Soaring ceilings particularly in a master can feel oppressively open and over scale. This room suffered from a lack of attention to detail and creature comforts that warm a master. Walls were faux painted in a rich European styled plaster adding character and texture. Ceiling beams were placed, expanding on the European B&B feel. (I want this room to feel like a ‘destination’ – think- best hotel room ever!) The one of a kind antique iron gates accompanied with antique mirror backing and mounted sconces flanking the bed add a touch of sparkle and charm. The custom, hidden fan inside the ‘chandelier or rather ‘chandel-air’ solved the design dilemma of both function and beauty! The built in entertainment center serves several purposes: a home for the TV and components, the false depth offers space for the wine cabinet in the next room and it is also a built in kennel for their precious doggies! This omitted the need for an exposed dog crate in the room! Using design to solve a dilemma, I ‘cheated’ into the master bedroom space making a way to add a full feathered wine cabinet in the adjoining grand entry hallway. The client’s love for fine wines demanded a space to show, store, and enjoy wine with friends. The master suite provided the necessary space with no down side to the function or elegance of the room. Photo credit: Brad Carr

The design of this home was driven by the owners’ desire for a three-bedroom waterfront home that showcased the spectacular views and park-like setting. As nature lovers, they wanted their home to be organic, minimize any environmental impact on the sensitive site and embrace nature. This unique home is sited on a high ridge with a 45° slope to the water on the right and a deep ravine on the left. The five-acre site is completely wooded and tree preservation was a major emphasis. Very few trees were removed and special care was taken to protect the trees and environment throughout the project. To further minimize disturbance, grades were not changed and the home was designed to take full advantage of the site’s natural topography. Oak from the home site was re-purposed for the mantle, powder room counter and select furniture. The visually powerful twin pavilions were born from the need for level ground and parking on an otherwise challenging site. Fill dirt excavated from the main home provided the foundation. All structures are anchored with a natural stone base and exterior materials include timber framing, fir ceilings, shingle siding, a partial metal roof and corten steel walls. Stone, wood, metal and glass transition the exterior to the interior and large wood windows flood the home with light and showcase the setting. Interior finishes include reclaimed heart pine floors, Douglas fir trim, dry-stacked stone, rustic cherry cabinets and soapstone counters. Exterior spaces include a timber-framed porch, stone patio with fire pit and commanding views of the Occoquan reservoir. A second porch overlooks the ravine and a breezeway connects the garage to the home. Numerous energy-saving features have been incorporated, including LED lighting, on-demand gas water heating and special insulation. Smart technology helps manage and control the entire house. Greg Hadley Photography

This top-to-bottom renovation of a 1930’s Seattle home created an intriguing dialogue across time as the fresh, modern spirit of the renovation work acted to complement the more traditional home. A major, two-story addition was placed on the south side of the house, containing a stunning master bath and closet on the upper floor and a window-filled study on the ground floor. A dramatic, three-story stair hall was created in the center of the house, with a delicate new stair railing featuring laser-cut steel vertical supports. A sensuous, 8-ft. long custom fused glass light fixture was suspended over the new stairwell. The attic of the house was entirely reframed, allowing generous views and natural light to fill every room. Sustainable design ideas were present from the beginning. Every exterior wall and roof was insulated to the maximum extent possible. Groundsource wells were drilled to produce heat exchange and reduce both heating and cooling energy demand. Gas consumption has been reduced by about 90% A 3.4 kilowatt array of photovoltaic panels was placed on the roof. Radiant floor heating, low VOC paint, recycled wood flooring, VG Fir insulated windows and LED lighting were also included. Of course, the fact of the renovation itself is inherently sustainable, reclaiming all the embedded energy in the original 80-year-old house, which is now a wonderful combination of old and new.

