When our clients came to us, their master bathroom was doing them no favors. An awkwardly oversized corner tub that hadn't seen a bubble bath in years, a shower barely large enough to turn around in, and a color palette best described as "contractor default." The bones were there — a generously sized footprint — but the space had zero personality and even less function. Our first move was rethinking how the square footage was being used. Out went the hulking corner tub, and in its place: a spa-worthy walk-in shower that finally earns the space it occupies. Classic white subway tile with soft gray grout lines gives it a timeless foundation, while dual showerheads — a traditional wall-mount and a ceiling-mounted rain shower — turn every morning into something worth waking up for. Built-in niches keep everything organized without interrupting the clean aesthetic. The commode room got a full character transplant. Wainscoting grounds the space with architectural detail, while a custom nautical map wallcovering wraps the room in something deeply personal — a curated cartographic love letter to the waterways and places that matter most to this family. The addition of a traditional pedestal bidet elevates both the function and the feeling of the space. Back in the main bathroom, the clients' personality finally has a place to live. A bold, saturated blue on the custom double vanity cabinetry makes an unapologetic statement — the kind that makes you smile every time you walk in. Wall-mounted brushed nickel faucets and coordinating hardware keep the look polished and cohesive throughout. A heated towel rack and radiant heated floors are the quiet luxuries that tip this bathroom from "really nice" into "I never want to leave." New windows flood the space with natural light, making the already generous footprint feel even more expansive and bringing out the best in every finish and material choice. The result is a bathroom that works as hard as it looks good — and one that finally, unmistakably, feels like them.

Susan and Doug loved their two-story home set on a lovely large and secluded wooded lot in a quiet and centrally located neighborhood in Apex, NC. They decided that they would retire in the home, but were aware of their need to transition to a first-floor fully accessible living environment as they aged so that they could remain in their home as long as possible. Our solution was to design and build a first-floor Master Bedroom suite that flows seamlessly into the other living areas on their first floor, and also serves to bring more of the “outdoors in”, allowing them to enjoy more of their lovely large wooded back yard and gardens. The Aging in Place and Special Needs Accessible Master Bedroom Suite Addition transformed their two-story home into a fully accessible and functional 1st Floor retirement home, with guest suites on the 2nd Floor! The Master Suite Addition features a large master bedroom with generous windows that looks out on the lovely wooded back yard and creates a light and bright interior. The large master bathroom features an amazing tiled barrier-free shower, large closet, free-standing tub, and fully wheelchair accessible water closet. Beautiful natural finish hardwood floors flow into the fully wheelchair accessible and barrio-free kitchen, dining room, and family room. The large wrap-around deck extends the living space into the large private back yard, and ties the master bedroom in with the screened porch. Special Features: Fully Aging in Place and Special Needs Accessible 1st Floor Home. Generous windows to bring in natural light and the lovely private and wooded back yard. Energy efficient advanced building science techniques. Amazing tiled barrier-free shower and master bath. Integration of sentimental heirloom vanity and several hand-made pottery vessel sinks. Beautiful natural finish hardwood floors. Wrap-around deck that extends the barrier-free living spaces into the private back yard.

Extensive valley and mountain views inspired the siting of this simple L-shaped house that is anchored into the landscape. This shape forms an intimate courtyard with the sweeping views to the south. Looking back through the entry, glass walls frame the view of a significant mountain peak justifying the plan skew. The circulation is arranged along the courtyard in order that all the major spaces have access to the extensive valley views. A generous eight-foot overhang along the southern portion of the house allows for sun shading in the summer and passive solar gain during the harshest winter months. The open plan and generous window placement showcase views throughout the house. The living room is located in the southeast corner of the house and cantilevers into the landscape affording stunning panoramic views. Project Year: 2012

