Originally from Hawaii, my clients wanted to incorporate the warmth and color of the islands into their California ranch home. Their requests: • Comfortable, serene, uncluttered design • Natural elements • Kitchen more open to dining • Arrangement to accommodate new flat-screen TV viewing Hosting constant visitors, my clients live in their kitchen and enjoy cooking. For Hawaiian colors, I used green quartz, glass tile and counters, iroko flooring, hemlock cabinets, and an unusual slate limestone. To create a lighter, more welcoming space I removed the wall between the dining room and kitchen and increased the entry wall length to create a better kitchen/dining/entry relationship. I added a wall between the family room and kitchen to house tall kitchen elements on one side and TV equipment on the other, as well as create a natural transition for the ceiling height changes. Features: • Ventilated drawers • Composting sink • Energy-efficient lighting • Silent hood and dishwasher When it came to their master bath, my clients requested: • Spa-feeling • Shower for two • Functional makeup area • Two sinks • Linen storage • Walk-in closet • Separate toilet compartment • Door to backyard for pool access. I rearranged the space for convenience and function and created an open shower with double rain and hand-showers, a shallow makeup counter (easy to get close to the mirror), plentiful storage, and seating. Shades of blue and green create a sense of “spa”. Blended textures of honed limestone countertops, slate, glass tile, large-format and mosaic porcelain tile, glass pebbles, granite tile, and ceramic tiles are earthy yet refined. Horizontal patterns create serenity. Storage: • Tall louvered linen cabinet • Flush medicine cabinets • His-and-her pullouts at each end of the vanity • Multiple shower niches • Function-packed walk-in closet • Toilet roll cabinet in toilet vestibule • Bedroom armoire Function: • Seating in shower • Seating in main bath • Convenient towel bars • Silent, powerful vent fans • Good lighting • Textured glass windows add light and privacy. Ed Gohlich photographer

Built by Schumacher Homes, America's Largest Custom Home Builder, this stunning Charleston II American Tradition in Greenville, South Carolina, effortlessly balances traditional architectural details with modern elements. Based on one of our most popular floor plans, the Charleston II offers increased square footage and abundant storage solutions tailored for modern living. The heart of the home is an expansive, open-concept great room defined by classic wall paneling details and a custom iron railing that perfectly completes the home’s refined traditional style. This grand living space flows seamlessly into a chef-ready kitchen equipped with generous counter space, a large central island to gather around, and a giant walk-in pantry. To manage busy family schedules, an oversized laundry and mudroom zone has been upgraded with dramatic floor-to-ceiling tile, a custom bench locker, and integrated coat hooks to keep the home perfectly organized. The thoughtful layout continues with a perfectly placed pocket office, offering a quiet, dedicated space to organize daily tasks or work from home. This pocket office leads gracefully into the luxurious owner’s retreat, a private main-level sanctuary showcasing an expansive primary bath and two large walk-in closets. To elevate the primary suite's design aesthetic, the bedroom features a show-stopping beamed cathedral ceiling that adds striking verticality and architectural detail. A smart split-bedroom layout ensures ultimate privacy for the entire family, keeping the additional secondary bedrooms situated on the completely opposite side of the residence so everyone can enjoy their own independent space.

The Solar Shades may be used in all different sized windows. Whether it is for the indoors or outdoors, these shades protect harmful sun rays to increase your comfort. With a simple tug, you have full control over how much you want your shades to move up or down.

