PRIMARY COLORS The Noakeses are not afraid of color, which found an outlet in the brilliant red, orange and blue of the Tufenkian Borealis Pacific Fire rug anchoring the living room. On the following spread, the homeowners’ art hangs on a dining room wall and is the soulmate to the living room rug’s deeply saturated colors as well as to the bright oranges in the wool and silk rug under the dining table. Glamour is a driving force in the house, but it never overwhelms. As a backdrop in the dining room, golden Lori Weitzner wallpaper lines the display shelf where Perry and Suzy Noakes display treasures from their travels. In the kitchen, a grouping of seeded blown glass cylinder pendants illuminates Bright Group stools and a generously proportioned island that’s big enough to seat eight guests. The entry’s bright-red lacquered console is a place for the homeowners’ Buddha collection to get attention. Pieces from Laura Britt’s sustainable furniture line Vervano populate the bedroom, including the Noakeses use for media storage. Pieces from Laura Britt’s sustainable furniture line Vervano populate the bedroom, including the chair underneath the windows The gray theme continues in the master bath, where vein-cut travertine slabs on the floor set off the sculptural flair of the bathtub. “Homes didn’t mean anything to us,” says Perry Noakes, “except as a place to put our keys and get ready for the next journey.” The retired high-tech company executive and his wife, Suzy, are avid globe-trotters. The couple had also lived in Asia for 15 years as part of Perry’s work. Finding a place to live was a well-rehearsed exercise that figured into their system for settling in to a foreign country. But all that changed when Perry and Suzy decided to downsize to a new house in Austin. A friend told them about a spec house under construction, the project of a dream team of Austin-based design professionals that included builder Keith Husbands, architect Bob Wetmore of Cornerstone Architects, and interior designer Laura Britt and her staff. “We went to see it,” says Perry, “and loved it.” The couple quickly bought the framed-out 5,800-square-foot building. The fact that the two-story dwelling was near a golf course was a bonus for the two golfers, but the low-slung four-bedroom, four-bath house also backs up onto a nature preserve. “The land offered us great opportunity to nestle the house into the topography, giving us both privacy and stunning views,” says Wetmore, who had to negotiate his design for the native stone, stucco and metal house to fit onto the steeply sloping and oddly elongated lot. The Hill Country contemporary house stretches out just below the rim of the slope, comfortably settled into the topography courtesy of terraced landscaping that defines the front approach to the house. “We turned a negative into a positive,” says Wetmore about the difficult site. The rough-and-ready landscape accounts for the building’s quiet dynamics, which Wetmore chronicled with the roofline, a series of horizontal areas that correspond to transitional spaces inside, interrupted by a clerestory that caps the entry and living room. The process of taking a house from the framing stage to completion was a new experience for the couple. “We had never participated in the building process,” says Suzy. They threw themselves into it as if it were just another one of their adventures. “I think of it as my first project after I retired,” says Perry. The budding design enthusiast so endeared himself to Britt that she and her staff awarded him with a beret to wear to design meetings, in honor of his artistic verve. “We were able to redesign a lot of the house since we came into the process so early,” says Suzy. “The house started as a spec house,” says Britt, “but it quickly became a custom home with the Noakeses’ involvement.” Britt started the process by helping the couple select materials and lighting, opting for an earthy glamour that became the touchstone of the house. For pure wow factor, the living room’s stone and steel fireplace—sliced horizontally by three massive wood beams—is a tour de force of drama. In the kitchen, an oversize island (big enough to seat eight) is topped with a slab of dramatically veined marble; the countertops are a quieter quartzite. In the master bath, bold vein-cut travertine pavers on the floor are a counterpoint to the linear-cut mosaic tiles that back the vanity and reach all the way to the skylit ceiling. The pièce de résistance is the shimmering white pebble wall behind the free-standing tub that creates the effect of water frozen in free fall. Britt used contrast as a backdrop to all the drama, opting for a forged metal chandelier in the shape of a lotus leaf in the entry—a worthy match to the darkened-steel front door. She designed a dining room table (through Vervano, her furniture design company) topped with patinaed steel; overhead, a massive steel-framed drum pendant with mica panels casts a delicate glow over the room. The designer was careful to leave wall space for the homeowners’ art collection, as well as to add space wherever possible. The dining room’s asymmetrical built-in is a place to display Buddhas and other pieces the couple has collected in their travels. “We wanted this house to be about us and who we are,” says Suzy. That’s understandable since, after 16 previous homes that were really just places to live, the freedom of expression is obviously a thrill. Maybe even too much of a thrill—although this house is the couple’s dream home, they were completely enthralled with the design process. Could house No. 17 be the best and last? Maybe not. But if there is another house in the Noakeses’ future, one thing is certain, says Perry: “We won’t make a move without consulting Laura first.” https://modernluxury.com/interiors-texas/story/smooth-move

