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 Philip Liang Photography.

Example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen design in Raleigh with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

After Blisshaus: one wall of Blisshaus jars that hold 3 months of shelf-stable foods for a family of four. We love our clients and our clients love us. Bill, the dad in the home exclaimed "everytime I walk by the wall of jars I get full body chills of joy"... now this gives us goosebumps! xoxox the Blisshaus team

Inspiration for a large cottage detached studio / workshop shed remodel in New York

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.

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2014 Houzz
Example of an eclectic kitchen design in New York

Complete "man cave" area, currently utilized as a woodworkers' dream shop, this space could be used for almost anything. Loads of natural light, wood stove and a dust collection system below the floor.

This late 70's ranch style home was recently renovated with a clean, modern twist on the ranch style architecture of the existing residence. We were hired to create the entire outdoor environemnt including the new pool and spa. Similar to the renovated home, this aquatic environment was designed to take a traditional pool and gives it a clean, modern twist. The site proved to be perfect for a long, sweeping curved water feature that can be seen from all of the outdoor gathering spaces as well as many rooms inside the residence. This design draws people outside and allows them to explore all of the features of the pool and outdoor spaces. Features of this resort like outdoor environment include play pool with two lounge areas with LED lit bubblers, Pebble Tec Pebble Sheen Luminous series pool finish, Lightstreams glass tile, spa with six custom copper Bobe water spillway scuppers, water feature wall with three custom copper Bobe water scuppers, Fully automated with Pentair Equipment, LED lighting throughout the pool and spa, gathering space with automated fire pit, lounge deck area, synthetic turf between step pads and deck and a fully loaded Gourmet outdoor kitchen to meet all the entertaining needs. This outdoor environment cohesively brings the clean & modern finishes of the renovated home seamlessly to the outdoors to a pool and spa for play, exercise and relaxation. Photography: Daniel Driensky

glass backsplash, light color wood, travertine floor; modern kitchen, white quartz counter top,
Example of a mid-sized trendy l-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Miami with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and an island

In Seabrook, Wash., home of the 2013 Sunset Idea Town, designer Brian Paquette married coastal charm with big city style in this imaginative morning room. In a colorful flight of fancy, a whimsical wingback chair by CR Laine makes a bold statement against the modern wallpaper when upholstered in Canvas Melon with contrast welting in Trax Emerald and lumbar pillow in Canvas. On the neighboring CR Laine sofa, throw pillows in Cathedral Ocean, available through Silver State, mimic the graphic elements of the wallpaper and mirror the color palette of the wingback chair. Upholstered in Timor Tamale, sturdy movable cubes can be rearranged on a whim to serve as an ottoman, additional seating, a coffee table or whatever your imagination can dream.

Beach Entry Pool
Mid-sized beach style backyard stone and custom-shaped natural hot tub photo in Austin

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.

This turn-of-the-century kitchen has a vintage sensibility. Flat center panels, optional vertical batten doors, and intricate corbels create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Martha Stewart Living Ox Hill PureStyle cabinetry in Ocean Floor. Martha Stewart Living Corian countertop in Sea Salt. Martha Stewart Living hardware in Polished Nickel. All available exclusively at The Home Depot.

The SEASHELL Cottage. http://www.thecottagesnc.com/property/seashell-cottage-office-2/ Photo: Morvil Design.

The spa is cool in the summer and warm in the winter. A very energy efficient design, the salt-water spa holds 1200 gallons, is heated with solar electricity from the house PV, and the tub is insulated with a 6" cover in winter. photo: Rebecca Lindenmeyr

This aquarium is 225 gallons with a lengths of 36", width of 30" and height of 48". The filtration system is housed in the matching cabinet below the aquarium and is lit with LED lighting. Location- Garland, Texas Year Completed- 2013 Project Cost- $8000.00

Ellen McDermott
Entryway - country entryway idea in New York

Example of a large country medium tone wood floor enclosed dining room design in San Francisco with blue walls and no fireplace

Architect: Michelle Penn, AIA This barn home is modeled after an existing Nebraska barn in Lancaster County. Because fresh water is not available from a well nor county water, water will be provided by rainwater harvesting. The water will be collected from a gutter system, go into a series of nine holding tanks and then go through a water filtration system to provide drinking water for the home. A greywater system will then recycle water from the sinks and showers to be reused in the toilets. Low-flow fixtures will be used throughout the home to conserve water. The paint is Calypso Blue 727 by Benjamin Moore. Photo Credits: Jackson Studios