Search results for "Generate personal" in Home Design Ideas

This cherished family lake house, rich with sentimental value, was ready for a fresh update. When it came time to renovate their lake house, they enlisted the help of Becky Charton, owner of Tablesetters, Inc., and Andi Stephens, owner of Kitchen Distributors, Inc., to create a design that ensured the home remains a family legacy. Working side-by-side with his son, the homeowner created hand-hewed beams and crafted custom trim, adding special details that will make the home a warm, welcoming space for future generations. Therefore, it was important to coordinate the cabinetry with the stone walls while preserving the existing beams. They had used Wood-Mode in their current home and knew they wanted the same quality craftmanship in their vacation oasis. Finding inspiration from a variety of design influences, including William Morris, Big Cedar Lodge, Lake Living, 1950's National Park travel boom and Branson, Missouri's Table Rock Lake history – the homeowners immediately felt a connection with Wood-Mode’s Whitney II Recessed doors finished in Burnished Savannah on Natural Walnut. Features in the bath like the river rock wall and eye-catching blue star patterned floor tile with coordinating blue tiled shower surround, combine with personal possessions and pieces of history to bring personality to space.

Our custom blown glass chandeliers are made totally custom to fit perfectly in your unique space. We work with you to capture the inner essence you wish to express.
Our client wished to add color to their sun room. This Deep Cobalt chandelier looks absolutely brilliant, as the outside sun and internal light of the chandelier converge in a kaleidoscope of blue. The glass dining room table and casual wooden chairs combined with the outside forestry make for a phenomenal combination.
This custom blown glass art platter chandelier is made from our golden topaz sconce flowers. This style of chandelier is wonderful for modern contemporary homes, and matches the wooden floors, grey rug, and white ceilings. This custom blown glass art platter chandelier is made from our golden topaz sconce flowers. This style of chandelier is wonderful for modern contemporary homes, and matches the wooden floors, grey rug, and white ceilings. It looks stunning over this wooden kitchen island.
Our custom-made glass lighting fixtures are perfect for your foyer, entryway, stairwell, living room, dining room, kitchen, or any room in your home. All of our chandeliers and custom blown glass lighting is fully customizable and tailored to fit your unique space. No two works are the same, each piece is custom made exactly for you.
This is a totally unique, Elongated, all-clear Ribbon chandelier we produced for a client's dining room. This fits in with traditional decor but with a modern twist, It matches the wood flooring, oak table, and mahogany dresser, and the abundance of natural sunlight from large windows makes this custom lighting glass fixture sparkle.
This is a totally unique, Elongated, all-clear Ribbon chandelier we produced for a client's dining room. This fits in with traditional decor but with a modern twist, It matches the wood flooring, oak table, and mahogany dresser, and the abundance of natural sunlight from large windows makes this custom lighting glass fixture sparkle.
We are a three generation family business, with over 50 years of experience. We have installations all over the world, for governments, civic memorials, public works, interior designers, decorators, architects, engineers, museums, art galleries, hotels, restaurants, corporations, corporate clients, businesses, ranches, oceanfront properties, apartment buildings, condominiums, and numerous private clients.
This floral custom dining room chandelier chandelier looks like an upside down flower pot miraculously suspended in mid-air. The reds in the chandelier match the red painted walls, while the yellows bring out the bamboo floors and light wood dining room table and dining room chairs. There is also plenty of natural sunlight from big sky windows. This home is traditional with a touch of contemporary in the furniture.
For this particular client living in Malibu, we procured for them a chandelier to fit the ultra-contemporary decor of their interior, enhance their home's natural light, and compliment the sun-abundant environment in which they live.
48" high x 72" long x 48" wide Colors shown: Orange, Fire Red, Yellow This blown-glass garden sculpture is designed to uniquely enhance your outdoor space. Dimensions and colors fully customizable, and sculpture can be lit from within for a nighttime glowing effect.
48" high x 72" long x 48" wide Colors shown: Aqua Blue, Lime, Emerald Green, Violet This blown-glass garden sculpture is designed to uniquely enhance your outdoor space. Dimensions and colors fully customizable, and sculpture can be lit from within for a nighttime glowing.
48" high x 48" wide x 24" deep These Opal White sconces seem to work in any space, as their internal lights cast a soft, agreeable glow. This particular pair adds a subtle touch to a forest view, and softens the juxtaposition between inside and out. Just like our chandeliers, our sconces are internally lit with ultra long-lasting, dimmable LEDs.
50" high x 46" wide x 26" deep This is a honey, wood, and grey sconce we produced for a client to accentuate a warm, wooden, yet contemporary feel. Just like our chandeliers, our sconces are internally lit with ultra long-lasting, dimmable LEDs.
72" high x 60" wide x 24" deep This wall sconce is simply fun. Vibrant colors play with each other, yet match because they fall in the same color spectrum, as the client's sitting room is transformed into a display of modern art. Just like our chandeliers, our sconces are internally lit with ultra long-lasting, dimmable LEDs.
We serve the entire United States and Canada. We service all 50 states, including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Florida, Miami, Coral Gables, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. In California, we specifically service Orange County, Los Angeles, LA County, and Malibu. Zip code 90210. In the Washington D.C. area, we specifically serve Alexandria, Arlington, Loudon, Bethesda, Upper Marlboro, Kalorama, and the Palisades. In Connecticut, we specifically serve Greenwich. Zip codes 22314 and 2203.
Our custom made, blown glass chandeliers are functional glass art and can be customized for apartments, condos, a client’s foyer, living room, dining room, great room, family room, kitchen, kitchen island, even bathroom and bedroom.
Our fully custom glass art chandeliers are all blown here in the United States of America. We customize them to go with all furnishings, including one’s mahogany dining room table, wood dining room table, contemporary dining room table, traditional dining room table, and modern dining room table. They also match one’s marble kitchen island, skylight, coffee table, custom wallpaper, other lighting fixtures, custom wall sconces, dining room chairs, marble countertops. They look phenomenal in large or small homes, and seaside villas. Ocean front properties are a speciality of ours as well.
A closeup photo of the outdoor patio chandelier, displaying the incredible detail and craftsmanship in each individual piece. This picture is art unto itself.
We provide full personalized service, including Lighting Design, Lighting Manufacturer, Custom Lighting, Custom Chandeliers, Multi-story Chandeliers, Multi-level Chandeliers, Glass Lighting, Pendant Lighting, Commercial Lighting, Residential Lighting, Blown Glass, Fused Glass, Bubble Glass Lighting, Bubble Chandeliers, Dining Room Lighting, Kitchen Pendants, Lighting Design Consultation.
All chandeliers are hand crafted by our talented artists here in the USA. That’s right, all of our artists and craftsmen are here in the U.S. Each piece is a truly functional work of art. We like to think of it as art primarily, it just happens to be functional! It is true artistic creativity combined with engineering and architectural practicality. At Ethel A. Furman & Associates, the online gallery of GlassArt.net, you are the creator. We like to push the limits of light, color and texture, with our dramatic custom lighting and decor made from our exotic, fused & blown glass.
As a lighting and glass manufacturer, Ethel A. Furman & Associates, the online gallery of GlassArt.net is as unique as the products we offer. We're small enough to provide an unparalleled level of service and craftsmanship. That said, we are large enough to handle residential and commercial jobs of any size. Not found everywhere, you can see our exotic materials displayed around the globe.
Whether you have a vision or you're looking for one, or several, our artists can create something way beyond the expected.
Let us create something exceptional for you.
This is the chandelier in full of the previous closeup photo. We produced this vibrantly colored outdoor chandelier for a client's roofed patio area. Do not be deceived by the thin wires; we use taut, aircraft-strength cables that keep the chandelier stable in virtually any weather condition. Please again note the closeup photo of this chandelier, as it is exemplary of the world class quality we are so proud of in our glasswork.
This totally fun sculpture was created for a client's wine cellar. Your vision is our direction. You are only restricted by the contents of your imagination.
This client wished to have a tropical chandelier while also employing her favorite color: lavender. We played the opaque lavender horns with the transparent ruby and yellow, and green gourds for a wonderfully fun, tropical chandelier that also serve functions as the main dining room light.
This is a closeup of an individual platter sconce. These can be used in a large group, like the previous picture, yet are equally elegant hanging alone. These are backlit, just like our chandeliers and other sconces, with ultra long-lasting, dimmable LEDs.
Our custom glass art comes in any color and/or color combination imaginable, including purple, grey, clear, gold, silver, white, black, green, yellow, purple, taupe, turquoise, blue, baby blue, lavender, violet, red, and orange.
Organic, perforated glass spheres with a lace-like texture. Made from our unique blown glass. Available as individual pendants or multi-pendant chandeliers. Multiple sizes and colors are available.
Our modern Custom Glass Lighting perfect for your entryway, foyer, stairwell, living room, dining room, kitchen, and any room in your home. Our dramatic lighting that is fully customizable and tailored to fit your space perfectly. No two pieces are the same
72" high x 48" wide This eclectic and highly complex chandelier was designed to be reminiscent of a coral reef
96" high x 60" wide x 60" deep Absolutely humongous and stunning chandelier we produced for an javascript:;exceptionally large foyer. Appropriately dubbed "Autumn" because it reminds one of the leaves turning from green to red and slowly falling.
We produced our spectacular "Summer Fire" chandelier for The Park at Fourteenth, an exclusive restaurant & nightclub in Washington D.C. This is one of 2 chandeliers we designed and produced for them.
Like all of our chandeliers, these are internally lit with warm-colored, dimmable LED's, so the light lasts for many tens of thousands of hours and can be set to the exact brightness to fit any mood.
We produced our spectacular "Summer Fire" chandelier for The Park at Fourteenth, an exclusive restaurant & nightclub in Washington D.C. This is one of 2 chandeliers we designed and produced for them. Like all of our chandeliers, these are internally lit with warm-colored, dimmable LED's, so the light lasts for many tens of thousands of hours and can be set to your exact specifications.
We produced our spectacular "Miami Sunrise" chandelier for The Park at Fourteenth, an exclusive restaurant & nightclub in Washington D.C.
This is one of 2 chandeliers we designed and produced for them.
Like all of our chandeliers, these are internally lit with warm-colored, dimmable LED's, so the light lasts for many tens of thousands of hours and can be set to the exact brightness to fit any mood.
We produced our spectacular "Summer Fire" chandelier for The Park at Fourteenth, an exclusive restaurant & nightclub in Washington D.C. This is one of 2 chandeliers we designed and produced for them.
Like all of our chandeliers, these are internally lit with warm-colored, dimmable LED's, so the light lasts for many tens of thousands of hours and can be set to the exact brightness to fit any mood. Our blown glass chandeliers are made totally custom for your unique tastes and home. We work with you to not only capture the colors and style that fit your space perfectly, but also your unique desired “vibe.”
Our client wished to add color to their sun room. This Deep Cobalt chandelier looks absolutely brilliant, as the outside sun and internal light of the chandelier converge in a kaleidoscope of blue. The glass dining room table and casual wooden chairs combined with the outside forestry make for a phenomenal combination.
This custom blown glass art platter chandelier is made from our golden topaz sconce flowers. This style of chandelier is wonderful for modern contemporary homes, and matches the wooden floors, grey rug, and white ceilings. This custom blown glass art platter chandelier is made from our golden topaz sconce flowers. This style of chandelier is wonderful for modern contemporary homes, and matches the wooden floors, grey rug, and white ceilings. It looks stunning over this wooden kitchen island.
Our custom-made glass lighting fixtures are perfect for your foyer, entryway, stairwell, living room, dining room, kitchen, or any room in your home. All of our chandeliers and custom blown glass lighting is fully customizable and tailored to fit your unique space. No two works are the same, each piece is custom made exactly for you.
This is a totally unique, Elongated, all-clear Ribbon chandelier we produced for a client's dining room. This fits in with traditional decor but with a modern twist, It matches the wood flooring, oak table, and mahogany dresser, and the abundance of natural sunlight from large windows makes this custom lighting glass fixture sparkle.
This is a totally unique, Elongated, all-clear Ribbon chandelier we produced for a client's dining room. This fits in with traditional decor but with a modern twist, It matches the wood flooring, oak table, and mahogany dresser, and the abundance of natural sunlight from large windows makes this custom lighting glass fixture sparkle.
This floral custom dining room chandelier chandelier looks like an upside down flower pot miraculously suspended in mid-air. The reds in the chandelier match the red painted walls, while the yellows bring out the bamboo floors and light wood dining room table and dining room chairs. There is also plenty of natural sunlight from big sky windows. This home is traditional with a touch of contemporary in the furniture.
For this particular client living in Malibu, we procured for them a chandelier to fit the ultra-contemporary decor of their interior, enhance their home's natural light, and compliment the sun-abundant environment in which they live.
48" high x 72" long x 48" wide Colors shown: Orange, Fire Red, Yellow This blown-glass garden sculpture is designed to uniquely enhance your outdoor space. Dimensions and colors fully customizable, and sculpture can be lit from within for a nighttime glowing effect.
48" high x 72" long x 48" wide Colors shown: Aqua Blue, Lime, Emerald Green, Violet This blown-glass garden sculpture is designed to uniquely enhance your outdoor space. Dimensions and colors fully customizable, and sculpture can be lit from within for a nighttime glowing.
48" high x 48" wide x 24" deep These Opal White sconces seem to work in any space, as their internal lights cast a soft, agreeable glow. This particular pair adds a subtle touch to a forest view, and softens the juxtaposition between inside and out. Just like our chandeliers, our sconces are internally lit with ultra long-lasting, dimmable LEDs.
50" high x 46" wide x 26" deep This is a honey, wood, and grey sconce we produced for a client to accentuate a warm, wooden, yet contemporary feel. Just like our chandeliers, our sconces are internally lit with ultra long-lasting, dimmable LEDs.
72" high x 60" wide x 24" deep This wall sconce is simply fun. Vibrant colors play with each other, yet match because they fall in the same color spectrum, as the client's sitting room is transformed into a display of modern art. Just like our chandeliers, our sconces are internally lit with ultra long-lasting, dimmable LEDs.
We serve the entire United States and Canada. We service all 50 states, including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Florida, Miami, Coral Gables, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. In California, we specifically service Orange County, Los Angeles, LA County, and Malibu. Zip code 90210. In the Washington D.C. area, we specifically serve Alexandria, Arlington, Loudon, Bethesda, Upper Marlboro, Kalorama, and the Palisades. In Connecticut, we specifically serve Greenwich. Zip codes 22314 and 2203.
Our custom made, blown glass chandeliers are functional glass art and can be customized for apartments, condos, a client’s foyer, living room, dining room, great room, family room, kitchen, kitchen island, even bathroom and bedroom.
Our fully custom glass art chandeliers are all blown here in the United States of America. We customize them to go with all furnishings, including one’s mahogany dining room table, wood dining room table, contemporary dining room table, traditional dining room table, and modern dining room table. They also match one’s marble kitchen island, skylight, coffee table, custom wallpaper, other lighting fixtures, custom wall sconces, dining room chairs, marble countertops. They look phenomenal in large or small homes, and seaside villas. Ocean front properties are a speciality of ours as well.
A closeup photo of the outdoor patio chandelier, displaying the incredible detail and craftsmanship in each individual piece. This picture is art unto itself.
We provide full personalized service, including Lighting Design, Lighting Manufacturer, Custom Lighting, Custom Chandeliers, Multi-story Chandeliers, Multi-level Chandeliers, Glass Lighting, Pendant Lighting, Commercial Lighting, Residential Lighting, Blown Glass, Fused Glass, Bubble Glass Lighting, Bubble Chandeliers, Dining Room Lighting, Kitchen Pendants, Lighting Design Consultation.
All chandeliers are hand crafted by our talented artists here in the USA. That’s right, all of our artists and craftsmen are here in the U.S. Each piece is a truly functional work of art. We like to think of it as art primarily, it just happens to be functional! It is true artistic creativity combined with engineering and architectural practicality. At Ethel A. Furman & Associates, the online gallery of GlassArt.net, you are the creator. We like to push the limits of light, color and texture, with our dramatic custom lighting and decor made from our exotic, fused & blown glass.
As a lighting and glass manufacturer, Ethel A. Furman & Associates, the online gallery of GlassArt.net is as unique as the products we offer. We're small enough to provide an unparalleled level of service and craftsmanship. That said, we are large enough to handle residential and commercial jobs of any size. Not found everywhere, you can see our exotic materials displayed around the globe.
Whether you have a vision or you're looking for one, or several, our artists can create something way beyond the expected.
Let us create something exceptional for you.
This is the chandelier in full of the previous closeup photo. We produced this vibrantly colored outdoor chandelier for a client's roofed patio area. Do not be deceived by the thin wires; we use taut, aircraft-strength cables that keep the chandelier stable, secure and safe.

