Our clients wanted to replace an existing suburban home with a modern house at the same Lexington address where they had lived for years. The structure the clients envisioned would complement their lives and integrate the interior of the home with the natural environment of their generous property. The sleek, angular home is still a respectful neighbor, especially in the evening, when warm light emanates from the expansive transparencies used to open the house to its surroundings. The home re-envisions the suburban neighborhood in which it stands, balancing relationship to the neighborhood with an updated aesthetic. The floor plan is arranged in a “T” shape which includes a two-story wing consisting of individual studies and bedrooms and a single-story common area. The two-story section is arranged with great fluidity between interior and exterior spaces and features generous exterior balconies. A staircase beautifully encased in glass stands as the linchpin between the two areas. The spacious, single-story common area extends from the stairwell and includes a living room and kitchen. A recessed wooden ceiling defines the living room area within the open plan space. Separating common from private spaces has served our clients well. As luck would have it, construction on the house was just finishing up as we entered the Covid lockdown of 2020. Since the studies in the two-story wing were physically and acoustically separate, zoom calls for work could carry on uninterrupted while life happened in the kitchen and living room spaces. The expansive panes of glass, outdoor balconies, and a broad deck along the living room provided our clients with a structured sense of continuity in their lives without compromising their commitment to aesthetically smart and beautiful design.

View from looking out from the house to the cabana office. This contemporary design connects the house to the cabana office both physically and architecturally. Two sets of 12" stainless steal spill edges were used to be visible from both the office and the home. Colored and textured concrete blended with the Leuters limestone coping. Grass strips broke up the paving and blended the pools cape and landscape together which further enhances the linear concept. Photo and design by Mike Farley

Our clients wanted to replace an existing suburban home with a modern house at the same Lexington address where they had lived for years. The structure the clients envisioned would complement their lives and integrate the interior of the home with the natural environment of their generous property. The sleek, angular home is still a respectful neighbor, especially in the evening, when warm light emanates from the expansive transparencies used to open the house to its surroundings. The home re-envisions the suburban neighborhood in which it stands, balancing relationship to the neighborhood with an updated aesthetic. The floor plan is arranged in a “T” shape which includes a two-story wing consisting of individual studies and bedrooms and a single-story common area. The two-story section is arranged with great fluidity between interior and exterior spaces and features generous exterior balconies. A staircase beautifully encased in glass stands as the linchpin between the two areas. The spacious, single-story common area extends from the stairwell and includes a living room and kitchen. A recessed wooden ceiling defines the living room area within the open plan space. Separating common from private spaces has served our clients well. As luck would have it, construction on the house was just finishing up as we entered the Covid lockdown of 2020. Since the studies in the two-story wing were physically and acoustically separate, zoom calls for work could carry on uninterrupted while life happened in the kitchen and living room spaces. The expansive panes of glass, outdoor balconies, and a broad deck along the living room provided our clients with a structured sense of continuity in their lives without compromising their commitment to aesthetically smart and beautiful design.

The Master Suite of the Elmwood project was formulated from scratch in the spacious addition of a branching household. Our clients wanted to keep the neighborhood they loved while creating space for a growing family. DMB Design came into the project at the blueprint phase, offering our intentional consideration to the layout of the space before its physical creation. This offered us an opportunity to present our idealized iteration of a self-contained sanctuary space. We created a spa-inspired atmosphere, starting with the floating tub that captured our hearts from the very beginning. You'll find plenty of space to hang your robe in the 15-foot walk in closet complete with floor-to-ceiling custom built-ins. The suite maintains an aura of romance, creating a sense of delicacy without an ounce of fussiness.

The Master Suite of the Elmwood project was formulated from scratch in the spacious addition of a branching household. Our clients wanted to keep the neighborhood they loved while creating space for a growing family. DMB Design came into the project at the blueprint phase, offering our intentional consideration to the layout of the space before its physical creation. This offered us an opportunity to present our idealized iteration of a self-contained sanctuary space. We created a spa-inspired atmosphere, starting with the floating tub that captured our hearts from the very beginning. You'll find plenty of space to hang your robe in the 15-foot walk in closet complete with floor-to-ceiling custom built-ins. The suite maintains an aura of romance, creating a sense of delicacy without an ounce of fussiness.

