Spacious lookout lower level with neutral palette. Arches define spaces and add character. Arched proscenium alcove for large screen TV in theatre room. Wet bar with granite countertop, finished in dark wood. Photos by: Spacecrafting

Graced with character and a history, this grand merchant’s terrace was restored and expanded to suit the demands of a family of five.
Large trendy backyard deck photo in Sydney

The lovely terrace of this East London home has been packed with character! The faux bamboo plants act as a clever screening to views of other flats and gives a sense of the jungle and greenery in the middle of London- we love it! The lovely compact dark grey table and chair makes it a perfect place to grow herbs and enjoy a cup of tea.

Harbor View is a modern-day interpretation of the shingled vacation houses of its seaside community. The gambrel roof, horizontal, ground-hugging emphasis, and feeling of simplicity, are all part of the character of the place. While fitting in with local traditions, Harbor View is meant for modern living. The kitchen is a central gathering spot, open to the main combined living/dining room and to the waterside porch. One easily moves between indoors and outdoors. The house is designed for an active family, a couple with three grown children and a growing number of grandchildren. It is zoned so that the whole family can be there together but retain privacy. Living, dining, kitchen, library, and porch occupy the center of the main floor. One-story wings on each side house two bedrooms and bathrooms apiece, and two more bedrooms and bathrooms and a study occupy the second floor of the central block. The house is mostly one room deep, allowing cross breezes and light from both sides. The porch, a third of which is screened, is a main dining and living space, with a stone fireplace offering a cozy place to gather on summer evenings. A barn with a loft provides storage for a car or boat off-season and serves as a big space for projects or parties in summer.

This traditional Muskoka style home built by Tamarack North has just about everything you could ever possibly need. The gabled dormers and gazebo located on the exterior of this home add character to the cottage as well as an old Muskoka component to its design. The lush green landscapes complement both the natural scenery and the architectural design beautifully making for a very classic look. Moving toward the water is a floating gazebo where guests may be surrounded by the serene views of Lake Rosseau rain or shine thanks to the innovative automated screens integrated into the gazebo. And just when you thought this property couldn’t get any more magical, a sports court was built where residents can enjoy both a match of tennis and a game of ball! Moving from the exterior to the interior is a seamless transition of a traditional design with stone beams leading into timber frame structural support in the ceilings of the living room. In the formal dining room is a beautiful white interior design with a 360-circular view of Lake Rosseau creating a stunning space for entertaining. Featured in the home theatre is an all Canadian classic interior design with a cozy blue interior creating an experience of its own in just this one room itself. Tamarack North prides their company of professional engineers and builders passionate about serving Muskoka, Lake of Bays and Georgian Bay with fine seasonal homes.

In the great room there are 3 locally sourced reclaimed white oak beams full of character and warmth. The two twin doors that flank the 42” limestone fireplace lead to a relaxing three-season porch featuring a second 42” gas fireplace, beautiful views, and a clear cedar ceiling.

Photography by Jim Tetro This house, built in the 1960s, sits southfacing on a terrific wooded lot in Bethesda, Maryland. The owners desire a whole-house renovation which would improve the general building fabric and systems, and extend the sense of living out of doors in all seasons. The original sixties-modern character is preserved and the renovation extends the design forward into a contemporary, modern approach. Connections to and through the site are enhanced through the creation of new larger window and door openings. Screened porches and decks perch above the sloped and wooded site. The new kitchen and bathrooms allow for opportunities to feel out-of -doors while preparing, cooking, dining, and bathing. Smart passive strategies guide the environmental choices for this project, including envelope improvements, updated mechanical systems, and on-site stormwater management.