The Legendary Rockstar Pool Build — A Backyard Concert Venue and Custom Swimming Pool
The Rockstar Pool is one of the most ambitious, imaginative, and large-scale residential pool builds ever completed by Legendary Escapes. Designed and built by Al Curtis, this project was created for a homeowner whose entire life revolves around performance, music, and living boldly.
This is far more than a swimming pool.
It is a backyard concert venue, a sculpted grotto, a hot tub, a swim-up bar, a VIP lounge, a performance platform, and a fully engineered artistic environment built as a single cohesive experience.
A Client With a True Rockstar Life
The homeowner’s request was simple in spirit but extraordinary in scale: create a pool environment that matched a life centered on creativity and performance. His background includes jousting at the Michigan Renaissance Festival, on-stage theatrical work, a home rebuilt around music and entertainment, and longstanding connections within the rock world. With a 16-acre horse farm and a passion for bold design, he needed a pool that reflected his personality.
His project requirements included a grotto, waterfall, hot tub, swim-up bar, performance area, and multiple lounging zones. Every feature had to feel original, dramatic, and purposeful.
The Design Vision
Designer and builder Al Curtis immediately recognized that this build needed to be expansive, theatrical, and seamlessly integrated into the landscape. The pool needed to make a statement without obstructing panoramic views of the surrounding farm and open sky.
The spark for the design came from an unexpected source: steel grates salvaged from an old carnival tilt-a-whirl ride. This inspired the concept of a floating performance stage built over the pool. What began as a small idea quickly grew into a large-scale platform complete with a concrete stage, integrated lighting, waterfalls, backstage areas, and custom metalwork. As the stage expanded, so did the pool, the patio, and the entire environment—ultimately transforming the backyard into a private amphitheater.
Repurposed Materials Used as Art
Legendary Escapes is known for incorporating reclaimed materials into artistic, sculptural pool environments. This project includes an extraordinary collection of repurposed components:
Tilt-a-whirl steel used as the main stage structure
Carnival flooring panels transformed into large fire-feature guitars
Trumpet and trombone bells refitted as lighting fixtures
Reclaimed street lamps custom-painted for poolside lighting
3D-printed album covers used as illuminated wall panels
Concrete replicas of Marshall speakers integrated under the stage
Every material was selected to bring character, history, and energy to the space.
Artistic Features and Highlights
The Rockstar Pool includes numerous custom artistic elements, such as:
A ten-foot mosaic “album cover” inset into the pool floor
Eight-foot sculpted guitars along the fence line
Guitar-shaped fire features
Backlit album panels positioned just above the water
A “Rockstar” sign paired with sculpted concrete amplifier towers
A VIP seating area built from restored tilt-a-whirl ride cars
Every corner of the environment contains layered artistic details.
Engineering Challenges and Solutions
Creating a fully functional concert stage over the deep end of the pool required extensive planning and engineering. Key complexities included:
Designing a safe, weight-bearing steel and concrete stage structure
Adjusting stage elevation mid-build to achieve optimal height
Installing three complete filtration systems concealed beneath the stage
Applying ecoFinish throughout the pool, spa, and grotto
Rebuilding existing decking and integrating a three-story observation tower
Ensuring the massive pool structure preserved the property’s sightlines
The technical demands of this project were matched only by the creative vision behind it.
The Legendary Team
This build was completed by a multi-generational team of craftsmen and artists, including:
Al Curtis – Designer and builder
Jesse Curtis – Project manager and construction artist
Mark Curtis – Filtration systems and plumbing
Annie Curtis – Stonework and water features
Karen Olson – Tile, stonework, and patio murals
Frank DiPiazza – Structural construction and decking
Brendan Schafer – On-site support and maintenance
dbaker designs – Custom mosaic creation
Daren Baker – Custom metal guitars and lighting elements
Each contributor played a critical role in shaping the final environment.
A Client Who Trusted the Process
As with many Legendary Escapes projects, this build evolved organically. The homeowner provided inspiration and trust, allowing the team to respond to the evolving environment. Several features—including the guitar fence, fire elements, and VIP seating area—were conceived and built during the process as the design revealed new opportunities.
The Final Result
The Rockstar Pool is now a fully functional concert venue, swimming pool, artistic installation, and outdoor living space. It is dramatic, expressive, engineered with care, and truly one-of-a-kind. This project reflects the homeowner’s personality and passion, and stands as one of the most ambitious designs ever produced by Legendary Escapes.
Find the right local pro for your project

