Ernesto Santalla was approached to create a new home for two Washington, DC lawyers wishing to downsize their living space. The move took them from a row house in Washington's historic Dupont Circle neighborhood to a two bedroom apartment in the vibrant, up-and-coming U Street Corridor. Our task was to transform a rather plain and generic apartment into a custom, sophisticated space in a few strategic moves. Ceiling details serve to define functional areas of the living space without creating divisions. Changing some doors from wood to frosted glass, creates a sense of continuity between spaces, and allows light to travel between spaces. Lighting was inserted strategically, to enhance certain functions of the home. The kitchen was partially enclosed with a plane of frosted glass to create visual separation from the main living space while still allowing natural light to filter in from the expansive wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. Color was used to reinforce the architectural intent and simplify spaces, such as the entry, which as many doors and frames. Furniture was selected to blend with the client's collection of heirloom pieces, creating a sophisticated juxtaposition. Statement pieces like a ceiling light from Viabizzuno create impact while maintaining the visual simplicity of our minimal approach. This project was featured in DC Modern Luxury. https://www.modernluxury.com/washington-dc/story/grand-nest Photography by Geoffrey Hodgdon

Designed for the lifestyle and budget of a young married couple and growing family, this home offers a viable alternative to the generic speculative home. Occupying a small leftover developer site, just under four tenths of an acre at the end of a suburban cul-de-sac, the Lanning Residence site is anchored by a one hundred year old oak tree. The parcel, once undesirable to developers and their speculative plans, became the inspiration for the project form. Acting as both designers and builders, the decision was made early to utilize a strategy typical to most suburban construction; maximizing square footage while minimizing the building perimeter. An analysis of the surrounding suburban fabric revealed that the adjoining property lines were heavily planted. Views and window placement were organized to take advantage of the adjacent landscape while maximizing natural light. The house program is distributed within two main volumes that are connected by a translucent circulation volume. The spacious interior volumes, large windows, plywood shear walls, sheetrock, and simple details allowed for a light construction budget. Spray foam insulation and well designed mechanical systems allowed the family to reduce their monthly utility bills by over half, creating a far more energy efficient lifestyle.

Rodwin Architecture & Skycastle Homes Location: Boulder, Colorado, USA Interior design, space planning and architectural details converge thoughtfully in this transformative project. A 15-year old, 9,000 sf. home with generic interior finishes and odd layout needed bold, modern, fun and highly functional transformation for a large bustling family. To redefine the soul of this home, texture and light were given primary consideration. Elegant contemporary finishes, a warm color palette and dramatic lighting defined modern style throughout. A cascading chandelier by Stone Lighting in the entry makes a strong entry statement. Walls were removed to allow the kitchen/great/dining room to become a vibrant social center. A minimalist design approach is the perfect backdrop for the diverse art collection. Yet, the home is still highly functional for the entire family. We added windows, fireplaces, water features, and extended the home out to an expansive patio and yard. The cavernous beige basement became an entertaining mecca, with a glowing modern wine-room, full bar, media room, arcade, billiards room and professional gym. Bathrooms were all designed with personality and craftsmanship, featuring unique tiles, floating wood vanities and striking lighting. This project was a 50/50 collaboration between Rodwin Architecture and Kimball Modern

Charcoal concrete counter tops with embedded stainless steel lettering and reclaimed wood bar. ConcreteCraftsman.com
Example of a large arts and crafts family room design in San Francisco

This spectacular Lookout Mtn. estate looks like it would fit equally well in the Cotswold region of England. We arrived at a landscape filled with mass plantings of generic shrubs, very few perennials, few blooming shrubs, and a lack of Winter interest. We completely reworked the gardens…Added many more Boxwoods, Azaleas, Laurels, Yews, Osmanthus, Magnolia to boost the structure needed and add year-round interest. Then we added loads of white blooming hydrangea, Nepeta, Veronica, Roses for long term color. Espaliered Fruit Trees, Topiary and Tree Formed Hydrangeas added the formality and interest needed to bring in needed “old world” charm. We added large boulders to an otherwise underwhelming Dry Creek Bed and added all Native Plants in that area including Clethera and Itea. I envisioned a very formal parterre garden surrounding a fountain and added evergreen to soften the structure. Boxwood Topiary were placed in the center of each quadrant. I suggested formal planters with clipped evergreen boxwood to dress up the front of the large garage and the pool areas. Over- all this property exudes old world charm and elegance.