Originally constructed in 1937 as the centerpiece of a country estate, the new owners elected to give their home a complete interior makeover before moving in. The kitchen was enlarged and modernized as was the master bedroom and bath on the fl oor above it. Three wings were added to the original home, one to house the garage, mud room, laundry and “Gentleman’s Retreat” on the lower level and a children’s/guest bedroom and bath on the upper level. The addition at the middle rear of the house holds a family dining area screened pavilion with a large walk-in closet connected to the master bedroom upstairs. The third addition is an all-season, enclosed pavilion space at the west end of the house. The renovations and additions presented challenges, especially at the front entrance where a dark closeted stair to the upper level was opened up to flood the entire two level entry hall with natural daylight. The project was featured in a ten-page spread in the May 2011 issue of Chesapeake Home + Living magazine. Sargent Photography

These semi-detached houses are designed to make the most of the tropical outdoors with balconies and terraces. Timber screens add character and add to the privacy.

Paul Smith
Inspiration for a contemporary rectangular pool remodel in Sunshine Coast

LOWELL CUSTOM HOMES Lake Geneva, WI., - This Queen Ann Shingle is a very special place for family and friends to gather. Designed with distinctive New England character this home generates warm welcoming feelings and a relaxed approach to entertaining.

Originally constructed in 1937 as the centerpiece of a country estate, the new owners elected to give their home a complete interior makeover before moving in. The kitchen was enlarged and modernized as was the master bedroom and bath on the fl oor above it. Three wings were added to the original home, one to house the garage, mud room, laundry and “Gentleman’s Retreat” on the lower level and a children’s/guest bedroom and bath on the upper level. The addition at the middle rear of the house holds a family dining area screened pavilion with a large walk-in closet connected to the master bedroom upstairs. The third addition is an all-season, enclosed pavilion space at the west end of the house. The renovations and additions presented challenges, especially at the front entrance where a dark closeted stair to the upper level was opened up to flood the entire two level entry hall with natural daylight. The project was featured in a ten-page spread in the May 2011 issue of Chesapeake Home + Living magazine. Sargent Photography

Our client's central stairwell is dramatically lit by a custom domed acrylic skylight. They soon discovered that the stairwell became too bright and hot, especially during summer months. The challenge was to control the temperature and glare without overheating the acrylic of the skylight or compromising the elegant character of the stairway. The solution is a nearly 12’ long x 8’ wide horizontal OpenLight shade that operates with the push of a button. White/white 3% open fabric stops 97% of the light while allowing sufficient light to brighten the stairway. It also minimizes heating falling into the stairwell while letting enough heat dissipate so as not to overheat the skylight. The fabric itself has a fiberglass substrate so that it can withstand the heat without stretching. OpenLight shades are fabricated in the Creative Windows Ann Arbor plant and are available in an exceptionally wide selection of fabrics and creative applications. Shade shown here is partially deployed to highlight the dramatic stairwell and interesting architecture of the home. The white fabric of the shade matches the shade fabric used throughout the house. The white casing blends with the wall and trim color. The shade is an elegant solution to the problem that complements the homes modern aesthetic. Best of all, our client now can enjoy their stairway year-round. Our client purchased a lakeside home in Fenton, MI that features a central stairwell that is dramatically lit by a custom 12’ long x8’ wide domed skylight. Positioned over the entry stairwell and running the entire length of the foyer below, they soon discovered that the stairwell became too bright and hot, especially during summer months. The challenge was to control the temperature and glare without compromising the clean lines and elegant character of the home’s main entry. The solution was an expansive motorized screen shade that operates with the simple push of a button. The selected shade cloth, in 3% openness, stops 97% of the harsh light while allowing sufficient brightness in the stairway. The white color not only compliments the home’s interior finishes but serves to reflect heat that would otherwise fall into the stairwell, without overheating the acrylic skylight. The fabric itself has a fiberglass substrate and can withstand the heat without stretching, and the unique shading system features a zippered design that holds the shade cloth perfectly taut, regardless of the expansive coverage required. The shade, shown here, is partially deployed to highlight the dramatic stairwell and reveal the interesting architecture of the domed skylight above. The shade is an elegant solution to the problem that not only compliments the homes modern aesthetic but allows our client to enjoy their stairway year-round.