The Legendary Rockstar Pool Build — A Backyard Concert Venue and Custom Swimming Pool
The Rockstar Pool is one of the most ambitious, imaginative, and large-scale residential pool builds ever completed by Legendary Escapes. Designed and built by Al Curtis, this project was created for a homeowner whose entire life revolves around performance, music, and living boldly.
This is far more than a swimming pool.
It is a backyard concert venue, a sculpted grotto, a hot tub, a swim-up bar, a VIP lounge, a performance platform, and a fully engineered artistic environment built as a single cohesive experience.
A Client With a True Rockstar Life
The homeowner’s request was simple in spirit but extraordinary in scale: create a pool environment that matched a life centered on creativity and performance. His background includes jousting at the Michigan Renaissance Festival, on-stage theatrical work, a home rebuilt around music and entertainment, and longstanding connections within the rock world. With a 16-acre horse farm and a passion for bold design, he needed a pool that reflected his personality.
His project requirements included a grotto, waterfall, hot tub, swim-up bar, performance area, and multiple lounging zones. Every feature had to feel original, dramatic, and purposeful.
The Design Vision
Designer and builder Al Curtis immediately recognized that this build needed to be expansive, theatrical, and seamlessly integrated into the landscape. The pool needed to make a statement without obstructing panoramic views of the surrounding farm and open sky.
The spark for the design came from an unexpected source: steel grates salvaged from an old carnival tilt-a-whirl ride. This inspired the concept of a floating performance stage built over the pool. What began as a small idea quickly grew into a large-scale platform complete with a concrete stage, integrated lighting, waterfalls, backstage areas, and custom metalwork. As the stage expanded, so did the pool, the patio, and the entire environment—ultimately transforming the backyard into a private amphitheater.
Repurposed Materials Used as Art
Legendary Escapes is known for incorporating reclaimed materials into artistic, sculptural pool environments. This project includes an extraordinary collection of repurposed components:
Tilt-a-whirl steel used as the main stage structure
Carnival flooring panels transformed into large fire-feature guitars
Trumpet and trombone bells refitted as lighting fixtures
Reclaimed street lamps custom-painted for poolside lighting
3D-printed album covers used as illuminated wall panels
Concrete replicas of Marshall speakers integrated under the stage
Every material was selected to bring character, history, and energy to the space.
Artistic Features and Highlights
The Rockstar Pool includes numerous custom artistic elements, such as:
A ten-foot mosaic “album cover” inset into the pool floor
Eight-foot sculpted guitars along the fence line
Guitar-shaped fire features
Backlit album panels positioned just above the water
A “Rockstar” sign paired with sculpted concrete amplifier towers
A VIP seating area built from restored tilt-a-whirl ride cars
Every corner of the environment contains layered artistic details.
Engineering Challenges and Solutions
Creating a fully functional concert stage over the deep end of the pool required extensive planning and engineering. Key complexities included:
Designing a safe, weight-bearing steel and concrete stage structure
Adjusting stage elevation mid-build to achieve optimal height
Installing three complete filtration systems concealed beneath the stage
Applying ecoFinish throughout the pool, spa, and grotto
Rebuilding existing decking and integrating a three-story observation tower
Ensuring the massive pool structure preserved the property’s sightlines
The technical demands of this project were matched only by the creative vision behind it.
The Legendary Team
This build was completed by a multi-generational team of craftsmen and artists, including:
Al Curtis – Designer and builder
Jesse Curtis – Project manager and construction artist
Mark Curtis – Filtration systems and plumbing
Annie Curtis – Stonework and water features
Karen Olson – Tile, stonework, and patio murals
Frank DiPiazza – Structural construction and decking
Brendan Schafer – On-site support and maintenance
dbaker designs – Custom mosaic creation
Daren Baker – Custom metal guitars and lighting elements
Each contributor played a critical role in shaping the final environment.
A Client Who Trusted the Process
As with many Legendary Escapes projects, this build evolved organically. The homeowner provided inspiration and trust, allowing the team to respond to the evolving environment. Several features—including the guitar fence, fire elements, and VIP seating area—were conceived and built during the process as the design revealed new opportunities.
The Final Result
The Rockstar Pool is now a fully functional concert venue, swimming pool, artistic installation, and outdoor living space. It is dramatic, expressive, engineered with care, and truly one-of-a-kind. This project reflects the homeowner’s personality and passion, and stands as one of the most ambitious designs ever produced by Legendary Escapes.

Nestled in the lush landscape, a modern reinterpretation of a once-fallen barn now features a charming guest cottage with stylish details and contemporary amenities. Situated along a narrow lot in Germantown, New York, the cottage completes a cluster of existing buildings, forming an intimate courtyard on one side. Steel effect folding patio doors fully open the living areas to the expansive fields and the Catskill Mountains beyond.
The homeowners, a young family with parents living abroad, envisioned a cozy yet modern ADU for extended stays. Designed by Lauren Cawse, AIA, architect and partner at The Art of Building, the year-round retreat draws inspiration from traditional local barns while embracing a seamless indoor-outdoor connection.
Captivating Guest Cottage Design Enhances the Senses with Steel Effect Folding Patio Doors
The modern ADU design started with the site itself. Positioned between residential and commercial neighbors, the elongated property required a careful balance of privacy and openness. Architect Lauren Cawse approached the layout by redefining the existing house and garage as the east and west sides of an outdoor room, with the new cottage forming its southern boundary. This arrangement created a clear courtyard near the main residence while directing the 800-square-foot guest house toward the open meadow and the distant Catskill Mountains.
“The unique character of the site and its history inspired the architectural direction,” says Cawse. “The intent was to create a secondary structure in the compound in clear contrast to the modern farmhouse style of the house and garage.”
A Barn-Inspired Exterior Adds Visual Flair
The exterior envelope evokes a traditional barn with a simple gable shape, weathered wood siding, cedar shingles, and a foundation veneer made of local fieldstone. A large sliding barn door adds a complementary feature to the courtyard-facing side, creating a dynamic opening that maintains uninterrupted views through the cottage to the meadow beyond.
Steel effect folding patio doors surrounding the structure add a modern touch of transparency, and simulated divided lites allow the contemporary glass wall systems to harmonize with the traditional elements of the modern ADU design.
“The goal was to fully open the living areas to the outdoors, framing views to the meadows and mountains,” says Cawse. “The positioning of the NanaWall systems frames the views and, when open, dissolves the boundary between inside and out.”
Interior Design That Mirrors Nature’s Tranquility
Inside, the design program features a simple layout with one bedroom, a full bath, a kitchenette, and a living area with a wood-burning stove. The interior, a collaboration between The Art of Building and the homeowners, is defined by an understated palette and tactile materials that reflect the natural setting. Color is introduced through the framed glass views on all sides of the structure. Reclaimed timber collar ties span the ceiling overhead, while stone surfaces and naturally patinated metal accents add quiet texture throughout.
Custom hand-painted Delft tiles along the kitchen backsplash add personal detail, and terra cotta flooring in the bathroom brings warmth and old-world charm. Soaring ceilings and abundant daylight create a peaceful play of light and shadow, shifting subtly with the seasons and emphasizing the cottage’s connection to the natural landscape outside.
Sleek Steel Effect Folding Patio Doors Elevate the Modern ADU Design Aesthetic
Three customized steel effect folding patio doors define the living space, each aligned to respond to a different edge of the site. The largest, spanning nearly 20 feet wide and just under eight feet tall, opens directly onto the stone patio, allowing the main gathering area to extend fully into the landscape. Along the side of the living room, a smaller 10-foot-wide system introduces more light and ventilation, nearly creating an open corner condition if not for the structural post that supports the façade and roofline.
At the rear, a fourth ten-foot-wide system features a French door swing panel configuration that opens toward the courtyard, strengthening the design connection to the main residence. All steel effect folding patio doors were specified with a low-maintenance, water-rated Performance Sill to safeguard against inclement weather while providing a seamless, barrier-free transition to the outdoor patio.
Unique Customizations for Visual Appeal and a Steel Effect
Each folding patio door system is configured to open outward, maximizing usable floor space in the compact interior and allowing furniture placement to remain uninterrupted. By stacking outward, the steel effect folding patio doors, specified in a SE Classic Bronze powder coat, ensure every inch of the cottage is optimized. Simulated divided lites create a consistent rhythm across windows and doors, maintaining alignment with the traditional barn-inspired exterior.
In the bedroom, a three-panel, 10-foot-wide system mirrors these customizations, matching the steel effect divided-lite pattern and outward-opening configuration, extending the indoor-outdoor connection while preserving visual continuity throughout the ADU.
“The divided lites were crucial to the architectural vision, and while budget prohibited a steel and glass system, NanaWall Systems’ thin frames provide the open and airy feeling we hoped to attain,” says Cawse. “Simulated divided lites transition the thoroughly modern element of the glass walls to remain in harmony with the otherwise traditional palette.”
Matching Windows and Doors: Create a Cohesive Design Program
Alongside the larger openings in the living areas and bedroom, a smaller 3-foot-tall NanaWall tilt turn window was added to the bathroom. This window-sized NanaWall system perfectly matches the divided lite panels and sleek frames of the steel effect folding patio doors, creating a cohesive modern ADU design throughout. The compact opening provides ventilation and natural light, enhancing the spa-like atmosphere along with natural stone flooring. The matching glass lines and sleek profiles of the NanaWall Generation 4 comprehensive product line further unify visual consistency, allowing each system to fit into the architectural style seamlessly.
“This project had three bifold glass walls, a pair of double French doors with sidelites, and a single tilt turn window,” says architect Lauren Cawse. “Being able to work with a single manufacturer provided aesthetic cohesiveness and simplified coordination.”
Sustainability Where It Matters Most
New York weather can vary from hot 85-degree summers to cold 26-degree winters. Creating an efficient living space was a primary goal. To achieve this, the design included Timber HP-insulated walls and floors with a heat pump system for effective heating and cooling. Additionally, the steel effect folding patio doors and windows were specified with double-glazed panels to ensure a tight building envelope.
Indoor-Outdoor Living Spaces for Relaxing and Entertaining
In-house landscape designer Liz Pulver worked closely with the team to conceive open-air spaces that enhanced the connection between inside and outside. To the south end of the lot, the landscape transitions into an “enhanced meadow,” allowing the cottage to feel embedded within the surrounding fields rather than set apart from them. A circular pool was designed to mimic a natural pond with a modest footprint. Around it, a minimalist fence and sunken stone ha-ha wall offer discreet safety for young children.
Limited space due to existing infrastructure and zoning setbacks left only a small footprint for the swimming pool, prompting the designer to propose a circular form that maximized the usable swimming area. “We felt that the perfect way to integrate a pool into the property and to honor the landscape would be to treat the pool as a piece of art itself,” says Pulver. “The result is a beautiful round pool that serves as both a functional retreat and a sculptural moment.”
Final Thoughts: A Barn-Inspired Design for Contemporary Living
This modern ADU design skillfully combines modern features with the enduring charm of traditional barns. The outcome is a welcoming living space that stands out amid a stunning landscape. Natural materials that mimic the beauty of the outdoors, expansive steel effect folding patio doors that fill the space with fresh air and natural light, and a restrained interior design work together to create an inviting retreat for everyday living, throughout the seasons.
“When entering the site, the cottage feels as though it was always there,” says Cawse. “It achieves its two opposing goals by creating a feeling of intimacy and enclosure near the house while also functioning as a threshold to the expansive fields and views beyond.”
Explore how NanaWall folding patio doors elevate other ADU spaces in our inspiring project photo gallery!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Slimline Steel Effect?
Steel Effect is a folding patio door design option that replicates the appearance of traditional steel-framed glass doors. It combines the look of steel with the performance benefits of aluminum, including energy efficiency, low maintenance, greater design flexibility, and lower cost.
How does a NanaWall Steel Effect aluminum system compare to traditional steel-framed glass doors?
NanaWall Slimline Steel Effect folding patio doors replicate the narrow frames of traditional steel doors with improved weather and thermal performance and easier operation. They are lighter, more corrosion-resistant, and feature a thermally broken design for better energy efficiency and lower long-term maintenance.
What are the benefits of Steel Effect folding glass walls?
Steel Effect folding glass walls deliver the narrow sightlines and grid patterns of traditional steel, combined with the performance and low maintenance of aluminum. The slimline steel effect option offers all the benefits of our Generation 4 product line, including the FourFold / SixFold floating panel set option and smooth operation with Gothic arch stainless steel rollers on a stainless steel track.
Can Slimline Steel Effect glass walls be customized?
Yes, these systems offer a high level of customization to suit different architectural styles, including simulated divided lites specified in various patterns, popular SE colors for a true steel effect look, and a contemporary glass stop option for a refined look. Contact your local NanaWall representative for additional options here.
How energy-efficient and weather-resistant are Slimline Steel Effect folding patio doors?
Steel effect folding systems are engineered for strong thermal and weather performance. Thermally broken frames and high-performance glazing help improve energy efficiency. Each NanaWall system has been independently tested for air, water, structural integrity, and forced entry with excellent results.

