Despite the billion-dollar views, premium homes are scant atop the Palisades. When the designer set out to create the perfect Palisades aerie, complete with a private pool, it proved to be quiet the undertaking. This property is situated just behind the cliff's edge with fantastic views, but equally as many challenges. After nearly three years of arduous renovations and improvements, it's now a sophisticated retreat with modern, industrial finishes throughout. Without a doubt, the crowning achievement of this spectacular renovation is the 10 foot by 12 foot stainless steel pool and hot tub situated on the roof. The 2017 Global Choice ARDA goes to Dixon Projects Designer: Dixon Projects From: New York, New York

Although this home appears to be a renovated farm house, it is actually new construction. The design concept behind this home was to capture the character and charm of a turn of the century home while providing the client with all the amenities of a modern home. The materials were selected to be period correct for an early 19th century farm house featuring 1/2 round gutters, actual field stone and board on board batten at the garage to create the authentic character of this home. A Grand ARDA for Custom Home Design goes to Studer Residential Designs, Inc. Designer: Paul Studer From: Cold Spring, Kentucky

HNA Hardscape Project Award Winner Wayne Pool Wayne, New Jersey Monello Landscape Industries Design elements and features include six multi level paver patios, three permeable paver patios, and a sunken pool bar and kitchen with seating inside and outside the pool. A 20 foot double water falls drops into a pond with glass panels that separate the pool from the pond enabling views of koi. A 24 in. by 30 foot running/trickle water wall over natural stone into the the pool is also features. Additional items include three built-in bistro tables, a 20 foot high boulder wall system featuring perennial garden plantings, and floating boulders built into the pool. Design challenges included a 12 foot high bar wall engineered with ¾ in. rebar and a solid concrete pour. Lower levels of the patio system were built and excavated below the water table level, so an extensive and creative drainage system was installed. In addition, water pumps were active during construction. Trenching was so extensive under and around the hardscape areas that all soil had to be removed from the site and replaced with compacted clean stone so there was no threat of future settlement. There was over 1500 cubic yards of soil removed from the site and over 1500 yards of aggregate trucked into the site.

The unique feature of this contemporary space is that the first floor area is designed to be a working office and the second floor is a balcony library. The second floor space contains large walls of books stored on milled book shelves and cabinetry matching that of the first floor. The large windows provide stunning views to a meticulously landscaped lake. An ARDA for indoor living goes to Studer Residential Designs, Inc. Designers: Paul Studer with Laurie Doughman From: Cold Spring, Kentucky

Despite the billion-dollar views, premium homes are scant atop the Palisades. When the designer set out to create the perfect Palisades aerie, complete with a private pool, it proved to be quiet the undertaking. This property is situated just behind the cliff's edge with fantastic views, but equally as many challenges. After nearly three years of arduous renovations and improvements, it's now a sophisticated retreat with modern, industrial finishes throughout. Without a doubt, the crowning achievement of this spectacular renovation is the 10 foot by 12 foot stainless steel pool and hot tub situated on the roof. A Grand ARDA for Renovation Design goes to Dixon Projects Design: Dixon Projects From: New York, New York

This is an example of a landscaping in Sydney.

Situated on a triangular corner site, the Buena Vista Residence is a well proportioned home that responds to the scale of the neighborhood context. The building’s modern aesthetic is immediately apparent in the two wood-clad volumes connected by a tall glass atrium all sitting atop a concrete plinth. The variegated tone and grain of the redwood siding, reclaimed from nearby Hanger One at Moffett Field, achieves an ideal balance between the home’s clean, structured lines and the urban foliage surrounding the site. A concrete and steel exterior staircase provides a bold yet inviting approach to the home’s second floor entrance. Image by Sharon Risedorph.

Johnsen Schmaling Architects
Inspiration for a modern home design remodel in Milwaukee

Felicia Foster http://www.barroncustomdesign.com/
Exterior home idea in Austin

This design is a Gulf-side 2nd home in a historically designated area. The simple goals for the home are to create a small interior 3 bedroom 2 bath house, efficient in space and low on maintenance, while maximizing the exterior spaces. The more complicated goals include designing a house that can be open when occupied and closed when not as it is 300’ from the Gulf of Mexico and must be secure from storms. The clients requested that the house could be boarded up as part of the design. They wanted the house to look inviting even when it was closed for a storm. A Grand ARDA for Custom Home Design goes to emerymcclure architecture Designers: Michael McClure and Ursula Emery McClure with Sarah Young From: Lafayette, Louisiana

