photos by Pedro Marti This large light-filled open loft in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York City was purchased by a growing family to make into their family home. The loft, previously a lighting showroom, had been converted for residential use with the standard amenities but was entirely open and therefore needed to be reconfigured. One of the best attributes of this particular loft is its extremely large windows situated on all four sides due to the locations of neighboring buildings. This unusual condition allowed much of the rear of the space to be divided into 3 bedrooms/3 bathrooms, all of which had ample windows. The kitchen and the utilities were moved to the center of the space as they did not require as much natural lighting, leaving the entire front of the loft as an open dining/living area. The overall space was given a more modern feel while emphasizing it’s industrial character. The original tin ceiling was preserved throughout the loft with all new lighting run in orderly conduit beneath it, much of which is exposed light bulbs. In a play on the ceiling material the main wall opposite the kitchen was clad in unfinished, distressed tin panels creating a focal point in the home. Traditional baseboards and door casings were thrown out in lieu of blackened steel angle throughout the loft. Blackened steel was also used in combination with glass panels to create an enclosure for the office at the end of the main corridor; this allowed the light from the large window in the office to pass though while creating a private yet open space to work. The master suite features a large open bath with a sculptural freestanding tub all clad in a serene beige tile that has the feel of concrete. The kids bath is a fun play of large cobalt blue hexagon tile on the floor and rear wall of the tub juxtaposed with a bright white subway tile on the remaining walls. The kitchen features a long wall of floor to ceiling white and navy cabinetry with an adjacent 15 foot island of which half is a table for casual dining. Other interesting features of the loft are the industrial ladder up to the small elevated play area in the living room, the navy cabinetry and antique mirror clad dining niche, and the wallpapered powder room with antique mirror and blackened steel accessories.

This southern traditional styled home is a one and a half story home with 4 bedrooms and 3 ½ baths. The square footage for the conditioned spaces is 4,467 sq ft and the total under roof square footage is 6,530 sq ft. The exterior has a natural brick veneer base that anchors it to the ground with a painted lap siding finish material on top that makes up most of the exterior surface. It blends nicely with the wooded surroundings that slope down to a boat house on a waterway. As one enters the site, they approach down a gravel road arriving at a cottage home nestled in its natural surroundings with a welcoming raised front porch. As you enter the foyer, there is an office to the right and a guest bedroom on the left, both of which have views to the front yard. Walking through the foyer, you enter a family room that opens to the kitchen and dining areas. Natural brick columns continue from the exterior into the house, adding warmth as they support a network of antique wood beams that help define the spaces below them. From the family room one can enter a screened porch that provides a comfortable transition from indoors to the natural surroundings of the back yard property. The outdoor cooking and living spaces are conveniently located thru French doors right off the kitchen area extending outward with beautiful views into the heavily wooded rear property. An outdoor fireplace adds a cozy touch in the winter months with operable shutters on each side that block the colder winter wind but let in cool summer breezes. The master bedroom suite, also accessible from the family room, is positioned to take advantage of views to the back property and has access to the screened porch as well. Upstairs there are 2 more bedrooms, one of which has its own ensuite bathroom. All have views looking down over the front and side yards. A common area that is located between the two bedrooms provides beautiful views to the rear property. Up here you will also find a stacked washer and dryer and extra storage with easy access to attic spaces.