A new countertop and backsplash, refinished floor and new wall paint color, new lighting overt peninsula gave this kitchen new life.
Mid-sized transitional u-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in San Francisco with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, granite countertops, green backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and green countertops

“With the open-concept floor plan, this kitchen needed to have a galley layout,” Ellison says. A large island helps delineate the kitchen from the other rooms around it. These include a dining area directly behind the kitchen and a living room to the right of the dining room. This main floor also includes a small TV lounge, a powder room and a mudroom. The house sits on a slope, so this main level enjoys treehouse-like canopy views out the back. The bedrooms are on the walk-out lower level.“These homeowners liked grays and neutrals, and their style leaned contemporary,” Ellison says. “They also had a very nice art collection.” The artwork is bright and colorful, and a neutral scheme provided the perfect backdrop for it. They also liked the idea of using durable laminate finishes on the cabinetry. The laminates have the look of white oak with vertical graining. The galley cabinets are lighter and warmer, while the island has the look of white oak with a gray wash for contrast. The countertops and backsplash are polished quartzite. The quartzite adds beautiful natural veining patterns and warm tones to the room.

It’s rare when a client comes to me with a brief for a complete home from scratch, but that is exactly what happened here. My client, a professional musician and singer, was having a luxury three-story condo built and wanted help choosing not only all the hardscape materials like tile, flooring, carpet, and cabinetry, but also all furniture and furnishings. I even outfitted his new home with plates, flatware, pots and pans, towels, sheets, and window coverings. Like I said, this was from scratch! We defined his style direction for the new home including dark colors, minimalistic furniture, and a modern industrial sensibility, and I set about creating a fluid expression of that style. The tone is set at the entry where a custom laser-cut industrial steel sign requests visitors be shoeless. We deliberately limited the color palette for the entire house to black, grey, and deep blue, with grey-washed or dark stained neutral woods. The navy zellige tiles on the backsplash in the kitchen add depth between the cement-textured quartz counters and cerused cabinetry. The island is painted in a coordinating navy and features hand-forged iron stools. In the dining room, horizontal and vertical lines play with each other in the form of an angular linear chandelier, lighted acrylic light columns, and a dining table with a special faceted wave edge. Chair backs echo the shape of the art maps on the wall. We chose a unique, three dimensional wall treatment for the living room where a plush sectional and LED tunable lights set the stage for comfy movie nights. Walls with a repeating whimsical black and white whale skeleton named Bruce adorn the walls of the powder room. The adjacent patio boasts a resort-like feeling with a cozy fire table, a wall of up-lit boxwoods, and a black sofa and chairs for star gazing. A gallery wall featuring a roster of some of my client’s favorite rock, punk, and jazz musicians adorns the stairwell. On the third floor, the primary and guest bathrooms continue with the cement-textured quartz counters and same cerused cabinetry. We completed this well-appointed home with a serene guest room in the established limited color palette and a lounge/office/recording room. All photos by Bernardo Grijalva

The Pop-Out Outlet lets you hide an oulet when not in use. Simply push on the outlet and it disapears into the wall. When you're ready to plug something in, just push on the box and the outlets will "pop out," enabling easy acess to power. Patented shutter system helps prevent improper insertion of foreign objects. Push on the box and the outlets will "pop out," enabling easy access to power. Includes capacity for three plugs. Configuration easily supports two plugs and offers the capacity of a standard outlet. Easy "1-for-1" installation lets you simply replace your existing outlet in just minutes. Requires a minimum box size of 22.5 cubic inches. ARPTR151GW2

