Holly Hill, a retirement home, whose owner's hobbies are gardening and restoration of classic cars, is nestled into the site contours to maximize views of the lake and minimize impact on the site. Holly Hill is comprised of three wings joined by bridges: A wing facing a master garden to the east, another wing with workshop and a central activity, living, dining wing. Similar to a radiator the design increases the amount of exterior wall maximizing opportunities for natural ventilation during temperate months. Other passive solar design features will include extensive eaves, sheltering porches and high-albedo roofs, as strategies for considerably reducing solar heat gain. Daylighting with clerestories and solar tubes reduce daytime lighting requirements. Ground source geothermal heat pumps and superior to code insulation ensure minimal space conditioning costs. Corten steel siding and concrete foundation walls satisfy client requirements for low maintenance and durability. All light fixtures are LEDs. Open and screened porches are strategically located to allow pleasant outdoor use at any time of day, particular season or, if necessary, insect challenge. Dramatic cantilevers allow the porches to project into the site’s beautiful mixed hardwood tree canopy without damaging root systems. Guest arrive by vehicle with glimpses of the house and grounds through penetrations in the concrete wall enclosing the garden. One parked they are led through a garden composed of pavers, a fountain, benches, sculpture and plants. Views of the lake can be seen through and below the bridges. Primary client goals were a sustainable low-maintenance house, primarily single floor living, orientation to views, natural light to interiors, maximization of individual privacy, creation of a formal outdoor space for gardening, incorporation of a full workshop for cars, generous indoor and outdoor social space for guests and parties.

Inspiration for a mid-sized 1960s 3/4 blue tile and subway tile home design remodel in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink and quartz countertops

The A18 Residence is a townhouse renovation project located in the southern part of New Delhi. team3 was tasked with transforming the facade while minimising modifications to create a visually appealing and functional space that provides residents with a sense of peace and tranquillity. Blurring the Boundaries Between Indoors and Outdoors The driving force behind the project was to seamlessly infuse green elements into the building’s living spaces. This was achieved through a transparent living space that harmoniously bridges the divide between the interiors and the natural surroundings. Floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors allow for maximum natural light and ventilation, creating a sense of openness and connection to the outdoors. These windows are double-paned to help reduce noise pollution. A defining feature of the project is its fully planted facade. A pragmatic approach was adopted to ensure the vitality of the greens. Plants are placed to be accessed via the staircase with landings to the balconies, avoiding the need to cross through the rooms for maintenance and sharing the responsibility of upkeep. Effective Zoning to Enhance Functionality The property's strategic location presented a dual-faced scenario, overlooking a small park at the rear and fronting a busy main road. To address the latter, a green strip and a service road were introduced as buffers to minimise noise intrusion. The green strip was designed to be unobtrusive, using low-maintenance materials and native plants that require minimal watering. The planted facade also adds a level of protection shielding the indoor environment from the noise and pollution of the adjoining road. Sustainable Design with Shared Amenities and Accessible Maintenance The A18 Residence is a single-family home designed for a family of four. The design process was collaborative, with the clients deeply engaged due to their keen interest in architectural aesthetics and sustainability. This collaboration led to the introduction of shared, energy-efficient amenities and resources, fostering efficiency. A terrace garden maintained with harvested rainwater also acts as a communal area for the family. The balconies have been thoughtfully designed with an external staircase for convenient access and maintenance without compromising residents' privacy. The project unfolded organically across its various levels. On the ground floor, residents enjoy greenery from both front and rear gardens, offering a dynamic connection with nature. The first floor features a continuous living space that seamlessly merges with the lush surroundings. On the third floor, a strategically positioned courtyard artfully links to the rooftop terrace garden, extending the green narrative and providing panoramic views and a tangible connection to nature. Solar panels on the roof provide electricity for common areas, while a rainwater harvesting system collects rainwater for irrigation. These features help to reduce the project's environmental impact and create a more sustainable urban lifestyle for its residents. Blending Simplicity, Functionality, and Natural Light The interiors of the A18 Residence are designed to complement the overall aesthetic of the project, with a focus on simplicity and functionality. The open-plan living space is flooded with natural light, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows. Spacious, well-lit bedrooms feature private balconies that offer stunning views of the surrounding greenery. The landscape is an integral part of the design, providing residents with a tranquil oasis in the city. The A18 Residence stands as an example of how innovative design and a collaborative approach can transform an existing building into a thriving urban oasis. Its focus on sustainability, functionality, and connection to nature makes it a model for sustainable living in the city.

The grey trend has evolved in the last twelve months. Nowadays browns, beige and a touch of grey are in demand. Greige is the new buzzword. Heavier hand scraped or contoured products, the rage that started around 2005 has taken a back seat in most areas, while a softer wire brushed "ceruse effect" seen mostly on White Oak has been remarkably strong showing no effects of becoming “dated” like the others mentioned. Ceruse Color Possibilities There are numerous color combinations to the "cerused" process with the most popular being white or off white. This design trend in hardwood flooring can have darker gray white oak with a mild ceruse off white effect. There are limitless possibilities in either a prefinished hardwood floor or with what we can create for you in a custom on-site finished hardwood floor. If something suits your fancy, contact us and we can work on creating just the look and sense of style you are looking for.

Butter Lane featuring IKIGAI Charred FSC-Certified Accoya® wood exterior cladding and roof cladding

Budget Blinds blackout roller shades, photo credit installer Adam Brannick
Example of a mid-sized transitional guest bedroom design in Cedar Rapids with gray walls and no fireplace

Trendy terra-cotta tile entryway photo in Austin

A beautiful design of Thassos and Mother of Pearl in a very unique shade of blue!
Minimalist bathroom photo in New York

Sometimes it really is all in the details... and the storage! By gutting this small NYC bath back to its stub walls and all walls back to the underlying cinder block exterior wall we were not only able to expand the space by a few precious inches that make all the difference, but we were also able to create a beautiful shower storage solution in stunning Statuary honed marble.

Small 1960s subway tile mosaic tile floor bathroom photo in Boston with white walls

The ground floor volumes wrapped in an elongated hand-fired brick, emphasizing the horizontality of the architecture that lays solidly on the land. (Photography by: Matthew Millman)

Materials and interior paint selected by Cherry City Interiors & Design
Freestanding bathtub - mid-sized contemporary master beige tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile freestanding bathtub idea in Portland with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white walls, a drop-in sink and tile countertops

Mid-sized traditional blue two-story concrete fiberboard gable roof idea in Chicago

Custom Surface Solutions (www.css-tile.com) - Owner Craig Thompson (512) 430-1215. This project shows new 12 x 24 tile installed vertically with offset layout pattern on wall and floor. Includes shower box with linear glass accent tile back and vertical glass accent band. Tile edges are finished with Schluter Jolly satin aluminum profile edge trim.

Riad Tile
Bathroom - contemporary cement tile floor and pink floor bathroom idea in Santa Barbara

Hot tub - large southwestern backyard brick and rectangular lap hot tub idea in Phoenix

damian
Inspiration for a timeless bathroom remodel in Atlanta

BC-BAR-BW-POL
Bathroom - modern bathroom idea in New York

Home design - contemporary home design idea in Toronto