Our client's central stairwell is dramatically lit by a custom domed acrylic skylight. They soon discovered that the stairwell became too bright and hot, especially during summer months. The challenge was to control the temperature and glare without overheating the acrylic of the skylight or compromising the elegant character of the stairway. The solution is a nearly 12’ long x 8’ wide horizontal OpenLight shade that operates with the push of a button. White/white 3% open fabric stops 97% of the light while allowing sufficient light to brighten the stairway. It also minimizes heating falling into the stairwell while letting enough heat dissipate so as not to overheat the skylight. The fabric itself has a fiberglass substrate so that it can withstand the heat without stretching. OpenLight shades are fabricated in the Creative Windows Ann Arbor plant and are available in an exceptionally wide selection of fabrics and creative applications. Shade shown here is partially deployed to highlight the dramatic stairwell and interesting architecture of the home. The white fabric of the shade matches the shade fabric used throughout the house. The white casing blends with the wall and trim color. The shade is an elegant solution to the problem that complements the homes modern aesthetic. Best of all, our client now can enjoy their stairway year-round. Our client purchased a lakeside home in Fenton, MI that features a central stairwell that is dramatically lit by a custom 12’ long x8’ wide domed skylight. Positioned over the entry stairwell and running the entire length of the foyer below, they soon discovered that the stairwell became too bright and hot, especially during summer months. The challenge was to control the temperature and glare without compromising the clean lines and elegant character of the home’s main entry. The solution was an expansive motorized screen shade that operates with the simple push of a button. The selected shade cloth, in 3% openness, stops 97% of the harsh light while allowing sufficient brightness in the stairway. The white color not only compliments the home’s interior finishes but serves to reflect heat that would otherwise fall into the stairwell, without overheating the acrylic skylight. The fabric itself has a fiberglass substrate and can withstand the heat without stretching, and the unique shading system features a zippered design that holds the shade cloth perfectly taut, regardless of the expansive coverage required. The shade, shown here, is partially deployed to highlight the dramatic stairwell and reveal the interesting architecture of the domed skylight above. The shade is an elegant solution to the problem that not only compliments the homes modern aesthetic but allows our client to enjoy their stairway year-round.

Our client's central stairwell is dramatically lit by a custom domed acrylic skylight. They soon discovered that the stairwell became too bright and hot, especially during summer months. The challenge was to control the temperature and glare without overheating the acrylic of the skylight or compromising the elegant character of the stairway. The solution is a nearly 12’ long x 8’ wide horizontal OpenLight shade that operates with the push of a button. White/white 3% open fabric stops 97% of the light while allowing sufficient light to brighten the stairway. It also minimizes heating falling into the stairwell while letting enough heat dissipate so as not to overheat the skylight. The fabric itself has a fiberglass substrate so that it can withstand the heat without stretching. OpenLight shades are fabricated in the Creative Windows Ann Arbor plant and are available in an exceptionally wide selection of fabrics and creative applications. Shade shown here is partially deployed to highlight the dramatic stairwell and interesting architecture of the home. The white fabric of the shade matches the shade fabric used throughout the house. The white casing blends with the wall and trim color. The shade is an elegant solution to the problem that complements the homes modern aesthetic. Best of all, our client now can enjoy their stairway year-round. Our client purchased a lakeside home in Fenton, MI that features a central stairwell that is dramatically lit by a custom 12’ long x8’ wide domed skylight. Positioned over the entry stairwell and running the entire length of the foyer below, they soon discovered that the stairwell became too bright and hot, especially during summer months. The challenge was to control the temperature and glare without compromising the clean lines and elegant character of the home’s main entry. The solution was an expansive motorized screen shade that operates with the simple push of a button. The selected shade cloth, in 3% openness, stops 97% of the harsh light while allowing sufficient brightness in the stairway. The white color not only compliments the home’s interior finishes but serves to reflect heat that would otherwise fall into the stairwell, without overheating the acrylic skylight. The fabric itself has a fiberglass substrate and can withstand the heat without stretching, and the unique shading system features a zippered design that holds the shade cloth perfectly taut, regardless of the expansive coverage required. The shade, shown here, is partially deployed to highlight the dramatic stairwell and reveal the interesting architecture of the domed skylight above. The shade is an elegant solution to the problem that not only compliments the homes modern aesthetic but allows our client to enjoy their stairway year-round.