Reimagining an Urban Classic Perched high above San Francisco’s Cow Hollow neighborhood, this meticulously reimagined residence represents a thoughtful transformation of a classic urban home into a contemporary, light-filled sanctuary. The project involved a comprehensive renovation paired with both vertical and horizontal expansion, dramatically increasing the home’s footprint while enhancing its relationship to sweeping views of the Bay, the Palace of Fine Arts, and the surrounding hillside neighborhoods. The design strategy focused on opening the home to light, air, and vistas—elements often constrained in the dense urban fabric of San Francisco. By extending the structure upward and outward, the architects created a dynamic four-level residence that unfolds gradually, culminating in expansive living spaces and rooftop terraces oriented toward panoramic city and water views. Architecture that Frames the View At the heart of the design is a careful orchestration of sightlines and natural light. Large black-framed windows punctuate the façade and interior spaces, deliberately positioned to capture iconic San Francisco vistas while flooding the home with daylight. The architecture prioritizes openness, allowing rooms to flow seamlessly while maintaining a strong visual connection to the surrounding landscape. A dramatic skylight above the central stairwell anchors the vertical circulation of the home. This architectural gesture not only brings daylight deep into the interior but also reinforces the sense of spatial continuity between floors. Warm Modern Interiors Inside, the home balances architectural clarity with warm materiality. Wide-plank oak floors run throughout the residence, creating visual cohesion and grounding the interiors with natural warmth. Custom walnut millwork—integrated shelving, cabinetry, and wall panels—introduces depth and texture while complementing the clean lines of the architecture. The interiors are intentionally restrained yet richly layered. Contemporary furnishings, sculptural lighting, and curated artwork add personality while maintaining the calm, sophisticated palette that defines the home. The Social Heart of the Home The main living level serves as the social centerpiece of the residence. An open-plan kitchen, dining area, and lounge space unfold toward the view, creating an environment that feels both expansive and intimate. A sculptural marble island anchors the kitchen, functioning as both workspace and gathering hub. Surrounded by walnut cabinetry and professional-grade appliances, the kitchen merges elegance with functionality. Above, a cascading chandelier introduces a sense of vertical movement, reflecting the home’s emphasis on light and architectural rhythm. Living areas are arranged to encourage conversation and connection. Generous seating, layered rugs, and thoughtful lighting define distinct zones within the open plan while maintaining uninterrupted sightlines toward the cityscape beyond. Private Retreats Above the City Upper levels of the home are dedicated to quieter, more intimate spaces. The primary suite is conceived as a private retreat, where expansive windows frame treetop views and invite natural light throughout the day. The accompanying bathroom continues the home’s refined material palette. Marble surfaces, warm wood cabinetry, and brushed brass fixtures create a spa-like environment that balances luxury with tranquility. Additional bedrooms and flexible living spaces offer comfort for family and guests, each designed with the same attention to light, proportion, and material richness. Spaces for Entertaining Lower levels provide additional areas for gathering and entertaining. A lounge and bar area offer a relaxed setting for hosting, while custom wine storage adds a sophisticated touch for collectors and enthusiasts. These spaces transition easily to outdoor areas, reinforcing the home’s emphasis on indoor-outdoor living. A Rooftop Above the Neighborhood The transformation extends beyond the interior to include thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces. A landscaped rear yard introduces greenery and privacy at ground level, offering a serene urban escape. Above it all, the rooftop terrace becomes the crown jewel of the residence. Elevated above the neighborhood, it provides sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay and the Palace of Fine Arts. Comfortable seating areas, lush planters, and open sky create an ideal setting for outdoor entertaining, sunset gatherings, or quiet moments overlooking the city. A Contemporary Urban Sanctuary The completed residence demonstrates the power of thoughtful renovation and expansion within a historic urban neighborhood. By combining contemporary architecture, warm materiality, and an intentional relationship to the surrounding landscape, the project transforms a traditional San Francisco home into a modern sanctuary above the city.

Having a great deal of space for outdoor living is wonderful. Your landscape, however compact or vast, can be transformed into a beautiful outdoor room that’s perfect for enjoying our mild southeastern weather. Perfect for entertaining and relaxing, outdoor living areas become an extension of your indoor living space. Outdoor living spaces offer comfort and increase property value with the development of quality outdoor components, furnishings and finishes. Our full-time, professional designers love the challenge of creating unique outdoor living areas that reflect the vision of the client. We specialize in combining privacy and intimacy in each outdoor room, while ensuring that the design offers architectural integrity and complements the main structures. A Simple Patio and Fire Pit, or an Outdoor Kitchen and Outdoor Fireplace? No matter the size of your dream outdoor room, Turf Tamer, Inc. delivers creative living spaces using the finest materials and the latest advancements in outdoor construction.

