Nancy Knickerbocker of Reico Kitchen and Bath in Southern Pines, NC designed the kitchen, laundry room and bookcase in this multi-room project, a mixture of traditional and transitional styles featuring Masterpiece Cabinetry Gannon door style. The kitchen perimeter, bookcase, and laundry cabinets feature a Warm White finish, while the kitchen island cabinets are a Cherry Kaffe finish with Cambria Brittanicca Gold countertops. The kitchen also includes Emotive Astonished White Silk Florida Tile and Kohler’s Whitehaven farm sink and Simplice faucet. The client expressed their gratitude, stating, "Nancy was great about providing suggestions, and with her experience, she knew what would work well together. We are especially happy with our floor tile, backsplash, and countertops, which she recommended. She was easy to work with, honest, knowledgeable, and hardworking. We knew that she would keep our project on task and that we could count on her to take care of any issues we had.” "It is so elegant and provides so much more natural light than our old kitchen. The design provides more space for cooking and entertaining. Our favorite cabinet accessory is the lighted cabinet with glass door. It provides background lighting and elegance to our kitchen," said the client. Nancy explained how the project consisted of updating the kitchen and widening the opening to the family room. "We removed the peninsula and installed an island to improve flow. To have adequate clearance for the island, we had to take some space from their family room. This construction required a new support beam. We removed the existing soffits to accommodate taller cabinetry.” "The new design is great for their family. I love the color combinations and the overall look of the space. It's updated and still reflects the traditional style of their home." Photos courtesy of ShowSpaces Photography.

Situated along Eagle River, looking across to the mouth of the Ipswich Harbor, this was clearly a little cape house that was married to the sea. The owners were inquiring about adding a simple shed dormer to provide additional exposure to the stunning water view, but they were also interested in what Mathew would design if this beach cottage were his. Inspired by the waves that came ashore mere feet from the little house, Mathew took up a fat marker and sketched a sweeping, S-shape dormer on the waterside of the building. He then described how the dormer would be designed in the shape of an ocean wave. “This way,” he explained, “you will not only be able to see the ocean from your new master bedroom, you’ll also be able to experience that view from a space that actually reflects the spirit of the waves.” Mathew and his team designed the master suite and study using a subtle combination of contemporary and traditional, beach-house elements. The result was a completely unique and one-of-a-kind space inside and out. Transparencies are built into the design via features like gently curved glass that reflects the water and the arched interior window separating the bedroom and bath. On the exterior, the curved dormer on the street side echoes these rounded shapes and lines to create continuity throughout. The sense of movement is accentuated by the continuous, V-groove boarded ceiling that runs from one ocean-shaped dormer through to the opposite side of the house. The bedroom features a cozy sitting area with built in storage and a porthole window to look out onto the rowboats in the harbor. A bathroom and closet were combined into a single room in a modern design that doesn't sacrifice any style or space and provides highly efficient functionality. A striking barn door made of glass with industrial hardware divides the two zones of the master suite. The custom, built-in maple cabinetry of the closets provides a textural counterpoint to the unique glass shower that incorporates sea stones and an ocean wave motif accent tile. With this spectacular design vision, the owners are now able to enjoy their stunning view from a bright and spacious interior that brings the natural elements of the beach into the home. Photo by Eric Roth

What a fun and colorful room! This kid's bathroom was made safer with a motion censored faucet by Sloan and a neat looking group of glass tiles on the backsplash - fun and practical!

