Transforming the blank canvas of a basic builder’s backyard into a captivating retreat, we turned a grass-dominated space into an effortlessly elegant low-maintenance haven with a distinct Asian flair. At the heart of this metamorphosis is the expanded patio and walkway, featuring offset architectural pavers that not only captivate the eye but also contribute to a dynamic sense of flow throughout the elongated backyard. A key focal point is the thoughtfully designed rain garden, adorned with strategically placed boulders that manages stormwater runoff in an aesthetically pleasing way. The carefully curated plant palette plays a pivotal role in achieving the desired aesthetic. The deliberate choice of low grasses and foliage-forward perennials, coupled with the inclusion of small evergreen plants and vibrant Japanese maples, creates a harmonious blend of colors, shapes, and sizes. This contrasting arrangement not only ensures visual interest year-round but also infuses the space with a timeless allure inspired by Asian design principles. The result is a backyard oasis that transcends the ordinary, offering a serene escape with minimal upkeep requirements. The strategic combination of hardscape elements, lush greenery, and carefully selected plants transforms this space into a sanctuary where the beauty of nature meets the sophistication of thoughtful design.

Charles Davis Smith, AIA
Staircase - contemporary u-shaped open staircase idea in Dallas

"To design a house with a garage, an office, three bedrooms and three bathrooms in a 16-foot-wide space was a challenge. The result is a great way to live downtown." Cecil Baker, Philadelphia Style Magazine 11th Street Residence is one of a series of three townhouses built in the Washington Square West neighborhood of Philadelphia. Once a vacant lot owned by the redevelopment authority, the project was seen as an opportunity to infuse new residential life onto 11th Street. The design of the three 16-foot homes was based on maximum flexibility. The 'residence' is encompassed within the second and third floors; the rear portion of the first floor and the entirety of the fourth floor were offered for customization - either as two office suites, as a standalone rental opportunity (in the case of the first floor), or as expansions of the basic residence. The design resolution of the 11th Street facades attempts to echo the rhythms and materials of the eclectic streetscape without lapsing into historical repetition. Brick, Arriscraft Renaissance masonry units, and Kalwall combine at the exterior to create a thoroughly modern façade in the city. Tom Crane Photography

Classic meets Modern in this West Village historic home renovation! Preserving the character and architectural integrity of this home while updating it for this modern busy family, we infused the design with old world charm but make it hip. We started by ripping everything down to the studs, re-arranging the kitchen for a more open feel, adding an oversized accordion door facing the backyard, and adding a powder room where the hallway used to be. Opening up the 1st floor from front to back allowed the eye to carry along from the entry to the patio. While maintaining a neutral background, we played around with pops of jewel-tones in the accent furniture and art. The stunning Thomas Newman Pearl Chandelier centered the sitting area around the original fireplace. The original vestibule was removed creating an open welcoming foyer, fitted with checkerboard marble floor. While the stairs for all 3 floors of the home were completely reconstructed, we were able to keep the original spindles and handrail, simply updating it with a dramatic black stain.

"To design a house with a garage, an office, three bedrooms and three bathrooms in a 16-foot-wide space was a challenge. The result is a great way to live downtown." Cecil Baker, Philadelphia Style Magazine 11th Street Residence is one of a series of three townhouses built in the Washington Square West neighborhood of Philadelphia. Once a vacant lot owned by the redevelopment authority, the project was seen as an opportunity to infuse new residential life onto 11th Street. The design of the three 16-foot homes was based on maximum flexibility. The 'residence' is encompassed within the second and third floors; the rear portion of the first floor and the entirety of the fourth floor were offered for customization - either as two office suites, as a standalone rental opportunity (in the case of the first floor), or as expansions of the basic residence. The design resolution of the 11th Street facades attempts to echo the rhythms and materials of the eclectic streetscape without lapsing into historical repetition. Brick, Arriscraft Renaissance masonry units, and Kalwall combine at the exterior to create a thoroughly modern façade in the city. Tom Crane Photography

This Westbury NY home was an exciting renovation for an amazing couple looking to clean and brighten up their home. Their desire for a dreamy escape was achieved with large slabs of Calacatta marble on the kitchen counters, and a custom made breakfast table. The crystal sunburst chandelier takes center stage while brass chair details and cabinet hardware add elegance and sophistication. Quirky Fornasetti pottery & pillows, Pops of color in art and accessories along with whimsical wallpapered ceilings are infused throughout; adding an element of fun to this chic home. All elements come together creating a rich, light, airy space with unexpected accents that enliven and breathe excitement into the interiors.

