THE BIRDHOUSE The San Rafael hills overlooking Richardson Bay are the home to our creative clients, a successful corporate executive and her sculptor husband. Their beautiful home called out for a second unit to house a caretaker family and the solution is a tribute to the sculptor’s inspiring work. Contrasting yet complimenting the original home, the “birdhouse” lives in the midst of the hillside woods and its lines are both modern and warm. The split-level geometry packs a gracious amount of living space into a small and clever container while the exterior celebrates our clients’ wit and whimsy.

Paul Warchol
Example of a minimalist home design design in Seattle

Our overall design concept for the renovation of this space was to optimize the functional space for a family of five and accentuate the existing window. In the renovation, we eliminated a huge centrally located kitchen island which acted as an obstacle to the feeling of the space and focused on creating an elegant and balanced plan promoting movement, simplicity and precisely executed details. We held strong to having the kitchen cabinets, wherever possible, float off the floor to give the subtle impression of lightness avoiding a bottom heavy look. The cabinets were painted a pale tinted green to reduce the empty effect of light flooding a white kitchen leaving a softness and complementing the gray tiles. To integrate the existing dining room with the kitchen, we simply added some classic dining chairs and a dynamic light fixture, juxtaposing the geometry of the boxy kitchen with organic curves and triangular lights to balance the clean design with an inviting warmth.

The ShopBoxes grew from a homeowner’s wish to craft a small complex of living spaces on a large wooded lot. Smash designed two structures for living and working, each built by the crafty, hands-on homeowner. Balancing a need for modern quality with a human touch, the sharp geometry of the structures contrasts with warmer and handmade materials and finishes, applied directly by the homeowner/builder. The result blends two aesthetics into very dynamic spaces, staked out as individual sculptures in a private park.⁠ Design by Smash Design Build and Owner (private) Construction by Owner (private)

A new recipe was needed to make the existing footprint for this kitchen and dining room space function and look better. The room had a "too tall sloped ceiling leading to nowhere". Yet, the room's height is one of its best features. By reworking the geometry of the space a harmonious, voluminous roof was created with a 12' ceiling. A dropped ash beam demarcates distinct working/living/dining areas. The room easily accommodates an 11-foot island with dual waterfall ends, generously scaled 36" in. square porcelain floor tiles, and bold rectangular cabinetry. Ash wood, neutral glass tiles, and light gray solid surfaces were used as a way to "convey a Zen-like serenity upon the space". Walls of black-framed sliding doors foster an interplay between indoors and out.

This remarkable freestanding elliptical staircase creates a spectacular architectural moment. Three flights rise gracefully through the house, featuring soft light-stained oak treads and handrail that blend seamlessly with the home's hardwood flooring. Crisp white stringers and risers provide a clean foundation, allowing the natural wood warmth to shine. The defining feature is the geometric black wrought-iron balusters. It is the contrast between organic curves and precise geometry, natural wood and forged metal, that creates a staircase that's both elegant and dramatic. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Manon Pattynama
Inspiration for a contemporary exterior home remodel in Amsterdam

This Master Suite while being spacious, was poorly planned in the beginning. Master Bathroom and Walk-in Closet were small relative to the Bedroom size. Bathroom, being a maze of turns, offered a poor traffic flow. It only had basic fixtures and was never decorated to look like a living space. Geometry of the Bedroom (long and stretched) allowed to use some of its' space to build two Walk-in Closets while the original walk-in closet space was added to adjacent Bathroom. New Master Bathroom layout has changed dramatically (walls, door, and fixtures moved). The new space was carefully planned for two people using it at once with no sacrifice to the comfort. New shower is huge. It stretches wall-to-wall and has a full length bench with granite top. Frame-less glass enclosure partially sits on the tub platform (it is a drop-in tub). Tiles on the walls and on the floor are of the same collection. Elegant, time-less, neutral - something you would enjoy for years. This selection leaves no boundaries on the decor. Beautiful open shelf vanity cabinet was actually made by the Home Owners! They both were actively involved into the process of creating their new oasis. New Master Suite has two separate Walk-in Closets. Linen closet which used to be a part of the Bathroom, is now accessible from the hallway. Master Bedroom, still big, looks stunning. It reflects taste and life style of the Home Owners and blends in with the overall style of the House. Some of the furniture in the Bedroom was also made by the Home Owners.

