This characterful grade II listed farmhouse required some sensitive and imaginative conversion work to create new living spaces within the existing outbuildings and barn. Balancing the constraints of the existing fabric, the requirements of the conservation officer and our clients’ brief was a challenge. But as is so often the case, constraints make for stronger solutions, and we think the results are wonderful.

These pre-existing raised edible garden beds sit on the opposite side of the home. Harvesting inspires a stroll across or around the back garden via a set of decomposed granite trails - or a romp across the IdealMow meadow.

FAIRFAX BASEMENT REMODEL Challenge: A growing family needed to add more bedroom space to their existing three-bedroom house. Solution: Hinsdale added a master bedroom, complete with a large closet and adjacent nursery, to unused basement space and updated an adjoining bathroom.

The client wanted a modern and bright open concept kitchen, dining room, and living room. There were some small challenges with the existing plumbing and the ductwork runs had to be rerouted. The end result is a gorgeous and functional modern space that suites the client’s lifestyle.

The ultimate goal for this Potomac backyard was to create a lawn for active kids to play on. We focused on building a patio that could be used for grilling and outdoor dining We removed trees, cleared the undergrowth, graded and installed sod to give them a big lawn. We installed a raised patio off the back of the existing screen porch with a walkway connecting to an existing door. We added landscaping around the patio and screen trees along the rear property line. The biggest challenge was creating access points for their sloped lot that was covered in weeds, vines, and scrub trees. We addressed this challenge and created a practical space for the client and their family to use.

The ultimate goal for this Potomac backyard was to create a lawn for active kids to play on. We focused on building a patio that could be used for grilling and outdoor dining We removed trees, cleared the undergrowth, graded and installed sod to give them a big lawn. We installed a raised patio off the back of the existing screen porch with a walkway connecting to an existing door. We added landscaping around the patio and screen trees along the rear property line. The biggest challenge was creating access points for their sloped lot that was covered in weeds, vines, and scrub trees. We addressed this challenge and created a practical space for the client and their family to use.

The ultimate goal for this Potomac backyard was to create a lawn for active kids to play on. We focused on building a patio that could be used for grilling and outdoor dining We removed trees, cleared the undergrowth, graded and installed sod to give them a big lawn. We installed a raised patio off the back of the existing screen porch with a walkway connecting to an existing door. We added landscaping around the patio and screen trees along the rear property line. The biggest challenge was creating access points for their sloped lot that was covered in weeds, vines, and scrub trees. We addressed this challenge and created a practical space for the client and their family to use.

The ultimate goal for this Potomac backyard was to create a lawn for active kids to play on. We focused on building a patio that could be used for grilling and outdoor dining We removed trees, cleared the undergrowth, graded and installed sod to give them a big lawn. We installed a raised patio off the back of the existing screen porch with a walkway connecting to an existing door. We added landscaping around the patio and screen trees along the rear property line. The biggest challenge was creating access points for their sloped lot that was covered in weeds, vines, and scrub trees. We addressed this challenge and created a practical space for the client and their family to use.

The ultimate goal for this Potomac backyard was to create a lawn for active kids to play on. We focused on building a patio that could be used for grilling and outdoor dining We removed trees, cleared the undergrowth, graded and installed sod to give them a big lawn. We installed a raised patio off the back of the existing screen porch with a walkway connecting to an existing door. We added landscaping around the patio and screen trees along the rear property line. The biggest challenge was creating access points for their sloped lot that was covered in weeds, vines, and scrub trees. We addressed this challenge and created a practical space for the client and their family to use.

This characterful grade II listed farmhouse required some sensitive and imaginative conversion work to create new living spaces within the existing outbuildings and barn. Balancing the constraints of the existing fabric, the requirements of the conservation officer and our clients’ brief was a challenge. But as is so often the case, constraints make for stronger solutions, and we think the results are wonderful.

