These homeowners loved their outdoor space, complete with a pool and deck, but wanted to better utilize the space for entertaining with the full kitchen experience and amenities. This update was designed keeping the Tuscan architecture of their home in mind. We built a cabana with an Italian design, complete with a kegerator, icemaker, fridge, grill with custom hood and tile backsplash and full overlay custom cabinetry. A sink for meal prep and clean up enhanced the full kitchen function. A cathedral ceiling with stained bead board and ceiling fans make this space comfortable. Additionally, we built a screened in porch with stained bead board ceiling, ceiling fans, and custom trim including custom columns tying the exterior architecture to the interior. Limestone columns with brick pedestals, limestone pavers and a screened in porch with pergola and a pool bath finish the experience, with a new exterior space that is not only reminiscent of the original home but allows for modern amenities for this family to enjoy for years to come.

Experience outdoor luxury with our tailor-made Trex deck, renowned for its durability and sleek aesthetics. Part of the deck boasts a sophisticated outdoor enclosure, offering a perfect blend of open-air enjoyment and sheltered comfort. Whether you're basking in the sun or seeking a cozy retreat, our design ensures an unparalleled outdoor experience catered to your unique taste.

Building a new home with Ennis Builders is a simple concept; I oversee the entire process. From the selection of the home (your plans or ours), through the interior and exterior design, to the construction oversight and even the warranty work, all phases are overseen by me. That’s not to say I don’t have help—I have designers and experts that help with the interior and exterior designing of the homes along with professional subcontractors that have been crafting custom homes for me for years. It’s the expertise of the entire team that makes building with Ennis Builders an enjoyable experience. My personal involvement with the homeowner can turn working relationships into life long friendships. From choosing a floor plan to your final walk through, I want you to know what you have to look forward to along the way. I’m dedicated to creating a positive home building experience you’ll always remember. Choose Ennis Builders and you’ll see— we really do make it easier to build your dream home.

The first step to creating your outdoor paradise is to get your dreams on paper. Let Creative Environments professional landscape designers listen to your needs, visions, and experiences to convert them to a visually stunning landscape design! Our ability to produce architectural drawings, colorful presentations, 3D visuals, and construction– build documents will assure your project comes out the way you want it! And with 60 years of design– build experience, several landscape designers on staff, and a full CAD/3D studio at our disposal, you will get a level of professionalism unmatched by other firms.

Mid-sized transitional gray two-story wood exterior home photo in Toronto with a shingle roof

Photography by Caryn B. Davis Located in the Cornfield Point area of Old Saybrook along Long Island Sound, this project brought a classic, yet forgotten beach house back to life. Through a little detective work and some creative ingenuity, we restored and enhanced the exterior to it’s former glory and transformed the interior to a highly efficient and functional home all the while uplifting its quaint cottage charm. On the exterior, we recreated a wonderful, airy front porch with cozy bench seats that look out to the water. The white cedar shingle siding is pre-bleached with a subtle flair at the bottom and a delicate break at mid-elevation. The asphalt shingles are not only beautifully matched with the siding, but offer superior reflective qualities to dissipate the heat of the summer sun. On the interior, we joined the front seasonal porch with the family room to form a larger, open living and dining space with paneled walls and ceilings anchored by the original round stone fireplace. In the rear, we carefully crafted a galley kitchen and laundry space with an adjacent first floor master suite. The diminutive house and property posed multiple practical and regulatory challenges which were overcome by a strong team effort, due diligence, and a commitment to the process. John R. Schroeder, AIA is a professional design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and planning. We have over 30 years experience with projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. Because we love what we do, we approach our work with enthusiasm and dedication. We are committed to the highest level of design and service on each and every project. We engage our clients in positive and rewarding collaborations. We strive to exceed expectations through our attention to detail, our understanding of the “big picture”, and our ability to effectively manage a team of design professionals, industry representatives, and building contractors. We carefully analyze budgets and project objectives to assist clients with wise fund allocation. We continually monitor and research advances in technology, materials, and construction methods, both sustainable and otherwise, to provide a responsible, well-suited, and cost effective product. Our design solutions are highly functional using both innovative and traditional approaches. Our aesthetic style is flexible and open, blending cues from client desires, building function, site context, and material properties, making each project unique, personalized, and enduring.

