Sam Balukonis
Large transitional ceramic tile sunroom photo in Boston with a skylight

With adjacent neighbors within a fairly dense section of Paradise Valley, Arizona, C.P. Drewett sought to provide a tranquil retreat for a new-to-the-Valley surgeon and his family who were seeking the modernism they loved though had never lived in. With a goal of consuming all possible site lines and views while maintaining autonomy, a portion of the house — including the entry, office, and master bedroom wing — is subterranean. This subterranean nature of the home provides interior grandeur for guests but offers a welcoming and humble approach, fully satisfying the clients requests. While the lot has an east-west orientation, the home was designed to capture mainly north and south light which is more desirable and soothing. The architecture’s interior loftiness is created with overlapping, undulating planes of plaster, glass, and steel. The woven nature of horizontal planes throughout the living spaces provides an uplifting sense, inviting a symphony of light to enter the space. The more voluminous public spaces are comprised of stone-clad massing elements which convert into a desert pavilion embracing the outdoor spaces. Every room opens to exterior spaces providing a dramatic embrace of home to natural environment. Grand Award winner for Best Interior Design of a Custom Home The material palette began with a rich, tonal, large-format Quartzite stone cladding. The stone’s tones gaveforth the rest of the material palette including a champagne-colored metal fascia, a tonal stucco system, and ceilings clad with hemlock, a tight-grained but softer wood that was tonally perfect with the rest of the materials. The interior case goods and wood-wrapped openings further contribute to the tonal harmony of architecture and materials. Grand Award Winner for Best Indoor Outdoor Lifestyle for a Home This award-winning project was recognized at the 2020 Gold Nugget Awards with two Grand Awards, one for Best Indoor/Outdoor Lifestyle for a Home, and another for Best Interior Design of a One of a Kind or Custom Home. At the 2020 Design Excellence Awards and Gala presented by ASID AZ North, Ownby Design received five awards for Tonal Harmony. The project was recognized for 1st place – Bathroom; 3rd place – Furniture; 1st place – Kitchen; 1st place – Outdoor Living; and 2nd place – Residence over 6,000 square ft. Congratulations to Claire Ownby, Kalysha Manzo, and the entire Ownby Design team. Tonal Harmony was also featured on the cover of the July/August 2020 issue of Luxe Interiors + Design and received a 14-page editorial feature entitled “A Place in the Sun” within the magazine.

With adjacent neighbors within a fairly dense section of Paradise Valley, Arizona, C.P. Drewett sought to provide a tranquil retreat for a new-to-the-Valley surgeon and his family who were seeking the modernism they loved though had never lived in. With a goal of consuming all possible site lines and views while maintaining autonomy, a portion of the house — including the entry, office, and master bedroom wing — is subterranean. This subterranean nature of the home provides interior grandeur for guests but offers a welcoming and humble approach, fully satisfying the clients requests. While the lot has an east-west orientation, the home was designed to capture mainly north and south light which is more desirable and soothing. The architecture’s interior loftiness is created with overlapping, undulating planes of plaster, glass, and steel. The woven nature of horizontal planes throughout the living spaces provides an uplifting sense, inviting a symphony of light to enter the space. The more voluminous public spaces are comprised of stone-clad massing elements which convert into a desert pavilion embracing the outdoor spaces. Every room opens to exterior spaces providing a dramatic embrace of home to natural environment. Grand Award winner for Best Interior Design of a Custom Home The material palette began with a rich, tonal, large-format Quartzite stone cladding. The stone’s tones gaveforth the rest of the material palette including a champagne-colored metal fascia, a tonal stucco system, and ceilings clad with hemlock, a tight-grained but softer wood that was tonally perfect with the rest of the materials. The interior case goods and wood-wrapped openings further contribute to the tonal harmony of architecture and materials. Grand Award Winner for Best Indoor Outdoor Lifestyle for a Home This award-winning project was recognized at the 2020 Gold Nugget Awards with two Grand Awards, one for Best Indoor/Outdoor Lifestyle for a Home, and another for Best Interior Design of a One of a Kind or Custom Home. At the 2020 Design Excellence Awards and Gala presented by ASID AZ North, Ownby Design received five awards for Tonal Harmony. The project was recognized for 1st place – Bathroom; 3rd place – Furniture; 1st place – Kitchen; 1st place – Outdoor Living; and 2nd place – Residence over 6,000 square ft. Congratulations to Claire Ownby, Kalysha Manzo, and the entire Ownby Design team. Tonal Harmony was also featured on the cover of the July/August 2020 issue of Luxe Interiors + Design and received a 14-page editorial feature entitled “A Place in the Sun” within the magazine.