This house was designed for a couple and their son. One of the design program requirements was to have two master suites on the main level. They enjoy cooking and entertaining so the public and food prep. areas are functional, attractive and conducive to people gathering around. Consequently, the square footage of the main level is large. The house is also on a very steep slope which didn't help with the required footprint. In order to minimize the related costs of building with this site condition, the footprint of the house is long and not deep as it reaches down the slope. The scale of the existing homes in the neighborhood are unimposing. In order to play down the size as viewed from the street, the facade is broken up into several different masses with low sloping roofs. Once you're inside, the house opens up with 14 foot ceilings in the entry and living areas. The ceiling height of other spaces on the main level are 10 feet. Universal design was implemented on the main level to provide inherent accessibility for everyone. The lower level accommodates several guest rooms and baths, an exercise room, a guest den with wet bar and a man cave. Another design program requirement was to make the house as maintenance-free as possible. Exterior materials include stucco, Pennsylvania Blue Stone and a new aluminum siding product called Longboard. The siding comes in many wood grain finishes and to everyone that has seen it, they think it's real wood. It's also made from heavy gauge aluminum so it doesn't ding like traditional aluminum siding. The roofs are metal standing seam. The house is energy efficient. It's fully insulated with spray foam insulation-lots of it. The exterior walls were designed with 2x6 studs and roof rafters are 2x12 to provide plenty of space for the insulation, exceeding the required R-values. Windows and doors of course are energy efficient as well. All lighting is LED. The decking around the exterior is locust, a very hard native wood which is naturally insect and rot resistant. The best part of the whole project are the owners who love their new home. They initially had plans to live in this house during the summer months and Florida during the winter. They are now seriously considering living here full-time.

This southern traditional styled home is a one and a half story home with 4 bedrooms and 3 ½ baths. The square footage for the conditioned spaces is 4,467 sq ft and the total under roof square footage is 6,530 sq ft. The exterior has a natural brick veneer base that anchors it to the ground with a painted lap siding finish material on top that makes up most of the exterior surface. It blends nicely with the wooded surroundings that slope down to a boat house on a waterway. As one enters the site, they approach down a gravel road arriving at a cottage home nestled in its natural surroundings with a welcoming raised front porch. As you enter the foyer, there is an office to the right and a guest bedroom on the left, both of which have views to the front yard. Walking through the foyer, you enter a family room that opens to the kitchen and dining areas. Natural brick columns continue from the exterior into the house, adding warmth as they support a network of antique wood beams that help define the spaces below them. From the family room one can enter a screened porch that provides a comfortable transition from indoors to the natural surroundings of the back yard property. The outdoor cooking and living spaces are conveniently located thru French doors right off the kitchen area extending outward with beautiful views into the heavily wooded rear property. An outdoor fireplace adds a cozy touch in the winter months with operable shutters on each side that block the colder winter wind but let in cool summer breezes. The master bedroom suite, also accessible from the family room, is positioned to take advantage of views to the back property and has access to the screened porch as well. Upstairs there are 2 more bedrooms, one of which has its own ensuite bathroom. All have views looking down over the front and side yards. A common area that is located between the two bedrooms provides beautiful views to the rear property. Up here you will also find a stacked washer and dryer and extra storage with easy access to attic spaces.

This southern traditional styled home is a one and a half story home with 4 bedrooms and 3 ½ baths. The square footage for the conditioned spaces is 4,467 sq ft and the total under roof square footage is 6,530 sq ft. The exterior has a natural brick veneer base that anchors it to the ground with a painted lap siding finish material on top that makes up most of the exterior surface. It blends nicely with the wooded surroundings that slope down to a boat house on a waterway. As one enters the site, they approach down a gravel road arriving at a cottage home nestled in its natural surroundings with a welcoming raised front porch. As you enter the foyer, there is an office to the right and a guest bedroom on the left, both of which have views to the front yard. Walking through the foyer, you enter a family room that opens to the kitchen and dining areas. Natural brick columns continue from the exterior into the house, adding warmth as they support a network of antique wood beams that help define the spaces below them. From the family room one can enter a screened porch that provides a comfortable transition from indoors to the natural surroundings of the back yard property. The outdoor cooking and living spaces are conveniently located thru French doors right off the kitchen area extending outward with beautiful views into the heavily wooded rear property. An outdoor fireplace adds a cozy touch in the winter months with operable shutters on each side that block the colder winter wind but let in cool summer breezes. The master bedroom suite, also accessible from the family room, is positioned to take advantage of views to the back property and has access to the screened porch as well. Upstairs there are 2 more bedrooms, one of which has its own ensuite bathroom. All have views looking down over the front and side yards. A common area that is located between the two bedrooms provides beautiful views to the rear property. Up here you will also find a stacked washer and dryer and extra storage with easy access to attic spaces.

