Carmel Valley Retreat is a hilltop residence in Carmel Valley, California, designed to feel deeply embedded in its landscape. The home’s orientation was shaped by sun patterns, prevailing winds, existing vegetation, and carefully framed views toward the Pacific, with detailed site analysis guiding its placement on the land. Shared living spaces are organized separately from more private guest and primary suites, creating a gradual progression from communal to secluded areas. A restrained palette of board-formed concrete, natural stone, and vertical wood slats gives the home a timeless, tactile quality, while planted roofs filled with native grasses restore the hill’s natural contours and reinforce the connection between architecture and landscape. The project also reflects the challenge of building well in San Francisco, where code and review pressures often compromise design quality. We worked strategically to protect the home’s clarity and character, while knowing where to concede to keep the project moving. Material consistency drives the experience. From the entry’s custom stone slab and bronze mail panel to the sculpted stair and built-in millwork, every detail is custom-sourced and precisely crafted. The palette is quiet but rich: white oak, warm metal, clean stone.

Upper Valley Estate Curb Appeal – El Paso, Texas This curb appeal transformation was conceived as a deliberate sequence—an arrival experience where architecture, landscape, and lighting work together as one. Every element was designed to honor the home’s stone construction, turreted forms, and Old World character while responding precisely to the Upper Valley climate and lifestyle. By day, the experience is grounded and composed. Brick-edged concrete drives establish order and permanence, guiding movement through the property with clarity and intention. Natural stone walls and columns anchor the architecture, while layered gravel beds, drought-tolerant plantings, and manicured turf soften transitions and connect the home to its desert setting. Mature trees were preserved and carefully integrated, providing scale, shade, and a sense of continuity. As afternoon shifts toward sunset, the materials begin to speak differently. Stone warms, textures deepen, and sightlines subtly draw the eye toward the front entry. The landscape narrows the focus, creating a moment of pause before arrival—calm, quiet, and refined. At night, the design reveals its final layer. Low-voltage lighting is integrated with precision, washing stone surfaces, tracing architectural curves, and uplighting specimen trees to create depth without glare. The drive, walkways, and entry feel safe, legible, and inviting, while the home itself glows with a restrained elegance. Coming home after dark feels intentional—protected, welcoming, and unmistakably yours. What was created is more than curb appeal. It is a cohesive design-build solution where nothing is ornamental without purpose and nothing is built without intention. A daily experience of arrival that reflects craftsmanship, care, and the enduring character of the Upper Valley.

The homeowner confessed that she found her bathroom depressing. She lived in an outdated 1980s space that turned her morning routine into a chore rather than a moment of self-care. After fifteen years in the house, she was finally ready to invest in herself. What she was looking for was classic elegance with a touch of personality, something timeless that wouldn’t feel outdated in five years. And that’s precisely what we delivered. The renovation required stripping everything down, even the studs. Opening up the walls, we discovered outdated plumbing that needed complete replacement: copper pipes and new drainage systems installed to current standards. We also installed appropriate waterproofing membranes, essential for long-lasting durability, especially in the shower area. The design focuses on soft gray tones that feel calming rather than cold. The custom double vanity, with its elegant gray cabinetry and white quartz countertop, offers both beauty and functionality; Finally, no more fighting over mirror space in the mornings. Those chrome sconces flanking the mirrors add a touch of glamour while providing excellent lighting. The true star of the design is the patterned tile. The homeowner was worried it would be “too busy,” but our designer was certain—and she was right—that it would bring the gray to life. We convinced her to try it, and it became the bathroom’s defining feature: a beautiful geometric pattern in black, white, and gray that adds character without overwhelming the space. The combination of a bathtub and shower behind frameless glass creates a sense of spaciousness and light, with classic white subway tiles that never go out of style. Three windows flood the space with natural light, a luxury in any bathroom. The end result is a space of calm, relaxation, and beauty. That’s the kind of transformation that gives meaning to our work.