photo by Jorge Gonzales-Guillot
Patio - cottage patio idea

The family living in this shingled roofed home on the Peninsula loves color and pattern. At the heart of the two-story house, we created a library with high gloss lapis blue walls. The tête-à-tête provides an inviting place for the couple to read while their children play games at the antique card table. As a counterpoint, the open planned family, dining room, and kitchen have white walls. We selected a deep aubergine for the kitchen cabinetry. In the tranquil master suite, we layered celadon and sky blue while the daughters' room features pink, purple, and citrine.

With adjacent neighbors within a fairly dense section of Paradise Valley, Arizona, C.P. Drewett sought to provide a tranquil retreat for a new-to-the-Valley surgeon and his family who were seeking the modernism they loved though had never lived in. With a goal of consuming all possible site lines and views while maintaining autonomy, a portion of the house — including the entry, office, and master bedroom wing — is subterranean. This subterranean nature of the home provides interior grandeur for guests but offers a welcoming and humble approach, fully satisfying the clients requests. While the lot has an east-west orientation, the home was designed to capture mainly north and south light which is more desirable and soothing. The architecture’s interior loftiness is created with overlapping, undulating planes of plaster, glass, and steel. The woven nature of horizontal planes throughout the living spaces provides an uplifting sense, inviting a symphony of light to enter the space. The more voluminous public spaces are comprised of stone-clad massing elements which convert into a desert pavilion embracing the outdoor spaces. Every room opens to exterior spaces providing a dramatic embrace of home to natural environment. Grand Award winner for Best Interior Design of a Custom Home The material palette began with a rich, tonal, large-format Quartzite stone cladding. The stone’s tones gaveforth the rest of the material palette including a champagne-colored metal fascia, a tonal stucco system, and ceilings clad with hemlock, a tight-grained but softer wood that was tonally perfect with the rest of the materials. The interior case goods and wood-wrapped openings further contribute to the tonal harmony of architecture and materials. Grand Award Winner for Best Indoor Outdoor Lifestyle for a Home This award-winning project was recognized at the 2020 Gold Nugget Awards with two Grand Awards, one for Best Indoor/Outdoor Lifestyle for a Home, and another for Best Interior Design of a One of a Kind or Custom Home. At the 2020 Design Excellence Awards and Gala presented by ASID AZ North, Ownby Design received five awards for Tonal Harmony. The project was recognized for 1st place – Bathroom; 3rd place – Furniture; 1st place – Kitchen; 1st place – Outdoor Living; and 2nd place – Residence over 6,000 square ft. Congratulations to Claire Ownby, Kalysha Manzo, and the entire Ownby Design team. Tonal Harmony was also featured on the cover of the July/August 2020 issue of Luxe Interiors + Design and received a 14-page editorial feature entitled “A Place in the Sun” within the magazine.

