This inviting hillside fire pit creates a cozy destination framed by breathtaking mountain views and mature pines. A circular gas fire feature sits at the heart of a natural flagstone patio, surrounded by sleek wood and metal lounge chairs perfect for enjoying cool Colorado evenings. Low-growing groundcovers soften the stone underfoot, while ornamental grasses and native shrubs bring movement and seasonal color to the landscape. Tiered retaining walls and boulder accents create structure and stability on the sloped site, while a small staircase connects this lower retreat to the upper terraces. Blending comfort, function, and fire-wise design, this space offers a peaceful escape immersed in nature.

Our design for the expansion and gut renovation of a small 1200 square foot house in a residential neighborhood triples is size, and reworks the living arrangement. The rear addition takes advantage of southern exposure with a "greenhouse" room that provides solar heat gain in winter, shading in summer, and a vast connection to the rear yard. Architecturally, we used an approach we call "willful practicality." The new soaring ceiling ties together first and second floors in a dramatic volumetric expansion of space, while providing increased ventilation and daylighting from greenhouse to operable windows and skylights at the peak. Exterior pockets of space are created from curved forces pushing in from outside to form cedar clad porch and stoop. Sustainable design is employed throughout all materials, energy systems and insulation. Masonry exterior walls and concrete floors provide thermal mass for the interior by insulating the exterior. An ERV system facilitates increased air changes and minimizes changes to the interior air temperature. Energy and water saving features and renewable, non-toxic materal selections are important aspects of the house design. Environmental community issues are addressed with a drywell in the side yard to mitigate rain runoff into the town sewer system. The long sloping south facing roof is in anticipation of future solar panels, with the standing seam metal roof providing anchoring opportunities for the panels. The exterior walls are clad in stucco, cedar, and cement-fiber panels defining different areas of the house. Closed cell spray insulation is applied to exterior walls and roof, giving the house an "air-tight" seal against air infiltration and a high R-value. The ERV system provides the ventilation needed with this tight envelope. The interior comfort level and economizing are the beneficial results of the building methods and systems employed in the house. Photographer: Peter Kubilus

Extensive excavation and custom stonework create a luxe spot for enjoying the outdoors. Faced with challenges from the start, this project required expertise and precision from D. A. Dunlevy. We approached the excavation strategically, mitigating any issues encountered with temporary shoring solutions, extra soil containment systems, and careful design. The talented crew put in tons of stone to create a multi-tiered space, including walls, walkways, staircases, and space to create different zones. Set in the midst of a mature, wooded area, the final result is a feeling of old world beauty in the treetops.

A healing garden provides peace and beauty for residents. This local non-profit organization provides end-of-life care for homeless men and women with late-stage and end-stage AIDS and terminal cancer. The client provided us with the design for a Healing Garden for the program’s residents, giving them a dedicated outdoor space to enjoy quiet contemplation, prayer, and group gatherings. Located on a busy and cramped corner in Adams Morgan, D. A. Dunlevy had to work around tight spaces and street traffic. We encountered numerous challenges that were mitigated through careful planning and design. The finished design is a mixture of custom carpentry, advanced concrete work, curved benches, custom metalwork, unique lighting, and a boulder altar as a centerpiece. The space provides room for walking, sitting, and contemplation amongst the peaceful surroundings. We were honored to be a part of this very unique and special project.

Trendy bathroom photo in Charlotte

Example of a trendy bathroom design in Charlotte

Example of a bathroom design in Other

This newly completed residence is located on Sanibel Island on a unique bayou site with western exposure for a perfect view of the sunset. The main entry is a long narrow drive that was planted with seven large native live oaks to create an oak canopy with a native hammock understory consisting of native shrubs and ferns for a tunnel like entry experience. Three large curved coconuts sit at the drive terminus and frame the view of the entry lawn and landscape at the front of the residence. There was a strong emphasis on incorporating native palms and vegetation into a Zen-inspired garden feel. Native paurotis palms and green and silver thrinax palms were carefully specified and trimmed for use as architectural elements on the tall exterior walls. Tropical bamboo of many different varieties were incorporated into the buffers for both ambiance and screening purposes. Landscape grasses and bromeliad species were planted for interest along the front entry way. Native shrubs and perennial dune grasses and groundcovers were incorporated into the side yard buffer and in the back yard on the berm at the bayou edge to blend the built element into the natural landscape. The sodded area in the back and side yards functions as stormwater detention area and prevents stormwater from running directly into the ecological sensitive bayou. All City of Sanibel codes were met for this environmentally and ecosystem rich site including holding and mitigating stormwater runoff on site and meeting the 75% native plant requirement in all vegetation categories.

Garage - transitional garage idea in Phoenix

Design ideas for a coastal landscaping in Boston.

