Hillcrest Construction designed and executed a complete facelift for these West Chester clients’ master bathroom. The sink/toilet/shower layout stayed relatively unchanged due to the limitations of the small space, but major changes were slated for the overall functionality and aesthetic appeal. The bathroom was gutted completely, the wiring was updated, and minor plumbing alterations were completed for code compliance. Bathroom waterproofing was installed utilizing the state-of-the-industry Schluter substrate products, and the feature wall of the shower is tiled with a striking blue 12x12 tile set in a stacked pattern, which is a departure of color and layout from the staggered gray-tome wall tile and floor tile. The original bathroom lacked storage, and what little storage it had lacked practicality. The original 1’ wide by 4’ deep “reach-in closet” was abandoned and replaced with a custom cabinetry unit that featured six 30” drawers to hold a world of personal bathroom items which could pulled out for easy access. The upper cubbie was shallower at 13” and was sized right to hold a few spare towels without the towels being lost to an unreachable area. The custom furniture-style vanity, also built and finished at the Hillcrest custom shop facilitated a clutter-free countertop with its two deep drawers, one with a u-shaped cut out for the sink plumbing. Considering the relatively small size of the bathroom, and the vanity’s proximity to the toilet, the drawer design allows for greater access to the storage area as compared to a vanity door design that would only be accessed from the front. The custom niche in the shower serves and a consolidated home for soap, shampoo bottles, and all other shower accessories. Moen fixtures at the sink and in the shower and a Toto toilet complete the contemporary feel. The controls at the shower allow the user to easily switch between the fixed rain head, the hand shower, or both. And for a finishing touch, the client chose between a number for shower grate color and design options to complete their tailor-made sanctuary.

A stunning and stylish floor plan with numerous features throughout for everything you could desire in a home. A charming front porch leads you into this home where you immediately are greeted by the expansive great room with optional see-through fireplace into hearth area. The study with optional coffered ceiling could serve as 4th bedroom. The open kitchen, dining area, and hearth area allows for plenty of natural light. A secluded first-floor owner's suite with optional tray ceiling includes a private bath with double bowl vanity and expansive closet. The 2nd floor boasts 2 other bedrooms, a full bath, and a large loft. An optional outdoor living area, accessible from the dining area, is available as well. (Pricing may reflect limited-time savings/incentives. See Community Sales Manager for details.)

This backyard in Calgary's Fishcreek is the prefect atmosphere for a party. The outdoor fireplace with mahogany privacy screens makes this yard feel private and secluded. Because of limited access while under construction, 9 trees had to be craned over the house to ensure no element of the desired "feel of the space" was sacrificed. The true eye catcher on this project was the custom powder coated Red Bull that hangs above the fireplace. Photo Credit: Jamen Rhodes

Because space in her home was limited, this homeowner had been using the only downstairs bedroom for her crafting projects. Quite frequently, her materials were expanding into the living areas making their home feel a bit cluttered and congested. She longed for a spacious, light-filled room with cheerful colors, plenty of storage, and lots of counterspace. Although their home didn’t have the available square footage to create such a space, they did have an adjacent garden area that they hadn’t been using. This was the perfect location to build a separate studio and would give her easy access to and from the house. It was important to Powell Construction to design a structure that would reflect the architecture of their home and give the impression that the studio was a natural addition to the property. The small gable nestled over the studio’s entry gives it a charming cottage appearance. Vaulted ceilings and plenty of natural light make the space feel roomy and open. They selected a brilliant blue paint for the exterior which was consistent with the house and the detached garage.

Located in, Summit Park, Park City UT lies one of the most efficient houses in the country. The Summit Haus – designed and built by Chris Price of PCD+B, is an exploration in design and construction of advanced high performance housing. Seeing a rising demand for sustainable housing along with rising Carbon emissions leading to global warming, this house strives to show that sensible, good design can create spaces adequate for today’s housing demands while adhering to strict standards. The house was designed to meet the very rigid Passiv House rating system – 90% more efficient than a typical home in the area. The house itself was intended to nestle neatly into the 45 degree sloped site and to take full advantage of the limited solar access and views. The views range from short, highly wooded views to a long corridor out towards the Uinta Mountain range towards the east. The house was designed and built based off Passiv Haus standards, and the framing and ventilation became critical elements to maintain such minimal energy requirements. Zola triple-pane, tilt-and-turn Thermo uPVC windows contribute substantially to the home’s energy efficiency, and takes advantage of the beautiful surrounding of the location, including forrest views from the deck off of the kitchen. Photographer: City Home Collective

Door style: Windsor | Species: Cherry | Stain: Brandy The whirlpool tub was fronted with Showplace cabinetry, which also gives handy access to the tub's mechanism if needed. Learn more about Showplace cherry: http://www.showplacewood.com/WoodsFin2/woodsC.0.html