With adjacent neighbors within a fairly dense section of Paradise Valley, Arizona, C.P. Drewett sought to provide a tranquil retreat for a new-to-the-Valley surgeon and his family who were seeking the modernism they loved though had never lived in. With a goal of consuming all possible site lines and views while maintaining autonomy, a portion of the house — including the entry, office, and master bedroom wing — is subterranean. This subterranean nature of the home provides interior grandeur for guests but offers a welcoming and humble approach, fully satisfying the clients requests. While the lot has an east-west orientation, the home was designed to capture mainly north and south light which is more desirable and soothing. The architecture’s interior loftiness is created with overlapping, undulating planes of plaster, glass, and steel. The woven nature of horizontal planes throughout the living spaces provides an uplifting sense, inviting a symphony of light to enter the space. The more voluminous public spaces are comprised of stone-clad massing elements which convert into a desert pavilion embracing the outdoor spaces. Every room opens to exterior spaces providing a dramatic embrace of home to natural environment. Grand Award winner for Best Interior Design of a Custom Home The material palette began with a rich, tonal, large-format Quartzite stone cladding. The stone’s tones gaveforth the rest of the material palette including a champagne-colored metal fascia, a tonal stucco system, and ceilings clad with hemlock, a tight-grained but softer wood that was tonally perfect with the rest of the materials. The interior case goods and wood-wrapped openings further contribute to the tonal harmony of architecture and materials. Grand Award Winner for Best Indoor Outdoor Lifestyle for a Home This award-winning project was recognized at the 2020 Gold Nugget Awards with two Grand Awards, one for Best Indoor/Outdoor Lifestyle for a Home, and another for Best Interior Design of a One of a Kind or Custom Home. At the 2020 Design Excellence Awards and Gala presented by ASID AZ North, Ownby Design received five awards for Tonal Harmony. The project was recognized for 1st place – Bathroom; 3rd place – Furniture; 1st place – Kitchen; 1st place – Outdoor Living; and 2nd place – Residence over 6,000 square ft. Congratulations to Claire Ownby, Kalysha Manzo, and the entire Ownby Design team. Tonal Harmony was also featured on the cover of the July/August 2020 issue of Luxe Interiors + Design and received a 14-page editorial feature entitled “A Place in the Sun” within the magazine.

You know by now we love designing in Bend, and Caldera Springs just feels like home! This project, (a collaboration with Olsen Bros. Construction and Heidi Byrnes Design) is the “forever home” for a couple relocating from Lake Oswego. Soaring wood ceilings, open living spaces and ample bedroom suites informed the client’s classic/modern finish choices. The furnishings aesthetic began with fabric to inspire pattern and color, and the story for each room unfolded from there. The great room is dressed in deep green, rust and cream, reflecting the natural palette outside every door and window. A pair of plush sofas large enough to nap on, swivel chairs to take in the view, and unique leather ottomans to tuck in where needed, invite lounging and conversation. The primary and back guest suites offer the most incredible window seats for cozying up with your favorite book. Layered with custom cushions and a pile of pillows, they’re the best seat in the house. Exciting wallpaper selections for each bathroom provided playful focal walls, from the deep green vinyl grass cloth in the primary bath, to a forest of sparkling tree lines in the powder bath. Amazing how wallpaper can define the personality of a space! This home is full of color, yet minimal in the “extras” and easy to maintain. It’s always refreshing for us to return to a home we dressed months ago and have it look just like we left it! We know it will provide a warm welcome for the owners and their guests for years to come! Photography by Chris Murray Productions