This southern traditional styled home is a one and a half story home with 4 bedrooms and 3 ½ baths. The square footage for the conditioned spaces is 4,467 sq ft and the total under roof square footage is 6,530 sq ft. The exterior has a natural brick veneer base that anchors it to the ground with a painted lap siding finish material on top that makes up most of the exterior surface. It blends nicely with the wooded surroundings that slope down to a boat house on a waterway. As one enters the site, they approach down a gravel road arriving at a cottage home nestled in its natural surroundings with a welcoming raised front porch. As you enter the foyer, there is an office to the right and a guest bedroom on the left, both of which have views to the front yard. Walking through the foyer, you enter a family room that opens to the kitchen and dining areas. Natural brick columns continue from the exterior into the house, adding warmth as they support a network of antique wood beams that help define the spaces below them. From the family room one can enter a screened porch that provides a comfortable transition from indoors to the natural surroundings of the back yard property. The outdoor cooking and living spaces are conveniently located thru French doors right off the kitchen area extending outward with beautiful views into the heavily wooded rear property. An outdoor fireplace adds a cozy touch in the winter months with operable shutters on each side that block the colder winter wind but let in cool summer breezes. The master bedroom suite, also accessible from the family room, is positioned to take advantage of views to the back property and has access to the screened porch as well. Upstairs there are 2 more bedrooms, one of which has its own ensuite bathroom. All have views looking down over the front and side yards. A common area that is located between the two bedrooms provides beautiful views to the rear property. Up here you will also find a stacked washer and dryer and extra storage with easy access to attic spaces.

photos by Pedro Marti This large light-filled open loft in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York City was purchased by a growing family to make into their family home. The loft, previously a lighting showroom, had been converted for residential use with the standard amenities but was entirely open and therefore needed to be reconfigured. One of the best attributes of this particular loft is its extremely large windows situated on all four sides due to the locations of neighboring buildings. This unusual condition allowed much of the rear of the space to be divided into 3 bedrooms/3 bathrooms, all of which had ample windows. The kitchen and the utilities were moved to the center of the space as they did not require as much natural lighting, leaving the entire front of the loft as an open dining/living area. The overall space was given a more modern feel while emphasizing it’s industrial character. The original tin ceiling was preserved throughout the loft with all new lighting run in orderly conduit beneath it, much of which is exposed light bulbs. In a play on the ceiling material the main wall opposite the kitchen was clad in unfinished, distressed tin panels creating a focal point in the home. Traditional baseboards and door casings were thrown out in lieu of blackened steel angle throughout the loft. Blackened steel was also used in combination with glass panels to create an enclosure for the office at the end of the main corridor; this allowed the light from the large window in the office to pass though while creating a private yet open space to work. The master suite features a large open bath with a sculptural freestanding tub all clad in a serene beige tile that has the feel of concrete. The kids bath is a fun play of large cobalt blue hexagon tile on the floor and rear wall of the tub juxtaposed with a bright white subway tile on the remaining walls. The kitchen features a long wall of floor to ceiling white and navy cabinetry with an adjacent 15 foot island of which half is a table for casual dining. Other interesting features of the loft are the industrial ladder up to the small elevated play area in the living room, the navy cabinetry and antique mirror clad dining niche, and the wallpapered powder room with antique mirror and blackened steel accessories.