Upper Valley Estate Curb Appeal – El Paso, Texas This curb appeal transformation was conceived as a deliberate sequence—an arrival experience where architecture, landscape, and lighting work together as one. Every element was designed to honor the home’s stone construction, turreted forms, and Old World character while responding precisely to the Upper Valley climate and lifestyle. By day, the experience is grounded and composed. Brick-edged concrete drives establish order and permanence, guiding movement through the property with clarity and intention. Natural stone walls and columns anchor the architecture, while layered gravel beds, drought-tolerant plantings, and manicured turf soften transitions and connect the home to its desert setting. Mature trees were preserved and carefully integrated, providing scale, shade, and a sense of continuity. As afternoon shifts toward sunset, the materials begin to speak differently. Stone warms, textures deepen, and sightlines subtly draw the eye toward the front entry. The landscape narrows the focus, creating a moment of pause before arrival—calm, quiet, and refined. At night, the design reveals its final layer. Low-voltage lighting is integrated with precision, washing stone surfaces, tracing architectural curves, and uplighting specimen trees to create depth without glare. The drive, walkways, and entry feel safe, legible, and inviting, while the home itself glows with a restrained elegance. Coming home after dark feels intentional—protected, welcoming, and unmistakably yours. What was created is more than curb appeal. It is a cohesive design-build solution where nothing is ornamental without purpose and nothing is built without intention. A daily experience of arrival that reflects craftsmanship, care, and the enduring character of the Upper Valley.

Upper Valley Estate Curb Appeal – El Paso, Texas This curb appeal transformation was conceived as a deliberate sequence—an arrival experience where architecture, landscape, and lighting work together as one. Every element was designed to honor the home’s stone construction, turreted forms, and Old World character while responding precisely to the Upper Valley climate and lifestyle. By day, the experience is grounded and composed. Brick-edged concrete drives establish order and permanence, guiding movement through the property with clarity and intention. Natural stone walls and columns anchor the architecture, while layered gravel beds, drought-tolerant plantings, and manicured turf soften transitions and connect the home to its desert setting. Mature trees were preserved and carefully integrated, providing scale, shade, and a sense of continuity. As afternoon shifts toward sunset, the materials begin to speak differently. Stone warms, textures deepen, and sightlines subtly draw the eye toward the front entry. The landscape narrows the focus, creating a moment of pause before arrival—calm, quiet, and refined. At night, the design reveals its final layer. Low-voltage lighting is integrated with precision, washing stone surfaces, tracing architectural curves, and uplighting specimen trees to create depth without glare. The drive, walkways, and entry feel safe, legible, and inviting, while the home itself glows with a restrained elegance. Coming home after dark feels intentional—protected, welcoming, and unmistakably yours. What was created is more than curb appeal. It is a cohesive design-build solution where nothing is ornamental without purpose and nothing is built without intention. A daily experience of arrival that reflects craftsmanship, care, and the enduring character of the Upper Valley.

This exquisite master suite combines rough hewn reclaimed wood, custom milled reclaimed fir, VG fir, hot rolled steel, custom barn doors, stone, concrete counters and hearths and limestone plaster for a truly one of kind space. The suite's entrance hall showcases three gorgeous barn doors hand made from from reclaimed jarrah and fir. Behind one of the doors is the office, which was designed to precisely suit my clients' needs. The built in's house a small desk, Sub Zero undercounter refrigerator and Miele built in espresso machine. The leather swivel chairs, slate and iron end tables from a Montana artist and dual function ottomans keep the space very usable while still beautiful. The walls are painted in dry erase paint, allowing every square inch of wall space to be used for business strategizing and planning. The limestone plaster fireplace warms the space and brings another texture to the room. Through another barn door is the stunning 20' x 23' master bedroom. The VG fir beams have a channel routed in the top containing LED rope light, illuminating the soaring VG fir ceiling. The bronze chandelier from France is a free form shape, providing contrast to all the horizontal lines in the room. The show piece is definitely the 150 year old reclaimed jarrah wood used on the bed wall. The gray tones coordinate beautifully with all the warmth from the fir. We custom designed the panelized fireplace surround with inset wood storage in hot rolled steel. The cantilevered concrete hearth adds depth to the sleek steel. Opposite the bed is a fir 18' wide bifold door, allowing my outdoor-loving clients to feel as one with their gorgeous property. The final space is a dream bath suite, with sauna, steam shower, sunken tub, fireplace and custom vanities. The glazed wood vanities were designed with all drawers to maximize function. We topped the vanities with antique corbels and a reclaimed fir soffit and corner column for a dramatic design. The corner column houses spring loaded magnetic doors, hiding away all the bathroom necessities that require plugs. The concrete countertop on the vanities has integral sinks and a low profile contemporary design. The soaking tub is sunk into a bed of Mexican beach pebbles and clad in reclaimed jarrah and steel. The custom steel and tile fireplace is beautiful and warms the bathroom nicely on cool Pacific Northwest days. www.cascadepromedia.com

