This project provides a new two-story addition to an historic converted stable barn that was once associated with the 60-acre Hamilton Estate in Irvington, New York. The new design continues the unique language of the converted brick stable and Second Empire slate mansard roof. The addition provides a proper kitchen to the ground floor. Large single-pane glass windows continue the existing architecture to maximize interior natural light and provide panoramic views of the adjacent Hudson River. The kitchen features reclaimed cherry custom cabinets, white marble countertops and new oak hardwood flooring. On the second floor, the addition expands the master bedroom to include an ensuite bathroom and changing room. The second floor features reclaimed pine floors, and white Turkish marble bathroom tiles.

Situated just north of Fitler Square, these four townhomes evoke a sense of elegance and refined urban living often found within the historic homes of the area. The facade employs brick patterning and cast stone, creating a privacy screen at the lower level for occupants, and a unique visual language for the streetscape. Each home contains over 5,000 square feet of living space between 6 floors, including a rooftop penthouse with views of center city and the Schuylkill River. The interiors were designed in-house to match the same level of sophistication and style as the exterior, giving the occupants a unique experience as they move through the home. Kitchen cabinetry and casework were designed by J.Thom, bringing in an elevated level of contemporary detailing and refinement to each space.

Set on Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee, Georgia, this rustic modern farmhouse sits close enough to the shoreline that a private dock runs straight off the back yard, with the Blue Ridge visible across the water. A tin-gray metal roof breaks into multiple gables and dormers over crisp white board-and-batten siding, while wood-tone shutters and a flagstone entry path bring in the rustic warmth. A full-width covered porch — deep enough for a run of rocking chairs — opens directly onto the lake and mountain view. Inside, the great room carries that same rustic-farmhouse language up to a vaulted, shiplap-clad ceiling crossed with exposed wood beams. A reclaimed sliding barn door anchors one end of the room, while a wall of glass doors keeps the water in view from the sofa.

Our client was drawn to the property in Wesley Heights as it was in an established neighborhood of stately homes, on a quiet street with views of park. They wanted a traditional home for their young family with great entertaining spaces that took full advantage of the site. The site was the challenge. The natural grade of the site was far from traditional. The natural grade at the rear of the property was about thirty feet above the street level. Large mature trees provided shade and needed to be preserved. The solution was sectional. The first floor level was elevated from the street by 12 feet, with French doors facing the park. We created a courtyard at the first floor level that provide an outdoor entertaining space, with French doors that open the home to the courtyard.. By elevating the first floor level, we were able to allow on-grade parking and a private direct entrance to the lower level pub "Mulligans". An arched passage affords access to the courtyard from a shared driveway with the neighboring homes, while the stone fountain provides a focus. A sweeping stone stair anchors one of the existing mature trees that was preserved and leads to the elevated rear garden. The second floor master suite opens to a sitting porch at the level of the upper garden, providing the third level of outdoor space that can be used for the children to play. The home's traditional language is in context with its neighbors, while the design allows each of the three primary levels of the home to relate directly to the outside. Builder: Peterson & Collins, Inc Photos © Anice Hoachlander

Photo: Susan J. Tweit Taken along Highway One in California, on the Big Sur Coast. The orange wildflowers are California poppies (Eschscholzia californica).

Floor-to-ceiling glass cabinetry with graphite frames and integrated lighting transforms storage into a curated display. Designed to function as a boutique-style dressing room, the space elevates everyday organization into a refined experience. The concealed stained-wood door connects back to the primary bedroom, maintaining architectural continuity between spaces. Exterior slatted screens cast dynamic shadows across the floor and island, reinforcing the home’s indoor–outdoor design language. Clean lines, tailored millwork, and thoughtful lighting create a bright, elegant environment centered on both function and visual clarity.

Set on Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee, Georgia, this rustic modern farmhouse sits close enough to the shoreline that a private dock runs straight off the back yard, with the Blue Ridge visible across the water. A tin-gray metal roof breaks into multiple gables and dormers over crisp white board-and-batten siding, while wood-tone shutters and a flagstone entry path bring in the rustic warmth. A full-width covered porch — deep enough for a run of rocking chairs — opens directly onto the lake and mountain view. Inside, the great room carries that same rustic-farmhouse language up to a vaulted, shiplap-clad ceiling crossed with exposed wood beams. A reclaimed sliding barn door anchors one end of the room, while a wall of glass doors keeps the water in view from the sofa.

Set on Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee, Georgia, this rustic modern farmhouse sits close enough to the shoreline that a private dock runs straight off the back yard, with the Blue Ridge visible across the water. A tin-gray metal roof breaks into multiple gables and dormers over crisp white board-and-batten siding, while wood-tone shutters and a flagstone entry path bring in the rustic warmth. A full-width covered porch — deep enough for a run of rocking chairs — opens directly onto the lake and mountain view. Inside, the great room carries that same rustic-farmhouse language up to a vaulted, shiplap-clad ceiling crossed with exposed wood beams. A reclaimed sliding barn door anchors one end of the room, while a wall of glass doors keeps the water in view from the sofa.

Set on Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee, Georgia, this rustic modern farmhouse sits close enough to the shoreline that a private dock runs straight off the back yard, with the Blue Ridge visible across the water. A tin-gray metal roof breaks into multiple gables and dormers over crisp white board-and-batten siding, while wood-tone shutters and a flagstone entry path bring in the rustic warmth. A full-width covered porch — deep enough for a run of rocking chairs — opens directly onto the lake and mountain view. Inside, the great room carries that same rustic-farmhouse language up to a vaulted, shiplap-clad ceiling crossed with exposed wood beams. A reclaimed sliding barn door anchors one end of the room, while a wall of glass doors keeps the water in view from the sofa.

