hand pulling weed (prickly lettuce) photo by Jocelyn H. Chilvers
Design ideas for a contemporary landscaping in Denver.

New Additions to Hoover + Hill This project is a continuation of the renovation and updating work Flavin Architects had previously completed at the 1958 Wales house, designed by architect Henry Hoover and Walter Hill. Our clients, a young family, desired more space for guests, a home office, a yoga studio, and covered car parking. The challenge was to respect the architects’ original vision and not to interfere with the perfect cruciform plan of the house. To accomplish these goals, we converted the existing garage/workshop structure into a guest house and then designed a new, separate carport/storage building. The new carport building shares the low-slope gable of the original Hoover structure. The post and beam structure characteristic of Hoover’s design is updated through the use of galvanized steel posts and I beams. The galvanized beams cantilever to support a sheltered walkway leading from the parking to a guest house terrace defined in relationship to the three structures surrounding it. The terrace is paved in slate with a central rain garden. Wood lattice clads the carport, providing good ventilation and letting the building glow like a lantern at night. Our guest house renovation celebrates the unique structural timber ceiling of the original garage. We replaced opaque plywood trusses with a slender cable truss structurally engineered by Webb Structural Services. This cable truss allows for a view of the timber ceiling. A wall of glass facing the courtyard replaced the original garage door. A murphy bed in the rear room enables quick conversion from guest quarters to weight room.

In the design stages many details were incorporated in this classic kitchen to give it dimension since the surround cabinets, counters and backsplash were white. Polished nickel plumbing, hardware and custom grilles on feature cabinets along with the island pendants add shine, while finer details such as inset doors, furniture kicks on non-working areas and lofty crown details add a layering effect in the millwork. Photo by Pete Maric.

New Home. Use of sustainable materials and passive solar design. Photos by: Cesar Rubio and Nic Lehoux
Example of a trendy pivot front door design in San Francisco with a dark wood front door

Liz Daly Photography, Signum Architecture
Inspiration for a mid-sized farmhouse enclosed dark wood floor family room remodel in San Francisco with white walls and a tv stand

The driving impetus for this Tarrytown residence was centered around creating a green and sustainable home. The owner-Architect collaboration was unique for this project in that the client was also the builder with a keen desire to incorporate LEED-centric principles to the design process. The original home on the lot was deconstructed piece by piece, with 95% of the materials either reused or reclaimed. The home is designed around the existing trees with the challenge of expanding the views, yet creating privacy from the street. The plan pivots around a central open living core that opens to the more private south corner of the lot. The glazing is maximized but restrained to control heat gain. The residence incorporates numerous features like a 5,000-gallon rainwater collection system, shading features, energy-efficient systems, spray-foam insulation and a material palette that helped the project achieve a five-star rating with the Austin Energy Green Building program.

Living room - large french country formal and open concept medium tone wood floor living room idea in Phoenix with beige walls, a corner fireplace, no tv and a stone fireplace

Photo: Angela Flournoy © 2013 Houzz
Inspiration for a transitional bedroom remodel in Dallas with beige walls

Clean and simple define this 1200 square foot Portage Bay floating home. After living on the water for 10 years, the owner was familiar with the area’s history and concerned with environmental issues. With that in mind, she worked with Architect Ryan Mankoski of Ninebark Studios and Dyna to create a functional dwelling that honored its surroundings. The original 19th century log float was maintained as the foundation for the new home and some of the historic logs were salvaged and custom milled to create the distinctive interior wood paneling. The atrium space celebrates light and water with open and connected kitchen, living and dining areas. The bedroom, office and bathroom have a more intimate feel, like a waterside retreat. The rooftop and water-level decks extend and maximize the main living space. The materials for the home’s exterior include a mixture of structural steel and glass, and salvaged cedar blended with Cor ten steel panels. Locally milled reclaimed untreated cedar creates an environmentally sound rain and privacy screen.

Inspiration for a timeless bathroom remodel in San Francisco

Founded by architect Ernesto Santalla, AIA LEED AP, Ernesto Santalla, PLLC is located in Georgetown, Washington, DC. Ernesto was born in Cuba and received a degree in Architecture from Cornell University in 1984, following which he moved to Washington, DC, and became a registered architect. Since then, he has contributed to the changing skyline of DC and worked on projects in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Europe. His work has been widely published and received numerous awards. Studio Santalla offers professional services in Architecture, Interior Design, and Graphic Design. This website creates a window to Studio Santalla's projects, ideas and process–just enough to whet the appetite. We invite you to visit our office to learn more about us and our work. Photography by Geoffrey Hodgdon

Photographer: John Sutton
Example of a classic bathroom design in San Francisco with marble countertops

Transitional foyer expresses hints of traditional design mixed with the look of contemporary design.
Foyer - contemporary marble floor foyer idea in Chicago with white walls

Entryway - mediterranean entryway idea in New York with a dark wood front door

"National Designer Show House at the Historic Greystone Estate in Beverly Hills" ** Our overaching theme was "It's definitely NOT your granddad's mansion anymore!"

Master bedroom. Alise O'Brien Photography
Inspiration for a timeless bedroom remodel in St Louis with blue walls

Our client initially asked us to assist with selecting materials and designing a guest bath for their new Tucson home. Our scope of work progressively expanded into interior architecture and detailing, including the kitchen, baths, fireplaces, stair, custom millwork, doors, guardrails, and lighting for the residence – essentially everything except the furniture. The home is loosely defined by a series of thick, parallel walls supporting planar roof elements floating above the desert floor. Our approach was to not only reinforce the general intentions of the architecture but to more clearly articulate its meaning. We began by adopting a limited palette of desert neutrals, providing continuity to the uniquely differentiated spaces. Much of the detailing shares a common vocabulary, while numerous objects (such as the elements of the master bath – each operating on their own terms) coalesce comfortably in the rich compositional language. Photo Credit: William Lesch

Elegant mirror tile powder room photo in Chicago with an undermount sink, dark wood cabinets and furniture-like cabinets

Photo: Lucy Call © 2014 Houzz Design: Imbue Design
Inspiration for a contemporary open concept concrete floor living room remodel in Salt Lake City with blue walls, no fireplace and no tv