This gorgeous home renovation was a fun project to work on. The goal for the whole-house remodel was to infuse the home with a fresh new perspective while hinting at the traditional Mediterranean flare. We also wanted to balance the new and the old and help feature the customer’s existing character pieces. Let's begin with the custom front door, which is made with heavy distressing and a custom stain, along with glass and wrought iron hardware. The exterior sconces, dark light compliant, are rubbed bronze Hinkley with clear seedy glass and etched opal interior. Moving on to the dining room, porcelain tile made to look like wood was installed throughout the main level. The dining room floor features a herringbone pattern inlay to define the space and add a custom touch. A reclaimed wood beam with a custom stain and oil-rubbed bronze chandelier creates a cozy and warm atmosphere. In the kitchen, a hammered copper hood and matching undermount sink are the stars of the show. The tile backsplash is hand-painted and customized with a rustic texture, adding to the charm and character of this beautiful kitchen. The powder room features a copper and steel vanity and a matching hammered copper framed mirror. A porcelain tile backsplash adds texture and uniqueness. Lastly, a brick-backed hanging gas fireplace with a custom reclaimed wood mantle is the perfect finishing touch to this spectacular whole house remodel. It is a stunning transformation that truly showcases the artistry of our design and construction teams.

Pine Street Carpenters
Inspiration for a timeless living room remodel in Philadelphia

This elegant new stairway transformed the main entry of this residential remodel. The original adobe wall and wooden stair was completely removed and a self-supporting steel stair was put in its place. Transparency of the new system opened up the entire home and brought a modern touch into the once traditional architecture. The steel stair was framed with 6 inch channel and custom tread supports. The railing matched the industrial look with solid flat bar and half inch solid round bar. The treads were finished with a clear polyurethane to complement the raw steel finish of the stair. Contact Pascetti steel to help transform your outdated home or office with new modern metal fabrication. At Pascetti Steel we specialize in custom and pre-fabricated, ready-to-assemble stair units. From formed steel plate and channel stringers to stair units with aluminum ADA compliant treads. We can ship complete pre-finished stairs directly to the job site with all necessary hardware. Custom railings can always be added to match the style of stair. Working with architects and designers at the initial design stage or directly with homeowners, Pascetti Steel will make the entire process from drawings to installation seamless and hassle free. We plan safety and stability into every design we make, the railings and hardware are fabricated to be strong, durable and visually appealing. Choose from a variety of styles including cable railing, glass railing, hand forged and custom railing. We also offer pre-finished aluminum balcony railing for hotels, resorts and other commercial buildings.

Interior Designer: Allard & Roberts Interior Design, Inc. Builder: Glennwood Custom Builders Architect: Con Dameron Photographer: Kevin Meechan Doors: Sun Mountain Cabinetry: Advance Custom Cabinetry Countertops & Fireplaces: Mountain Marble & Granite Window Treatments: Blinds & Designs, Fletcher NC

“With the open-concept floor plan, this kitchen needed to have a galley layout,” Ellison says. A large island helps delineate the kitchen from the other rooms around it. These include a dining area directly behind the kitchen and a living room to the right of the dining room. This main floor also includes a small TV lounge, a powder room and a mudroom. The house sits on a slope, so this main level enjoys treehouse-like canopy views out the back. The bedrooms are on the walk-out lower level.“These homeowners liked grays and neutrals, and their style leaned contemporary,” Ellison says. “They also had a very nice art collection.” The artwork is bright and colorful, and a neutral scheme provided the perfect backdrop for it. They also liked the idea of using durable laminate finishes on the cabinetry. The laminates have the look of white oak with vertical graining. The galley cabinets are lighter and warmer, while the island has the look of white oak with a gray wash for contrast. The countertops and backsplash are polished quartzite. The quartzite adds beautiful natural veining patterns and warm tones to the room.