Set on a narrow lakefront parcel defined by tight setbacks and limited hardscape allowance, this modern cabin demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform restriction into possibility. Carefully composed to preserve privacy while opening fully toward the water, the home feels both expansive and intimate—an elevated retreat grounded in its landscape. Though modest in footprint, the residence lives generously. Four bedrooms are tucked efficiently within the plan, including a light-filled quilting studio that reflects the homeowners’ creative life. Each bedroom opens onto its own private balcony, offering moments of pause and perspective with views stretching across lake and countryside. The upper level also includes a family room, providing a quiet gathering space removed from the activity below. From here, the home’s vertical volume becomes apparent, as daylight pours down through a dramatic two-story space framed by glass facing the lake. At the center of the home, a custom steel-and-wood plank stair acts as both circulation and sculpture. Rising through the double-height volume, it leads the eye upward to a tall Nelson cigar lamp suspended above—an intentional moment of drama and delight. The main floor is designed around connection and flow. Kitchen, dining, and living areas exist as one continuous space, unified by light, views, and material warmth. A 12-foot-long island anchors the kitchen, serving as the natural gathering place for morning coffee, family meals, and summertime buffet-style entertaining. When fully opened, large folding accordion glass doors dissolve the boundary between inside and out, allowing the screened porch to become a true extension of the living space. Function is carefully layered throughout the plan. A mudroom entry from the tucked-under two-car garage includes a powder room and utility closet, while a generous entry closet provides essential storage and has been dimensioned to accommodate a future elevator. Designed intentionally for aging in place, the home incorporates zero-threshold access from the garage, wide halls and doorways, reinforced wall blocking for future grab bars, and infrastructure for a future elevator—ensuring long-term comfort without compromising design. Clad in dark painted board-and-batten siding, the exterior minimizes visual scale and allows the home to recede quietly into the landscape. Recessed balconies and façade elements are wrapped in warm wood-look siding, adding depth and contrast while bringing warmth into the interior. At night, light spills softly from within, and the cabin glows along the shoreline—welcoming, calm, and enduring.

The clients were inspired to renovate following exposure to Zen architecture while honeymooning in Japan. The architectural brief was to deliver a modern Australian home that serves as a private, meditative retreat that would also cater to a buzzing family as their relationship evolves; and transform into a welcoming and generous entertaining space. The home would need to maximise the potential of the sites orientation and create a strong connection to generous and versatile outdoor spaces including sheltered entertaining areas and spacious areas for planting and lawn. It was essential that elements of the existing residence be retained where possible to reduce waste, however disguised so that the final product was effectively a new home.

Design Statement: My design challenge was to create and build a new ultra modern kitchen with a futuristic flare. This state of the art kitchen was to be equipped with an ample amount of usable storage and a better view of the outside while balancing design and function. Some of the project goals were to include the following; a multi-level island with seating for four people, dramatic use of lighting, state of the art appliances, a generous view of the outside and last but not least, to create a kitchen space that looks like no other...”The WOW Factor”. This challenging project was a completely new design and full renovation. The existing kitchen was outdated and in desperate need help. My new design required me to remove existing walls, cabinetry, flooring, plumbing, electric…a complete demolition. My job functions were to be the interior designer, GC, electrician and a laborer. Construction and Design The existing kitchen had one small window in it like many kitchens. The main difficulty was…how to create more windows while gaining more cabinet storage. As a designer, our clients require us to think out of the box and give them something that they may have never dreamed of. I did just that. I created two 8’ glass backsplashes (with no visible supports) on the corner of the house. This was not easy task, engineering of massive blind headers and lam beams were used to support the load of the new floating walls. A generous amount of 48” high wall cabinets flank the new walls and appear floating in air seamlessly above the glass backsplash. Technology and Design The dramatic use of the latest in LED lighting was used. From color changing accent lights, high powered multi-directional spot lights, decorative soffit lights, under cabinet and above cabinet LED tape lights…all to be controlled from wall panels or mobile devises. A built-in ipad also controls not only the lighting, but a climate controlled thermostat, house wide music streaming with individually controlled zones, alarm system, video surveillance system and door bell. Materials and design Large amounts of glass and gloss; glass backsplash, iridescent glass tiles, raised glass island counter top, Quartz counter top with iridescent glass chips infused in it. 24” x 24” high polished porcelain tile flooring to give the appearance of water or glass. The custom cabinets are high gloss lacquer with a metallic fleck. All doors and drawers are Blum soft-close. The result is an ultra sleek and highly sophisticated design. Appliances and design All appliances were chosen for the ultimate in sleekness. These appliances include: a 48” built-in custom paneled subzero refrigerator/freezer, a built-in Miele dishwasher that is so quiet that it shoots a red led light on the floor to let you know that its on., a 36” Miele induction cook top and a built-in 200 bottle wine cooler. Some other cool features are the led kitchen faucet that changes color based on the water temperature. A stainless and glass wall hood with led lights. All duct work was built into the stainless steel toe kicks and grooves were cut into it to release airflow. Photography by Mark Oser