With adjacent neighbors within a fairly dense section of Paradise Valley, Arizona, C.P. Drewett sought to provide a tranquil retreat for a new-to-the-Valley surgeon and his family who were seeking the modernism they loved though had never lived in. With a goal of consuming all possible site lines and views while maintaining autonomy, a portion of the house — including the entry, office, and master bedroom wing — is subterranean. This subterranean nature of the home provides interior grandeur for guests but offers a welcoming and humble approach, fully satisfying the clients requests. While the lot has an east-west orientation, the home was designed to capture mainly north and south light which is more desirable and soothing. The architecture’s interior loftiness is created with overlapping, undulating planes of plaster, glass, and steel. The woven nature of horizontal planes throughout the living spaces provides an uplifting sense, inviting a symphony of light to enter the space. The more voluminous public spaces are comprised of stone-clad massing elements which convert into a desert pavilion embracing the outdoor spaces. Every room opens to exterior spaces providing a dramatic embrace of home to natural environment. Grand Award winner for Best Interior Design of a Custom Home The material palette began with a rich, tonal, large-format Quartzite stone cladding. The stone’s tones gaveforth the rest of the material palette including a champagne-colored metal fascia, a tonal stucco system, and ceilings clad with hemlock, a tight-grained but softer wood that was tonally perfect with the rest of the materials. The interior case goods and wood-wrapped openings further contribute to the tonal harmony of architecture and materials. Grand Award Winner for Best Indoor Outdoor Lifestyle for a Home This award-winning project was recognized at the 2020 Gold Nugget Awards with two Grand Awards, one for Best Indoor/Outdoor Lifestyle for a Home, and another for Best Interior Design of a One of a Kind or Custom Home. At the 2020 Design Excellence Awards and Gala presented by ASID AZ North, Ownby Design received five awards for Tonal Harmony. The project was recognized for 1st place – Bathroom; 3rd place – Furniture; 1st place – Kitchen; 1st place – Outdoor Living; and 2nd place – Residence over 6,000 square ft. Congratulations to Claire Ownby, Kalysha Manzo, and the entire Ownby Design team. Tonal Harmony was also featured on the cover of the July/August 2020 issue of Luxe Interiors + Design and received a 14-page editorial feature entitled “A Place in the Sun” within the magazine.

This open and bright family room exudes a beautiful blend of modern design and natural elements, perfectly suited for a luxurious Hollywood Hills home. The space seamlessly connects to an outdoor terrace and pool area through large windows, allowing an abundance of natural light and greenery to filter in. At the center lies a plush olive green sofa, complemented by cozy cream-colored armchairs and a sleek white coffee table adorned with a coffee table book, creating an inviting conversation area. The warm wood accents of the dining chairs and legs provide a nice contrast to the cool neutral tones. The room showcases a harmonious mix of textures, with a soft area rug underfoot, woven throw pillows adding visual interest, and artwork bringing a pop of color to the clean, minimalist walls. Strategically placed lamps and natural lighting create a warm, inviting ambiance. Overall, this modern family room strikes a perfect balance between stylish sophistication and comfortable livability, providing a seamless indoor-outdoor connection to take full advantage of the stunning Hollywood Hills surroundings.

In this beautifully crafted home, the living spaces blend contemporary aesthetics with comfort, creating an environment of relaxed luxury. As you step into the living room, the eye is immediately drawn to the panoramic view framed by the floor-to-ceiling glass doors, which seamlessly integrate the outdoors with the indoors. The serene backdrop of the ocean sets a tranquil scene, while the modern fireplace encased in elegant marble provides a sophisticated focal point. The kitchen is a chef's delight with its state-of-the-art appliances and an expansive island that doubles as a breakfast bar and a prepping station. White cabinetry with subtle detailing is juxtaposed against the marble backsplash, lending the space both brightness and depth. Recessed lighting ensures that the area is well-lit, enhancing the reflective surfaces and creating an inviting ambiance for both cooking and social gatherings. Transitioning to the bathroom, the space is a testament to modern luxury. The freestanding tub acts as a centerpiece, inviting relaxation amidst a spa-like atmosphere. The walk-in shower, enclosed by clear glass, is accentuated with a marble surround that matches the vanity top. Well-appointed fixtures and recessed shelving add both functionality and a sleek aesthetic to the bathroom. Each design element has been meticulously selected to provide a sanctuary of sophistication and comfort. This home represents a marriage of elegance and pragmatism, ensuring that each room is not just a sight to behold but also a space to live and create memories in.

