Challenge As part-time residents of this Bonita Springs home, our clients were looking to update their outdoor entertainment area. They also planned to be away for the summer during the remodel and needed their renovation project to be finished prior to their return for the winter. Their needs included: Changing the color pallet to a monochromatic scheme, removing the yellow brick pavers, adding an outdoor kitchen area, adding an outdoor fireplace, resurfacing the pool and updating the tile, installing a new screen enclosure, and creating privacy from the neighbors, particularly the main sitting areas, pool and outdoor kitchen. Although there was already a 1,221 sq. ft. lanai under the roof, it lacked functionality needed by the homeowners. Most of its amenities were located at one end of the lanai, and lacked privacy that the homeowners valued. Solution The final project design required two additions to the lanai area adding an accumulative 265 sq. ft. to the existing space expanding their sitting area and accommodating a much-needed outdoor kitchen. The new additions also needed to blend with the home’s existing style. Addition #1—Sitting Area: The first addition added approximately 145 sq. ft. to the end of the lanai. This allowed Progressive Design Build to tie into the existing gable room for the new space and create privacy from the neighbors. Addition #2—Outdoor Kitchen: The second addition was a bump out that added approximately 120 sq. ft. to the end of the house close to the interior kitchen. This allowed the client to add an outdoor over and 52” Viking grill (with a side burner) to their outdoor living space. Other amenities included a new sink and under counter fridge, granite countertops, tumbled stone stile and Cypress cabinetry, custom-fabricated with marine grade plywood boxes and marine grade finishes to withstand moisture, common in the Bonita Bay community. Special attention was given to the preparation area on either side of the stove, the landing area next to the oven and the serving counter behind the bar. Bar seating was added to the outdoor kitchen, allowing guests to visit with the cook comfortably and easily. Brick Pavers During the design phase, we discovered that the original brick pavers were set in sand, with no concrete pad below. Consequently, the retaining wall and several pavers were starting to fail, caused by the shifting sands. To remedy the problem, we installed a new concrete deck and laid new nonslip pavers on top of the deck—ideal for wet area applications. Pool Renovations To dramatically improve the enjoyment and ambiance of their pool, Progressive Design Build completely re-plumbed it, putting in additional lighting and new water features. New decorative pool tile, coping, and a paver deck were also installed around the pool. The pool finish chosen by our clients was a nice tropical blue color. Screen Enclosure A new screen enclosure was installed in compliance with new local building codes, making it more stable and solid than the existing one. The color change from white to bronze coordinated well with the homeowners’ new color scheme; and the location of the service door and stairs provided convenient access to the new pool equipment. Results This project was completed on time and within budget before these homeowners returned for their winter holiday. They were thrilled with the weekly communication, which included two-way phone calls and email photo sharing. They always knew where their project was in the construction process and what was happening at all times—providing security and peace of mind.

Located on a marsh in the upper reaches of the Lieutenant River in Old Lyme, the existing house was well-sited and well-built, but the design failed to exploit the views and more importantly was a confused combination of contemporary and traditional elements. The new homeowners, a successful businesswoman and an accomplished artist and photographer, were interested in creating a fully-contemporary environment to open up space, connect indoors with outdoors, display artwork and showcase the husband’s distinctive photographs. One glaring deficiency was the curb appeal and approach sequence: the grade sloped down and the path to the house followed, but this led to an uncomfortable dip and abrupt rise to the front door. By creating a virtual “moat,” occupied by a grid of raised-bed grasses contained in aluminum-clad boxes, and spanning the moat with an ipe bridge, the approach becomes level and engaging. The façade of the existing house was blank and bland, and with no cover. Adding a deep overhang with a wide porch creates a welcoming, covered condition, accentuated by a 6’ wide pivoting front door that feels more like a moving piece of wall. Another deficiency was the connection to the outdoors. By adding glass to the front and back of the house, and removing interior walls selectively, the house takes on a diaphanous quality that allows one to see through to the marsh beyond, even when in the driveway. The raised-bed grasses act as abstract, geometric versions of the marsh beyond. A large, pyramidal skylight establishes a spatial hierarchy around which the rooms revolve. The house featured several tray-ceilinged spaces – living room, kitchen, and master bedroom – that were poorly-proportioned and with panels at the top that resembled inset flat panel doors. The solution was to use a different strategy for each: the bedroom turns the ceiling into an eggshell through the use of a creative trim detail; the living room has an oversized sculptural, backlit lighting element; and the kitchen has a collage of painted rectangular forms that support or include lighting pieces. A palette of concrete, blackened steel, stainless steel and colors carefully chosen by homeowner and architect create an interior and exterior environment punctuated by moments that are as artistic as the featured works in the black-ceilinged gallery.