On Lake Washington, an existing pool terrace was disconnected from the rest of the yard and and waterfront. The site had a challenging slope, but it was no match for a thoughtful design and some earth moving equipment! A retaining wall at the edge of the exciting pool was replaced with a wide, generous stair welcoming guests to a new, bocce-style terrace below complete with gas fire pit and stunning views. A gentle, winding path leads down to a waters-edge patio with intersecting stone and concrete patterns creating a visually dynamic experience. A small sandy beach and generous lawn complete the experience. A California style planting palette with beach groundcover, perennials and elegant, flowing grasses highlighted with LED low-voltage outdoor lighting complete the vacation-home-in-the-city feel. Photography: Miranda Estes

On Lake Washington, an existing pool terrace was disconnected from the rest of the yard and and waterfront. The site had a challenging slope, but it was no match for a thoughtful design and some earth moving equipment! A retaining wall at the edge of the existing pool was replaced with a wide, generous stair welcoming guests to a new, bocce-style terrace below complete with gas fire pit and stunning views. A gentle, winding path leads down to a waters-edge patio with intersecting stone and concrete patterns creating a visually dynamic experience. A small sandy beach and generous lawn complete the experience. A California style planting palette with beach groundcover, perennials and elegant, flowing grasses highlighted with LED low-voltage outdoor lighting complete the vacation-home-in-the-city feel. Photography by: Miranda Estes

Built on our client's property, we constructed an enchanting two-story home featuring a three-car garage. The exterior design harmoniously integrates stacked stone and siding, complemented by board and batten shutters, sturdy solid wood front doors, a spacious front porch with a wood inlay ceiling and flagstone flooring, as well as embellished corbels. The exquisite kitchen, enhanced with bespoke white cabinetry, a generous central island, stainless steel appliances, and hardwood flooring, effortlessly links to the family room. This open family space showcases a stone fireplace, a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams, and abundant natural lighting. This residence boasts a well-planned layout featuring an office, generous closet and storage spaces, and hardwood flooring throughout the living areas. Upstairs, you'll find a spacious bonus room, while the basement offers an expansive storage area and workshop. The master bathroom is equipped with a double sink, a walk-in shower, a separate soaking tub, and a water closet. Additionally, there is a secondary kitchenette on the lower floor. The outdoor living area features a covered screen porch, an outdoor fireplace, and an in-ground swimming pool.

When our clients came to us, their master bathroom was doing them no favors. An awkwardly oversized corner tub that hadn't seen a bubble bath in years, a shower barely large enough to turn around in, and a color palette best described as "contractor default." The bones were there — a generously sized footprint — but the space had zero personality and even less function. Our first move was rethinking how the square footage was being used. Out went the hulking corner tub, and in its place: a spa-worthy walk-in shower that finally earns the space it occupies. Classic white subway tile with soft gray grout lines gives it a timeless foundation, while dual showerheads — a traditional wall-mount and a ceiling-mounted rain shower — turn every morning into something worth waking up for. Built-in niches keep everything organized without interrupting the clean aesthetic. The commode room got a full character transplant. Wainscoting grounds the space with architectural detail, while a custom nautical map wallcovering wraps the room in something deeply personal — a curated cartographic love letter to the waterways and places that matter most to this family. The addition of a traditional pedestal bidet elevates both the function and the feeling of the space. Back in the main bathroom, the clients' personality finally has a place to live. A bold, saturated blue on the custom double vanity cabinetry makes an unapologetic statement — the kind that makes you smile every time you walk in. Wall-mounted brushed nickel faucets and coordinating hardware keep the look polished and cohesive throughout. A heated towel rack and radiant heated floors are the quiet luxuries that tip this bathroom from "really nice" into "I never want to leave." New windows flood the space with natural light, making the already generous footprint feel even more expansive and bringing out the best in every finish and material choice. The result is a bathroom that works as hard as it looks good — and one that finally, unmistakably, feels like them.

Experience the newest masterpiece by XPC Investments with California Contemporary design by Jessica Koltun Home. This gorgeous home has been rebuilt with unparalleled style & custom craftsmanship, offering a functional layout for entertaining & everyday living. The open floor plan is flooded with natural light and filled with design details, including white oak flooring, a designer color palette, and high-end finishes and fixtures. Entertain in your chef's kitchen with a gas range, custom shiplap cabinetry, & gorgeous marble countertops. The primary suite features an oversized vanity, a generous shower dripping in marble, and a walk-in closet. The secondary bedrooms are all generously sized, and the dedicated study provides enough room for all. This is the home you're waiting for.

