Approaching the home from the road, all that is visible is an intriguing peek of a rooftop through the trees and garden understory. Lush, terraced gardens lead the way to the entrance with the sounds of birds, rabbits and other wildlife rustling in the thick foliage. As the owners later commented, it feels rural even though you’re in the center of a well-populated residential area.

These Lino Lakes homeowners decided it was time to update their lake home. The local woodpecker population was not happy with Craftsman's Choice when we pulled off the existing cedar siding and replaced it with James Hardie fiber cement siding. We installed 6" Timberbark lap siding, Monterey Taupe straight edge shakes, with cobblestone trim. We also made them custom James Hardie shutters with a pine tree cutout.

This Kiawah marsh front home in the “Settlement” was sculpted into its unique setting among live oaks that populate the long, narrow piece of land. The unique composition afforded a 35-foot wood and glass bridge joining the master suite with the main house, granting the owners a private escape within their own home. A helical stair tower provides an enchanting secondary entrance whose foyer is illuminated by sunshine spilling from three floors above. Photography: Jim Somerset

Photo: Kayla Stark © 2015 Houzz

These Lino Lakes homeowners decided it was time to update their lake home. The local woodpecker population was not happy with Craftsman's Choice when we pulled off the existing cedar siding and replaced it with James Hardie fiber cement siding. We installed 6" Timberbark lap siding, Monterey Taupe straight edge shakes, with cobblestone trim. We also made them custom James Hardie shutters with a pine tree cutout.

We used: Custom cherry cabinetry in Arts & Crafts Shaker style by Kabinart in Boulder and Espresso stains. Liberty Hardware Venetian bronze 1-1/2" cabinet knobs. KitchenAid Architect II Series 22 CF counter-depth French door refrigerator. KitchenAid Architect Series II 27" convection single wall oven. KitchenAid 36" 6-burner dual fuel freestanding commercial-style range. KitchenAid Architect II Series 24" dishwasher. Sharp Insight Pro Series 24" built-in microwave drawer (Model #KB6524PS). Crystorama Solaris 12" wide pendant lights in English bronze. Granite countertops in Brown Fantasy. 3"x6" polished marble backsplash. Paint colors: Walls: Glidden Silver Cloud 30YY 63/024 Ceilings/Trims/Doors: Glidden Swan White GLC23 Robert B. Narod Photography

Positioned a short walk from the main house, the Bunk House has 3 bedrooms, a small kitchen, half bath (assuming use of the outdoor shower at the main house) and a small living area adjacent a water facing deck with a sliding door. The bunk house deliberately is purposed as a 3 season structure with open uninsulated walls reminiscent of the lake front "camps" that still populate the lake. A wood stove, provides adequate heat in shoulder seasons or cold summer days.

These Lino Lakes homeowners decided it was time to update their lake home. The local woodpecker population was not happy with Craftsman's Choice when we pulled off the existing cedar siding and replaced it with James Hardie fiber cement siding. We installed 6" Timberbark lap siding, Monterey Taupe straight edge shakes, with cobblestone trim. We also made them custom James Hardie shutters with a pine tree cutout.

This Kiawah marsh front home in the “Settlement” was sculpted into its unique setting among live oaks that populate the long, narrow piece of land. The unique composition afforded a 35-foot wood and glass bridge joining the master suite with the main house, granting the owners a private escape within their own home. A helical stair tower provides an enchanting secondary entrance whose foyer is illuminated by sunshine spilling from three floors above. Photography: Kelly Elliott Furnishings: G&G Interiors

A one bedroom model with a striking view of Philadelphia’s Museum of Art and centrally located in an upscale urban neighborhood. This eclectic apartment was designed to reflect the energy of the young Philly population and its melting pot of cultures.

These Lino Lakes homeowners decided it was time to update their lake home. The local woodpecker population was not happy with Craftsman's Choice when we pulled off the existing cedar siding and replaced it with James Hardie fiber cement siding. We installed 6" Timberbark lap siding, Monterey Taupe straight edge shakes, with cobblestone trim. We also made them custom James Hardie shutters with a pine tree cutout.

A one bedroom model with a striking view of Philadelphia’s Museum of Art and centrally located in an upscale urban neighborhood. This eclectic apartment was designed to reflect the energy of the young Philly population and its melting pot of cultures.

The artist-client for this house, located on Washington’s Orcas Island, requested an open, simple, low- maintenance design that emphasized and complemented nature and the forested landscape of its site. The hillside site has magnificent views to the west and is populated with madrone trees, firs, beech, thistle, moss, and rocks. Photo: Will Austin

This cottage garden and perennial border needed to survive in an area with a heavy deer population. The client preferred a minimal electric fencing to a total enclosure so as to admire the successive blooms from her kitchen window. The hillside was terraced with low retaining walls of local stone and antique urns held seasonal accent plants. Most of the plants were deer resistant. Design, execution and photo - Susan Irving

A one bedroom model with a striking view of Philadelphia’s Museum of Art and centrally located in an upscale urban neighborhood. This eclectic apartment was designed to reflect the energy of the young Philly population and its melting pot of cultures.

These Lino Lakes homeowners decided it was time to update their lake home. The local woodpecker population was not happy with Craftsman's Choice when we pulled off the existing cedar siding and replaced it with James Hardie fiber cement siding. We installed 6" Timberbark lap siding, Monterey Taupe straight edge shakes, with cobblestone trim. We also made them custom James Hardie shutters with a pine tree cutout.

This Kiawah marsh front home in the “Settlement” was sculpted into its unique setting among live oaks that populate the long, narrow piece of land. The unique composition afforded a 35-foot wood and glass bridge joining the master suite with the main house, granting the owners a private escape within their own home. A helical stair tower provides an enchanting secondary entrance whose foyer is illuminated by sunshine spilling from three floors above. Photography: Brennan Wesley

This Kiawah marsh front home in the “Settlement” was sculpted into its unique setting among live oaks that populate the long, narrow piece of land. The unique composition afforded a 35-foot wood and glass bridge joining the master suite with the main house, granting the owners a private escape within their own home. A helical stair tower provides an enchanting secondary entrance whose foyer is illuminated by sunshine spilling from three floors above. Photography: Brennan Wesley