Located on farmland in McLean, Virginia, the American Farmhouse balances the expected comforts of a new home with the bucolic beauty of an old farmhouse. The final site plan still has evidence showing parallel courses of the barn’s destiny. The house mass is broken and lowered so that the home can remain secondary to the monolithic barn structure. Earthy and elemental materials are selected for the home that reference the barn without directly mimicking it. Wooden members found inside the barn and from other barns bridge ceilings and are used in floors along with rustic slate adding to a sense of simplicity to the farmhouse design. The age and patina of the barn is reflected in the house’s textural use of board and batten and field stone layered similar to stone foundations. The original development plan was to demolish the existing barn and construct three suburban homes. Part of an endangered breed, as one of the few remaining barns in the area, it was originally viewed as a challenge in a luxury home construction with several difficulties posed to the impending project: it would be expensive to renovate, vulnerable to demolition, and threatened by urban sprawl. However, instead of trying to alter or destroy the barn, the structure was fully embraced into the traditional architecture project as a centerpiece and was used as the inspiration for the home. The new house was sited parallel to the barn so that views to the barn gable were accessible.

Located on farmland in McLean, Virginia, the American Farmhouse balances the expected comforts of a new home with the bucolic beauty of an old farmhouse. The final site plan still has evidence showing parallel courses of the barn’s destiny. The house mass is broken and lowered so that the home can remain secondary to the monolithic barn structure. Earthy and elemental materials are selected for the home that reference the barn without directly mimicking it. Wooden members found inside the barn and from other barns bridge ceilings and are used in floors along with rustic slate adding to a sense of simplicity to the farmhouse design. The age and patina of the barn is reflected in the house’s textural use of board and batten and field stone layered similar to stone foundations. The original development plan was to demolish the existing barn and construct three suburban homes. Part of an endangered breed, as one of the few remaining barns in the area, it was originally viewed as a challenge in a luxury home construction with several difficulties posed to the impending project: it would be expensive to renovate, vulnerable to demolition, and threatened by urban sprawl. However, instead of trying to alter or destroy the barn, the structure was fully embraced into the traditional architecture project as a centerpiece and was used as the inspiration for the home. The new house was sited parallel to the barn so that views to the barn gable were accessible.

Shingle siding close upA Cape Cod style house with Alside Pelican Bay cedar shake siding, Color: Cape Cod Gray. Installed by Sidetex in North Haven CT 06473

Located on farmland in McLean, Virginia, the American Farmhouse balances the expected comforts of a new home with the bucolic beauty of an old farmhouse. The final site plan still has evidence showing parallel courses of the barn’s destiny. The house mass is broken and lowered so that the home can remain secondary to the monolithic barn structure. Earthy and elemental materials are selected for the home that reference the barn without directly mimicking it. Wooden members found inside the barn and from other barns bridge ceilings and are used in floors along with rustic slate adding to a sense of simplicity to the farmhouse design. The age and patina of the barn is reflected in the house’s textural use of board and batten and field stone layered similar to stone foundations. The original development plan was to demolish the existing barn and construct three suburban homes. Part of an endangered breed, as one of the few remaining barns in the area, it was originally viewed as a challenge in a luxury home construction with several difficulties posed to the impending project: it would be expensive to renovate, vulnerable to demolition, and threatened by urban sprawl. However, instead of trying to alter or destroy the barn, the structure was fully embraced into the traditional architecture project as a centerpiece and was used as the inspiration for the home. The new house was sited parallel to the barn so that views to the barn gable were accessible.

Located on farmland in McLean, Virginia, the American Farmhouse balances the expected comforts of a new home with the bucolic beauty of an old farmhouse. The final site plan still has evidence showing parallel courses of the barn’s destiny. The house mass is broken and lowered so that the home can remain secondary to the monolithic barn structure. Earthy and elemental materials are selected for the home that reference the barn without directly mimicking it. Wooden members found inside the barn and from other barns bridge ceilings and are used in floors along with rustic slate adding to a sense of simplicity to the farmhouse design. The age and patina of the barn is reflected in the house’s textural use of board and batten and field stone layered similar to stone foundations. The original development plan was to demolish the existing barn and construct three suburban homes. Part of an endangered breed, as one of the few remaining barns in the area, it was originally viewed as a challenge in a luxury home construction with several difficulties posed to the impending project: it would be expensive to renovate, vulnerable to demolition, and threatened by urban sprawl. However, instead of trying to alter or destroy the barn, the structure was fully embraced into the traditional architecture project as a centerpiece and was used as the inspiration for the home. The new house was sited parallel to the barn so that views to the barn gable were accessible.

With only twelve days to decorate this house from drab to FAB, My Favorite Design, Inc. wanted to impress London clients with a bold, daring black and white design, with a touch of red.

