The proposal analyzes the site as a series of existing flows or “routes” across the landscape. The negotiation of both constructed and natural systems establishes the logic of the site plan and the orientation and organization of the new home. Conceptually, the project becomes a highly choreographed knot at the center of these routes, drawing strands in, engaging them with others, and propelling them back out again. The project’s intent is to capture and harness the physical and ephemeral sense of these latent natural movements as a way to promote in the architecture the wanderlust the surrounding landscape inspires. At heart, the client’s initial family agenda--a home as antidote to the city and basecamp for exploration--establishes the ethos and design objectives of the work. Photography - Bruce Damonte

This exceptional family home on the Upper North Shore has been designed for all year round entertaining. The home flows easily from the front entrance through the open plan living rooms through to the kitchen and outdoor living areas. The kitchen has been cleverly divided to provide additional storage and allows room for a sizable, walk-in butler’s pantry. Fitted with an additional sink means food can be prepared and dishes stored out of sight when entertaining. Gitani Stone, Ancient Reef island bench, Sareen Stone mosaic splashback and pewter handles transform what is predominantly a white kitchen into a vibrant living and working space. Practicality and ease of use were a must for this kitchen: custom cabinetry was designed and manufactured in Art of Kitchens Mt Kuring-gai factory and fitted with the latest Blum internal hardware. Miele appliances are featured throughout the kitchen. The kitchen is beautifully lit with a combination of ambient, task, and general lighting: natural light streams through the large windows and french doors, LED ceiling lights enhance the natural lighting and under cabinet lighting provides task lighting. Art of Kitchens completed the interior kitchen, outdoor kitchen, bathrooms and custom bedroom joinery in this brand new Upper North Shore Meadowbank Home.

This new outdoor kitchen and fireplace and fire pit space replaces a muddy back yard. Great for outdoor living. Designed and installed by Vision Remodeling. Outdoor kitchen boasts a gas grill, charcoal grill, sink and ice chest with cabinet space in the all sturdy masonry cabinets.

Inspiration for an exterior home remodel in Orange County

Kingsley Bate Party Bar The perfect accessory to outdoor entertaining, the Kingsley-Bate Party Bar is an elegant yet functional way to serve friends. It features a stainless steel ice bucket with teak cover, wine glass rack, drawer and three adjustable shelves. This multi-functional piece has a generous 38" prep area to accommodate a variety of tasks.

We’re thrilled to share our latest completed project — a stunning outdoor living space featuring a large patio, custom deck, and outdoor kitchen! This project was 11 months in the making, starting from the initial design phase, detailed construction cost estimating, permitting and approvals, all the way through to a 4-month construction timeline. Our client came to us with a strong vision — one that included unique curved elements throughout. Though we hadn’t executed curved designs like these before, we embraced the challenge head-on and delivered! Some of the standout features include: • Intricately crafted stone walls and stairs and a stamped concrete patio • Custom made curved aluminum railings • Composite decking paired with a metal underdeck system and integrated hidden drainage • A custom cedar roof structure over the outdoor kitchen • Vinyl wrapped columns and custom made arches • Thoughtfully placed accent and task lighting that brings the space to life in the evenings The result is nothing short of beautiful, and we’re incredibly proud to have both designed and built this one-of-a-kind outdoor living area.

LED undercabinet lighting was installed to create ample light for kitchen tasks. Angle power strips were incorporated to give homeowners flexibility when using the kitchen appliances, and also creating a clean tile backsplash free of outlets. This kitchen incorporated USB charging station, cable hook-up, and light switches into the angled power strips. photos by Erika Kelly

A linear outdoor kitchen layout designed for efficiency, durability, and nighttime use. Features include built-in appliances, stone veneer cabinetry, integrated task lighting, and a clear circulation path between cooking, prep, and bar seating areas.

Get any grilling job done with this Alfresco 56" with Side Burner grill. Alfresco Grills are made in the USA. Due to the harsh saltwater climate, this client needed a grill that was constructed from the best stainless materials available, is built to withstand the climate and perform a variety of cooking tasks. When not in use, this grill is covered with a form fitting cover that keeps it protected from the salty air.

This outdoor grill was designed by DEW for easy access to the main kitchen inside the home. The built in grill also includes side burners and landing space for hot plates. The use of southwestern elements offer a unique design touch to the grill area.