Michael Duerinckx
Example of a transitional home bar design in Phoenix

Are you overwhelmed by clutter? Is disorganization taking over your home? Do you find yourself cleaning the same areas over and over again? Then you deserve the indispensable luxury Top Shelf Closets and Cabinetry can provide – the luxury of organized living. From the initial consultation to the final, exquisite product, Top Shelf provides friendly, professional, blue ribbon service. Each and every member of our team is dedicated to maximizing your home’s true potential – making your home work for you – and giving you back your hard-earned, precious free-time. ‘Cause life’s too busy to be disorganized. Top Shelf Closets and Cabinetry serves the entire Delaware Valley, including the Jersey Shore. We provide custom laminate and real wood closets; as well as unique solutions for laundry rooms, garages, basements, mudrooms, libraries, entertainment centers and home offices. Founded in 1988, Top Shelf originally provided simple wire shelving to the Chester County community. Today, Top Shelf’s state-of-the-art facility produces a full-color line of shelving not only for the Main Line’s better homes, but for homes in New Jersey, New York – even as far as Bermuda! For nearly 20 years, our hallmarks – experience, passion and quality – have guaranteed our customers the very best solutions for organizing a messy world. At Top Shelf, it’s all about you – we are crazy about customer service! Your Top Shelf experience begins with a free, in-home consultation – or even earlier, with a review of your home’s blueprints. Our designer will listen to your wants and needs – and design exceptional storage solutions that meet and exceed your demands. Once you review your full-color designs, it’s time to meet our friendly installation team. We pride ourselves on clean, quick installations, going that extra mile to work around your busy schedule or settlement date. Our goal isn’t just 100% customer satisfaction – we want you to be utterly amazed by your closets! Each customer brings his or her own needs and unique ideas to the drawing board; you are a partner in the design of your closets, and are only limited by your imagination. Top Shelf can provide endless storage solutions – to meet your most basic need or entertain your lightest whim. A sampling of our offerings would include: a full-line of colors, wood-grain and stains; sliding drawers, valets, belt and tie racks; units with crown molding, full-length mirrors and jewelry trays; islands with built-in drawers; etched glass-front doors; sports and hobby units for garage or basement; and units with their own built-in lighting system.

Large Scale Narrow Modular Pavers were used to create beautiful entry steps. Design by Amelia B Lima & Ass.
Design ideas for a mediterranean landscaping in Los Angeles.

Photo courtesy of Sarah Gayle Carter Design Studio (after)
Example of a kitchen design

Newmark Homes is attuned to market trends and changing consumer demands. Newmark offers customers award-winning design and construction in homes that incorporate a nationally recognized energy efficiency program and state-of-the-art technology. View all our homes and floorplans www.newmarkhomes.com and experience the NEW mark of Excellence

From the upper lawn terrace, an old stone wall was originally the lone focal element at the end of the lower lawn panel. Trees were removed from the neighboring site and the resulting exposure demanded screening with new trees. Unfortunately, these trees weakened the sight lines to the wall, so a dimensional flagstone lawn banding was added to strengthen the outline of the panel and re-focus an appreciation for the wall.

A retrofit of a Victorian townhouse with mansard loft extension and 2-storey rear/ side extension. Insulated using breathable wood-fibre products, filled with daylight and dramatic double-height spaces. Photos: Andy Stagg

Inspiration for a contemporary deck remodel in Singapore

A Beacon of Light Steve Lazar grew up by the ocean and, as an avid surfer and a craftsman, he has always been inspired by seaside architecture. His latest home, The Lifeguard Tower, features an expansive living area and kitchen, four bedrooms, three full baths and a powder room in Hermosa Beach. The architecture is comprised of three trapezoidal structures, one atop the other. From the base, the residence narrows as it reaches the “look-out” tower room that gives way to a picturesque, 1,600-square-foot grass-covered entertainment and dining deck facing the ocean. At night, the tower glows like a beacon of light, as it is beautifully illuminated through multiple windows that surround the structure. Our Green Approach The Lifeguard Tower is also an experience in green living, as it incorporates the weatherworn reclaimed wood of a 100-year-old barn. Lazar has sheathed the house in such a way that it can breathe and endure the elements. The home also utilizes a sophisticated water filtration system and features on-demand radiant heating and air. Dual-glazed windows, coated with a shaded reflective film, will reflect the heat of the sun, keeping the residence cool year-round. These windows, coupled with the unusual 36-inch-long eaves custom designed by Lazar, create more shade than what is typically found in ordinary construction. Beachside Living at its Best Lazar has creatively and methodically managed to appeal to both traditional and contemporary architecture buffs with the Lifeguard Tower. It is a romantic gesture to the past and a simultaneous whimsical nod to contemporary California beachside living. Thoughtfully designed by Steve Lazar. design+build by South Swell. DesignBuildbySouthSwell.com. Photography by Laura Hull

Example of an ornate exterior home design in Other

STACT custom glass cellar design by Symbiose for Gorup Signature. STACT glass-enclosed wine cellars are the ideal wine storage solution when it comes to showcasing wine, without compromise. Boasting up to 40% more bottle capacity than traditional wine racks, STACT's sleek yet sturdy aircraft-grade anodized aluminum frame offers the highest-capacity on the market. Uniquely versatile and space efficient, the patented STACT modular design easily integrates into any space or décor. Unrivaled refinement, beauty and minimalist aesthetic of the STACT Wine Wall system make it the obvious choice for wine collectors who demand the very best, particularly within glass wine cellars where the prized collection is on display - not the wine rack itself.