Nestled in the lush landscape, a modern reinterpretation of a once-fallen barn now features a charming guest cottage with stylish details and contemporary amenities. Situated along a narrow lot in Germantown, New York, the cottage completes a cluster of existing buildings, forming an intimate courtyard on one side. Steel effect folding patio doors fully open the living areas to the expansive fields and the Catskill Mountains beyond.
The homeowners, a young family with parents living abroad, envisioned a cozy yet modern ADU for extended stays. Designed by Lauren Cawse, AIA, architect and partner at The Art of Building, the year-round retreat draws inspiration from traditional local barns while embracing a seamless indoor-outdoor connection.
Captivating Guest Cottage Design Enhances the Senses with Steel Effect Folding Patio Doors
The modern ADU design started with the site itself. Positioned between residential and commercial neighbors, the elongated property required a careful balance of privacy and openness. Architect Lauren Cawse approached the layout by redefining the existing house and garage as the east and west sides of an outdoor room, with the new cottage forming its southern boundary. This arrangement created a clear courtyard near the main residence while directing the 800-square-foot guest house toward the open meadow and the distant Catskill Mountains.
“The unique character of the site and its history inspired the architectural direction,” says Cawse. “The intent was to create a secondary structure in the compound in clear contrast to the modern farmhouse style of the house and garage.”
A Barn-Inspired Exterior Adds Visual Flair
The exterior envelope evokes a traditional barn with a simple gable shape, weathered wood siding, cedar shingles, and a foundation veneer made of local fieldstone. A large sliding barn door adds a complementary feature to the courtyard-facing side, creating a dynamic opening that maintains uninterrupted views through the cottage to the meadow beyond.
Steel effect folding patio doors surrounding the structure add a modern touch of transparency, and simulated divided lites allow the contemporary glass wall systems to harmonize with the traditional elements of the modern ADU design.
“The goal was to fully open the living areas to the outdoors, framing views to the meadows and mountains,” says Cawse. “The positioning of the NanaWall systems frames the views and, when open, dissolves the boundary between inside and out.”
Interior Design That Mirrors Nature’s Tranquility
Inside, the design program features a simple layout with one bedroom, a full bath, a kitchenette, and a living area with a wood-burning stove. The interior, a collaboration between The Art of Building and the homeowners, is defined by an understated palette and tactile materials that reflect the natural setting. Color is introduced through the framed glass views on all sides of the structure. Reclaimed timber collar ties span the ceiling overhead, while stone surfaces and naturally patinated metal accents add quiet texture throughout.
Custom hand-painted Delft tiles along the kitchen backsplash add personal detail, and terra cotta flooring in the bathroom brings warmth and old-world charm. Soaring ceilings and abundant daylight create a peaceful play of light and shadow, shifting subtly with the seasons and emphasizing the cottage’s connection to the natural landscape outside.
Sleek Steel Effect Folding Patio Doors Elevate the Modern ADU Design Aesthetic
Three customized steel effect folding patio doors define the living space, each aligned to respond to a different edge of the site. The largest, spanning nearly 20 feet wide and just under eight feet tall, opens directly onto the stone patio, allowing the main gathering area to extend fully into the landscape. Along the side of the living room, a smaller 10-foot-wide system introduces more light and ventilation, nearly creating an open corner condition if not for the structural post that supports the façade and roofline.
At the rear, a fourth ten-foot-wide system features a French door swing panel configuration that opens toward the courtyard, strengthening the design connection to the main residence. All steel effect folding patio doors were specified with a low-maintenance, water-rated Performance Sill to safeguard against inclement weather while providing a seamless, barrier-free transition to the outdoor patio.
Unique Customizations for Visual Appeal and a Steel Effect
Each folding patio door system is configured to open outward, maximizing usable floor space in the compact interior and allowing furniture placement to remain uninterrupted. By stacking outward, the steel effect folding patio doors, specified in a SE Classic Bronze powder coat, ensure every inch of the cottage is optimized. Simulated divided lites create a consistent rhythm across windows and doors, maintaining alignment with the traditional barn-inspired exterior.
In the bedroom, a three-panel, 10-foot-wide system mirrors these customizations, matching the steel effect divided-lite pattern and outward-opening configuration, extending the indoor-outdoor connection while preserving visual continuity throughout the ADU.
“The divided lites were crucial to the architectural vision, and while budget prohibited a steel and glass system, NanaWall Systems’ thin frames provide the open and airy feeling we hoped to attain,” says Cawse. “Simulated divided lites transition the thoroughly modern element of the glass walls to remain in harmony with the otherwise traditional palette.”
Matching Windows and Doors: Create a Cohesive Design Program
Alongside the larger openings in the living areas and bedroom, a smaller 3-foot-tall NanaWall tilt turn window was added to the bathroom. This window-sized NanaWall system perfectly matches the divided lite panels and sleek frames of the steel effect folding patio doors, creating a cohesive modern ADU design throughout. The compact opening provides ventilation and natural light, enhancing the spa-like atmosphere along with natural stone flooring. The matching glass lines and sleek profiles of the NanaWall Generation 4 comprehensive product line further unify visual consistency, allowing each system to fit into the architectural style seamlessly.
“This project had three bifold glass walls, a pair of double French doors with sidelites, and a single tilt turn window,” says architect Lauren Cawse. “Being able to work with a single manufacturer provided aesthetic cohesiveness and simplified coordination.”
Sustainability Where It Matters Most
New York weather can vary from hot 85-degree summers to cold 26-degree winters. Creating an efficient living space was a primary goal. To achieve this, the design included Timber HP-insulated walls and floors with a heat pump system for effective heating and cooling. Additionally, the steel effect folding patio doors and windows were specified with double-glazed panels to ensure a tight building envelope.
Indoor-Outdoor Living Spaces for Relaxing and Entertaining
In-house landscape designer Liz Pulver worked closely with the team to conceive open-air spaces that enhanced the connection between inside and outside. To the south end of the lot, the landscape transitions into an “enhanced meadow,” allowing the cottage to feel embedded within the surrounding fields rather than set apart from them. A circular pool was designed to mimic a natural pond with a modest footprint. Around it, a minimalist fence and sunken stone ha-ha wall offer discreet safety for young children.
Limited space due to existing infrastructure and zoning setbacks left only a small footprint for the swimming pool, prompting the designer to propose a circular form that maximized the usable swimming area. “We felt that the perfect way to integrate a pool into the property and to honor the landscape would be to treat the pool as a piece of art itself,” says Pulver. “The result is a beautiful round pool that serves as both a functional retreat and a sculptural moment.”
Final Thoughts: A Barn-Inspired Design for Contemporary Living
This modern ADU design skillfully combines modern features with the enduring charm of traditional barns. The outcome is a welcoming living space that stands out amid a stunning landscape. Natural materials that mimic the beauty of the outdoors, expansive steel effect folding patio doors that fill the space with fresh air and natural light, and a restrained interior design work together to create an inviting retreat for everyday living, throughout the seasons.
“When entering the site, the cottage feels as though it was always there,” says Cawse. “It achieves its two opposing goals by creating a feeling of intimacy and enclosure near the house while also functioning as a threshold to the expansive fields and views beyond.”
Explore how NanaWall folding patio doors elevate other ADU spaces in our inspiring project photo gallery!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Slimline Steel Effect?
Steel Effect is a folding patio door design option that replicates the appearance of traditional steel-framed glass doors. It combines the look of steel with the performance benefits of aluminum, including energy efficiency, low maintenance, greater design flexibility, and lower cost.
How does a NanaWall Steel Effect aluminum system compare to traditional steel-framed glass doors?
NanaWall Slimline Steel Effect folding patio doors replicate the narrow frames of traditional steel doors with improved weather and thermal performance and easier operation. They are lighter, more corrosion-resistant, and feature a thermally broken design for better energy efficiency and lower long-term maintenance.
What are the benefits of Steel Effect folding glass walls?
Steel Effect folding glass walls deliver the narrow sightlines and grid patterns of traditional steel, combined with the performance and low maintenance of aluminum. The slimline steel effect option offers all the benefits of our Generation 4 product line, including the FourFold / SixFold floating panel set option and smooth operation with Gothic arch stainless steel rollers on a stainless steel track.
Can Slimline Steel Effect glass walls be customized?
Yes, these systems offer a high level of customization to suit different architectural styles, including simulated divided lites specified in various patterns, popular SE colors for a true steel effect look, and a contemporary glass stop option for a refined look. Contact your local NanaWall representative for additional options here.
How energy-efficient and weather-resistant are Slimline Steel Effect folding patio doors?
Steel effect folding systems are engineered for strong thermal and weather performance. Thermally broken frames and high-performance glazing help improve energy efficiency. Each NanaWall system has been independently tested for air, water, structural integrity, and forced entry with excellent results.