As a kitchen design firm, we love transforming spaces to fit our clients’ styles and needs. Plus, it makes our job that much easier when a client knows precisely what they want, and how they want it. That’s just the case for this kitchen! We began with discussing layout and functionality, new appliances, and new color palette. The original kitchen was dark with deep orange tones in both the flooring and cabinetry, making for a very orange space. It was also not very functional and was in need of some much needed TLC. So, working with the design, we were able to give this space a brand new look and much better functionality for a growing family. So, check out what the space looked like before (below) and read on to learn about what we did! Cabinetry With this particular project we did a combination of refinishing and installing of new cabinetry. We refinished the perimeter cabinetry with white paint, and the island received new cabinetry from WWWoods, in a Heritage door style, and a finish of Dovetail Gray. Countertops The countertops feature s 3cm a White Cliff Cambria Quartz on perimeter kitchen countertops, and a 3cm Brittanicca Cambria Quartz on the island. If you ask us, it’s a beautiful combination! Tile The backsplash includes a Daltile 3×6 Rittenhouse Square in Desert Gray as the main tile, a Daltile 1 x 1 random Carrara White Marble (M701) in picture frame behind sink, and lastly, a Daltile Carrera White Polished ¾”x12 Pencil liner to create picture frame. For flooring, in a herringbone pattern, we have a 8×32 Aequa Cirrus from Arizona Tile. Fixtures From Blanco, we have a Quartus Undermount super single Bowl sink, and a Culina Semi-Pro in Satin Nickel.

Architectural Ceiling Enhancement with Custom Alder Wood Beams Designed by Interior Settings Ltd, and created and finished by our custom carpentry team at Urban Grain Custom Cabinets, our team elevated this spacious primary bedroom by installing a custom architectural ceiling feature using premium alder wood beams. The addition of these heavy-timber accents transforms the high ceiling, introducing texture, warmth, and a sophisticated structural element that balances the room’s modern aesthetic. • Material & Craftsmanship: Premium alder wood selected for its beautiful grain patterns and durability, custom-milled and precisely fitted to span the bedroom ceiling. • Finish & Color Palette: Finished in a rich, dark charcoal/espresso stain that creates a striking visual contrast against the crisp white ceiling, perfectly matching the modern farmhouse and contemporary transitional style. • Layout & Integration: The parallel beam layout adds depth and architectural interest without overwhelming the natural light, framing the modern ceiling fan and accentuating the room's expansive dimensions. • Complementary Design Elements: The dark alder beams perfectly tie together the room's other luxury finishes, including the light oak hardwood flooring, textured metallic accent wall, upholstered platform bed, and minimalist chaise lounge seating

Upper Valley Estate Curb Appeal – El Paso, Texas This curb appeal transformation was conceived as a deliberate sequence—an arrival experience where architecture, landscape, and lighting work together as one. Every element was designed to honor the home’s stone construction, turreted forms, and Old World character while responding precisely to the Upper Valley climate and lifestyle. By day, the experience is grounded and composed. Brick-edged concrete drives establish order and permanence, guiding movement through the property with clarity and intention. Natural stone walls and columns anchor the architecture, while layered gravel beds, drought-tolerant plantings, and manicured turf soften transitions and connect the home to its desert setting. Mature trees were preserved and carefully integrated, providing scale, shade, and a sense of continuity. As afternoon shifts toward sunset, the materials begin to speak differently. Stone warms, textures deepen, and sightlines subtly draw the eye toward the front entry. The landscape narrows the focus, creating a moment of pause before arrival—calm, quiet, and refined. At night, the design reveals its final layer. Low-voltage lighting is integrated with precision, washing stone surfaces, tracing architectural curves, and uplighting specimen trees to create depth without glare. The drive, walkways, and entry feel safe, legible, and inviting, while the home itself glows with a restrained elegance. Coming home after dark feels intentional—protected, welcoming, and unmistakably yours. What was created is more than curb appeal. It is a cohesive design-build solution where nothing is ornamental without purpose and nothing is built without intention. A daily experience of arrival that reflects craftsmanship, care, and the enduring character of the Upper Valley.