Patrick Reynolds
Inspiration for a contemporary hallway remodel in Auckland

An exterior update to this entire home. Simplifying landscaping and garden duties, giving the house presence and creating a year-round patio experience were the client's main goals.

Diamond Decks can make your backyard dream a reality! It was an absolute pleasure working with our client to bring their ideas to life. Our goal was to design and develop a unique patio experience that adds a touch of elegance. This maintenance free solution was created using decorative concrete. Our customer is now enjoying their brand new porch! Call us today if you have any questions on how we can help you with your outdoor project.

Design Builders & Remodeling is a one stop shop operation. From the start, design solutions are strongly rooted in practical applications and experience. Project planning takes into account the realities of the construction process and mindful of your established budget. All the work is centralized in one firm reducing the chances of costly or time consuming surprises. A solid partnership with solid professionals to help you realize your dreams for a new or improved home.

This space was completely empty, void of everything except the flooring tiles. All the containers and plantings, the patterned turf in the flooring, ornaments, and fixtures were part of the design. It spans three sides of the penthouse, extending the dining and living space out into the open. Outdoor rooms are created with the alignment of fixtures and placement of furniture. The custom designed water feature is both a wall to separate the dining and living spaces and a work of art on its own. A shade system offers relief from the scorching sun without permanently blocking the view from the dining room. A frosted glass wall on the edge of the kitchen brings privacy and still allows light to filter into the space. The south wall is lined with planters to add some privacy and at night are lit as a focal point.

Betty Wang
Eat-in kitchen - small eclectic l-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Toronto with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

This client wanted to experience Santa Fe in Sierra Madre. Challenges were the steep hillside lot, great views, fire concerns and narrow car access. We created a rustic home with a low profile, lush surroundings and an air of quiet tranquility. This rustic southwestern house uses reclaimed vegas and logs for the structural system and asphalt emulsion mud adobe walls for the finish. The house is like an adobe village separated into four structures connected by verandas, courtyards and log bridges.

This home is located on a one acre parcel of land near the banks of the Milwaukee River in the older established subdivision of Sleepy Hollow Estates in Mequon, Wisconsin. The inspiration for this Glen Cove Residence was to bring the desired by many, contemporary and modern lifestyle of a down town loft and establish it in a neighborhood in the suburbs amongst traditional style homes. Sleepy Hollow Estates like many older established neighborhoods throughout the North shore and Westside communities of Milwaukee had great local architects such as John Randall McDonald and Russell Barr Williamson, who built contemporary master pieces amongst very traditional style homes. This created diversity in the style of homes in these neighborhoods which for the people living in them and the people just passing by, an experience of harmony and cultural lifestyle. Unfortunately today, many new neighborhood developments lack harmony and cultural lifestyle and don’t allow for homes such as this Glen Cove Residence to be built. And for that matter many of the homes built by John Randall McDonald and Russell Barr Williamson back in the 1950’s. When driving through these new developments, one would experience beautiful traditional style homes, but all the homes tend to look the same. There is no diversity in the styles of homes thus these neighborhoods lack the harmony and a cultural life style for the people who live there or what people are looking for when buying a home that reflects their lifestyle. This Glen Cove Residence is an example that a contemporary home which offers a modern lifestyle that many desires can be established amongst traditional homes while blending in with the neighborhood. Don’t be fooled by the flat roof of this home, building technology has come a long way since Frank Lloyd Wright! The roof system on this home is more energy efficient than most roof systems builders are putting on traditional homes today and it doesn’t leak! This Glen Cove Residence was built using all traditional building materials that you would see in homes being built in new developments today. There is a misconception out there that modern homes are expensive to build. That is not true! This Glen Cove Residence was built for roughly $130 per square foot which is the same price one would pay for a similar builder’s model traditional style home with the same upgrades. This Glen Cove Residence consists of three bedrooms and three and one half baths. All bedrooms are located on second floor with laundry, guest bath and a master suite. Located between the first and second floors off of the landing is an office/den space. The first floor is open concept with the kitchen, dining and living areas located at the rear of the home with expansive windows allowing a great connection to back yard area and outdoors. On the back of the home is a covered deck area allowing for outdoor entertaining without the worry of the elements. The first floor also offers a powder room, mudroom and walk-in pantry off the kitchen area. From the mudroom there is access to an attached four car tandem garage. From the first floor to the finished basement is an open stair allowing the basement area to feel as part of the house and not just a basement? The basement consists of a main living area, game area with wet bar, exercise room, kids play room with 14’ ceilings, full bathroom and mechanical room with storage closets throughout.

