Architect: Andre Tchelistcheff Architects New York. NY Builder: Xhema of Greenwich CT Installer: TRM Enterprises Bridgehampton NY Back story. Northern has worked with both Xhema and TRM many tiles. We have worked with Andre before he branched out on his own. Originally Xhema’s contact was to replace the roof and repair the garage, which as some point had been made into an indoor swimming pool without adequate ventilation. The budget was about $8m and there were 20 drawings. By the time the job was 6 months old the scope of work has expanded to over $30m and over 200 drawings had been produced. Northern was contacted to visit the site and evaluate the existing roof. Although the house had been added to over the years the same tile was used but due to the location of the house the color of the tile varied considerably from the front to the back. Northern identified a large number of custom details which would require us to: 1) Match the existing Field tile in size, thickness (it was actually thicker at the butt and reduced to ½” where the tile is overlapped) , surface texture and the color. 2) Make tiles that are curved in their length to suit the curved rafter on the gabled dormers. 3) Make the curved tiles to suit the low slope octagonal tower. 4) Make the curved tiles and Arris style hips to suit the hipped dormers with the curved rafters. 5) Make the segmented tiles to suit the round turret. 6) Make the custom arris style hip tiles for the octagonal tower. 7) Make the custom Arris style hip to suit the different roof pitches as well as the varying splays at the eaves. 8) Make the custom pieces to suit the swept valleys Simon broke down each section of the roof. He indented all items for each section and agreed the measure etc with the installers. This ‘Project Bible’ became an invaluable tool for the installer, our tile makers and us. We shipped some samples from the original roof to Sahtas who replicated tall the details. I was visiting factory and delayed my return to the Saturday so that the tiles coming out of the kiln late Friday night could be wrapped and packed into newly purchase suit cases. I arrived home late Saturday evening and Simon picked me up Sunday afternoon and drove us down to Greenwich for an 8 am meeting with the clients. When we unpacked the tiles they were still warm and Hilfiger signed off on the color, although his wife suggested we make them a bit darker a ‘as he has a dreadful sense of color!’ We took Vincent Liot, owner of TRM to the factory twice so that he could oversee the prototyping of all the myriad custom pieces. This was an invaluable move as he pre-approved all the pieces before they were shipped. The installation was completed and everyone was very pleased with the final outcome. The Hilfiger’s estate manager told me that a group of friends who were staying the weekend after all the work was completed were heard to ask Mr. Hilfiger ‘I thought you were having a new roof’…to which he responded ‘we did but you can’t tell, which as the plan” …perfect! In refection this is probably the most complicated roof Northern has ever had the pleasure to supply. We learned a lot of very valuable lessons but in future when we are asked how did we do it we will answer ‘that is for us to know and for you to pay for!’

In this kitchen, we wanted to tie in the classic black and white palette to the homes character. To do so, the home's original molding details were recreated throughout crown molding and doorways. We incorporated brushed brass and matte black hardware, as well as sand-in-place oak flooring. Our client wanted to continue her tradition of giving her grandchildren weekly gourmet cooking and baking lessons. A paneled refrigerator was designed into the back nook of the kitchen, opening up treasured countertop space for cooking, prepping, and gourmet baked-good preparation. The lowered countertop area create an ideal baking station. To make use of the countertop space, we installed a large 3' galley workstation with dry dock. An elegant gloss black and brass range ties into the classic charm of this 1910's bungalow. The adjacent dining nook is the perfect place for morning coffee and a fresh baked croissant.