These wonderful clients returned to us for their newest home remodel adventure. Their newly purchased custom built 1970s modern ranch sits in one of the loveliest neighborhoods south of the city but the current conditions of the home were out-dated and not so lovely. Upon entering the front door through the court you were greeted abruptly by a very boring staircase and an excessive number of doors. Just to the left of the double door entry was a large slider and on your right once inside the home was a soldier line up of doors. This made for an uneasy and uninviting entry that guests would quickly forget and our clients would often avoid. We also had our hands full in the kitchen. The existing space included many elements that felt out of place in a modern ranch including a rustic mountain scene backsplash, cherry cabinets with raised panel and detailed profile, and an island so massive you couldn’t pass a drink across the stone. Our design sought to address the functional pain points of the home and transform the overall aesthetic into something that felt like home for our clients. For the entry, we re-worked the front door configuration by switching from the double door to a large single door with side lights. The sliding door next to the main entry door was replaced with a large window to eliminate entry door confusion. In our re-work of the entry staircase, guesta are now greeted into the foyer which features the Coral Pendant by David Trubridge. Guests are drawn into the home by stunning views of the front range via the large floor-to-ceiling glass wall in the living room. To the left, the staircases leading down to the basement and up to the master bedroom received a massive aesthetic upgrade. The rebuilt 2nd-floor staircase has a center spine with wood rise and run appearing to float upwards towards the master suite. A slatted wall of wood separates the two staircases which brings more light into the basement stairwell. Black metal railings add a stunning contrast to the light wood. Other fabulous upgrades to this home included new wide plank flooring throughout the home, which offers both modernity and warmth. The once too-large kitchen island was downsized to create a functional focal point that is still accessible and intimate. The old dark and heavy kitchen cabinetry was replaced with sleek white cabinets, brightening up the space and elevating the aesthetic of the entire room. The kitchen countertops are marble look quartz with dramatic veining that offers an artistic feature behind the range and across all horizontal surfaces in the kitchen. As a final touch, cascading island pendants were installed which emphasize the gorgeous ceiling vault and provide warm feature lighting over the central point of the kitchen. This transformation reintroduces light and simplicity to this gorgeous home, and we are so happy that our clients can reap the benefits of this elegant and functional design for years to come.

This southern traditional styled home is a one and a half story home with 4 bedrooms and 3 ½ baths. The square footage for the conditioned spaces is 4,467 sq ft and the total under roof square footage is 6,530 sq ft. The exterior has a natural brick veneer base that anchors it to the ground with a painted lap siding finish material on top that makes up most of the exterior surface. It blends nicely with the wooded surroundings that slope down to a boat house on a waterway. As one enters the site, they approach down a gravel road arriving at a cottage home nestled in its natural surroundings with a welcoming raised front porch. As you enter the foyer, there is an office to the right and a guest bedroom on the left, both of which have views to the front yard. Walking through the foyer, you enter a family room that opens to the kitchen and dining areas. Natural brick columns continue from the exterior into the house, adding warmth as they support a network of antique wood beams that help define the spaces below them. From the family room one can enter a screened porch that provides a comfortable transition from indoors to the natural surroundings of the back yard property. The outdoor cooking and living spaces are conveniently located thru French doors right off the kitchen area extending outward with beautiful views into the heavily wooded rear property. An outdoor fireplace adds a cozy touch in the winter months with operable shutters on each side that block the colder winter wind but let in cool summer breezes. The master bedroom suite, also accessible from the family room, is positioned to take advantage of views to the back property and has access to the screened porch as well. Upstairs there are 2 more bedrooms, one of which has its own ensuite bathroom. All have views looking down over the front and side yards. A common area that is located between the two bedrooms provides beautiful views to the rear property. Up here you will also find a stacked washer and dryer and extra storage with easy access to attic spaces.

