This modern green home offers both a vacation destination on Cape Cod near local family members and an opportunity for rental income. FAMILY ROOTS. A West Coast couple living in the San Francisco Bay Area sought a permanent East Coast vacation home near family members living on Cape Cod. As academic professionals focused on sustainability, they sought a green, energy efficient home that was well-aligned with their values. With no green homes available for sale on Cape Cod, they decided to purchase land near their family and build their own. SLOPED SITE. Comprised of a 3/4 acre lot nestled in the pines, the steeply sloping terrain called for a plan that embraced and took advantage of the slope. Of equal priority was optimizing solar exposure, preserving privacy from abutters, and creating outdoor living space. The design accomplished these goals with a simple, rectilinear form, offering living space on the both entry and lower/basement levels. The stepped foundation allows for a walk-out basement level with light-filled living space on the down-hill side of the home. The traditional basement on the eastern, up-hill side houses mechanical equipment and a home gym. The house welcomes natural light throughout, captures views of the forest, and delivers entertainment space that connects indoor living space to outdoor deck and dining patio. MODERN VISION. The clean building form and uncomplicated finishes pay homage to the modern architectural legacy on the outer Cape. Durable and economical fiber cement panels, fixed with aluminum channels, clad the primary form. Cedar clapboards provide a visual accent at the south-facing living room, which extends a single roof plane to cover the entry porch. SMART USE OF SPACE. On the entry level, the “L”-shaped living, dining, and kitchen space connects to the exterior living, dining, and grilling spaces to effectively double the home’s summertime entertainment area. Placed at the western end of the entry level (where it can retain privacy but still claim expansive downhill views) is the master suite with a built-in study. The lower level has two guest bedrooms, a second full bathroom, and laundry. The flexibility of the space—crucial in a house with a modest footprint—emerges in one of the guest bedrooms, which doubles as home office by opening the barn-style double doors to connect it to the bright, airy open stair leading up to the entry level. Thoughtful design, generous ceiling heights and large windows transform the modest 1,100 sf* footprint into a well-lit, spacious home. *(total finished space is 1800 sf) RENTAL INCOME. The property works for its owners by netting rental income when the owners are home in San Francisco. The house especially caters to vacationers bound for nearby Mayo Beach and includes an outdoor shower adjacent to the lower level entry door. In contrast to the bare bones cottages that are typically available on the Cape, this home offers prospective tenants a modern aesthetic, paired with luxurious and green features. Durable finishes inside and out will ensure longevity with the heavier use that comes with a rental property. COMFORT YEAR-ROUND. The home is super-insulated and air-tight, with mechanical ventilation to provide continuous fresh air from the outside. High performance triple-paned windows complement the building enclosure and maximize passive solar gain while ensuring a warm, draft-free winter, even when sitting close to the glass. A properly sized air source heat pump offers efficient heating & cooling, and includes a carefully designed the duct distribution system to provide even comfort throughout the house. The super-insulated envelope allows us to significantly reduce the equipment capacity, duct size, and airflow quantities, while maintaining unparalleled thermal comfort. ENERGY EFFICIENT. The building’s shell and mechanical systems play instrumental roles in the home’s exceptional performance. The building enclosure reduces the most significant energy glutton: heating. Continuous super-insulation, thorough air sealing, triple-pane windows, and passive solar gain work together to yield a miniscule heating load. All active energy consumers are extremely efficient: an air source heat pump for heating and cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation (ERV), and high efficiency appliances. The result is a home that uses 70% less energy than a similar new home built to code requirements. OVERALL. The home embodies the owners’ goals and values while comprehensively enabling thermal comfort, energy efficiency, a vacation respite, and supplementary income. PROJECT TEAM ZeroEnergy Design - Architect & Mechanical Designer A.F. Hultin & Co. - Contractor Pamet Valley Landscape Design - Landscape & Masonry Lisa Finch - Original Artwork European Architectural Supply - Windows Eric Roth Photography - Photography