AFFurniture Inc., always attentive to the innovative demands for design within the interior decoration sector, suggests, in this new series (Aluminum Systems) the easiest way to innovate your suggestions using these materials, which are now more often requested for interior decoration, either due to aesthetics needs or to its lightness and lasting quality. This idea was born from the proposal of bases made in extruded aluminum products, which can be settled in various ways to form base structures used in the living area, for wardrobe box equipment.

DESIGN STATEMENT: GOLD COAST KITCHEN Interior Designer: Darren James www.interiorsbydarrenjames.com.au Precision, attention to detail and an appreciation for the finer things in life are qualities often associated with the German culture. So when the German owners engaged Interiors by Darren James to design and build their dream kitchen they wanted premium quality in every detail: design, materials, workmanship and finish. This project clearly demonstrates what is possible when you combine good design, the latest technical mechanisms, quality materials and handcraft production techniques – a project that exceeds every expectation. Whilst the clients requested an ultramodern design they still wanted it to suit their Australian lifestyle. Central to the brief was the need to satisfy an enthusiastic and demanding gourmand by creating a kitchen that “feels like home” yet still packs a punch visually and supports the entertaining of family and friends. The result is a free flowing functional kitchen design that makes the best possible use of the available space in this long and narrow room. The existing space The original kitchen was small, cramped and non-functional. To pave the way for a larger space highly sought after by the clients, the diving wall that separated the previous kitchen and an unused sitting room was bought down – a concept the clients hadn’t considered until now. The resulting space was a larger room, approximately 7.5 x 3.2m. Starting from scratch we were now able to square set all the walls, ceilings and windows. The existing windows and sliding doors were also removed and replaced with new double glazed windows. Hidden work space hides the mess and reduced visual depth To shorten the visual depth in such a long room, a scullery focused purely on function is placed at the rear of the room to hide the mess when entertaining and ensures the kitchen is kept clutter free. Housing a large side by side Miele Fridge-Freezer and providing storage for food and everyday bulky appliances, the scullery also acts as an out of the way prep zone. A stainless steel benchtop provides the ultimate surface in terms of hygiene, heat resistant and food preparation for this home chef who avidly enjoys cooking. Wall Oven feature & room divider A strategically placed wall oven feature surrounded by LED strip lighting is suspended 300mm off the floor and 300mm off the ceiling creating a unique floating look and provides access either side to the cleverly hidden scullery. Metal supports and bracing was incorporated into the construction of the wall and thicker timber framing was also used to ensure structural integrity. A selected range of stainless steel Miele appliances included in the feature wall further enhance the cutting edge look whilst providing all the functional requirements of the clients’ healthy cooking style. The black glass finish on the feature door and drawer fronts complement the ‘piano finish’ of the surrounding ‘Ebony Maccassar’natural veneer. In keeping with the desired minimalist look, all the black glass fronts are handless and open electronically using Blums ‘Servo drive’ mechanisms. Thanks to this technology with the simple press of the button the wall oven feature easily transforms from a stunning furniture piece to a fully functional storage space. To complete the high class finish, black ‘intivo’ drawers, black internals and 10mm glass shelves are incorporated ensuring this feature wall remains a showpiece whether open or closed. It is important to note that due to the clients’ sensitivity to formaldehyde all the board that was used throughout the kitchen both internal and external was ‘EO’ class substrate. Functional cooking and cleaning zones A number of work zones within the kitchen ensure the space operates efficiently at all times. The cooking zone includes an induction cooktop for efficient cooking whilst the Neff rangehood is cleverly concealed in the piano finish ‘Ebony Maccassar’ natural veneer which is highlighted by LED strip lighting. To enhance the overall look the veneer work on the rangehood feature box is grain matched and mitred to create a superior and seamless finish. The sink area consists of a large single bowl ‘professional series’ Oliveri sink and a water efficient KWC Inox vege spray mixer ensures even bulky baking items and trays are easy to clean. A three bin system is placed at the bottom of the sink cupboard on a servo drive mechanism allowing the client to easily open without the need of any hands. A zip hydro boil with its own font and drain unit is also incorporated into the sink area. Due to its placement above the dishwasher a thicker benchtop was required to handle the drain depth that extends from the bottom of the zip font. For this reason the benchtop is 100mm thick and to create visual impact the ‘Metero’ Staron benchtop reduces to 20mm over and into the cooktop area. Practical Island Bench that packs a punch…. The visually stunning island bench serves dual function purposes. Staron ‘ solid surface was selected for its contemporary appearance as well as for its durability and has been raised 20mm to define a casual seating and dining area. The client has a passion for baking, making her own pastry, pasta and breads. Like many a pastry chef she prefers working on natural stone. Therefore a 20mm piece of ‘Calacutta’ marble was selected and inlayed into the 100mm Staron ‘Metero’ benchtop. The gorgeous showpiece slab gives the impression of elegance, adds visual character and complements the other natural elements perfectly. Piano finish natural veneer open-shelves supported with steel rods to eliminate the need for visible gables are located either side of the island to house the clients loved collection of frequently used cookbooks. A custom made stainless steel light rack provides functional task lighting, bottle glass storage and further enhances the professional look of this ‘home chef’ style kitchen. Again, supports are positioned between the trusses in the ceiling to provide appropriate support. Storage Storage has been well considered in this kitchen with a scullery providing ample space for groceries as well as specific areas that have been custom designed to house items such as recipe books, small appliances and cutting boards. Every storage item has been thoughtfully located in terms of function and frequency of use. Storage space has been optimized with the use of easy access drawers using Blum’s slow motion drawers. Again the kitchen has been fitted out with the full range of Blum organizational accessories including plate racks, spice racks, knife racks as well as ‘orgaline’ for cutlery and utensil. Luxurious quality finishes One of the main requests of the owners was to include luxurious quality finishes to create maximum visual impact. A combination of different textures and finishes were incorporated to ensure high esthetic qualities as well as top performance. This was created by creatively combining an array of high end materials and textures: The piano finish ‘Ebony Macassar’ natural veneer, black painted glass, automotive high gloss grey lacquer, stainless steel, Calacutta Oro marble and Staron Tempest all combine to create a sophisticated and visually stunning space. The incorporation of the mirror splash back not only adds to the sense of space but ensures nothing is taken away the sophisticated simplicity that this kitchen already boasts. Light it up LED stip lighting is thoughtfully placed for both ambient, feature and practical purposes. It particularly highlights the stunning design of cabinetry features seen throughout this kitchen. Natural lighting is maximised with the inclusion of a sliding door in the scullery which conveniently opens out to the alfresco area. LED Downlights have been thoughtfully placed throughout the kitchen to illuminate task areas and work surfaces.