The homeowners had just purchased this home in El Segundo and they had remodeled the kitchen and one of the bathrooms on their own. However, they had more work to do. They felt that the rest of the project was too big and complex to tackle on their own and so they retained us to take over where they left off. The main focus of the project was to create a master suite and take advantage of the rather large backyard as an extension of their home. They were looking to create a more fluid indoor outdoor space. When adding the new master suite leaving the ceilings vaulted along with French doors give the space a feeling of openness. The window seat was originally designed as an architectural feature for the exterior but turned out to be a benefit to the interior! They wanted a spa feel for their master bathroom utilizing organic finishes. Since the plan is that this will be their forever home a curbless shower was an important feature to them. The glass barn door on the shower makes the space feel larger and allows for the travertine shower tile to show through. Floating shelves and vanity allow the space to feel larger while the natural tones of the porcelain tile floor are calming. The his and hers vessel sinks make the space functional for two people to use it at once. The walk-in closet is open while the master bathroom has a white pocket door for privacy. Since a new master suite was added to the home we converted the existing master bedroom into a family room. Adding French Doors to the family room opened up the floorplan to the outdoors while increasing the amount of natural light in this room. The closet that was previously in the bedroom was converted to built in cabinetry and floating shelves in the family room. The French doors in the master suite and family room now both open to the same deck space. The homes new open floor plan called for a kitchen island to bring the kitchen and dining / great room together. The island is a 3” countertop vs the standard inch and a half. This design feature gives the island a chunky look. It was important that the island look like it was always a part of the kitchen. Lastly, we added a skylight in the corner of the kitchen as it felt dark once we closed off the side door that was there previously. Repurposing rooms and opening the floor plan led to creating a laundry closet out of an old coat closet (and borrowing a small space from the new family room). The floors become an integral part of tying together an open floor plan like this. The home still had original oak floors and the homeowners wanted to maintain that character. We laced in new planks and refinished it all to bring the project together. To add curb appeal we removed the carport which was blocking a lot of natural light from the outside of the house. We also re-stuccoed the home and added exterior trim.

The original house, built in 1989, was designed for the stunning sea views but not for the sun. The owners wanted a warmer, sunny house, with more transparency to enjoy the views from throughout the house. The bottom storey was modified and extended, while most of the upper storey was completely removed and rebuilt. The design utilises part of the original roof form and repeats it to create two roof structures. A flat roofed hallway axis separates them naturally into public and private wings. The use of flat and sloping ceilings creates a richness to the spaces. To maintain privacy while maximising sun, clerestorey windows were used. Double glazing and increased insulation were also added which has created a more comfortable home that maximises the views.

Major alterations to the structure completely changed the way the existing spaces felt and functioned. A pitched ceiling replaced the flat livingroom ceiling. Large sliding doors opened the living room directly onto the deck. This functionally doubled the size of the living areas, despite not increasing the footprint. The master bedroom received large stacking slider opening onto the deck, designed for privacy from the living area. Laundry and kitchen are combined with ample storage behind minimalist cabinetry. Storage and bench space are maximised while keeping everything open and airy. The white cabinetry reduces the bulk of so much storage in a smaller space. New insulation, uPVC windows and energy efficient blinds improved thermal performance. A cold house became warm, inviting,cheaper to heat and cool. The outside of the building received new window frames, colour palette, deck, facade lightling, downpipes and gutters. Retaining cladding + floors made this a cost-effective, + radical transformation.

