Acquiring a new house is an exciting occasion but often has many challenges. My clients came to me to help modernize and update their new home that clearly had not been touched since the 70s. For the kitchen, we removed the dated orange oak cabinetry, tile counter tops, and cracked terra cotta flooring. This enabled us to start from scratch so we could create a light, bright kitchen in the fog and forest colors of the coastal mountain region of the area. New appliances, hand-forged iron light fixtures, and a luxurious marble counter and backsplash elevate this kitchen while retaining a casual atmosphere. Photos by Bernardo Grijalva

This 2,700 square-foot renovation of an existing brick structure has provided a stunning, year round vacation home in the Lake Sunapee region. Located on the same footprint as the original brick structure, the new, one-story residence is oriented on the site to take advantage of the expansive views of Mts. Sunapee and Kearsarge. By implementing a mix of siding treatments, textures and materials, and unique rooflines the home complements the surrounding site, and caps off the top of the grassy hill. New entertainment rooms and porches are located so that the spectacular views of the surrounding mountains are always prominent. Dressed in bright and airy colors, the spaces welcome conversation and relaxation in spectacular settings. The design of three unique spaces, each of which experience the site differently, contributed to the overall layout of the residence. From the Adirondack chairs on the colonnaded porch to the cushioned sofas of the sunroom, personalized touches of exquisite taste provide an undeniably comforting atmosphere to the site. Photographer: Joseph St. Pierre

Acquiring a new house is an exciting occasion but often has many challenges. My clients came to me to help modernize and update their new home that clearly had not been touched since the 70s. For the kitchen, we removed the dated orange oak cabinetry, tile counter tops, and cracked terra cotta flooring. This enabled us to start from scratch so we could create a light, bright kitchen in the fog and forest colors of the coastal mountain region of the area. New appliances, hand-forged iron light fixtures, and a luxurious marble counter and backsplash elevate this kitchen while retaining a casual atmosphere. Photos by Bernardo Grijalva

Acquiring a new house is an exciting occasion but often has many challenges. My clients came to me to help modernize and update their new home that clearly had not been touched since the 70s. For the kitchen, we removed the dated orange oak cabinetry, tile counter tops, and cracked terra cotta flooring. This enabled us to start from scratch so we could create a light, bright kitchen in the fog and forest colors of the coastal mountain region of the area. New appliances, hand-forged iron light fixtures, and a luxurious marble counter and backsplash elevate this kitchen while retaining a casual atmosphere. Photos by Bernardo Grijalva

WINNER: Silver Award – One-of-a-Kind Custom or Spec 4,001 – 5,000 sq ft, Best in American Living Awards, 2019 Affectionately called The Magnolia, a reference to the architect's Southern upbringing, this project was a grass roots exploration of farmhouse architecture. Located in Phoenix, Arizona’s idyllic Arcadia neighborhood, the home gives a nod to the area’s citrus orchard history. Echoing the past while embracing current millennial design expectations, this just-complete speculative family home hosts four bedrooms, an office, open living with a separate “dirty kitchen”, and the Stone Bar. Positioned in the Northwestern portion of the site, the Stone Bar provides entertainment for the interior and exterior spaces. With retracting sliding glass doors and windows above the bar, the space opens up to provide a multipurpose playspace for kids and adults alike. Nearly as eyecatching as the Camelback Mountain view is the stunning use of exposed beams, stone, and mill scale steel in this grass roots exploration of farmhouse architecture. White painted siding, white interior walls, and warm wood floors communicate a harmonious embrace in this soothing, family-friendly abode. Project Details // The Magnolia House Architecture: Drewett Works Developer: Marc Development Builder: Rafterhouse Interior Design: Rafterhouse Landscape Design: Refined Gardens Photographer: ProVisuals Media Awards Silver Award – One-of-a-Kind Custom or Spec 4,001 – 5,000 sq ft, Best in American Living Awards, 2019 Featured In “The Genteel Charm of Modern Farmhouse Architecture Inspired by Architect C.P. Drewett,” by Elise Glickman for Iconic Life, Nov 13, 2019

This 2,700 square-foot renovation of an existing brick structure has provided a stunning, year round vacation home in the Lake Sunapee region. Located on the same footprint as the original brick structure, the new, one-story residence is oriented on the site to take advantage of the expansive views of Mts. Sunapee and Kearsarge. By implementing a mix of siding treatments, textures and materials, and unique rooflines the home complements the surrounding site, and caps off the top of the grassy hill. New entertainment rooms and porches are located so that the spectacular views of the surrounding mountains are always prominent. Dressed in bright and airy colors, the spaces welcome conversation and relaxation in spectacular settings. The design of three unique spaces, each of which experience the site differently, contributed to the overall layout of the residence. From the Adirondack chairs on the colonnaded porch to the cushioned sofas of the sunroom, personalized touches of exquisite taste provide an undeniably comforting atmosphere to the site. Photographer: Joseph St. Pierre