This spectacular Lookout Mtn. estate looks like it would fit equally well in the Cotswold region of England. We arrived at a landscape filled with mass plantings of generic shrubs, very few perennials, few blooming shrubs, and a lack of Winter interest. We completely reworked the gardens…Added many more Boxwoods, Azaleas, Laurels, Yews, Osmanthus, Magnolia to boost the structure needed and add year-round interest. Then we added loads of white blooming hydrangea, Nepeta, Veronica, Roses for long term color. Espaliered Fruit Trees, Topiary and Tree Formed Hydrangeas added the formality and interest needed to bring in needed “old world” charm. We added large boulders to an otherwise underwhelming Dry Creek Bed and added all Native Plants in that area including Clethera and Itea. I envisioned a very formal parterre garden surrounding a fountain and added evergreen to soften the structure. Boxwood Topiary were placed in the center of each quadrant. I suggested formal planters with clipped evergreen boxwood to dress up the front of the large garage and the pool areas. Over- all this property exudes old world charm and elegance.

This spectacular Lookout Mtn. estate looks like it would fit equally well in the Cotswold region of England. We arrived at a landscape filled with mass plantings of generic shrubs, very few perennials, few blooming shrubs, and a lack of Winter interest. We completely reworked the gardens…Added many more Boxwoods, Azaleas, Laurels, Yews, Osmanthus, Magnolia to boost the structure needed and add year-round interest. Then we added loads of white blooming hydrangea, Nepeta, Veronica, Roses for long term color. Espaliered Fruit Trees, Topiary and Tree Formed Hydrangeas added the formality and interest needed to bring in needed “old world” charm. We added large boulders to an otherwise underwhelming Dry Creek Bed and added all Native Plants in that area including Clethera and Itea. I envisioned a very formal parterre garden surrounding a fountain and added evergreen to soften the structure. Boxwood Topiary were placed in the center of each quadrant. I suggested formal planters with clipped evergreen boxwood to dress up the front of the large garage and the pool areas. Over- all this property exudes old world charm and elegance.

Rodwin Architecture & Skycastle Homes Location: Boulder, Colorado, USA Interior design, space planning and architectural details converge thoughtfully in this transformative project. A 15-year old, 9,000 sf. home with generic interior finishes and odd layout needed bold, modern, fun and highly functional transformation for a large bustling family. To redefine the soul of this home, texture and light were given primary consideration. Elegant contemporary finishes, a warm color palette and dramatic lighting defined modern style throughout. A cascading chandelier by Stone Lighting in the entry makes a strong entry statement. Walls were removed to allow the kitchen/great/dining room to become a vibrant social center. A minimalist design approach is the perfect backdrop for the diverse art collection. Yet, the home is still highly functional for the entire family. We added windows, fireplaces, water features, and extended the home out to an expansive patio and yard. The cavernous beige basement became an entertaining mecca, with a glowing modern wine-room, full bar, media room, arcade, billiards room and professional gym. Bathrooms were all designed with personality and craftsmanship, featuring unique tiles, floating wood vanities and striking lighting. This project was a 50/50 collaboration between Rodwin Architecture and Kimball Modern

Our clients for this remodel of a 100 year old home in San Francisco’s Liberty Hill neighborhood recently moved to San Francisco. The house they purchased was very stately and had great bones, but lacked a true master suite and had recently been remodeled in a slightly generic modern style. We helped them with projects throughout the house. Our biggest project was creating a true master suite out of two bedrooms and an existing bathroom. We created an open concept bathroom with custom gray lacquer wardrobes and shoe storage units with a dramatic slot skylight overhead. Access to the master bedroom is through this room. The clean lines of the bathroom are complimented by a very long wall hung vanity with a CaesarStone counter which flows into the walk-in shower and becomes the curb. A variety of tiles including locally fabricated tile from Heath Ceramics were carefully selected to create a warm and inviting, yet modern, feeling. Oak floors similar to those in the rest of the house were used throughout the master suite for continuity. By using the same tile on the back wall of the bathroom we were able to create a visual unity from the shower through the vanity and the water closet. Our work also included a new fireplace in the living room. Photography by Christopher Stark.

