Our client, with whom we had worked on a number of projects over the years, enlisted our help in transforming her family’s beloved but deteriorating rustic summer retreat, built by her grandparents in the mid-1920’s, into a house that would be livable year-‘round. It had served the family well but needed to be renewed for the decades to come without losing the flavor and patina they were attached to. The house was designed by Ruth Adams, a rare female architect of the day, who also designed in a similar vein a nearby summer colony of Vassar faculty and alumnae. To make Treetop habitable throughout the year, the whole house had to be gutted and insulated. The raw homosote interior wall finishes were replaced with plaster, but all the wood trim was retained and reused, as were all old doors and hardware. The old single-glazed casement windows were restored, and removable storm panels fitted into the existing in-swinging screen frames. New windows were made to match the old ones where new windows were added. This approach was inherently sustainable, making the house energy-efficient while preserving most of the original fabric. Changes to the original design were as seamless as possible, compatible with and enhancing the old character. Some plan modifications were made, and some windows moved around. The existing cave-like recessed entry porch was enclosed as a new book-lined entry hall and a new entry porch added, using posts made from an oak tree on the site. The kitchen and bathrooms are entirely new but in the spirit of the place. All the bookshelves are new. A thoroughly ramshackle garage couldn’t be saved, and we replaced it with a new one built in a compatible style, with a studio above for our client, who is a writer.

Inspired by the multi-functional performance of a shell structure in nature, the design of this two-bedroom, two-bath ADU explored a performance-based roof geometry that becomes the building façade and privacy screen. Coupled with deep roof overhangs, this second skin allows dappled light to penetrate the interior during the day while reflecting the detrimental UV radiation on the southern exposure. The perforations in the second skin are based on the effects of the sun path on the southern exposure and the location of the windows behind the screen. At night, the interior light glows through the perforations, contributing to the name of the project, “LuminOCity”. Orange Coast College and UC Irvine formed a partnership called "Team MADE" to enter the 2023 Orange County Sustainability Decathlon. "MADE" is an acronym for Modular, Affordable Dwellings for the Environment. LuminOCity won second place in the competition and 9 awards in various categories. Following the competition, the home was donated to Homeless Intervention Services, Orange County, where it serves as an ADU on an existing property to provide transitional housing for youth experiencing housing insecurities. This 750sf prefabricated, modular home is built on four, eight foot wide modules that nest together. The building system is predicated on a software-to-manufacturing pipeline called the FrameCAD Machine. This roll-former for light-gauge steel allowed Team MADE to prototype as well as site-manufacture every stud and track in the steel-framed home they would design. Over 100 student volunteers aided in the construction of the steel framing, MEP installation, building envelope, and site work. The use of prefabricated Light Gauge Steel allowed for higher construction tolerances with simplified assembly diagrams that could be followed by student volunteers. Joseph Sarafian, AIA was the lead architect as well as one of four faculty advisors on the project, leading the design of the project from conception to completion.

Inspired by the multi-functional performance of a shell structure in nature, the design of this two-bedroom, two-bath ADU explored a performance-based roof geometry that becomes the building façade and privacy screen. Coupled with deep roof overhangs, this second skin allows dappled light to penetrate the interior during the day while reflecting the detrimental UV radiation on the southern exposure. The perforations in the second skin are based on the effects of the sun path on the southern exposure and the location of the windows behind the screen. At night, the interior light glows through the perforations, contributing to the name of the project, “LuminOCity”. Orange Coast College and UC Irvine formed a partnership called "Team MADE" to enter the 2023 Orange County Sustainability Decathlon. "MADE" is an acronym for Modular, Affordable Dwellings for the Environment. LuminOCity won second place in the competition and 9 awards in various categories. Following the competition, the home was donated to Homeless Intervention Services, Orange County, where it serves as an ADU on an existing property to provide transitional housing for youth experiencing housing insecurities. This 750sf prefabricated, modular home is built on four, eight foot wide modules that nest together. The building system is predicated on a software-to-manufacturing pipeline called the FrameCAD Machine. This roll-former for light-gauge steel allowed Team MADE to prototype as well as site-manufacture every stud and track in the steel-framed home they would design. Over 100 student volunteers aided in the construction of the steel framing, MEP installation, building envelope, and site work. The use of prefabricated Light Gauge Steel allowed for higher construction tolerances with simplified assembly diagrams that could be followed by student volunteers. Joseph Sarafian, AIA was the lead architect as well as one of four faculty advisors on the project, leading the design of the project from conception to completion.

