Custom Home in Jackson Hole, WY Ward + Blake Architects JK Lawrence Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary beige one-story mixed siding house exterior remodel in Other with a shed roof

The Challenge: Create a rugged yet warm farmhouse feel in a high rise tower. Start with an entire 9600 gross square foot penthouse floor of raw concrete floor, walls and ceiling. Devise inventive ways to address intractable existing conditions including a plumbing layout inconsistent with our Client program, a relatively low ceiling and a massive elevator core and yet take of advantage of panoramic views of the city from all sides. For example, rather than make a bulky drywall enclosure for existing pipes that poke thru the kitchen counter, they are wrapped with antique painted galvanized sheet metal to keep sight lines around the corner as open as possible. Or, transform an unattractive and inconveniently located 24” diameter vertical duct in the middle of Samantha’s and Hannah’s (grandchildren’s) guest bedroom into part of a lovely arched top bed nook. Or, disguise a chase for above floor plumbing runs as the base for an open buffet counter. The oppressive elevator lobby was shortened; terminating in handmade glass and steel garden doors at both ends. Custom details include a groined vaulted ceiling and arched openings with stone pilasters (for future trompe-l’oeil images of a Tuscany countryside). To maximize a feeling of height, the ceilings start low and get higher as they progress to the outside walls. The Program: Create a five bedroom condo for an elderly couple with specific and different needs. Mr. likes his privacy and to stay up late into the night on the internet. He likes order. Mrs. has some physical limits that have been addressed in various ways such as shorter travel distances, a step down shower, raised dishwasher and custom cast (to ensure that they won’t rust) iron grab bars. She prefers more disorder. Spaces should be visually arresting, full of detail and easy to maintain. Private spaces include separate master bathrooms, his and her offices and a multi screened Media Room. The balance of the floor must link spaces into one continuous open room along the south and east elevations using large elements yet keeping an intimate scale, sound control and privacy. For example, a substantial fireplace made of old barn timber framing, country stone and a hammered iron grill is strategically located at the critical Southeast corner. Above, black iron offset pintel hardware allow custom double doors to hide a large flat screen TV. High technology is in place for inconspicuous yet easy use. Icon driven key pads operate lighting, window treatments, audio visual systems with multiple sources and access to movie and music databases and five HVAC zones with independent humidity controls. Outstanding Features: Exterior masonry walls have stone culled from five quarries. Sprinkled throughout are surprises - bricks with words as messages from the past, wood trimmed niches and colored glass. Glass pieces set in window corners offer bursts of color when backlit by the sun. These materials are assembled in a rough irregular fashion to look like the work of a mason from the Italian countryside. Interior ceilings and walls have overlapping layers of two plaster colors. Perimeter ceilings are made of smooth random width cedar. Rough planed cedar beams hide ductwork and allow the maximum ceiling height between them. Custom details are everywhere-consider the ten foot barn doors on overhead track at the service elevator, cedar benches/storage areas that run below window banks, antique air registers, acid washed piano hinges and transom window operators and existing concrete piers that are featured instead of hidden. The floors are made of random width wide plank old oak with hand planed faces and edges. Overall, the elements were carefully selected or painted/stained to form a soft muted gray palate The Country kitchen features an old fashioned style ice box appearance for the refrigerator/freezer, a tin ceiling, a distressed assortment of cabinets in multiple heights, colors and woods such as the cherry wood buffet cabinet with sliding glass doors on both sides. A backlit breakfast counter, a hammered copper hood and chicken wire inserts are part of the effort to make a comfortable, eclectic old fashioned looking Kitchen while containing the latest appliances and storage systems. Awards: This project has won several kitchen and bath awards: Felman Kitchen Awards 2009 St. Louis Homes and Lifestyles Kitchen of the Year – Gold Award 2008-2009 SubZero Wolf Kitchen Design Contest – Regional Winner, Regional Designer’s Choice 2010 NKBA Art of the Industry – Pinnacle of Design Award 2010 NKBA Art of the Industry – First Place Medium Kitchen 2010 NKBA Art of the Industry – Consumer’s Choice Award 2010 K&BB Kitchen of the Year Award Felman Bath Awards 2010 Ladue News Award—Master Bathroom

This is a modern kitchen by Clever Storage featuring the LeMans blind corner pull out storage system.
Example of a minimalist kitchen design in Wilmington

Don't forget about those left over spaces in your back yard. Winding gravel paths with shade plantings under existing trees offer unique opportunites for garden spaces.