Meet Kim: a partner in a downtown law firm. To say that she is short on time is a giant understatement. In the rare event she has a free moment, she wants to spend it with her kids, not fussing over home decor. That’s my cue! Kim is my favorite type of client. She didn’t know where to go or what to do. She leaned on me to explain and articulate design and style. She looked to me to make her home a mirror of her best self. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. Fantastic human giving me a blank slate? Yes please! While Kim’s traditional home had a great layout and good bones, it needed updating to make it contemporary and fresh. It needed fixtures and knobs from this century. It needed a Lulu DK roman shade in the powder room. It needed a durable, snuggle-ready sofa with tufting and little patterns of texture. It needed drapery with small-scale drama. Throw in a Thomas O’ Brian cocktail table, and now there’s no shortage of conversation pieces. Little spaces make me happy – they are the most intimate snapshot of your entire home’s aesthetic – and this house has some good ones. I couldn’t wait to work with the nooks and crannies of this house. Kim’s sitting room, a small den off of the master bedroom, morphed into a craveable cozy space, a quiet adult respite from the occasional chaos of raising a family. The kitchen evolved into something quite unique: playful yet modest, dressed-up but centered. We used a favorite Lucy Rose fabric and Galbraith & Paul pillows to work perfectly with a fresh color palette selected during a prior-to-me renovation. A locally made kitchen farm table fit right in with the high-fashioned quirky blend of color, texture, and pattern. High-End + Color = Fun + Functional This is how we articulated Kim’s style and personality. She trusted me with her inner self, allowing me to get to know her and her real, everyday life. I built her a special space to reflect the beautiful life she made for herself. Nothing too fancy or off-limits to little hands, nothing too stuffy (snore!). Everything 100% HER. #nailedit See more Safferstone stuff at www.safferstone.com. Connect with us on Facebook, get inspired on Pinterest, and share modern musings on life & design on Instagram. Or, send us a love note at hello@safferstone.com. Photo: Angie Seckinger

M-S Pro Architects announce the completion of an indoor swimming pool in a state-of-the-art, single storey family home set in a picturesque location on the outskirts of Bratislava - one of Europe’s youngest capital cities. Kebony, a beautiful wood recommended by leading architects, was chosen to craft the ceiling of the swimming pool, which is designed to emulate rippling waves as well as for the terrace deck and structural beams. Sustainability and a desire to recreate the close proximity often seen between wood and water in the natural environment were primary focuses in the design of this project. This led a requirement for a low maintenance wood, compatible humidity and with advanced durability, for the swimming pool ceiling. In addition, a high level of precision when cutting the wood was required in order to achieve the desired appearance of waves. Supplied by Leading Market, Kebony was carefully selected for the pool ceiling, which consists of 490 lamellae of timber, due to its versatility, durability and environmental credentials. Kebony was also installed throughout the exterior of this property, both for the spacious outdoor terrace and the exterior and interior beams. One of the reasons to choose Kebony was the unified look of wood in all these different applications. Developed in Norway, the patented Kebony technology uses an environmentally friendly process, which permanently enhances the properties of sustainable softwood with a bio-based liquid derived from agricultural crop waste. By polymerising the wood’s cell wall with furfuryl alcohol, the wood gains greatly improved durability and dimensional stability, giving it characteristics similar to those of tropical hardwood. In creating a wood with comparable properties to tropical hardwood that can be grown in a FSC certified, sustainably managed forest, the demand for tropical woods is reduced, allowing timber to once again be an important part of sustainable construction. Tomáš Hubinský, Lead Architect at M-S Pro, commented: “From conception through to completion, the creation of this ceiling has been a real feat. Despite the challenges faced by such an intricate design, Kebony was the perfect material to convey our desired effect of waves rippling along the ceiling. We will continue to incorporate Kebony into our interior and exterior designs, with wood fast becoming the first choice material for all architects.” Mette Valen, Sales Manager Norway at Kebony, explained: “The distinctive nature of this design cleverly portrays the capability of Kebony, demonstrating both the aesthetic and performance qualities of the product. We would be honoured to work with M-S Pro in the future and look forward to seeing how they utilise Kebony in their future projects.”