Babcock BuilderZ has just unveiled its latest brainchild, the grand BAMBOO GETAWAY. A towering example of opulence and comfort, this development elevates the bar of luxurious living to an unprecedented height. With its picturesque location on the banks of the Arizona Colorado River and a peerless outdoor kitchen, BAMBOO GETAWAY is the idyllic retreat for those who yearn to break away from the fast-paced city life. At Babcock BuilderZ, our philosophy is that we leave no stone unturned when it comes to excellence. This is why we have put in tireless efforts to create the outdoor kitchen at BAMBOO GETAWAY, a true masterpiece that blends beauty and functionality seamlessly. With meticulous attention to detail and the finest materials, this custom kitchen is perfect for hosting your loved ones, whether it’s a gourmet feast or a simple evening drink amidst breathtaking scenery. The outdoor kitchen at BAMBOO GETAWAY is much more than a mere cooking area, it’s a place to forge memories. With its cutting-edge appliances, expansive counters, and charming cabinetry, this bespoke kitchen is designed to be the nucleus of the home, a place to recharge and relax with your nearest and dearest. Babcock BuilderZ takes great pride in our unwavering commitment to quality, and this is evident in the construction of the outdoor kitchen at BAMBOO GETAWAY. From top-of-the-line appliances, magnificent countertops, to customized cabinetry, we have meticulously selected every element to create an outdoor space that will be the envy of your friends and family. So, if you are in search of a new abode, a sanctuary to escape the monotony of daily life and immerse yourself in the tranquility of nature, then look no further than BAMBOO GETAWAY. With its breathtaking location, incomparable outdoor kitchen, and impeccable attention to detail, this development is the ideal place to create memories that will be cherished for a lifetime. For more information on BAMBOO GETAWAY or to schedule a tour of this magnificent development, reach out to Babcock BuilderZ today. Our team would be more than happy to show you around and help you find the perfect home for your family.

Acquiring a new house is an exciting occasion but often has many challenges. My clients came to me to help modernize and update their new home that clearly had not been touched since the 70s. For the kitchen, we removed the dated orange oak cabinetry, tile counter tops, and cracked terra cotta flooring. This enabled us to start from scratch so we could create a light, bright kitchen in the fog and forest colors of the coastal mountain region of the area. New appliances, hand-forged iron light fixtures, and a luxurious marble counter and backsplash elevate this kitchen while retaining a casual atmosphere. Photos by Bernardo Grijalva

ARPTR151GM2: adorne® Magnesium colored Pop-Out Outlet in 1-Gang Frame. The Pop-Out Outlet lets you hide an outlet when not in use. Simply push on the outlet and it disappears into the wall. When you're ready to plug something in, just push on the box and the outlets will "pop out," enabling easy access to power. Patented shutter system helps prevent improper insertion of foreign objects. Push on the box and the outlets will "pop out," enabling easy access to power. Includes capacity for three plugs. Configuration easily supports two plugs and offers the capacity of a standard outlet. Easy "1-for-1" installation lets you simply replace your existing outlet in just minutes. Requires a minimum box size of 22.5 cubic inches. Intended for indoor wall mount use only. Pop Out Outlets require a special frame (included in package) and are not compatible with those used with adorne wall plates. Meant to combined with "AW" series of adorne wall plates. UL Listed Tamper Resistant Country: Canada Limited Lifetime Warranty

Acquiring a new house is an exciting occasion but often has many challenges. My clients came to me to help modernize and update their new home that clearly had not been touched since the 70s. For the kitchen, we removed the dated orange oak cabinetry, tile counter tops, and cracked terra cotta flooring. This enabled us to start from scratch so we could create a light, bright kitchen in the fog and forest colors of the coastal mountain region of the area. New appliances, hand-forged iron light fixtures, and a luxurious marble counter and backsplash elevate this kitchen while retaining a casual atmosphere. Photos by Bernardo Grijalva

ASOS32M4: adorne® SensaSwitch - Auto-ON/Auto-OFF - Magnesium ARTR152M4: adorne® Tamper-Resistant Outlet - 15A - 125V - Magnesium SensaSwitches include passive infrared (PIR) sensor technology, automatically turning lights on or off when you enter or leave a room. The design features an innovative micro-movement that allows you to also manually turn on lights with a soft touch of the finger. Switch supports single-pole/3-Way/4-Way. All adorne outlets include a tamper-resistant design featuring a patented shutter system, keeping children safe by preventing them from pushing small objects into the outlet. The shutters are molded a dark color that they fade into the background while keeping users safe. Patented shutter system helps prevent improper insertion of foreign objects. Easy "1-for-1" installation lets you simply replace your existing switch in just minutes. Fits in your existing electrical box and does not require new wires for typical installation. Innovative assembly and snap-in system make it fast and simple to install. Meant to combined with "AW" series of adorne wall plates. Maximum Wattage Compatibility: 600 UL Listed Voltage: 120VAC Country: Canada Limited Lifetime Warranty

