The Watonga residence was commissioned by a woman with a big heart for animal fostering. She wanted a house that felt private from the street but visually and physically connected to the backyard. The house needed to consider the typology and scale of the existing neighborhood, and it needed durable materials to accommodate little paws. Finally, it had to support an environmentally conscientious life. The house was intentionally placed on the short end of an irregularly shaped lot, allowing the living spaces to open up to a large native landscape and adjacent lot containing a significant tree grove. This siting allowed for a passive orientation where window walls face north and exposure to the south and west is minimal. The interior is light-filled, capturing expansive landscape views of an established oak grove to the North and bayou views to the East. A carefully choreographed entry vestibule and screen shield create interior privacy from the street. A two-story volume fills the center of the home with warm, southern light. A palette of tile, Texas stone, and concrete are used for budget friendly durability. The house is derived from a simple diagram with utilitarian functions placed in the stone box and living in a minimal gabled roof that supports solar panel orientation and rainwater collection. At its core, this home is designed for family, foster dogs, well-curated music, and Aggie game days.

Oceanfront Windsor Estate Renovation | Vero Beach, FL 32963 A full-scale renovation of an oceanfront estate in Windsor, the celebrated New Urbanist seaside community on Vero Beach's barrier island (32963). Our team reimagined this residence as a bright, breezy coastal retreat where every primary room captures the Atlantic, and the original architecture—coffered and beamed ceilings, arched passages, soaring window walls—was preserved and brought fully current. At the heart of the home, an open kitchen and dining space pairs crisp white cabinetry and stone countertops with terracotta floors, a Viking range beneath a plaster hood, woven pendant lighting, and French doors that fold open to a covered loggia. The great room rises to a vaulted shiplap ceiling under woven chandeliers, anchored by a limestone fireplace and walls of glass. Throughout, the palette stays light and elemental—white oak floors, natural fibers, soft coastal blues—so the ocean remains the focal point. The renovation extends to a window-wrapped oceanview office, a serene primary bath with frameless walk-in shower and direct sea views, a fully fitted dressing room, an oversized dual laundry, and a beachfront sitting room where turquoise water fills the frame. Upstairs, light-filled lounges and a media room continue the relaxed, refined coastal language. This is turnkey oceanfront living in one of the Treasure Coast's most distinctive gated communities—Windsor's beach club, golf, equestrian center, and village amenities just beyond the door, with the shops and dining of Vero Beach's barrier island close at hand. Renovation by Ryan A. Jones & Associates — construction, renovation, and estate management, Vero Beach, FL.

Perched on a ridge 20 feet above a private lake in Stillwater, Minnesota, the clients wanted an age-in-place home where strong design influenced by the natural surroundings informed the space and shape of the project. CITYDESKSTUDIO carefully sited the home in one of the many natural clearings within their wooded property alongside a private lake, maximizing connection to the land, while preserving trees and natural topography. The home is distinguished by a light-filled, vaulted living area, a continuous timber loggia forming the entry court and connection to the garage, and a landscape design filled with rain gardens and indigenous rocks and plantings. The home features one-level living with a walk-out lower level which maintains a low profile upon approach, allowing the home to fit gracefully within its context. Sustainable features include landscaping with rain gardens to control rainwater, thermal mass concrete, geothermal in-floor heating, and a 10 kilowatt photovoltaic array with home batteries to allow fully off-grid living. Locally sourced building materials were used where possible for cedar siding and patio paving, including re-used soapstone counters. Select trees were harvested directly off the land for the staircase, interior wall finishes and the 10-foot dining table. Project Team: Ben Awes AIA, Principal-In-Charge

Elegant dining room featuring a modern dark wood table paired with beige upholstered side chairs and colorful patterned armchairs. A soft neutral rug anchors the space, while a gold chandelier adds warmth and sophistication. Light-filled with natural textures, built-in cabinetry, and vibrant floral artwork, the room seamlessly connects to a bright living area painted in serene blue. Perfect blend of contemporary and classic style.

What began as a dated primary bathroom and undersized closet evolved into a light-filled retreat designed around the homeowners' lifestyle. The original space featured a large built-in tub, oversized shower enclosure, limited storage, and an inefficient closet layout that no longer met the family's needs. Through extensive demolition and structural modifications, the bathroom and closet were completely reconfigured to maximize both function and beauty. Walls were removed, storage was reimagined, and every square foot was carefully planned to create a more open, luxurious experience. The finished space features a freestanding soaking tub positioned beneath expansive windows, a custom walk-in shower wrapped in marble-look porcelain, warm brass fixtures and hardware, custom cabinetry, and a fully tailored dressing room with dedicated storage for clothing, shoes, and accessories. Soft neutral finishes, elegant lighting, and thoughtfully layered details create a timeless primary suite designed to feel like a private retreat.

A dream kitchen for enthusiastic cooks: a light-filled, plant-filled, organized, spacious kitchen with plenty of room to spread out for baking, trying new recipes, drinking coffee with a jigsaw puzzle or book, with expansive views of the back garden.

ADU light-filled bathroom at West Austin. Floors and walls clad in travertine.
Bathroom - contemporary bathroom idea in Austin

Tucked at the end of the hall, the light-filled primary bedroom opens to an outdoor terrace, with sheer and blackout shades to temper or block the light.

Blending timeless architecture with modern family living, this home balances classic gabled forms, natural limestone, and warm wood detailing in a refined transitional design. Thoughtfully composed around light-filled living spaces, generous windows and soaring ceilings fill the interiors with natural light. Open living spaces flow seamlessly to the covered patio and pool, creating an effortless connection between architecture, landscape, and daily life in this established Austin neighborhood.