Nancy Knickerbocker of Reico Kitchen and Bath in Southern Pines, NC designed multiple rooms for this project. This included the kitchen, pantry, laundry room and desk area, highlighting a traditional design style and featuring both Ultracraft Cabinetry and Merillat Classic Cabinetry. The kitchen features Ultracraft Winchester cabinets in an Artic White finish. The pantry showcases Merillat Classic cabinets in the Portrait door style with a Cotton finish. Both the laundry and desk areas include Merillat Classic Marlin cabinets in a Cotton White finish. Silestone Eternal Calacatta Gold and Lagoon countertops are featured in all rooms. The client expressed their appreciation for Nancy saying, “She has a great eye for detail and worked with my vision, even improving on it. I wanted to keep the wood paneling in the kitchen and den and she worked with me on this little challenge. She was honest with me, stayed on the project, ensured our orders came in on time and made sure the cabinets were what we ordered.” “I love everything about my spacious new kitchen and my laundry room. It's like being in a new home every time I walk in the house. I needed Nancy to design a lovely spacious kitchen with a good flow plan and she did it beautifully,” said the client. Nancy explained how the project was more than moving a couple of doors and appliances. “In the original plan, the range was in a peninsula. The peninsula was removed and an island added. The new island design houses a microwave drawer, spice pullout, trash/recycle, three large drawers, ample working surface and seating! The door to the walk-in pantry was relocated to the hallway between the kitchen and laundry area. This allows for a convenient countertop beside the refrigerator and gives more open space entering the kitchen.” Photos courtesy of ShowSpaces Photography.

Nancy Knickerbocker of Reico Kitchen and Bath in Southern Pines, NC designed the kitchen, laundry room and bookcase in this multi-room project, a mixture of traditional and transitional styles featuring Masterpiece Cabinetry Gannon door style. The kitchen perimeter, bookcase, and laundry cabinets feature a Warm White finish, while the kitchen island cabinets are a Cherry Kaffe finish with Cambria Brittanicca Gold countertops. The kitchen also includes Emotive Astonished White Silk Florida Tile and Kohler’s Whitehaven farm sink and Simplice faucet. The client expressed their gratitude, stating, "Nancy was great about providing suggestions, and with her experience, she knew what would work well together. We are especially happy with our floor tile, backsplash, and countertops, which she recommended. She was easy to work with, honest, knowledgeable, and hardworking. We knew that she would keep our project on task and that we could count on her to take care of any issues we had.” "It is so elegant and provides so much more natural light than our old kitchen. The design provides more space for cooking and entertaining. Our favorite cabinet accessory is the lighted cabinet with glass door. It provides background lighting and elegance to our kitchen," said the client. Nancy explained how the project consisted of updating the kitchen and widening the opening to the family room. "We removed the peninsula and installed an island to improve flow. To have adequate clearance for the island, we had to take some space from their family room. This construction required a new support beam. We removed the existing soffits to accommodate taller cabinetry.” "The new design is great for their family. I love the color combinations and the overall look of the space. It's updated and still reflects the traditional style of their home." Photos courtesy of ShowSpaces Photography.

Nancy Knickerbocker of Reico Kitchen and Bath in Southern Pines, NC designed the kitchen, laundry room and bookcase in this multi-room project, a mixture of traditional and transitional styles featuring Masterpiece Cabinetry Gannon door style. The kitchen perimeter, bookcase, and laundry cabinets feature a Warm White finish, while the kitchen island cabinets are a Cherry Kaffe finish with Cambria Brittanicca Gold countertops. The kitchen also includes Emotive Astonished White Silk Florida Tile and Kohler’s Whitehaven farm sink and Simplice faucet. The client expressed their gratitude, stating, "Nancy was great about providing suggestions, and with her experience, she knew what would work well together. We are especially happy with our floor tile, backsplash, and countertops, which she recommended. She was easy to work with, honest, knowledgeable, and hardworking. We knew that she would keep our project on task and that we could count on her to take care of any issues we had.” "It is so elegant and provides so much more natural light than our old kitchen. The design provides more space for cooking and entertaining. Our favorite cabinet accessory is the lighted cabinet with glass door. It provides background lighting and elegance to our kitchen," said the client. Nancy explained how the project consisted of updating the kitchen and widening the opening to the family room. "We removed the peninsula and installed an island to improve flow. To have adequate clearance for the island, we had to take some space from their family room. This construction required a new support beam. We removed the existing soffits to accommodate taller cabinetry.” "The new design is great for their family. I love the color combinations and the overall look of the space. It's updated and still reflects the traditional style of their home." Photos courtesy of ShowSpaces Photography.