This architectural hallway leads to a private media room while remaining connected to the home’s main entertaining spaces. A continuous board-formed concrete wall extends the full length of the corridor, reinforcing the interior–exterior language established throughout the home. A full-height pocket door disappears seamlessly into the wall, allowing the space to remain open for entertaining or closed for movie nights, games, or gatherings. Natural light and views to the pool area anchor the corridor, balancing privacy with connection.

Set on Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee, Georgia, this rustic modern farmhouse sits close enough to the shoreline that a private dock runs straight off the back yard, with the Blue Ridge visible across the water. A tin-gray metal roof breaks into multiple gables and dormers over crisp white board-and-batten siding, while wood-tone shutters and a flagstone entry path bring in the rustic warmth. A full-width covered porch — deep enough for a run of rocking chairs — opens directly onto the lake and mountain view. Inside, the great room carries that same rustic-farmhouse language up to a vaulted, shiplap-clad ceiling crossed with exposed wood beams. A reclaimed sliding barn door anchors one end of the room, while a wall of glass doors keeps the water in view from the sofa.

Set on Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee, Georgia, this rustic modern farmhouse sits close enough to the shoreline that a private dock runs straight off the back yard, with the Blue Ridge visible across the water. A tin-gray metal roof breaks into multiple gables and dormers over crisp white board-and-batten siding, while wood-tone shutters and a flagstone entry path bring in the rustic warmth. A full-width covered porch — deep enough for a run of rocking chairs — opens directly onto the lake and mountain view. Inside, the great room carries that same rustic-farmhouse language up to a vaulted, shiplap-clad ceiling crossed with exposed wood beams. A reclaimed sliding barn door anchors one end of the room, while a wall of glass doors keeps the water in view from the sofa.

A refined close-up reveals the heart of the living area – a deep-blue tufted sofa by Roche Bobois, radiating timeless elegance and sculptural presence. Carefully curated styling elements, such as decorative throw pillows, tie together the room’s color palette with effortless sophistication. The modern rug beneath adds texture and balance, echoing the tones of the stone flooring while grounding the composition and letting the furniture take center stage. A framed artwork, newly re-mounted to suit the overall design language, completes the vignette – blending seamlessly into the total look while adding a personal and emotional layer.

Set on Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee, Georgia, this rustic modern farmhouse sits close enough to the shoreline that a private dock runs straight off the back yard, with the Blue Ridge visible across the water. A tin-gray metal roof breaks into multiple gables and dormers over crisp white board-and-batten siding, while wood-tone shutters and a flagstone entry path bring in the rustic warmth. A full-width covered porch — deep enough for a run of rocking chairs — opens directly onto the lake and mountain view. Inside, the great room carries that same rustic-farmhouse language up to a vaulted, shiplap-clad ceiling crossed with exposed wood beams. A reclaimed sliding barn door anchors one end of the room, while a wall of glass doors keeps the water in view from the sofa.

The primary bath continues the home's clean, modern language with floating matte black vanities, oversized porcelain tile, and floor-to-ceiling mirrors accented by integrated LED lighting. Every element was selected to create a spa-like atmosphere without sacrificing functionality. The generous double vanity provides ample storage while maintaining an open, airy feel, and the frameless glass shower keeps the room visually expansive. It's a space designed to feel calm, refined, and effortless.

Set on Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee, Georgia, this rustic modern farmhouse sits close enough to the shoreline that a private dock runs straight off the back yard, with the Blue Ridge visible across the water. A tin-gray metal roof breaks into multiple gables and dormers over crisp white board-and-batten siding, while wood-tone shutters and a flagstone entry path bring in the rustic warmth. A full-width covered porch — deep enough for a run of rocking chairs — opens directly onto the lake and mountain view. Inside, the great room carries that same rustic-farmhouse language up to a vaulted, shiplap-clad ceiling crossed with exposed wood beams. A reclaimed sliding barn door anchors one end of the room, while a wall of glass doors keeps the water in view from the sofa.

Set on Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee, Georgia, this rustic modern farmhouse sits close enough to the shoreline that a private dock runs straight off the back yard, with the Blue Ridge visible across the water. A tin-gray metal roof breaks into multiple gables and dormers over crisp white board-and-batten siding, while wood-tone shutters and a flagstone entry path bring in the rustic warmth. A full-width covered porch — deep enough for a run of rocking chairs — opens directly onto the lake and mountain view. Inside, the great room carries that same rustic-farmhouse language up to a vaulted, shiplap-clad ceiling crossed with exposed wood beams. A reclaimed sliding barn door anchors one end of the room, while a wall of glass doors keeps the water in view from the sofa.

To meet our Tepin clients is to meet two individuals who fully embrace what life has to offer. Whether in their passion for the arts, extensive travels, or their commitment to family, one thing is clear... this Mr. & Mrs. have mastered The Art of Life. This home is contextual - cohesive with the natural Palm Desert surroundings and the architectural language. Other words to describe the resulting space are: High Quality, Livable (not too perfect), Playful, Unique & Timeless.

This LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood. INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site. EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot. THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place. HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde. YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting. ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements. RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage. OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet. ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings Eric Roth Photography - Photography