This home is remarkable in many ways. It features a simple but unique design that maximizes the site and breathtaking views. The home was originally built by a family who owned a local mill and who had choice selection of the wood used in its construction. We were brought in to restore the integrity of the 40-year-old deck, ensuring the new one preserved the precise aesthetic of the original. The upper level features a cantilevered deck that wraps around the house without obscuring the view from the windows below. The structure of the deck was constructed of abnormally large rough-sawn fir joists milled to custom specifications. The joists run through the entire floor framing of the home and extend out as deck joists. Since the deck joists were so integral to the framing, preservation of the integrity of this structure was paramount. The original cedar deck boards were failing, but the beautiful fir joists were well-preserved and could be fortified. After demoing the existing deck, we carefully removed all signs of dry rot, then tested the integrity of the fir joists. To ensure the longevity of the new deck, we added joists as needed to improve rigidity and weather-sealed the tops of each one with joist tape and metal flashing. For the new decking, we decided on a very strong and durable solution, IPE wood, which we had milled to custom specifications to match the original boards. Working with this extremely hard wood has its challenges, but it was by far the best choice for this project. We honored the design of the original railing by crafting a near replica. Admittedly, we tweaked a few dimensions, enhanced details of the assembly and added a few custom accents.

This home is remarkable in many ways. It features a simple but unique design that maximizes the site and breathtaking views. The home was originally built by a family who owned a local mill and who had choice selection of the wood used in its construction. We were brought in to restore the integrity of the 40-year-old deck, ensuring the new one preserved the precise aesthetic of the original. The upper level features a cantilevered deck that wraps around the house without obscuring the view from the windows below. The structure of the deck was constructed of abnormally large rough-sawn fir joists milled to custom specifications. The joists run through the entire floor framing of the home and extend out as deck joists. Since the deck joists were so integral to the framing, preservation of the integrity of this structure was paramount. The original cedar deck boards were failing, but the beautiful fir joists were well-preserved and could be fortified. After demoing the existing deck, we carefully removed all signs of dry rot, then tested the integrity of the fir joists. To ensure the longevity of the new deck, we added joists as needed to improve rigidity and weather-sealed the tops of each one with joist tape and metal flashing. For the new decking, we decided on a very strong and durable solution, IPE wood, which we had milled to custom specifications to match the original boards. Working with this extremely hard wood has its challenges, but it was by far the best choice for this project. We honored the design of the original railing by crafting a near replica. Admittedly, we tweaked a few dimensions, enhanced details of the assembly and added a few custom accents.

This home is remarkable in many ways. It features a simple but unique design that maximizes the site and breathtaking views. The home was originally built by a family who owned a local mill and who had choice selection of the wood used in its construction. We were brought in to restore the integrity of the 40-year-old deck, ensuring the new one preserved the precise aesthetic of the original. The upper level features a cantilevered deck that wraps around the house without obscuring the view from the windows below. The structure of the deck was constructed of abnormally large rough-sawn fir joists milled to custom specifications. The joists run through the entire floor framing of the home and extend out as deck joists. Since the deck joists were so integral to the framing, preservation of the integrity of this structure was paramount. The original cedar deck boards were failing, but the beautiful fir joists were well-preserved and could be fortified. After demoing the existing deck, we carefully removed all signs of dry rot, then tested the integrity of the fir joists. To ensure the longevity of the new deck, we added joists as needed to improve rigidity and weather-sealed the tops of each one with joist tape and metal flashing. For the new decking, we decided on a very strong and durable solution, IPE wood, which we had milled to custom specifications to match the original boards. Working with this extremely hard wood has its challenges, but it was by far the best choice for this project. We honored the design of the original railing by crafting a near replica. Admittedly, we tweaked a few dimensions, enhanced details of the assembly and added a few custom accents.