This project began as a wilderness retreat for the homeowners at their rural estate. They already had a large outdoor area complete with a pond, and detached garage in the perfect location to tie into an outdoor entertaining area/kitchen for the swimming pool. The homeowners were hoping that the design team at Legendary Escapes could create something magical for their small grandchildren, and for the grownups to enjoy for summertime relaxation. When the discussion turned to themes, the cartoon SpongeBob came up, and our team found a direction to go, either to the homeowners delight, possibly mixed with a bit of apprehension at the thought of a cartoony theme as a result. We promised subtle surprise and delight - and the homeowner decided to let the team go with their vision. The pool is a very abundant sized swimming pool, much larger than the average residential swimming pool. The sunledge was also made larger after the pool layout, providing even more space for chairs and play area for small children. One of the special surprises the owners didn't even know about until after they were in were the secret port holes that were re-seated with magnifying glass - and showcased miniature characters behind them, that when viewed through the glass looked giant in size. The waterfall/slide combination also features a large grotto - themed and decorated with elements that remind visitors to the space of the lessons and themes of the cartoon. The castle is solid, carved concrete - mixed and sculpted on site and hand placed. As the waterfall began to take shape, the outside was created as a sand castle, providing the perfect whimsical backdrop for the slide, and accents including a pair of flipper outfitted legs of what we can only think is mermaid man. One of the biggest surprises on this project came when Al found an old wooden boat at an auction, which he bought, took back to the job and cut it in half - creating the tail end of a boating incident, much like SpongeBob would have had when he missed the direction of the curve sign while out boating. (The joke in the show is that he can't ever get his drivers license because he doesn't know how to steer.) The other end of the boat became a vertical storage space for firewood or other pool side needs. The two parts of the boat became anchor pieces for what became the "wharf wall" which is the perfect area to lead people into the swimming pool retreat. The pool has three different entertaining patio levels, including the lower wharf level, swim up bar and raised concrete counter at the deep end of the pool. The middle section of patio is perfect for relaxing and watching kids play in the pool with the deck jets and sun ledge, and the upper area is adjacent to the outdoor kitchen area, also designed and created out of concrete (carved timbers) as the cabinetry and under bar areas. The pool was completed with ecoFinish on the sun ledge, interior of the spa, grotto and the slide. The main swimming area of the pool was vinyl liner, constructed in the special hybrid way of the team. With the project complete, the homeowners and family thoroughly enjoyed their backyard retreat. Any hesitation at the initial theme ideas were fully appreciated as they developed along the way, with the final project a subtle blend of function and whimsy, meeting everything that they could have asked for in a backyard entertaining retreat. Their advice is to just trust Al and the team through the process, because the results will be more than you would ever hope for. If our team can help you create a backyard or custom retreat, which includes a pool and plenty of outdoor entertaining options to surprise and delight you and your family, please reach out to start your design discussions.

Featured in Modern Luxury Magazine: “Sky High” by Maile Pingel (Fall 2021) Featured in Architectural Digest: “This Contemporary San Francisco Condo Is A Lesson In How To Live With Art” by Saiqa Ajmal (June 2022)

This inspired kitchen renovation of a 1920's home in the historic Burns Park area of Ann Arbor, MI is a lesson in bringing the past forward! Featuring bespoke Sharer Cabinetry in painted white and natural walnut, the transitional design pays homage to the home's historic charm, while adding luxury and functionality to the space. The kitchen's unique elements include the striking center island, which features extensive storage, seating and serving options, and the conveniently placed dry bar, perfect for storing spirits and mixing cocktails. This timeless design ensures that this kitchen will age with style! Cabinetry: Sharer Cabinetry Perimeter and Dry Bar Finish: Painted White Island, Pantries & Entertainment Center: Walnut with Bourbon Stain Photos: Stylish Detroit

Always Love helping Clients enjoy their homes to the fullest! It is about now..... Covid taught us so many lessons, so many of my clients want to enjoy how hard they work in their own spaces. This is just another example of using every inch of your real estate. This new entertainment space has already gone for a couple of spins - Enjoy! # Golf Simulator/Workout Room. Conditioned Wine Cellar Space. Basement Bar for Game Night - Go Dawgs! #designbuild #designtransforms #uga

This bright and inviting home office remodel is a lesson in how to blend functionality with comfort. French doors create an elegant entrance while allowing natural light to flow through the space. A soft gray wall color paired with crisp white trim provides a calm backdrop for productivity, while rich hardwood floors and a woven area rug add warmth and texture. The leather armchair and industrial-style bookcase bring a masculine yet approachable vibe, perfect for reading, brainstorming, or unwinding between Zoom calls. Built with intention, this space effortlessly balances work and relaxation.