Reimagining an Urban Classic Perched high above San Francisco’s Cow Hollow neighborhood, this meticulously reimagined residence represents a thoughtful transformation of a classic urban home into a contemporary, light-filled sanctuary. The project involved a comprehensive renovation paired with both vertical and horizontal expansion, dramatically increasing the home’s footprint while enhancing its relationship to sweeping views of the Bay, the Palace of Fine Arts, and the surrounding hillside neighborhoods. The design strategy focused on opening the home to light, air, and vistas—elements often constrained in the dense urban fabric of San Francisco. By extending the structure upward and outward, the architects created a dynamic four-level residence that unfolds gradually, culminating in expansive living spaces and rooftop terraces oriented toward panoramic city and water views. Architecture that Frames the View At the heart of the design is a careful orchestration of sightlines and natural light. Large black-framed windows punctuate the façade and interior spaces, deliberately positioned to capture iconic San Francisco vistas while flooding the home with daylight. The architecture prioritizes openness, allowing rooms to flow seamlessly while maintaining a strong visual connection to the surrounding landscape. A dramatic skylight above the central stairwell anchors the vertical circulation of the home. This architectural gesture not only brings daylight deep into the interior but also reinforces the sense of spatial continuity between floors. Warm Modern Interiors Inside, the home balances architectural clarity with warm materiality. Wide-plank oak floors run throughout the residence, creating visual cohesion and grounding the interiors with natural warmth. Custom walnut millwork—integrated shelving, cabinetry, and wall panels—introduces depth and texture while complementing the clean lines of the architecture. The interiors are intentionally restrained yet richly layered. Contemporary furnishings, sculptural lighting, and curated artwork add personality while maintaining the calm, sophisticated palette that defines the home. The Social Heart of the Home The main living level serves as the social centerpiece of the residence. An open-plan kitchen, dining area, and lounge space unfold toward the view, creating an environment that feels both expansive and intimate. A sculptural marble island anchors the kitchen, functioning as both workspace and gathering hub. Surrounded by walnut cabinetry and professional-grade appliances, the kitchen merges elegance with functionality. Above, a cascading chandelier introduces a sense of vertical movement, reflecting the home’s emphasis on light and architectural rhythm. Living areas are arranged to encourage conversation and connection. Generous seating, layered rugs, and thoughtful lighting define distinct zones within the open plan while maintaining uninterrupted sightlines toward the cityscape beyond. Private Retreats Above the City Upper levels of the home are dedicated to quieter, more intimate spaces. The primary suite is conceived as a private retreat, where expansive windows frame treetop views and invite natural light throughout the day. The accompanying bathroom continues the home’s refined material palette. Marble surfaces, warm wood cabinetry, and brushed brass fixtures create a spa-like environment that balances luxury with tranquility. Additional bedrooms and flexible living spaces offer comfort for family and guests, each designed with the same attention to light, proportion, and material richness. Spaces for Entertaining Lower levels provide additional areas for gathering and entertaining. A lounge and bar area offer a relaxed setting for hosting, while custom wine storage adds a sophisticated touch for collectors and enthusiasts. These spaces transition easily to outdoor areas, reinforcing the home’s emphasis on indoor-outdoor living. A Rooftop Above the Neighborhood The transformation extends beyond the interior to include thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces. A landscaped rear yard introduces greenery and privacy at ground level, offering a serene urban escape. Above it all, the rooftop terrace becomes the crown jewel of the residence. Elevated above the neighborhood, it provides sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay and the Palace of Fine Arts. Comfortable seating areas, lush planters, and open sky create an ideal setting for outdoor entertaining, sunset gatherings, or quiet moments overlooking the city. A Contemporary Urban Sanctuary The completed residence demonstrates the power of thoughtful renovation and expansion within a historic urban neighborhood. By combining contemporary architecture, warm materiality, and an intentional relationship to the surrounding landscape, the project transforms a traditional San Francisco home into a modern sanctuary above the city.

Located in the picturesque landscape of Limassol, Cyprus, residence showcases our experience in blending modern architecture with the rugged beauty of the mountainous terrain. Our approach to this project was guided by the principle of enhancing the natural landscape, rather than imposing on it. The uniqueness of Stone lies in its partial integration into the mountain itself. This design choice not only pays respect to the local geography but also serves practical purposes, offering improved thermal insulation and structural stability. Thoughtful planning of the residence reflects our understanding of the client’s lifestyle and needs. For example, the main entrance, garage, and a dedicated workspace suited for remote work - an increasingly common aspect of modern life - are located on the ground floor. The first floor emphasizes privacy and comfort. The master bedroom, kids‘ bedrooms provide personal space for retreat while a shared terrace connects these spaces, offering stunning mountain views. The basement is where architectural ingenuity truly shines. Envisioned as a space for relaxation and entertaining, this floor seamlessly transitions between indoor and outdoor living. One side of the basement is partially integrated into the mountainside, creating a cozy nook for relaxation, while the other side opens onto a spacious terrace with an open pool and outdoor theater. Size / 810 sq.m. Year / 2024 Location / Limassol, Cyprus

Our clients wanted to increase the size of their shower, omit their whirlpool tub and make better use of the open floor space in their master bathroom. Designer Barbara Bircher, CKD, moved and removed walls to open up the master bath and enlarge the master closet. Pocket doors were used to eliminate door interference with storage accessibility. Barbara created two separate vanity stations for him and her. Rotating the toilet created a more spacious water closet concept while maintaining privacy. The shower was relocated and enlarged to include a bench, which continues under the window and houses individual hampers drawers. This new design included a linen closet tucked in nicely behind the shower. For those of you who are on the fence about removing a whirlpool tub, Steve and Mindy both agree they do not miss their whirlpool tub in any way!!