The Legendary Rockstar Pool Build — A Backyard Concert Venue and Custom Swimming Pool
The Rockstar Pool is one of the most ambitious, imaginative, and large-scale residential pool builds ever completed by Legendary Escapes. Designed and built by Al Curtis, this project was created for a homeowner whose entire life revolves around performance, music, and living boldly.
This is far more than a swimming pool.
It is a backyard concert venue, a sculpted grotto, a hot tub, a swim-up bar, a VIP lounge, a performance platform, and a fully engineered artistic environment built as a single cohesive experience.
A Client With a True Rockstar Life
The homeowner’s request was simple in spirit but extraordinary in scale: create a pool environment that matched a life centered on creativity and performance. His background includes jousting at the Michigan Renaissance Festival, on-stage theatrical work, a home rebuilt around music and entertainment, and longstanding connections within the rock world. With a 16-acre horse farm and a passion for bold design, he needed a pool that reflected his personality.
His project requirements included a grotto, waterfall, hot tub, swim-up bar, performance area, and multiple lounging zones. Every feature had to feel original, dramatic, and purposeful.
The Design Vision
Designer and builder Al Curtis immediately recognized that this build needed to be expansive, theatrical, and seamlessly integrated into the landscape. The pool needed to make a statement without obstructing panoramic views of the surrounding farm and open sky.
The spark for the design came from an unexpected source: steel grates salvaged from an old carnival tilt-a-whirl ride. This inspired the concept of a floating performance stage built over the pool. What began as a small idea quickly grew into a large-scale platform complete with a concrete stage, integrated lighting, waterfalls, backstage areas, and custom metalwork. As the stage expanded, so did the pool, the patio, and the entire environment—ultimately transforming the backyard into a private amphitheater.
Repurposed Materials Used as Art
Legendary Escapes is known for incorporating reclaimed materials into artistic, sculptural pool environments. This project includes an extraordinary collection of repurposed components:
Tilt-a-whirl steel used as the main stage structure
Carnival flooring panels transformed into large fire-feature guitars
Trumpet and trombone bells refitted as lighting fixtures
Reclaimed street lamps custom-painted for poolside lighting
3D-printed album covers used as illuminated wall panels
Concrete replicas of Marshall speakers integrated under the stage
Every material was selected to bring character, history, and energy to the space.
Artistic Features and Highlights
The Rockstar Pool includes numerous custom artistic elements, such as:
A ten-foot mosaic “album cover” inset into the pool floor
Eight-foot sculpted guitars along the fence line
Guitar-shaped fire features
Backlit album panels positioned just above the water
A “Rockstar” sign paired with sculpted concrete amplifier towers
A VIP seating area built from restored tilt-a-whirl ride cars
Every corner of the environment contains layered artistic details.
Engineering Challenges and Solutions
Creating a fully functional concert stage over the deep end of the pool required extensive planning and engineering. Key complexities included:
Designing a safe, weight-bearing steel and concrete stage structure
Adjusting stage elevation mid-build to achieve optimal height
Installing three complete filtration systems concealed beneath the stage
Applying ecoFinish throughout the pool, spa, and grotto
Rebuilding existing decking and integrating a three-story observation tower
Ensuring the massive pool structure preserved the property’s sightlines
The technical demands of this project were matched only by the creative vision behind it.
The Legendary Team
This build was completed by a multi-generational team of craftsmen and artists, including:
Al Curtis – Designer and builder
Jesse Curtis – Project manager and construction artist
Mark Curtis – Filtration systems and plumbing
Annie Curtis – Stonework and water features
Karen Olson – Tile, stonework, and patio murals
Frank DiPiazza – Structural construction and decking
Brendan Schafer – On-site support and maintenance
dbaker designs – Custom mosaic creation
Daren Baker – Custom metal guitars and lighting elements
Each contributor played a critical role in shaping the final environment.
A Client Who Trusted the Process
As with many Legendary Escapes projects, this build evolved organically. The homeowner provided inspiration and trust, allowing the team to respond to the evolving environment. Several features—including the guitar fence, fire elements, and VIP seating area—were conceived and built during the process as the design revealed new opportunities.
The Final Result
The Rockstar Pool is now a fully functional concert venue, swimming pool, artistic installation, and outdoor living space. It is dramatic, expressive, engineered with care, and truly one-of-a-kind. This project reflects the homeowner’s personality and passion, and stands as one of the most ambitious designs ever produced by Legendary Escapes.

Sponsored
Delaware, OH
Buckeye Basements, Inc.
Central Ohio's Basement Finishing ExpertsBest Of Houzz '13-'21

This handcrafted Maple hardwood bench combines timeless craftsmanship with meaningful design. Built from solid USA-sourced Maple, this custom bench features brushed nickel base wraps, custom cross inlays, and a warm stain that highlights the natural beauty of the wood. Whether placed alongside a dining table, in an entryway, at the foot of a bed, or in a commercial waiting area, this versatile bench is designed to provide lasting beauty, comfort, and functionality for generations.
This particular bench was custom built for our client in Howell, Michigan, to perfectly complement the existing hardwood tabletops throughout her home. The Maple was carefully stained to create a cohesive look, allowing every handcrafted piece to feel connected while still celebrating the unique character found in natural hardwood.
The details are what truly make this piece one of a kind. Brushed nickel base wraps provide a clean, contemporary contrast against the warmth of the Maple, while custom cross inlays incorporated into each bench end create a meaningful personal touch designed specifically for our client. Every design decision—from the wood species and finish color to the metal accents and custom inlays—was intentionally selected to create a piece that reflects both the home and the family it was built for.
Unlike mass-produced benches made from particle board or veneer, our furniture is handcrafted from solid hardwood that's built to withstand everyday life and become an heirloom for future generations. Every board is carefully selected for its character, durability, and beauty, ensuring no two benches are ever exactly alike.

The Home
A family heirloom full of warm memories passed down for generations to come greets you after opening the beautiful knotty alder front
door. The rear staircase and separate back entrance allows for multi-generations to share this home.
The Eagles Nest is a place for all to land. The five bedroom, four bath mountain modern plan offers several areas for relaxing and
entertaining. Upon entering, you are welcomed by the warmth of the beams, hickory floors and inviting fireplace. The overall environment gently whispers, “come in, sit down and relax”. The back staircase off the kitchen leads you to a private oasis. The lower level is designed to serve two purposes. It can be a separate living quarter because of its private entrance, or an extension of the house for entertaining.
The open floor plan maximizes square footage for all to enjoy and partake, or for one to find their own quiet space.
The Builder
We build your dreams is the heartfelt motto of Murphy’s Custom Homes, and that’s because we take great pride in crafting homes that reflect the individuality of the people who live in them. With more than 35 years of experience and passion, Murphy’s Custom Homes personally crafts clients’ dream homes by combining their ideas with our expert design team, experience, the environmental elements of the land, quality construction techniques and state-of-the-art products.
We are committed to our clients’ satisfaction during every step of the homebuilding process — from the development of ideas and acquiring land — until the final celebration of walking through the front door and seeing those dreams fulfilled. View a full gallery of our work at murphyscustomhomes.com or call 719-488-8818.
The Interior Design
Inspired by nature’s palette and a touch of modern, the Eagles Nest is a calm haven of earth tones and casual elegance. The interior is an inviting blend of subtle neutrals and pops of color, combined with metals, textures, and fine finishes, creating a transitional rustic design. Entertain guests in the large downstairs rec room with a glass of wine at the built-in bar, or take on an opponent with a game of foosball.
The homeowners joined forces with Caprice King at Upstage Furniture Consignments to paint the pallet of the home. Caprice King staged the home with additional furnishings and accessories, lending the home a designer’s touch while utilizing her spatial expertise and attention to detail.

For a Buffalo-based family with a longstanding connection to Deer Valley, Eagle’s Nest marks a return to a place shaped by childhood winters beneath Bald Mountain. Now being created for the next generation, the home offers a setting for shared traditions, time outdoors, and seasons spent together.
The interiors take on a more masculine character, expressed through substantial materials, deeper tones, tailored detailing, and a restrained sense of warmth. The result is a home that feels grounded, personal, and quietly enduring, rooted in memory while designed for what comes next.
ARCHITECTURE:
ARTISANS DESIGN
INTERIORS:
LSL DESIGN

The Home
A family heirloom full of warm memories passed down for generations to come greets you after opening the beautiful knotty alder front
door. The rear staircase and separate back entrance allows for multi-generations to share this home.
The Eagles Nest is a place for all to land. The five bedroom, four bath mountain modern plan offers several areas for relaxing and
entertaining. Upon entering, you are welcomed by the warmth of the beams, hickory floors and inviting fireplace. The overall environment gently whispers, “come in, sit down and relax”. The back staircase off the kitchen leads you to a private oasis. The lower level is designed to serve two purposes. It can be a separate living quarter because of its private entrance, or an extension of the house for entertaining.
The open floor plan maximizes square footage for all to enjoy and partake, or for one to find their own quiet space.
The Builder
We build your dreams is the heartfelt motto of Murphy’s Custom Homes, and that’s because we take great pride in crafting homes that reflect the individuality of the people who live in them. With more than 35 years of experience and passion, Murphy’s Custom Homes personally crafts clients’ dream homes by combining their ideas with our expert design team, experience, the environmental elements of the land, quality construction techniques and state-of-the-art products.
We are committed to our clients’ satisfaction during every step of the homebuilding process — from the development of ideas and acquiring land — until the final celebration of walking through the front door and seeing those dreams fulfilled. View a full gallery of our work at murphyscustomhomes.com or call 719-488-8818.
The Interior Design
Inspired by nature’s palette and a touch of modern, the Eagles Nest is a calm haven of earth tones and casual elegance. The interior is an inviting blend of subtle neutrals and pops of color, combined with metals, textures, and fine finishes, creating a transitional rustic design. Entertain guests in the large downstairs rec room with a glass of wine at the built-in bar, or take on an opponent with a game of foosball.
The homeowners joined forces with Caprice King at Upstage Furniture Consignments to paint the pallet of the home. Caprice King staged the home with additional furnishings and accessories, lending the home a designer’s touch while utilizing her spatial expertise and attention to detail.