This inspired kitchen renovation of a 1920's home in the historic Burns Park area of Ann Arbor, MI is a lesson in bringing the past forward! Featuring bespoke Sharer Cabinetry in painted white and natural walnut, the transitional design pays homage to the home's historic charm, while adding luxury and functionality to the space. The kitchen's unique elements include the striking center island, which features extensive storage, seating and serving options, and the conveniently placed dry bar, perfect for storing spirits and mixing cocktails. This timeless design ensures that this kitchen will age with style! Cabinetry: Sharer Cabinetry Perimeter and Dry Bar Finish: Painted White Island, Pantries & Entertainment Center: Walnut with Bourbon Stain Photos: Stylish Detroit

Rob Fisher, principal, and builder, has built new homes in the Northern Virginia area for almost 25 years. He has overseen the design, development, construction, and customer satisfaction of some of the most exclusive communities and reputable builders in the area. He began his career with Foley Custom Homes in Vienna, VA before moving on to serve as a supervisor for NVR. In 1986 he joined A&A Partnership in Alexandria, Virginia. As Construction Manager, he was responsible for Harborside, a waterfront community of luxury townhouses in the heart of Old Town. In 1994 Rob joined Pulte Homes to open StoneRidge Builders, a division of Pulte Homes offering high end, semi-custom homes to the Mid Atlantic market. Under StoneRidge Builders, Rob oversaw such notable projects as McLean Hundred (McLean); Ashgrove Plantation & Clarks Crossing (Vienna); and Timberlake and Windsong Estates (Oakton). Rob led Pulte’s efforts in establishing themselves as the undisputed leader in customer satisfaction. During his tenure as Vice President of Customer Relations for the Mid-Atlantic Region, Pulte won an unprecedented five JD Power and Associates New Home Customer Satisfaction Awards. The experiences and lessons learned in building some of the most exclusive projects in Northern Virginia, while creating an industry benchmark in customer satisfaction, helped create the foundation upon which Fisher Custom Homes was established. In 2010, Rob decided to turn his passion for building homes into a personal business, and Fisher Custom Homes was born. Over the course of the last several years, Rob has worked diligently to establish himself as one of the most prestigious and sought-after custom home builders in the Vienna, VA and surrounding areas. Rob’s quality, attention to detail and personal touch has earned him a reputation as the ‘builder of choice’ among his peers, his homeowners, and prospective buyers.

Harvested from century-old barns and wooden industrial structures, this floor transforms a room into a living history lesson filled with character marks earned from years of faithful use. With a rich mixture of reclaimed hardwoods, saw marks, natural checking, color and texture, this floor is unmatched in it’s ability to attract attention. The perfect solution for a truly unique floor, wall or ceiling treatment.

This inspired kitchen renovation of a 1920's home in the historic Burns Park area of Ann Arbor, MI is a lesson in bringing the past forward! Featuring bespoke Sharer Cabinetry in painted white and natural walnut, the transitional design pays homage to the home's historic charm, while adding luxury and functionality to the space. The kitchen's unique elements include the striking center island, which features extensive storage, seating and serving options, and the conveniently placed dry bar, perfect for storing spirits and mixing cocktails. This timeless design ensures that this kitchen will age with style! Cabinetry: Sharer Cabinetry Perimeter and Dry Bar Finish: Painted White Island, Pantries & Entertainment Center: Walnut with Bourbon Stain Photos: Stylish Detroit

This kitchen is a lesson in how gray can be cool and calming, rather than dull, thanks to EPITOME, a elegant and warm color by AureaStone that perfectly matches with neutral colors.

Most memorable moment was when owner called me and said he was discussing over lunch with a friend the amazing new Sport Court addition we put in his home. It looks that the discussion led to a challenge and owner who was close by our showroom asked if he could use our Design Center Court to teach his friend a lesson! Of course I agreed! Good times.

This modern kitchen services a family with 4 teen-aged kids, frequent out-of-town guests, many friends and family gatherings. At one point, my client even ran a catering business from her home. This kitchen gets used everyday! It was great fun to work with these wonderful people on their complete remodel. The house features many windows, amazing Salt Lake Valley views, and two-story, high ceilings! Many thanks to Jessica from Prolific, Ink. for the photography (and the camera lessons!).

Space for music lessons and performance.