Reimagining an Urban Classic Perched high above San Francisco’s Cow Hollow neighborhood, this meticulously reimagined residence represents a thoughtful transformation of a classic urban home into a contemporary, light-filled sanctuary. The project involved a comprehensive renovation paired with both vertical and horizontal expansion, dramatically increasing the home’s footprint while enhancing its relationship to sweeping views of the Bay, the Palace of Fine Arts, and the surrounding hillside neighborhoods. The design strategy focused on opening the home to light, air, and vistas—elements often constrained in the dense urban fabric of San Francisco. By extending the structure upward and outward, the architects created a dynamic four-level residence that unfolds gradually, culminating in expansive living spaces and rooftop terraces oriented toward panoramic city and water views. Architecture that Frames the View At the heart of the design is a careful orchestration of sightlines and natural light. Large black-framed windows punctuate the façade and interior spaces, deliberately positioned to capture iconic San Francisco vistas while flooding the home with daylight. The architecture prioritizes openness, allowing rooms to flow seamlessly while maintaining a strong visual connection to the surrounding landscape. A dramatic skylight above the central stairwell anchors the vertical circulation of the home. This architectural gesture not only brings daylight deep into the interior but also reinforces the sense of spatial continuity between floors. Warm Modern Interiors Inside, the home balances architectural clarity with warm materiality. Wide-plank oak floors run throughout the residence, creating visual cohesion and grounding the interiors with natural warmth. Custom walnut millwork—integrated shelving, cabinetry, and wall panels—introduces depth and texture while complementing the clean lines of the architecture. The interiors are intentionally restrained yet richly layered. Contemporary furnishings, sculptural lighting, and curated artwork add personality while maintaining the calm, sophisticated palette that defines the home. The Social Heart of the Home The main living level serves as the social centerpiece of the residence. An open-plan kitchen, dining area, and lounge space unfold toward the view, creating an environment that feels both expansive and intimate. A sculptural marble island anchors the kitchen, functioning as both workspace and gathering hub. Surrounded by walnut cabinetry and professional-grade appliances, the kitchen merges elegance with functionality. Above, a cascading chandelier introduces a sense of vertical movement, reflecting the home’s emphasis on light and architectural rhythm. Living areas are arranged to encourage conversation and connection. Generous seating, layered rugs, and thoughtful lighting define distinct zones within the open plan while maintaining uninterrupted sightlines toward the cityscape beyond. Private Retreats Above the City Upper levels of the home are dedicated to quieter, more intimate spaces. The primary suite is conceived as a private retreat, where expansive windows frame treetop views and invite natural light throughout the day. The accompanying bathroom continues the home’s refined material palette. Marble surfaces, warm wood cabinetry, and brushed brass fixtures create a spa-like environment that balances luxury with tranquility. Additional bedrooms and flexible living spaces offer comfort for family and guests, each designed with the same attention to light, proportion, and material richness. Spaces for Entertaining Lower levels provide additional areas for gathering and entertaining. A lounge and bar area offer a relaxed setting for hosting, while custom wine storage adds a sophisticated touch for collectors and enthusiasts. These spaces transition easily to outdoor areas, reinforcing the home’s emphasis on indoor-outdoor living. A Rooftop Above the Neighborhood The transformation extends beyond the interior to include thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces. A landscaped rear yard introduces greenery and privacy at ground level, offering a serene urban escape. Above it all, the rooftop terrace becomes the crown jewel of the residence. Elevated above the neighborhood, it provides sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay and the Palace of Fine Arts. Comfortable seating areas, lush planters, and open sky create an ideal setting for outdoor entertaining, sunset gatherings, or quiet moments overlooking the city. A Contemporary Urban Sanctuary The completed residence demonstrates the power of thoughtful renovation and expansion within a historic urban neighborhood. By combining contemporary architecture, warm materiality, and an intentional relationship to the surrounding landscape, the project transforms a traditional San Francisco home into a modern sanctuary above the city.

