Design Build Phi Builders + Architects Custom Cabinetry Phi Builders + Architects Sarah Szwajkos Photography
Trendy entryway photo in Portland Maine

A 200 SF addition to an existing master bedroom, this master bath and closet has created a much needed spa-like retreat to an already beautiful home. The ceramic tile floor resembles a lighter hardwood to match the rest of the home, but offers the resiliency of tile for the wet conditions of the bathroom. A double floating vanity offers plenty of storage, and four skylights and a large window offer enough natural light that artificial lighting is rarely used during the day. The shower ceramic tile resembles marble, but allows for an easier hard surface to clean and maintain. The brass fixtures allow for a warm contrast to the cool grays, and are a great alternative to the typical stainless steel or brushed aluminum look. The brass also compliments the tile floor, as does the light grey vanity color and the brass color accents in the shower tile and vanity backsplash. A small passage just before the entrance to the bathroom allows for storage space in the form of two built-in white cabinets on either side. A sliding pocket door with privacy glass provides privacy while transferring natural light from one space to the next. The overall feel is inviting and peaceful, with a natural charm brought about by the materials and colors chosen to complete this spa-like retreat.

Old farmhouses offer charm and character but usually need some careful changes to efficiently serve the needs of today’s families. This blended family of four desperately desired a master bath and walk-in closet in keeping with the exceptional features of the home. At the top of the list were a large shower, double vanity, and a private toilet area. They also requested additional storage for bathroom items. Windows, doorways could not be relocated, but certain nonloadbearing walls could be removed. Gorgeous antique flooring had to be patched where walls were removed without being noticeable. Original interior doors and woodwork were restored. Deep window sills give hints to the thick stone exterior walls. A local reproduction furniture maker with national accolades was the perfect choice for the cabinetry which was hand planed and hand finished the way furniture was built long ago. Even the wood tops on the beautiful dresser and bench were rich with dimension from these techniques. The legs on the double vanity were hand turned by Amish woodworkers to add to the farmhouse flair. Marble tops and tile as well as antique style fixtures were chosen to complement the classic look of everything else in the room. It was important to choose contractors and installers experienced in historic remodeling as the old systems had to be carefully updated. Every item on the wish list was achieved in this project from functional storage and a private water closet to every aesthetic detail desired. If only the farmers who originally inhabited this home could see it now! Matt Villano Photography

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

2011 NARI CAPITAL COTY MERIT AWARD WINNER; 2012 QUALIFIED REMODELER MASTER DESIGN AWARD This 1950 brick colonial featured a floor plan typical of homes of that era--small boxy rooms, each separated by four walls. The young couple who owned the home loved its potential, but needed more space. The main goal of this project was to create a seamless and open floor plan on the first floor, adding a family room and enlarging the kitchen. A master bedroom and bathroom suite were planned to make better use of the second level. To accomplish these goals, a 20’ x 20’ two-story addition was designed by Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes. The new expanded kitchen and family room features limestone floors, a new gas fireplace surrounded with built-ins and glass stone hearth to complement the kitchen countertops and backsplash. Use of espresso colored cabinetry topped by a light granite countertop with brown veins running through it is one of the decorative touches that make this project stunning. The large middle island which consists of a second sink, wine chiller and seating space is another bonus point of this kitchen. Commercial quality appliances assure gourmet cooking at its finest. Large first floor windows face the home’s new flagstone patio, which can be accessed via a French door. The second floor consists of the master bedroom with a sitting area , French doors leading into a French balcony facing back yard, double-sided stoned gas fireplace (between the bedroom and master bath) and a cathedral ceiling. The master bathroom features a large steam shower, body sprays and rain shower, a large double person Jacuzzi, tumbled marble floor and wall tiles with accents. The use of wide plank exotic tiger wood has beautified this master suite. Keeping the homeowners’ contemporary style in mind and achieving their wishes has transformed this old 1950 colonial into a fully functional 21st Century dream home.

Mid-sized transitional master dark wood floor and brown floor bedroom photo in Orange County with beige walls and no fireplace

Alcove shower - mid-sized contemporary master gray tile and yellow tile cement tile floor and gray floor alcove shower idea in Miami with a vessel sink and wood countertops

Photo by Vern Uyetake
Drop-in bathtub - small mid-century modern beige tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile drop-in bathtub idea in Portland with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet and beige walls

Vertical blinds come in many styles. These window panels are panel track blinds or sliding panel blinds. Note that they are not the typical width of a vertical blind, but telescoping panels that will disappear into themselves to allow more of the outside in. Vertical window blinds are used for large window arrays and sliding doors. Note that this fabric is a screen shade solar fabric with an Openness Factor (see solar / screen shade pics). Screen shade fabric allows visibility to the exterior, vs a solid fabric shade with an Opacity rating up to blackout shades. Vertiglide blinds, Skyline blinds are just some of the custom vertical blinds available. Motorized blinds too. Windows Dressed Up window treatment store featuring blinds, shutters and shades in Denver services the metro area, including Parker, Castle Rock, Boulder, Evergreen, Broomfield, Lakewood, Aurora, Thornton, Centennial, Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Arvada, Golden, Westminster, Lone Tree, Greenwood Village, Wheat Ridge. Hunter Douglas photo - living room ideas panel track blinds