A 6,000 square foot 2-story new home complex in Milpitas was designed to facilitate the owners’ large business parties and gatherings, to have rooms for the kids to come back to upstairs, and a ground floor master suite with a huge walk-in closet. Several separate structures make up the dwelling: The main house, 3-car garage with carport for overflow parking, and a separate entertainment and recreation building separated by a courtyard from the main house. The business activities include gatherings in the hundreds of people, so parking was maximized and guests can flow in through a separate gate to party in the courtyard and recreation building. Inside this structure is a wet bar, billiard room, workout gym and home theater. The main house ground floor has formal and informal living rooms, open kitchen and master suite with views and expansive windows in every direction. The house is sited on the crestline of a hill with views of the San Francisco Bay and private golf course below. The indoor-outdoor aspect of the house is further accentuated with outside living and dining areas. High ceilings and expansive glass walls dissolve the sense of enclosure taking advantage of the site’s openness and privacy. The owner’s suite is downstairs in anticipation of aging-in-place, and upstairs there are three bedrooms and four bathrooms plus a sitting area lounge and casual TV loft area. The house sits on one acre at the top of a low hill range overlooking Milpitas. The city was very cognizant of the importance of keeping a low profile at this crestline and required extensive story poles and photo evidence of the proper height and siting so as not to be seen from certain selected vantage points. GENERAL CONTRACTOR: JCD Builders Inc. LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Morf Chang Landscape Architecture / ODS Architecture PHOTOGRAPHS: Paul Dyer Photography

The homeowners of this small master bedroom had one large request. They wanted a king size sleigh bed. We did not want the sleigh bed to overpower the room, so placing a small dresser on each side of the bed allowed for proper scale of the space. The darker walls and use of neutral bedding creates a cozy and relaxing bedroom. Simply Elegant Interiors, Tampa.

Compact Master Bathroom Photo: Elizabeth Dooley
Alcove shower - small contemporary master white tile and subway tile mosaic tile floor alcove shower idea in New York with furniture-like cabinets, light wood cabinets, a wall-mount toilet, green walls, an integrated sink and solid surface countertops

This project provides a new two-story addition to an historic converted stable barn that was once associated with the 60-acre Hamilton Estate in Irvington, New York. The new design continues the unique language of the converted brick stable and Second Empire slate mansard roof. The addition provides a proper kitchen to the ground floor. Large single-pane glass windows continue the existing architecture to maximize interior natural light and provide panoramic views of the adjacent Hudson River. The kitchen features reclaimed cherry custom cabinets, white marble countertops and new oak hardwood flooring. On the second floor, the addition expands the master bedroom to include an ensuite bathroom and changing room. The second floor features reclaimed pine floors, and white Turkish marble bathroom tiles.

Niche with shelf in master bath walk-in shower. Walls are 12 x 24 gray rectified porcelain tile, stacked install, 24" horizontal. Fontana Marble 3/8 random multi-textured mosaic border. Hanstone Tiffany gray Quartz shelf above. Gorgeous.

This newly constructed open floor plan home with a large finished basement is ideal for this fun-loving couple. We were fortunate to be included in the very beginning stages of construction space planning to optimize room placement, layout, and spacing. From there, we worked side-by-side with homeowners and contractor in selecting all of the details from floors and doors to lighting and window treatments. These empty nesters love to entertain. Both the main level and the downstairs offer great flow. A bit of luxury was added in the master bathroom with this soaker tub and custom tile shower.

This traditional Cape Cod style house design offers the perfect blend of charm and functionality within a compact space. The exterior features board and batten and lap siding, reminiscent of the modern farmhouse architectural style. This two-story home boasts three bedrooms and two garages at the rear. Visitors are greeted by a covered entrance porch with four columns, dividing the house into distinct sections. Inside, a spacious living room with ample windows and a back porch provides a cozy retreat, complete with a fireplace for winter warmth. The kitchen features a walk-in cabinet pantry, a breakfast nook, and a connected dining room. The main floor also includes a reading room with proper ventilation and a luxurious master suite, complete with a master bath and walk-in closet. Upstairs, two bedrooms with wardrobes, a media lounge, a multipurpose room, and a bath offer flexible living spaces. The upstairs bedroom layout ensures a comfortable environment tailored to your preferences. With its low height and wide framing, this home has a rich history of attracting people, offering a timeless appeal that continues to captivate homeowners.