This southern traditional styled home is a one and a half story home with 4 bedrooms and 3 ½ baths. The square footage for the conditioned spaces is 4,467 sq ft and the total under roof square footage is 6,530 sq ft. The exterior has a natural brick veneer base that anchors it to the ground with a painted lap siding finish material on top that makes up most of the exterior surface. It blends nicely with the wooded surroundings that slope down to a boat house on a waterway. As one enters the site, they approach down a gravel road arriving at a cottage home nestled in its natural surroundings with a welcoming raised front porch. As you enter the foyer, there is an office to the right and a guest bedroom on the left, both of which have views to the front yard. Walking through the foyer, you enter a family room that opens to the kitchen and dining areas. Natural brick columns continue from the exterior into the house, adding warmth as they support a network of antique wood beams that help define the spaces below them. From the family room one can enter a screened porch that provides a comfortable transition from indoors to the natural surroundings of the back yard property. The outdoor cooking and living spaces are conveniently located thru French doors right off the kitchen area extending outward with beautiful views into the heavily wooded rear property. An outdoor fireplace adds a cozy touch in the winter months with operable shutters on each side that block the colder winter wind but let in cool summer breezes. The master bedroom suite, also accessible from the family room, is positioned to take advantage of views to the back property and has access to the screened porch as well. Upstairs there are 2 more bedrooms, one of which has its own ensuite bathroom. All have views looking down over the front and side yards. A common area that is located between the two bedrooms provides beautiful views to the rear property. Up here you will also find a stacked washer and dryer and extra storage with easy access to attic spaces.

This southern traditional styled home is a one and a half story home with 4 bedrooms and 3 ½ baths. The square footage for the conditioned spaces is 4,467 sq ft and the total under roof square footage is 6,530 sq ft. The exterior has a natural brick veneer base that anchors it to the ground with a painted lap siding finish material on top that makes up most of the exterior surface. It blends nicely with the wooded surroundings that slope down to a boat house on a waterway. As one enters the site, they approach down a gravel road arriving at a cottage home nestled in its natural surroundings with a welcoming raised front porch. As you enter the foyer, there is an office to the right and a guest bedroom on the left, both of which have views to the front yard. Walking through the foyer, you enter a family room that opens to the kitchen and dining areas. Natural brick columns continue from the exterior into the house, adding warmth as they support a network of antique wood beams that help define the spaces below them. From the family room one can enter a screened porch that provides a comfortable transition from indoors to the natural surroundings of the back yard property. The outdoor cooking and living spaces are conveniently located thru French doors right off the kitchen area extending outward with beautiful views into the heavily wooded rear property. An outdoor fireplace adds a cozy touch in the winter months with operable shutters on each side that block the colder winter wind but let in cool summer breezes. The master bedroom suite, also accessible from the family room, is positioned to take advantage of views to the back property and has access to the screened porch as well. Upstairs there are 2 more bedrooms, one of which has its own ensuite bathroom. All have views looking down over the front and side yards. A common area that is located between the two bedrooms provides beautiful views to the rear property. Up here you will also find a stacked washer and dryer and extra storage with easy access to attic spaces.

This southern traditional styled home is a one and a half story home with 4 bedrooms and 3 ½ baths. The square footage for the conditioned spaces is 4,467 sq ft and the total under roof square footage is 6,530 sq ft. The exterior has a natural brick veneer base that anchors it to the ground with a painted lap siding finish material on top that makes up most of the exterior surface. It blends nicely with the wooded surroundings that slope down to a boat house on a waterway. As one enters the site, they approach down a gravel road arriving at a cottage home nestled in its natural surroundings with a welcoming raised front porch. As you enter the foyer, there is an office to the right and a guest bedroom on the left, both of which have views to the front yard. Walking through the foyer, you enter a family room that opens to the kitchen and dining areas. Natural brick columns continue from the exterior into the house, adding warmth as they support a network of antique wood beams that help define the spaces below them. From the family room one can enter a screened porch that provides a comfortable transition from indoors to the natural surroundings of the back yard property. The outdoor cooking and living spaces are conveniently located thru French doors right off the kitchen area extending outward with beautiful views into the heavily wooded rear property. An outdoor fireplace adds a cozy touch in the winter months with operable shutters on each side that block the colder winter wind but let in cool summer breezes. The master bedroom suite, also accessible from the family room, is positioned to take advantage of views to the back property and has access to the screened porch as well. Upstairs there are 2 more bedrooms, one of which has its own ensuite bathroom. All have views looking down over the front and side yards. A common area that is located between the two bedrooms provides beautiful views to the rear property. Up here you will also find a stacked washer and dryer and extra storage with easy access to attic spaces.