Reverse Shed Eichler This project is part tear-down, part remodel. The original L-shaped plan allowed the living/ dining/ kitchen wing to be completely re-built while retaining the shell of the bedroom wing virtually intact. The rebuilt entertainment wing was enlarged 50% and covered with a low-slope reverse-shed roof sloping from eleven to thirteen feet. The shed roof floats on a continuous glass clerestory with eight foot transom. Cantilevered steel frames support wood roof beams with eaves of up to ten feet. An interior glass clerestory separates the kitchen and livingroom for sound control. A wall-to-wall skylight illuminates the north wall of the kitchen/family room. New additions at the back of the house add several “sliding” wall planes, where interior walls continue past full-height windows to the exterior, complimenting the typical Eichler indoor-outdoor ceiling and floor planes. The existing bedroom wing has been re-configured on the interior, changing three small bedrooms into two larger ones, and adding a guest suite in part of the original garage. A previous den addition provided the perfect spot for a large master ensuite bath and walk-in closet. Natural materials predominate, with fir ceilings, limestone veneer fireplace walls, anigre veneer cabinets, fir sliding windows and interior doors, bamboo floors, and concrete patios and walks. Landscape design by Bernard Trainor: www.bernardtrainor.com (see “Concrete Jungle” in April 2014 edition of Dwell magazine). Microsoft Media Center installation of the Year, 2008: www.cybermanor.com/ultimate_install.html (automated shades, radiant heating system, and lights, as well as security & sound).

2011 NARI CAPITAL COTY MERIT AWARD WINNER; 2012 QUALIFIED REMODELER MASTER DESIGN AWARD This 1950 brick colonial featured a floor plan typical of homes of that era--small boxy rooms, each separated by four walls. The young couple who owned the home loved its potential, but needed more space. The main goal of this project was to create a seamless and open floor plan on the first floor, adding a family room and enlarging the kitchen. A master bedroom and bathroom suite were planned to make better use of the second level. To accomplish these goals, a 20’ x 20’ two-story addition was designed by Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes. The new expanded kitchen and family room features limestone floors, a new gas fireplace surrounded with built-ins and glass stone hearth to complement the kitchen countertops and backsplash. Use of espresso colored cabinetry topped by a light granite countertop with brown veins running through it is one of the decorative touches that make this project stunning. The large middle island which consists of a second sink, wine chiller and seating space is another bonus point of this kitchen. Commercial quality appliances assure gourmet cooking at its finest. Large first floor windows face the home’s new flagstone patio, which can be accessed via a French door. The second floor consists of the master bedroom with a sitting area , French doors leading into a French balcony facing back yard, double-sided stoned gas fireplace (between the bedroom and master bath) and a cathedral ceiling. The master bathroom features a large steam shower, body sprays and rain shower, a large double person Jacuzzi, tumbled marble floor and wall tiles with accents. The use of wide plank exotic tiger wood has beautified this master suite. Keeping the homeowners’ contemporary style in mind and achieving their wishes has transformed this old 1950 colonial into a fully functional 21st Century dream home.

Located in, Summit Park, Park City UT lies one of the most efficient houses in the country. The Summit Haus – designed and built by Chris Price of PCD+B, is an exploration in design and construction of advanced high performance housing. Seeing a rising demand for sustainable housing along with rising Carbon emissions leading to global warming, this house strives to show that sensible, good design can create spaces adequate for today’s housing demands while adhering to strict standards. The house was designed to meet the very rigid Passiv House rating system – 90% more efficient than a typical home in the area. The house itself was intended to nestle neatly into the 45 degree sloped site and to take full advantage of the limited solar access and views. The views range from short, highly wooded views to a long corridor out towards the Uinta Mountain range towards the east. The house was designed and built based off Passiv Haus standards, and the framing and ventilation became critical elements to maintain such minimal energy requirements. Zola triple-pane, tilt-and-turn Thermo uPVC windows contribute substantially to the home’s energy efficiency, and takes advantage of the beautiful surrounding of the location, including forrest views from the deck off of the kitchen. Photographer: Douglas Burke