Cottage home design photo in St Louis

Family Room with Sunroom
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional open concept light wood floor and beige floor home design remodel in Chicago with gray walls and a wall-mounted tv

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern 3/4 white tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile and beige floor alcove shower remodel in New York with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, a pedestal sink, quartzite countertops and white countertops

This spectacular Lookout Mtn. estate looks like it would fit equally well in the Cotswold region of England. We arrived at a landscape filled with mass plantings of generic shrubs, very few perennials, few blooming shrubs, and a lack of Winter interest. We completely reworked the gardens…Added many more Boxwoods, Azaleas, Laurels, Yews, Osmanthus, Magnolia to boost the structure needed and add year-round interest. Then we added loads of white blooming hydrangea, Nepeta, Veronica, Roses for long term color. Espaliered Fruit Trees, Topiary and Tree Formed Hydrangeas added the formality and interest needed to bring in needed “old world” charm. We added large boulders to an otherwise underwhelming Dry Creek Bed and added all Native Plants in that area including Clethera and Itea. I envisioned a very formal parterre garden surrounding a fountain and added evergreen to soften the structure. Boxwood Topiary were placed in the center of each quadrant. I suggested formal planters with clipped evergreen boxwood to dress up the front of the large garage and the pool areas. Over- all this property exudes old world charm and elegance.

This spectacular Lookout Mtn. estate looks like it would fit equally well in the Cotswold region of England. We arrived at a landscape filled with mass plantings of generic shrubs, very few perennials, few blooming shrubs, and a lack of Winter interest. We completely reworked the gardens…Added many more Boxwoods, Azaleas, Laurels, Yews, Osmanthus, Magnolia to boost the structure needed and add year-round interest. Then we added loads of white blooming hydrangea, Nepeta, Veronica, Roses for long term color. Espaliered Fruit Trees, Topiary and Tree Formed Hydrangeas added the formality and interest needed to bring in needed “old world” charm. We added large boulders to an otherwise underwhelming Dry Creek Bed and added all Native Plants in that area including Clethera and Itea. I envisioned a very formal parterre garden surrounding a fountain and added evergreen to soften the structure. Boxwood Topiary were placed in the center of each quadrant. I suggested formal planters with clipped evergreen boxwood to dress up the front of the large garage and the pool areas. Over- all this property exudes old world charm and elegance.

This spectacular Lookout Mtn. estate looks like it would fit equally well in the Cotswold region of England. We arrived at a landscape filled with mass plantings of generic shrubs, very few perennials, few blooming shrubs, and a lack of Winter interest. We completely reworked the gardens…Added many more Boxwoods, Azaleas, Laurels, Yews, Osmanthus, Magnolia to boost the structure needed and add year-round interest. Then we added loads of white blooming hydrangea, Nepeta, Veronica, Roses for long term color. Espaliered Fruit Trees, Topiary and Tree Formed Hydrangeas added the formality and interest needed to bring in needed “old world” charm. We added large boulders to an otherwise underwhelming Dry Creek Bed and added all Native Plants in that area including Clethera and Itea. I envisioned a very formal parterre garden surrounding a fountain and added evergreen to soften the structure. Boxwood Topiary were placed in the center of each quadrant. I suggested formal planters with clipped evergreen boxwood to dress up the front of the large garage and the pool areas. Over- all this property exudes old world charm and elegance.

Ernesto Santalla was approached to create a new home for two Washington, DC lawyers wishing to downsize their living space. The move took them from a row house in Washington's historic Dupont Circle neighborhood to a two bedroom apartment in the vibrant, up-and-coming U Street Corridor. Our task was to transform a rather plain and generic apartment into a custom, sophisticated space in a few strategic moves. Ceiling details serve to define functional areas of the living space without creating divisions. Changing some doors from wood to frosted glass, creates a sense of continuity between spaces, and allows light to travel between spaces. Lighting was inserted strategically, to enhance certain functions of the home. The kitchen was partially enclosed with a plane of frosted glass to create visual separation from the main living space while still allowing natural light to filter in from the expansive wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. Color was used to reinforce the architectural intent and simplify spaces, such as the entry, which as many doors and frames. Furniture was selected to blend with the client's collection of heirloom pieces, creating a sophisticated juxtaposition. Statement pieces like a ceiling light from Viabizzuno create impact while maintaining the visual simplicity of our minimal approach. This project was featured in DC Modern Luxury. https://www.modernluxury.com/washington-dc/story/grand-nest Photography by Geoffrey Hodgdon

