Nestled amidst a neighborhood of single story bungalows in Venice, California, the Solar Umbrella Residence boldly establishes a precedent for the next generation of California modernist architecture. Located on a 41’ wide x 100’-0” long through lot, the Solar Umbrella addition transforms the architects’ existing 650 square foot bungalow into a 1900 square foot residence equipped for responsible living in the twenty-first century. Inspired by Paul Rudolph’s Umbrella House of 1953, the Solar Umbrella provides a contemporary reinvention of the solar canopy—a strategy that provides thermal protection in climates with intense exposures. In establishing the program for their residence, which accommodates the couple and their one child chose to integrate into the design, principles of sustainability that they strive to achieve in their own practice. The architects carefully considered the entire site, taking advantage of as many opportunities for sustainable living as possible. Passive and active solar design strategies render the residence 100% energy neutral. Recycled, renewable, and high performance materials and products are specified throughout. Hardscape and landscape treatments are considered for their aesthetic and actual impact on the land. The Brooks Scarpa Residence elegantly crafts each of these strategies and materials, exploiting the potential for performance and sensibility while achieving a rich and interesting sensory and aesthetic experience.

Dalston revamp: Hackney, London: 1000sqft Flat renovation and new dormer loft conversion. Beautiful materials, bespoke detailing and clever use of space exploit the maximum potential of this compact 1960’s 1st floor flat and roof space. Approval for the layout was achieved with the introduction of a sprinkler system allowing a new staircase to rise from the living room and form an under-stairs wardrobe space in the bedroom below, further allowing two new bedrooms, an en-suite, walk-in wardrobe and eves storage areas to be created in the loft space.

This custom residence exploits its southern exposure with a daylight basement that opens out to unencumbered mountain views. Interior finishes such as inlaid wood ceilings, Oklahoma sandstone masonry, and log wrapped steel columns, carry the ubiquitous natural tones of the site into the interior with a refined touch. Designed by Ward+Blake Architects in Jackson, Wyoming. Photo Credit: Douglas Kahn

Vitality contemporary wardrobes and walk in wardrobes with new finishes and colours created to make each project unique and perfect, starting from the customization of the interior. The accessories offer a new way of containing and exploiting space, giving the wardrobe a new look. Let us design your wardrobes today by booking your appointment on www.the-design.gallery We are located on 09 Parklands road, at Victoria courts on 2nd floor. #colombinicasa #vitalitywardrobes #thedesigngalleryea #madeinitaly #availableinkenya #interiordesign #italianluxuryliving

Nestled on a corner lot in the Madrona neighborhood, we chose to exploit the abundance of natural light in this 1905 home. We worked with Board & Vellum to remodel this residence from the dining and living rooms to the kitchen and powder room. Our client loved bold rich colors, perfect in combination with the natural lighting of the home. We used blue hues throughout, mirroring the palette in the details of the accessories and artwork. We balanced the deep shades in the kitchen with coastal grey quartz and honed Calacatta Marble backsplash, extending from the countertop to the ceiling. Filling the main space with comfortable furniture married with a collection of colors, textures, and patterns proved for cohesive balanced style. DATE COMPLETED – 2016 LOCATION – SEATTLE, WA PHOTOGRAPHY – JOHN GRANEN PHOTOGRAPHY

Built in the early ’60’s, the original ranch-style home contained two bedrooms and one bath. In the mid 90’s, a master bath and laundry were added, and a two-car garage was built behind the home. Views of the river were available, but never exploited. In 2007, its new owners approached JRML with a design program requiring major revisions to the first floor, and a second floor that maximized river views from the master bedroom and bath. A screened porch, balcony and outside shower were also desired. For style, the owners chose Contemporary Island for its white exterior and louver-shutters. To access the garage, we designed a porte-cochere, and perched the master bedroom above for river views. An overhead door was added for security. Deep overhangs and louvered shutters provide shade. The white roof and siding reflect the sun. The west-facing rear features large windows, a pergola balcony with river views, and an outside shower. A screened porch provides insect-free enjoyment. Hip roofs, tile, lap and board and batten siding add visual interest to the exterior. Abundant landscape and hard-scape features provide a respite from the nearby city.

This custom residence exploits its southern exposure with a daylight basement that opens out to unencumbered mountain views. Interior finishes such as inlaid wood ceilings, Oklahoma sandstone masonry, and log wrapped steel columns, carry the ubiquitous natural tones of the site into the interior with a refined touch. Designed by Ward+Blake Architects in Jackson, Wyoming. Photo Credit: Douglas Kahn

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.

The existing kitchen and nook were small and dim. River views were available, but not exploited. Expanding the nook outward increased floor and wall area. Skylights and large windows provided offered natural light and view. Imbued with an Asian aesthetic, the new space features hewn wood beams, columns and natural cork flooring. European cabinetry, quartz countertops, and integrated appliances are divided into distinct work, cleanup and prep zones. A custom hood anchors the island, with guest seating around a raised art glass counter supported on cantilevered standoffs. Unique track and pendant fixtures, furnishings and accessories support the composition.