The Legendary Rockstar Pool Build — A Backyard Concert Venue and Custom Swimming Pool
The Rockstar Pool is one of the most ambitious, imaginative, and large-scale residential pool builds ever completed by Legendary Escapes. Designed and built by Al Curtis, this project was created for a homeowner whose entire life revolves around performance, music, and living boldly.
This is far more than a swimming pool.
It is a backyard concert venue, a sculpted grotto, a hot tub, a swim-up bar, a VIP lounge, a performance platform, and a fully engineered artistic environment built as a single cohesive experience.
A Client With a True Rockstar Life
The homeowner’s request was simple in spirit but extraordinary in scale: create a pool environment that matched a life centered on creativity and performance. His background includes jousting at the Michigan Renaissance Festival, on-stage theatrical work, a home rebuilt around music and entertainment, and longstanding connections within the rock world. With a 16-acre horse farm and a passion for bold design, he needed a pool that reflected his personality.
His project requirements included a grotto, waterfall, hot tub, swim-up bar, performance area, and multiple lounging zones. Every feature had to feel original, dramatic, and purposeful.
The Design Vision
Designer and builder Al Curtis immediately recognized that this build needed to be expansive, theatrical, and seamlessly integrated into the landscape. The pool needed to make a statement without obstructing panoramic views of the surrounding farm and open sky.
The spark for the design came from an unexpected source: steel grates salvaged from an old carnival tilt-a-whirl ride. This inspired the concept of a floating performance stage built over the pool. What began as a small idea quickly grew into a large-scale platform complete with a concrete stage, integrated lighting, waterfalls, backstage areas, and custom metalwork. As the stage expanded, so did the pool, the patio, and the entire environment—ultimately transforming the backyard into a private amphitheater.
Repurposed Materials Used as Art
Legendary Escapes is known for incorporating reclaimed materials into artistic, sculptural pool environments. This project includes an extraordinary collection of repurposed components:
Tilt-a-whirl steel used as the main stage structure
Carnival flooring panels transformed into large fire-feature guitars
Trumpet and trombone bells refitted as lighting fixtures
Reclaimed street lamps custom-painted for poolside lighting
3D-printed album covers used as illuminated wall panels
Concrete replicas of Marshall speakers integrated under the stage
Every material was selected to bring character, history, and energy to the space.
Artistic Features and Highlights
The Rockstar Pool includes numerous custom artistic elements, such as:
A ten-foot mosaic “album cover” inset into the pool floor
Eight-foot sculpted guitars along the fence line
Guitar-shaped fire features
Backlit album panels positioned just above the water
A “Rockstar” sign paired with sculpted concrete amplifier towers
A VIP seating area built from restored tilt-a-whirl ride cars
Every corner of the environment contains layered artistic details.
Engineering Challenges and Solutions
Creating a fully functional concert stage over the deep end of the pool required extensive planning and engineering. Key complexities included:
Designing a safe, weight-bearing steel and concrete stage structure
Adjusting stage elevation mid-build to achieve optimal height
Installing three complete filtration systems concealed beneath the stage
Applying ecoFinish throughout the pool, spa, and grotto
Rebuilding existing decking and integrating a three-story observation tower
Ensuring the massive pool structure preserved the property’s sightlines
The technical demands of this project were matched only by the creative vision behind it.
The Legendary Team
This build was completed by a multi-generational team of craftsmen and artists, including:
Al Curtis – Designer and builder
Jesse Curtis – Project manager and construction artist
Mark Curtis – Filtration systems and plumbing
Annie Curtis – Stonework and water features
Karen Olson – Tile, stonework, and patio murals
Frank DiPiazza – Structural construction and decking
Brendan Schafer – On-site support and maintenance
dbaker designs – Custom mosaic creation
Daren Baker – Custom metal guitars and lighting elements
Each contributor played a critical role in shaping the final environment.
A Client Who Trusted the Process
As with many Legendary Escapes projects, this build evolved organically. The homeowner provided inspiration and trust, allowing the team to respond to the evolving environment. Several features—including the guitar fence, fire elements, and VIP seating area—were conceived and built during the process as the design revealed new opportunities.
The Final Result
The Rockstar Pool is now a fully functional concert venue, swimming pool, artistic installation, and outdoor living space. It is dramatic, expressive, engineered with care, and truly one-of-a-kind. This project reflects the homeowner’s personality and passion, and stands as one of the most ambitious designs ever produced by Legendary Escapes.