The Challenge: Create a rugged yet warm farmhouse feel in a high rise tower. Start with an entire 9600 gross square foot penthouse floor of raw concrete floor, walls and ceiling. Devise inventive ways to address intractable existing conditions including a plumbing layout inconsistent with our Client program, a relatively low ceiling and a massive elevator core and yet take of advantage of panoramic views of the city from all sides. For example, rather than make a bulky drywall enclosure for existing pipes that poke thru the kitchen counter, they are wrapped with antique painted galvanized sheet metal to keep sight lines around the corner as open as possible. Or, transform an unattractive and inconveniently located 24” diameter vertical duct in the middle of Samantha’s and Hannah’s (grandchildren’s) guest bedroom into part of a lovely arched top bed nook. Or, disguise a chase for above floor plumbing runs as the base for an open buffet counter. The oppressive elevator lobby was shortened; terminating in handmade glass and steel garden doors at both ends. Custom details include a groined vaulted ceiling and arched openings with stone pilasters (for future trompe-l’oeil images of a Tuscany countryside). To maximize a feeling of height, the ceilings start low and get higher as they progress to the outside walls. The Program: Create a five bedroom condo for an elderly couple with specific and different needs. Mr. likes his privacy and to stay up late into the night on the internet. He likes order. Mrs. has some physical limits that have been addressed in various ways such as shorter travel distances, a step down shower, raised dishwasher and custom cast (to ensure that they won’t rust) iron grab bars. She prefers more disorder. Spaces should be visually arresting, full of detail and easy to maintain. Private spaces include separate master bathrooms, his and her offices and a multi screened Media Room. The balance of the floor must link spaces into one continuous open room along the south and east elevations using large elements yet keeping an intimate scale, sound control and privacy. For example, a substantial fireplace made of old barn timber framing, country stone and a hammered iron grill is strategically located at the critical Southeast corner. Above, black iron offset pintel hardware allow custom double doors to hide a large flat screen TV. High technology is in place for inconspicuous yet easy use. Icon driven key pads operate lighting, window treatments, audio visual systems with multiple sources and access to movie and music databases and five HVAC zones with independent humidity controls. Outstanding Features: Exterior masonry walls have stone culled from five quarries. Sprinkled throughout are surprises - bricks with words as messages from the past, wood trimmed niches and colored glass. Glass pieces set in window corners offer bursts of color when backlit by the sun. These materials are assembled in a rough irregular fashion to look like the work of a mason from the Italian countryside. Interior ceilings and walls have overlapping layers of two plaster colors. Perimeter ceilings are made of smooth random width cedar. Rough planed cedar beams hide ductwork and allow the maximum ceiling height between them. Custom details are everywhere-consider the ten foot barn doors on overhead track at the service elevator, cedar benches/storage areas that run below window banks, antique air registers, acid washed piano hinges and transom window operators and existing concrete piers that are featured instead of hidden. The floors are made of random width wide plank old oak with hand planed faces and edges. Overall, the elements were carefully selected or painted/stained to form a soft muted gray palate The Country kitchen features an old fashioned style ice box appearance for the refrigerator/freezer, a tin ceiling, a distressed assortment of cabinets in multiple heights, colors and woods such as the cherry wood buffet cabinet with sliding glass doors on both sides. A backlit breakfast counter, a hammered copper hood and chicken wire inserts are part of the effort to make a comfortable, eclectic old fashioned looking Kitchen while containing the latest appliances and storage systems. Awards: This project has won several kitchen and bath awards: Felman Kitchen Awards 2009 St. Louis Homes and Lifestyles Kitchen of the Year – Gold Award 2008-2009 SubZero Wolf Kitchen Design Contest – Regional Winner, Regional Designer’s Choice 2010 NKBA Art of the Industry – Pinnacle of Design Award 2010 NKBA Art of the Industry – First Place Medium Kitchen 2010 NKBA Art of the Industry – Consumer’s Choice Award 2010 K&BB Kitchen of the Year Award Felman Bath Awards 2010 Ladue News Award—Master Bathroom