When people think of remodeling their homes, they often immediately consider starting with rooms like the dining area, living room, or basement – rooms where the most amount of people spend the most amount of time. While those rooms are important, recent remodeling trends are pointing toward the popularity of re-creating a more private place – the master bath. In fact, we are in the midst of The Year of the Master Bath. Current home improvement practices show that, not only is redoing your master bath a fun and stylish choice, but it also is a wise way to add value to your home. For homes built in the 1990’s with master baths over 200 square feet in size, now is the ideal time to remodel and upgrade to a more efficient, stylish, and worth-while setup. Most homes built during this time period were completed with a typical master bath that included a large jetted tub, and a separate small shower. Both of these elements are quickly becoming recognizable as features of the past, and are being replaced by new and improved technologies. For instance, many homeowners have taken it upon themselves to remove the large jetted bath, and replace it with a free standing tub. These free standing tubs allow for the room to open up in a more modern fashion, and provide endless style and aesthetic choices. Homeowners are also expanding their small showers to create a luxury environment. By pushing out walls to make more shower space, adding skylights and hinged doors, or even designing an accent tile pattern, homeowners are able to take their simple shower and turn it into a relaxing space that rivals even the best spa. The remodeling of a master bath even allows for homeowners to get creative with storage space and style. Many emerging trends include higher vanity height, and even additional built-in towers with extra outlets so that no one is without power while curling their hair or charging a razor. When you take the time to customize your master bath, you will add a level of value to your home that you can experience each and every day, and that will also add to your home’s worth in the long run. Join in on The Year of the Master Bath, and enjoy your improved space for decades to come!

Home design - coastal home design idea in San Francisco

2011 NARI CAPITAL COTY MERIT AWARD WINNER; 2012 QUALIFIED REMODELER MASTER DESIGN AWARD This 1950 brick colonial featured a floor plan typical of homes of that era--small boxy rooms, each separated by four walls. The young couple who owned the home loved its potential, but needed more space. The main goal of this project was to create a seamless and open floor plan on the first floor, adding a family room and enlarging the kitchen. A master bedroom and bathroom suite were planned to make better use of the second level. To accomplish these goals, a 20’ x 20’ two-story addition was designed by Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes. The new expanded kitchen and family room features limestone floors, a new gas fireplace surrounded with built-ins and glass stone hearth to complement the kitchen countertops and backsplash. Use of espresso colored cabinetry topped by a light granite countertop with brown veins running through it is one of the decorative touches that make this project stunning. The large middle island which consists of a second sink, wine chiller and seating space is another bonus point of this kitchen. Commercial quality appliances assure gourmet cooking at its finest. Large first floor windows face the home’s new flagstone patio, which can be accessed via a French door. The second floor consists of the master bedroom with a sitting area , French doors leading into a French balcony facing back yard, double-sided stoned gas fireplace (between the bedroom and master bath) and a cathedral ceiling. The master bathroom features a large steam shower, body sprays and rain shower, a large double person Jacuzzi, tumbled marble floor and wall tiles with accents. The use of wide plank exotic tiger wood has beautified this master suite. Keeping the homeowners’ contemporary style in mind and achieving their wishes has transformed this old 1950 colonial into a fully functional 21st Century dream home.

This project was focused on eeking out space for another bathroom for this growing family. The three bedroom, Craftsman bungalow was originally built with only one bathroom, which is typical for the era. The challenge was to find space without compromising the existing storage in the home. It was achieved by claiming the closet areas between two bedrooms, increasing the original 29" depth and expanding into the larger of the two bedrooms. The result was a compact, yet efficient bathroom. Classic finishes are respectful of the vernacular and time period of the home.

Hallmark Floors Monterey Engineered hardwood floors installed in modern kitchen. To see the rest of the colors in the collection visit HallmarkFloors.com or contact us to order your new floors today! Hallmark Floors Monterey Collection MONTEREY COLLECTION URL: http://hallmarkfloors.com/hallmark-hardwoods/monterey-hardwood-collection/ LAACK FLOORING INNOVATION URL http://laackflooring.com/ Simply savvy Creating a New demand for random width, by using tomorrows technology, has lead to the development of the Monterey Hardwood Collection. Available in maple and hickory, with a combined width of 4”, 6”, and 8” and random lengths up to 6’. Using proprietary Trueslice® technology, Hallmark is producing a very stable 2mm sliced face on a 1/2” thick (total) engineered plank making it simply savvy. The slice face visuals mimic that of sawn face with a tighter, higher-end grain look than typical rotary cut products currently offered by the competition. Topped off with our incredibly durable Truemark Glaze Tek Poly Finish, Monterey is a definite game changer. Simply Better…Discover Why. URL http://laackflooring.com/

Freestanding bathtub - large contemporary master white tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile, multicolored floor and double-sink freestanding bathtub idea in Salt Lake City with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, a vessel sink, quartz countertops, white countertops and a built-in vanity

These homeowners sought us out after learning the builder typically installs cabinets that are finished on site. Being used to manufactured custom cabinetry, we were a perfect fit to supply these for several rooms in their home, including these three bathrooms! Each has a slightly different style, but they all scream "gorgeous!" In the two hall/guest baths in the home, we went with KitchenCraft cabinetry, their Lexington door style with an Alabaster finish. We splurged a little more in the master by installing WW Woods Eclipse line. Maple cabinets with their Aspen door style in a Dovetail Gray finish are simply stunning,