Carmel Valley Retreat is a hilltop residence in Carmel Valley, California, designed to feel deeply embedded in its landscape. The home’s orientation was shaped by sun patterns, prevailing winds, existing vegetation, and carefully framed views toward the Pacific, with detailed site analysis guiding its placement on the land. Shared living spaces are organized separately from more private guest and primary suites, creating a gradual progression from communal to secluded areas. A restrained palette of board-formed concrete, natural stone, and vertical wood slats gives the home a timeless, tactile quality, while planted roofs filled with native grasses restore the hill’s natural contours and reinforce the connection between architecture and landscape. The project also reflects the challenge of building well in San Francisco, where code and review pressures often compromise design quality. We worked strategically to protect the home’s clarity and character, while knowing where to concede to keep the project moving. Material consistency drives the experience. From the entry’s custom stone slab and bronze mail panel to the sculpted stair and built-in millwork, every detail is custom-sourced and precisely crafted. The palette is quiet but rich: white oak, warm metal, clean stone.

Our clients were expecting their first child and needed to make room. They decided to convert their existing master bedroom into a nursery and create a peaceful retreat for themselves by building an addition off the back of their home. Our journey together began with detailed planning, working closely with the architect to design a master bedroom suite that would offer comfort and functionality. Every aspect, from the room's layout to the bathroom's design, was carefully considered. Budgeting was the next crucial step. We worked closely with our expectant clients to select high-quality materials while keeping costs within reach, ensuring the project stayed on track financially. Construction started by preparing the site and laying a solid foundation. The team then moved on to framing the walls and installing plenty of windows to create a private wooded bedroom retreat. We added skylights to the beautiful vaulted ceiling so the couple could lie in bed and view the night sky. Attention to detail was paramount throughout the process. Finally, the finishing touches brought the vision to life. An en suite, curbless shower, custom interior doors, paint, and luxury vinyl plank flooring were installed precisely as planned. The new master bedroom suite provided the perfect sanctuary for the growing family.

Upper Valley Estate Curb Appeal – El Paso, Texas This curb appeal transformation was conceived as a deliberate sequence—an arrival experience where architecture, landscape, and lighting work together as one. Every element was designed to honor the home’s stone construction, turreted forms, and Old World character while responding precisely to the Upper Valley climate and lifestyle. By day, the experience is grounded and composed. Brick-edged concrete drives establish order and permanence, guiding movement through the property with clarity and intention. Natural stone walls and columns anchor the architecture, while layered gravel beds, drought-tolerant plantings, and manicured turf soften transitions and connect the home to its desert setting. Mature trees were preserved and carefully integrated, providing scale, shade, and a sense of continuity. As afternoon shifts toward sunset, the materials begin to speak differently. Stone warms, textures deepen, and sightlines subtly draw the eye toward the front entry. The landscape narrows the focus, creating a moment of pause before arrival—calm, quiet, and refined. At night, the design reveals its final layer. Low-voltage lighting is integrated with precision, washing stone surfaces, tracing architectural curves, and uplighting specimen trees to create depth without glare. The drive, walkways, and entry feel safe, legible, and inviting, while the home itself glows with a restrained elegance. Coming home after dark feels intentional—protected, welcoming, and unmistakably yours. What was created is more than curb appeal. It is a cohesive design-build solution where nothing is ornamental without purpose and nothing is built without intention. A daily experience of arrival that reflects craftsmanship, care, and the enduring character of the Upper Valley.

