Falcon Industries built this oceanfront custom home for a lovely couple looking to heighten their vacation-home experience at the Jersey Shore. We collaborated with the very talented Richard Bubnowski Design and Elizabeth Gillin Interiors on the project. From coffered ceilings and custom trim to handcrafted details that our experienced team of carpenters executed from scratch, this home truly exudes the comforts of coastal living.

A couple wanted a weekend retreat without spending a majority of their getaway in an automobile. Therefore, a lot was purchased along the Rocky River with the vision of creating a nearby escape less than five miles away from their home. This 1,300 sf 24’ x 24’ dwelling is divided into a four square quadrant with the goal to create a variety of interior and exterior experiences while maintaining a rather small footprint. Typically, when going on a weekend retreat one has the drive time to decompress. However, without this, the goal was to create a procession from the car to the house to signify such change of context. This concept was achieved through the use of a wood slatted screen wall which must be passed through. After winding around a collection of poured concrete steps and walls one comes to a wood plank bridge and crosses over a Japanese garden leaving all the stresses of the daily world behind. The house is structured around a nine column steel frame grid, which reinforces the impression one gets of the four quadrants. The two rear quadrants intentionally house enclosed program space but once passed through, the floor plan completely opens to long views down to the mouth of the river into Lake Erie. On the second floor the four square grid is stacked with one quadrant removed for the two story living area on the first floor to capture heightened views down the river. In a move to create complete separation there is a one quadrant roof top office with surrounding roof top garden space. The rooftop office is accessed through a unique approach by exiting onto a steel grated staircase which wraps up the exterior facade of the house. This experience provides an additional retreat within their weekend getaway, and serves as the apex of the house where one can completely enjoy the views of Lake Erie disappearing over the horizon. Visually the house extends into the riverside site, but the four quadrant axis also physically extends creating a series of experiences out on the property. The Northeast kitchen quadrant extends out to become an exterior kitchen & dining space. The two-story Northwest living room quadrant extends out to a series of wrap around steps and lounge seating. A fire pit sits in this quadrant as well farther out in the lawn. A fruit and vegetable garden sits out in the Southwest quadrant in near proximity to the shed, and the entry sequence is contained within the Southeast quadrant extension. Internally and externally the whole house is organized in a simple and concise way and achieves the ultimate goal of creating many different experiences within a rationally sized footprint.

This hillside home combines stucco, stone, and cedar shakes for exceptional craftsman character. A dramatic cathedral ceiling heightens the open living room with central fireplace and built-ins. Porches flank the living room to allow its rear wall of windows uninterrupted views of the outdoors. The two rear porches are entered through the dining room and master bedroom, while the breakfast and dining rooms enjoy screened porch access. The master bedroom is topped by a tray ceiling and features a lovely private bath and walk-in closet. A versatile bedroom/study and full bath are nearby. Downstairs are two more bedrooms, each with an adjacent covered patio, another full bath, and a generous family room with fireplace.

Designer details abound in this custom 2-story home with craftsman style exterior complete with fiber cement siding, attractive stone veneer, and a welcoming front porch. In addition to the 2-car side entry garage with finished mudroom, a breezeway connects the home to a 3rd car detached garage. Heightened 10’ceilings grace the 1st floor and impressive features throughout include stylish trim and ceiling details. The elegant Dining Room to the front of the home features a tray ceiling and craftsman style wainscoting with chair rail. Adjacent to the Dining Room is a formal Living Room with cozy gas fireplace. The open Kitchen is well-appointed with HanStone countertops, tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, and a pantry. The sunny Breakfast Area provides access to a stamped concrete patio and opens to the Family Room with wood ceiling beams and a gas fireplace accented by a custom surround. A first-floor Study features trim ceiling detail and craftsman style wainscoting. The Owner’s Suite includes craftsman style wainscoting accent wall and a tray ceiling with stylish wood detail. The Owner’s Bathroom includes a custom tile shower, free standing tub, and oversized closet.

Mid-sized eclectic built-in desk dark wood floor home office photo in Las Vegas with gray walls

This casual dining room combines whimsical details such as the bold, geometric pattern of the rug, chair cushions and window treatments. These unique touches pop against the white walls and bright full-length windows. The bench seating allows for additional space around the dining table - maximizing the space.

10 foot ceilings heighten the space while a natural gas fireplace provides a cozy ambiance. Photography: Joshua Curry
Example of a mid-sized classic formal and open concept dark wood floor living room design in Wilmington with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped porcelain tile and beige floor eat-in kitchen design in Miami with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz countertops, brown backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

The kitchen, centrally located and equipped with top of the line appliances heighten anyone's cooking experience and invites many to dine at the cascading stone island.