Custom Basement Master Suite with Spa-Inspired Bath & Walk-In Closet: This basement renovation transformed an unfinished lower level into a private, fully functional master retreat designed for comfort, storage, and long-term livability. The spacious bedroom was intentionally designed with a soft neutral palette, plush carpeting, and layered lighting to create a calm, restful environment. A custom barn door system adds architectural interest while concealing a generous walk-in closet. Inside, thoughtfully designed shelving and hanging systems maximize storage and organization, turning what was once unused space into a highly functional dressing area. The adjoining bathroom blends modern simplicity with warm rustic touches. A beautiful wood vanity with matte black fixtures grounds the space, while clean-lined lighting and a streamlined mirror keep the look fresh and contemporary. The walk-in shower features a sleek glass enclosure and geometric tile for subtle texture and visual interest, creating a spa-like feel within a compact footprint. Throughout the suite, careful planning ensured proper lighting, comfort, and flow — elevating the basement from secondary space to true primary living quarters. At Hillview Custom Renovations, we believe lower levels can offer just as much beauty and intention as the main floor. This project reflects our commitment to creating spaces that are not only well-built, but thoughtfully designed for everyday life.

The Eiffel Tower and City of Love is one of the most majestic cities in the world to visit, and that's what we delivered to our client with this masterful bedroom. A large mural of the Eiffel Tower was framed with a simulated window affect and added back-lighting which provides a hotel suite view from your very own bedroom. The custom handcrafted diamond tufted headboard, with glass bartons, stands over 8 feet tall with winged sides with lush semi-gloss upholstery. Murals, when incorporated properly into a design, can deliver results with stunning affects and glam ... The room is adorned with art pieces with grandiose views of Paris, all topped with brass picture lighting hardware. We loved the outcome of this design !

The Made to Last team kept much of the existing footprint and original feel of the cabin while implementing the new elements these clients wanted. To expand the outdoor space, they installed a composite wrap-around deck with picture frame installation, built to last a lifetime. Inside, no opportunity was lost to add additional storage space, including a pantry and hidden shelving throughout. Finally, by adding a two-story addition on the back of the existing A-frame, they were able to create a better kitchen layout, a welcoming entranceway with a proper porch, and larger windows to provide plenty of natural light and views of the ocean and rugged Thetis Island scenery. There is a guest room and bathroom towards the back of the A-frame. The master suite of this home is located in the upper loft and includes an ensuite and additional upstairs living space.

Custom Basement Master Suite with Spa-Inspired Bath & Walk-In Closet: This basement renovation transformed an unfinished lower level into a private, fully functional master retreat designed for comfort, storage, and long-term livability. The spacious bedroom was intentionally designed with a soft neutral palette, plush carpeting, and layered lighting to create a calm, restful environment. A custom barn door system adds architectural interest while concealing a generous walk-in closet. Inside, thoughtfully designed shelving and hanging systems maximize storage and organization, turning what was once unused space into a highly functional dressing area. The adjoining bathroom blends modern simplicity with warm rustic touches. A beautiful wood vanity with matte black fixtures grounds the space, while clean-lined lighting and a streamlined mirror keep the look fresh and contemporary. The walk-in shower features a sleek glass enclosure and geometric tile for subtle texture and visual interest, creating a spa-like feel within a compact footprint. Throughout the suite, careful planning ensured proper lighting, comfort, and flow — elevating the basement from secondary space to true primary living quarters. At Hillview Custom Renovations, we believe lower levels can offer just as much beauty and intention as the main floor. This project reflects our commitment to creating spaces that are not only well-built, but thoughtfully designed for everyday life.