Our goal on this was to leave the area with as much open space as possible. This was because our client loves the view of the lake and property & wanted as much area for family & grand kids to be able to run around & enjoy. We met this challenge by installing large space of beautiful St. Augustine lawn grass. One request was to hide the view of neighbors property by utilizing native vegetation. This was achieved by varying different species of native trees (including 6 Oak species). The staggered placement & size of the trees resembled a native wooded barrier increasing solitude & bliss of privacy. Most trees used were hand picked specimens. Some trees were triple trunk & others were clusters of different trees. The largest was about a 1,200 Gallon container made up of Cypress, Red Oaks & Monterrey Oaks.

CUSTOM DRAPES LIVING ROOM DOORS Goal of the project: The client renovated the whole first floor. The goal was to brighten the the living room of this home in Short Hills, NJ. Letting a lot of light light. And be functional so that it is easy to go in and out the doors. What we recommended: The client went with fully closing drapes on the windows and doors. The Evoque collection has a light sheen. It gives a more formal look to the room. It is a medium weight fabric that offers full privacy, yet lets a lot of light in. The color the client went with is Calm, which is a warm white color. The designer rod with rings in black are connected on the side window and door to give a continuous finished look. Installation: To increase the impression of height, we installed the drapes right under the molding. Since the drapes will be opened and closed frequently, we installed them slightly off the floor. The fabric will therefore remain clean.

This project's goal was to creatively design for family lounging, urban gardening, and managing vehicular movement using architectural cues, wood and stone detailing to develop a seamless, unique layout with limited barriers. Taking advantage of mature vegetation, shade and view into the rear yard beyond the oversized sliding glass doors, we wanted to achieve a yard with limited barriers, soft edges, long vistas and a gentle transition between elevations. Stacking the two air conditioners and integrating elongated raised planters between deck landings with variegated semi-shade grasses anchored in the corner by a Japanese Maple allowed for an open view of the yard. The frosted glass panels increased the amount of light needed while providing the desired privacy for private entertaining and dining. We installed lightweight concrete patio slabs with long gaps to allow water to pass through, reducing pooling water and improving water flow to the large shade tree the client wished to retain. As shade gardens provide challenges, we could capitalize on the morning sun for a vegetable garden. The garden was also a transition corridor to access the custom play feature, lawn and zip-line behind the existing garage. The addition of a custom BBQ and charcoal grill embedded into the counter against the east side property limits stepped with the deck includes storage and additional seating. Finished with stone veneer, wood slats, and multi-sized pebbles retained by a gabion basket was a great contrast of natural finishes seamlessly blended together. Bon Appetit!

Built by Schumacher Homes, America's Largest Custom Home Builder, this stunning Charleston II Modern Hill Country in Franklin, North Carolina, effortlessly balances classic architectural details with modern elements. Based on one of our most popular floor plans, the Charleston II offers increased square footage and abundant storage solutions tailored for modern living. The heart of the home is a chef-ready kitchen equipped with generous counter space, a large central island to gather around, and premium double-stacked cabinets flanking both perimeter walls to maximize storage. The kitchen cabinetry showcases an elegant mix of design textures, featuring sophisticated glass-front doors above the cooktop for a sleek, stylish look, and traditional solid-door double-stacked cabinetry above the refrigerator. Directly off the main kitchen, the giant walk-in pantry has been converted into a dual-purpose space featuring a secondary messy kitchen, allowing all meal prep and cooking clutter to remain hidden behind closed doors while entertaining guests in the main living space. Distinct custom woodwork details elevate the interior architecture throughout the home. Both the great room and the dining room are anchored by matching 3D accent walls featuring a geometric design that adds subtle contrast and high-end visual focal points to the open layout. For those who work from home, a versatile front flex room has been outfitted with custom-built-in shelves and cabinets to create an organized executive study. Additionally, a perfectly placed pocket office provides a dedicated zone for organizing daily tasks before flowing seamlessly into the private owner's retreat, which serves as a main-level sanctuary with its spacious primary bath and two independent walk-in closets. A smart split-bedroom layout places the secondary bedrooms on the completely opposite side of the residence, ensuring ultimate privacy so everyone in the family can enjoy their own space.