Lying 100 miles southeast of Los Angeles between three gently- mountain ranges, Coachella Valley has long been an ideal winter retreat, providing breathtaking views, dramatic desert sunsets and 350 days of sun. Among the various towns scattered throughout the region, La Quinta is considered the hidden gem. Discovery Land Company’s intimate Madison Club in La Quinta is also known as the crown jewel of their exclusive family lifestyle clubs. With its Mizner inspired Spanish architecture and understated luxury, its meticulous attention to detail is in the tradition of California’s classic old-line country clubs. This gorgeous property continues to attract a clientele of Hollywood A-Listers, almost a century after the area was first discovered as a tinsel-town getaway in the 1920’s. With a focus on modern functionality, our client’s second home forfeits none of the grace and charm of the exterior as it leans towards an elegantly casual and comfortable interior. Clean lines and a soothing color palette allow an easy visual transition from room to room.

Ann Lowengart Interiors took a dated Lafayette Tuscan-inspired villa and transformed it into a timeless Californian ranch. The 5,045 Sq. Ft gated estate sited on 2.8-acres boasts panoramic views of Mt. Diablo, Briones Regional Park, and surrounding hills. Ann Lowengart dressed the modern interiors in a cool color palette punctuated by moody blues and Hermès orange that are casually elegant for a family with tween children and several animals. Unique to the residence is an indigo-walled library complete with a hidden bar for the adults to imbibe in.

Acquiring a new house is an exciting occasion but often has many challenges. My clients came to me to help modernize and update their new home that clearly had not been touched since the 70s. For the kitchen, we removed the dated orange oak cabinetry, tile counter tops, and cracked terra cotta flooring. This enabled us to start from scratch so we could create a light, bright kitchen in the fog and forest colors of the coastal mountain region of the area. New appliances, hand-forged iron light fixtures, and a luxurious marble counter and backsplash elevate this kitchen while retaining a casual atmosphere. Photos by Bernardo Grijalva

The adjacent dining room is designed with a touch of elegance. The walls are a Venetian plaster in a pale pink color. The custom paneling found along the walls is warm brown with a silver finish. The decorative painting in the dining room as well as in other parts of the building was also done by Riptide Finishes. The large dining table and Lee Industries upholstered chairs, will accommodate up to sixteen. The dining table is custom-built by Palu in a bourbon brown finish hard wood harvested from the Appalachian mountain region (made in the US). The cork floor, one of the many acoustic features of the building, help control the sound, since multiple events could be taking place. Other features in the dining room include a gas fireplace, a wet bar and a wine cooler. It is a lovely room to enjoy the labors of all that cooking.

All new windows and door we installed in this fantastic mountain home. Surrounded by a wrap-around deck and elevated over the tree-tops, this spectacular house looks incredible with new windows providing an amazing view and new doors making access safe and easy. Explore all the window and door options available from Renewal by Andersen of San Francisco, including the entire Bay Area and surrounding regions. . . . . . . . . . . From dreams to reality, we are your full-service window and door company -- Contact us: (866) 531-9672 -- www.windowanddoorsavings.com

Ann Lowengart Interiors took a dated Lafayette Tuscan-inspired villa and transformed it into a timeless Californian ranch. The 5,045 Sq. Ft gated estate sited on 2.8-acres boasts panoramic views of Mt. Diablo, Briones Regional Park, and surrounding hills. Ann Lowengart dressed the modern interiors in a cool color palette punctuated by moody blues and Hermès orange that are casually elegant for a family with tween children and several animals. Unique to the residence is an indigo-walled library complete with a hidden bar for the adults to imbibe in.

This 2,700 square-foot renovation of an existing brick structure has provided a stunning, year round vacation home in the Lake Sunapee region. Located on the same footprint as the original brick structure, the new, one-story residence is oriented on the site to take advantage of the expansive views of Mts. Sunapee and Kearsarge. By implementing a mix of siding treatments, textures and materials, and unique rooflines the home complements the surrounding site, and caps off the top of the grassy hill. New entertainment rooms and porches are located so that the spectacular views of the surrounding mountains are always prominent. Dressed in bright and airy colors, the spaces welcome conversation and relaxation in spectacular settings. The design of three unique spaces, each of which experience the site differently, contributed to the overall layout of the residence. From the Adirondack chairs on the colonnaded porch to the cushioned sofas of the sunroom, personalized touches of exquisite taste provide an undeniably comforting atmosphere to the site. Photographer: Joseph St. Pierre