Our team at Smith & Vansant transformed a diminutive 1920's J. F. Larson faculty townhouse building into Triangle House, a live & learn residence for an undergraduate community. The first floor of two townhouses was gutted, and re-designed as the central student gathering room. How to work with what we had? How to make a dormitory feel like a home? The ceiling is low. With bearing walls gone, Jason Gaddis worked with the structure that had to be added to hold up the second floor, adding pilasters, traditional trim on the new beams, and a chair rail to tie the room together. Light fixtures had to be shallow. The College wanted to use wood-grained "luxury vinyl plank", having found that it held up well in social spaces that get used for dances, meals, music and lectures. I took samples on site with large paint samples, to get a the right floor color. The real treasure of the 8 townhouses was that each had a living room fireplace. We kept them all, though none now can have fires. Pi Smith and I worked on the paint palette. We used a deep color to make this room feel cozy, and to highlight the trim and symmetry of the room. For the photo shoot, we wanted a rug. Kwachen/Inner Asia was founded by a Dartmouth alum, and had a store near campus. They loaned the pillows and this wonderful rug, perfect for a home called Triangle House. We think that the students over the years will enjoy regularly transforming the room for different events as much as we did. Builder: Estes & Gallup Photo and Fireplace illusion by Rob Karosis. Plants and brass platters loaned from my house.

View of front of house
Home design - modern home design idea in San Francisco

Inspired by the multi-functional performance of a shell structure in nature, the design of this two-bedroom, two-bath ADU explored a performance-based roof geometry that becomes the building façade and privacy screen. Coupled with deep roof overhangs, this second skin allows dappled light to penetrate the interior during the day while reflecting the detrimental UV radiation on the southern exposure. The perforations in the second skin are based on the effects of the sun path on the southern exposure and the location of the windows behind the screen. At night, the interior light glows through the perforations, contributing to the name of the project, “LuminOCity”. Orange Coast College and UC Irvine formed a partnership called "Team MADE" to enter the 2023 Orange County Sustainability Decathlon. "MADE" is an acronym for Modular, Affordable Dwellings for the Environment. LuminOCity won second place in the competition and 9 awards in various categories. Following the competition, the home was donated to Homeless Intervention Services, Orange County, where it serves as an ADU on an existing property to provide transitional housing for youth experiencing housing insecurities. This 750sf prefabricated, modular home is built on four, eight foot wide modules that nest together. The building system is predicated on a software-to-manufacturing pipeline called the FrameCAD Machine. This roll-former for light-gauge steel allowed Team MADE to prototype as well as site-manufacture every stud and track in the steel-framed home they would design. Over 100 student volunteers aided in the construction of the steel framing, MEP installation, building envelope, and site work. The use of prefabricated Light Gauge Steel allowed for higher construction tolerances with simplified assembly diagrams that could be followed by student volunteers. Joseph Sarafian, AIA was the lead architect as well as one of four faculty advisors on the project, leading the design of the project from conception to completion.

