D.A. Horchner / Design Workshop, Inc.
Example of a huge farmhouse gravel full sun home design design for summer in Denver

Pool - large backyard concrete paver and custom-shaped pool idea in Phoenix

Inspiration for a large rustic backyard concrete paver and custom-shaped hot tub remodel in Phoenix

D.A. Horchner / Design Workshop, Inc.
Home design - huge cottage gravel full sun home design idea for fall in Denver

This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income. DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request. MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic. RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income. ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them. URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances. OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values. Eric Roth Photo

Colorful front yard!
This is an example of a huge traditional full sun front yard landscaping in Boston for summer.

This path is constructed of 2' x 2' concrete stepper.
Inspiration for a large rustic full sun backyard concrete paver formal garden in Denver for spring.

Welcome to our design space at the Pasadena Showcase House of Design. This “oasis” features a beautiful collection of koi fish, gracefully swimming in a 5’x8’ pond. Our modern, clean-cut paver patio is customized to intertwine with large seating boulders. By bringing the pathway right to the edge of the pond, we showcase our favorite cantilever effect. Softening the design, California-friendly plants and a stunning live plant wall surrounds the area, while lights can be seen hanging from the trees, extending the ambiance into the evening hours.

This Oceanside home, built to take advantage of majestic rocky views of the North Atlantic, incorporates outside living with inside glamor. Sunlight streams through the large exterior windows that overlook the ocean. The light filters through to the back of the home with the clever use of over sized door frames with transoms, and a large pass through opening from the kitchen/living area to the dining area. Retractable mosquito screens were installed on the deck to create an outdoor- dining area, comfortable even in the mid summer bug season. Photography: Greg Premru

D.A. Horchner / Design Workshop, Inc.
Home design - huge farmhouse gravel full sun home design idea for fall in Denver

D.A. Horchner / Design Workshop, Inc.
Inspiration for a huge country gravel full sun home design remodel for fall in Denver

Hot tub - large backyard kidney-shaped hot tub idea in Phoenix

Living in Southern California and miss the mountains? Bring them to your front yard with a similar pondless waterfall installation and watch the light play on the ripples.

D.A. Horchner / Design Workshop, Inc.
Photo of a large rustic full sun front yard stone garden path in Denver for summer.

Pool - rustic pool idea

With its coffered ceilings, white-on-white color scheme, and the sun streaming in the floor-to-ceiling windows, the expansive room exudes peace. The additional painted built-in cabinet across from the fireplace helps frame the room, and our suggestion of a mirrored television above the fireplace contributes rather than detracts from the room’s graces. Three re-paneled arches between living and dining room give the passageway a pleasing formality.

Inspiration for a contemporary side yard rectangular lap pool fountain remodel in Atlanta

hardscaping, 1.4 minus gravel walkway, rock garden, water features, waterfall, pondless, outdoor living space, outdoor seating, concrete pavers, flagstone hardscaping

The grand stone veneer wall gives way to an entrance of equal luxury, a pathway of Ipe wood decking crosses a stream, babbling between two flowing water walls, through exotic tropical landscaping to welcome you home. Photo: Geza Darrah