This home is remarkable in many ways. It features a simple but unique design that maximizes the site and breathtaking views. The home was originally built by a family who owned a local mill and who had choice selection of the wood used in its construction. We were brought in to restore the integrity of the 40-year-old deck, ensuring the new one preserved the precise aesthetic of the original. The upper level features a cantilevered deck that wraps around the house without obscuring the view from the windows below. The structure of the deck was constructed of abnormally large rough-sawn fir joists milled to custom specifications. The joists run through the entire floor framing of the home and extend out as deck joists. Since the deck joists were so integral to the framing, preservation of the integrity of this structure was paramount. The original cedar deck boards were failing, but the beautiful fir joists were well-preserved and could be fortified. After demoing the existing deck, we carefully removed all signs of dry rot, then tested the integrity of the fir joists. To ensure the longevity of the new deck, we added joists as needed to improve rigidity and weather-sealed the tops of each one with joist tape and metal flashing. For the new decking, we decided on a very strong and durable solution, IPE wood, which we had milled to custom specifications to match the original boards. Working with this extremely hard wood has its challenges, but it was by far the best choice for this project. We honored the design of the original railing by crafting a near replica. Admittedly, we tweaked a few dimensions, enhanced details of the assembly and added a few custom accents.

Located on a marsh in the upper reaches of the Lieutenant River in Old Lyme, the existing house was well-sited and well-built, but the design failed to exploit the views and more importantly was a confused combination of contemporary and traditional elements. The new homeowners, a successful businesswoman and an accomplished artist and photographer, were interested in creating a fully-contemporary environment to open up space, connect indoors with outdoors, display artwork and showcase the husband’s distinctive photographs. One glaring deficiency was the curb appeal and approach sequence: the grade sloped down and the path to the house followed, but this led to an uncomfortable dip and abrupt rise to the front door. By creating a virtual “moat,” occupied by a grid of raised-bed grasses contained in aluminum-clad boxes, and spanning the moat with an ipe bridge, the approach becomes level and engaging. The façade of the existing house was blank and bland, and with no cover. Adding a deep overhang with a wide porch creates a welcoming, covered condition, accentuated by a 6’ wide pivoting front door that feels more like a moving piece of wall. Another deficiency was the connection to the outdoors. By adding glass to the front and back of the house, and removing interior walls selectively, the house takes on a diaphanous quality that allows one to see through to the marsh beyond, even when in the driveway. The raised-bed grasses act as abstract, geometric versions of the marsh beyond. A large, pyramidal skylight establishes a spatial hierarchy around which the rooms revolve. The house featured several tray-ceilinged spaces – living room, kitchen, and master bedroom – that were poorly-proportioned and with panels at the top that resembled inset flat panel doors. The solution was to use a different strategy for each: the bedroom turns the ceiling into an eggshell through the use of a creative trim detail; the living room has an oversized sculptural, backlit lighting element; and the kitchen has a collage of painted rectangular forms that support or include lighting pieces. A palette of concrete, blackened steel, stainless steel and colors carefully chosen by homeowner and architect create an interior and exterior environment punctuated by moments that are as artistic as the featured works in the black-ceilinged gallery.

Located on a marsh in the upper reaches of the Lieutenant River in Old Lyme, the existing house was well-sited and well-built, but the design failed to exploit the views and more importantly was a confused combination of contemporary and traditional elements. The new homeowners, a successful businesswoman and an accomplished artist and photographer, were interested in creating a fully-contemporary environment to open up space, connect indoors with outdoors, display artwork and showcase the husband’s distinctive photographs. One glaring deficiency was the curb appeal and approach sequence: the grade sloped down and the path to the house followed, but this led to an uncomfortable dip and abrupt rise to the front door. By creating a virtual “moat,” occupied by a grid of raised-bed grasses contained in aluminum-clad boxes, and spanning the moat with an ipe bridge, the approach becomes level and engaging. The façade of the existing house was blank and bland, and with no cover. Adding a deep overhang with a wide porch creates a welcoming, covered condition, accentuated by a 6’ wide pivoting front door that feels more like a moving piece of wall. Another deficiency was the connection to the outdoors. By adding glass to the front and back of the house, and removing interior walls selectively, the house takes on a diaphanous quality that allows one to see through to the marsh beyond, even when in the driveway. The raised-bed grasses act as abstract, geometric versions of the marsh beyond. A large, pyramidal skylight establishes a spatial hierarchy around which the rooms revolve. The house featured several tray-ceilinged spaces – living room, kitchen, and master bedroom – that were poorly-proportioned and with panels at the top that resembled inset flat panel doors. The solution was to use a different strategy for each: the bedroom turns the ceiling into an eggshell through the use of a creative trim detail; the living room has an oversized sculptural, backlit lighting element; and the kitchen has a collage of painted rectangular forms that support or include lighting pieces. A palette of concrete, blackened steel, stainless steel and colors carefully chosen by homeowner and architect create an interior and exterior environment punctuated by moments that are as artistic as the featured works in the black-ceilinged gallery.

