Never underestimate the power of accessories. This sidebar piece creates beauty with it's assortment of tribal inspired accessories. The homeowners are well traveled and we wanted to highlight this aspect of their lives in the living room.

Never underestimate the difference a little tile/paint can make! Homeowner said "feels like I'm at a hotel resort spa" -- music to my ears! Note -- tile on back shower wall continued at chair rail height to window.

Bob Schatz
Example of a mountain style staircase design in Burlington

Exterior of this lake home near Ann Arbor, MI built by Meadowlark Design+Build
Inspiration for a large coastal blue three-story house exterior remodel in Detroit

Home design - country home design idea in San Francisco

Susan Teare Photography
Staircase - country staircase idea in Burlington

Engineered cedar siding creates beautiful gray-blue tones at the exterior of the home, while adding a textural element to activate the simple exterior design.

Example of a large classic hallway design in Tampa with yellow walls

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Living room - traditional living room idea in New York

Photo: A Darling Felicity Photography © 2015 Houzz
Example of a mid-sized country porcelain tile mudroom design in Seattle with green walls

Large minimalist concrete u-shaped metal railing staircase photo in Los Angeles with concrete risers

This previously unused attic space is now a sauna/yoga room. The left sauna wall follows the attic rafters down diagonally to allow a wider space for leg room on the twin sauna benches.

Entryway - cottage gray floor, exposed beam, vaulted ceiling and wall paneling entryway idea in Philadelphia with white walls

Design rendering for a living room remodel in San Ramon, California, by Taragano Design & Build. Opening a ceiling to the roof structure creates volume and takes away the surface that used to hold the light. Skylights were placed in the new vault to replace what the flat ceiling was providing, which is the part homeowners underestimate when they ask to raise a ceiling. The fireplace was kept low and linear rather than built up as a mass. In a room this tall, a full height stone chimney would pull all the weight to one end. Holding the firebox down and letting the wall run plain above it keeps the height reading as height rather than as something to fill. Shelving is recessed into the wall on both sides so nothing projects into a room whose whole quality is uninterrupted plane. Storage was given to a low cabinet below rather than to anything that would break the surface. The tall window sits above the door line to bring light in without adding another opening at eye level, where the wall is doing compositional work. Licensed general contractor, CSLB #1143420. Diamond Certified.

Photo: Nanette Wong © 2014 Houzz
Eclectic dining room photo in San Francisco

Staircase - coastal staircase idea in Boston

Already partially enclosed by an ipe fence and concrete wall, our client had a vision of an outdoor courtyard for entertaining on warm summer evenings since the space would be shaded by the house in the afternoon. He imagined the space with a water feature, lighting and paving surrounded by plants. With our marching orders in place, we drew up a schematic plan quickly and met to review two options for the space. These options quickly coalesced and combined into a single vision for the space. A thick, 60” tall concrete wall would enclose the opening to the street – creating privacy and security, and making a bold statement. We knew the gate had to be interesting enough to stand up to the large concrete walls on either side, so we designed and had custom fabricated by Dennis Schleder (www.dennisschleder.com) a beautiful, visually dynamic metal gate. Other touches include drought tolerant planting, bluestone paving with pebble accents, crushed granite paving, LED accent lighting, and outdoor furniture. Both existing trees were retained and are thriving with their new soil. Photography by: http://www.coreenschmidt.com/

Taragano Design & Build framing a detached accessory dwelling unit in Contra Costa County, California. An ADU is ground up construction on a lot that already has a house on it, and that is the part homeowners underestimate. New foundation, new framing, new service connections, all fitted into whatever space the setbacks leave behind an existing structure. The foundation determines the schedule more than anything else. Soil across much of this county is expansive clay, which means footing depth and reinforcement come out of a soils report rather than a standard detail. That report happens early, because what it says can change the design. Roof form was set at the framing stage rather than adjusted later. The shed slope pitches away from the main house, which keeps water off the existing structure and lets the tall wall face the yard where the glass goes. Detached units frequently need their own address and their own electrical meter, and in some cases a separate county permit after the city permit. Requirements vary by jurisdiction, so we confirm them in writing during design. Licensed general contractor, CSLB #1143420. Diamond Certified.

Example of a large classic wooden u-shaped wood railing staircase design in Boston with painted risers