The design of this home was driven by the owners’ desire for a three-bedroom waterfront home that showcased the spectacular views and park-like setting. As nature lovers, they wanted their home to be organic, minimize any environmental impact on the sensitive site and embrace nature. This unique home is sited on a high ridge with a 45° slope to the water on the right and a deep ravine on the left. The five-acre site is completely wooded and tree preservation was a major emphasis. Very few trees were removed and special care was taken to protect the trees and environment throughout the project. To further minimize disturbance, grades were not changed and the home was designed to take full advantage of the site’s natural topography. Oak from the home site was re-purposed for the mantle, powder room counter and select furniture. The visually powerful twin pavilions were born from the need for level ground and parking on an otherwise challenging site. Fill dirt excavated from the main home provided the foundation. All structures are anchored with a natural stone base and exterior materials include timber framing, fir ceilings, shingle siding, a partial metal roof and corten steel walls. Stone, wood, metal and glass transition the exterior to the interior and large wood windows flood the home with light and showcase the setting. Interior finishes include reclaimed heart pine floors, Douglas fir trim, dry-stacked stone, rustic cherry cabinets and soapstone counters. Exterior spaces include a timber-framed porch, stone patio with fire pit and commanding views of the Occoquan reservoir. A second porch overlooks the ravine and a breezeway connects the garage to the home. Numerous energy-saving features have been incorporated, including LED lighting, on-demand gas water heating and special insulation. Smart technology helps manage and control the entire house. Greg Hadley Photography

This 40 year old original Lindal Cedar Home has been completely renovated and transformed, well maintaining the flavour of the original design. A wide cedar staircase with landing and custom wrought iron railings, welcome you to the front door. Engineered hardwood flooring, tiles and carpet compliment every room in home. New roof, gutters, vinyl deck and stonework on front of home, front landscaping includes retaining walls & pavers on driveway and concrete exterior siding. New plumbing & electrical throughout, as well as energy efficient casement windows, skylights & insulated steel doors. Two new energy efficient direct vent gas fireplaces, with new facade & hearth. High efficient furnace, Heat pump & on demand hot water heating; Energy efficient appliances complement the beautiful kitchen, which includes custom cabinetry & granite counter tops.

Contemporary bathroom remodeling with a self standing acrylic soaking tub on top of wood looking porcelain tiles. Another amazing bathroom remodeling project in Redondo Beach.