Complete bathroom remodel - The bathroom was completely gutted to studs. A curb-less stall shower was added with a glass panel instead of a shower door. This creates a barrier free space maintaining the light and airy feel of the complete interior remodel. The fireclay tile is recessed into the wall allowing for a clean finish without the need for bull nose tile. The light finishes are grounded with a wood vanity and then all tied together with oil rubbed bronze faucets.

Over a span of two years we completed several projects at this Tokoma Park, Maryland property. We cleaned up the backyard, renovated an existing swale, and installed water loving plants. The following year, we replaced the old pea gravel driveway with a permeable paver driveway. While doing the driveway we encountered spongey clay that was saturated from a leaking water line. We had to install concrete piers down to virgin soil to bear the weight of the walkway. The driveway excavation had to take into account the root zones of large trees. To avoid the surface roots we used a minimal excavation design. Our ultimate goal with this project was to ensure that the new walkways provided a safe and comfortable path for the homeowners and guest to get from their cars to porch whether parked along the street or in the driveway. To provide an extra layer of security, we added low-voltage lighting to accent trees and light the walkway, which were programmed to come on at dusk and turn off automatically at dawn. The new plantings are native species including River Birch, Swamp Hibiscus, Blue Flag Iris, and Common Rush, that are adapted to growing in wet soils. The permeable paver driveway will reduce runoff by storing rain in gravel base while allowing it to be absorbed into the soil below. The paver surface eliminates the tracking of pea gravel into the house while allowing heels to walk on it without sinking in. The swale handles runoff from all the uphill properties and the gravel keeps it from becoming a soggy mess. 
 During seasonal months, snow and leaf removal are greatly eased by having a hard surface to shovel or rake. The permeable pavers used are Techo-Bloc Villagio in Shale Grey and we installed a granite Belgian block border. We replaced existing broken concrete walkway with new curving flagstone walkway and connected the front steps to the driveway and side steps. All projects were consulted with the City of Takoma Park’s Urban Forest Manager, and the Montgomery County Historical Preservation Commission.

Feinmann restored the exterior of an 1885 Victorian home that had deteriorated over the years in Arlington, Massachusetts. Between fixing and improving the front and back porch, Juliet Balconies, shingles, panels, and intricate design elements, we brought back the home’s original splendor. We first focused on restoring the front and back porches by repositioning the stairs, reinforcing the brick and wood support posts, installing pressure-treated framing and mahogany decking, and fixing its existing handrails and roof structure. Feinmann then shifted attention to the house’s design details by replacing all the balusters, posts, spindles, and corbels that give the outside its Victorian feel. We also rebuilt the Juliet Balconies that were located over the dining room and left side of the home and fixed the broken fish-scale shingles, cedar clapboard, and trim.

Complete bathroom remodel - The bathroom was completely gutted to studs. A curb-less stall shower was added with a glass panel instead of a shower door. This creates a barrier free space maintaining the light and airy feel of the complete interior remodel. The fireclay tile is recessed into the wall allowing for a clean finish without the need for bull nose tile. The light finishes are grounded with a wood vanity and then all tied together with oil rubbed bronze faucets.

Creating a garden in Topanga involved an exciting contextual proposition: how best to achieve a balance between the built environment, the rocky hillside and the surrounding native live oak woodland. Specially selected hardscape consisting of Malibu rock and rough-hewn broken concrete married old with new and provided access and definition. A mixed palette of natives and Mediterranean plants joined garden with existing oaks and toyon trees. The resulting effect is one of a layered experience, a transition from semiformal to natural. A visitor to this garden experiences both the feeling of a residential setting and the beckoning wildland beyond.

John Lucas Dunning of Dunning Custom Homes explained, “Seamless indoor-outdoor living is something we try to incorporate into all of our projects and the Gas Strut Window was the perfect solution” The unit is made of thermally broken aluminum with insulated Low E 270 glass. The frame measures 72″ wide by 44″ high and is finished in white powder coating with no sill.

The first floor of this historic home was once a general store. It was broken up into small rooms when it was turned into residential space, but we knew we could create a bright and cheery kitchen by taking down the walls and opening it up. The window sill heights were lifted which allowed us to maximize cabinetry and counter space along the long wall. We aimed to keep things light and bright by opting for floating shelves instead of heavy upper cabinets on that wall and took the subway tile up to the ceiling, adding a little bit of shine all the way up. The pendant lights are clear glass orbs which add style without heaviness. See-through counter stools offer comfort and convenience while still feeling airy. Touches of brass in the lights, stools and decor add sparkle and interest. The wainscoting on the wall behind the island was an original feature in the dining room, and we continued it along this wall to honor the original character of the house. Taking down the walls also gave us plenty of room for an 11 foot long island, perfect for accommodating this family of five. The island is a rich walnut while the perimeter cabinets are a soft green. White quartz countertops sit atop both the cabinetry and the island and are a link to the white tile walls and wainscoting. Here you can see one special feature, which is a bar with a drink fridge incorporated into tall casework that also houses the refrigerator and the pantry.