This home is remarkable in many ways. It features a simple but unique design that maximizes the site and breathtaking views. The home was originally built by a family who owned a local mill and who had choice selection of the wood used in its construction. We were brought in to restore the integrity of the 40-year-old deck, ensuring the new one preserved the precise aesthetic of the original. The upper level features a cantilevered deck that wraps around the house without obscuring the view from the windows below. The structure of the deck was constructed of abnormally large rough-sawn fir joists milled to custom specifications. The joists run through the entire floor framing of the home and extend out as deck joists. Since the deck joists were so integral to the framing, preservation of the integrity of this structure was paramount. The original cedar deck boards were failing, but the beautiful fir joists were well-preserved and could be fortified. After demoing the existing deck, we carefully removed all signs of dry rot, then tested the integrity of the fir joists. To ensure the longevity of the new deck, we added joists as needed to improve rigidity and weather-sealed the tops of each one with joist tape and metal flashing. For the new decking, we decided on a very strong and durable solution, IPE wood, which we had milled to custom specifications to match the original boards. Working with this extremely hard wood has its challenges, but it was by far the best choice for this project. We honored the design of the original railing by crafting a near replica. Admittedly, we tweaked a few dimensions, enhanced details of the assembly and added a few custom accents.

Located on a marsh in the upper reaches of the Lieutenant River in Old Lyme, the existing house was well-sited and well-built, but the design failed to exploit the views and more importantly was a confused combination of contemporary and traditional elements. The new homeowners, a successful businesswoman and an accomplished artist and photographer, were interested in creating a fully-contemporary environment to open up space, connect indoors with outdoors, display artwork and showcase the husband’s distinctive photographs. One glaring deficiency was the curb appeal and approach sequence: the grade sloped down and the path to the house followed, but this led to an uncomfortable dip and abrupt rise to the front door. By creating a virtual “moat,” occupied by a grid of raised-bed grasses contained in aluminum-clad boxes, and spanning the moat with an ipe bridge, the approach becomes level and engaging. The façade of the existing house was blank and bland, and with no cover. Adding a deep overhang with a wide porch creates a welcoming, covered condition, accentuated by a 6’ wide pivoting front door that feels more like a moving piece of wall. Another deficiency was the connection to the outdoors. By adding glass to the front and back of the house, and removing interior walls selectively, the house takes on a diaphanous quality that allows one to see through to the marsh beyond, even when in the driveway. The raised-bed grasses act as abstract, geometric versions of the marsh beyond. A large, pyramidal skylight establishes a spatial hierarchy around which the rooms revolve. The house featured several tray-ceilinged spaces – living room, kitchen, and master bedroom – that were poorly-proportioned and with panels at the top that resembled inset flat panel doors. The solution was to use a different strategy for each: the bedroom turns the ceiling into an eggshell through the use of a creative trim detail; the living room has an oversized sculptural, backlit lighting element; and the kitchen has a collage of painted rectangular forms that support or include lighting pieces. A palette of concrete, blackened steel, stainless steel and colors carefully chosen by homeowner and architect create an interior and exterior environment punctuated by moments that are as artistic as the featured works in the black-ceilinged gallery.