Photography: Shelly Mosman, Photos published in Artful Living Magazine Summer 2011
Elegant family room photo in Minneapolis with beige walls

The Challenge: Create a rugged yet warm farmhouse feel in a high rise tower. Start with an entire 9600 gross square foot penthouse floor of raw concrete floor, walls and ceiling. Devise inventive ways to address intractable existing conditions including a plumbing layout inconsistent with our Client program, a relatively low ceiling and a massive elevator core and yet take of advantage of panoramic views of the city from all sides. For example, rather than make a bulky drywall enclosure for existing pipes that poke thru the kitchen counter, they are wrapped with antique painted galvanized sheet metal to keep sight lines around the corner as open as possible. Or, transform an unattractive and inconveniently located 24” diameter vertical duct in the middle of Samantha’s and Hannah’s (grandchildren’s) guest bedroom into part of a lovely arched top bed nook. Or, disguise a chase for above floor plumbing runs as the base for an open buffet counter. The oppressive elevator lobby was shortened; terminating in handmade glass and steel garden doors at both ends. Custom details include a groined vaulted ceiling and arched openings with stone pilasters (for future trompe-l’oeil images of a Tuscany countryside). To maximize a feeling of height, the ceilings start low and get higher as they progress to the outside walls. The Program: Create a five bedroom condo for an elderly couple with specific and different needs. Mr. likes his privacy and to stay up late into the night on the internet. He likes order. Mrs. has some physical limits that have been addressed in various ways such as shorter travel distances, a step down shower, raised dishwasher and custom cast (to ensure that they won’t rust) iron grab bars. She prefers more disorder. Spaces should be visually arresting, full of detail and easy to maintain. Private spaces include separate master bathrooms, his and her offices and a multi screened Media Room. The balance of the floor must link spaces into one continuous open room along the south and east elevations using large elements yet keeping an intimate scale, sound control and privacy. For example, a substantial fireplace made of old barn timber framing, country stone and a hammered iron grill is strategically located at the critical Southeast corner. Above, black iron offset pintel hardware allow custom double doors to hide a large flat screen TV. High technology is in place for inconspicuous yet easy use. Icon driven key pads operate lighting, window treatments, audio visual systems with multiple sources and access to movie and music databases and five HVAC zones with independent humidity controls. Outstanding Features: Exterior masonry walls have stone culled from five quarries. Sprinkled throughout are surprises - bricks with words as messages from the past, wood trimmed niches and colored glass. Glass pieces set in window corners offer bursts of color when backlit by the sun. These materials are assembled in a rough irregular fashion to look like the work of a mason from the Italian countryside. Interior ceilings and walls have overlapping layers of two plaster colors. Perimeter ceilings are made of smooth random width cedar. Rough planed cedar beams hide ductwork and allow the maximum ceiling height between them. Custom details are everywhere-consider the ten foot barn doors on overhead track at the service elevator, cedar benches/storage areas that run below window banks, antique air registers, acid washed piano hinges and transom window operators and existing concrete piers that are featured instead of hidden. The floors are made of random width wide plank old oak with hand planed faces and edges. Overall, the elements were carefully selected or painted/stained to form a soft muted gray palate The Country kitchen features an old fashioned style ice box appearance for the refrigerator/freezer, a tin ceiling, a distressed assortment of cabinets in multiple heights, colors and woods such as the cherry wood buffet cabinet with sliding glass doors on both sides. A backlit breakfast counter, a hammered copper hood and chicken wire inserts are part of the effort to make a comfortable, eclectic old fashioned looking Kitchen while containing the latest appliances and storage systems. Awards: This project has won several kitchen and bath awards: Felman Kitchen Awards 2009 St. Louis Homes and Lifestyles Kitchen of the Year – Gold Award 2008-2009 SubZero Wolf Kitchen Design Contest – Regional Winner, Regional Designer’s Choice 2010 NKBA Art of the Industry – Pinnacle of Design Award 2010 NKBA Art of the Industry – First Place Medium Kitchen 2010 NKBA Art of the Industry – Consumer’s Choice Award 2010 K&BB Kitchen of the Year Award Felman Bath Awards 2010 Ladue News Award—Master Bathroom

Photo by Peter Molick
Inspiration for an industrial living room library remodel in Houston with a concealed tv

Photo: Jasmine Law
Trendy staircase photo in San Francisco

Renovation by CRG Companies Photos by Robyn Pigott
Inspiration for a coastal bedroom remodel in Charleston

This home lies within a 10 acre Ocean facing property on the beautiful Island of Kauai. The first floor sleeping areas are all accessed independently by exiting the main great room, kitchen and entertainment area of the home and traveling one of the protected exterior corridors to the 'quiet' area of the home. The second floor of the home is completely dedicated to the master suite.