50/50s House is a love letter to the 1950’s. Our clients, Gina and David have a love for books and found objects and wanted to display their collections with pride. The brief also called for a home that would afford them and their teenagers the ability to occupy different spaces without feeling disconnected. Bold lines and playful geometry work in tandem with the charm of the existing house to create a beautiful healthy home that is as endearing as it is enduring.

A two-story contemporary house with white brick exterior, symmetrical façade, large black-framed windows, gray shutters, double wooden garage doors, and soft warm exterior lighting highlighting the clean geometry.

Square Etazin
Design ideas for a modern landscaping in Phoenix.

The Sassi 72 Changes The Dining Experience In a Way No Other Table Can. It’s architecture and geometry leaves a remarkable essence. It has an immediately recognizable design.

Inspiration for an asian home office remodel in Singapore

Paul Warchol
Minimalist home design photo in Seattle

Refreshing.... This bathroom features Country Floors Talya Collection, designed by Sara Baldwin. This collection is a beautiful, lyrical mix of water jet designs perfect for bath, kitchen or grand entry. Talya Collection is a refined study of designs using marble and stone, intertwining into lacework and modern geometries.

A close up of this modern exterior highlights sharp rooflines, bold black trim, and a striking mix of stone and stucco. Clean geometry and contrasting textures create a sleek, contemporary curb appeal.

This exterior renovation aimed to revitalize a charming 1960s Southern colonial-style brick home while preserving its timeless appeal. The skilled design team at Revolve embraced the client's vision of a "Transitional Contemporary" style, skillfully blending classic and modern elements to create a truly unique outcome. Revolve updated the home’s curved features, such as the classical columns and rounded bay windows, to achieve this beautiful transformation. They incorporated sleek lines and contemporary materials that exude sophistication. The removal of shutters and the enlargement of existing windows with modern frames and thermal glass enhanced the home’s visual appeal, increased interior natural light, and improved energy efficiency, contributing to the overall well-being of the homeowners. Gone are the days of painted-shut windows; the new windows now open smoothly, bringing a refreshing change! In keeping with the original design of the house, Revolve maintained the existing second-floor porch along the front, eliminating the picket railing and traditional molding. These elements were replaced with square columns and a minimalist custom horizontal metal railing system. Additionally, the team thoughtfully enhanced the continuous masonry façade by removing sections of brick and replacing them with a contemporary wood rainscreen. This adjustment added depth to what was previously a flat elevation and tied together areas of the house that were re-clad from vinyl siding to wood plank. The design team also redefined the geometry of the multiple rooflines and third-floor dormers to create a cohesive overall design. Carefully selected paint and stain colors added warmth and dimension to the updated exterior. Modern elements were introduced into the outdoor space, resulting in a cozy outdoor living area complete with a gas-powered fireplace and a large-screen TV—perfect for enjoying Ravens games with friends and family.

Inspiration for a transitional dining room remodel in Chicago

Metal Kitchen Backsplash: Modern Trapezoid Stainless Steel Tile - EMT_W1402-SIL-BM - Testimonial by Audrey P. "I absolutely LOVE my new backsplash. I installed it myself over two days. I was able to cut the tiles that needed cutting (which was only around the outlets) with just tile nippers and tin snips--thanks to the geometry/dimensions of the individual tiles, I was able to tile the wall with almost no cutting, just by planning a smart layout. The tile is so swanky and modern, it really kicks my modest kitchen up a notch. Would definitely use this tile/company again in the future. Thank you!"