Challenge As part-time residents of this Bonita Springs home, our clients were looking to update their outdoor entertainment area. They also planned to be away for the summer during the remodel and needed their renovation project to be finished prior to their return for the winter. Their needs included: Changing the color pallet to a monochromatic scheme, removing the yellow brick pavers, adding an outdoor kitchen area, adding an outdoor fireplace, resurfacing the pool and updating the tile, installing a new screen enclosure, and creating privacy from the neighbors, particularly the main sitting areas, pool and outdoor kitchen. Although there was already a 1,221 sq. ft. lanai under the roof, it lacked functionality needed by the homeowners. Most of its amenities were located at one end of the lanai, and lacked privacy that the homeowners valued. Solution The final project design required two additions to the lanai area adding an accumulative 265 sq. ft. to the existing space expanding their sitting area and accommodating a much-needed outdoor kitchen. The new additions also needed to blend with the home’s existing style. Addition #1—Sitting Area: The first addition added approximately 145 sq. ft. to the end of the lanai. This allowed Progressive Design Build to tie into the existing gable room for the new space and create privacy from the neighbors. Addition #2—Outdoor Kitchen: The second addition was a bump out that added approximately 120 sq. ft. to the end of the house close to the interior kitchen. This allowed the client to add an outdoor over and 52” Viking grill (with a side burner) to their outdoor living space. Other amenities included a new sink and under counter fridge, granite countertops, tumbled stone stile and Cypress cabinetry, custom-fabricated with marine grade plywood boxes and marine grade finishes to withstand moisture, common in the Bonita Bay community. Special attention was given to the preparation area on either side of the stove, the landing area next to the oven and the serving counter behind the bar. Bar seating was added to the outdoor kitchen, allowing guests to visit with the cook comfortably and easily. Brick Pavers During the design phase, we discovered that the original brick pavers were set in sand, with no concrete pad below. Consequently, the retaining wall and several pavers were starting to fail, caused by the shifting sands. To remedy the problem, we installed a new concrete deck and laid new nonslip pavers on top of the deck—ideal for wet area applications. Pool Renovations To dramatically improve the enjoyment and ambiance of their pool, Progressive Design Build completely re-plumbed it, putting in additional lighting and new water features. New decorative pool tile, coping, and a paver deck were also installed around the pool. The pool finish chosen by our clients was a nice tropical blue color. Screen Enclosure A new screen enclosure was installed in compliance with new local building codes, making it more stable and solid than the existing one. The color change from white to bronze coordinated well with the homeowners’ new color scheme; and the location of the service door and stairs provided convenient access to the new pool equipment. Results This project was completed on time and within budget before these homeowners returned for their winter holiday. They were thrilled with the weekly communication, which included two-way phone calls and email photo sharing. They always knew where their project was in the construction process and what was happening at all times—providing security and peace of mind.

Located on a marsh in the upper reaches of the Lieutenant River in Old Lyme, the existing house was well-sited and well-built, but the design failed to exploit the views and more importantly was a confused combination of contemporary and traditional elements. The new homeowners, a successful businesswoman and an accomplished artist and photographer, were interested in creating a fully-contemporary environment to open up space, connect indoors with outdoors, display artwork and showcase the husband’s distinctive photographs. One glaring deficiency was the curb appeal and approach sequence: the grade sloped down and the path to the house followed, but this led to an uncomfortable dip and abrupt rise to the front door. By creating a virtual “moat,” occupied by a grid of raised-bed grasses contained in aluminum-clad boxes, and spanning the moat with an ipe bridge, the approach becomes level and engaging. The façade of the existing house was blank and bland, and with no cover. Adding a deep overhang with a wide porch creates a welcoming, covered condition, accentuated by a 6’ wide pivoting front door that feels more like a moving piece of wall. Another deficiency was the connection to the outdoors. By adding glass to the front and back of the house, and removing interior walls selectively, the house takes on a diaphanous quality that allows one to see through to the marsh beyond, even when in the driveway. The raised-bed grasses act as abstract, geometric versions of the marsh beyond. A large, pyramidal skylight establishes a spatial hierarchy around which the rooms revolve. The house featured several tray-ceilinged spaces – living room, kitchen, and master bedroom – that were poorly-proportioned and with panels at the top that resembled inset flat panel doors. The solution was to use a different strategy for each: the bedroom turns the ceiling into an eggshell through the use of a creative trim detail; the living room has an oversized sculptural, backlit lighting element; and the kitchen has a collage of painted rectangular forms that support or include lighting pieces. A palette of concrete, blackened steel, stainless steel and colors carefully chosen by homeowner and architect create an interior and exterior environment punctuated by moments that are as artistic as the featured works in the black-ceilinged gallery.

