The owners requested that their home harmonize with the spirit of the surrounding Colorado mountain setting and enhance their outdoor recreational lifestyle - while reflecting their contemporary architectural tastes. The site was burdened with a myriad of strict design criteria enforced by the neighborhood covenants and architectural review board. Creating a distinct design challenge, the covenants included a narrow interpretation of a “mountain style” home which established predetermined roof pitches, glazing percentages and material palettes - at direct odds with the client‘s vision of a flat-roofed, glass, “contemporary” home. Our solution finds inspiration and opportunities within the site covenant’s strict definitions. It promotes and celebrates the client’s outdoor lifestyle and resolves the definition of a contemporary “mountain style” home by reducing the architecture to its most basic vernacular forms and relying upon local materials. The home utilizes a simple base, middle and top that echoes the surrounding mountains and vegetation. The massing takes its cues from the prevalent lodgepole pine trees that grow at the mountain’s high altitudes. These pine trees have a distinct growth pattern, highlighted by a single vertical trunk and a peaked, densely foliated growth zone above a sparse base. This growth pattern is referenced by placing the wood-clad body of the home at the second story above an open base composed of wood posts and glass. A simple peaked roof rests lightly atop the home - visually floating above a triangular glass transom. The home itself is neatly inserted amongst an existing grove of lodgepole pines and oriented to take advantage of panoramic views of the adjacent meadow and Continental Divide beyond. The main functions of the house are arranged into public and private areas and this division is made apparent on the home’s exterior. Two large roof forms, clad in pre-patinated zinc, are separated by a sheltering central deck - which signals the main entry to the home. At this connection, the roof deck is opened to allow a cluster of aspen trees to grow – further reinforcing nature as an integral part of arrival. Outdoor living spaces are provided on all levels of the house and are positioned to take advantage of sunrise and sunset moments. The distinction between interior and exterior space is blurred via the use of large expanses of glass. The dry stacked stone base and natural cedar cladding both reappear within the home’s interior spaces. This home offers a unique solution to the client’s requests while satisfying the design requirements of the neighborhood covenants. The house provides a variety of indoor and outdoor living spaces that can be utilized in all seasons. Most importantly, the house takes its cues directly from its natural surroundings and local building traditions to become a prototype solution for the “modern mountain house”. Overview Ranch Creek Ranch Winter Park, Colorado Completion Date October, 2007 Services Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture

An interior design client let us use their house for the local Christmas Walk
Home design - traditional home design idea in Chicago

With sweeping views of the Willamette river and Mt. Hood, this Atwater Place condo was designed with a balance of minimalism and livability in mind. A complete kitchen remodel brought a dark interior kitchen to the light and a full furnishings package welcomed Los Angeles transplants home to their new modern and bright residence. Our clients, a retired camera operator for both feature films and television and a producer/production manager on numerous television series including Weeds and The Middle, relocated from their traditionally-styled LA bungalow to Portland in the Summer of 2014. The couple sought a design departure from their long-term California residence and a fresh start for their new life in the South Waterfront. With only two pieces of sentimental furniture and a handful of artwork included in the plan, we set out to create a comfortable and clean-lined furnishings package complimenting the broad southeast views. Organically shaped upholstery pieces juxtaposed with angular steel and wood tables create a soft balance in the open floor plan. Several custom pieces, including a dining table designed by our studio and a custom hand-blown glass chandelier crafted by Scott Schiesel with Lightlite compliment timeless pieces from Knoll, Herman Miller, and B&B Italia. The kitchen is designed to reflect light and create brilliance in a space that is otherwise naturally dark. A material balance of stainless steel, back painted glass, quartz composite, lacquer, and mirror all play their part in creating a vibrant cooking environment. We collectively decided to forgo the traditional island pendant for a linear commercial fixture that provides tremendous light to the prep surface and creates an unexpected architectural element. The mirrored prep island creates the illusion of open space while concealing casework and wine storage on the working side of the kitchen. It is worth noting that this project was designed and installed almost entirely while our clients were still living in LA and wrapping up professional obligations and selling their home. This afforded us the tremendous opportunity to send our clients to showrooms not available in Portland to view key pieces before final specification. Textiles and finish samples were approved via mail and communication took place over e-mail, telephone, and an occasional office visit. This unique process lead to a successful result and a beautifully balanced living environment. Josh Partee Photography

