The original fiberglass tub-shower combo was repalced by a more durable acrylic tub and solid surface surround. A hand-held shower and grab bar that doubles as a toiletry shelf make this bathing element accessible and usable by people of many abilities. Photo: A Kitchen That Works LLC

Atherton has many large substantial homes - our clients purchased an existing home on a one acre flag-shaped lot and asked us to design a new dream home for them. The result is a new 7,000 square foot four-building complex consisting of the main house, six-car garage with two car lifts, pool house with a full one bedroom residence inside, and a separate home office /work out gym studio building. A fifty-foot swimming pool was also created with fully landscaped yards. Given the rectangular shape of the lot, it was decided to angle the house to incoming visitors slightly so as to more dramatically present itself. The house became a classic u-shaped home but Feng Shui design principals were employed directing the placement of the pool house to better contain the energy flow on the site. The main house entry door is then aligned with a special Japanese red maple at the end of a long visual axis at the rear of the site. These angles and alignments set up everything else about the house design and layout, and views from various rooms allow you to see into virtually every space tracking movements of others in the home. The residence is simply divided into two wings of public use, kitchen and family room, and the other wing of bedrooms, connected by the living and dining great room. Function drove the exterior form of windows and solid walls with a line of clerestory windows which bring light into the middle of the large home. Extensive sun shadow studies with 3D tree modeling led to the unorthodox placement of the pool to the north of the home, but tree shadow tracking showed this to be the sunniest area during the entire year. Sustainable measures included a full 7.1kW solar photovoltaic array technically making the house off the grid, and arranged so that no panels are visible from the property. A large 16,000 gallon rainwater catchment system consisting of tanks buried below grade was installed. The home is California GreenPoint rated and also features sealed roof soffits and a sealed crawlspace without the usual venting. A whole house computer automation system with server room was installed as well. Heating and cooling utilize hot water radiant heated concrete and wood floors supplemented by heat pump generated heating and cooling. A compound of buildings created to form balanced relationships between each other, this home is about circulation, light and a balance of form and function. Photo by John Sutton Photography.

Kitchen and bath design must balance beauty with practicality, and we strive to maximize space and functionality without compromising on aesthetics. // Photographer: Caroline Johnson

A contemporary wine cellar featuring our own original VINIUM Architectural Wine Storage, built with wood blocks and steel. Here, VINIUM is backed by a white Texas limestone veneer accented with LED lighting, complemented with travertine flooring. The glass entry wall allows for a dramatic view of this clean, classic yet modern cellar.

A spacious butler's pantry designed with open shelving, ample counter space, and a sophisticated blue-gray tonal palate. This layout is perfect for organizing kitchen essentials and entertaining guests.

Inspiration for a contemporary laundry room remodel in Cincinnati

Mark Lohman Photography
Staircase - mid-sized coastal wooden straight wood railing staircase idea in Orange County with wooden risers

Elizabeth Pedinotti Haynes
Kitchen - mid-sized modern ceramic tile and beige floor kitchen idea in Burlington with flat-panel cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, marble backsplash, an island, an undermount sink, white cabinets, paneled appliances and white countertops

Originally this space held both a tub area and separate shower. By removing the separate shower and installing a new shower/tub combo unit, we were able to expand the vanity from one sink to two allowing room for his and her function.

GC: Ekren Construction Photography: Tiffany Ringwald
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Charlotte with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and black countertops

Leicht
Example of a large minimalist single-wall concrete floor open concept kitchen design in Vancouver with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, wood backsplash, black appliances and an island

Example of a transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Columbus with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, gray backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Mid-Century Modern Renovation & Addition - Photo by Bruce Damonte.
Example of a small 1960s master concrete floor bedroom design in San Francisco with brown walls

Example of a trendy bathroom design in Milwaukee

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional guest carpeted and brown floor bedroom remodel in New York with beige walls and no fireplace

Dramatic circular molding adorns the Brussels style. This bold circular molding design is inspired by 18th century European furniture. Available in three popular finishes, white, charcoal grey and ash. This cabinet bed has a 50 inch wide x 5-1/2 inch deep drawer for storing pillows or bedding. Felt covered runners and fold out legs support the fold-down front panel when open. No need to remove objects from the top of the cabinet to use the bed. Simply move items towards the back, lift the flip top, open slide bolts to release the front panel. The flip top gives the sleeper more head room and special hardware keeps it in an upright position. The cabinet bed is an extraordinarily comfortable concelaed bed with a 40% smaller foot print than a sleeper sofa.

Matt Vacca
Pool - small southwestern backyard concrete and rectangular pool idea in Phoenix

The clients for this small bathroom project are passionate art enthusiasts and asked the architects to create a space based on the work of one of their favorite abstract painters, Piet Mondrian. Mondrian was a Dutch artist associated with the De Stijl movement which reduced designs down to basic rectilinear forms and primary colors within a grid. Alloy used floor to ceiling recycled glass tiles to re-interpret Mondrian's compositions, using blocks of color in a white grid of tile to delineate space and the functions within the small room. A red block of color is recessed and becomes a niche, a blue block is a shower seat, a yellow rectangle connects shower fixtures with the drain. The bathroom also has many aging-in-place design components which were a priority for the clients. There is a zero clearance entrance to the shower. We widened the doorway for greater accessibility and installed a pocket door to save space. ADA compliant grab bars were located to compliment the tile composition. Andrea Hubbell Photography

Holland Photography
Kitchen - transitional kitchen idea in Seattle