Navy mud room with exquisite build in detailing featuring a Dutch door into Laundry room with painted floor. Design and Architecture: William B. Litchfield Builder: Nautilus Homes Photos: Jessica Glynn www.jessicaglynn.com

Designed by Debra Schonewill - knowing the stair is a key focal point and viewed from all areas of the home we designed a spectacular stair and custom John Pomp three level light fixture residing through the center of it. We left the steel structure as exposed as possible from below the landings too. Full height glass encloses the main bar and dining rooms to create acoustical privacy while still leaving it open. Woodley Architects designed the steel support details. Peak Custom Carpentry fabricated the solid walnut treads and modern handrail. Abraxis provided the glazing of railing and throughout the interior of the home.

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Zack Benson
Example of a large trendy master carpeted bedroom design in San Diego with black walls

Alpha Builders Group offers turnkey development, design and build services. Our professional expertise and superior knowledge in the construction industry is the key to excellence and success in every project we build. Our services integrate all aspects of a project including lot acquisition, land development, architectural design, permitting, construction, and financing. Alpha Builders Group is family owned and operated with over 20 years in the home building industry, building in Texas and Florida. With an impressive background of experience and talent, a rich tradition of craftsmanship, an outstanding customer service, and impeccable reputation, the Alpha Builders Group have and continue to enjoy serving the needs of their homeowners. We'll Build Your Dream Home or Remodel with the exact same Care, Quality, and Concern we would, if we were Building our Own Home. Contact Us Today!

Andrew Latreille
Kitchen - mid-sized contemporary u-shaped beige floor kitchen idea in Melbourne with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, window backsplash, a peninsula, a drop-in sink, paneled appliances and beige countertops

Alpha Builders Group offers turnkey development, design and build services. Our professional expertise and superior knowledge in the construction industry is the key to excellence and success in every project we build. Our services integrate all aspects of a project including lot acquisition, land development, architectural design, permitting, construction, and financing. Alpha Builders Group is family owned and operated with over 20 years in the home building industry, building in Texas and Florida. With an impressive background of experience and talent, a rich tradition of craftsmanship, an outstanding customer service, and impeccable reputation, the Alpha Builders Group have and continue to enjoy serving the needs of their homeowners. We'll Build Your Dream Home or Remodel with the exact same Care, Quality, and Concern we would, if we were Building our Own Home. Contact Us Today!

embarked on this whole home renovation project to modernize yet preserve the home’s architectural beauty. Our client’s fell in love with the structure’s stone facade and medieval stained glass windows, but the primary suite was small and the kitchen was not suitable for modern day living. Eliminating existing walls and revising the space planning was a key aspect of this project. We implemented rustic beams and dramatic pops of color to accent the original stone and wrought iron elements. The project included all new windows, refinished hardwood floors, mechanical upgrades, and full renovations to the kitchen, bathrooms, and 2ndfloor fireplaces tile work.

Outdoor furniture from Restoration Hardware really made this Houston outdoor living space design project shine. “It really went well,” says Wayne Franks, owner of Outdoor Homescapes of Houston. “It's not a huge space, but moving the existing two columns about four feet and bringing the roof out only three feet made all the difference in the world.” “This particular client wanted a larger space to entertain,” says senior designer Lisha Maxey, who served as an outdoor furniture consultant while managing construction for the project. The original space, Lisha explains, had two oddly placed columns blocking a clear view of the beautiful pool area from inside the home. “We removed those columns and gave her three more feet of roof, which extended her living area while also giving her the view she wanted.” Since the client - a woman in her mid-50s with grown children who visit frequently - only wanted a small outdoor kitchen island with a 30-inch RCS grill Outdoor Homescapes closed up a French door that led from the master bedroom (which she never used) and created a new stucco wall for the kitchen. “I would definitely call the style of this space ‘transitional,” says Lisha. The client is a very eclectic world traveler and a collector of art, yet wanted her outdoor living space to feel like a warm, homey living room once we placed the furniture and décor. In the end, her finishes centered around rustic stone, detailed columns and furniture leaning towards the contemporary.” Much of the warmth in the space, she says, comes from the colors of the dry-stacked Sunset Canyon ledgestone. “It looks just like it sounds – like the sun setting in a deep canyon!” “The columns are unique – decorative and fluted,” adds Wayne. The client, who’d received five free hours of outdoor furniture consultation as part of an ongoing promotion, also wanted Lisha to help her select, buy and help place furnishings. “I believe that now - more than ever - consumers are looking for turn-key operations in any type of service industry - a ‘one-stop-shop,’ so to speak,” says Lisha. “It gives us a more personal touch with the client, as well as an edge in the industry in terms of selling our designs, as the client is reassured that we’ll work with them in every aspect to give them the outdoor living space of their dreams.” The client ended up choosing the Biscayne collection – including a chair that rocks and swivels - from Restoration Hardware. They also went with a lower, unique teak coffee table from the Belvedere collection. “We mixed wicker with teak for an equally soft and hard look and added pops of color to bring out the beautiful art collection inside,” says Lisha. “The neutral gray wicker, by the way, was the perfect match for the distressed teak coffee table and credenza. The grays of the Key West granite countertop also echoed this color palette.” For the fabric, Lisha helped keep it neutral with a Mocha linen and popped the color with royal blue throw pillows matching the area rug: “To make the space truly her own, we added some unique copper pots from her collection and a few items she's collected abroad.”