We were lucky to work with a blank slate in this nearly new home. Keeping the bar as the main focus was critical. With elements like the gorgeous tin ceiling, custom finished distressed black wainscot and handmade wood bar top were the perfect compliment to the reclaimed brick walls and beautiful beam work. With connections to a local artist who handcrafted and welded the steel doors to the built-in liquor cabinet, our clients were ecstatic with the results. Other amenities in the bar include the rear wall of stainless built-ins, including individual refrigeration, freezer, ice maker, a 2-tap beer unit, dishwasher drawers and matching Stainless Steel sink base cabinet.

I worked with Christen Ales Interiors to style this 1200 sq. ft. home that the client rents out on Airbnb. The goal was to add art, accessories, and decor to the home to give it a local Austin flair, while at the same time creating a warm space to enjoy. MORE PHOTOS HERE: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/72616232/list/houzz-tour-bachelor-pad-shapes-up-quickly-with-midcentury-style Style collaboration with lead designer Christen Ales Interiors.

Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Design & Photo Styling | Atlantis Architects, Architect | Andrea Calo, Photography Please Note: All “related,” “similar,” and “sponsored” products tagged or listed by Houzz are not actual products pictured. They have not been approved by Martha O’Hara Interiors nor any of the professionals credited. For information about our work, please contact design@oharainteriors.com.

Woodsy kitchen for guest house. This project was a Guest House for a long time Battle Associates Client. Smaller, smaller, smaller the owners kept saying about the guest cottage right on the water's edge. The result was an intimate, almost diminutive, two bedroom cottage for extended family visitors. White beadboard interiors and natural wood structure keep the house light and airy. The fold-away door to the screen porch allows the space to flow beautifully. Photographer: Nancy Belluscio

Betsy & Matt have a beautiful pool and patio, but an exposed location on a links golf course left nowhere to escape the afternoon sun and incessant wind. SCD was engaged to design and build an oasis of shade for lounging and entertaining as the focal point of this spectacular outdoor living space. Design Criteria: - Provide shelter from the sun and wind. - Create a light and open area – avoid creating an enveloping “building”. More like a large umbrella than a small building. - Design to harmonize with the client’s modern tastes, as expressed in the home’s interior. - Create space for soft seating, bar seating and cooking, all within the “shade footprint” during the afternoon. Special Features: - Transitional/Modern design. - Custom welded steel frame structure - Roof framed with oversized Douglas Fir timbers. - Custom fabricated sliding wind/sun screen panels. Laser-cut aluminum panels feature the work of local artist Chris Borai. - Bar and outdoor kitchen area features granite tile countertops and stainless steel appliances. - Technology features include Sunbrite outdoor televison, Apple TV & Sonos music systems. - Sunbrella fabric canopies extend the shade over the bar and grill area. Less

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.

Each step has 3 different turned balustrades spun by out local wood shop especially for this client.
Example of a classic staircase design in Boston

Trendy living room photo in Ottawa

An interior design client let us use their house for the local Christmas Walk
Elegant family room photo in Chicago

Gibeon Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary bathroom remodel in Miami

Our client’s modest, three-bedroom house occupies a beautiful, small site having views down the length of Lake Oswego. The design responded to their appreciation of Hawaiian Island/Pacific Rim architecture and to the strict limitation to construction imposed by local zoning. We worked with Forsgren Design Studio on the selection of materials and finishes. This house was published in the book “Dream Homes of Pacific Northwest” & Homes & Gardens Northwest magazine.

