A multi-valent overhaul of a steep mountain property damaged by The Flood and at risk of future degradation. We made room for an outdoor living space by broadening an old fire roadbed using ancient stonework tactics (and a couple of backhoes) to shore up the slopes about and below. We performed extensive erosion mitigation all over the site while making aesthetic improvements. To give the owners access to the overlook far above their home, we built a trail to last generations and accommodate users of all abilities. Patio concrete, cobble, and fire pit by others.

This LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood. INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site. EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot. THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place. HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde. YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting. ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements. RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage. OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet. ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings Eric Roth Photography - Photography

Photo: @dwightly
Mid-sized minimalist galley light wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen photo in Portland with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, solid surface countertops, white appliances, no island and white countertops

Gordon L
Small elegant 3/4 dark wood floor corner shower photo in Dallas with raised-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, beige walls, an undermount sink, terrazzo countertops and a hinged shower door

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen remodel in Detroit with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, multicolored backsplash, matchstick tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and quartz countertops

Trendy white tile and stone slab bathroom photo in Los Angeles with an undermount tub

Contemporary Black and Silver Master Bedroom. Nathan Anthony "Cesare" channel tufted bed upholstered in JAB Chivasso metallic velvet. Michael Berman Modernist Nightstands. Arteriors Lamps. Harlequin rug by Surya, Metallic grasscloth wallcovering by Elitis. H. Studio bench with acrylic feet, upholstered in a Cassaro silver and black metallic velvet. Restoration Hardware bedding. Photography by Jason Roehner

Transitional living room photo in Austin

This 1930's Barrington Hills farmhouse was in need of some TLC when it was purchased by this southern family of five who planned to make it their new home. The renovation taken on by Advance Design Studio's designer Scott Christensen and master carpenter Justin Davis included a custom porch, custom built in cabinetry in the living room and children's bedrooms, 2 children's on-suite baths, a guest powder room, a fabulous new master bath with custom closet and makeup area, a new upstairs laundry room, a workout basement, a mud room, new flooring and custom wainscot stairs with planked walls and ceilings throughout the home. The home's original mechanicals were in dire need of updating, so HVAC, plumbing and electrical were all replaced with newer materials and equipment. A dramatic change to the exterior took place with the addition of a quaint standing seam metal roofed farmhouse porch perfect for sipping lemonade on a lazy hot summer day. In addition to the changes to the home, a guest house on the property underwent a major transformation as well. Newly outfitted with updated gas and electric, a new stacking washer/dryer space was created along with an updated bath complete with a glass enclosed shower, something the bath did not previously have. A beautiful kitchenette with ample cabinetry space, refrigeration and a sink was transformed as well to provide all the comforts of home for guests visiting at the classic cottage retreat. The biggest design challenge was to keep in line with the charm the old home possessed, all the while giving the family all the convenience and efficiency of modern functioning amenities. One of the most interesting uses of material was the porcelain "wood-looking" tile used in all the baths and most of the home's common areas. All the efficiency of porcelain tile, with the nostalgic look and feel of worn and weathered hardwood floors. The home’s casual entry has an 8" rustic antique barn wood look porcelain tile in a rich brown to create a warm and welcoming first impression. Painted distressed cabinetry in muted shades of gray/green was used in the powder room to bring out the rustic feel of the space which was accentuated with wood planked walls and ceilings. Fresh white painted shaker cabinetry was used throughout the rest of the rooms, accentuated by bright chrome fixtures and muted pastel tones to create a calm and relaxing feeling throughout the home. Custom cabinetry was designed and built by Advance Design specifically for a large 70” TV in the living room, for each of the children’s bedroom’s built in storage, custom closets, and book shelves, and for a mudroom fit with custom niches for each family member by name. The ample master bath was fitted with double vanity areas in white. A generous shower with a bench features classic white subway tiles and light blue/green glass accents, as well as a large free standing soaking tub nestled under a window with double sconces to dim while relaxing in a luxurious bath. A custom classic white bookcase for plush towels greets you as you enter the sanctuary bath.

This kitchen has it all - dishwasher drawers, sub-zero built-in refrigerator with over-lay panel, Siberian Oak floors, planked wood ceiling, recycled glass countertops, a two-sided fireplace with French Limestone surround, custom cabinets, specialty paint and a view of the ocean... John Durant Photography, Chereskin Architecture

Architect: Cathy Schwabe Architecture Photographer: David Wakely Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary wood exterior home remodel in San Francisco

A multi-valent overhaul of a steep mountain property damaged by The Flood and at risk of future degradation. We made room for an outdoor living space by broadening an old fire roadbed using ancient stonework tactics (and a couple of backhoes) to shore up the slopes about and below. We performed extensive erosion mitigation all over the site while making aesthetic improvements. To give the owners access to the overlook far above their home, we built a trail to last generations and accommodate users of all abilities. Patio concrete, cobble, and fire pit by others.

Guest Loft Bedroom/Bathroom accessed via sliding barn door - Interior Architecture: HAUS | Architecture + BRUSFO - Construction Management: WERK | Build - Photo: HAUS | Architecture

Photo: @dwightly
Inspiration for a small transitional 3/4 white tile and porcelain tile alcove shower remodel in Portland with a two-piece toilet, beige walls, a pedestal sink, solid surface countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

John Thornton
Inspiration for a timeless home office remodel in Austin

The new South Cliff Residence features luxury amenities including a 40 foot lap pool, pool house, large terrace, home gym, completely private study, and a large creative studio space suited to the owners’ needs. Numerous glass panels stretch from the floor to the soaring twelve foot tall ceilings throughout the main level, and vaulted ceilings at the second level have been fine tuned to the owners’ preferences.

Garage Storage and Shelving. Holiday Storage. Ashley Dombrow, Organization Made Simple, Inc,
Garage - traditional two-car garage idea in Chicago

All of the rooms in the house face the river beyond, with generous 16 foot wide sliding door systems occurring in many rooms.
Inspiration for a huge cottage white two-story wood and board and batten gable roof remodel in Portland with a metal roof and a gray roof

All of the rooms in the house face the river beyond, with generous 16 foot wide sliding door systems occurring in many rooms.
Inspiration for a huge country white two-story wood and board and batten gable roof remodel in Portland with a metal roof and a gray roof