Transitional carpeted and orange floor bedroom photo in New York with orange walls

Inspiration for a transitional pool remodel in Minneapolis

From the street, it’s an impeccably designed English manor. Once inside, the best of that same storied architecture seamlessly meshes with modernism. This blend of styles was exactly the vibe three-decades-running Houston homebuilder Chris Sims, founder and CEO of Sims Luxury Builders, wanted to convey with the $5.2 million show-home in Houston’s coveted Tanglewood neighborhood. “Our goal was to uniquely combine classic and Old World with clean and modern in both the architectural design as well as the interior finishes,” Chris says. Their aesthetic inspiration is clearly evident in the 8,000-square-foot showcase home’s luxurious gourmet kitchen. It is an exercise in grey and white—and texture. To achieve their vision, the Sims turned to Cantoni. “We had a wonderful experience working with Cantoni several years ago on a client’s home, and were pleased to repeat that success on this project,” Chris says. Cantoni designer Amy McFall, who was tasked with designing the kitchen, promptly took to the home’s beauty. Situated on a half-acre corner lot with majestic oak trees, it boasts simplistic and elegant interiors that allow the detailed architecture to shine. The kitchen opens directly to the family room, which holds a brick wall, beamed ceilings, and a light-and-bright stone fireplace. The generous space overlooks the outdoor pool. With such a large area to work with, “we needed to give the kitchen its own, intimate feel,” Amy says. To that end, Amy integrated dark grey, high-gloss lacquer cabinetry from our Atelier Collection. by Aster Cucine with dark grey oak cabinetry, mixing finishes throughout to add depth and texture. Edginess came by way of custom, heavily veined Calacatta Viola marble on both the countertops and backsplash. The Sims team, meanwhile, insured the layout lent itself to minimalism. “With the inclusion of the scullery and butler’s pantry in the design, we were able to minimize the storage needed in the kitchen itself,” Chris says. “This allowed for the clean, minimalist cabinetry, giving us the creative freedom to go darker with the cabinet color and really make a bold statement in the home.” It was exactly the look they wanted—textural and interesting. “The juxtaposition of ultra-modern kitchen cabinetry and steel windows set against the textures of the wood floors, interior brick, and trim detailing throughout the downstairs provided a fresh take on blending classic and modern,” Chris says. “We’re thrilled with the result—it is showstopping.” They were equally thrilled with the design process. “Amy was incredibly responsive, helpful and knowledgeable,” Chris says. “It was a pleasure working with her and the entire Cantoni team.” Check out the kitchen featured in Modern Luxury Interiors Texas’ annual “Ode to Texas Real Estate” here.

The cabana's covered dining area provides welcome shelter from the elements while the gas fireplace adds warmth on cool evenings. The adjoining BBQ kitchen features premium stainless steel appliances with sink and granite countertop. Convenient roll-down shutters make closing at the end of the season an easy task.

Photography: © Anastasia Hockinson
Example of a minimalist patio design in San Francisco

Time had stood still at this 1970s ranch in Armonk when the owners invited us to collaborate with them to transform it into a modern, light-filled home for their young family. The budget was lean, so economy was a primary consideration for every design decision. The challenge was to identify the modest home’s virtues – vaulted ceilings and a lovely backyard – and accentuate them by strategically optimizing available funds. We were tasked with rectifying a dysfunctional interior stair, connecting to the outdoors with new large windows, and updating the exterior. We focused our attention on a finite set of architectural moves which would have the biggest impact and improve our clients’ daily experience of the home. Detailing was kept simple, using common grade materials and standard components. All exterior walls were revamped with new windows and siding. Although these materials were not particularly costly, thoughtful layout of boards, battens, and openings produced a cohesive, rigorous composition at each facade. Since the budget would not cover the homeowners’ complete wish list, some items were bracketed for subsequent phases. The challenge was to establish a framework that would allow future work – including a new roof and kitchen renovation – to proceed smoothly. The homeowners, both scientists, were enthusiastic collaborators, contributing their outstanding design sensibilities to selection of fixtures and finishes. Construction ended just in time for the arrival of their baby – and with that, the transformation of their family home was complete.

For our client, who had previous experience working with architects, we enlarged, completely gutted and remodeled this Twin Peaks diamond in the rough. The top floor had a rear-sloping ceiling that cut off the amazing view, so our first task was to raise the roof so the great room had a uniformly high ceiling. Clerestory windows bring in light from all directions. In addition, we removed walls, combined rooms, and installed floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall sliding doors in sleek black aluminum at each floor to create generous rooms with expansive views. At the basement, we created a full-floor art studio flooded with light and with an en-suite bathroom for the artist-owner. New exterior decks, stairs and glass railings create outdoor living opportunities at three of the four levels. We designed modern open-riser stairs with glass railings to replace the existing cramped interior stairs. The kitchen features a 16 foot long island which also functions as a dining table. We designed a custom wall-to-wall bookcase in the family room as well as three sleek tiled fireplaces with integrated bookcases. The bathrooms are entirely new and feature floating vanities and a modern freestanding tub in the master. Clean detailing and luxurious, contemporary finishes complete the look.

Inspiration for a timeless staircase remodel in Boston

Illumination was requested to highlight a commissioned work of art and planter. Photography by Mark Mahan. Landscape & pavilion design by Sid Lisanby.