A mixed shrub, perennial and annual border creates texture and color for the summer season.
Photo of a mid-sized traditional partial sun side yard formal garden in Chicago for summer.

Situated on a gently sloping site in the heart of the Rancho Santa Fe Covenant, the El Camino del Norte Residence takes cues from the structural clarity and purposeful simplicity of California's mid-century modern architecture. Clean lines and generous overhangs frame views of the landscape while allowing the site's natural topography to shape the sequence of spaces and the home to perform naturally with Southern California's light and climate. The design reflects the client's active engagement with the outdoors, where inside and outside are in constant conversation. Design Challenges Rancho Santa Fe Art Jury approval - Material and massing refinements that honored covenant guidelines Grade change - Strategic site planning that engages the sloping topography as an integral part of the design rather than a constraint to overcome. Rancho Santa Fe Fire safety compliance - Material selection and site planning that absorbed code requirements into the architecture

This economical ranch house plan gains character and curb appeal from its charming front porch and multiple gables with decorative wood brackets, and its simplified, squared off design makes it practical to build. A tray ceiling and columns offer definition to the open dining room, while the great room and kitchen are enhanced by a cathedral ceiling. Built-in shelves flank the fireplace, and a rear deck expands the great room further. The kitchen sports a convenient U-shape, and its open design keeps the cook in the heart of family activities. A popular split bedroom design places the master suite to one side of the house plan with its own bath and his and her walk-in closets. A bonus room over the garage provides options for growing families.

Well curated collection of unique coastal natural elements embraced this remodeled bungalow home in the heart of St. Petersburg. Such unpretentious pieces warmed up the opulent white walls and added a casual coastal vibe. The light color palette imparting a breezy tropical evokes the sea and sky. Graphic print wallpapers have enhanced the white and wood palette that added personality and dimension to each bathroom. Thanks to the inviting atmosphere and crisp, contemporary aesthetic this coastal bungalow captures the essence of casual elegance.

Surrounded by trees to the north and old farm buildings, the Agnew Farmhouse naturally took shape to capture the expansive southern views of the prairie on which it resides. Inspired from the rural venacular of the property, the home was designed for an engaged couple looking to spend their days on the family farm. Built next to the original house on the property, a story of past, present, and future continues to be written. The south facing porch is shaded by the upper level and offers easy access from yard to the heart of the home. North Dakota offers challenging weather, so naturally a south-west facing garage to melt the snow from the driveway is often required. This also allowed for the the garage to be hidden from sight as you approach the home from the NE. Respecting its surroundings, the home emphasizes modern design and simple farmer logic to create a home for the couple to begin their marriage and grow old together. Cheers to what was, what is, and what's to come... Tim Anderson

Surrounded by trees to the north and old farm buildings, the Agnew Farmhouse naturally took shape to capture the expansive southern views of the prairie on which it resides. Inspired from the rural venacular of the property, the home was designed for an engaged couple looking to spend their days on the family farm. Built next to the original house on the property, a story of past, present, and future continues to be written. The south facing porch is shaded by the upper level and offers easy access from yard to the heart of the home. North Dakota offers challenging weather, so naturally a south-west facing garage to melt the snow from the driveway is often required. This also allowed for the the garage to be hidden from sight as you approach the home from the NE. Respecting its surroundings, the home emphasizes modern design and simple farmer logic to create a home for the couple to begin their marriage and grow old together. Cheers to what was, what is, and what's to come... Tim Anderson

Surrounded by trees to the north and old farm buildings, the Agnew Farmhouse naturally took shape to capture the expansive southern views of the prairie on which it resides. Inspired from the rural venacular of the property, the home was designed for an engaged couple looking to spend their days on the family farm. Built next to the original house on the property, a story of past, present, and future continues to be written. The south facing porch is shaded by the upper level and offers easy access from yard to the heart of the home. North Dakota offers challenging weather, so naturally a south-west facing garage to melt the snow from the driveway is often required. This also allowed for the the garage to be hidden from sight as you approach the home from the NE. Respecting its surroundings, the home emphasizes modern design and simple farmer logic to create a home for the couple to begin their marriage and grow old together. Cheers to what was, what is, and what's to come... Tim Anderson