This house was designed to maintain clean sustainability and durability. Minimal, simple, modern design techniques were implemented to create an open floor plan with natural light. The entry of the home, clad in wood, was created as a transitional space between the exterior and the living spaces by creating a feeling of compression before entering into the voluminous, light filled, living area. The large volume, tall windows and natural light of the living area allows for light and views to the exterior in all directions. This project also considered our clients' need for storage and love for travel by creating storage space for an Airstream camper in the oversized 2 car garage at the back of the property. As in all of our homes, we designed and built this project with increased energy efficiency standards in mind. Our standards begin below grade by designing our foundations with insulated concrete forms (ICF) for all of our exterior foundation walls, providing the below grade walls with an R value of 23. As a standard, we also install a passive radon system and a heat recovery ventilator to efficiently mitigate the indoor air quality within all of the homes we build.

The MR Nook! Entirely custom made dining nook created with steel, rustic alder and love. The built-in bench has three hatches and one drawer for storage. The moveable bench's top is hinged to allow access to the heater controls and the entire bench can be slid out of the way for heater maintenance. The double (vertical) trestle style dining table frame provides a secondary footrest to the built-in bench's primary footrest and is designed to mitigate knee knocking while sliding around on the bench. This creation increased our client's seating capacity from 4 to 7 (comfortably) and gave them LOTS of storage space.

A mixed foundation planting creates seasonal interest and beauty at the entrance of this Newton, Massachusetts home. Field stone retaining walls and granite stairs mitigate the steep approach.

WE TURN YARDS INTO GARDENS Bloom Garden Co. believes that the practice of gardening is fourfold: It is an art, a science, a service to our clients, and a service to our planet. For those four reasons, we are passionate about the development and maintenance of beautiful gardens, serious about horticultural knowledge, committed to professionalism in service, and pioneering in our use of environmentally sustainable methods. We are Tallahassee's first electric lawncare company. We use 100% Lithium Ion powered lawn equipment. We carry no chemicals with us. We minimize fertilizer use to mitigate nutrient pollution. We value organic principles and natural systems. We want to change the way you think and feel about your yard.

Sharing the primary entertaining space of this centrally located Minneapolis townhouse, this kitchen completed during a remodel in 2022, was designed to integrate and harmonize with a distinctive yet quiet presence. Liberated from its former enclosure, this stunning kitchen takes center stage at the heart of this contemporary town home. Anchored by dual walnut islands, the new layout is conducive to entertaining and provides both cook and guest with excellent views of the Minneapolis skyline. Minimizing traditionally identifiable elements of a kitchen, the space, in concert with the surrounding rooms, feels more like an upscale lounge and less like a residential kitchen. Natural granite is abundant, the waterfalled surfaces adding dramatic effect at the island and behind the induction range where an underlit shelf is integrated into the stone assembly. At the sink, the carefully detailed backsplash is recessed into the surrounding casework which provides additional storage facing the living area. Streamlined appliances are unobtrusive, either fully-integrated or tucked out of the way. The rear wall is composed almost entirely of white, flat paneled cabinetry, tucked under the soffit and merging into the textured fireplace mass. Heavily distressed beams help mitigate the cavernous volume and add layers visual texture and warmth. Double openings divide the space from a more intimately scaled dining area (the former home of the kitchen). The interstitial space provides room for a butler’s pantry and wet bar with hanging glass storage. A backlit etched glass panel provides ambient illumination and conceals an awkwardly located existing window.

An example of vital and immersive living space for plants, wildlife and people. Design-built in summer 2022, our team (including talented local stonemason Matt Nichols) worked hard to reimagine an outdoor living space that integrates a dining area, hot tub, gathering space and raised beds. We were also tasked with successfully mitigating stormwater runoff that now channels from the rear to a rain garden in the front. A relaxed delineation of space allows for an easy ebb and flow for this young family and its pets. Cohesive materials were used throughout (such as the gorgeous irregular chunk stone steppers and retaining wall encompassing the cedar hot tub) to elevate this redesign. Over time, these designed living ‘rooms’ for people will recede into the planted habitat to feel ever more intimate and natural.

This aerial perspective highlights the clean lines and soft textures of a thoughtfully designed backyard transition space. A sweeping curve defines the edge between a functional lawn and a vibrant xeriscape bed, featuring clusters of ornamental grasses, flowering perennials like Russian sage, and drought-tolerant shrubs. Gravel mulch offers a neat, low-maintenance finish that contrasts with the crisp concrete patio. The gently curving steel fence frames the property without obstructing the view into the surrounding woodland, while maintaining a natural flow that complements the native setting. This layout strikes a beautiful balance between structure and softness—perfect for sustainable, high-elevation landscapes.

This house was designed to maintain clean sustainability and durability. Minimal, simple, modern design techniques were implemented to create an open floor plan with natural light. The entry of the home, clad in wood, was created as a transitional space between the exterior and the living spaces by creating a feeling of compression before entering into the voluminous, light filled, living area. The large volume, tall windows and natural light of the living area allows for light and views to the exterior in all directions. This project also considered our clients' need for storage and love for travel by creating storage space for an Airstream camper in the oversized 2 car garage at the back of the property. As in all of our homes, we designed and built this project with increased energy efficiency standards in mind. Our standards begin below grade by designing our foundations with insulated concrete forms (ICF) for all of our exterior foundation walls, providing the below grade walls with an R value of 23. As a standard, we also install a passive radon system and a heat recovery ventilator to efficiently mitigate the indoor air quality within all of the homes we build.