Mountainside construction on a severe slope, with four levels of decks, out back. Clerestory windows in living room and kitchen add natural light. Hand-crafted wooden vanity in powder room. French doors from master bedroom open onto screened, outdoor sitting area.

This brick and limestone, 6,000-square-foot residence exemplifies understated elegance. Located in the award-wining Blaine School District and within close proximity to the Southport Corridor, this is city living at its finest! The foyer, with herringbone wood floors, leads to a dramatic, hand-milled oval staircase; an architectural element that allows sunlight to cascade down from skylights and to filter throughout the house. The floor plan has stately-proportioned rooms and includes formal Living and Dining Rooms; an expansive, eat-in, gourmet Kitchen/Great Room; four bedrooms on the second level with three additional bedrooms and a Family Room on the lower level; a Penthouse Playroom leading to a roof-top deck and green roof; and an attached, heated 3-car garage. Additional features include hardwood flooring throughout the main level and upper two floors; sophisticated architectural detailing throughout the house including coffered ceiling details, barrel and groin vaulted ceilings; painted, glazed and wood paneling; laundry rooms on the bedroom level and on the lower level; five fireplaces, including one outdoors; and HD Video, Audio and Surround Sound pre-wire distribution through the house and grounds. The home also features extensively landscaped exterior spaces, designed by Prassas Landscape Studio. This home went under contract within 90 days during the Great Recession. Featured in Chicago Magazine: http://goo.gl/Gl8lRm Jim Yochum

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Backyard Deck Design
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Trendy backyard ground level deck photo

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European Inspiration by Fox Construction features a European-inspired mountain home with extensive stone cladding, a steeply pitched roof, and prominent stone chimneys. Large glass-paneled doors and windows open onto an elevated deck with metal railings, while stone-clad columns frame the covered lower-level patio. Boulder retaining walls, landscaped slopes, and natural stone pathways complement the home's multi-level exterior and wooded mountain setting.

Scott Frances
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Even before the pool was installed the backyard was already a gourmet retreat. The premium Delta Heat built-in barbecue kitchen complete with sink, TV and hi-boy serving bar is positioned conveniently next to the pergola lounge area.

Lindsey Denny
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This two-level canyon view deck with cable railing uses extra-heavy lumber and connecting hardware to comply with San Diego fire codes in canyon areas. Most of the deck girders and joists are fastened using hangers and straps to create extra headroom between the upper and lower levels. This single family home has an attached studio with rear entrance. The lime colored door adds a touch of fun and whimsy to the otherwise sophisticated modern color palette. In drought-stricken California, playground wood is used in the back yard as a cost-effective, easy maintenance ground cover.

Photography by Studio H Landscape Architecture. Post processing by Isabella Li.
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