Contemporary style focuses on the basics of line, shape and form. While this client's master bath had those elements, it had also lost it's luster making it cold, hard and uninviting. Our goal with this remodel was to modernize the contemporary elements while creating a warm and comfortable space to begin each day. The element of line is displayed in the shower through the use of thin vertical tiles that draw your eye upward toward the custom ombre mosaic. Form is communicated through the soft curves on the faucets, vessel sinks and freestanding tub. Each one has a flow similar to the silhouette of a woman, bringing beauty and comfort. Shape occurs in the geometric inset of the marble floor, which is heated through a sub-floor system. The warmth of this space is not only felt with the feet but also with the heart. Photos by Barrett Woodward of Showcase Photographers

This dramatic contemporary residence features extraordinary design with magnificent views of Angel Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the ever changing San Francisco Bay. The amazing great room has soaring 36 foot ceilings, a Carnelian granite cascading waterfall flanked by stairways on each side, and an unique patterned sky roof of redwood and cedar. The 57 foyer windows and glass double doors are specifically designed to frame the world class views. Designed by world-renowned architect Angela Danadjieva as her personal residence, this unique architectural masterpiece features intricate woodwork and innovative environmental construction standards offering an ecological sanctuary with the natural granite flooring and planters and a 10 ft. indoor waterfall. The fluctuating light filtering through the sculptured redwood ceilings creates a reflective and varying ambiance. Other features include a reinforced concrete structure, multi-layered slate roof, a natural garden with granite and stone patio leading to a lawn overlooking the San Francisco Bay. Completing the home is a spacious master suite with a granite bath, an office / second bedroom featuring a granite bath, a third guest bedroom suite and a den / 4th bedroom with bath. Other features include an electronic controlled gate with a stone driveway to the two car garage and a dumb waiter from the garage to the granite kitchen.

The owners requested a Private Resort that catered to their love for entertaining friends and family, a place where 2 people would feel just as comfortable as 42. Located on the western edge of a Wisconsin lake, the site provides a range of natural ecosystems from forest to prairie to water, allowing the building to have a more complex relationship with the lake - not merely creating large unencumbered views in that direction. The gently sloping site to the lake is atypical in many ways to most lakeside lots - as its main trajectory is not directly to the lake views - allowing for focus to be pushed in other directions such as a courtyard and into a nearby forest. The biggest challenge was accommodating the large scale gathering spaces, while not overwhelming the natural setting with a single massive structure. Our solution was found in breaking down the scale of the project into digestible pieces and organizing them in a Camp-like collection of elements: - Main Lodge: Providing the proper entry to the Camp and a Mess Hall - Bunk House: A communal sleeping area and social space. - Party Barn: An entertainment facility that opens directly on to a swimming pool & outdoor room. - Guest Cottages: A series of smaller guest quarters. - Private Quarters: The owners private space that directly links to the Main Lodge. These elements are joined by a series green roof connectors, that merge with the landscape and allow the out buildings to retain their own identity. This Camp feel was further magnified through the materiality - specifically the use of Doug Fir, creating a modern Northwoods setting that is warm and inviting. The use of local limestone and poured concrete walls ground the buildings to the sloping site and serve as a cradle for the wood volumes that rest gently on them. The connections between these materials provided an opportunity to add a delicate reading to the spaces and re-enforce the camp aesthetic. The oscillation between large communal spaces and private, intimate zones is explored on the interior and in the outdoor rooms. From the large courtyard to the private balcony - accommodating a variety of opportunities to engage the landscape was at the heart of the concept. Overview Chenequa, WI Size Total Finished Area: 9,543 sf Completion Date May 2013 Services Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Interior Design

Overlooking Bleecker Street in the heart of the West Village, this compact one bedroom apartment required a gut renovation including the replacement of the windows. This intricate project focused on providing functional flexibility and ensuring that every square inch of space is put to good use. Cabinetry, closets and shelving play a key role in shaping the spaces. The typical boundaries between living and sleeping areas are blurred by employing clear glass sliding doors and a clerestory around of the freestanding storage wall between the bedroom and lounge. The kitchen extends into the lounge seamlessly, with an island that doubles as a dining table and layout space for a concealed study/desk adjacent. The bedroom transforms into a playroom for the nursery by folding the bed into another storage wall. In order to maximize the sense of openness, most materials are white including satin lacquer cabinetry, Corian counters at the seat wall and CNC milled Corian panels enclosing the HVAC systems. White Oak flooring is stained gray with a whitewash finish. Steel elements provide contrast, with a blackened finish to the door system, column and beams. Concrete tile and slab is used throughout the Bathroom to act as a counterpoint to the predominantly white living areas. archphoto.com

Outdoor living area in a Hollywood Hills custom home, featuring a sleek swimming pool, covered patio seating, and hillside views that extend the home’s modern indoor-outdoor lifestyle into the landscape.