The large inviting living room is the center of this warm family home. The expansive sectional features built-in side table and wooden bookcase ends that also serve as end tables. A warm round wood cocktail table provides a focal point in front of the brick fireplace, while neutral art and textural throw pillows provide warmth and interest to the space. The fireplace bookshelves feature well-loved leather books and a cherished arrowhead collection that belonged to the clients' late father.

Watermark Residence was conceived as a “downsizing” project for Owners looking to transition from the home where they raised their family to a simpler lifestyle. The footprint and exterior massing of the single family condo was prescribed, but MMA wove new details into these constraints and was urged by the Owner to completely reinvent the interior experience. From the exterior, the home sits subtly on a corner lot, referencing the neighborhood in its style, but with a warmth and crispness that speaks also to the interiors. The primary goal of the project was to provide an open, inviting atmosphere of connected spaces that allowed natural light into all areas of the home. Upon entry, there is an immediate involvement in the daily activities with the living and dining rooms being the focal point, and a more intimate kitchen slightly out of view. Throughout the home, the idea of privacy and transparency plays an important role in the organization of spaces and materials chosen. More private corridors lead to intimate bedroom spaces and functional laundry and mudrooms. A two-floor, semi-transparent slat wall shields direct visibility from the street, while also providing connection between the entertaining spaces of the home. Combined with the white oak, open staircase, the movement between levels feels intuitive and inviting. A simple palette of materials, understated in their appearance but detailed in their execution, are threaded throughout the home. Gathering spaces are represented with open slats, grounding brick, white oak, and bright walls. Movement deeper into the house brings refined slat panels with integrated hardware at kitchen millwork, softly painted cabinetry, and warm tones of walnut in furniture elements. The most private spaces of the home further extrude the slat element into fluted panels, painted in deeper colors.

"Sun-Kissed Sanctuary" reimagines the traditional dining room as a versatile haven, perfect for year-round conversation and creating a lasting first impression. This project catered to the client's desire for a space that seamlessly blends casual elegance with organic elements. The design team employed a calming palette of soft whites and airy blues, setting the stage for a serene escape. Textural harmony was achieved through a layered approach: radial plush linen chairs provided sumptuous comfort, while woven pillows and a shagreen-wrapped coffee table added a touch of rustic charm. A lush fiddle fig leaf plant, strategically placed in the space, injected a dose of life and echoed the organic design theme. Respectful of the existing foundation, we integrated the client's existing rug, a statement chandelier, and a captivating wall thread hanging into the new design. To elevate the space further, we introduced custom elements that instilled a sense of unique character. Hand-crafted wood beams and wall trim, reminiscent of a sun-drenched porch, added warmth and architectural interest. Oyster-hued wallpaper on the foyer ceiling provided a bold textural contrast and a touch of coastal sophistication. The added white trim was accentuated, drawing the eye upwards and creating a sense of verticality. The "Sun-Kissed Sanctuary" transcends the limitations of a traditional front room, offering a versatile space that invites relaxation and connection. This project exemplifies our ability to curate a space that is both elegant and inviting, perfectly reflecting the client's personality and lifestyle.

This landscape of this transitional dwelling aims to compliment the architecture while providing an outdoor space for high end living and entertainment. The outdoor kitchen, hot tub, tiered gardens, living and dining areas as well as a formal lawn provide ample space for enjoyment year round. Photographs courtesy of The Richards Group.

Home Design & Photo Credit: MurrayFranklyn.com https://www.houzz.com/pro/murrayfranklyn/murray-franklyn Stone: Pro-Fit Alpine Ledgestone - Echo Ridge https://www.culturedstone.com/products/pro-fit-alpine-ledgestone/cs-pfal-echo-ridge Pro-Fit® Alpine Ledgestone provides a rustic outdoor look that's easy to install. This precise, rugged Ledgestone texture provides color and shadow creation for a variety of design opportunities.

Inspiration for a coastal kitchen remodel in Other

Example of a cottage exterior home design in Orange County