Nancy Knickerbocker of Reico Kitchen and Bath in Southern Pines, NC designed multiple rooms for this project. This included the kitchen, pantry, laundry room and desk area, highlighting a traditional design style and featuring both Ultracraft Cabinetry and Merillat Classic Cabinetry. The kitchen features Ultracraft Winchester cabinets in an Artic White finish. The pantry showcases Merillat Classic cabinets in the Portrait door style with a Cotton finish. Both the laundry and desk areas include Merillat Classic Marlin cabinets in a Cotton White finish. Silestone Eternal Calacatta Gold and Lagoon countertops are featured in all rooms. The client expressed their appreciation for Nancy saying, “She has a great eye for detail and worked with my vision, even improving on it. I wanted to keep the wood paneling in the kitchen and den and she worked with me on this little challenge. She was honest with me, stayed on the project, ensured our orders came in on time and made sure the cabinets were what we ordered.” “I love everything about my spacious new kitchen and my laundry room. It's like being in a new home every time I walk in the house. I needed Nancy to design a lovely spacious kitchen with a good flow plan and she did it beautifully,” said the client. Nancy explained how the project was more than moving a couple of doors and appliances. “In the original plan, the range was in a peninsula. The peninsula was removed and an island added. The new island design houses a microwave drawer, spice pullout, trash/recycle, three large drawers, ample working surface and seating! The door to the walk-in pantry was relocated to the hallway between the kitchen and laundry area. This allows for a convenient countertop beside the refrigerator and gives more open space entering the kitchen.” Photos courtesy of ShowSpaces Photography.

Nancy Knickerbocker of Reico Kitchen and Bath in Southern Pines, NC designed multiple rooms for this project. This included the kitchen, pantry, laundry room and desk area, highlighting a traditional design style and featuring both Ultracraft Cabinetry and Merillat Classic Cabinetry. The kitchen features Ultracraft Winchester cabinets in an Artic White finish. The pantry showcases Merillat Classic cabinets in the Portrait door style with a Cotton finish. Both the laundry and desk areas include Merillat Classic Marlin cabinets in a Cotton White finish. Silestone Eternal Calacatta Gold and Lagoon countertops are featured in all rooms. The client expressed their appreciation for Nancy saying, “She has a great eye for detail and worked with my vision, even improving on it. I wanted to keep the wood paneling in the kitchen and den and she worked with me on this little challenge. She was honest with me, stayed on the project, ensured our orders came in on time and made sure the cabinets were what we ordered.” “I love everything about my spacious new kitchen and my laundry room. It's like being in a new home every time I walk in the house. I needed Nancy to design a lovely spacious kitchen with a good flow plan and she did it beautifully,” said the client. Nancy explained how the project was more than moving a couple of doors and appliances. “In the original plan, the range was in a peninsula. The peninsula was removed and an island added. The new island design houses a microwave drawer, spice pullout, trash/recycle, three large drawers, ample working surface and seating! The door to the walk-in pantry was relocated to the hallway between the kitchen and laundry area. This allows for a convenient countertop beside the refrigerator and gives more open space entering the kitchen.” Photos courtesy of ShowSpaces Photography.

This young family purchased their first home in 2021, and let's say it was full of original 1970s charm - i.e., nothing had been done to this house in the past 50 years. We had recently completed a project for a family member, so they called us in to help. During our initial consultation, they shared a modest project budget, and we explained that we wouldn't be able to accomplish much on such a limited budget. Several weeks passed, and they ultimately raised their funding, and we signed on for the job. Even after doubling their budget, we still had our work cut out for us. The original kitchen was very small in comparison to the square footage of the home, and opening up the space meant we needed to add two structural beams between the first and second stories. These homeowners already had one small child, and were expecting another in the coming months. They also have large families in the area, so creating an ample gathering space for multiple cooks was crucial to the final layout. Some of their wish list items included a bar and a large island with plenty of seating. They also wanted the kitchen open to the family room. This home had a formal and informal dining area, so we opted to absorb the casual eating area into the newly expanded kitchen floorplan. We relocated their laundry room to create an extended family room, which included the new bar area. We were also able to use the under-stair space to create a kitchen pantry. The kitchen transformed from 115 sq. ft. to a spacious 260 sq. ft., all within existing poorly used space. We were able to create clear sightlines to the backyard and pool from the new kitchen and family room, perfect for a young family. Aesthetically speaking, our clients wanted a neutral space that could grow and change with their family. We kept the expensive items like cabinets, countertops, and tile in classic finishes like whites and navy blues, while we had more fun with things like the faucet, hardware, and light fixtures that could easily be updated over the years. The finished product is a warm, clean, family-friendly space that invites you to come in and pull up a chair.

