Asked by her client to review a typically mundane South Hampton ‘50s saltbox because “the last designer they talked to said they would have to add on to make the house anything,” Ms. Cohen approached the renovation in exactly the opposite manner. To refine the small building footprint, precise architectural gestures were used with a series of finely calibrated moments make the space more gracious and welcoming. Architectural acts were bold in concept but not in actual construction work; such as capturing the car garage to add a hyper modern sunroom/den along with a powder room and laundry. Reconfiguring one side of the house’s roofline to manipulate the space into a sensational master suite saved the north side of the house from remaining an un-useful attic space. This inner sanctum of bedroom and master bath is reminiscent of a Hampton’s beachscape in all its elegance and minimalism. The only square footage actually added was a tiny 4X4 corner as an addition to the front entry, oddly an essential piece of real estate to make an actual vestibule. All these refinements make for a crafted, articulate result rather than bowing to the bigger is better theme, which is more prevalent in the Hamptons. The function of the plan and the accompanying finishes are impressive. The Jack and Jill bathroom, an invention of the American post-war housing boom, was outfitted in handsome walnut Duravit vanity cabinets and neutral finishes. The master bath, with its expansive skylights, might be mistaken for a conceptual art installation due to its evocative marble countertop in striped ethereal hues. Finally, Ms. Cohen uses wallpaper like a museum curator, hanging an iconic Knoll pattern to punctuate the dining/media space. Each room in the house was sculpted via a palette of watercolor blue of varying saturations. Fabrics were culled from the greats of modernist textiles, Maharam’s Quatrefoil pattern in blue and Knoll classic Sway pattern in sea shades. The blue on white “beach” scheme runs from a soft cotton candy sky in the girl’s room to an immersive David Sutherland Park Bark wallpaper in the powder room. This intellectual inquiry as to what are the true colors at the beach belays the sophistication that surpasses the usual nautical curse of the average beach house. Out of the corner of your eye, in almost every quadrant of the house, is a burst of colorful expression and delight; this serves as Ms. Cohen’s painterly gift to the client. Ms. Cohen’s hidden strength is her ability to choreograph a seating area. Whether it is a formal living room or the ultimate hang out spot, each space has the right amount of distance, intimacy and dare I say intrigue to make the arrangements inviting. Each conversation, because it really looks like a fine chat can be had, has an elegant side table ready for duty and all tête-à-têtes are regulated to a sumptuous area rugs. Habitants in Ms. Cohen’s world only work through deep discourse.

Dovetailed walnut shelf detail. This stand alone cabinet was designed to house stereo equipment. It features a 360 degree rotating top to allow access to the backs of stereo components and tall legs to stand over a subwoofer. Alaskan hemlock, dovetailed walnut and raw steel legs. The design can be manipulated to fit your exact needs!

This home is dedicated to the idea that beauty can be found in the artistic expression of hand-made processes. The project included rigorous material research and close partnership with local craftspeople in order to realize the final architecture. The timeless quality of this collaboration is most visible in the ribbon stair and the raked stucco walls on the exterior facade. Working hand in hand with local artisans, layers of wood and plaster were stapled, raked, sanded, bent, and laminated in order to realize the curve of the stair and the precise lines of the facade. In contrast to the manipulation of materials, a garden courtyard and spa add an intimate experience of nature within the heart of the home. The concealed space is a case study in contrast from the lush vegetation against the stark steel, to the shallow hot plunge and six-foot deep cold plunge. The result is a home that elevates the integrity of local craft and the refreshment of nature’s touch to augment a lifestyle dedicated to health, artistry, and authenticity.

The Weathered Black Dark patina is a black stainless steel finish. To acquire this design, we manipulate the metal to create a mottled, weathered finish. Doing this gives off a variety of darker tones.

Ductless mini split system keeping living room comfortable.
Living room - small modern light wood floor living room idea in San Diego with beige walls and no fireplace

PebbleTec® Tahoe Blue pool built by Texas Pools. Builder Paul Ryan said,“They were anticipating a 'country cottage' feel to this home when they purchased it. They were never really happy with it, until the pool showed up! The pool needed to feel like a meandering stream as it made its way down to the lower level. Views were important, and keeping the rear pond view was paramount. So, by manipulating the shape of the pool, adding an oversize flag stone shelf in the water, and providing a soothing 'trickling' waterfall, the image was complete. From the rear patio it looks and feels like you are sitting next to a back country stream. The design of the house was a bit unusual in that the rear patio angled back towards the other side of the house. This made it extremely difficult to design the pool in such a way that it seemed to be a meandering stream and still make it a functional swim space. The large flagstone tanning shelf did the trick and added that little bit of extra realism for the home owners.”

Inspired by Scandinavian design, Loki pairs a graceful arc with a horizontal platform that resulted in a RedDot award for product design. The unique sliding handle system invites the user to engage with it to manipulate water pressure and temperature.

