plaster window grille in the powder room
Example of a large tuscan white three-story stucco house exterior design in Santa Barbara with a tile roof

Craftsman brown two-story wood exterior home idea in Charlotte

Mining vernacular inspired, this exquisite custom home was featured as a Wall Street Journal Home of the Week. Photo: Jennifer Koskinen | Merritt Design Photo

Product – Charwood™ Ebony. Solution: Japanese style charred wood called Shou-Sugi-Ban.
Inspiration for an asian staircase remodel in Boise

Modern commercial stainless steel, open rise staircase with wood treads and handrail.
Staircase - modern wooden l-shaped open staircase idea in Atlanta

Lauro Ghedini Photographer
Trendy staircase photo in Bologna

Fireplace mosaic detail.
Inspiration for a mediterranean terra-cotta tile living room remodel in San Diego with white walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace

Inspiration for a huge contemporary drought-tolerant and full sun backyard river rock and wood fence walkway in Tampa for summer.

Trendy home design photo in New York

This custom residence was designed and built by Collaborated works in 2012. Inspired by Maison de Verre by Pierre Chareau. This modernist glass box is full steel construction. The exterior is brought inside so that the frame of the house is exposed. Large frosted glass garage doors create a beautiful light box. This townhouse has an open floating stair that is the centerpiece of the home. A fireplace in the living room is surrounded by windows. The industrial kitchen incorporates vintage fixtures and appliances that make it truly unique.

Hallway - large contemporary concrete floor hallway idea in Seattle with beige walls

Hunter Douglas Eclectic Window Treatments and Draperies Hunter Douglas Luminette® Quintette® Privacy Sheers Opened Operating Systems: Combination Wand/Cord System Room: Living Room Room Styles: Contemporary, Eclectic, Traditional Available from Accent Window Fashions LLC Hunter Douglas Showcase Priority Dealer Hunter Douglas Certified Installer Hunter Douglas Certified Professional Dealer #Hunter_Douglas #Luminette #Quintette #Privacy #Sheers #Combination #Wand #Cord_System #Contemporary #Eclectic #Traditional #Living_Room #Living_Room_Ideas #Window_Treatments #HunterDouglas #Accent_Window_Fashions Copyright 2001-2013 Hunter Douglas, Inc. All rights reserved.

Pool - large transitional backyard rectangular pool idea in Miami

Daniel Whatley

Visual Artisan, LLC
Example of a mountain style pool design in Orlando

This mosaic of a mermaid is one of two separate installations in the clients beach house on the North Shore of Oahu. It is made entirely of hand cut stained glass in the artists studio in Orange County, shipped to the ste, installed in sections by the artist, grouted and hand colored grout. Mia Tavonatti

This oversized version of the Standard Audio Credenza is in cherry veneer. The client required two rows of vinyl record storage, to hold over 500 LP's. Photography by Mark Dawursk