Alpha Builders Group offers turnkey development, design and build services. Our professional expertise and superior knowledge in the construction industry is the key to excellence and success in every project we build. Our services integrate all aspects of a project including lot acquisition, land development, architectural design, permitting, construction, and financing. Alpha Builders Group is family owned and operated with over 20 years in the home building industry, building in Texas and Florida. With an impressive background of experience and talent, a rich tradition of craftsmanship, an outstanding customer service, and impeccable reputation, the Alpha Builders Group have and continue to enjoy serving the needs of their homeowners. We'll Build Your Dream Home or Remodel with the exact same Care, Quality, and Concern we would, if we were Building our Own Home. Contact Us Today!

Alpha Builders Group offers turnkey development, design and build services. Our professional expertise and superior knowledge in the construction industry is the key to excellence and success in every project we build. Our services integrate all aspects of a project including lot acquisition, land development, architectural design, permitting, construction, and financing. Alpha Builders Group is family owned and operated with over 20 years in the home building industry, building in Texas and Florida. With an impressive background of experience and talent, a rich tradition of craftsmanship, an outstanding customer service, and impeccable reputation, the Alpha Builders Group have and continue to enjoy serving the needs of their homeowners. We'll Build Your Dream Home or Remodel with the exact same Care, Quality, and Concern we would, if we were Building our Own Home. Contact Us Today!

Alpha Builders Group offers turnkey development, design and build services. Our professional expertise and superior knowledge in the construction industry is the key to excellence and success in every project we build. Our services integrate all aspects of a project including lot acquisition, land development, architectural design, permitting, construction, and financing. Alpha Builders Group is family owned and operated with over 20 years in the home building industry, building in Texas and Florida. With an impressive background of experience and talent, a rich tradition of craftsmanship, an outstanding customer service, and impeccable reputation, the Alpha Builders Group have and continue to enjoy serving the needs of their homeowners. We'll Build Your Dream Home or Remodel with the exact same Care, Quality, and Concern we would, if we were Building our Own Home. Contact Us Today!

Alpha Builders Group offers turnkey development, design and build services. Our professional expertise and superior knowledge in the construction industry is the key to excellence and success in every project we build. Our services integrate all aspects of a project including lot acquisition, land development, architectural design, permitting, construction, and financing. Alpha Builders Group is family owned and operated with over 20 years in the home building industry, building in Texas and Florida. With an impressive background of experience and talent, a rich tradition of craftsmanship, an outstanding customer service, and impeccable reputation, the Alpha Builders Group have and continue to enjoy serving the needs of their homeowners. We'll Build Your Dream Home or Remodel with the exact same Care, Quality, and Concern we would, if we were Building our Own Home. Contact Us Today!

This office was created for the Designer Showhouse, and our vision was to represent female empowerment. We wanted the office to reflect the life of a vibrant and empowered woman. Someone that’s busy, on the go, well-traveled, and full of energy. The space also reflected other aspects of this woman’s role as the head of a family and the rock that provides calm, peace, and comfort to everyone around her. We showcased these qualities with decor like the built-in library – busy, chaotic yet organized; the tone and color of the wallpaper; and the furniture we chose. The bench by the window is part of our SORELLA Furniture line, which is also the result of female leadership and empowerment. The result is a calm, harmonious, and peaceful design language. --- Project designed by Miami interior designer Margarita Bravo. She serves Miami as well as surrounding areas such as Coconut Grove, Key Biscayne, Miami Beach, North Miami Beach, and Hallandale Beach. For more about MARGARITA BRAVO, click here: https://www.margaritabravo.com/

embarked on this whole home renovation project to modernize yet preserve the home’s architectural beauty. Our client’s fell in love with the structure’s stone facade and medieval stained glass windows, but the primary suite was small and the kitchen was not suitable for modern day living. Eliminating existing walls and revising the space planning was a key aspect of this project. We implemented rustic beams and dramatic pops of color to accent the original stone and wrought iron elements. The project included all new windows, refinished hardwood floors, mechanical upgrades, and full renovations to the kitchen, bathrooms, and 2ndfloor fireplaces tile work.

Alpha Builders Group offers turnkey development, design and build services. Our professional expertise and superior knowledge in the construction industry is the key to excellence and success in every project we build. Our services integrate all aspects of a project including lot acquisition, land development, architectural design, permitting, construction, and financing. Alpha Builders Group is family owned and operated with over 20 years in the home building industry, building in Texas and Florida. With an impressive background of experience and talent, a rich tradition of craftsmanship, an outstanding customer service, and impeccable reputation, the Alpha Builders Group have and continue to enjoy serving the needs of their homeowners. We'll Build Your Dream Home or Remodel with the exact same Care, Quality, and Concern we would, if we were Building our Own Home. Contact Us Today!

Marvista Design + Build embarked on this whole home renovation project to modernize yet preserve the home’s architectural beauty. Our client’s fell in love with the structure’s stone facade and medieval stained glass windows, but the primary suite was small and the kitchen was not suitable for modern day living. Eliminating existing walls and revising the space planning was a key aspect of this project. We implemented rustic beams and dramatic pops of color to accent the original stone and wrought iron elements. The project included all new windows, refinished hardwood floors, mechanical upgrades, and full renovations to the kitchen, bathrooms, and 2ndfloor fireplaces tile work.

Marvista Design + Build embarked on this whole home renovation project to modernize yet preserve the home’s architectural beauty. Our client’s fell in love with the structure’s stone facade and medieval stained glass windows, but the primary suite was small and the kitchen was not suitable for modern day living. Eliminating existing walls and revising the space planning was a key aspect of this project. We implemented rustic beams and dramatic pops of color to accent the original stone and wrought iron elements. The project included all new windows, refinished hardwood floors, mechanical upgrades, and full renovations to the kitchen, bathrooms, and 2nd floor fireplaces tile work.