This 2,700 square-foot renovation of an existing brick structure has provided a stunning, year round vacation home in the Lake Sunapee region. Located on the same footprint as the original brick structure, the new, one-story residence is oriented on the site to take advantage of the expansive views of Mts. Sunapee and Kearsarge. By implementing a mix of siding treatments, textures and materials, and unique rooflines the home complements the surrounding site, and caps off the top of the grassy hill. New entertainment rooms and porches are located so that the spectacular views of the surrounding mountains are always prominent. Dressed in bright and airy colors, the spaces welcome conversation and relaxation in spectacular settings. The design of three unique spaces, each of which experience the site differently, contributed to the overall layout of the residence. From the Adirondack chairs on the colonnaded porch to the cushioned sofas of the sunroom, personalized touches of exquisite taste provide an undeniably comforting atmosphere to the site. Photographer: Joseph St. Pierre

This 2,700 square-foot renovation of an existing brick structure has provided a stunning, year round vacation home in the Lake Sunapee region. Located on the same footprint as the original brick structure, the new, one-story residence is oriented on the site to take advantage of the expansive views of Mts. Sunapee and Kearsarge. By implementing a mix of siding treatments, textures and materials, and unique rooflines the home complements the surrounding site, and caps off the top of the grassy hill. New entertainment rooms and porches are located so that the spectacular views of the surrounding mountains are always prominent. Dressed in bright and airy colors, the spaces welcome conversation and relaxation in spectacular settings. The design of three unique spaces, each of which experience the site differently, contributed to the overall layout of the residence. From the Adirondack chairs on the colonnaded porch to the cushioned sofas of the sunroom, personalized touches of exquisite taste provide an undeniably comforting atmosphere to the site. Photographer: Joseph St. Pierre

The Olympic View house is a two story home designed for a couple newly retired from careers in academia on the East Coast of the United States. The resultant building footprint reflects complex site constraints in a manner which ultimately accommodated the Owner’s goals for the house. The house is 2,700 sf and includes all main floor living for day to day functions for aging in place. The house is a contemporary expression of Northwest Regionalism accommodating serious weather conditions and aesthetic considerations for massing, light and presence. The house commands views of Port Orchard Narrows and the Olympic Mountain Range beyond through a membrane of glazing rather than conventional punched window openings. The glazing membrane in-turn allows the solid massing elements of the house to be expressed and meaningful. The strength of the center core of the building is emphasized by a framework of battered bases on each corner. The tops of the bases are held short of the roof plane by two feet allowing the roof to appear to float above the body of the house. The roof then acts as more of a canopy allowing light to penetrate the building at all times during the day and be a lantern for the streetscape at night. Desisgned by BC&J Architecture. photos: Martin Bydalek Photography

The Olympic View house is a two story home designed for a couple newly retired from careers in academia on the East Coast of the United States. The resultant building footprint reflects complex site constraints in a manner which ultimately accommodated the Owner’s goals for the house. The house is 2,700 sf and includes all main floor living for day to day functions for aging in place. The house is a contemporary expression of Northwest Regionalism accommodating serious weather conditions and aesthetic considerations for massing, light and presence. The house commands views of Port Orchard Narrows and the Olympic Mountain Range beyond through a membrane of glazing rather than conventional punched window openings. The glazing membrane in-turn allows the solid massing elements of the house to be expressed and meaningful. The strength of the center core of the building is emphasized by a framework of battered bases on each corner. The tops of the bases are held short of the roof plane by two feet allowing the roof to appear to float above the body of the house. The roof then acts as more of a canopy allowing light to penetrate the building at all times during the day and be a lantern for the streetscape at night. Desisgned by BC&J Architecture. photos: Martin Bydalek Photography

The Olympic View house is a two story home designed for a couple newly retired from careers in academia on the East Coast of the United States. The resultant building footprint reflects complex site constraints in a manner which ultimately accommodated the Owner’s goals for the house. The house is 2,700 sf and includes all main floor living for day to day functions for aging in place. The house is a contemporary expression of Northwest Regionalism accommodating serious weather conditions and aesthetic considerations for massing, light and presence. The house commands views of Port Orchard Narrows and the Olympic Mountain Range beyond through a membrane of glazing rather than conventional punched window openings. The glazing membrane in-turn allows the solid massing elements of the house to be expressed and meaningful. The strength of the center core of the building is emphasized by a framework of battered bases on each corner. The tops of the bases are held short of the roof plane by two feet allowing the roof to appear to float above the body of the house. The roof then acts as more of a canopy allowing light to penetrate the building at all times during the day and be a lantern for the streetscape at night. Desisgned by BC&J Architecture. photos: Martin Bydalek Photography

Phacelia parryi / Parry's phacelia Photo: National Park Service: Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-2.0 Generic