This is a close up of our designed art glass window in the Japanese Tea House. All our art glass designs are copyrighted and come with a book detailing the metaphysical meanings. All our designs for our clients are unique for them and copyrighted. Each is signed and the pattern is never repeated. Photo credits: Dan Drobnick

Tropical Gardenia fragrance on a cold hardy, easy care plant. Jubilation flowers from spring through fall with masses of white blooms. Plant near patios, porches, decks, and other outdoor living areas where the fragrance can be enjoyed. Features Feature/Bloom White flowers in spring, reblooming summer to fall Evergreen or Deciduous evergreen USDA Zones Hardy to 0°F USDA 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Sunset Zones 7-9, 12-16, 18-24 Special Features Fall blooming, reblooming, dwarf, attracts birds/butterflies, aromatic Landscape Use Accent, container, mass planting, slope, hedge Exposure Full sun to part shade Bloom Season Spring, summer, fall Dimension 3-4 ft H x 3-4 ft W Growth Rate Moderate to fast Plant Type evergreen About the Collection Brought to you by the authority on Western gardening, the Sunset Western Garden Collection is an exclusive plant collection of top performing plants for the Western Gardener.

Elevate your bathroom with custom wallpaper installation from Berkeley’s premier wallcovering experts. We specialize in creating stunning, eco-friendly designs that blend artistic ex Luxury Kitchen Wallpaper Installation in Berkeley Elevate your culinary space with artisanal wallcoverings that blend bohemian flair with eco-conscious design Why Berkeley Homeowners Choose Us ? Eco-Warrior Approved – Non-toxic, VOC-free materials since 2008 ? Free Sustainability Consult – Perfect your green kitchen makeover ? UC Berkeley Alumni-Owned – We speak local design language ⚡ 1-Day Installations – Done between farmers' market runs Signature Berkeley Kitchen Styles Gourmet Academic – Vintage book prints and herb garden motifs Eco-Boho – Hand-blocked organic patterns and hemp textures Mid-Century Organic – Atomic-era designs in earth tones Urban Farmhouse – Reclaimed wood looks with modern lines Premium Kitchen Solutions ✔ Grease-Proof Bio-Resins – Plant-based protective coatings ✔ Backsplash Alternatives – Food-safe ceramic-look wallpapers ✔ Peel-and-Stick Hemp – World's first compostable temporary wallpaper ✔ Custom Murals – Local artist collaborations available Serving All Berkeley Neighborhoods: Gourmet Ghetto • Elmwood • North Berkeley • Claremont Exclusive Offerspression with sustainable functionality for your home. Premium Bathroom Wallpaper Services ✔ 100% Eco-Friendly Materials – mold-resistant & VOC-free ✔ Berkeley-Inspired Designs – bohemian to modernist styles ✔ Peel-and-Stick Organic Options – perfect for rentals ✔ Custom Mural Walls – create a statement piece ✔ Moisture-Proof Installation – withstands steam showers Why Berkeley Homeowners Choose Us ✅ 30+ Years Serving the East Bay ✅ UC Berkeley Faculty Discounts ✅ Free Consultations at Local Coffeehouses ✅ 1-Day Artistic Transformations ✅ Zero-Waste Installation Process Signature Berkeley Bathroom Styles • Arts & Crafts movement patterns • Psychedelic 60s-inspired designs • Redwood forest murals • Modern minimalist geometrics Serving All of Berkeley – From the Gourmet Ghetto to the Hills

Bluestone steps
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional partial sun front yard concrete paver driveway in New York.

Inspiration for a huge modern gray three-story brick gable roof remodel in New York

Shingle siding close upA Cape Cod style house with Alside Pelican Bay cedar shake siding, Color: Cape Cod Gray. Installed by Sidetex in North Haven CT 06473

Corner shower - mid-sized rustic 3/4 metal tile ceramic tile and brown floor corner shower idea in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, orange walls, a console sink and white countertops

Custom thermally broken steel windows and doors for every environment. Experience the evolution! #JadaSteelWindows
Inspiration for a large craftsman entryway remodel in Sacramento

Photo of a mid-sized tropical partial sun front yard brick driveway in Miami for summer.

Example of a huge trendy metal floating open staircase design in Minneapolis

Cottage exterior home photo in Burlington

This railing was the first planned update of the Fort Collins, CO couples home renovation. The wavy lines give the room a natural feel. Design and fabrication by Hueber Industries LLC. Photo: Rory Schaar.

Photography by Lucas Henning.
Small minimalist one-story metal house exterior photo in Seattle