Black Pearl satin granite makes a striking contrast with the light natural wood in this different but similar kitchen, individualized with a river-washed broken edge for a rustic feel. The backsplash is a grey split-face stone style tile.

Our client recently purchased a newly-constructed home in order to downsize and have a low- maintenance home and yard. The existing side yard/back yard was undeveloped by the builder, leaving the homeowner with the huge challenge of creating a great outdoor entertaining space for family and friends, while creating privacy and overcoming the over 8-foot steep drop from the existing back porch down to the alley. The grade was the largest challenge because the space was so narrow with such a large fall from existing porch to the property line. The second largest challenge is that this residence is located in a semi-private community where HOA approval of plans and materials is difficult, as all the residences here share a similar look and feel with a very clean and contemporary aesthetic. We had to precisely shoot grades to know what kinds of retaining walls would need to be constructed along with how much backfill soil and dirt movement would need to be done. After that the design had to carefully consider the space with maximum functionality for outdoor entertainment with newly constructed walls to ensure it would last for many years to come. All of this was done with multiple meetings with the homeowners who are a retired engineer and active architect themselves. Once a design was settled upon, then submission to the HOA board of approval had to be completed and signed off on with all questions and concerns answered for the community by-laws. The two biggest difficulties within the construction phase were that the neighbor next to the back yard had a large retaining wall not properly backfilled up to the property line. That neighbor wouldn’t allow us proper access and control to help alleviate the issues, so we had to skillfully work around this to ensure what we constructed would last, despite their property not being properly addressed. We also had to go through multiple shipments from the manufacturer due to large variances in the material’s appearance on the steps and another shipment that was broken during shipping. These two things delayed the project we were working to complete before the spring so the homeowner could have the maximum use of the space this year. Topping off this challenging construction was a beautiful palette of native grasses, rosemary, groundcover, granite walkways, and synthetic grass to ensure year-round, practically effortless beauty.

About the project: Originally a single family home, this four unit apartment building was broken up in a way that each apartment has a different layout. The challenge for Piperbear Designs was how to reimagine each space to conform with the needs of the modern tenant – while also adding design flourishes that will make each unit feel special. Located on historic West Grace in Richmond, Virginia, the property is surrounded by a mix of attractive single family homes and small historic apartment buildings. Walking distance to the Science Museum of Virginia, Monument Ave, many hip restaurants, this block is a sought after location for young professionals moving to Richmond. Piperbear wanted to restore this building in a manner that respects the history of the area while also adding a design aesthetic that is in touch with the change happening in Richmond.

This client contacted us wanting a new walkway, patio and landscape. They originally had nothing besides a boring concrete walkway that wasn't functional. We designed a new walkway that created access from the garage and the lower part of the driveway for guests and visitors. The walkway was also broken up to provide some separation and detail. We also created a comfy and private courtyard and sitting area. In the back we created a simple, compact and functional outdoor living space. The grill is within close proximity to the kitchen and allows for some seating on the back side to converse with the person that is cooking. Off to the side of the grill is ample space for the dining table. The lounge and fire feature is separated with steppers to separate the two spaces to create more of a room feeling. All is softened with carefully picked plant material to provide color and privacy. The landscape lighting completes this project.

Our client asked for a more functional and visually pleasing backdrop to his outdoor patio space. The result incorporates lighting, fresh paint, and touches of aged wood trim, to give an old-world European feel. The feature of the design solves a problem our client did not realize he had. A broken and leaking downspout led to deterioration of the home’s stucco finish. To solve this problem and route the water away from the outdoor entertaining space, we constructed a large scupper which also serves as a gateway/arbor. Rainwater harvesting and use of thermally modified wood add points for sustainability.

This is a custom kitchen featuring shaker cabinets with a Tuscan feel. The island is an all around storage, each side features something different. In this view, you see the farmhouse sink and the dishwasher which is hidden with cabinetry. The side of the island has pullout drawers and a hidden trashcan. The sliding barn door is custom made rustic white oak. The dark doors to the left are custom made louver doors with old work hardware. The flooring is distressed white oak flooring. Each flooring board was handmade, hand distressed, and hand stained before installation. Cory Locatelli Photography

This client contacted us wanting a new walkway, patio and landscape. They originally had nothing besides a boring concrete walkway that wasn't functional. We designed a new walkway that created access from the garage and the lower part of the driveway for guests and visitors. The walkway was also broken up to provide some separation and detail. We also created a comfy and private courtyard and sitting area. In the back we created a simple, compact and functional outdoor living space. The grill is within close proximity to the kitchen and allows for some seating on the back side to converse with the person that is cooking. Off to the side of the grill is ample space for the dining table. The lounge and fire feature is separated with steppers to separate the two spaces to create more of a room feeling. All is softened with carefully picked plant material to provide color and privacy. The landscape lighting completes this project.