In Dubai's luxury residential landscape, the bedroom has evolved from a simple sleep space into a sophisticated personal retreat. Antonovich Group, a distinguished interior design Dubai firm, has perfected the art of modern bedroom transformation through their specialized fit-out and furniture solutions that balance aesthetic refinement with sleep science principles. Their recent bedroom project in Dubai Hills Estate exemplifies their contemporary approach—minimalist architectural detailing provides a serene backdrop for statement furniture pieces and thoughtfully curated materials. As a premier interior renovation company Dubai homeowners select for comprehensive transformations, Antonovich Group begins each bedroom project with a detailed lifestyle assessment to understand sleep patterns, morning routines, and personal preferences. "The modern bedroom serves multiple functions beyond sleep," explains their design director. "It often incorporates dressing areas, work spaces, and relaxation zones while maintaining an atmosphere conducive to rest. This complexity requires thoughtful spatial planning and integrated solutions." What distinguishes Antonovich Group's bedroom designs is their custom furniture program, which creates bespoke pieces tailored precisely to each space and client. Rather than selecting from standard collections, clients receive one-of-a-kind beds, nightstands, wardrobes, and seating that perfectly balance form and function. Each piece undergoes rigorous review for both visual appeal and ergonomic performance. Material selection for these sleep environments showcases the firm's expertise in creating sensory harmony. Acoustic wall treatments minimize noise disruption, temperature-regulating fabrics enhance sleep quality, and carefully selected woods bring natural warmth to the space. Lighting receives particular attention, with programmable systems that support circadian rhythms. "As an interior renovation company Dubai residents trust with their most personal spaces, we recognize that bedroom design affects wellbeing directly," notes the wellness specialist. "Our integrated approach addresses not just aesthetics but also the environmental factors that influence sleep quality." For homeowners contemplating bedroom transformations, Antonovich Group offers consultation services that explore the possibilities of modern sleep sanctuaries—spaces that represent the perfect synthesis of contemporary design principles and deeply personal comfort requirements.

This young family purchased their first home in 2021, and let's say it was full of original 1970s charm - i.e., nothing had been done to this house in the past 50 years. We had recently completed a project for a family member, so they called us in to help. During our initial consultation, they shared a modest project budget, and we explained that we wouldn't be able to accomplish much on such a limited budget. Several weeks passed, and they ultimately raised their funding, and we signed on for the job. Even after doubling their budget, we still had our work cut out for us. The original kitchen was very small in comparison to the square footage of the home, and opening up the space meant we needed to add two structural beams between the first and second stories. These homeowners already had one small child, and were expecting another in the coming months. They also have large families in the area, so creating an ample gathering space for multiple cooks was crucial to the final layout. Some of their wish list items included a bar and a large island with plenty of seating. They also wanted the kitchen open to the family room. This home had a formal and informal dining area, so we opted to absorb the casual eating area into the newly expanded kitchen floorplan. We relocated their laundry room to create an extended family room, which included the new bar area. We were also able to use the under-stair space to create a kitchen pantry. The kitchen transformed from 115 sq. ft. to a spacious 260 sq. ft., all within existing poorly used space. We were able to create clear sightlines to the backyard and pool from the new kitchen and family room, perfect for a young family. Aesthetically speaking, our clients wanted a neutral space that could grow and change with their family. We kept the expensive items like cabinets, countertops, and tile in classic finishes like whites and navy blues, while we had more fun with things like the faucet, hardware, and light fixtures that could easily be updated over the years. The finished product is a warm, clean, family-friendly space that invites you to come in and pull up a chair.