This modern dining room invites effortless gathering with its oval natural wood table, cozy mid-century beige upholstered chairs with black rattan back, and warm neutral palette. Surrounded by large picture windows and sliding glass doors, the space is filled with natural light and offers beautiful views of the outdoor dining area and greenery beyond. A modern black metal chandelier adds contrast and visual interest, while the white shiplap walls and light lvp floors add texture and warmth. Perfect for casual dinners or entertaining guests, this light-filled space blends comfort and modern design seamlessly.

The Watonga residence was commissioned by a woman with a big heart for animal fostering. She wanted a house that felt private from the street but visually and physically connected to the backyard. The house needed to consider the typology and scale of the existing neighborhood, and it needed durable materials to accommodate little paws. Finally, it had to support an environmentally conscientious life. The house was intentionally placed on the short end of an irregularly shaped lot, allowing the living spaces to open up to a large native landscape and adjacent lot containing a significant tree grove. This siting allowed for a passive orientation where window walls face north and exposure to the south and west is minimal. The interior is light-filled, capturing expansive landscape views of an established oak grove to the North and bayou views to the East. A carefully choreographed entry vestibule and screen shield create interior privacy from the street. A two-story volume fills the center of the home with warm, southern light. A palette of tile, Texas stone, and concrete are used for budget friendly durability. The house is derived from a simple diagram with utilitarian functions placed in the stone box and living in a minimal gabled roof that supports solar panel orientation and rainwater collection. At its core, this home is designed for family, foster dogs, well-curated music, and Aggie game days.

The Watonga residence was commissioned by a woman with a big heart for animal fostering. She wanted a house that felt private from the street but visually and physically connected to the backyard. The house needed to consider the typology and scale of the existing neighborhood, and it needed durable materials to accommodate little paws. Finally, it had to support an environmentally conscientious life. The house was intentionally placed on the short end of an irregularly shaped lot, allowing the living spaces to open up to a large native landscape and adjacent lot containing a significant tree grove. This siting allowed for a passive orientation where window walls face north and exposure to the south and west is minimal. The interior is light-filled, capturing expansive landscape views of an established oak grove to the North and bayou views to the East. A carefully choreographed entry vestibule and screen shield create interior privacy from the street. A two-story volume fills the center of the home with warm, southern light. A palette of tile, Texas stone, and concrete are used for budget friendly durability. The house is derived from a simple diagram with utilitarian functions placed in the stone box and living in a minimal gabled roof that supports solar panel orientation and rainwater collection. At its core, this home is designed for family, foster dogs, well-curated music, and Aggie game days.

Example of a trendy patio design in Austin

Blending timeless architecture with modern family living, this home balances classic gabled forms, natural limestone, and warm wood detailing in a refined transitional design. Thoughtfully composed around light-filled living spaces, generous windows and soaring ceilings fill the interiors with natural light. Open living spaces flow seamlessly to the covered patio and pool, creating an effortless connection between architecture, landscape, and daily life in this established Austin neighborhood.

Blending timeless architecture with modern family living, this home balances classic gabled forms, natural limestone, and warm wood detailing in a refined transitional design. Thoughtfully composed around light-filled living spaces, generous windows and soaring ceilings fill the interiors with natural light. Open living spaces flow seamlessly to the covered patio and pool, creating an effortless connection between architecture, landscape, and daily life in this established Austin neighborhood.

Oceanfront Windsor Estate Renovation | Vero Beach, FL 32963 A full-scale renovation of an oceanfront estate in Windsor, the celebrated New Urbanist seaside community on Vero Beach's barrier island (32963). Our team reimagined this residence as a bright, breezy coastal retreat where every primary room captures the Atlantic, and the original architecture—coffered and beamed ceilings, arched passages, soaring window walls—was preserved and brought fully current. At the heart of the home, an open kitchen and dining space pairs crisp white cabinetry and stone countertops with terracotta floors, a Viking range beneath a plaster hood, woven pendant lighting, and French doors that fold open to a covered loggia. The great room rises to a vaulted shiplap ceiling under woven chandeliers, anchored by a limestone fireplace and walls of glass. Throughout, the palette stays light and elemental—white oak floors, natural fibers, soft coastal blues—so the ocean remains the focal point. The renovation extends to a window-wrapped oceanview office, a serene primary bath with frameless walk-in shower and direct sea views, a fully fitted dressing room, an oversized dual laundry, and a beachfront sitting room where turquoise water fills the frame. Upstairs, light-filled lounges and a media room continue the relaxed, refined coastal language. This is turnkey oceanfront living in one of the Treasure Coast's most distinctive gated communities—Windsor's beach club, golf, equestrian center, and village amenities just beyond the door, with the shops and dining of Vero Beach's barrier island close at hand. Renovation by Ryan A. Jones & Associates — construction, renovation, and estate management, Vero Beach, FL.

Every home is filled with meaning, but this one is especially significant to its owners. The clients were high school sweethearts and were returning back to Ohio to enjoy their retirement. They decided to build next door to the house she had grown up in, which happened to be on the property once owned by his grandparents! We worked together to develop a design that provided the classic detailing they wanted, while providing connected spaces filled with light. It was built with extra TLC too, with the homeowners doing everything from the rough framing to the interior trim themselves!

Example of a minimalist living room design in Houston

Specialty Gardens LLC, Grand Haven, MI
Inspiration for a traditional full sun backyard landscaping in Grand Rapids.