A Russian Doll themed birthday party complete with food for even the fussiest of toddlers.
Kids' room - eclectic kids' room idea in San Francisco

This television viewing area, which looks out on the pool, incorporates the family's existing Ethan Allen leather sectional and tables. Custom pillows in shades of rich red and brown add texture and color. Abstract art flanks the windows which are dressed in Hunter Douglas woven wood shades with independently operating blackout liners. Furniture, accents, pillows and blinds through Jeanne Johnston, Ethan Allen Pittsburgh.

Polished concrete floor and floor-to-ceiling windows gives a sense of spaciousness
Living room - mid-sized contemporary open concept living room idea in Perth with a corner fireplace and a metal fireplace

AN INNOVATIVE NEW CONCEPT FROM METRIC HOMES From the outside it looks like a large single family home so it fits with the family home subdivision profile that it's built amongst but really it is two completely separate dwellings with their own private entrances plus common areas between them. Each home also has its own electrical, water and heating system allowing for two family groups to live independently of each other. There's also fireproofing between each home for added security. THE TWO HOMES IN ONE ADVANTAGE By pooling resources with the older generation, adult children and their families can live in a neighbourhood that may be beyond their reach otherwise. Backyard facilities (e.g. decks, pools) can also be shared from a cost and maintenance perspective. The older generation may not want to live in an ‘adult lifestyle' community and can continue to live in a regular neighbourhood with help on hand with the yard that perhaps they can't or don't want to maintain anymore. By contracting nursing help a nursing home could be avoided altogether. Grandparents see more of their grandchildren. Also parents wishing to travel have the added security of not leaving their home empty for weeks or even months at a time. DESIGN There are different ways and lots of flexibility to achieve a home within a home from the two storey home with a bachelor apartment or bungalow attached to two completely separate but attached two storey family homes. Whether the Home Within A Home concept is a way for you and your family to assist each other in achieving your dream lifestyle in your dream location or a way for adult children to help their aging parents remain independent indefinitely, by being close on hand for day to day tasks, a Home Within A Home provides a greater sense of family for all of the generations! As with all Metric homes we work with you to custom design the exact homes to meet your requirements. Click on the link for some design inspiration.

AN INNOVATIVE NEW CONCEPT FROM METRIC HOMES From the outside it looks like a large single family home so it fits with the family home subdivision profile that it's built amongst but really it is two completely separate dwellings with their own private entrances plus common areas between them. Each home also has its own electrical, water and heating system allowing for two family groups to live independently of each other. There's also fireproofing between each home for added security. THE TWO HOMES IN ONE ADVANTAGE By pooling resources with the older generation, adult children and their families can live in a neighbourhood that may be beyond their reach otherwise. Backyard facilities (e.g. decks, pools) can also be shared from a cost and maintenance perspective. The older generation may not want to live in an ‘adult lifestyle' community and can continue to live in a regular neighbourhood with help on hand with the yard that perhaps they can't or don't want to maintain anymore. By contracting nursing help a nursing home could be avoided altogether. Grandparents see more of their grandchildren. Also parents wishing to travel have the added security of not leaving their home empty for weeks or even months at a time. DESIGN There are different ways and lots of flexibility to achieve a home within a home from the two storey home with a bachelor apartment or bungalow attached to two completely separate but attached two storey family homes. Whether the Home Within A Home concept is a way for you and your family to assist each other in achieving your dream lifestyle in your dream location or a way for adult children to help their aging parents remain independent indefinitely, by being close on hand for day to day tasks, a Home Within A Home provides a greater sense of family for all of the generations! As with all Metric homes we work with you to custom design the exact homes to meet your requirements. Click on the link for some design inspiration.