This southern traditional styled home is a one and a half story home with 4 bedrooms and 3 ½ baths. The square footage for the conditioned spaces is 4,467 sq ft and the total under roof square footage is 6,530 sq ft. The exterior has a natural brick veneer base that anchors it to the ground with a painted lap siding finish material on top that makes up most of the exterior surface. It blends nicely with the wooded surroundings that slope down to a boat house on a waterway. As one enters the site, they approach down a gravel road arriving at a cottage home nestled in its natural surroundings with a welcoming raised front porch. As you enter the foyer, there is an office to the right and a guest bedroom on the left, both of which have views to the front yard. Walking through the foyer, you enter a family room that opens to the kitchen and dining areas. Natural brick columns continue from the exterior into the house, adding warmth as they support a network of antique wood beams that help define the spaces below them. From the family room one can enter a screened porch that provides a comfortable transition from indoors to the natural surroundings of the back yard property. The outdoor cooking and living spaces are conveniently located thru French doors right off the kitchen area extending outward with beautiful views into the heavily wooded rear property. An outdoor fireplace adds a cozy touch in the winter months with operable shutters on each side that block the colder winter wind but let in cool summer breezes. The master bedroom suite, also accessible from the family room, is positioned to take advantage of views to the back property and has access to the screened porch as well. Upstairs there are 2 more bedrooms, one of which has its own ensuite bathroom. All have views looking down over the front and side yards. A common area that is located between the two bedrooms provides beautiful views to the rear property. Up here you will also find a stacked washer and dryer and extra storage with easy access to attic spaces.

This southern traditional styled home is a one and a half story home with 4 bedrooms and 3 ½ baths. The square footage for the conditioned spaces is 4,467 sq ft and the total under roof square footage is 6,530 sq ft. The exterior has a natural brick veneer base that anchors it to the ground with a painted lap siding finish material on top that makes up most of the exterior surface. It blends nicely with the wooded surroundings that slope down to a boat house on a waterway. As one enters the site, they approach down a gravel road arriving at a cottage home nestled in its natural surroundings with a welcoming raised front porch. As you enter the foyer, there is an office to the right and a guest bedroom on the left, both of which have views to the front yard. Walking through the foyer, you enter a family room that opens to the kitchen and dining areas. Natural brick columns continue from the exterior into the house, adding warmth as they support a network of antique wood beams that help define the spaces below them. From the family room one can enter a screened porch that provides a comfortable transition from indoors to the natural surroundings of the back yard property. The outdoor cooking and living spaces are conveniently located thru French doors right off the kitchen area extending outward with beautiful views into the heavily wooded rear property. An outdoor fireplace adds a cozy touch in the winter months with operable shutters on each side that block the colder winter wind but let in cool summer breezes. The master bedroom suite, also accessible from the family room, is positioned to take advantage of views to the back property and has access to the screened porch as well. Upstairs there are 2 more bedrooms, one of which has its own ensuite bathroom. All have views looking down over the front and side yards. A common area that is located between the two bedrooms provides beautiful views to the rear property. Up here you will also find a stacked washer and dryer and extra storage with easy access to attic spaces.