The approach to Edge House, a walk through verdant woodland abundant with ferns and moss, is a lesson in arrival. What appears is a woodsy yet contemporary dwelling divided into two volumes, framing an ocean view. Located on an island off Midcoast, Maine, Edge House is a low-slung cabin that hugs the rocky coast. The client commissioned Charles Rose Architects to design a simple cottage retreat that could take full advantage of the view, while also remaining inconspicuously nestled in the trees. The solution was a simple wood-shingled structure that features large glass windows, connecting both structure and inhabitant to the site. From the water’s edge, only a few hundred meters away, the house is barely visible. The selection of contextual materials, specifically cedar shingles, was meant to embed the structure in the landscape. For the interior, bedrooms are purposefully small, and beds were positioned close to the full-height windows, allowing occupants to immerse themselves in the view. Clerestory windows under the roof further amplify the quality of natural light and create a weightless effect on the roof from the outside. The stone fireplace, located in the living room, was crafted with stones gathered from the site as another way to bring the outdoors in.

This inspired kitchen renovation of a 1920's home in the historic Burns Park area of Ann Arbor, MI is a lesson in bringing the past forward! Featuring bespoke Sharer Cabinetry in painted white and natural walnut, the transitional design pays homage to the home's historic charm, while adding luxury and functionality to the space. The kitchen's unique elements include the striking center island, which features extensive storage, seating and serving options, and the conveniently placed dry bar, perfect for storing spirits and mixing cocktails. This timeless design ensures that this kitchen will age with style! Cabinetry: Sharer Cabinetry Perimeter and Dry Bar Finish: Painted White Island, Pantries & Entertainment Center: Walnut with Bourbon Stain Photos: Stylish Detroit

This inspired kitchen renovation of a 1920's home in the historic Burns Park area of Ann Arbor, MI is a lesson in bringing the past forward! Featuring bespoke Sharer Cabinetry in painted white and natural walnut, the transitional design pays homage to the home's historic charm, while adding luxury and functionality to the space. The kitchen's unique elements include the striking center island, which features extensive storage, seating and serving options, and the conveniently placed dry bar, perfect for storing spirits and mixing cocktails. This timeless design ensures that this kitchen will age with style! Cabinetry: Sharer Cabinetry Perimeter and Dry Bar Finish: Painted White Island, Pantries & Entertainment Center: Walnut with Bourbon Stain Photos: Stylish Detroit

This lovely landscape sports a poured in place concrete slab patio with drought tolerant sedum plants between the slabs. This sedum mix is sold in sheets then cut to fit but it’s actually grown for green-roof application. It works perfectly in this hot environment too as it is extremely drought tolerant and can go a month without water. Because the water runoff is absorbed between the slabs the patio drainage works perfectly and there are no need for drains.The swimming pool is of the fiberglass variety. Though the initial investment is greater than that of vinyl pools the ROI is greater over a 10 year period. Fiberglass pools retains more heat as the pool shell is all one piece and they don’t ever require a new liner.. This fiberglass pool has cool built-in benching and steps. And there is even a swim jet built into one side great for those cardio blasting swims. The pool interior colour is grey though it shows a soft blue/grey when water is added due to the reflection of the sky and other surroundings. The pool coping is natural stone with rock face edge. The steel arbour was custom made. Metal (steel) was chosen for it’s slim strength as wood placed here would have been too chunky. The best rooms (indoors or our) have a subtle layering of textural elements. To me this landscape needed a structure here to define the “rooms” It will look even better in a few years when the vines reach the top and the Miscanthus on either side reaches its 7′ height!The 12′ x 16′ pavilion is also made of steel and houses an alfresco dining table and sofa set. The pavilions built in cupola makes the warm breezes comfortably pass through with no need for a fan. It’s also sunken 2′ from the pool/patio height and nestled nicely in the corner. I must also mention the large slim planters with “Red Shades” Canna lily within. They are the perfect boldness/balance!Step through the arbor and a linear pond with “floating” natural stone step is revealed! Two smooth flow scuppers are responsible for the quiet waterfalls either side. A wood deck overhangs the pond adding softness to the setting. A modern retaining wall with natural stone cap runs the full width of the pond and pool adding interest and dimension. In the covered outdoor living area this wall is the perfect seat wall - adding lots of extra party seating! The lesson to be learned here is that good design can be applied to any space. This backyard is only 50′ x 45′ and look what can be achieved! Landscape design and photography by Melanie Rekola