Custom Basement Master Suite with Spa-Inspired Bath & Walk-In Closet: This basement renovation transformed an unfinished lower level into a private, fully functional master retreat designed for comfort, storage, and long-term livability. The spacious bedroom was intentionally designed with a soft neutral palette, plush carpeting, and layered lighting to create a calm, restful environment. A custom barn door system adds architectural interest while concealing a generous walk-in closet. Inside, thoughtfully designed shelving and hanging systems maximize storage and organization, turning what was once unused space into a highly functional dressing area. The adjoining bathroom blends modern simplicity with warm rustic touches. A beautiful wood vanity with matte black fixtures grounds the space, while clean-lined lighting and a streamlined mirror keep the look fresh and contemporary. The walk-in shower features a sleek glass enclosure and geometric tile for subtle texture and visual interest, creating a spa-like feel within a compact footprint. Throughout the suite, careful planning ensured proper lighting, comfort, and flow — elevating the basement from secondary space to true primary living quarters. At Hillview Custom Renovations, we believe lower levels can offer just as much beauty and intention as the main floor. This project reflects our commitment to creating spaces that are not only well-built, but thoughtfully designed for everyday life.

Custom Basement Master Suite with Spa-Inspired Bath & Walk-In Closet: This basement renovation transformed an unfinished lower level into a private, fully functional master retreat designed for comfort, storage, and long-term livability. The spacious bedroom was intentionally designed with a soft neutral palette, plush carpeting, and layered lighting to create a calm, restful environment. A custom barn door system adds architectural interest while concealing a generous walk-in closet. Inside, thoughtfully designed shelving and hanging systems maximize storage and organization, turning what was once unused space into a highly functional dressing area. The adjoining bathroom blends modern simplicity with warm rustic touches. A beautiful wood vanity with matte black fixtures grounds the space, while clean-lined lighting and a streamlined mirror keep the look fresh and contemporary. The walk-in shower features a sleek glass enclosure and geometric tile for subtle texture and visual interest, creating a spa-like feel within a compact footprint. Throughout the suite, careful planning ensured proper lighting, comfort, and flow — elevating the basement from secondary space to true primary living quarters. At Hillview Custom Renovations, we believe lower levels can offer just as much beauty and intention as the main floor. This project reflects our commitment to creating spaces that are not only well-built, but thoughtfully designed for everyday life.

Custom Basement Master Suite with Spa-Inspired Bath & Walk-In Closet: This basement renovation transformed an unfinished lower level into a private, fully functional master retreat designed for comfort, storage, and long-term livability. The spacious bedroom was intentionally designed with a soft neutral palette, plush carpeting, and layered lighting to create a calm, restful environment. A custom barn door system adds architectural interest while concealing a generous walk-in closet. Inside, thoughtfully designed shelving and hanging systems maximize storage and organization, turning what was once unused space into a highly functional dressing area. The adjoining bathroom blends modern simplicity with warm rustic touches. A beautiful wood vanity with matte black fixtures grounds the space, while clean-lined lighting and a streamlined mirror keep the look fresh and contemporary. The walk-in shower features a sleek glass enclosure and geometric tile for subtle texture and visual interest, creating a spa-like feel within a compact footprint. Throughout the suite, careful planning ensured proper lighting, comfort, and flow — elevating the basement from secondary space to true primary living quarters. At Hillview Custom Renovations, we believe lower levels can offer just as much beauty and intention as the main floor. This project reflects our commitment to creating spaces that are not only well-built, but thoughtfully designed for everyday life.

Custom Basement Master Suite with Spa-Inspired Bath & Walk-In Closet: This basement renovation transformed an unfinished lower level into a private, fully functional master retreat designed for comfort, storage, and long-term livability. The spacious bedroom was intentionally designed with a soft neutral palette, plush carpeting, and layered lighting to create a calm, restful environment. A custom barn door system adds architectural interest while concealing a generous walk-in closet. Inside, thoughtfully designed shelving and hanging systems maximize storage and organization, turning what was once unused space into a highly functional dressing area. The adjoining bathroom blends modern simplicity with warm rustic touches. A beautiful wood vanity with matte black fixtures grounds the space, while clean-lined lighting and a streamlined mirror keep the look fresh and contemporary. The walk-in shower features a sleek glass enclosure and geometric tile for subtle texture and visual interest, creating a spa-like feel within a compact footprint. Throughout the suite, careful planning ensured proper lighting, comfort, and flow — elevating the basement from secondary space to true primary living quarters. At Hillview Custom Renovations, we believe lower levels can offer just as much beauty and intention as the main floor. This project reflects our commitment to creating spaces that are not only well-built, but thoughtfully designed for everyday life.