AN INNOVATIVE NEW CONCEPT FROM METRIC HOMES From the outside it looks like a large single family home so it fits with the family home subdivision profile that it's built amongst but really it is two completely separate dwellings with their own private entrances plus common areas between them. Each home also has its own electrical, water and heating system allowing for two family groups to live independently of each other. There's also fireproofing between each home for added security. THE TWO HOMES IN ONE ADVANTAGE By pooling resources with the older generation, adult children and their families can live in a neighbourhood that may be beyond their reach otherwise. Backyard facilities (e.g. decks, pools) can also be shared from a cost and maintenance perspective. The older generation may not want to live in an ‘adult lifestyle' community and can continue to live in a regular neighbourhood with help on hand with the yard that perhaps they can't or don't want to maintain anymore. By contracting nursing help a nursing home could be avoided altogether. Grandparents see more of their grandchildren. Also parents wishing to travel have the added security of not leaving their home empty for weeks or even months at a time. DESIGN There are different ways and lots of flexibility to achieve a home within a home from the two storey home with a bachelor apartment or bungalow attached to two completely separate but attached two storey family homes. Whether the Home Within A Home concept is a way for you and your family to assist each other in achieving your dream lifestyle in your dream location or a way for adult children to help their aging parents remain independent indefinitely, by being close on hand for day to day tasks, a Home Within A Home provides a greater sense of family for all of the generations! As with all Metric homes we work with you to custom design the exact homes to meet your requirements. Click on the link for some design inspiration.

AN INNOVATIVE NEW CONCEPT FROM METRIC HOMES From the outside it looks like a large single family home so it fits with the family home subdivision profile that it's built amongst but really it is two completely separate dwellings with their own private entrances plus common areas between them. Each home also has its own electrical, water and heating system allowing for two family groups to live independently of each other. There's also fireproofing between each home for added security. THE TWO HOMES IN ONE ADVANTAGE By pooling resources with the older generation, adult children and their families can live in a neighbourhood that may be beyond their reach otherwise. Backyard facilities (e.g. decks, pools) can also be shared from a cost and maintenance perspective. The older generation may not want to live in an ‘adult lifestyle' community and can continue to live in a regular neighbourhood with help on hand with the yard that perhaps they can't or don't want to maintain anymore. By contracting nursing help a nursing home could be avoided altogether. Grandparents see more of their grandchildren. Also parents wishing to travel have the added security of not leaving their home empty for weeks or even months at a time. DESIGN There are different ways and lots of flexibility to achieve a home within a home from the two storey home with a bachelor apartment or bungalow attached to two completely separate but attached two storey family homes. Whether the Home Within A Home concept is a way for you and your family to assist each other in achieving your dream lifestyle in your dream location or a way for adult children to help their aging parents remain independent indefinitely, by being close on hand for day to day tasks, a Home Within A Home provides a greater sense of family for all of the generations! As with all Metric homes we work with you to custom design the exact homes to meet your requirements. Click on the link for some design inspiration.

AN INNOVATIVE NEW CONCEPT FROM METRIC HOMES From the outside it looks like a large single family home so it fits with the family home subdivision profile that it's built amongst but really it is two completely separate dwellings with their own private entrances plus common areas between them. Each home also has its own electrical, water and heating system allowing for two family groups to live independently of each other. There's also fireproofing between each home for added security. THE TWO HOMES IN ONE ADVANTAGE By pooling resources with the older generation, adult children and their families can live in a neighbourhood that may be beyond their reach otherwise. Backyard facilities (e.g. decks, pools) can also be shared from a cost and maintenance perspective. The older generation may not want to live in an ‘adult lifestyle' community and can continue to live in a regular neighbourhood with help on hand with the yard that perhaps they can't or don't want to maintain anymore. By contracting nursing help a nursing home could be avoided altogether. Grandparents see more of their grandchildren. Also parents wishing to travel have the added security of not leaving their home empty for weeks or even months at a time. DESIGN There are different ways and lots of flexibility to achieve a home within a home from the two storey home with a bachelor apartment or bungalow attached to two completely separate but attached two storey family homes. Whether the Home Within A Home concept is a way for you and your family to assist each other in achieving your dream lifestyle in your dream location or a way for adult children to help their aging parents remain independent indefinitely, by being close on hand for day to day tasks, a Home Within A Home provides a greater sense of family for all of the generations! As with all Metric homes we work with you to custom design the exact homes to meet your requirements. Click on the link for some design inspiration.