Our client's central stairwell is dramatically lit by a custom domed acrylic skylight. They soon discovered that the stairwell became too bright and hot, especially during summer months. The challenge was to control the temperature and glare without overheating the acrylic of the skylight or compromising the elegant character of the stairway. The solution is a nearly 12’ long x 8’ wide horizontal OpenLight shade that operates with the push of a button. White/white 3% open fabric stops 97% of the light while allowing sufficient light to brighten the stairway. It also minimizes heating falling into the stairwell while letting enough heat dissipate so as not to overheat the skylight. The fabric itself has a fiberglass substrate so that it can withstand the heat without stretching. OpenLight shades are fabricated in the Creative Windows Ann Arbor plant and are available in an exceptionally wide selection of fabrics and creative applications. Shade shown here is partially deployed to highlight the dramatic stairwell and interesting architecture of the home. The white fabric of the shade matches the shade fabric used throughout the house. The white casing blends with the wall and trim color. The shade is an elegant solution to the problem that complements the homes modern aesthetic. Best of all, our client now can enjoy their stairway year-round. Our client purchased a lakeside home in Fenton, MI that features a central stairwell that is dramatically lit by a custom 12’ long x8’ wide domed skylight. Positioned over the entry stairwell and running the entire length of the foyer below, they soon discovered that the stairwell became too bright and hot, especially during summer months. The challenge was to control the temperature and glare without compromising the clean lines and elegant character of the home’s main entry. The solution was an expansive motorized screen shade that operates with the simple push of a button. The selected shade cloth, in 3% openness, stops 97% of the harsh light while allowing sufficient brightness in the stairway. The white color not only compliments the home’s interior finishes but serves to reflect heat that would otherwise fall into the stairwell, without overheating the acrylic skylight. The fabric itself has a fiberglass substrate and can withstand the heat without stretching, and the unique shading system features a zippered design that holds the shade cloth perfectly taut, regardless of the expansive coverage required. The shade, shown here, is partially deployed to highlight the dramatic stairwell and reveal the interesting architecture of the domed skylight above. The shade is an elegant solution to the problem that not only compliments the homes modern aesthetic but allows our client to enjoy their stairway year-round.

Our client's central stairwell is dramatically lit by a custom domed acrylic skylight. They soon discovered that the stairwell became too bright and hot, especially during summer months. The challenge was to control the temperature and glare without overheating the acrylic of the skylight or compromising the elegant character of the stairway. The solution is a nearly 12’ long x 8’ wide horizontal OpenLight shade that operates with the push of a button. White/white 3% open fabric stops 97% of the light while allowing sufficient light to brighten the stairway. It also minimizes heating falling into the stairwell while letting enough heat dissipate so as not to overheat the skylight. The fabric itself has a fiberglass substrate so that it can withstand the heat without stretching. OpenLight shades are fabricated in the Creative Windows Ann Arbor plant and are available in an exceptionally wide selection of fabrics and creative applications. Shade shown here is partially deployed to highlight the dramatic stairwell and interesting architecture of the home. The white fabric of the shade matches the shade fabric used throughout the house. The white casing blends with the wall and trim color. The shade is an elegant solution to the problem that complements the homes modern aesthetic. Best of all, our client now can enjoy their stairway year-round. Our client purchased a lakeside home in Fenton, MI that features a central stairwell that is dramatically lit by a custom 12’ long x8’ wide domed skylight. Positioned over the entry stairwell and running the entire length of the foyer below, they soon discovered that the stairwell became too bright and hot, especially during summer months. The challenge was to control the temperature and glare without compromising the clean lines and elegant character of the home’s main entry. The solution was an expansive motorized screen shade that operates with the simple push of a button. The selected shade cloth, in 3% openness, stops 97% of the harsh light while allowing sufficient brightness in the stairway. The white color not only compliments the home’s interior finishes but serves to reflect heat that would otherwise fall into the stairwell, without overheating the acrylic skylight. The fabric itself has a fiberglass substrate and can withstand the heat without stretching, and the unique shading system features a zippered design that holds the shade cloth perfectly taut, regardless of the expansive coverage required. The shade, shown here, is partially deployed to highlight the dramatic stairwell and reveal the interesting architecture of the domed skylight above. The shade is an elegant solution to the problem that not only compliments the homes modern aesthetic but allows our client to enjoy their stairway year-round.