Located on a marsh in the upper reaches of the Lieutenant River in Old Lyme, the existing house was well-sited and well-built, but the design failed to exploit the views and more importantly was a confused combination of contemporary and traditional elements. The new homeowners, a successful businesswoman and an accomplished artist and photographer, were interested in creating a fully-contemporary environment to open up space, connect indoors with outdoors, display artwork and showcase the husband’s distinctive photographs. One glaring deficiency was the curb appeal and approach sequence: the grade sloped down and the path to the house followed, but this led to an uncomfortable dip and abrupt rise to the front door. By creating a virtual “moat,” occupied by a grid of raised-bed grasses contained in aluminum-clad boxes, and spanning the moat with an ipe bridge, the approach becomes level and engaging. The façade of the existing house was blank and bland, and with no cover. Adding a deep overhang with a wide porch creates a welcoming, covered condition, accentuated by a 6’ wide pivoting front door that feels more like a moving piece of wall. Another deficiency was the connection to the outdoors. By adding glass to the front and back of the house, and removing interior walls selectively, the house takes on a diaphanous quality that allows one to see through to the marsh beyond, even when in the driveway. The raised-bed grasses act as abstract, geometric versions of the marsh beyond. A large, pyramidal skylight establishes a spatial hierarchy around which the rooms revolve. The house featured several tray-ceilinged spaces – living room, kitchen, and master bedroom – that were poorly-proportioned and with panels at the top that resembled inset flat panel doors. The solution was to use a different strategy for each: the bedroom turns the ceiling into an eggshell through the use of a creative trim detail; the living room has an oversized sculptural, backlit lighting element; and the kitchen has a collage of painted rectangular forms that support or include lighting pieces. A palette of concrete, blackened steel, stainless steel and colors carefully chosen by homeowner and architect create an interior and exterior environment punctuated by moments that are as artistic as the featured works in the black-ceilinged gallery.

Located on a marsh in the upper reaches of the Lieutenant River in Old Lyme, the existing house was well-sited and well-built, but the design failed to exploit the views and more importantly was a confused combination of contemporary and traditional elements. The new homeowners, a successful businesswoman and an accomplished artist and photographer, were interested in creating a fully-contemporary environment to open up space, connect indoors with outdoors, display artwork and showcase the husband’s distinctive photographs. One glaring deficiency was the curb appeal and approach sequence: the grade sloped down and the path to the house followed, but this led to an uncomfortable dip and abrupt rise to the front door. By creating a virtual “moat,” occupied by a grid of raised-bed grasses contained in aluminum-clad boxes, and spanning the moat with an ipe bridge, the approach becomes level and engaging. The façade of the existing house was blank and bland, and with no cover. Adding a deep overhang with a wide porch creates a welcoming, covered condition, accentuated by a 6’ wide pivoting front door that feels more like a moving piece of wall. Another deficiency was the connection to the outdoors. By adding glass to the front and back of the house, and removing interior walls selectively, the house takes on a diaphanous quality that allows one to see through to the marsh beyond, even when in the driveway. The raised-bed grasses act as abstract, geometric versions of the marsh beyond. A large, pyramidal skylight establishes a spatial hierarchy around which the rooms revolve. The house featured several tray-ceilinged spaces – living room, kitchen, and master bedroom – that were poorly-proportioned and with panels at the top that resembled inset flat panel doors. The solution was to use a different strategy for each: the bedroom turns the ceiling into an eggshell through the use of a creative trim detail; the living room has an oversized sculptural, backlit lighting element; and the kitchen has a collage of painted rectangular forms that support or include lighting pieces. A palette of concrete, blackened steel, stainless steel and colors carefully chosen by homeowner and architect create an interior and exterior environment punctuated by moments that are as artistic as the featured works in the black-ceilinged gallery.