This backyard in Calgary's Fishcreek is the prefect atmosphere for a party. The outdoor fireplace with mahogany privacy screens makes this yard feel private and secluded. Because of limited access while under construction, 9 trees had to be craned over the house to ensure no element of the desired "feel of the space" was sacrificed. The true eye catcher on this project was the custom powder coated Red Bull that hangs above the fireplace. Photo Credit: Jamen Rhodes

Paul came to us with a very tight site a couple of blocks from the town centre. A great lot, but the program required for the site was stretching the limits of the site. With the final design, we ended up being at 99.99% of our allowable buildable area! The home contains a compact two bedroom suite accessed from the rear of the property. Wrapping around this is a huge two car garage, with enough space for the owners trucks and motorbikes. The lounge and kitchen are open plan and have large doors out to the west. A double height entry creates a feature opening, with a single run of stairs up to the upper floor. Here, three large bedrooms and two bathrooms fill the space, some with vaulted ceilings. The master bedroom has sliding doors that open to a private west facing balcony. The craftmanship and skill in woodwork throughout the building is exemplary and a real testament to the skilled guy and girls at Tree Construction who built the home.

Paul came to us with a very tight site a couple of blocks from the town centre. A great lot, but the program required for the site was stretching the limits of the site. With the final design, we ended up being at 99.99% of our allowable buildable area! The home contains a compact two bedroom suite accessed from the rear of the property. Wrapping around this is a huge two car garage, with enough space for the owners trucks and motorbikes. The lounge and kitchen are open plan and have large doors out to the west. A double height entry creates a feature opening, with a single run of stairs up to the upper floor. Here, three large bedrooms and two bathrooms fill the space, some with vaulted ceilings. The master bedroom has sliding doors that open to a private west facing balcony. The craftmanship and skill in woodwork throughout the building is exemplary and a real testament to the skilled guy and girls at Tree Construction who built the home.

Goals While their home provided them with enough square footage, the original layout caused for many rooms to be underutilized. The closed off kitchen and dining room were disconnected from the other common spaces of the home causing problems with circulation and limited sight-lines. A tucked-away powder room was also inaccessible from the entryway and main living spaces in the house. Our Design Solution We sought out to improve the functionality of this home by opening up walls, relocating rooms, and connecting the entryway to the mudroom. By moving the kitchen into the formerly over-sized family room, it was able to really become the heart of the home with access from all of the other rooms in the house. Meanwhile, the adjacent family room was made into a cozy, comfortable space with updated fireplace and new cathedral style ceiling with skylights. The powder room was relocated to be off of the entry, making it more accessible for guests. A transitional style with rustic accents was used throughout the remodel for a cohesive first floor design. White and black cabinets were complimented with brass hardware and custom wood features, including a hood top and accent wall over the fireplace. Between each room, walls were thickened and archway were put in place, providing the home with even more character.

Located along a country road, a half mile from the clear waters of Lake Michigan, we were hired to re-conceptualize an existing weekend cabin to allow long views of the adjacent farm field and create a separate area for the owners to escape their high school age children and many visitors! The site had tight building setbacks which limited expansion options, and to further our challenge, a 200 year old pin oak tree stood in the available building location. We designed a bedroom wing addition to the side of the cabin which freed up the existing cabin to become a great room with a wall of glass which looks out to the farm field and accesses a newly designed pea-gravel outdoor dining room. The addition steps around the existing tree, sitting on a specialized foundation we designed to minimize impact to the tree. The master suite is kept separate with ‘the pass’- a low ceiling link back to the main house. Painted board and batten siding, ribbons of windows, a low one-story metal roof with vaulted ceiling and no-nonsense detailing fits this modern cabin to the Michigan country-side. A great place to vacation. The perfect place to retire someday.

Because space in her home was limited, this homeowner had been using the only downstairs bedroom for her crafting projects. Quite frequently, her materials were expanding into the living areas making their home feel a bit cluttered and congested. She longed for a spacious, light-filled room with cheerful colors, plenty of storage, and lots of counterspace. Although their home didn’t have the available square footage to create such a space, they did have an adjacent garden area that they hadn’t been using. This was the perfect location to build a separate studio and would give her easy access to and from the house. It was important to Powell Construction to design a structure that would reflect the architecture of their home and give the impression that the studio was a natural addition to the property. The small gable nestled over the studio’s entry gives it a charming cottage appearance. Vaulted ceilings and plenty of natural light make the space feel roomy and open. They selected a brilliant blue paint for the exterior which was consistent with the house and the detached garage.