Architect: Cheryl O'Brien Firm: C. O'Brien Architects Inc. Photo Credit: Lex Wainwright All images appearing in the C. O'Brien Architects Inc. web site are the exclusive property of Cheryl A. O'Brien and are protected under the United States and International Copyright laws. The images may not be reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without the written permission of Cheryl A. O'Brien. Use of any image as the basis for another photographic concept or illustration (digital, artist rendering or alike) is a violation of the United States and International Copyright laws. All images are copyrighted © 2001 - 2014 Cheryl A. O'Brien.

This home is dedicated to the idea that beauty can be found in the artistic expression of hand-made processes. The project included rigorous material research and close partnership with local craftspeople in order to realize the final architecture. The timeless quality of this collaboration is most visible in the ribbon stair and the raked stucco walls on the exterior facade. Working hand in hand with local artisans, layers of wood and plaster were stapled, raked, sanded, bent, and laminated in order to realize the curve of the stair and the precise lines of the facade. In contrast to the manipulation of materials, a garden courtyard and spa add an intimate experience of nature within the heart of the home. The concealed space is a case study in contrast from the lush vegetation against the stark steel, to the shallow hot plunge and six-foot deep cold plunge. The result is a home that elevates the integrity of local craft and the refreshment of nature’s touch to augment a lifestyle dedicated to health, artistry, and authenticity.

All images appearing in the C. O'Brien Architects Inc. web site are the exclusive property of Cheryl A. O'Brien and are protected under the United States and International Copyright laws. The images may not be reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without the written permission of Cheryl A. O'Brien. Use of any image as the basis for another photographic concept or illustration (digital, artist rendering or alike) is a violation of the United States and International Copyright laws. All images are copyrighted © 2001 - 2014 Cheryl A. O'Brien.

Plantation shutters are a type of window treatment. It may be made of wood or faux wood. The louvers mounted in a solid frame and are manipulated by a tilt rod which could is mostly be hidden at the back or in the middle of the shutter. Know more about this product by visiting our website www.beltwayblinds.com

PROGRAM: RESIDENTIAL LOCATION: UMHLANGA, DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA SIZE: 750m² BLOC ARCHITECTS & KEVIN LLOYD ARCHITECTS On a tight site this design strived to maximise the garden. We achieved this by making the green space the priority and designed the home around the ideal central courtyard. This process created a form that opened up to the north sun and rotated the upper levels to face the sea views. The green band through the site has become a space that is forever changing, the sliding screens and roof create a room that can be manipulated by the weather.

Plantation shutters are a type of window treatment. It may be made of wood or faux wood. The louvers mounted in a solid frame and are manipulated by a tilt rod which could is mostly be hidden at the back or in the middle of the shutter. Know more about this product by visiting our website www.beltwayblinds.com

PROGRAM: RESIDENTIAL LOCATION: UMHLANGA, DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA SIZE: 750m² BLOC ARCHITECTS & KEVIN LLOYD ARCHITECTS On a tight site this design strived to maximise the garden. We achieved this by making the green space the priority and designed the home around the ideal central courtyard. This process created a form that opened up to the north sun and rotated the upper levels to face the sea views. The green band through the site has become a space that is forever changing, the sliding screens and roof create a room that can be manipulated by the weather.

Plantation shutters are a type of window treatment. It may be made of wood or faux wood. The louvers mounted in a solid frame and are manipulated by a tilt rod which could is mostly be hidden at the back or in the middle of the shutter. Know more about this product by visiting our website www.beltwayblinds.com

Plantation shutters are a type of window treatment. It may be made of wood or faux wood. The louvers mounted in a solid frame and are manipulated by a tilt rod which could is mostly be hidden at the back or in the middle of the shutter. Know more about this product by visiting our website www.beltwayblinds.com

Natural modernism for a home on the park. A prominent Chicago lawyer and his beloved dogs live in this Modern Chicago Greystone. We consulted with Wheeler Kearns Architecture to create a warm and welcoming interior architecture that integrates seamlessly with the home’s modernist exterior and natural surroundings. Natural light and earthy materials, such as active limestones, warm woods, and reflective glass tiles, are used to comforting effect in the interior spaces. Wood window frames manipulate the play of light and highlight unobstructed views to Lincoln Park and Lake Michigan. The result is a uniquely integrated experience—from exterior to interior, modern to traditional.

Going with a unique tiling pattern and utilizing differently sized tiles, the shower alcoves wall tile pulls in the user, by creating the illusion of relief by manipulating the scale of the tile. Additionally, with the showers vibrant cascading recessed ceiling lighting and light mosaic floor tiles, the shower is bright and welcoming.

Plantation shutters are a type of window treatment. It may be made of wood or faux wood. The louvers mounted in a solid frame and are manipulated by a tilt rod which could is mostly be hidden at the back or in the middle of the shutter. Know more about this product by visiting our website www.beltwayblinds.com