This home is remarkable in many ways. It features a simple but unique design that maximizes the site and breathtaking views. The home was originally built by a family who owned a local mill and who had choice selection of the wood used in its construction. We were brought in to restore the integrity of the 40-year-old deck, ensuring the new one preserved the precise aesthetic of the original. The upper level features a cantilevered deck that wraps around the house without obscuring the view from the windows below. The structure of the deck was constructed of abnormally large rough-sawn fir joists milled to custom specifications. The joists run through the entire floor framing of the home and extend out as deck joists. Since the deck joists were so integral to the framing, preservation of the integrity of this structure was paramount. The original cedar deck boards were failing, but the beautiful fir joists were well-preserved and could be fortified. After demoing the existing deck, we carefully removed all signs of dry rot, then tested the integrity of the fir joists. To ensure the longevity of the new deck, we added joists as needed to improve rigidity and weather-sealed the tops of each one with joist tape and metal flashing. For the new decking, we decided on a very strong and durable solution, IPE wood, which we had milled to custom specifications to match the original boards. Working with this extremely hard wood has its challenges, but it was by far the best choice for this project. We honored the design of the original railing by crafting a near replica. Admittedly, we tweaked a few dimensions, enhanced details of the assembly and added a few custom accents.

Located on a marsh in the upper reaches of the Lieutenant River in Old Lyme, the existing house was well-sited and well-built, but the design failed to exploit the views and more importantly was a confused combination of contemporary and traditional elements. The new homeowners, a successful businesswoman and an accomplished artist and photographer, were interested in creating a fully-contemporary environment to open up space, connect indoors with outdoors, display artwork and showcase the husband’s distinctive photographs. One glaring deficiency was the curb appeal and approach sequence: the grade sloped down and the path to the house followed, but this led to an uncomfortable dip and abrupt rise to the front door. By creating a virtual “moat,” occupied by a grid of raised-bed grasses contained in aluminum-clad boxes, and spanning the moat with an ipe bridge, the approach becomes level and engaging. The façade of the existing house was blank and bland, and with no cover. Adding a deep overhang with a wide porch creates a welcoming, covered condition, accentuated by a 6’ wide pivoting front door that feels more like a moving piece of wall. Another deficiency was the connection to the outdoors. By adding glass to the front and back of the house, and removing interior walls selectively, the house takes on a diaphanous quality that allows one to see through to the marsh beyond, even when in the driveway. The raised-bed grasses act as abstract, geometric versions of the marsh beyond. A large, pyramidal skylight establishes a spatial hierarchy around which the rooms revolve. The house featured several tray-ceilinged spaces – living room, kitchen, and master bedroom – that were poorly-proportioned and with panels at the top that resembled inset flat panel doors. The solution was to use a different strategy for each: the bedroom turns the ceiling into an eggshell through the use of a creative trim detail; the living room has an oversized sculptural, backlit lighting element; and the kitchen has a collage of painted rectangular forms that support or include lighting pieces. A palette of concrete, blackened steel, stainless steel and colors carefully chosen by homeowner and architect create an interior and exterior environment punctuated by moments that are as artistic as the featured works in the black-ceilinged gallery.

Located on a marsh in the upper reaches of the Lieutenant River in Old Lyme, the existing house was well-sited and well-built, but the design failed to exploit the views and more importantly was a confused combination of contemporary and traditional elements. The new homeowners, a successful businesswoman and an accomplished artist and photographer, were interested in creating a fully-contemporary environment to open up space, connect indoors with outdoors, display artwork and showcase the husband’s distinctive photographs. One glaring deficiency was the curb appeal and approach sequence: the grade sloped down and the path to the house followed, but this led to an uncomfortable dip and abrupt rise to the front door. By creating a virtual “moat,” occupied by a grid of raised-bed grasses contained in aluminum-clad boxes, and spanning the moat with an ipe bridge, the approach becomes level and engaging. The façade of the existing house was blank and bland, and with no cover. Adding a deep overhang with a wide porch creates a welcoming, covered condition, accentuated by a 6’ wide pivoting front door that feels more like a moving piece of wall. Another deficiency was the connection to the outdoors. By adding glass to the front and back of the house, and removing interior walls selectively, the house takes on a diaphanous quality that allows one to see through to the marsh beyond, even when in the driveway. The raised-bed grasses act as abstract, geometric versions of the marsh beyond. A large, pyramidal skylight establishes a spatial hierarchy around which the rooms revolve. The house featured several tray-ceilinged spaces – living room, kitchen, and master bedroom – that were poorly-proportioned and with panels at the top that resembled inset flat panel doors. The solution was to use a different strategy for each: the bedroom turns the ceiling into an eggshell through the use of a creative trim detail; the living room has an oversized sculptural, backlit lighting element; and the kitchen has a collage of painted rectangular forms that support or include lighting pieces. A palette of concrete, blackened steel, stainless steel and colors carefully chosen by homeowner and architect create an interior and exterior environment punctuated by moments that are as artistic as the featured works in the black-ceilinged gallery.