Photo credit: Ryan Theede
Deck - large rustic backyard deck idea in Other with a fire pit and a roof extension

Design ideas for a landscaping in Charlotte.

Our clients wanted to build an outdoor living area complete with fire feature, dining area, and TV entertainment. This project was built to look original-to-the-home and provide a large seating area with plenty of shade for enjoyment. The covered patio shades the majority of the backyard patio area, leaving the fire feature area open to star gazing in the evening. Sparkling and shimmering, decorative glass is the perfect medium for this lovely fire feature! The polished capstone along the perimeter of the fire feature provides additional seating for those captivated by its beauty and warmth. Tongue and Groove ceiling is a beautiful enhancement to this patio cover. An outdoor TV is wired in the living area of this patio cover, bringing the entertainment outdoors! A large farm-style dining table is perfectly placed in the middle of patio for an outdoor dining experience. Needless to say, the space underneath this patio cover is wonderfully utilized. Recessed lighting illuminates the patio in the evening while appealing column lanterns begin to light the backyard. Ceilings fan are an ideal addition to any outdoor space. Photo Credit to Homeowner

Open-Concept Covered Deck Designed by Cornerstone Homes, this expansive covered deck creates a seamless extension of the main living area, blending indoor comfort with outdoor living. Oversized accordion-style folding glass doors open the living room almost completely to the deck, visually and functionally expanding the entertaining space and creating the feeling of one continuous indoor-outdoor great room. The covered deck features a dark-stained wood plank ceiling, recessed lighting, integrated speakers, and an overhead patio heater for added comfort. White horizontal siding provides a crisp modern-farmhouse backdrop, while dark window frames and glass railings continue the home’s strong black-and-white architectural palette. Generous lounge seating transforms the space into a true outdoor living room, ideal for entertaining, relaxing, and enjoying the surrounding views. With the accordion doors fully opened, the deck and interior living room flow together, effectively doubling the usable gathering space and creating an impressive entertaining experience.

In this captivating kitchen and dining room design by Buffie Architect, the space showcases a harmonious blend of modern elegance and functional aesthetics. The kitchen area features sleek cabinetry that seamlessly integrates into the overall design, creating a clean and contemporary look. The countertops, clad in a luxurious marble, add a touch of opulence and timeless beauty to the space. The subtle veining of the marble adds texture and visual interest. A central island, adorned with the same elegant marble countertop, stands as a focal point in the room. Its expansive surface provides ample space for food preparation and casual dining, making it a versatile hub for culinary activities and social gatherings. The dining area, adjacent to the kitchen, boasts a stunning table that exudes elegance and sophistication. Its design features clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic, allowing it to seamlessly blend with the overall modern theme of the space. The table is accompanied by a set of chic dining chairs, providing comfort without compromising on style. One notable element in the design is the kul grilles vent covers, which are subtly integrated into the space. These vent covers serve a dual purpose of ensuring efficient air circulation while adding a touch of refinement to the room. Their sleek and understated design complements the overall aesthetic, seamlessly blending into the surrounding surfaces. Overall, this kitchen and dining room design by Buffie Architect embodies a sense of modern elegance and functionality. The combination of clean lines, luxurious materials, and thoughtful details creates a space that is visually captivating and inviting. It showcases the architect's skill in balancing artistry with practicality, resulting in a harmonious and sophisticated environment for culinary delights and memorable dining experiences.