This project was the result of the owner’s desire to install a swimming pool and outdoor living space inspired by tropical resorts they had visited on family vacations. The one element asked for specifically was a large waterfall spilling into the pool. The challenge for the designers was how to achieve the look the owner’s wished without the use of clichéd items such as thatched huts and tiki torches. The designers decided lush full plantings using plants found in the northeast region that met certain design criteria would be the primary way of giving the tropical feel. Boulder outcroppings, irregular stone paving and fire bowls along the back of the pool would complete the look. The property is located in a newer subdivision with homes on both sides and a school to the rear. A walkway connects the neighborhood and the school along one side. The desired privacy would be addressed by the placement of plants and trees around the perimeter in mounded beds. Placing the waterfall to the rear of the pool helped block the view of the school beyond. The township had restrictions on the amount of impervious material allowable on site. The patio was designed to the maximum allowable size with square footage going to where it would be most usable. Planting beds were cut into the patio to decrease unnecessary square footage, divide spaces, and allow for more places to add plants and trees. A rectangular swimming pool was chosen to make it easier to install an automatic pool cover. The pool was designed, with input from the landscape designers, and contracted separately by the owner. The landscape designers chose the location of pool and waterfall so that it was prominently placed to be the focal point of the backyard. The pool includes a curving sunbathing shelf running from end to end, finished in a lighter color to make it more visible, with removable umbrellas for shade and to add to the resort feel. To tie into the boulders used throughout the design, a large boulder was used as a substitute for a diving board. The yard sloped down towards the back of the property which required a large amount of soil to be added and large boulder retaining wall along the back. For the planting design, the designers choose to focus on plants with larger leaves, various leaf colors and textures, and plants with large flowers in bold colors. These plants were then arranged into a loose lush planting scheme mixed with more traditional northeast plants such as pines, grasses, and roses. Unique plants such as hardy bananas were added for their tropical and exotic look. The full planting beds help to nestle in and enclose the living space. Broken flagstone was chosen for the patio and intentionally left irregular at the edges. PA flagstone was avoided and a stone with gold and brown tones was chosen. Boulder outcroppings added to the natural and tropical theme. The fire pit was designed with a large built-in bench to increase the amount of seating. The designers chose a rounded smooth shape and incorporated the same stone as the pool coping for the caps and bench. For entertaining guests the outdoor kitchen was outfitted with a large gas grill, beverage taps, refrigerator, sink and a dedicated lobster cooker. The kitchen was finished with granite countertops and stainless steel cabinets. Two strategically placed fire bowls, along with the low voltage lighting, add additional interest to the space at night. While the designers were faced with many challenges the resulting design incorporated enough elements to achieve the desired look and feel. Using plants appropriate to the northeast that fit the design criteria and carefully choosing hardscaping materials was essential. The owner’s feel they now have their own tropical theme resort right in their Pennsylvania backyard.

Built by Schumacher Homes, America's Largest Custom Home Builder, this stunning Charleston II Modern Farmhouse in Whitestown, Indiana, effortlessly balances classic architectural details with modern charm. Based on one of our most popular plans, the Charleston II maximizes spatial volume by increasing ceiling heights throughout both levels. The main living space boasts an expansive, open-concept floor plan featuring 10-foot ceilings throughout, which soar to a dramatic 12 feet across the central great room, kitchen, and bright morning room. Designed for seamless entertaining and effortless organization, the chef-ready kitchen is equipped with abundant counter space, a large central island to gather around, and a giant walk-in pantry. This dual-purpose pantry features a highly functional "messy kitchen" secondary prep zone, brilliantly engineered to keep cooking clutter, meal prep, and mess completely out of sight from the main living area. The thoughtful layout continues with a perfectly placed pocket office, offering a quiet, dedicated space to organize daily tasks or work from home. This pocket office flows gracefully into the luxurious owner’s retreat, a private sanctuary showcasing an expansive primary bath and two large walk-in closets. To elevate the primary suite's design aesthetic, the bedroom features a show-stopping ceiling accented with custom stained wood beams—meticulously finished to match the flooring—with integrated hidden lighting to cast a warm, indirect glow. A smart split-bedroom floor plan ensures ultimate privacy for the entire family, keeping the additional secondary bedrooms situated on the opposite side of the residence so everyone can enjoy their own independent space.

View of outside of house. Screen can be closed to maintain privacy or opened to increase level of light and connection to the street. Photo by Chris Perez.