Classic meets Modern in this West Village historic home renovation! Preserving the character and architectural integrity of this home while updating it for this modern busy family, we infused the design with old world charm but make it hip. We started by ripping everything down to the studs, re-arranging the kitchen for a more open feel, adding an oversized accordion door facing the backyard, and adding a powder room where the hallway used to be. Opening up the 1st floor from front to back allowed the eye to carry along from the entry to the patio. While maintaining a neutral background, we played around with pops of jewel-tones in the accent furniture and art. The stunning Thomas Newman Pearl Chandelier centered the sitting area around the original fireplace. The original vestibule was removed creating an open welcoming foyer, fitted with checkerboard marble floor. While the stairs for all 3 floors of the home were completely reconstructed, we were able to keep the original spindles and handrail, simply updating it with a dramatic black stain.

Classic meets Modern in this West Village historic home renovation! Preserving the character and architectural integrity of this home while updating it for this modern busy family, we infused the design with old world charm but make it hip. We started by ripping everything down to the studs, re-arranging the kitchen for a more open feel, adding an oversized accordion door facing the backyard, and adding a powder room where the hallway used to be. Opening up the 1st floor from front to back allowed the eye to carry along from the entry to the patio. While maintaining a neutral background, we played around with pops of jewel-tones in the accent furniture and art. The stunning Thomas Newman Pearl Chandelier centered the sitting area around the original fireplace. The original vestibule was removed creating an open welcoming foyer, fitted with checkerboard marble floor. While the stairs for all 3 floors of the home were completely reconstructed, we were able to keep the original spindles and handrail, simply updating it with a dramatic black stain.

"To design a house with a garage, an office, three bedrooms and three bathrooms in a 16-foot-wide space was a challenge. The result is a great way to live downtown." Cecil Baker, Philadelphia Style Magazine 11th Street Residence is one of a series of three townhouses built in the Washington Square West neighborhood of Philadelphia. Once a vacant lot owned by the redevelopment authority, the project was seen as an opportunity to infuse new residential life onto 11th Street. The design of the three 16-foot homes was based on maximum flexibility. The 'residence' is encompassed within the second and third floors; the rear portion of the first floor and the entirety of the fourth floor were offered for customization - either as two office suites, as a standalone rental opportunity (in the case of the first floor), or as expansions of the basic residence. The design resolution of the 11th Street facades attempts to echo the rhythms and materials of the eclectic streetscape without lapsing into historical repetition. Brick, Arriscraft Renaissance masonry units, and Kalwall combine at the exterior to create a thoroughly modern façade in the city. Tom Crane Photography

Located steps from the waterways of Huntington Harbor, California, Phelps Residence is a remodel of a regional mid-century house, developed in the 1960s along with the rest of the Harbor neighborhood. The goal of the renovation was to honor the mid-century bones of the existing structure featuring full-height windows and open beam ceilings while infusing new life and detail via a ground-up renovation. The volume of the house is a two-story stucco façade structure with vertical cedar and black metal accents. The wall-to-wall, full-height sliding doors create an indoor-outdoor experience by extending the front yard fire pit and seating area through the living room to the backyard swimming pool and cabana beyond. The climate of the Harbor provides an ideal environment to open the space up to the yards year-round, thereby expanding the footprint of the house and allowing for an uninterrupted flow between rooms and indoor and outdoor areas. The entry foyer features a steel and terrazzo sculptural stair in a recessed bed of river rock. The lower level’s large-scale terrazzo tiles seamlessly join the living room, dining room, and kitchen. The upper level is reserved for the private bedrooms and a more intimate family room. Hardwood floors flow throughout while large-scale windows seek to capture the unique views offered from each room. Stack bond CMU garden walls in the front yard define the entry sequence, honoring the mid-century history of the residence.

The homeowners of a 1930s Tudor in East Atlanta Village envisioned a colorful renovation that blended original charm with modern updates. The creative couple, who cherish antiques and quirky collectibles, aimed to preserve the home's historic layout and architectural elements. The overall color palette and aesthetic was inspired by their grandmother's fine China collection. The renovation encompassed the kitchen, mudroom, breakfast nook, living room, bar, powder room, and primary bathroom. Copper Sky Design + Remodel placed emphasis on integrating color, patterns, and specialty details to honor the home's history while reflecting the homeowners' unique style. Key design choices included retaining the functional galley kitchen, featuring a dishrack over the sink to display the clients' depression-era glass and antique China. Floral cutouts on cabinet doors and refrigerator panels, reminiscent of the 1930s, were incorporated. A scalloped built-in cabinet in the butler’s pantry, designed to fit a niche previously housing an original piece, ties into the brass scalloped hood in the kitchen. The mudroom and butler’s pantry cabinets also feature a scallop motif. Custom mosaic floor tiles, typical of the 1930s, required meticulous planning and execution. The 2” hexagon mosaic tile pattern in the kitchen, mudroom, and butler’s pantry was digitally designed and hand-laid on site. The primary bathroom's wall tile pattern demanded precision, resulting in a symmetrical and stunning design. The primary bathroom was expanded to include a Japanese-style soaking tub and a bidet within its modest 10’ x 9’ size. The powder room, though small, is vibrant with “Dinosauria” wallpaper, Tiffany-style lighting, and a square mosaic tile floor. This thoughtful renovation preserved the Tudor's historical integrity while infusing it with the homeowners' vibrant aesthetic, creating a harmonious blend of past and present.