Simon Devitt
Staircase - coastal staircase idea in Auckland

Example of a farmhouse staircase design in San Francisco

Hallway - modern hallway idea in Houston

Paul Hester
Example of a trendy staircase design in Austin

Andrew Pogue Photography
Large trendy black three-story stucco flat roof photo in Seattle

“The organic and ever changing colors and shapes of Venice”… I am not sure if I am the first to describe Venice as “organic”; however, there has never been a more perfect description to define Venice’s ever changing persona. Venice is perhaps the most uniquely iconic seaside city in the world, and its impression changes by the minute with the ever changing light and active tide coming in and out. Flying into Venice via the USA, I was met with torrential rains in the early morning, which finally gave way to afternoon sunshine. The creaky, wet, gloomy, old, decaying Venice sinking and soaking in the morning rain… opened like flower petals in the springtime at first glimpse of sunlight. The organic lagoon began to blossom as if the decay became antique, the gloom became passion, the creaky became sweet sounds, and the desperate island illuminated with life, color, and hope. This image was taken along a small canal in front of The Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (St. Mary of the Friars), known locally as Frari, one of the great churches of Venice. Ironically, before my Italian journey, I read Rick Steves travel book on Italy and watched all of his shows made in Italy. It seemed every American tourist had his book in their hands following closely every piece of advice he offered. As I pondered my impending images, I looked up and there was Rick about 20 feet in front of me. Sometimes one has moments of brilliance, and mine was to yell…”hey Rick” and snap a photo when he looked. He actually smiled as I walked up and shook his hand, and dumbfoundedly I shared how much he contributed to my trip. He was very gracious as we spoke for about five minutes and then he continued producing his next PBS show on the Venice Lagoon including his favorite church, Frari. As I walked away shocked by my accidental meeting, the clouds parted and the light struck a perfect note along this tiny majestic canal.

Waterview Times Two It is all about view here where river meets sea. The “new home” (actually an addition) is well-positioned on the site. Views are framed in traditional double hung windows with a six lites over one lite configuration. The waterside elevations are clad in a variety of multi-leaf sliding glass doors for view and access to the outdoor decks. For these glass panels, a simple “top row” of lites fits the bill. Here they seem to say, “I’m a traditionalist, but I’m walking a modern edge along the shore to promote better view, light and connection to the water.” The views require no detailing or enhancements, but the house does. The roofline is unmistakably traditional. It keeps the roof line low, a must for a structure designed to conform with the FEMA prescribed BFE (Base Flood Elevation.) The exterior comes to life thanks to generous trim at the rake, fascia, soffits and frieze boards of the traditional gambrel roof. A skin of cedar shingles at 5” exposure reinforces the site-specific design. As you look around everywhere on this vacation peninsula, you’ll notice the consistency of weathered shingled exteriors. Its “dormered” second floor is tucked nicely in the roofline to also make sure it fits within the context of the neighboring older homes. Because the coastal FEMA regulations pushed our home higher from the surrounding ground and safely from the impending storm surges, expansive decks extend along the water side. The decks are our de facto landscape and outdoor rooms. They are positioned vertically two stair risers below the finished first floor. The drop in deck heights preserves interior views over furniture and guests from inside the home. Steel cable railings provide a see-through safety “guard” as required by the building codes. The open plan on the interior provides the perpetual connection to the water. View dominates and directs the floor plan. Symmetrical window groupings will organize the first-floor plan. There will be plenty of space to handle the guests, but its mission is to provide good order for day to day living for just the homeowners themselves. Beds on the upper level are positioned with view in mind too. Waking up to the sun reflecting off the water is opportunity not to pass up. With the dust and noise finally behind us, we begin our plan for phase two. More Updates coming soon!

Large transitional gray one-story mixed siding house exterior idea with a hip roof and a shingle roof

Stainless Steel Spiral Rail Corona Del Mar
Staircase - contemporary staircase idea in Orange County

Photo of a mid-sized rustic partial sun backyard mulch outdoor playset.

This commission was created to be the focal point in a living room. The couple I created it for had seen one of my paintings that they really liked. It just wasn't big enough to suit their circumstances. I recreated a similar acrylic painting 54"x 54" . It features marine navy blue, teal, cerulean blue, silver metallic and a bit of yellow orange. Pawley's Winter Revisited Photo by Artist

This 30" x 24" abstract acrylic painting has been done in shades of cobalt blue, sky blue, citrine, chartreuse, white, soft sea green, and royal blue. Finished in gloss varnish to protect the piece from dust and UV light for years to come. Can be hung vertically or horizontally. Gorgeous vivid rich colors in a great contemporary style.

This 50" x 42" window, "Off On Another Of His Tangents", needed to perform a dual function; The client wanted a bold artwork for the stairwell landing that also had to allow the view of their surrounding property and its rolling hills to be featured. The design represents the ascension from the first floor to the second, with a wide swath of negative space to capture the view. The earth-tone colors were inspired by the palette of a very well known artist's canvas which hangs in close proximity to this space.