment naturally helping to save the planet. AirField reinforced grass parking provides beauty and comfort, and with the unbeatable price and performance of AirDrain you can’t go wrong. AirDrain is the reinforced grass pave system the industry has trusted for years !!! Airfield Systems, LLC 8028 North May Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73120 405-359-3775 Installer – GREENPRO Landscapes Kevin James 9847 Stewart Rd Arlington, TN 38002

After working through various design concepts, we landed on this spunky layout – A great combination of decking & hardscaping. Fitting the customers’ needs for a simple space without a lot of fluff, or excess space they wouldn’t use. With subtle touches throughout the job; a bump-out for the grill, a flower box to add character to the step, & even continuing the seating wall along the house wall - to hide a less appealing wall, where an old deck once attached to the foundation. Altogether, it’s the little things that help to create a one of a kind custom space for years of enjoying!

Valor's radiant heat advantage is making its way outdoors with the L1 Outdoor Series. The sleek, linear & modern design is optimal for outdoor living. And what better product for outdoor use than a Valor Radiant Gas fireplace? Open fronted fireplaces simply cannot match the radiant performance of a well engineered direct vent fireplace with a glass window. Excess air through an open-fronted unit "washes out" heating performance, causing radiant output to plunge. Using a Valor Radiant fireplace outdoors provides the kind of heat you need to take away the chill and provide glowing warmth.

THE SETUP When we first encountered this basement for a family with three boys, we saw a space with untapped potential. Though previously remodeled, it lacked a cohesive design strategy. The expansive area housed various entertainment pieces (a shuffleboard table, air hockey, foosball, etc.) scattered haphazardly throughout the space. While the basement included a workout room and a rudimentary kitchen area, it lacked a dedicated game room or proper bar. Excessive storage closets along the back wall consumed valuable real estate that could be repurposed for more engaging uses. In essence, the basement was spacious but disjointed—functional for family use but falling short as an entertainment hub. It didn’t align with the sophistication of the rest of the home. Our clients envisioned a transformation: a fresh, organized space that would not only serve their family’s needs but also shine as an inviting arena for entertaining friends and hosting gatherings – especially sports-focused gatherings! Design Objectives: Reimagine the basement layout, creating distinct zones for varied activities. Expand the workout area to accommodate new equipment, including a Smith machine. Implement a multi-screen setup inspired by high-end sports bars, allowing guests to follow multiple games while socializing. Enhance existing features while developing new areas: Optimize a workout space for all equipment needs Establish a dedicated children’s space with guest room capabilities Create an integrated bar and entertainment area Retain and incorporate the existing projector setup Design Challenges: Navigate layout constraints in the new workout room due to fixed utility areas. Carve out a distinct space for kids within the open plan. Revitalize an underutilized section of the basement. Elevate the existing big screen area with purposeful design elements. Develop a full-fledged bar area while maintaining kitchen functions applicable for hangout snacking. Work around immovable structural elements (soffits, load-bearing support columns) THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: Install a stylish barn door for the utility area of the new workout space, improving aesthetics and accessibility. Repurpose the former workout room into a dedicated game room for kids, utilizing couches with pull-out beds so the area can double as overflow guest accommodations. Transform the unused area into a vibrant pub-style area for card and table games. Enhance the big screen area with elegant wainscoting and ambient theatre-style lighting. Design a multi-functional wet bar area featuring varied seating, prep areas, and a microwave. Base the bar sink area width off the soffit above it. In the big screen area, use the soffit to inform the width of a wainscoting section. For the immovable support columns, dress one up to match the wainscoting of the nearby big screen wall. Hide the other one in a new wall. Final Thoughts: The reimagined basement has exceeded our clients’ expectations, evolving into the ultimate entertainment hub. With seven strategically placed screens, it’s perfect for gatherings focused on major sporting events and casual gatherings, as well. The space strikes a balance between adult sophistication and family-friendly functionality, featuring distinct zones for various activities. The new design not only maximizes functionality for modern, multi-screen entertainment but also elevates the aesthetic appeal. It integrates flawlessly with the rest of the home’s transitional style while allowing each basement section to maintain its unique character. The result is a versatile space that caters to both intimate family time and large-scale entertaining.