Contemporary style focuses on the basics of line, shape and form. While this client's master bath had those elements, it had also lost it's luster making it cold, hard and uninviting. Our goal with this remodel was to modernize the contemporary elements while creating a warm and comfortable space to begin each day. The element of line is displayed in the shower through the use of thin vertical tiles that draw your eye upward toward the custom ombre mosaic. Form is communicated through the soft curves on the faucets, vessel sinks and freestanding tub. Each one has a flow similar to the silhouette of a woman, bringing beauty and comfort. Shape occurs in the geometric inset of the marble floor, which is heated through a sub-floor system. The warmth of this space is not only felt with the feet but also with the heart. Photos by Barrett Woodward of Showcase Photographers

Dramatically cantilevered over a canyon hillside, this striking 4,355-square-foot home represents both resilience and artistry. After losing their original house in the Santiam Canyon fires, the homeowners envisioned a fresh start deeply rooted in the land’s history and their creative spirit. In close collaboration with the design team, they shaped a home that honors memory while charting a new and inspiring chapter. The design is rooted in the concept of three intersecting diamonds, with the central gathering spaces at the core, private bedrooms and baths at one end, and creative studios at the other. The home’s placement on the land demanded advanced engineering, including steel piles and a hybrid wood-and-steel framing system. Natural light and vertical lines were central to the vision, with custom wood windows framing expansive views and illuminating soaring ceilings. Inside, the homeowners’ artistry shines through—from handcrafted stained glass to bold color palettes and custom finishes. A floating steel staircase, exposed beams, and heart hickory cabinetry blend structural sophistication with warmth. The result is more than a house: it is a legacy of craftsmanship, creativity, and connection for generations to come.

Dramatically cantilevered over a canyon hillside, this striking 4,355-square-foot home represents both resilience and artistry. After losing their original house in the Santiam Canyon fires, the homeowners envisioned a fresh start deeply rooted in the land’s history and their creative spirit. In close collaboration with the design team, they shaped a home that honors memory while charting a new and inspiring chapter. The design is rooted in the concept of three intersecting diamonds, with the central gathering spaces at the core, private bedrooms and baths at one end, and creative studios at the other. The home’s placement on the land demanded advanced engineering, including steel piles and a hybrid wood-and-steel framing system. Natural light and vertical lines were central to the vision, with custom wood windows framing expansive views and illuminating soaring ceilings. Inside, the homeowners’ artistry shines through—from handcrafted stained glass to bold color palettes and custom finishes. A floating steel staircase, exposed beams, and heart hickory cabinetry blend structural sophistication with warmth. The result is more than a house: it is a legacy of craftsmanship, creativity, and connection for generations to come.

A seamless indoor–outdoor living space designed for hillside entertaining, featuring a modern pool with integrated spa, expansive sliding glass doors, and a covered patio that connects the interior living areas to the backyard. Clean architectural lines, warm materials, and lush landscaping create a private resort-style retreat in the Hollywood Hills, ideal for relaxing, entertaining, and taking in the surrounding canyon views.

A twilight view of the resort-style pool and outdoor entertaining area, where integrated landscape lighting, a built-in outdoor kitchen, and expansive hillside views come together to create a calm, immersive atmosphere designed for evening relaxation and effortless hosting in the Hollywood Hills.

A complete transformation that embodies the essence of California living. Heart Construction designed and built this Westwood residence to flow seamlessly between indoor and outdoor spaces. The open-concept great room extends to a deck, pool, and spa area — creating a true retreat for relaxation and entertaining. Natural materials, clean architecture, and thoughtful detailing define this modern Spanish-inspired home, where every space was built with intention and balance.

The Stafford showcases a desire for simple beauty and honest craftsmanship. It features classic styles for contemporary living without sacrificing style or substance. Exterior details include timber, cedar shake, and stone, giving the Stafford a timeless appeal. On the first floor, a spacious foyer leads to an octagon-shaped living room. Nearby, a large kitchen and the hearth room boast raised ceilings and serve as the heart of the home. The adjacent octagonal dining room is open to the second floor, while a nearby large screen porch and hot tub off the kitchen blends indoor and outdoor spaces. With the addition of Phantom’s motorized retractable screens, the porch is transformed into an outdoor living space that’s protected from the elements.