Upper Valley Estate Curb Appeal – El Paso, Texas This curb appeal transformation was conceived as a deliberate sequence—an arrival experience where architecture, landscape, and lighting work together as one. Every element was designed to honor the home’s stone construction, turreted forms, and Old World character while responding precisely to the Upper Valley climate and lifestyle. By day, the experience is grounded and composed. Brick-edged concrete drives establish order and permanence, guiding movement through the property with clarity and intention. Natural stone walls and columns anchor the architecture, while layered gravel beds, drought-tolerant plantings, and manicured turf soften transitions and connect the home to its desert setting. Mature trees were preserved and carefully integrated, providing scale, shade, and a sense of continuity. As afternoon shifts toward sunset, the materials begin to speak differently. Stone warms, textures deepen, and sightlines subtly draw the eye toward the front entry. The landscape narrows the focus, creating a moment of pause before arrival—calm, quiet, and refined. At night, the design reveals its final layer. Low-voltage lighting is integrated with precision, washing stone surfaces, tracing architectural curves, and uplighting specimen trees to create depth without glare. The drive, walkways, and entry feel safe, legible, and inviting, while the home itself glows with a restrained elegance. Coming home after dark feels intentional—protected, welcoming, and unmistakably yours. What was created is more than curb appeal. It is a cohesive design-build solution where nothing is ornamental without purpose and nothing is built without intention. A daily experience of arrival that reflects craftsmanship, care, and the enduring character of the Upper Valley.

This 2022 project for Sovereign Grace Music was a full-scale, purpose-built recording and production facility designed to support songwriting, live tracking, mixing, and video content creation. Working alongside the extraordinary Sovereign Grace team—and in collaboration with Authentic Carpentry—NILES handled sound reduction, audio integration, and all acoustic treatment design and installation. The facility features a full Control Room, a spacious Live Room, and a large Isolation Booth engineered for dry drum capture or vocal tracking during full-band sessions. Each space was crafted for accuracy, clarity, and intuitive workflow, ensuring that engineers and artists can move seamlessly between rooms without breaking creative momentum. Clear sightlines, generous lighting, and intentional layout choices make the studio equally suited for recording and video production. Every room is wired for a plug-and-play workflow, supporting multi-camera shoots, ensemble tracking, and efficient session flow. Behind the aesthetic, the acoustic infrastructure is highly robust. The Control Room, Live Room, and ISO Booth sit on independent floor systems with tailored sound-reducing wall assemblies and strategic treatments throughout. No suite is mechanically bonded, allowing simultaneous use of all rooms with minimal sound transmission. Monitoring in the Control Room centers around PMC 6-2 loudspeakers, precisely tuned to ensure accurate translation from mix position to the final master. The result is a balanced, inviting, and technically exact environment—built to serve the diverse creative needs of Sovereign Grace Music for years to come.

Our clients were expecting their first child and needed to make room. They decided to convert their existing master bedroom into a nursery and create a peaceful retreat for themselves by building an addition off the back of their home. Our journey together began with detailed planning, working closely with the architect to design a master bedroom suite that would offer comfort and functionality. Every aspect, from the room's layout to the bathroom's design, was carefully considered. Budgeting was the next crucial step. We worked closely with our expectant clients to select high-quality materials while keeping costs within reach, ensuring the project stayed on track financially. Construction started by preparing the site and laying a solid foundation. The team then moved on to framing the walls and installing plenty of windows to create a private wooded bedroom retreat. We added skylights to the beautiful vaulted ceiling so the couple could lie in bed and view the night sky. Attention to detail was paramount throughout the process. Finally, the finishing touches brought the vision to life. An en suite, curbless shower, custom interior doors, paint, and luxury vinyl plank flooring were installed precisely as planned. The new master bedroom suite provided the perfect sanctuary for the growing family.

Our clients were expecting their first child and needed to make room. They decided to convert their existing master bedroom into a nursery and create a peaceful retreat for themselves by building an addition off the back of their home. Our journey together began with detailed planning, working closely with the architect to design a master bedroom suite that would offer comfort and functionality. Every aspect, from the room's layout to the bathroom's design, was carefully considered. Budgeting was the next crucial step. We worked closely with our expectant clients to select high-quality materials while keeping costs within reach, ensuring the project stayed on track financially. Construction started by preparing the site and laying a solid foundation. The team then moved on to framing the walls and installing plenty of windows to create a private wooded bedroom retreat. We added skylights to the beautiful vaulted ceiling so the couple could lie in bed and view the night sky. Attention to detail was paramount throughout the process. Finally, the finishing touches brought the vision to life. An en suite, curbless shower, custom interior doors, paint, and luxury vinyl plank flooring were installed precisely as planned. The new master bedroom suite provided the perfect sanctuary for the growing family.

