Lisa Petrole
Modern exterior home idea in San Francisco

Taking out the enclosed shower wall and making a zero entry shower opened up this bathroom space and made room for an angled free standing tub. We painted current cabinets and added new quartz countertops, mirrors, lighting and cabinet hardware.

Photos by Steve Buchanan Photography
Minimalist dining room photo in Philadelphia

Rear view of house with screened porch and patio - detached garage beyond connected by bridge over creek Photo by Sarah Terranova
Example of a mid-sized 1950s multicolored mixed siding house exterior design in Kansas City with a shed roof

Photos by Steve Buchanan Photography
Foyer - modern foyer idea in Philadelphia

Architect: Grouparchitect. Prefab Builder: Method Homes.
Alcove shower - small contemporary white tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile alcove shower idea in Seattle with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, laminate countertops, a one-piece toilet and white walls

Jim Bartsch Photography
Ornate porch photo in Santa Barbara with a roof extension

Guest bathroom with floating vanities and corner shower/bathtub.
Example of a trendy 3/4 multicolored tile multicolored floor and single-sink corner bathtub design in London with flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, a wall-mount toilet, multicolored walls, a wall-mount sink, white countertops and a floating vanity

Lisa Petrole
Inspiration for a contemporary kitchen remodel in San Francisco

This organic modern design is built in an area known for having notable issues with ground movement. After speaking with the developer and reviewing the soil report with our Structural Engineer, we made our recommendations to the client. Since the budget for a full-blown pier and beam structure with void boxes under the pool was well beyond the comfort level of our client, they elected to have us utilize a float shell construction method. For this, we over-excavated the hole and placed a 12" layer of gravel beneath the shell of the pool. Drain lines lead from the deepest point under the pool down into a culvert, placed off to the side of the pool. A sump pump removes any excess water from the culvert as it accumulates. For the shell of the pool, we utilized a double matt of steel and increased the wall thickness to a minimum of 12". This gave added strength to withstand the volatile soil. The elements of fire, water, wood and stone were very important in creating the organic modern feel of this design. The layered effect along the back wall creates a visual stimulation across the length of the yard, without overwhelming the senses. Rather than creating walls only of hard materials, we used Ipe wood to create horizontal screen walls of a more organic nature. At either end, the raised wall and the fire feature are finished in a large-scale porcelain tile, with the look of stained concrete. Custom stainless steel scuppers, made by a local fabricator, create a soothing sound of falling water. The low wall at the center of the project is faced in natural ledgestone, and carries a color palette that set the tone for the entire project. Behind this wall and in front of one of the Ipe screens are three Desert Steel Giant Agave sculptures. The unique fire feature isn't quite a fire place, nor is it a fire pit. It is a linear fire burner, surrounded by a 4" thick cantilevered Leuder limestone hearth, with a backdrop wall of blue glazed clay tile. Although the pool was initially planned as a plaster pool, as the project began to take shape, the client elected to go all the way and finish it in a beautiful blue glass mosaic. Custom fabricated stainless steel cannon jets send a delicate arch of water over this deep blue, and draw attention to the three square wok planters on the far side of the yard. For the decking on this project, we elected to work with Mother Nature rather than against her. Two and a half inch thick concrete pavers, set on a bed of compacted, decomposed granite allow for movement around the pool that is easily fixed. If an area of deck moves around, we can simply lift the affected areas, re-level with DG bed, and re-set the pavers.

Vintage furniture from the 1950's and 1960's fill this Palo Alto bungalow with character and sentimental charm. Mixing furniture from the homeowner's childhood alongside mid-century modern treasures create an interior where every piece has a history.

A simple Kitchen upgrade called for sanded and painted cabinets, new hardware, a new countertop stone, and upgraded lighting.

Bathroom - transitional blue floor bathroom idea in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink and white countertops

Lisa Petrole
Trendy bedroom photo in San Francisco

Blake Civiello Architecture makes regular visits to consult camp operators on green building methods, space planning, and cold weather insulation among other architecture-related questions. Photos by Norden Camp www.NordenTravel.com

This recently built Atherton home had builder-basic "blah" landscaping. Greenwood Design Associates worked with the homeowners through Skype and other methods to translate their vision from half a world away to a new "home away from home."

Living room - contemporary porcelain tile living room idea in Philadelphia with white walls

Inspiration for a large contemporary master beige tile beige floor and double-sink freestanding bathtub remodel in Seattle with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a vessel sink, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a floating vanity