This project was do in collaboration with my friends at Sweetwater Collaborative. Sweetwater Collaborative is a non-profit organization that work to educate the public about water wise and regenerative landscape practices. Funded by the City of Santa Barbara as well as several other business and agency Sweetwater Collaborative and I worked to installed this project with the help of volunteers. In a hands-on work shop we explained principles of water wise gardening and demonstrated best practices when installing sustainable landscapes. When the owner of this property decided to build an ADU ( Auxiliary Dwelling Unit) in their back yard they expanded the roof line of their property. In order to be in compliance with new California building the project required that a portion of the rain water coming onto this property must be stored on the property. That is where we came into help. Directing down spouts into basins, or swales in the soil is one of the most efficient and cost-effective way to capture and store rain water on a piece of land. Calculations were done to determine the volume of water coming of the roof line in a given rain event from the ADU. The calculations go: square footage of roofline times .62 times 1, for 1” of rain. That total gives you the amount of water in gallons. Then divide the number in gallons by 7.48 find the cubic feet in that number of gallons. Then a basin with that holding capacity was designed into the landscape. Then the plantings were chosen. In this project we went with an 100% California Native Plant palette. We did this to help educate people about all the benefits of growing natives and to show case some of the beautiful plants native to Southern California. Sothern California is how to some of the greatest biodiversity of plants in the world. Native Plants are best adapted to thrive conditions from which they are natively found plus they help provide forage to the native fauna such as birds and insects. Now the tenants in the ADU can look out and enjoy this colorful garden without the home owners needing to pay a huge water bill.

M-S Pro Architects announce the completion of an indoor swimming pool in a state-of-the-art, single storey family home set in a picturesque location on the outskirts of Bratislava - one of Europe’s youngest capital cities. Kebony, a beautiful wood recommended by leading architects, was chosen to craft the ceiling of the swimming pool, which is designed to emulate rippling waves as well as for the terrace deck and structural beams. Sustainability and a desire to recreate the close proximity often seen between wood and water in the natural environment were primary focuses in the design of this project. This led a requirement for a low maintenance wood, compatible humidity and with advanced durability, for the swimming pool ceiling. In addition, a high level of precision when cutting the wood was required in order to achieve the desired appearance of waves. Supplied by Leading Market, Kebony was carefully selected for the pool ceiling, which consists of 490 lamellae of timber, due to its versatility, durability and environmental credentials. Kebony was also installed throughout the exterior of this property, both for the spacious outdoor terrace and the exterior and interior beams. One of the reasons to choose Kebony was the unified look of wood in all these different applications. Developed in Norway, the patented Kebony technology uses an environmentally friendly process, which permanently enhances the properties of sustainable softwood with a bio-based liquid derived from agricultural crop waste. By polymerising the wood’s cell wall with furfuryl alcohol, the wood gains greatly improved durability and dimensional stability, giving it characteristics similar to those of tropical hardwood. In creating a wood with comparable properties to tropical hardwood that can be grown in a FSC certified, sustainably managed forest, the demand for tropical woods is reduced, allowing timber to once again be an important part of sustainable construction. Tomáš Hubinský, Lead Architect at M-S Pro, commented: “From conception through to completion, the creation of this ceiling has been a real feat. Despite the challenges faced by such an intricate design, Kebony was the perfect material to convey our desired effect of waves rippling along the ceiling. We will continue to incorporate Kebony into our interior and exterior designs, with wood fast becoming the first choice material for all architects.” Mette Valen, Sales Manager Norway at Kebony, explained: “The distinctive nature of this design cleverly portrays the capability of Kebony, demonstrating both the aesthetic and performance qualities of the product. We would be honoured to work with M-S Pro in the future and look forward to seeing how they utilise Kebony in their future projects.”