Inspiration for a large rustic enclosed carpeted and blue floor home theater remodel with brown walls and a projector screen

Example of a transitional home bar design in Chicago

Part of a complete home renovation in an aging Mid-Century Bow Mar home, this expansive kitchen is visually and physically the home's centerpiece. Designer Debbie Davis used two large seating areas attached to opposing half-circle islands to create a functional and comfortable family space, as well as house a microwave drawer and induction cooktop. The high-gloss white wall cabinetry, paired with oak base cabinetry is Bauformat, German designed and manufactured. The subtle contrast between the flooring and base cabinetry, paired with Mid Century inspired matte-white large-format wall tile keeps the whole space light and airy. Natural light is ample from the window over the sink to the large sliding doors and light tubes in the ceiling. Tim Gormley, TG Image

Side view looking out towards the street. This view shows both the house (on the right) and the cabana office (on the left). This contemporary design connects the house to the cabana office both physically and architecturally. Two sets of 12" stainless steal spill edges were used to be visible from both the office and the home. Colored and textured concrete blended with the Leuters limestone coping. Grass strips broke up the paving and blended the pools cape and landscape together which further enhances the linear concept. Photo and design by Mike Farley by Mike Farley

The Watonga residence was commissioned by a woman with a big heart for animal fostering. She wanted a house that felt private from the street but visually and physically connected to the backyard. The house needed to consider the typology and scale of the existing neighborhood, and it needed durable materials to accommodate little paws. Finally, it had to support an environmentally conscientious life. The house was intentionally placed on the short end of an irregularly shaped lot, allowing the living spaces to open up to a large native landscape and adjacent lot containing a significant tree grove. This siting allowed for a passive orientation where window walls face north and exposure to the south and west is minimal. The interior is light-filled, capturing expansive landscape views of an established oak grove to the North and bayou views to the East. A carefully choreographed entry vestibule and screen shield create interior privacy from the street. A two-story volume fills the center of the home with warm, southern light. A palette of tile, Texas stone, and concrete are used for budget friendly durability. The house is derived from a simple diagram with utilitarian functions placed in the stone box and living in a minimal gabled roof that supports solar panel orientation and rainwater collection. At its core, this home is designed for family, foster dogs, well-curated music, and Aggie game days.

This is a view from the porch of the house towards the cabana office. This contemporary design connects the house to the cabana office both physically and architecturally. Two sets of 12" stainless steal spill edges were used to be visible from both the office and the home. Colored and textured concrete blended with the Leuters limestone coping. Grass strips broke up the paving and blended the pools cape and landscape together which further enhances the linear concept. Photo and design by Mike Farley

This client prefers a minimal approach, which we accommodated by providing reduced visual clutter with strategically placed wall art and large furnishings to fill the space. This includes the sculptural pieces styled in the custom-built bookcases. This 9ft tall custom feature was then styled in pieces that aligned with the client’s aesthetic. Due to our client’s hindrances in physical capabilities with his hands, we changed out many of the window blinds to cordless and easy pull-downs as well as replaced tassels for ease of function and reach. The double-height ceilings in this space pose a challenge when it comes to accessing the upper windows. To address this issue, we have installed automated shades for our client. These shades not only filter light to protect our client's delicate skin but also provide a practical solution for controlling the lighting in this newly renovated area.

This home was built in the late 60’s to early 70’s in the classic “Brady Bunch” Ranch Style Genre. The new space was designed for a young active family, complete with big dog, that likes to entertain and finds themselves in the kitchen more than any other room in the house. “Mom” has a professional culinary background and has cooking events in her kitchen from time to time. A prior remodel created an enclosed kitchen with angled walls protruding into the space. Our Design Objective was to open the space physically and visually in a clean contemporary style to create a more functional and inviting kitchen, Breakfast Area and drink bar that receives heavy daily use. Walls were removed and reconfigured to create an open space. A professional style 60" dual-fuel range and stainless steel hood are the focal point of the kitchen along the back wall. To the left are a 36” all refrigerator and freezer separated by a pantry with chalk board that displays daily schedules or meals. The drink bar sits across from the Breakfast area and features an under-counter beverage refrigerator, ice maker and under counter wine refrigerator. Designed by Micqui McGowen, CMKBD, RID

The Master Suite of the Elmwood project was formulated from scratch in the spacious addition of a branching household. Our clients wanted to keep the neighborhood they loved while creating space for a growing family. DMB Design came into the project at the blueprint phase, offering our intentional consideration to the layout of the space before its physical creation. This offered us an opportunity to present our idealized iteration of a self-contained sanctuary space. We created a spa-inspired atmosphere, starting with the floating tub that captured our hearts from the very beginning. You'll find plenty of space to hang your robe in the 15-foot walk in closet complete with floor-to-ceiling custom built-ins. The suite maintains an aura of romance, creating a sense of delicacy without an ounce of fussiness.