The Castlewood collection has an abundance of the natural charm that makes wood floors so desirable. Creating its stunning character are stylish 7 1/2" widths, extremely handsome linear graining, and sawn face veneers that closely resemble solid hardwood. Castlewood's colors are visually rich - with the beautiful knots, mineral streaks, and natural splits seen in heirloom woods. Heightening its appeal is a very low-gloss finish, which calls to mind vintage European oil-rubbed floors.

Before purchasing their early 20th-century Prairie-style home, perfect in so many ways for their growing family, the parents asked LiLu whether its imperfections could be remedied. Specifically, they were sad to leave a kid-focused happy home full of color, pattern, texture, and durability thanks to LiLu. Could the new house, with lots of woodwork, be made brighter and lighter? Of course. In the living areas, LiLu selected a high-gloss turquoise paint that reflects light for selected cabinets and the fireplace surround; the color complements original handmade blue-green tile in the home. Graphic floral and abstract prints, and furnishings and accessories in lively shades of pink, were layered throughout to create a bright, playful aesthetic. Elsewhere, staircase spindles were painted turquoise to bring out their arts-and-craft design and heighten the abstract wallpaper and striped runner. Wallpaper featuring 60s-era superheroes, metallic butterflies, cartoon bears, and flamingos enliven other rooms of the house. In the kitchen, an orange island adds zest to cream-colored cabinets and brick backsplash. The family’s new home is now their happy home. ------ Project designed by Minneapolis interior design studio LiLu Interiors. They serve the Minneapolis-St. Paul area including Wayzata, Edina, and Rochester, and they travel to the far-flung destinations that their upscale clientele own second homes in. ------ For more about LiLu Interiors, click here: https://www.liluinteriors.com/ ----- To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.liluinteriors.com/blog/portfolio-items/posh-playhouse-2-kitchen/

Stair with steel stringers This stair becomes a central feature on the 1st floor. Black steel stingers and railing posts offer to heighten the industrial look of the interiors.

Castlewood Oak in Hearth by Shaw Floors. The Castlewood collection has an abundance of the natural charm that makes wood floors so desirable. Creating its stunning character are stylish 7 1/2" widths, extremely handsome linear graining, and sawn face veneers that closely resemble solid hardwood. Castlewood's colors are visually rich - with the beautiful knots, mineral streaks, and natural splits seen in heirloom woods. Heightening its appeal is a very low-gloss finish, which calls to mind vintage European oil-rubbed floors.

A couple wanted a weekend retreat without spending a majority of their getaway in an automobile. Therefore, a lot was purchased along the Rocky River with the vision of creating a nearby escape less than five miles away from their home. This 1,300 sf 24’ x 24’ dwelling is divided into a four square quadrant with the goal to create a variety of interior and exterior experiences while maintaining a rather small footprint. Typically, when going on a weekend retreat one has the drive time to decompress. However, without this, the goal was to create a procession from the car to the house to signify such change of context. This concept was achieved through the use of a wood slatted screen wall which must be passed through. After winding around a collection of poured concrete steps and walls one comes to a wood plank bridge and crosses over a Japanese garden leaving all the stresses of the daily world behind. The house is structured around a nine column steel frame grid, which reinforces the impression one gets of the four quadrants. The two rear quadrants intentionally house enclosed program space but once passed through, the floor plan completely opens to long views down to the mouth of the river into Lake Erie. On the second floor the four square grid is stacked with one quadrant removed for the two story living area on the first floor to capture heightened views down the river. In a move to create complete separation there is a one quadrant roof top office with surrounding roof top garden space. The rooftop office is accessed through a unique approach by exiting onto a steel grated staircase which wraps up the exterior facade of the house. This experience provides an additional retreat within their weekend getaway, and serves as the apex of the house where one can completely enjoy the views of Lake Erie disappearing over the horizon. Visually the house extends into the riverside site, but the four quadrant axis also physically extends creating a series of experiences out on the property. The Northeast kitchen quadrant extends out to become an exterior kitchen & dining space. The two-story Northwest living room quadrant extends out to a series of wrap around steps and lounge seating. A fire pit sits in this quadrant as well farther out in the lawn. A fruit and vegetable garden sits out in the Southwest quadrant in near proximity to the shed, and the entry sequence is contained within the Southeast quadrant extension. Internally and externally the whole house is organized in a simple and concise way and achieves the ultimate goal of creating many different experiences within a rationally sized footprint. Photo: Sergiu Stoian