Located on a marsh in the upper reaches of the Lieutenant River in Old Lyme, the existing house was well-sited and well-built, but the design failed to exploit the views and more importantly was a confused combination of contemporary and traditional elements. The new homeowners, a successful businesswoman and an accomplished artist and photographer, were interested in creating a fully-contemporary environment to open up space, connect indoors with outdoors, display artwork and showcase the husband’s distinctive photographs. One glaring deficiency was the curb appeal and approach sequence: the grade sloped down and the path to the house followed, but this led to an uncomfortable dip and abrupt rise to the front door. By creating a virtual “moat,” occupied by a grid of raised-bed grasses contained in aluminum-clad boxes, and spanning the moat with an ipe bridge, the approach becomes level and engaging. The façade of the existing house was blank and bland, and with no cover. Adding a deep overhang with a wide porch creates a welcoming, covered condition, accentuated by a 6’ wide pivoting front door that feels more like a moving piece of wall. Another deficiency was the connection to the outdoors. By adding glass to the front and back of the house, and removing interior walls selectively, the house takes on a diaphanous quality that allows one to see through to the marsh beyond, even when in the driveway. The raised-bed grasses act as abstract, geometric versions of the marsh beyond. A large, pyramidal skylight establishes a spatial hierarchy around which the rooms revolve. The house featured several tray-ceilinged spaces – living room, kitchen, and master bedroom – that were poorly-proportioned and with panels at the top that resembled inset flat panel doors. The solution was to use a different strategy for each: the bedroom turns the ceiling into an eggshell through the use of a creative trim detail; the living room has an oversized sculptural, backlit lighting element; and the kitchen has a collage of painted rectangular forms that support or include lighting pieces. A palette of concrete, blackened steel, stainless steel and colors carefully chosen by homeowner and architect create an interior and exterior environment punctuated by moments that are as artistic as the featured works in the black-ceilinged gallery.

Located on a marsh in the upper reaches of the Lieutenant River in Old Lyme, the existing house was well-sited and well-built, but the design failed to exploit the views and more importantly was a confused combination of contemporary and traditional elements. The new homeowners, a successful businesswoman and an accomplished artist and photographer, were interested in creating a fully-contemporary environment to open up space, connect indoors with outdoors, display artwork and showcase the husband’s distinctive photographs. One glaring deficiency was the curb appeal and approach sequence: the grade sloped down and the path to the house followed, but this led to an uncomfortable dip and abrupt rise to the front door. By creating a virtual “moat,” occupied by a grid of raised-bed grasses contained in aluminum-clad boxes, and spanning the moat with an ipe bridge, the approach becomes level and engaging. The façade of the existing house was blank and bland, and with no cover. Adding a deep overhang with a wide porch creates a welcoming, covered condition, accentuated by a 6’ wide pivoting front door that feels more like a moving piece of wall. Another deficiency was the connection to the outdoors. By adding glass to the front and back of the house, and removing interior walls selectively, the house takes on a diaphanous quality that allows one to see through to the marsh beyond, even when in the driveway. The raised-bed grasses act as abstract, geometric versions of the marsh beyond. A large, pyramidal skylight establishes a spatial hierarchy around which the rooms revolve. The house featured several tray-ceilinged spaces – living room, kitchen, and master bedroom – that were poorly-proportioned and with panels at the top that resembled inset flat panel doors. The solution was to use a different strategy for each: the bedroom turns the ceiling into an eggshell through the use of a creative trim detail; the living room has an oversized sculptural, backlit lighting element; and the kitchen has a collage of painted rectangular forms that support or include lighting pieces. A palette of concrete, blackened steel, stainless steel and colors carefully chosen by homeowner and architect create an interior and exterior environment punctuated by moments that are as artistic as the featured works in the black-ceilinged gallery.