Rosedale ‘PARK’ is a detached garage and fence structure designed for a residential property in an old Toronto community rich in trees and preserved parkland. Located on a busy corner lot, the owner’s requirements for the project were two fold: 1) They wanted to manage views from passers-by into their private pool and entertainment areas while maintaining a connection to the ‘park-like’ public realm; and 2) They wanted to include a place to park their car that wouldn’t jeopardize the natural character of the property or spoil one’s experience of the place. The idea was to use the new garage, fence, hard and soft landscaping together with the existing house, pool and two large and ‘protected’ trees to create a setting and a particular sense of place for each of the anticipated activities including lounging by the pool, cooking, dining alfresco and entertaining large groups of friends. Using wood as the primary building material, the solution was to create a light, airy and luminous envelope around each component of the program that would provide separation without containment. The garage volume and fence structure, framed in structural sawn lumber and a variety of engineered wood products, are wrapped in a dark stained cedar skin that is at once solid and opaque and light and transparent. The fence, constructed of staggered horizontal wood slats was designed for privacy but also lets light and air pass through. At night, the fence becomes a large light fixture providing an ambient glow for both the private garden as well as the public sidewalk. Thin striations of light wrap around the interior and exterior of the property. The wall of the garage separating the pool area and the parked car is an assembly of wood framed windows clad in the same fence material. When illuminated, this poolside screen transforms from an edge into a nearly transparent lantern, casting a warm glow by the pool. The large overhang gives the area by the by the pool containment and sense of place. It edits out the view of adjacent properties and together with the pool in the immediate foreground frames a view back toward the home’s family room. Using the pool as a source of light and the soffit of the overhang a reflector, the bright and luminous water shimmers and reflects light off the warm cedar plane overhead. All of the peripheral storage within the garage is cantilevered off of the main structure and hovers over native grade to significantly reduce the footprint of the building and minimize the impact on existing tree roots. The natural character of the neighborhood inspired the extensive use of wood as the projects primary building material. The availability, ease of construction and cost of wood products made it possible to carefully craft this project. In the end, aside from its quiet, modern expression, it is well-detailed, allowing it to be a pragmatic storage box, an elevated roof 'garden', a lantern at night, a threshold and place of occupation poolside for the owners. Photo: Bryan Groulx

Originally constructed in 1937 as the centerpiece of a country estate, the new owners elected to give their home a complete interior makeover before moving in. The kitchen was enlarged and modernized as was the master bedroom and bath on the fl oor above it. Three wings were added to the original home, one to house the garage, mud room, laundry and “Gentleman’s Retreat” on the lower level and a children’s/guest bedroom and bath on the upper level. The addition at the middle rear of the house holds a family dining area screened pavilion with a large walk-in closet connected to the master bedroom upstairs. The third addition is an all-season, enclosed pavilion space at the west end of the house. The renovations and additions presented challenges, especially at the front entrance where a dark closeted stair to the upper level was opened up to flood the entire two level entry hall with natural daylight. The project was featured in a ten-page spread in the May 2011 issue of Chesapeake Home + Living magazine. Sargent Photography