The client’s request was quite common - a typical 2800 sf builder home with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, living space, and den. However, their desire was for this to be “anything but common.” The result is an innovative update on the production home for the modern era, and serves as a direct counterpoint to the neighborhood and its more conventional suburban housing stock, which focus views to the backyard and seeks to nullify the unique qualities and challenges of topography and the natural environment. The Terraced House cautiously steps down the site’s steep topography, resulting in a more nuanced approach to site development than cutting and filling that is so common in the builder homes of the area. The compact house opens up in very focused views that capture the natural wooded setting, while masking the sounds and views of the directly adjacent roadway. The main living spaces face this major roadway, effectively flipping the typical orientation of a suburban home, and the main entrance pulls visitors up to the second floor and halfway through the site, providing a sense of procession and privacy absent in the typical suburban home. Clad in a custom rain screen that reflects the wood of the surrounding landscape - while providing a glimpse into the interior tones that are used. The stepping “wood boxes” rest on a series of concrete walls that organize the site, retain the earth, and - in conjunction with the wood veneer panels - provide a subtle organic texture to the composition. The interior spaces wrap around an interior knuckle that houses public zones and vertical circulation - allowing more private spaces to exist at the edges of the building. The windows get larger and more frequent as they ascend the building, culminating in the upstairs bedrooms that occupy the site like a tree house - giving views in all directions. The Terraced House imports urban qualities to the suburban neighborhood and seeks to elevate the typical approach to production home construction, while being more in tune with modern family living patterns. Overview: Elm Grove Size: 2,800 sf, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms Completion Date: September 2014 Services: Architecture, Landscape Architecture Interior Consultants: Amy Carman Design

This beautiful white kitchen belongs to a home in Saratoga Springs, NY nearby Saratoga Lake. The kitchen layout was redesigned, and the whole space remodeled completely to showcase its full potential, seen from the open living room and breakfast nook. The Beaded Inset cabinetry is from Shiloh, in Arctic white painted Maple, and the Square Flat Panel style. The cabinetry range hood is a beautiful focal point, along with the glass doors highlighted by LED lighting, and the detailed moldings throughout. The hardwood floors were refinished, and the kitchen along with adjacent rooms were painted a complimentary blue. The stunning Quartzite counter is called Wicked White from the Granite & Marble Works in nearby Wilton, NY, and the tumbled marble subway tile back splash coordinates well with the cabinets and counter. There is also undercabinet LED lighting, and the hardware used is from the Forte 2 Collection from Berenson. A Kohler Farm Sink was installed in the large island, and convenient storage solutions are hidden around the kitchen--such as a pull-out spice rack behind a filler, deep drawers for pots and pans, and a door mounted waste base cabinet. Photo Credit: S. Ducharme

Open concept kitchen - large transitional l-shaped dark wood floor open concept kitchen idea in Columbus with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, marble backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

This unique custom iron door features a Charcoal finish, 60/40 pivot split, and detailed wrought iron lines.
Inspiration for a large contemporary slate floor front door remodel in Charlotte with a black front door

Therma-Tru Classic-Craft American Style Collection fiberglass door with dentil shelf. This door features high-definition vertical Douglas Fir grain and Shaker-style recessed panels. Door and sidelites include Chord privacy and textured glass which features a vertical flowing pattern. Ara handleset also from Therma-Tru.

Masonite 2-panel roman interior door, painted white with 2-1/4" casing. (Columbia, IL)
Inspiration for a contemporary home design remodel in St Louis

Inspiration for a large contemporary l-shaped laminate floor and gray floor kitchen remodel with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, laminate countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Example of a large trendy l-shaped laminate floor and gray floor kitchen design with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, laminate countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Kitchen - large contemporary l-shaped laminate floor and gray floor kitchen idea with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, laminate countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Large trendy l-shaped laminate floor and gray floor kitchen photo with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, laminate countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Inspiration for a large contemporary l-shaped laminate floor and gray floor kitchen remodel with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, laminate countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Kitchen - large contemporary l-shaped laminate floor and gray floor kitchen idea with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, laminate countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Inspiration for a large contemporary l-shaped laminate floor and gray floor kitchen remodel with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, laminate countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Kitchen - large contemporary l-shaped laminate floor and gray floor kitchen idea with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, laminate countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Kitchen - large contemporary l-shaped laminate floor and gray floor kitchen idea with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, laminate countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Kitchen - large contemporary l-shaped laminate floor and gray floor kitchen idea with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, laminate countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Large trendy l-shaped laminate floor and gray floor kitchen photo with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, laminate countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Inspiration for a large contemporary l-shaped laminate floor and gray floor kitchen remodel with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, laminate countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

This Modern kitchen features a mix of hand-finished natural walnut and high-gloss flat panels. The two-level island is over 14 feet long, and has a generous seating area. All photos by Barry MacKenzie.