Our custom blown glass chandeliers are made totally custom to fit perfectly in your unique space. We work with you to capture the inner essence you wish to express.
Our client wished to add color to their sun room. This Deep Cobalt chandelier looks absolutely brilliant, as the outside sun and internal light of the chandelier converge in a kaleidoscope of blue. The glass dining room table and casual wooden chairs combined with the outside forestry make for a phenomenal combination.
This custom blown glass art platter chandelier is made from our golden topaz sconce flowers. This style of chandelier is wonderful for modern contemporary homes, and matches the wooden floors, grey rug, and white ceilings. This custom blown glass art platter chandelier is made from our golden topaz sconce flowers. This style of chandelier is wonderful for modern contemporary homes, and matches the wooden floors, grey rug, and white ceilings. It looks stunning over this wooden kitchen island.
Our custom-made glass lighting fixtures are perfect for your foyer, entryway, stairwell, living room, dining room, kitchen, or any room in your home. All of our chandeliers and custom blown glass lighting is fully customizable and tailored to fit your unique space. No two works are the same, each piece is custom made exactly for you.
This is a totally unique, Elongated, all-clear Ribbon chandelier we produced for a client's dining room. This fits in with traditional decor but with a modern twist, It matches the wood flooring, oak table, and mahogany dresser, and the abundance of natural sunlight from large windows makes this custom lighting glass fixture sparkle.
This is a totally unique, Elongated, all-clear Ribbon chandelier we produced for a client's dining room. This fits in with traditional decor but with a modern twist, It matches the wood flooring, oak table, and mahogany dresser, and the abundance of natural sunlight from large windows makes this custom lighting glass fixture sparkle.
We are a three generation family business, with over 50 years of experience. We have installations all over the world, for governments, civic memorials, public works, interior designers, decorators, architects, engineers, museums, art galleries, hotels, restaurants, corporations, corporate clients, businesses, ranches, oceanfront properties, apartment buildings, condominiums, and numerous private clients.
This floral custom dining room chandelier chandelier looks like an upside down flower pot miraculously suspended in mid-air. The reds in the chandelier match the red painted walls, while the yellows bring out the bamboo floors and light wood dining room table and dining room chairs. There is also plenty of natural sunlight from big sky windows. This home is traditional with a touch of contemporary in the furniture.
For this particular client living in Malibu, we procured for them a chandelier to fit the ultra-contemporary decor of their interior, enhance their home's natural light, and compliment the sun-abundant environment in which they live.
48" high x 72" long x 48" wide Colors shown: Orange, Fire Red, Yellow This blown-glass garden sculpture is designed to uniquely enhance your outdoor space. Dimensions and colors fully customizable, and sculpture can be lit from within for a nighttime glowing effect.
48" high x 72" long x 48" wide Colors shown: Aqua Blue, Lime, Emerald Green, Violet This blown-glass garden sculpture is designed to uniquely enhance your outdoor space. Dimensions and colors fully customizable, and sculpture can be lit from within for a nighttime glowing.
48" high x 48" wide x 24" deep These Opal White sconces seem to work in any space, as their internal lights cast a soft, agreeable glow. This particular pair adds a subtle touch to a forest view, and softens the juxtaposition between inside and out. Just like our chandeliers, our sconces are internally lit with ultra long-lasting, dimmable LEDs.
50" high x 46" wide x 26" deep This is a honey, wood, and grey sconce we produced for a client to accentuate a warm, wooden, yet contemporary feel. Just like our chandeliers, our sconces are internally lit with ultra long-lasting, dimmable LEDs.
72" high x 60" wide x 24" deep This wall sconce is simply fun. Vibrant colors play with each other, yet match because they fall in the same color spectrum, as the client's sitting room is transformed into a display of modern art. Just like our chandeliers, our sconces are internally lit with ultra long-lasting, dimmable LEDs.
We serve the entire United States and Canada. We service all 50 states, including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Florida, Miami, Coral Gables, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. In California, we specifically service Orange County, Los Angeles, LA County, and Malibu. Zip code 90210. In the Washington D.C. area, we specifically serve Alexandria, Arlington, Loudon, Bethesda, Upper Marlboro, Kalorama, and the Palisades. In Connecticut, we specifically serve Greenwich. Zip codes 22314 and 2203.
Our custom made, blown glass chandeliers are functional glass art and can be customized for apartments, condos, a client’s foyer, living room, dining room, great room, family room, kitchen, kitchen island, even bathroom and bedroom.
Our fully custom glass art chandeliers are all blown here in the United States of America. We customize them to go with all furnishings, including one’s mahogany dining room table, wood dining room table, contemporary dining room table, traditional dining room table, and modern dining room table. They also match one’s marble kitchen island, skylight, coffee table, custom wallpaper, other lighting fixtures, custom wall sconces, dining room chairs, marble countertops. They look phenomenal in large or small homes, and seaside villas. Ocean front properties are a speciality of ours as well.
A closeup photo of the outdoor patio chandelier, displaying the incredible detail and craftsmanship in each individual piece. This picture is art unto itself.
We provide full personalized service, including Lighting Design, Lighting Manufacturer, Custom Lighting, Custom Chandeliers, Multi-story Chandeliers, Multi-level Chandeliers, Glass Lighting, Pendant Lighting, Commercial Lighting, Residential Lighting, Blown Glass, Fused Glass, Bubble Glass Lighting, Bubble Chandeliers, Dining Room Lighting, Kitchen Pendants, Lighting Design Consultation.
All chandeliers are hand crafted by our talented artists here in the USA. That’s right, all of our artists and craftsmen are here in the U.S. Each piece is a truly functional work of art. We like to think of it as art primarily, it just happens to be functional! It is true artistic creativity combined with engineering and architectural practicality. At Ethel A. Furman & Associates, the online gallery of GlassArt.net, you are the creator. We like to push the limits of light, color and texture, with our dramatic custom lighting and decor made from our exotic, fused & blown glass.
As a lighting and glass manufacturer, Ethel A. Furman & Associates, the online gallery of GlassArt.net is as unique as the products we offer. We're small enough to provide an unparalleled level of service and craftsmanship. That said, we are large enough to handle residential and commercial jobs of any size. Not found everywhere, you can see our exotic materials displayed around the globe.
Whether you have a vision or you're looking for one, or several, our artists can create something way beyond the expected.
Let us create something exceptional for you.
This is the chandelier in full of the previous closeup photo. We produced this vibrantly colored outdoor chandelier for a client's roofed patio area. Do not be deceived by the thin wires; we use taut, aircraft-strength cables that keep the chandelier stable in virtually any weather condition. Please again note the closeup photo of this chandelier, as it is exemplary of the world class quality we are so proud of in our glasswork.
This totally fun sculpture was created for a client's wine cellar. Your vision is our direction. You are only restricted by the contents of your imagination.
This client wished to have a tropical chandelier while also employing her favorite color: lavender. We played the opaque lavender horns with the transparent ruby and yellow, and green gourds for a wonderfully fun, tropical chandelier that also serve functions as the main dining room light.
This is a closeup of an individual platter sconce. These can be used in a large group, like the previous picture, yet are equally elegant hanging alone. These are backlit, just like our chandeliers and other sconces, with ultra long-lasting, dimmable LEDs.
Our custom glass art comes in any color and/or color combination imaginable, including purple, grey, clear, gold, silver, white, black, green, yellow, purple, taupe, turquoise, blue, baby blue, lavender, violet, red, and orange.
Organic, perforated glass spheres with a lace-like texture. Made from our unique blown glass. Available as individual pendants or multi-pendant chandeliers. Multiple sizes and colors are available.
Our modern Custom Glass Lighting perfect for your entryway, foyer, stairwell, living room, dining room, kitchen, and any room in your home. Our dramatic lighting that is fully customizable and tailored to fit your space perfectly. No two pieces are the same
72" high x 48" wide This eclectic and highly complex chandelier was designed to be reminiscent of a coral reef
96" high x 60" wide x 60" deep Absolutely humongous and stunning chandelier we produced for an javascript:;exceptionally large foyer. Appropriately dubbed "Autumn" because it reminds one of the leaves turning from green to red and slowly falling.
We produced our spectacular "Summer Fire" chandelier for The Park at Fourteenth, an exclusive restaurant & nightclub in Washington D.C. This is one of 2 chandeliers we designed and produced for them.
Like all of our chandeliers, these are internally lit with warm-colored, dimmable LED's, so the light lasts for many tens of thousands of hours and can be set to the exact brightness to fit any mood.
We produced our spectacular "Summer Fire" chandelier for The Park at Fourteenth, an exclusive restaurant & nightclub in Washington D.C. This is one of 2 chandeliers we designed and produced for them. Like all of our chandeliers, these are internally lit with warm-colored, dimmable LED's, so the light lasts for many tens of thousands of hours and can be set to your exact specifications.
We produced our spectacular "Miami Sunrise" chandelier for The Park at Fourteenth, an exclusive restaurant & nightclub in Washington D.C.
This is one of 2 chandeliers we designed and produced for them.
Like all of our chandeliers, these are internally lit with warm-colored, dimmable LED's, so the light lasts for many tens of thousands of hours and can be set to the exact brightness to fit any mood.
We produced our spectacular "Summer Fire" chandelier for The Park at Fourteenth, an exclusive restaurant & nightclub in Washington D.C. This is one of 2 chandeliers we designed and produced for them.
Like all of our chandeliers, these are internally lit with warm-colored, dimmable LED's, so the light lasts for many tens of thousands of hours and can be set to the exact brightness to fit any mood. Our blown glass chandeliers are made totally custom for your unique tastes and home. We work with you to not only capture the colors and style that fit your space perfectly, but also your unique desired “vibe.”
Our client wished to add color to their sun room. This Deep Cobalt chandelier looks absolutely brilliant, as the outside sun and internal light of the chandelier converge in a kaleidoscope of blue. The glass dining room table and casual wooden chairs combined with the outside forestry make for a phenomenal combination.
This custom blown glass art platter chandelier is made from our golden topaz sconce flowers. This style of chandelier is wonderful for modern contemporary homes, and matches the wooden floors, grey rug, and white ceilings. This custom blown glass art platter chandelier is made from our golden topaz sconce flowers. This style of chandelier is wonderful for modern contemporary homes, and matches the wooden floors, grey rug, and white ceilings. It looks stunning over this wooden kitchen island.
Our custom-made glass lighting fixtures are perfect for your foyer, entryway, stairwell, living room, dining room, kitchen, or any room in your home. All of our chandeliers and custom blown glass lighting is fully customizable and tailored to fit your unique space. No two works are the same, each piece is custom made exactly for you.
This is a totally unique, Elongated, all-clear Ribbon chandelier we produced for a client's dining room. This fits in with traditional decor but with a modern twist, It matches the wood flooring, oak table, and mahogany dresser, and the abundance of natural sunlight from large windows makes this custom lighting glass fixture sparkle.
This is a totally unique, Elongated, all-clear Ribbon chandelier we produced for a client's dining room. This fits in with traditional decor but with a modern twist, It matches the wood flooring, oak table, and mahogany dresser, and the abundance of natural sunlight from large windows makes this custom lighting glass fixture sparkle.
This floral custom dining room chandelier chandelier looks like an upside down flower pot miraculously suspended in mid-air. The reds in the chandelier match the red painted walls, while the yellows bring out the bamboo floors and light wood dining room table and dining room chairs. There is also plenty of natural sunlight from big sky windows. This home is traditional with a touch of contemporary in the furniture.
For this particular client living in Malibu, we procured for them a chandelier to fit the ultra-contemporary decor of their interior, enhance their home's natural light, and compliment the sun-abundant environment in which they live.
48" high x 72" long x 48" wide Colors shown: Orange, Fire Red, Yellow This blown-glass garden sculpture is designed to uniquely enhance your outdoor space. Dimensions and colors fully customizable, and sculpture can be lit from within for a nighttime glowing effect.
48" high x 72" long x 48" wide Colors shown: Aqua Blue, Lime, Emerald Green, Violet This blown-glass garden sculpture is designed to uniquely enhance your outdoor space. Dimensions and colors fully customizable, and sculpture can be lit from within for a nighttime glowing.
48" high x 48" wide x 24" deep These Opal White sconces seem to work in any space, as their internal lights cast a soft, agreeable glow. This particular pair adds a subtle touch to a forest view, and softens the juxtaposition between inside and out. Just like our chandeliers, our sconces are internally lit with ultra long-lasting, dimmable LEDs.
50" high x 46" wide x 26" deep This is a honey, wood, and grey sconce we produced for a client to accentuate a warm, wooden, yet contemporary feel. Just like our chandeliers, our sconces are internally lit with ultra long-lasting, dimmable LEDs.
72" high x 60" wide x 24" deep This wall sconce is simply fun. Vibrant colors play with each other, yet match because they fall in the same color spectrum, as the client's sitting room is transformed into a display of modern art. Just like our chandeliers, our sconces are internally lit with ultra long-lasting, dimmable LEDs.
We serve the entire United States and Canada. We service all 50 states, including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Florida, Miami, Coral Gables, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. In California, we specifically service Orange County, Los Angeles, LA County, and Malibu. Zip code 90210. In the Washington D.C. area, we specifically serve Alexandria, Arlington, Loudon, Bethesda, Upper Marlboro, Kalorama, and the Palisades. In Connecticut, we specifically serve Greenwich. Zip codes 22314 and 2203.
Our custom made, blown glass chandeliers are functional glass art and can be customized for apartments, condos, a client’s foyer, living room, dining room, great room, family room, kitchen, kitchen island, even bathroom and bedroom.
Our fully custom glass art chandeliers are all blown here in the United States of America. We customize them to go with all furnishings, including one’s mahogany dining room table, wood dining room table, contemporary dining room table, traditional dining room table, and modern dining room table. They also match one’s marble kitchen island, skylight, coffee table, custom wallpaper, other lighting fixtures, custom wall sconces, dining room chairs, marble countertops. They look phenomenal in large or small homes, and seaside villas. Ocean front properties are a speciality of ours as well.
A closeup photo of the outdoor patio chandelier, displaying the incredible detail and craftsmanship in each individual piece. This picture is art unto itself.
We provide full personalized service, including Lighting Design, Lighting Manufacturer, Custom Lighting, Custom Chandeliers, Multi-story Chandeliers, Multi-level Chandeliers, Glass Lighting, Pendant Lighting, Commercial Lighting, Residential Lighting, Blown Glass, Fused Glass, Bubble Glass Lighting, Bubble Chandeliers, Dining Room Lighting, Kitchen Pendants, Lighting Design Consultation.
All chandeliers are hand crafted by our talented artists here in the USA. That’s right, all of our artists and craftsmen are here in the U.S. Each piece is a truly functional work of art. We like to think of it as art primarily, it just happens to be functional! It is true artistic creativity combined with engineering and architectural practicality. At Ethel A. Furman & Associates, the online gallery of GlassArt.net, you are the creator. We like to push the limits of light, color and texture, with our dramatic custom lighting and decor made from our exotic, fused & blown glass.
As a lighting and glass manufacturer, Ethel A. Furman & Associates, the online gallery of GlassArt.net is as unique as the products we offer. We're small enough to provide an unparalleled level of service and craftsmanship. That said, we are large enough to handle residential and commercial jobs of any size. Not found everywhere, you can see our exotic materials displayed around the globe.
Whether you have a vision or you're looking for one, or several, our artists can create something way beyond the expected.
Let us create something exceptional for you.
This is the chandelier in full of the previous closeup photo. We produced this vibrantly colored outdoor chandelier for a client's roofed patio area. Do not be deceived by the thin wires; we use taut, aircraft-strength cables that keep the chandelier stable, secure and safe.