photos by Pedro Marti This large light-filled open loft in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York City was purchased by a growing family to make into their family home. The loft, previously a lighting showroom, had been converted for residential use with the standard amenities but was entirely open and therefore needed to be reconfigured. One of the best attributes of this particular loft is its extremely large windows situated on all four sides due to the locations of neighboring buildings. This unusual condition allowed much of the rear of the space to be divided into 3 bedrooms/3 bathrooms, all of which had ample windows. The kitchen and the utilities were moved to the center of the space as they did not require as much natural lighting, leaving the entire front of the loft as an open dining/living area. The overall space was given a more modern feel while emphasizing it’s industrial character. The original tin ceiling was preserved throughout the loft with all new lighting run in orderly conduit beneath it, much of which is exposed light bulbs. In a play on the ceiling material the main wall opposite the kitchen was clad in unfinished, distressed tin panels creating a focal point in the home. Traditional baseboards and door casings were thrown out in lieu of blackened steel angle throughout the loft. Blackened steel was also used in combination with glass panels to create an enclosure for the office at the end of the main corridor; this allowed the light from the large window in the office to pass though while creating a private yet open space to work. The master suite features a large open bath with a sculptural freestanding tub all clad in a serene beige tile that has the feel of concrete. The kids bath is a fun play of large cobalt blue hexagon tile on the floor and rear wall of the tub juxtaposed with a bright white subway tile on the remaining walls. The kitchen features a long wall of floor to ceiling white and navy cabinetry with an adjacent 15 foot island of which half is a table for casual dining. Other interesting features of the loft are the industrial ladder up to the small elevated play area in the living room, the navy cabinetry and antique mirror clad dining niche, and the wallpapered powder room with antique mirror and blackened steel accessories.

photos by Pedro Marti This large light-filled open loft in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York City was purchased by a growing family to make into their family home. The loft, previously a lighting showroom, had been converted for residential use with the standard amenities but was entirely open and therefore needed to be reconfigured. One of the best attributes of this particular loft is its extremely large windows situated on all four sides due to the locations of neighboring buildings. This unusual condition allowed much of the rear of the space to be divided into 3 bedrooms/3 bathrooms, all of which had ample windows. The kitchen and the utilities were moved to the center of the space as they did not require as much natural lighting, leaving the entire front of the loft as an open dining/living area. The overall space was given a more modern feel while emphasizing it’s industrial character. The original tin ceiling was preserved throughout the loft with all new lighting run in orderly conduit beneath it, much of which is exposed light bulbs. In a play on the ceiling material the main wall opposite the kitchen was clad in unfinished, distressed tin panels creating a focal point in the home. Traditional baseboards and door casings were thrown out in lieu of blackened steel angle throughout the loft. Blackened steel was also used in combination with glass panels to create an enclosure for the office at the end of the main corridor; this allowed the light from the large window in the office to pass though while creating a private yet open space to work. The master suite features a large open bath with a sculptural freestanding tub all clad in a serene beige tile that has the feel of concrete. The kids bath is a fun play of large cobalt blue hexagon tile on the floor and rear wall of the tub juxtaposed with a bright white subway tile on the remaining walls. The kitchen features a long wall of floor to ceiling white and navy cabinetry with an adjacent 15 foot island of which half is a table for casual dining. Other interesting features of the loft are the industrial ladder up to the small elevated play area in the living room, the navy cabinetry and antique mirror clad dining niche, and the wallpapered powder room with antique mirror and blackened steel accessories.

This client sought to update their recently purchased home in Alexandria. A gourmet kitchen that complemented the size of the home and property was a top priority. They wanted more light-filled and connected living spaces for their growing family. Updating the finishes throughout the home was also a necessity. Design challenges included an existing utility space that occupied a large portion of the kitchen footprint, making the kitchen cramped and narrow. In addition, the foyer was dark, confined and uninviting as a result of its organization and enclosed nature of the main stair. To overcome the challenges, we relocated the utilities, creating a more usable footprint for the kitchen. The aging furnace was replaced with a high efficiency furnace located in a newly insulated and conditioned crawl space. A new hot water heater was placed in the finished attic, and the electrical panel was also relocated. Then, we designed a portion of the kitchen to mask the need for dropped structural headers: the refrigerator, freezer and pantry were placed under the area that necessitated a drop bulkhead, creating a sleek built-in area for the appliances. Once the utilities were moved, the kitchen could be opened up to a large family room and designed with a much-improved layout. Two new four-panel exterior doors replaced small doors at the family room to connect the main living space with the beautiful yard. In addition, white bead board was added to the family room ceiling, creating more visual continuity with the adjacent white kitchen. To transform the foyer into a grand and welcoming entry, a small amount of space was taken from a large second floor bedroom, and the entire second floor structure was supported with a series of flush beams to allow the stair to be opened and expose the rail. New glass doors to the den, relocated at an angle from the main stair provide the foyer with more natural light and a wider, more inviting path to the kitchen. In the master suite, the bedroom and bathroom entry doors were relocated to improve the room’s layout and offer more bathroom privacy and space for a walk-in closet. A room forgotten by the previous owner was turned into a family mudroom with built-ins and wainscoting to keep the family organized in style. Photography by Greg Hadley