On Lake Washington, an existing pool terrace was disconnected from the rest of the yard and and waterfront. The site had a challenging slope, but it was no match for a thoughtful design and some earth moving equipment! A retaining wall at the edge of the existing pool was replaced with a wide, generous stair welcoming guests to a new, bocce-style terrace below complete with gas fire pit and stunning views. A gentle, winding path leads down to a waters-edge patio with intersecting stone and concrete patterns creating a visually dynamic experience. A small sandy beach and generous lawn complete the experience. A California style planting palette with beach groundcover, perennials and elegant, flowing grasses highlighted with LED low-voltage outdoor lighting complete the vacation-home-in-the-city feel. Photography by: Miranda Estes

For those who love to bath together, the aptly named Spoon 2 bathtub is made to measure. With interior dimensions of 45.5” long at the bottom, flaring out to 62.75 inches at the top, this bath is easily suited to even two 6 ft plus bathers. The generous depth adds to the overall luxurious spaciousness of this very ‘companionable’ free-standing bath tub. Our Graphite Black Spoon 2 is one of Aquatica’s most unique black freestanding baths, with an upscale and contemporary design, this model has been manufactured using our innovative Graphite Black AquateX™ material. With a matte graphite black color tone, this stone bathtub will lend a standout and sophisticated look to any bathroom. Sculpted with the same generous and spacious interior of the White Spoon 2, this egg-shaped tub has a low step-in height for easy access and being one of Aquatica’s bigger models; this bathtub will easily fit two bathers with a height of 6ft or taller.

The palette of raw cedar and black-stained wood siding continues on the rear facade. Generous new windows and doors are cut into the existing home to provide generous amounts of light, and views to the yard.

This project is a new 5,900 sf. primary residence for a couple with three children. The site is slightly elevated above the residential street and enjoys winter views of the Potomac River. The family’s requirements included five bedrooms, five full baths, a powder room, family room, dining room, eat-in kitchen, walk-in pantry, mudroom, lower level recreation room, exercise room, media room and numerous storage spaces. Also included was the request for an outdoor terrace and adequate outdoor storage, including provision for the storage of bikes and kayaks. The family needed a home that would have two entrances, the primary entrance, and a mudroom entry that would provide generous storage spaces for the family’s active lifestyle. Due to the small lot size, the challenge was to accommodate the family’s requirements, while remaining sympathetic to the scale of neighboring homes. The residence employs a “T” shaped plan to aid in minimizing the massing visible from the street, while organizing interior spaces around a private outdoor terrace space accessible from the living and dining spaces. A generous front porch and a gambrel roof diminish the home’s scale, providing a welcoming view along the street front. A path along the right side of the residence leads to the family entrance and a small outbuilding that provides ready access to the bikes and kayaks while shielding the rear terrace from view of neighboring homes. The two entrances join a central stair hall that leads to the eat-in kitchen overlooking the great room. Window seats and a custom built banquette provide gathering spaces, while the French doors connect the great room to the terrace where the arbor transitions to the garden. A first floor guest suite, separate from the family areas of the home, affords privacy for both guests and hosts alike. The second floor Master Suite enjoys views of the Potomac River through a second floor arched balcony visible from the front. The exterior is composed of a board and batten first floor with a cedar shingled second floor and gambrel roof. These two contrasting materials and the inclusion of a partially recessed front porch contribute to the perceived diminution of the home’s scale relative to its smaller neighbors. The overall intention was to create a close fit between the residence and the neighboring context, both built and natural. Builder: E.H. Johnstone Builders Anice Hoachlander Photography

Our client's spacious upscale residence was built in Gainesville, Georgia. This exquisite dwelling showcases an exterior adorned with brick, shake, and siding, complemented by natural wood front columns, Board & Batten shutters, and cedar gable corbels. The residence, featuring a three-car garage, boasts a spacious front porch adorned with stone flooring. Inside, the family room showcases a soaring vaulted ceiling and a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, flanked by custom wood grain cabinets and bookshelves. This family room seamlessly connects to the kitchen and dining room, with access to a generous covered deck. The expansive kitchen offers plenty of counter and cabinet space, along with stainless steel appliances and a generously sized central island. In the dining room, you'll find horizontal natural grain paneling on the back wall, a craftsman-style tray ceiling, and a lovely view of the outdoor living area. Hardwood flooring extends throughout the living space. In the master bedroom, hardwood flooring and abundant natural light create a welcoming atmosphere. The sophisticated master bathroom offers his and hers vanities, a freestanding soaking tub, a separate shower, and a water closet for added convenience. The outdoor living area was meticulously planned, featuring a roomy sundeck, with a section that includes a vaulted ceiling adorned with wood inlays. Additionally, the full daylight basement has been prepared for potential future expansion.