This home theater in the Broken Top neighborhood in Bend, Oregon is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, audio, video, lighting, shades and furniture.

design: Studio TOOP, 2008 location: Amersfoort, NL status: built in 2010, Vaate Hoveniers and DIY photos: Jolanthe Lalkens, 2012 This design is based on a series of concentric circles in alternating benches and walls. This makes the garden graphically interesting from above and allows for a large amount of integrated seating (both important criteria for the design). Contrasting with this clean graphic element is the rough texture of the broken cement pavers and the organic lines of the planting beds. The existing field maple is used as a focal point and gives the garden an intimate, mature quality. Despite that there is only one tree, the garden feels somehow like the woods.

Santa Monica Modern is a stunning single family residence perched atop a hill overlooking Santa Monica Bay. Featuring All Weather custom aluminum windows and doors throughout, this gorgeous project was a recipient of a 2024 AIA Los Angeles Residential Architecture Award, which exemplifies the highest standards of design excellence, creative execution, and transformative impact on urban landscapes. Designed by Dimster Architecture, the 3 bedroom, 5 bath, 3,550 sq. ft. Santa Monica Modern residence sits on a 7,200 sq. ft. corner lot and stands out for its meticulous attention to detail and elegant curvature of its designs. An L-shaped scheme maximizes privacy towards the streets while exposing the interior to the garden and afternoon sun, encouraging indoor/outdoor living. The building mass is divided between two separate structures and is both articulated and accentuated with curved carvings. The sunken living room features 10-foot tall All Weather Series 8100 multi slide doors in stacking and pocketing configurations on two sides for a pavilion feeling and serves as both passive cooling and a direct connection to the yard and pool. By combining the kitchen, dining room and den, the home offers flexible spaces for entertaining, meditation, work and hobbies and the potential for future multi-generational living. A simple stair, concealed behind an open screen, leads to the second floor. The master suite spans the building’s width, while other bedrooms enjoy unique treetop views and expansive daylighting with All Weather Series 6000 operable and fixed windows. Throughout the house, a cohesive and calming palette of materials and textures, the natural wood siding, and the beige concrete block wall adds an unconventional element and completes the concept.

Our client recently purchased a newly-constructed home in order to downsize and have a low- maintenance home and yard. The existing side yard/back yard was undeveloped by the builder, leaving the homeowner with the huge challenge of creating a great outdoor entertaining space for family and friends, while creating privacy and overcoming the over 8-foot steep drop from the existing back porch down to the alley. The grade was the largest challenge because the space was so narrow with such a large fall from existing porch to the property line. The second largest challenge is that this residence is located in a semi-private community where HOA approval of plans and materials is difficult, as all the residences here share a similar look and feel with a very clean and contemporary aesthetic. We had to precisely shoot grades to know what kinds of retaining walls would need to be constructed along with how much backfill soil and dirt movement would need to be done. After that the design had to carefully consider the space with maximum functionality for outdoor entertainment with newly constructed walls to ensure it would last for many years to come. All of this was done with multiple meetings with the homeowners who are a retired engineer and active architect themselves. Once a design was settled upon, then submission to the HOA board of approval had to be completed and signed off on with all questions and concerns answered for the community by-laws. The two biggest difficulties within the construction phase were that the neighbor next to the back yard had a large retaining wall not properly backfilled up to the property line. That neighbor wouldn’t allow us proper access and control to help alleviate the issues, so we had to skillfully work around this to ensure what we constructed would last, despite their property not being properly addressed. We also had to go through multiple shipments from the manufacturer due to large variances in the material’s appearance on the steps and another shipment that was broken during shipping. These two things delayed the project we were working to complete before the spring so the homeowner could have the maximum use of the space this year. Topping off this challenging construction was a beautiful palette of native grasses, rosemary, groundcover, granite walkways, and synthetic grass to ensure year-round, practically effortless beauty.

Developed in Williamsburg, we wanted to offer the residents of this eight unit residential building all the amenities available in luxury buildings, while maintaining the look and feel of the original neighborhood fabric. In the living areas reclaimed materials like exposed brick and wood ceiling beams meet contemporary architectural elements to evoke timeless qualities and appearance. Gorgeous hard pine floors were used throughout.