Pamela & Adam came to us looking to update their primary bathroom to an ADA-compliant layout without sacrificing more modern aesthetics. Since they are planning to stay in their home long term they were also looking to add some more up-to-date fixtures. Our team was excited to jump in and work with them to make it all happen! They decided to remove the original California bathtub and shower combination and build a new custom shower with a pony wall, a wall niche, and a custom shower tile bench. For the shower, they selected Tivoli Bianco Porcelain Tile for the walls, Iceberg Blend Star Marble Mosaic to adorn the wall niche. The shower bench top and shower floor were finished with Touch Glow Tile. The new ADA vanity area was refreshed with a new custom vanity and quartz countertops. Two new undermount rectangle new sinks along with the Delta Kayra Single Hole faucets were added as the finishing touches to the vanity area. The Gatco Rectangular Beveled Mirrors are paired with Kichler Joelson vanity lights which infuses style and character into the room. We were delighted to help them achieve their dream bathroom!

This client came to us with a unique challenge: create a modern design that matches her fun and funky personality but to make it as "green" and chemical free as possible. We rose to the challenge, researching the best options for sustainable, green and chemical free furnishings. The upholstery pieces are made from sustainable and chemical free materials, the dining table is made of sustainable wood with a chemical free finish. The rugs are from a fair-trade company that supports education for women in India. The client had hired a Feng Shui expert to provide her with a report which we used to design the space. The wallpaper behind the living room sofa is custom designed and custom-made. It is a map made up of hundred of small photos that the homeowner provided to us. It represents the area in her home that will bring travel and connect her to the people she loves. The large, colorful art piece in the dining area is hung in the area of the home that will bring joy around family and children. The hearts and pink/red colored wallpaper in the den will evoke love and relationships. The client has a colorful, fun personality and we wanted to infuse the design with it. A white backdrop allows all of the pinks, reds, navy blues and turquoises to pop, creating a lively, modern feeling. The textures in the floor and wall coverings and in the fabrics create a lived in, collected feeling and add a touch of bohemian chic style. The new modern cable and walnut stair banister is in keeping with the original modern feel of the row house and keeps the narrow staircase from feeling tight and closed in. This was a fun, creative and unique project for us. This particular client was one of Olamar's first clients eight years ago when we first opened our doors. At that time the house was nothing but a condemned shell that the client renovated, with our assistance. At that time we designed the kitchen, which is still in excellent condition and still looks amazing! Photographer: Greg Tinius

Intentional. Elevated. Artisanal. With three children under the age of 5, our clients were starting to feel the confines of their Pacific Heights home when the expansive 1902 Italianate across the street went on the market. After learning the home had been recently remodeled, they jumped at the chance to purchase a move-in ready property. We worked with them to infuse the already refined, elegant living areas with subtle edginess and handcrafted details, and also helped them reimagine unused space to delight their little ones. Elevated furnishings on the main floor complement the home’s existing high ceilings, modern brass bannisters and extensive walnut cabinetry. In the living room, sumptuous emerald upholstery on a velvet side chair balances the deep wood tones of the existing baby grand. Minimally and intentionally accessorized, the room feels formal but still retains a sharp edge—on the walls moody portraiture gets irreverent with a bold paint stroke, and on the the etagere, jagged crystals and metallic sculpture feel rugged and unapologetic. Throughout the main floor handcrafted, textured notes are everywhere—a nubby jute rug underlies inviting sofas in the family room and a half-moon mirror in the living room mixes geometric lines with flax-colored fringe. On the home’s lower level, we repurposed an unused wine cellar into a well-stocked craft room, with a custom chalkboard, art-display area and thoughtful storage. In the adjoining space, we installed a custom climbing wall and filled the balance of the room with low sofas, plush area rugs, poufs and storage baskets, creating the perfect space for active play or a quiet reading session. The bold colors and playful attitudes apparent in these spaces are echoed upstairs in each of the children’s imaginative bedrooms. Architect + Developer: McMahon Architects + Studio, Photographer: Suzanna Scott Photography