Originally designed by one of the most notable landscape architects in town, this once impressive project had faltered in recent years. The pool and spa still functioned well, and the client wanted to keep it intact. In addition, they wanted to keep as much of the existing landscaping as possible. The surrounding decks, walls, and steps were fair game. At first glance, one might think that our changes were simple material changes. Upon closer inspection, however, one can see the subtle, yet transformative changes that come together to update this classic pool in a tasteful, timeless manner, and improve the flow and usability of the deck areas, while softening the feel of the massive hardscape. The subtle changes begin as soon as you walk out the back door of the house. The existing decking had a lot of what we call “tweeners”; areas that are overly generous walkways, yet not large enough to house furniture. The awkwardly small bluestone patio was expanded to accommodate a generous seating area, by pushing the step-down closer to the pool. Our talented stone mason carefully married the new bluestone into the existing, resulting in an imperceptible difference between the two. As you descend the new bluestone steps to the pool level, your bare feet will be thankful for the new smooth-finished limestone colored concrete, with a hand cut pattern carefully etched into its surface. The old red brick decking was so hot that the owners could not walk around the pool in bare feet. The brick coping was also replaced with an eased edge Pennsylvania Premier Stone which matches the new step treads throughout the project. Between the house and the pool, a large raised planter was reconfigured, giving additional space to the pool deck for a shaded lounge chair area. Across the pool, a bank of rather tall painted brick retaining walls were cut down, shortened, and moved. This lessened the visual impact of the walls, which were rather overwhelming in the space, as well as opening up a new seating area, nestled under the arms of the massive pecan at the back of the property. Rather than continuing solid decking around the entire pool, the area near these walls has been transformed to large stone stepper pads set in a sea of beautiful St. Augustine lawn. This creates a visually softened area that is still suited to setting tables and chairs when the guest list calls for additional seating. The spa area is quite possibly the most dramatic change on this project. Yet more raised planter walls divided this area into awkward spaces, unsuited to proper furniture placement. The planters were removed, new stone decks, once again expertly married into the existing, opening the area to house a large dining table and new built in bbq area. The spa itself was re-imagined with the bluestone coping, and painted brick veneer. The most impressive addition though is the new handmade glazed tiles that surround the existing cast stone water feature. This water feature was almost unnoticeable against the painted brick wall, but now the dramatic arch and pop of color draw the eye to this quaint little corner of the property.

Immaculate, professional design and modern luxury are uniquely embodied in this five bedroom, 5.5 bath custom built home. A short distance to the shores of Lake Michigan, the Regency Wildwood takes advantage of a wide lot with a matching floor plan. Every detail was carefully selected and quality crafted. Enjoy gatherings in the generously-sized living/dining areas, graced by fireplaces and great views. A four-season room with expansive windows overlooking the terraced backyard provides a retreat for socializing after a business meeting in the richly decorated family office. A dry bar with wine cooler is centrally located for entertaining convenience. Warmer months allow for time on the patio with a built in fire pit, appreciating the great outdoors, no matter what mother nature has in mind. The first floor master suite has a large spa retreat bathroom and generous closet space. Three bedrooms and three full baths on the second floor provide ample space for family in addition to a bonus space ideal for a kid’s TV/playroom or living quarters for an aging parent adjacent to the elevator. Second floor laundry is convenient for Mom. The lower lever houses space for billiards, a game of poker, or movie night, ideal for entertaining. An additional bedroom and full bath give privacy from the main living area to a short-term or long-term visitor or family member.

Completed in 2015, this 4 BR, 2 1/2 bath was designed for a developer with a intolerably tight budget. Our simple solution employs a straightforward mix of flowing spaces borrowed from California great room houses with design elements found in more traditional residential design. The house is entered through a generous entry hall flanked by a formal Dining Room on one side and a Home Office/Den on the other. The far end of this Entry Hall deposits into a large Great Room and open kitchen that is this home's gathering and entertainment hub. A small alcove at the end of the kitchen allows for everyday meals while the island functions as this entire space's focal point. Completing the entertainment concept of this level is a covered porch accessed through a sliding door in the Family Room. The upper level is accessed via a stair at one end of the plan and is organized around a wide hallway that terminates in a tech space for kids. 3 generous children's bedrooms and an ample Master Suite with a view toward the Olympic Mountains complete this level. Finish selections throughout the house were purposely kept clean, light and simple. The exterior form of the house, while simple, allows for a variety of roof schemes that appeal to different price points in the marketplace. We also designed a bonus room option that can be accessed via the stair and resides over the garage.