Vitality contemporary wardrobes and walk in wardrobes with new finishes and colours created to make each project unique and perfect, starting from the customization of the interior. The accessories offer a new way of containing and exploiting space, giving the wardrobe a new look. Let us design your wardrobes today by booking your appointment on www.the-design.gallery We are located on 09 Parklands road, at Victoria courts on 2nd floor. #colombinicasa #vitalitywardrobes #thedesigngalleryea #madeinitaly #availableinkenya #interiordesign #italianluxuryliving

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.

How you can use this motif in interiors? There are virtually endless possibilities… and it seems that designers have exploited the pineapple motif to the limits. However, the uniqueness of the collection created by Pixers is that it allows any element of your own furniture and walls in your home to be personalized with these whimsical patterns bringing to mind warm days of summer, beams of sun and tropical landscapes.

This custom residence exploits its southern exposure with a daylight basement that opens out to unencumbered mountain views. Interior finishes such as inlaid wood ceilings, Oklahoma sandstone masonry, and log wrapped steel columns, carry the ubiquitous natural tones of the site into the interior with a refined touch. Designed by Ward+Blake Architects in Jackson, Wyoming. Photo Credit: Douglas Kahn

Nestled amidst a neighborhood of single story bungalows in Venice, California, the Solar Umbrella Residence boldly establishes a precedent for the next generation of California modernist architecture. Located on a 41’ wide x 100’-0” long through lot, the Solar Umbrella addition transforms the architects’ existing 650 square foot bungalow into a 1900 square foot residence equipped for responsible living in the twenty-first century. Inspired by Paul Rudolph’s Umbrella House of 1953, the Solar Umbrella provides a contemporary reinvention of the solar canopy—a strategy that provides thermal protection in climates with intense exposures. In establishing the program for their residence, which accommodates the couple and their one child chose to integrate into the design, principles of sustainability that they strive to achieve in their own practice. The architects carefully considered the entire site, taking advantage of as many opportunities for sustainable living as possible. Passive and active solar design strategies render the residence 100% energy neutral. Recycled, renewable, and high performance materials and products are specified throughout. Hardscape and landscape treatments are considered for their aesthetic and actual impact on the land. The Brooks Scarpa Residence elegantly crafts each of these strategies and materials, exploiting the potential for performance and sensibility while achieving a rich and interesting sensory and aesthetic experience.

Pianca Furniture draws upon traditional local craft, channelling over 500 years of carpentry along the banks of the Pianca stream. Building on its strong history, Pianca combines experience and innovation to bring the culture of modern design to the world. The Confluence Table is a modern and bold choice for your dining room. Experimentation on metal, which has always characterized Lust’s work, encounters Pianca’s experience in woodworking, giving life to a fluid and organic structure. The steel structure is sinuous thanks to its curves, and at the same time dynamic, giving the impression of having maintained the malleable consistency of the molding process the material underwent. With a fluid movement, the steel legs converge, supporting the top, which seems to levitate. The myriad of finishings allows the tables – rectangular, round and elliptical – to adapt to different styles. Spazio Pianca modules offer full creative freedom and spectacular impact. Peerlessly handsome solutions that exploit the interplay of solids and spaces; wall-hanging or free-standing storage elements, creating plucky, modern graphic images. A personal lifestyle that knows how to stay one step ahead of the latest trends.

Designed as a country retreat for a young couple from New York City, this compact project plays with the idea of a modern cabin. Containing 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms in under 2,000 sqft, the house exploits the use of glass and outdoors rooms to expand its virtual space and connection to nature. The aesthetics of the house reflect the nature of its owners; while very modest and private on the outside, it is full of light and openness on the inside. The project's interior design creates a youthful and relaxed atmosphere, while maintaining a timelessness and simplicity appropriate to its New England heritage. http://chattmanphotography.com/

A dysfunctional layout on the main floor included a tiny kitchen and dining room, both of which were disproportionate with other rooms in this sprawling five bedroom home. The spatial constraints didn’t allow for large gatherings nor was the kitchen remotely functional. The removal of several interior walls, along with opening door entries to their maximum heights and widths provide greater flow and a more inviting atmosphere. Views to the garden were exploited by replacing one small window with a thirteen foot linear window in the kitchen. Other windows were transformed into exterior doors for easy access to the large terrace leading to a swimming pool during summer months. The kitchen is a luminous sanctuary, combining a serene palette of muted grey cabinetry and marbled quartz counters. Panels of white oak maintain minimal lines while concealing an abundance of storage. The former dining room gave way to a more casual experience, with a custom built-in banquette spanning the width of the kitchen. Continuing the oak floors from the living room into the kitchen, creates a visual flow that was integral to the open concept of the main floor.

Maximization of space is exploited at the kid’s bathroom. A unique Japanese tub is built with the toilet and basin placed alongside, and is divided by a transparent glass sliding door, which echoes with the mirror surface of the cabinets to evoke a sense of a larger space.

Through the combination of modest topographic manipulations and the layering of high-performing native plant communities, the landscape was designed to fully exploit the site’s 270 degree ocean-front exposure. A selection of strategically placed mature native trees and shrubs were integrated within this expanded landscape fabric to improve and visually anchor the scale of the architecture to its landscape context. With the landscape viewed and experienced from multiple levels and points of view, its composition and spatial structure required a unique visual and functional resiliency.