On a quiet street just steps from San Francisco’s beloved Dolores Park, a formerly modest urban structure has been transformed into a luminous vertical residence that quietly redefines contemporary city living. Through a comprehensive remodel and both vertical and horizontal expansion, the project turns a constrained urban footprint into a sequence of serene, art-forward living spaces that unfold upward toward expansive city views. The architecture balances restraint and warmth: crisp contemporary geometry softened by natural materials, artful lighting, and carefully curated interiors. The result is a home that feels simultaneously grounded and elevated—deeply connected to its neighborhood yet remarkably private. Reimagining the Urban Envelope The original building has been almost entirely reconceived. The facade now reads as a disciplined composition of plaster volumes and precisely detailed window openings framed by subtle projecting bands. The geometry references San Francisco’s classic rhythm of bayed facades while stripping the language down to a refined modern expression. Behind this quiet exterior lies a dramatically expanded interior volume. The redesign adds both additional floor area and new vertical circulation, transforming what was once a conventional city house into a multi-level architectural sequence organized around light, art, and views. At the roofline, planted terraces soften the building’s silhouette and create a green crown visible from surrounding hillsides. Interiors as a Sequence of Galleries Inside, the home unfolds as a series of spatial moments connected by a sculptural stair and gallery-like corridors. Wide plank oak floors run throughout, providing continuity and warmth against a palette of plaster walls, dark steel detailing, and natural stone. The hallways function almost as curated galleries, with layered artworks suspended in front of mesh panels that create depth and subtle shadow. Light filters through carefully placed windows and stair openings, transforming circulation spaces into contemplative transitions rather than mere passageways. A Living Room Anchored by Stone and Light The primary living room occupies one of the home’s central floors, where a quiet interplay of texture and geometry defines the space. A monumental fireplace wrapped in dark stone forms the room’s anchor, its mass contrasting with a recessed ceiling plane that seems to float above the seating area. Integrated perimeter lighting creates a soft architectural glow that washes the ceiling and walls. Furniture is sculptural yet understated—rounded lounge chairs in warm ochre velvet, tailored sofas, and a striking marble cocktail table whose expressive veining becomes a focal artwork in itself. Deep blue carpeting grounds the seating arrangement and subtly absorbs light, enhancing the calm atmosphere. Above the fireplace, a delicate projection artwork introduces a moment of visual poetry—an unexpected cinematic gesture that transforms the wall into a quietly animated canvas. Kitchen as Architectural Furniture The kitchen expresses a different register: crisp, tactile, and materially rich. Custom walnut cabinetry spans the wall in a continuous plane, punctuated only by the sculpted hood and integrated appliances. The wood’s depth and warmth are balanced by expanses of pale marble that flow seamlessly from countertop to backsplash. Three dome pendants hover above the island like industrial sculptures, casting pools of warm light onto the stone surface. A row of vivid red stools introduces a controlled burst of color, a small but confident departure from the otherwise restrained palette. Dining With a Living Backdrop Adjacent to the kitchen, the dining room opens toward a glass wall overlooking a vertical garden of climbing ivy. The greenery becomes a constantly changing backdrop—lush and shadowy during the day, atmospheric and cinematic after sunset. A dark wood table anchors the room, surrounded by pale oak chairs whose understated forms echo Scandinavian design traditions. The simplicity of the furniture allows the view and natural light to become the dominant experience. Intimate Spaces and Material Contrast Throughout the home, smaller rooms offer moments of intimacy and material experimentation. The powder room pairs textured wall coverings with a dramatic black marble vanity whose bold veining feels almost geological. A suspended mirror and slender pendant create a sculptural composition against the tactile backdrop. The primary bedroom, by contrast, feels serene and expansive. Floor-to-ceiling glazing frames sweeping views of the city, while soft textiles and warm wood paneling create a cocooning effect. Slender black columns subtly define a sitting area without interrupting the openness of the space. Bathing Above the City In the primary bathroom, a sculptural freestanding tub sits beside a panoramic window overlooking San Francisco’s hills and rooftops. The room’s palette—light oak, grey stone, and matte metals—reinforces the spa-like atmosphere. Floating cabinetry and integrated lighting maintain a sense of visual lightness despite the richness of the materials. Entertaining Above the Park Higher in the house, a lounge and bar area becomes the social heart of the home. Here, dark stone slabs with dramatic veining wrap the bar wall like a piece of monumental art. Open shelving displays glassware and spirits, while integrated wine storage hints at the home’s entertaining ambitions. A soft leather sectional and low glass table create a relaxed setting for conversation, framed by expansive views of the city skyline. Cinema and Retreat The lower level introduces yet another atmosphere: a dedicated media room designed for immersive viewing. Dark walls, plush seating, and soft lighting create a cinematic environment that contrasts intentionally with the airy upper floors. It’s a retreat within the home—intimate, quiet, and removed from the brightness above. Architecture That Balances Discipline and Warmth What makes the project particularly compelling is its balance between architectural discipline and lived warmth. Every element—from the carefully framed views to the restrained material palette—contributes to a cohesive spatial narrative. Yet the home never feels austere. Natural materials, curated art, and layered lighting create a sense of comfort and depth. The result is a house that feels both architecturally rigorous and deeply human. A Contemporary Interpretation of San Francisco Living In a neighborhood defined by historic homes and iconic park views, this transformation offers a contemporary interpretation of San Francisco living. It respects the city’s urban density while embracing openness, light, and vertical living. The home rises quietly above its surroundings, culminating in panoramic vistas that stretch across rooftops, hills, and sky. What began as a conventional structure has become something far more nuanced: a modern urban sanctuary—part gallery, part retreat, and wholly connected to the vibrant city just beyond its walls.