For a Buffalo-based family with a longstanding connection to Deer Valley, Eagle’s Nest marks a return to a place shaped by childhood winters beneath Bald Mountain. Now being created for the next generation, the home offers a setting for shared traditions, time outdoors, and seasons spent together.
The interiors take on a more masculine character, expressed through substantial materials, deeper tones, tailored detailing, and a restrained sense of warmth. The result is a home that feels grounded, personal, and quietly enduring, rooted in memory while designed for what comes next.
ARCHITECTURE:
ARTISANS DESIGN
INTERIORS:
LSL DESIGN

This handcrafted Maple hardwood bench combines timeless craftsmanship with meaningful design. Built from solid USA-sourced Maple, this custom bench features brushed nickel base wraps, custom cross inlays, and a warm stain that highlights the natural beauty of the wood. Whether placed alongside a dining table, in an entryway, at the foot of a bed, or in a commercial waiting area, this versatile bench is designed to provide lasting beauty, comfort, and functionality for generations.
This particular bench was custom built for our client in Howell, Michigan, to perfectly complement the existing hardwood tabletops throughout her home. The Maple was carefully stained to create a cohesive look, allowing every handcrafted piece to feel connected while still celebrating the unique character found in natural hardwood.
The details are what truly make this piece one of a kind. Brushed nickel base wraps provide a clean, contemporary contrast against the warmth of the Maple, while custom cross inlays incorporated into each bench end create a meaningful personal touch designed specifically for our client. Every design decision—from the wood species and finish color to the metal accents and custom inlays—was intentionally selected to create a piece that reflects both the home and the family it was built for.
Unlike mass-produced benches made from particle board or veneer, our furniture is handcrafted from solid hardwood that's built to withstand everyday life and become an heirloom for future generations. Every board is carefully selected for its character, durability, and beauty, ensuring no two benches are ever exactly alike.

The Home
A family heirloom full of warm memories passed down for generations to come greets you after opening the beautiful knotty alder front
door. The rear staircase and separate back entrance allows for multi-generations to share this home.
The Eagles Nest is a place for all to land. The five bedroom, four bath mountain modern plan offers several areas for relaxing and
entertaining. Upon entering, you are welcomed by the warmth of the beams, hickory floors and inviting fireplace. The overall environment gently whispers, “come in, sit down and relax”. The back staircase off the kitchen leads you to a private oasis. The lower level is designed to serve two purposes. It can be a separate living quarter because of its private entrance, or an extension of the house for entertaining.
The open floor plan maximizes square footage for all to enjoy and partake, or for one to find their own quiet space.
The Builder
We build your dreams is the heartfelt motto of Murphy’s Custom Homes, and that’s because we take great pride in crafting homes that reflect the individuality of the people who live in them. With more than 35 years of experience and passion, Murphy’s Custom Homes personally crafts clients’ dream homes by combining their ideas with our expert design team, experience, the environmental elements of the land, quality construction techniques and state-of-the-art products.
We are committed to our clients’ satisfaction during every step of the homebuilding process — from the development of ideas and acquiring land — until the final celebration of walking through the front door and seeing those dreams fulfilled. View a full gallery of our work at murphyscustomhomes.com or call 719-488-8818.
The Interior Design
Inspired by nature’s palette and a touch of modern, the Eagles Nest is a calm haven of earth tones and casual elegance. The interior is an inviting blend of subtle neutrals and pops of color, combined with metals, textures, and fine finishes, creating a transitional rustic design. Entertain guests in the large downstairs rec room with a glass of wine at the built-in bar, or take on an opponent with a game of foosball.
The homeowners joined forces with Caprice King at Upstage Furniture Consignments to paint the pallet of the home. Caprice King staged the home with additional furnishings and accessories, lending the home a designer’s touch while utilizing her spatial expertise and attention to detail.

Gone are the days of "throw-away" furniture when it comes to the kids. Creating custom bedrooms with a timeless feel and function for this generation is one of our specialties. The Europly base material has a clean, modern, no-frills vibe and expresses the layered multi-ply edge detail to showcase a bespoke, gender-neutral bedroom solution. It is easily accessorized to the personal taste and whims of the occupant as they evolve through the years. Possibilities are endless, clever storage solutions abound, craftsmanship and overall composition is key.
This room used to be share by all 3 kids, and as part of this remodel it became obvious that is was time to give each of them their own space. For this budding, teenage artist, we actually made the original room smaller believe it or not. We carved out part of the room by pushing an existing wall in about three feet in order to add a much needed office niche on the hallway side, all without sacrificing function on the bedroom side. The clever built-in includes a variety of storage solutions, desk space that also serves as a bedside table, open shelving, and a trundle bed neatly tucked below. The wall mural adds additional personality to the space, and can easily be changed out over time as desired and without wall damage.

The inspiration for the design of this home is based on the beautiful personalities of the homeowners. Timeless and classic, this young couple maintains a connection to past generations by valuing the collections passed down through generations and giving the a prominent place in their home. Detailed wood paneling was repurposed from local historic buildings and further reflects the way this family honors traditions.

TThe Legendary Rockstar Pool Build — A Backyard Concert Venue and Custom Swimming Pool
The Rockstar Pool is one of the most ambitious, imaginative, and large-scale residential pool builds ever completed by Legendary Escapes. Designed and built by Al Curtis, this project was created for a homeowner whose entire life revolves around performance, music, and living boldly.
This is far more than a swimming pool.
It is a backyard concert venue, a sculpted grotto, a hot tub, a swim-up bar, a VIP lounge, a performance platform, and a fully engineered artistic environment built as a single cohesive experience.
A Client With a True Rockstar Life
The homeowner’s request was simple in spirit but extraordinary in scale: create a pool environment that matched a life centered on creativity and performance. His background includes jousting at the Michigan Renaissance Festival, on-stage theatrical work, a home rebuilt around music and entertainment, and longstanding connections within the rock world. With a 16-acre horse farm and a passion for bold design, he needed a pool that reflected his personality.
His project requirements included a grotto, waterfall, hot tub, swim-up bar, performance area, and multiple lounging zones. Every feature had to feel original, dramatic, and purposeful.
The Design Vision
Designer and builder Al Curtis immediately recognized that this build needed to be expansive, theatrical, and seamlessly integrated into the landscape. The pool needed to make a statement without obstructing panoramic views of the surrounding farm and open sky.
The spark for the design came from an unexpected source: steel grates salvaged from an old carnival tilt-a-whirl ride. This inspired the concept of a floating performance stage built over the pool. What began as a small idea quickly grew into a large-scale platform complete with a concrete stage, integrated lighting, waterfalls, backstage areas, and custom metalwork. As the stage expanded, so did the pool, the patio, and the entire environment—ultimately transforming the backyard into a private amphitheater.
Repurposed Materials Used as Art
Legendary Escapes is known for incorporating reclaimed materials into artistic, sculptural pool environments. This project includes an extraordinary collection of repurposed components:
Tilt-a-whirl steel used as the main stage structure
Carnival flooring panels transformed into large fire-feature guitars
Trumpet and trombone bells refitted as lighting fixtures
Reclaimed street lamps custom-painted for poolside lighting
3D-printed album covers used as illuminated wall panels
Concrete replicas of Marshall speakers integrated under the stage
Every material was selected to bring character, history, and energy to the space.
Artistic Features and Highlights
The Rockstar Pool includes numerous custom artistic elements, such as:
A ten-foot mosaic “album cover” inset into the pool floor
Eight-foot sculpted guitars along the fence line
Guitar-shaped fire features
Backlit album panels positioned just above the water
A “Rockstar” sign paired with sculpted concrete amplifier towers
A VIP seating area built from restored tilt-a-whirl ride cars
Every corner of the environment contains layered artistic details.
Engineering Challenges and Solutions
Creating a fully functional concert stage over the deep end of the pool required extensive planning and engineering. Key complexities included:
Designing a safe, weight-bearing steel and concrete stage structure
Adjusting stage elevation mid-build to achieve optimal height
Installing three complete filtration systems concealed beneath the stage
Applying ecoFinish throughout the pool, spa, and grotto
Rebuilding existing decking and integrating a three-story observation tower
Ensuring the massive pool structure preserved the property’s sightlines
The technical demands of this project were matched only by the creative vision behind it.
The Legendary Team
This build was completed by a multi-generational team of craftsmen and artists, including:
Al Curtis – Designer and builder
Jesse Curtis – Project manager and construction artist
Mark Curtis – Filtration systems and plumbing
Annie Curtis – Stonework and water features
Karen Olson – Tile, stonework, and patio murals
Frank DiPiazza – Structural construction and decking
Brendan Schafer – On-site support and maintenance
dbaker designs – Custom mosaic creation
Daren Baker – Custom metal guitars and lighting elements
Each contributor played a critical role in shaping the final environment.
A Client Who Trusted the Process
As with many Legendary Escapes projects, this build evolved organically. The homeowner provided inspiration and trust, allowing the team to respond to the evolving environment. Several features—including the guitar fence, fire elements, and VIP seating area—were conceived and built during the process as the design revealed new opportunities.
The Final Result
The Rockstar Pool is now a fully functional concert venue, swimming pool, artistic installation, and outdoor living space. It is dramatic, expressive, engineered with care, and truly one-of-a-kind. This project reflects the homeowner’s personality and passion, and stands as one of the most ambitious designs ever produced by Legendary Escapes.

For a Buffalo-based family with a longstanding connection to Deer Valley, Eagle’s Nest marks a return to a place shaped by childhood winters beneath Bald Mountain. Now being created for the next generation, the home offers a setting for shared traditions, time outdoors, and seasons spent together.
The interiors take on a more masculine character, expressed through substantial materials, deeper tones, tailored detailing, and a restrained sense of warmth. The result is a home that feels grounded, personal, and quietly enduring, rooted in memory while designed for what comes next.
ARCHITECTURE:
ARTISANS DESIGN
INTERIORS:
LSL DESIGN
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