Home design - modern home design idea in Louisville

Because space in her home was limited, this homeowner had been using the only downstairs bedroom for her crafting projects. Quite frequently, her materials were expanding into the living areas making their home feel a bit cluttered and congested. She longed for a spacious, light-filled room with cheerful colors, plenty of storage, and lots of counterspace. Although their home didn’t have the available square footage to create such a space, they did have an adjacent garden area that they hadn’t been using. This was the perfect location to build a separate studio and would give her easy access to and from the house. It was important to Powell Construction to design a structure that would reflect the architecture of their home and give the impression that the studio was a natural addition to the property. The small gable nestled over the studio’s entry gives it a charming cottage appearance. Vaulted ceilings and plenty of natural light make the space feel roomy and open. They selected a brilliant blue paint for the exterior which was consistent with the house and the detached garage.

Because space in her home was limited, this homeowner had been using the only downstairs bedroom for her crafting projects. Quite frequently, her materials were expanding into the living areas making their home feel a bit cluttered and congested. She longed for a spacious, light-filled room with cheerful colors, plenty of storage, and lots of counterspace. Although their home didn’t have the available square footage to create such a space, they did have an adjacent garden area that they hadn’t been using. This was the perfect location to build a separate studio and would give her easy access to and from the house. It was important to Powell Construction to design a structure that would reflect the architecture of their home and give the impression that the studio was a natural addition to the property. The small gable nestled over the studio’s entry gives it a charming cottage appearance. Vaulted ceilings and plenty of natural light make the space feel roomy and open. They selected a brilliant blue paint for the exterior which was consistent with the house and the detached garage.

Because space in her home was limited, this homeowner had been using the only downstairs bedroom for her crafting projects. Quite frequently, her materials were expanding into the living areas making their home feel a bit cluttered and congested. She longed for a spacious, light-filled room with cheerful colors, plenty of storage, and lots of counterspace. Although their home didn’t have the available square footage to create such a space, they did have an adjacent garden area that they hadn’t been using. This was the perfect location to build a separate studio and would give her easy access to and from the house. It was important to Powell Construction to design a structure that would reflect the architecture of their home and give the impression that the studio was a natural addition to the property. The small gable nestled over the studio’s entry gives it a charming cottage appearance. Vaulted ceilings and plenty of natural light make the space feel roomy and open. They selected a brilliant blue paint for the exterior which was consistent with the house and the detached garage.

Paul came to us with a very tight site a couple of blocks from the town centre. A great lot, but the program required for the site was stretching the limits of the site. With the final design, we ended up being at 99.99% of our allowable buildable area! The home contains a compact two bedroom suite accessed from the rear of the property. Wrapping around this is a huge two car garage, with enough space for the owners trucks and motorbikes. The lounge and kitchen are open plan and have large doors out to the west. A double height entry creates a feature opening, with a single run of stairs up to the upper floor. Here, three large bedrooms and two bathrooms fill the space, some with vaulted ceilings. The master bedroom has sliding doors that open to a private west facing balcony. The craftmanship and skill in woodwork throughout the building is exemplary and a real testament to the skilled guy and girls at Tree Construction who built the home.

This project began with the goal of updating both style and function to allow for improved ease of use for a wheelchair. The previous space was overstuffed with an island that didn't really fit, an over-sized fridge in a location that complicated a primary doorway, and a 42" tall high bar that was inaccessible from a wheelchair. Our clients desired a space that would improve wheelchair use for both cooking or just being in the room, yet did not look like an ADA space. It became a story of less is more, and subtle, thoughtful changes from a standard design. After working through options, we designed an open floorplan that provided a galley kitchen function with a full 5 ft walkway by use of a peninsula open to the family den. This peninsula is highlighted by a drop down, table-height countertop wrapping the end and long backside that is now accessible to all members of the family by providing a perfect height for a flexible workstation in a wheelchair or comfortable entertaining on the backside. We then dropped the height for cooking at the new induction cooktop and created knee space below. Further, we specified an apron front sink that brings the sink closer in reach than a traditional undermount sink that would have countertop rimming in front. An articulating faucet with no limitations on reach provides full range of access in the sink. The ovens and microwave were also situated at a height comfortable for use from a wheelchair. Where a refrigerator used to block the doorway, a pull out is now located giving easy access to dry goods for cooks at all heights. Every element within the space was considered for the impact to our homes occupants - wheelchair or not, even the doorswing on the microwave. Now our client has a kitchen that every member of the family can use and be a part of. Simple design, with a well-thought out plan, makes a difference in the lives of another family. Photos by David Cobb Photography

As the core of Atlanta becomes more and more dense, options for new single-family homes are often limited to building unsustainably through demolition of existing homes. However, scattered around the city core are undeveloped sites considered “unbuildable", often because of jurisdictionally imposed restraints i.e. zoning setbacks, riparian stream buffers, peculiar lot configurations and difficult site features. Comparably, for this 12,401 sq. ft. site, zoning setbacks and riparian buffer restraints imposed on the lot's status as an undeveloped, legal, residential lot-of-record, rendered the property “unbuildable”. Not a single square foot of the site met jurisdictional requirements for “buildable”. Furthermore, the stream along the front of the site precluded construction access and the steep terrain was foreboding.