When my client purchased his circa 1980s home several years ago, it came with a bland, dated guest bathroom. He was eager to swap his brass accented shower doors, counter "bridge" spanning the toilet, wall-to-wall mirror, and terra cotta tiled floor for a sleeker, more contemporary looking space. We gutted the entire space except for the tub which was in perfect condition and replaced the boring, square beige tiles with large format tiles of a subtle, threaded pattern. A decorative, highly textured band of stainless steel, stone, and glass runs through the shower and defines the counter of the new dark vanity which is now in scale with the room. New sconces in matte opal glass are twined with ribbons of forged iron. Walls are in a chic hue called Thunder Grey. The modern sink hardware features a chrome trough spout and stylized square handles. The counter top, with its soft grey and blue-green clouds, is fabricated from a single piece of Sea Pearl quartzite. The shower edges and niche are lined in a polished chrome detail for a clean, minimalist look. And finally, the shower hardware with a bar and hand held shower head echoes the modernist approach to the space. Photo by Bernardo Grijalva

Mrs. Deighan loved to cook, but hated her kitchen. It was nonfunctional, inefficient, and an eyesore. The sink was in the corner under low cabinets. The awkwardly placed fridge made it impractical for the entire family to be working together. And that was a big deal. She wanted a beautiful place to cook and entertain. Besides the cramped space, the old, brown plywood cabinets were falling apart. Because the cabinets were low, under-cabinet lighting was useless. The kitchen was dark. The previous owners had updated the flooring, but only by putting uglier tiles over the old vinyl. And the ceiling had a leak stain. It was time for a big change. The Deighan's called Amos from ALL Renovation & Design. Amos’s many successful remodeling projects done for them over the years had forged a friendship that made him the obvious contractor of choice. Amos sat down with them and asked them to make a dream kitchen list. If budget were of no concern, what would the space look like? Once the Deighan's had their list, Amos helped them to evaluate each investment, taking into consideration the age and value of the home. Then Amos presented a plan that fit perfectly in the Deighan's budget. The basic U-shaped kitchen layout stayed the same. Modern, creamy white custom cabinets replaced the dark plywood cabinets. The fridge moved to make space for more cabinets. The biggest challenge was moving the laundry room wall a few feet. Moving it was necessary to add more space, but, since the wall was load-bearing, moving it required extra attention. It was worth it. Extra space allowed the counter to extend and the sink to move. After the hard work ended, the reason for the transformation became reality. Now “we can have the whole family in there comfortably and working together,” Mrs. Deighan said. She loves her kitchen. Especially the windowed cabinets that show off her fiestaware. And when you see the beautiful St. Cecilia granite countertops, with Milstone Sari porcelain mosaic tile backsplash, maple flat-panel cabinets with under-cabinet lighting, and all new appliances including a double oven, you will see why she does.

ARTR152M4: adorne® Tamper-Resistant Outlet - 15A - 125V - Magnesium All adorne outlets include a tamper-resistant design featuring a patented shutter system, keeping children safe by preventing them from pushing small objects into the outlet. The shutters are molded a dark color that they fade into the backgorund while keeping users safe. Patented shutter system helps prevent improper insertion of foreign objects. Configuration easily supports two plugs and offers the capacity of a standard outlet. Easy "1-for-1" installation lets you simply replace your existing outlet in just minutes. Fits in your existing electrical box and does not require new wires for typical installation. Innovative assembly and snap-in system make it fast and simple to install.

“With the open-concept floor plan, this kitchen needed to have a galley layout,” Ellison says. A large island helps delineate the kitchen from the other rooms around it. These include a dining area directly behind the kitchen and a living room to the right of the dining room. This main floor also includes a small TV lounge, a powder room and a mudroom. The house sits on a slope, so this main level enjoys treehouse-like canopy views out the back. The bedrooms are on the walk-out lower level.“These homeowners liked grays and neutrals, and their style leaned contemporary,” Ellison says. “They also had a very nice art collection.” The artwork is bright and colorful, and a neutral scheme provided the perfect backdrop for it. They also liked the idea of using durable laminate finishes on the cabinetry. The laminates have the look of white oak with vertical graining. The galley cabinets are lighter and warmer, while the island has the look of white oak with a gray wash for contrast. The countertops and backsplash are polished quartzite. The quartzite adds beautiful natural veining patterns and warm tones to the room.