Wanaque, New Jersey This home had a lot of wonderful character that is often lost when older houses are renovated. The challenge was preserving the home’s existing character and capitalizing on it in the new work. The solution was an addition that maintained the lines of the existing structure but differed materialistically. This allowed the original portion of the home to retain its focus and the addition to act in a complementary manner. The addition contains a new family room and powder room that serves the first floor.

FAIRFAX BASEMENT REMODEL Challenge: A growing family needed to add more bedroom space to their existing three-bedroom house. Solution: Hinsdale added a master bedroom, complete with a large closet and adjacent nursery, to unused basement space and updated an adjoining bathroom.

The existing home was a rustic log design with a typical Indian rug and horn interior. The challenge was to create a refined eclectic interior that keeps the classical western art in combination with fine furniture, fabrics and accessories for a more refined and warn interior.

Our client was drawn to the property in Wesley Heights as it was in an established neighborhood of stately homes, on a quiet street with views of park. They wanted a traditional home for their young family with great entertaining spaces that took full advantage of the site. The site was the challenge. The natural grade of the site was far from traditional. The natural grade at the rear of the property was about thirty feet above the street level. Large mature trees provided shade and needed to be preserved. The solution was sectional. The first floor level was elevated from the street by 12 feet, with French doors facing the park. We created a courtyard at the first floor level that provide an outdoor entertaining space, with French doors that open the home to the courtyard.. By elevating the first floor level, we were able to allow on-grade parking and a private direct entrance to the lower level pub "Mulligans". An arched passage affords access to the courtyard from a shared driveway with the neighboring homes, while the stone fountain provides a focus. A sweeping stone stair anchors one of the existing mature trees that was preserved and leads to the elevated rear garden. The second floor master suite opens to a sitting porch at the level of the upper garden, providing the third level of outdoor space that can be used for the children to play. The home's traditional language is in context with its neighbors, while the design allows each of the three primary levels of the home to relate directly to the outside. Builder: Peterson & Collins, Inc Photos © Anice Hoachlander

Living room counter tops and fireplace surround in polished filled Travertine Noce. The travertine noce was a perfect fit for the African style of this space. It matched the pre-existing African statues, and the wood flooring.

Private Residence, Laurie Demetrio Interiors, Photo by Dustin Halleck, Millwork by NuHaus
Inspiration for a small transitional built-in desk dark wood floor and brown floor home office library remodel in Chicago with multicolored walls and no fireplace

Custom Built Western Red Cedar Pergola added to back of house over existing deck, removed portion of deck railing and built set of stairs to ground. Pre-Finished with natural Penofin oil sealer, All rafters notched over beams and beams set into notched posts.

This project began as a design-build proposal to build an addition for an indoor swim spa and exercise room to a ranch style house. The Clients were seeking a functional and inviting space reminiscent of the luxury resorts and space they have visited during their international travels. One of the biggest challenges was to fit the program within the site and buildable area constraints. In order to maximize floor area, the exterior walls of the addition were located parallel to the property lines along the required setbacks, which resulted in a non-orthagonal geometry in plan. The volume of the addition began to take shape with large floor to ceiling openings strengthening the connection to the outdoors with roof line that rises northward to capture daylight. A series of operable skylights ventilate the room and allow more daylight to penetrate into the adjacent existing den. Inspired by modern additions made to historic structures in Europe, we made a conscious decision to not try to blend the addition into the language of the existing ranch house, choosing instead to juxtapose a structure that was layered and felt light next to the cement tile roof and framed picture windows. The interior walls were finished with a marine grade plywood to withstand a humid environment, and the exteriors were clad with a cedar rainscreen to give privacy where needed and gradually reduced to allow for more glass and visibility. The Clients are immersed in the technological environment of Silicon Valley and appreciated the simple geometries and aesthetics of modern design. c david wakely

Custom Wood Gate Created by Garden Passages to Match Pre-Existing Garage Door. Gate Features Include Garden Passages created panels on either side, Ornamental Iron features at Top and Bottom Openings, and Arched Top.