Upper Valley Estate Curb Appeal – El Paso, Texas This curb appeal transformation was conceived as a deliberate sequence—an arrival experience where architecture, landscape, and lighting work together as one. Every element was designed to honor the home’s stone construction, turreted forms, and Old World character while responding precisely to the Upper Valley climate and lifestyle. By day, the experience is grounded and composed. Brick-edged concrete drives establish order and permanence, guiding movement through the property with clarity and intention. Natural stone walls and columns anchor the architecture, while layered gravel beds, drought-tolerant plantings, and manicured turf soften transitions and connect the home to its desert setting. Mature trees were preserved and carefully integrated, providing scale, shade, and a sense of continuity. As afternoon shifts toward sunset, the materials begin to speak differently. Stone warms, textures deepen, and sightlines subtly draw the eye toward the front entry. The landscape narrows the focus, creating a moment of pause before arrival—calm, quiet, and refined. At night, the design reveals its final layer. Low-voltage lighting is integrated with precision, washing stone surfaces, tracing architectural curves, and uplighting specimen trees to create depth without glare. The drive, walkways, and entry feel safe, legible, and inviting, while the home itself glows with a restrained elegance. Coming home after dark feels intentional—protected, welcoming, and unmistakably yours. What was created is more than curb appeal. It is a cohesive design-build solution where nothing is ornamental without purpose and nothing is built without intention. A daily experience of arrival that reflects craftsmanship, care, and the enduring character of the Upper Valley.

Our clients were expecting their first child and needed to make room. They decided to convert their existing master bedroom into a nursery and create a peaceful retreat for themselves by building an addition off the back of their home. Our journey together began with detailed planning, working closely with the architect to design a master bedroom suite that would offer comfort and functionality. Every aspect, from the room's layout to the bathroom's design, was carefully considered. Budgeting was the next crucial step. We worked closely with our expectant clients to select high-quality materials while keeping costs within reach, ensuring the project stayed on track financially. Construction started by preparing the site and laying a solid foundation. The team then moved on to framing the walls and installing plenty of windows to create a private wooded bedroom retreat. We added skylights to the beautiful vaulted ceiling so the couple could lie in bed and view the night sky. Attention to detail was paramount throughout the process. Finally, the finishing touches brought the vision to life. An en suite, curbless shower, custom interior doors, paint, and luxury vinyl plank flooring were installed precisely as planned. The new master bedroom suite provided the perfect sanctuary for the growing family.

Upper Valley Estate Curb Appeal – El Paso, Texas This curb appeal transformation was conceived as a deliberate sequence—an arrival experience where architecture, landscape, and lighting work together as one. Every element was designed to honor the home’s stone construction, turreted forms, and Old World character while responding precisely to the Upper Valley climate and lifestyle. By day, the experience is grounded and composed. Brick-edged concrete drives establish order and permanence, guiding movement through the property with clarity and intention. Natural stone walls and columns anchor the architecture, while layered gravel beds, drought-tolerant plantings, and manicured turf soften transitions and connect the home to its desert setting. Mature trees were preserved and carefully integrated, providing scale, shade, and a sense of continuity. As afternoon shifts toward sunset, the materials begin to speak differently. Stone warms, textures deepen, and sightlines subtly draw the eye toward the front entry. The landscape narrows the focus, creating a moment of pause before arrival—calm, quiet, and refined. At night, the design reveals its final layer. Low-voltage lighting is integrated with precision, washing stone surfaces, tracing architectural curves, and uplighting specimen trees to create depth without glare. The drive, walkways, and entry feel safe, legible, and inviting, while the home itself glows with a restrained elegance. Coming home after dark feels intentional—protected, welcoming, and unmistakably yours. What was created is more than curb appeal. It is a cohesive design-build solution where nothing is ornamental without purpose and nothing is built without intention. A daily experience of arrival that reflects craftsmanship, care, and the enduring character of the Upper Valley.