Sarah Baker Photos
Mid-sized farmhouse powder room photo with white walls, a wall-mount sink, granite countertops and gray countertops

Photo: Charles Davis Smith, AIA
Inspiration for a small industrial open concept medium tone wood floor living room remodel in Dallas with a bar, a hanging fireplace, a concrete fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

“Greensboro’s Grandest House” was recently selected as the 2013 ShowHouse presented by the Junior League of Greensboro and national media sponsor Traditional Home. Among the local and national design talent featured in this special fundraising event was design duo Patti Allen and Stephanie James of Furnitureland South, who transformed the estate’s patio into a classic, colorful and cozy space. Built in the early 1920s, the Adamsleigh estate is more than 15,000 square feet and covers 13.5 acres that include pools, a lake, tennis courts, a stone gazebo and a five-car garage. The 30×60 patio presented a special design challenge – the space was in disrepair and sat unevenly on a downward slope. Rising to the challenge, Patti and Stephanie partnered with Outer Space Landscapes to change the elevation of the patio in order to draw attention to the focal point and inspiration of the project: a beautiful canopy sofa by Century Furniture. The addition of 6 tons of landscaping material included Pennsylvania blue stone, pebbles, sand, cherry trees, azaleas and geraniums all blooming in the colors of the latest Sunbrella fabrics featured in the outdoor furnishings: crisp, sandy white, fuchsia and tangerine. Patti and Stephanie wanted to showcase clean and classic outdoor style with an edge of color and unexpected elements. Playful ottomans by Baker float in the space for multiple functions, adding an extra pop of color to the sophisticated setting which includes a dining table by Oscar de la Renta, organic spot tables from Phillips Collection, and daybeds and seating from Century Furniture. Combining their passion for interior spaces with signature designs, Allen and James Designs gave this outdoor space the comfort, color and style it deserved. Patti and Stephanie, co-founders of Allen and James Designs, are committed to inspire and influence unique spaces for home, work, play and relaxation. With over 25 years of experience and a dedication to client relationships, their infusion of international inspiration with style, color, texture and vision make Patti and Stephanie a creative duo capable of exceeding the expectations of any client’s design project. By forming over 400 connections with key manufactures such as Henredon, Century, Lillian August, Dovetail, Maitland Smith and Huntington House, Allen and James Designs can provide a broad range of options that virtually meet any need a client has to create their dream home.

This project involved converting a partially finished basement into an ultimate media room with an English pub. The family is big on entertaining and enjoys watching movies and college football. It was important to combine the media area with the pub to create options for guests within the same space. Although the home has a full sized basement the staircase was centrally located, which made it difficult for special configuration. As a result, we were able to work with the existing plan be designing a media area large enough for a sectional sofa and additional seating with the English pub at the far end of the room. The home owner had a projection screen on a bare wall with the electrical components stacked on boxes. The new plan involved installing new cabinets to accommodate components and surround the screen to give it a built-in finish. Open shelving also allows the homeowner to feature some of their collectible sports memorabilia. As if the 130 inch projection screen wasn’t large enough, the surround sound system makes you feel like you are part of the action. It is as close to the I MAX viewing experience as you are going to get in a home. Sound-deadening insulation was installed in the ceiling and walls to prevent noise from penetrating the second floor. The design of the pub was inspired by the home owner’s favorite local pub, Brazenhead. The bar countertop with lift-top entrance was custom built by our carpenters to simulate aged wood. The finish looks rough, but it is smooth enough to wipe down easily. The top encloses the bar and provides seating for guests. A TV at the bar allows guest to follow along with the game on the big screen or tune into another game. The game table provides even another option for entertainment in the media room. Stacked stone with thick mortar joints was installed on the face of the bar and to an opposite wall containing the entrance to a wine room. Hand scrapped hardwood floors were installed in the pub portion of the media room to provide yet another touch to “Brazenhead” their own pub. The wet bar is under a soffit area that continues into the media area due to existing duct work. We wanted to creatively find a way to separate the two spaces. Adding trim on the ceiling and front of soffit at the bar defined the area and made a great transition from the drywall soffit to the wet bar. A tin ceiling was installed which added to the ambience of the pub wet bar and further aided in defining the soffit as an intentional part of the design. Custom built wainscoting borders the perimeter of the media room. The end result allows the client to comfortably entertain in a space designed just for them.

Family room - contemporary concrete floor and beige floor family room idea in Orange County with beige walls