M-S Pro Architects announce the completion of an indoor swimming pool in a state-of-the-art, single storey family home set in a picturesque location on the outskirts of Bratislava - one of Europe’s youngest capital cities. Kebony, a beautiful wood recommended by leading architects, was chosen to craft the ceiling of the swimming pool, which is designed to emulate rippling waves as well as for the terrace deck and structural beams. Sustainability and a desire to recreate the close proximity often seen between wood and water in the natural environment were primary focuses in the design of this project. This led a requirement for a low maintenance wood, compatible humidity and with advanced durability, for the swimming pool ceiling. In addition, a high level of precision when cutting the wood was required in order to achieve the desired appearance of waves. Supplied by Leading Market, Kebony was carefully selected for the pool ceiling, which consists of 490 lamellae of timber, due to its versatility, durability and environmental credentials. Kebony was also installed throughout the exterior of this property, both for the spacious outdoor terrace and the exterior and interior beams. One of the reasons to choose Kebony was the unified look of wood in all these different applications. Developed in Norway, the patented Kebony technology uses an environmentally friendly process, which permanently enhances the properties of sustainable softwood with a bio-based liquid derived from agricultural crop waste. By polymerising the wood’s cell wall with furfuryl alcohol, the wood gains greatly improved durability and dimensional stability, giving it characteristics similar to those of tropical hardwood. In creating a wood with comparable properties to tropical hardwood that can be grown in a FSC certified, sustainably managed forest, the demand for tropical woods is reduced, allowing timber to once again be an important part of sustainable construction. Tomáš Hubinský, Lead Architect at M-S Pro, commented: “From conception through to completion, the creation of this ceiling has been a real feat. Despite the challenges faced by such an intricate design, Kebony was the perfect material to convey our desired effect of waves rippling along the ceiling. We will continue to incorporate Kebony into our interior and exterior designs, with wood fast becoming the first choice material for all architects.” Mette Valen, Sales Manager Norway at Kebony, explained: “The distinctive nature of this design cleverly portrays the capability of Kebony, demonstrating both the aesthetic and performance qualities of the product. We would be honoured to work with M-S Pro in the future and look forward to seeing how they utilise Kebony in their future projects.”

ELIMINATING ECHOS IN A LUXURY POOL HOUSE Innovative & Unobtrusive Acoustic Treatments Engaged By WSDG-Brasil BELO HORIZONTE, BRASIL: How do you keep your pool house from reverberating like a gymnasium? For the owners of a luxurious villa set amidst of one of Brasil’s most breathtaking landscapes, the views and the pastoral silence were priceless. A wide expanse of windows surrounding the infinite lap pool draw attention to the spectacular mountains and gardens framing this opulent weekend residence. Intrusive echoes of laughter and music were unacceptable. The critical acoustical designs devised by WSDG Brasil for the villa’s home theater and other living spaces were inspired by the firms’ professional recording studio expertise. Inhibiting sound from invading or escaping sensitive listening areas is a WSDG specialty. The enclosed pool and spa area, however presented uniquely troubling waters. Especially challenging was the requirement that the acoustical treatments unobtrusively compliment the sumptuous custom finishes. In addition to the 46’ long, 10’ wide lap pool, the 2100 sq. ft structure includes a gym, Jacuzzi and wet bar, bounded by three walls of double height windows. A movable glass sealing system was installed to maintain interior warmth during the cool, mountain region evenings. Prognosis? Warm, but noisy. Here, professional recording studio design techniques provided solutions. Each window, including an expansive skylight grid comprised of 24 individual 7’x5’motorized Italian glass panels, was fitted with two layers of Clearsorber™ Foil special micro-perforated transparent foil with 1” of air space separating the layers. Mounting the foil layers 2” below the glass skylight insured optimal sound absorption. Developed in Germany, these innovative translucent plastic sheets absorb medium and high frequency reverberation to resolve sonic reflection issues. “We have hung panels of this material in front of glass windows in recording studios,” explains WSDG Brasil, GM Renato Cipriano. “They have proved very effective in helping us ‘tune’ rooms without obstructing views. Now they are proving equally helpful in this residential application.” The foil’s full transparency insures unimpeded views and eliminates traditional pool house reverberation. Happily, the product also serves as a UV ray filtering system. Cipriano reports that special attention was also devoted to the pool house floor which is situated over a large machine room. “A number of generators, pumps and air conditioning units live beneath the pool,” he says. “Thanks to our acoustic treatments, they hum away doing their jobs without making their presence known to the guests.” Morro do Chapeau was designed by celebrated Brasilian architect Eduarda Correa. The extensive A/V installation was designed and installed by Versao Brasileira, a leading Belo Horizonte-based high-end home theater specialist. “We have participated on a number of challenging projects with Versao Brasileira,” Cipriano concludes. “They are extremely knowledgeable and we welcome the opportunity to collaborated with them.” ### Photos: Five views of the Morro do Chapeau pool house in Belo Horizonte, Brasil. All glass windows including the expansive skylight are insulated by a special micro perforated transparent foil to eliminate audio reverberation and also serve as a UV ray filtering system. Please credit photos by Jomar Braganca