"To design a house with a garage, an office, three bedrooms and three bathrooms in a 16-foot-wide space was a challenge. The result is a great way to live downtown." Cecil Baker, Philadelphia Style Magazine 11th Street Residence is one of a series of three townhouses built in the Washington Square West neighborhood of Philadelphia. Once a vacant lot owned by the redevelopment authority, the project was seen as an opportunity to infuse new residential life onto 11th Street. The design of the three 16-foot homes was based on maximum flexibility. The 'residence' is encompassed within the second and third floors; the rear portion of the first floor and the entirety of the fourth floor were offered for customization - either as two office suites, as a standalone rental opportunity (in the case of the first floor), or as expansions of the basic residence. The design resolution of the 11th Street facades attempts to echo the rhythms and materials of the eclectic streetscape without lapsing into historical repetition. Brick, Arriscraft Renaissance masonry units, and Kalwall combine at the exterior to create a thoroughly modern façade in the city. Barry Halkin and Todd Mason Photography

In collaboration with the talented designers at Cove House, we’ve elevated this stunning home using our exquisite Walden floors from the Beverly Hills collection. Amidst the Mediterranean charm and Riviera views, this property experienced a remarkable transformation. Infusing each room with elegance and brightness, our Walden floors’ wide oak planks created a captivating atmosphere throughout. For those prioritizing superior durability and exceptional specifications in wide-plank engineered flooring, our Beverly Hills collection is the ultimate choice. Named after the renowned city itself, these floors exude luxury and sophistication, elevating every space they grace. With impressively wide 9-1/2 inch planks, finished with Urethane with Aluminum Oxide in a range of rich, modern colors, they were the perfect selection to rejuvenate this home. Our Walden floors served as the cornerstone of this renovation, enhancing the ambiance of every space and transforming the property into a haven of timeless elegance and comfort. Whether revamping a primary suite or creating a serene retreat in a downstairs bathroom, our Walden floors deliver unmatched style and quality. Floor Name: Walden Collection: Beverly Hills Brand: Garrison Collection Location: Los Angeles, CA

This inviting kitchen is designed with an open floor plan, accentuated by an elegant overhanging counter that blends seamlessly into a stunning island topped with white quartz, featuring a convenient sink for easy food preparation and socializing. The space is illuminated by sleek pendant lights which, along with the big sliding windows, flood the kitchen with natural light, enhancing the bright and airy feel. These expansive windows not only offer unobstructed views of the outdoors but also create a seamless integration between indoor comfort and the beauty of the natural surroundings. Transitional cabinets provide ample storage while maintaining the kitchen's sleek and sophisticated aesthetic. The combination of practical design elements and the infusion of natural light through the large windows creates a warm, welcoming, and highly functional space that is perfect for both cooking and entertaining.

Vaulted House is a Central Austin house with a compact footprint and simple form. The house is banked along the side of its small lot, opting out of a typical front yard/backyard relationship in favor of an expansive side yard. Site walls provide a sense of enclosure and definition to outdoor living areas and invite indoor functions and living spaces to spill outdoors. These strategies provide a feeling of openness and connection to outdoor living areas from the kitchen, screened porch, and living room. Furthermore, the placement of the garage, bathrooms, utility room, and stair along the lot line enhances the relationship between the living spaces and the side yard, promoting a cohesive flow between both realms. Strategically placed windows and doors provide ample daylight, views, and cross-ventilation on the first floor. The upper level is a vaulted volume that is deconstructed through the use of thinly sliced vertical windows and concise, focused dormers that expand outwards towards a controlled view. A skylight also carves through the upper volume to create a hidden light well at the inner spine of the house. These vaulted ceilings, tall dormers, and skylights create unique spaces infused with natural light.

In collaboration with the talented designers at Cove House, we’ve elevated this stunning home using our exquisite Walden floors from the Beverly Hills collection. Amidst the Mediterranean charm and Riviera views, this property experienced a remarkable transformation. Infusing each room with elegance and brightness, our Walden floors’ wide oak planks created a captivating atmosphere throughout. For those prioritizing superior durability and exceptional specifications in wide-plank engineered flooring, our Beverly Hills collection is the ultimate choice. Named after the renowned city itself, these floors exude luxury and sophistication, elevating every space they grace. With impressively wide 9-1/2 inch planks, finished with Urethane with Aluminum Oxide in a range of rich, modern colors, they were the perfect selection to rejuvenate this home. Our Walden floors served as the cornerstone of this renovation, enhancing the ambiance of every space and transforming the property into a haven of timeless elegance and comfort. Whether revamping a primary suite or creating a serene retreat in a downstairs bathroom, our Walden floors deliver unmatched style and quality. Floor Name: Walden Collection: Beverly Hills Brand: Garrison Collection Location: Los Angeles, CA