The Watonga residence was commissioned by a woman with a big heart for animal fostering. She wanted a house that felt private from the street but visually and physically connected to the backyard. The house needed to consider the typology and scale of the existing neighborhood, and it needed durable materials to accommodate little paws. Finally, it had to support an environmentally conscientious life. The house was intentionally placed on the short end of an irregularly shaped lot, allowing the living spaces to open up to a large native landscape and adjacent lot containing a significant tree grove. This siting allowed for a passive orientation where window walls face north and exposure to the south and west is minimal. The interior is light-filled, capturing expansive landscape views of an established oak grove to the North and bayou views to the East. A carefully choreographed entry vestibule and screen shield create interior privacy from the street. A two-story volume fills the center of the home with warm, southern light. A palette of tile, Texas stone, and concrete are used for budget friendly durability. The house is derived from a simple diagram with utilitarian functions placed in the stone box and living in a minimal gabled roof that supports solar panel orientation and rainwater collection. At its core, this home is designed for family, foster dogs, well-curated music, and Aggie game days.

In every project we complete, design, form, function and safety are all important aspects to a successful space plan. For these homeowners, it was an absolute must. The family had some unique needs that needed to be addressed. As physical abilities continued to change, the accessibility and safety in their master bathroom was a significant concern. The layout of the bathroom was the first to change. We swapped places with the tub and vanity to give better access to both. A beautiful chrome grab bar was added along with matching towel bar and towel ring. The vanity was changed out and now featured an angled cut-out for easy access for a wheelchair to pull completely up to the sink while protecting knees and legs from exposed plumbing and looking gorgeous doing it. The toilet came out of the corner and we eliminated the privacy wall, giving it far easier access with a wheelchair. The original toilet was in great shape and we were able to reuse it. But now, it is equipped with much-needed chrome grab bars for added safety and convenience. The shower was moved and reconstructed to allow for a larger walk-in tile shower with stylish chrome grab bars, an adjustable handheld showerhead and a comfortable fold-down shower bench – proving a bathroom can (and should) be functionally safe AND aesthetically beautiful at the same time.

This traditional brick home rests in Houston's elegant Piney Point neighborhood. Primarily English in style with French leanings, this manor boasts two grand outdoor scaled rooms with each centered on two separate lawns allowing the entire space to be visually and physically tied together. The pavilion majored in reflecting and patterning details of the home, complete with a built-in outdoor kitchen and adorned with a french-inspired cupola. French baroque corners of the pool mirror hardscape detail and quatrefoil windows of the house while use of bilateral axes and elongated vistas give each outdoor seating area a dynamic and interesting view. Custom cut stone was used to create a "green pathway" by allowing ground cover (or in this case, lawn) to exist between stepping pads, making the path appear to be "floating". Seasonal color beds add touches of color with blooming Begonias and Angelonia.

Contemporary kitchen with 2 undermount sinks, cooktop with vent in stainless steel. Maple flat panels cabinet doors and glass inserts on shaker style doors. 2" thick glass breakfast bar and glass subway tile for backsplash. design: Marta Kruszelnicka photo: Todd Gieg

Part of a complete home renovation in an aging Mid-Century Bow Mar home, this expansive kitchen is visually and physically the home's centerpiece. Designer Debbie Davis used two large seating areas attached to opposing half-circle islands to create a functional and comfortable family space, as well as house a microwave drawer and induction cooktop. The high-gloss white wall cabinetry, paired with oak base cabinetry is Bauformat, German designed and manufactured. The subtle contrast between the flooring and base cabinetry, paired with Mid Century inspired matte-white large-format wall tile keeps the whole space light and airy. Natural light is ample from the window over the sink to the large sliding doors and light tubes in the ceiling. Tim Gormley, TG Image