Designer details abound in this custom 2-story home with craftsman style exterior complete with fiber cement siding, attractive stone veneer, and a welcoming front porch. In addition to the 2-car side entry garage with finished mudroom, a breezeway connects the home to a 3rd car detached garage. Heightened 10’ceilings grace the 1st floor and impressive features throughout include stylish trim and ceiling details. The elegant Dining Room to the front of the home features a tray ceiling and craftsman style wainscoting with chair rail. Adjacent to the Dining Room is a formal Living Room with cozy gas fireplace. The open Kitchen is well-appointed with HanStone countertops, tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, and a pantry. The sunny Breakfast Area provides access to a stamped concrete patio and opens to the Family Room with wood ceiling beams and a gas fireplace accented by a custom surround. A first-floor Study features trim ceiling detail and craftsman style wainscoting. The Owner’s Suite includes craftsman style wainscoting accent wall and a tray ceiling with stylish wood detail. The Owner’s Bathroom includes a custom tile shower, free standing tub, and oversized closet.

Castlewood Oak in Drawbridge by Shaw Floors. Creating its stunning character are stylish 7 1/2" widths, extremely handsome linear graining, and sawn face veneers that closely resemble solid hardwood. Castlewood's colors are visually rich - with the beautiful knots, mineral streaks, and natural splits seen in heirloom woods. Heightening its appeal is a very low-gloss finish, which calls to mind vintage European oil-rubbed floors.

A couple wanted a weekend retreat without spending a majority of their getaway in an automobile. Therefore, a lot was purchased along the Rocky River with the vision of creating a nearby escape less than five miles away from their home. This 1,300 sf 24’ x 24’ dwelling is divided into a four square quadrant with the goal to create a variety of interior and exterior experiences while maintaining a rather small footprint. Typically, when going on a weekend retreat one has the drive time to decompress. However, without this, the goal was to create a procession from the car to the house to signify such change of context. This concept was achieved through the use of a wood slatted screen wall which must be passed through. After winding around a collection of poured concrete steps and walls one comes to a wood plank bridge and crosses over a Japanese garden leaving all the stresses of the daily world behind. The house is structured around a nine column steel frame grid, which reinforces the impression one gets of the four quadrants. The two rear quadrants intentionally house enclosed program space but once passed through, the floor plan completely opens to long views down to the mouth of the river into Lake Erie. On the second floor the four square grid is stacked with one quadrant removed for the two story living area on the first floor to capture heightened views down the river. In a move to create complete separation there is a one quadrant roof top office with surrounding roof top garden space. The rooftop office is accessed through a unique approach by exiting onto a steel grated staircase which wraps up the exterior facade of the house. This experience provides an additional retreat within their weekend getaway, and serves as the apex of the house where one can completely enjoy the views of Lake Erie disappearing over the horizon. Visually the house extends into the riverside site, but the four quadrant axis also physically extends creating a series of experiences out on the property. The Northeast kitchen quadrant extends out to become an exterior kitchen & dining space. The two-story Northwest living room quadrant extends out to a series of wrap around steps and lounge seating. A fire pit sits in this quadrant as well farther out in the lawn. A fruit and vegetable garden sits out in the Southwest quadrant in near proximity to the shed, and the entry sequence is contained within the Southeast quadrant extension. Internally and externally the whole house is organized in a simple and concise way and achieves the ultimate goal of creating many different experiences within a rationally sized footprint. Photo: Sergiu Stoian

For this small Toronto condo, our main goal was to heighten function while adding our client’s personal style throughout. To create a more spacious and welcoming feel focused on furniture with clean lines, minimal accents, a comfortable sectional to seat multiple guests, and an artwork display creates a welcoming relaxed interior. For the bedroom, we chose a black and white color palette with layered textures and patterns. A deep red throw gives the room a burst of rich color! Project completed by Toronto interior design firm Camden Lane Interiors, which serves Toronto. For more about Camden Lane Interiors, click here: https://www.camdenlaneinteriors.com/

For this small Toronto condo, our main goal was to heighten function while adding our client’s personal style throughout. To create a more spacious and welcoming feel focused on furniture with clean lines, minimal accents, a comfortable sectional to seat multiple guests, and an artwork display creates a welcoming relaxed interior. For the bedroom, we chose a black and white color palette with layered textures and patterns. A deep red throw gives the room a burst of rich color! Project completed by Toronto interior design firm Camden Lane Interiors, which serves Toronto. For more about Camden Lane Interiors, click here: https://www.camdenlaneinteriors.com/