HNA Hardscape Project Award Winner Permeable Paradise Grand Island, Nebraska Grindstone Hardscapes The goal was to create a maintenance-free system with extreme curb appeal for these homeowners when installing their new driveway, patio, and front entrance. The entire project is permeable and heated, including the front steps. The three piece paver used Gascony Tan for the field to match the home and Brookestone slate for accents. The field was laid at a 45 degree angle to the house, a solution to the road not being square to any entrance on the driveway or walk. The pavers never see the snow or ice on them. Both are drained through the joints as soon as touching the surface. The heat cord had to be fastened to wire mesh on top of the rock base to hold it in place, and then the bedding layer was screeded over it. Traditional paver edging/grid was used on the driveway as an edge restraint, with a decorative concrete curb being laid over top of it, to increase strength and tie it in with the landscapes on the property. Each entrance to the circle drive and to the front door is announced by custom columns built on each side. There are 9 columns total. Each includes four LED low voltage lights for nighttime accent, and one holds a built in mailbox and package delivery shelf. All mail and packages can be picked up right from the car window.

The appeal of this Spanish Colonial home starts at the front elevation with clean lines and elegant simplicity and continues to the interior with white-washed walls adorned in old world decor. In true hacienda form, the central focus of this home is the 2-story volume of the Kitchen-Dining-Living rooms. From the moment of arrival, we are treated with an expansive view past the catwalk to the large entertaining space with expansive full height windows at the rear. The wood ceiling beams, hardwood floors, and swooped fireplace walls are reminiscent of old world Spanish or Andalusian architecture. An ARDA for Model Home Design goes to Southwest Design Studio, Inc. Designers: Stephen Shively with partners in building From: Bee Cave, Texas

2018 HNA Awards Honorable Mention - Concrete Paver - Commercial (size less than 15,000 sf) Contractor: UCC Group, Inc. Producer: Oldcastle Coastal Designer: Dix-Hite + Partners The interior courtyard, outdoor sidewalks and entry to parking garage were designed using the Oldcastle Moduline Series. Six different shapes were used with three colors for each shape and one shape used a fourth color. Additionally, Hexagon pavers in two colors used on front walkway. This brings the total to 21 different items used on this project in downtown Orlando.

This design blends the recent revival of mid-century aesthetics with the timelessness of a country farmhouse. Each façade features playfully arranged windows tucked under steeply pitched gables. Natural wood lapped siding emphasizes this home's more modern elements, while classic white board & batten covers the core of this house. A rustic stone water table wraps around the base and contours down into the rear view-out terrace. A Grand ARDA for Custom Home Design goes to Visbeen Architects, Inc. Designers: Vision Interiors by Visbeen with AVB Inc From: East Grand Rapids, Michigan

Designed for a couple whose hobby is racing motorcycles and setting world land speed records, this flat becomes a private retreat from an adrenaline charged lifestyle. Originally a two bedroom, one and a half bath condominium, the floor plan was stripped of all but completely utilitarian necessities. To soften the transition from open to enclosed spaces, large panels of glass make up the walls of the powder room and master bathroom - the only enclosed rooms in the residence. Windows wrap the south and east facing walls allowing natural light to filter into the open floor plan. The interior view, a place to relax, meditate and dream, provides a counterpoint to the openness of city and water views. Interior points of views are established throughout by the use of lighting, creating opportunities for pieces of art. A small, south facing terrace with teak decking allows for a connection to the sky and water views, and is often left open, inviting the outside in. Image by Joe Fletcher.

In this remodel, the client wanted more space for recreation and entertaining as well as a peaceful retreat in their existing home. A detached two-car garage provided the ideal medium for this purpose, in which the biggest challenge was minimizing the visual impact of the transformation. A gable-ended addition to the garage and a half-story above allowed for a sport court and a large entertaining space, without appearing too massive from the street. A bridge creates an interior connection between the home and the garage’s upper level. An ARDA for Renovation Design goes to Royal Oaks Design Designer: Kieran Liebl From: Oakdale, Minnesota

The Hanover Model combines classic French Styling and an eclectic mix of finishes to create a bold statement through contrast. Light walls and drapery play off dark wood and cabinetry. Transitional in style, this home fuses traditional details with clean, elegant furniture to meet the affluent family target market. The exterior mirrors the traditional, stately feel of the interior. Lush finishes and surfaces enhance the eclectic character of this model. An ARDA for Model Home Design goes to Ashton Woods Designer: Centro Stile From: Roswell, Georgia

Specht Harpman Andrea Calo Photography
Example of a trendy exterior home design in Austin

Deck photo in Sydney