Custom Basement Master Suite with Spa-Inspired Bath & Walk-In Closet: This basement renovation transformed an unfinished lower level into a private, fully functional master retreat designed for comfort, storage, and long-term livability. The spacious bedroom was intentionally designed with a soft neutral palette, plush carpeting, and layered lighting to create a calm, restful environment. A custom barn door system adds architectural interest while concealing a generous walk-in closet. Inside, thoughtfully designed shelving and hanging systems maximize storage and organization, turning what was once unused space into a highly functional dressing area. The adjoining bathroom blends modern simplicity with warm rustic touches. A beautiful wood vanity with matte black fixtures grounds the space, while clean-lined lighting and a streamlined mirror keep the look fresh and contemporary. The walk-in shower features a sleek glass enclosure and geometric tile for subtle texture and visual interest, creating a spa-like feel within a compact footprint. Throughout the suite, careful planning ensured proper lighting, comfort, and flow — elevating the basement from secondary space to true primary living quarters. At Hillview Custom Renovations, we believe lower levels can offer just as much beauty and intention as the main floor. This project reflects our commitment to creating spaces that are not only well-built, but thoughtfully designed for everyday life.

Custom Basement Master Suite with Spa-Inspired Bath & Walk-In Closet: This basement renovation transformed an unfinished lower level into a private, fully functional master retreat designed for comfort, storage, and long-term livability. The spacious bedroom was intentionally designed with a soft neutral palette, plush carpeting, and layered lighting to create a calm, restful environment. A custom barn door system adds architectural interest while concealing a generous walk-in closet. Inside, thoughtfully designed shelving and hanging systems maximize storage and organization, turning what was once unused space into a highly functional dressing area. The adjoining bathroom blends modern simplicity with warm rustic touches. A beautiful wood vanity with matte black fixtures grounds the space, while clean-lined lighting and a streamlined mirror keep the look fresh and contemporary. The walk-in shower features a sleek glass enclosure and geometric tile for subtle texture and visual interest, creating a spa-like feel within a compact footprint. Throughout the suite, careful planning ensured proper lighting, comfort, and flow — elevating the basement from secondary space to true primary living quarters. At Hillview Custom Renovations, we believe lower levels can offer just as much beauty and intention as the main floor. This project reflects our commitment to creating spaces that are not only well-built, but thoughtfully designed for everyday life.

Sarah & Warren desperately needed a master bathroom update. Their existing tub shower combo was dark and drab. The room struggled to meet their needs. The areas meant for storage were not designed properly that created a lot of wasted space. The vanity was bulky and was not functioning properly for them. The oversized mirror was dated. The room also had a very large clear window that was covered up by blinds that just attracted dust. By stripping back, the layers, the tub was not a feature this couple needed, the vanity became floating, and the window was downsized to fit more with their desires. The wasted space to the right of the shower became usable to them by allowing storage for extra bath towel and showering accessories. The panty to the left because a dedicated storage tucked away out of sight. Lighting improved because of the additional light above the shower and the toilet. We also removed the traditional light above the sinks and installed recessed can lighting throughout the bathroom. The round storage mirrors side open to reveal hidden storage for all the small items you typically have in a bathroom. Their modern double vanity called Aron was installed floating with 3 functional drawers and a storage opening featuring a mint green and walnut finish and the top is quartz featuring rectangular sinks. The shower wall tile paired together is a brushed concrete pattern tile called Reside beige from Arizona Tile and the back wall is a light green hexagon tile called Springtime Green from the Tile Shop. The mini hex mosaic floor is white and green mini glass hexagons called Geo from Arizona Tile. The Delta Trinsic collection is featured in this bathroom with the matte black finish in the bath accessories and the faucets in the Champagne Bronze finish. A light-colored floor brings all elements together and allows the eyes to bounce around the room.