Situated along Eagle River, looking across to the mouth of the Ipswich Harbor, this was clearly a little cape house that was married to the sea. The owners were inquiring about adding a simple shed dormer to provide additional exposure to the stunning water view, but they were also interested in what Mathew would design if this beach cottage were his. Inspired by the waves that came ashore mere feet from the little house, Mathew took up a fat marker and sketched a sweeping, S-shape dormer on the waterside of the building. He then described how the dormer would be designed in the shape of an ocean wave. “This way,” he explained, “you will not only be able to see the ocean from your new master bedroom, you’ll also be able to experience that view from a space that actually reflects the spirit of the waves.” Mathew and his team designed the master suite and study using a subtle combination of contemporary and traditional, beach-house elements. The result was a completely unique and one-of-a-kind space inside and out. Transparencies are built into the design via features like gently curved glass that reflects the water and the arched interior window separating the bedroom and bath. On the exterior, the curved dormer on the street side echoes these rounded shapes and lines to create continuity throughout. The sense of movement is accentuated by the continuous, V-groove boarded ceiling that runs from one ocean-shaped dormer through to the opposite side of the house. The bedroom features a cozy sitting area with built in storage and a porthole window to look out onto the rowboats in the harbor. A bathroom and closet were combined into a single room in a modern design that doesn't sacrifice any style or space and provides highly efficient functionality. A striking barn door made of glass with industrial hardware divides the two zones of the master suite. The custom, built-in maple cabinetry of the closets provides a textural counterpoint to the unique glass shower that incorporates sea stones and an ocean wave motif accent tile. With this spectacular design vision, the owners are now able to enjoy their stunning view from a bright and spacious interior that brings the natural elements of the beach into the home. Photo by Eric Roth

Situated along Eagle River, looking across to the mouth of the Ipswich Harbor, this was clearly a little cape house that was married to the sea. The owners were inquiring about adding a simple shed dormer to provide additional exposure to the stunning water view, but they were also interested in what Mathew would design if this beach cottage were his. Inspired by the waves that came ashore mere feet from the little house, Mathew took up a fat marker and sketched a sweeping, S-shape dormer on the waterside of the building. He then described how the dormer would be designed in the shape of an ocean wave. “This way,” he explained, “you will not only be able to see the ocean from your new master bedroom, you’ll also be able to experience that view from a space that actually reflects the spirit of the waves.” Mathew and his team designed the master suite and study using a subtle combination of contemporary and traditional, beach-house elements. The result was a completely unique and one-of-a-kind space inside and out. Transparencies are built into the design via features like gently curved glass that reflects the water and the arched interior window separating the bedroom and bath. On the exterior, the curved dormer on the street side echoes these rounded shapes and lines to create continuity throughout. The sense of movement is accentuated by the continuous, V-groove boarded ceiling that runs from one ocean-shaped dormer through to the opposite side of the house. The bedroom features a cozy sitting area with built in storage and a porthole window to look out onto the rowboats in the harbor. A bathroom and closet were combined into a single room in a modern design that doesn't sacrifice any style or space and provides highly efficient functionality. A striking barn door made of glass with industrial hardware divides the two zones of the master suite. The custom, built-in maple cabinetry of the closets provides a textural counterpoint to the unique glass shower that incorporates sea stones and an ocean wave motif accent tile. With this spectacular design vision, the owners are now able to enjoy their stunning view from a bright and spacious interior that brings the natural elements of the beach into the home. Photo by Eric Roth