This house was designed for a couple and their son. One of the design program requirements was to have two master suites on the main level. They enjoy cooking and entertaining so the public and food prep. areas are functional, attractive and conducive to people gathering around. Consequently, the square footage of the main level is large. The house is also on a very steep slope which didn't help with the required footprint. In order to minimize the related costs of building with this site condition, the footprint of the house is long and not deep as it reaches down the slope. The scale of the existing homes in the neighborhood are unimposing. In order to play down the size as viewed from the street, the facade is broken up into several different masses with low sloping roofs. Once you're inside, the house opens up with 14 foot ceilings in the entry and living areas. The ceiling height of other spaces on the main level are 10 feet. Universal design was implemented on the main level to provide inherent accessibility for everyone. The lower level accommodates several guest rooms and baths, an exercise room, a guest den with wet bar and a man cave. Another design program requirement was to make the house as maintenance-free as possible. Exterior materials include stucco, Pennsylvania Blue Stone and a new aluminum siding product called Longboard. The siding comes in many wood grain finishes and to everyone that has seen it, they think it's real wood. It's also made from heavy gauge aluminum so it doesn't ding like traditional aluminum siding. The roofs are metal standing seam. The house is energy efficient. It's fully insulated with spray foam insulation-lots of it. The exterior walls were designed with 2x6 studs and roof rafters are 2x12 to provide plenty of space for the insulation, exceeding the required R-values. Windows and doors of course are energy efficient as well. All lighting is LED. The decking around the exterior is locust, a very hard native wood which is naturally insect and rot resistant. The best part of the whole project are the owners who love their new home. They initially had plans to live in this house during the summer months and Florida during the winter. They are now seriously considering living here full-time.

This southern traditional styled home is a one and a half story home with 4 bedrooms and 3 ½ baths. The square footage for the conditioned spaces is 4,467 sq ft and the total under roof square footage is 6,530 sq ft. The exterior has a natural brick veneer base that anchors it to the ground with a painted lap siding finish material on top that makes up most of the exterior surface. It blends nicely with the wooded surroundings that slope down to a boat house on a waterway. As one enters the site, they approach down a gravel road arriving at a cottage home nestled in its natural surroundings with a welcoming raised front porch. As you enter the foyer, there is an office to the right and a guest bedroom on the left, both of which have views to the front yard. Walking through the foyer, you enter a family room that opens to the kitchen and dining areas. Natural brick columns continue from the exterior into the house, adding warmth as they support a network of antique wood beams that help define the spaces below them. From the family room one can enter a screened porch that provides a comfortable transition from indoors to the natural surroundings of the back yard property. The outdoor cooking and living spaces are conveniently located thru French doors right off the kitchen area extending outward with beautiful views into the heavily wooded rear property. An outdoor fireplace adds a cozy touch in the winter months with operable shutters on each side that block the colder winter wind but let in cool summer breezes. The master bedroom suite, also accessible from the family room, is positioned to take advantage of views to the back property and has access to the screened porch as well. Upstairs there are 2 more bedrooms, one of which has its own ensuite bathroom. All have views looking down over the front and side yards. A common area that is located between the two bedrooms provides beautiful views to the rear property. Up here you will also find a stacked washer and dryer and extra storage with easy access to attic spaces.