This spectacular Lookout Mtn. estate looks like it would fit equally well in the Cotswold region of England. We arrived at a landscape filled with mass plantings of generic shrubs, very few perennials, few blooming shrubs, and a lack of Winter interest. We completely reworked the gardens…Added many more Boxwoods, Azaleas, Laurels, Yews, Osmanthus, Magnolia to boost the structure needed and add year-round interest. Then we added loads of white blooming hydrangea, Nepeta, Veronica, Roses for long term color. Espaliered Fruit Trees, Topiary and Tree Formed Hydrangeas added the formality and interest needed to bring in needed “old world” charm. We added large boulders to an otherwise underwhelming Dry Creek Bed and added all Native Plants in that area including Clethera and Itea. I envisioned a very formal parterre garden surrounding a fountain and added evergreen to soften the structure. Boxwood Topiary were placed in the center of each quadrant. I suggested formal planters with clipped evergreen boxwood to dress up the front of the large garage and the pool areas. Over- all this property exudes old world charm and elegance.

Believe it or not, this award-winning home began as a speculative project. Typically speculative projects involve a rather generic design that would appeal to many in a style that might be loved by the masses. But the project’s developer loved modern architecture and his personal residence was the first project designed by architect C.P. Drewett when Drewett Works launched in 2001. Together, the architect and developer envisioned a fictitious art collector who would one day purchase this stunning piece of desert modern architecture to showcase their magnificent collection. The primary views from the site were southwest. Therefore, protecting the interior spaces from the southwest sun while making the primary views available was the greatest challenge. The views were very calculated and carefully managed. Every room needed to not only capture the vistas of the surrounding desert, but also provide viewing spaces for the potential collection to be housed within its walls. The core of the material palette is utilitarian including exposed masonry and locally quarried cantera stone. An organic nature was added to the project through millwork selections including walnut and red gum veneers. The eventual owners saw immediately that this could indeed become a home for them as well as their magnificent collection, of which pieces are loaned out to museums around the world. Their decision to purchase the home was based on the dimensions of one particular wall in the dining room which was EXACTLY large enough for one particular painting not yet displayed due to its size. The owners and this home were, as the saying goes, a perfect match! Project Details | Desert Modern for the Magnificent Collection, Estancia, Scottsdale, AZ Architecture: C.P. Drewett, Jr., AIA, NCARB | Drewett Works, Scottsdale, AZ Builder: Shannon Construction | Phoenix, AZ Interior Selections: Janet Bilotti, NCIDQ, ASID | Naples, FL Custom Millwork: Linear Fine Woodworking | Scottsdale, AZ Photography: Dino Tonn | Scottsdale, AZ Awards: 2014 Gold Nugget Award of Merit Feature Article: Luxe. Interiors and Design. Winter 2015, “Lofty Exposure”

Rodwin Architecture & Skycastle Homes Location: Boulder, Colorado, USA Interior design, space planning and architectural details converge thoughtfully in this transformative project. A 15-year old, 9,000 sf. home with generic interior finishes and odd layout needed bold, modern, fun and highly functional transformation for a large bustling family. To redefine the soul of this home, texture and light were given primary consideration. Elegant contemporary finishes, a warm color palette and dramatic lighting defined modern style throughout. A cascading chandelier by Stone Lighting in the entry makes a strong entry statement. Walls were removed to allow the kitchen/great/dining room to become a vibrant social center. A minimalist design approach is the perfect backdrop for the diverse art collection. Yet, the home is still highly functional for the entire family. We added windows, fireplaces, water features, and extended the home out to an expansive patio and yard. The cavernous beige basement became an entertaining mecca, with a glowing modern wine-room, full bar, media room, arcade, billiards room and professional gym. Bathrooms were all designed with personality and craftsmanship, featuring unique tiles, floating wood vanities and striking lighting. This project was a 50/50 collaboration between Rodwin Architecture and Kimball Modern