APLD 2021 Silver Award Winning Landscape Design. An expansive back yard landscape with several mature oak trees and a stunning Golden Locust tree has been transformed into a welcoming outdoor retreat. The renovations include a wraparound deck, an expansive travertine natural stone patio, stairways and pathways along with concrete retaining walls and column accents with dramatic planters. The pathways meander throughout the landscape... some with travertine stepping stones and gravel and those below the majestic oaks left natural with fallen leaves. Raised vegetable beds and fruit trees occupy some of the sunniest areas of the landscape. A variety of low-water and low-maintenance plants for both sunny and shady areas include several succulents, grasses, CA natives and other site-appropriate Mediterranean plants complimented by a variety of boulders. Dramatic white pots provide architectural accents, filled with succulents and citrus trees. Design, Photos, Drawings © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Inspiration for a straight staircase remodel in San Diego

The clients found a house they loved for two reasons…location, location, location (first reason) and the exterior style was similar to a beloved childhood home. They came to LaMantia inquiring as to the possibilities for the first floor. Armed with the clients’ “wants and desires” LaMantia designers Jackie Prazak and Andy LaMantia went about redesigning most of the first floor into an open floor plan fit for the young family. LaMantia & Prazak found the key to providing the enlarged feeling was through the poorly designed existing home addition. The additional living space was difficult to access, thus providing no useful function to the home. Completely removing the original exterior walls of the home that blocked access into the addition was the first step in the plan. With the walls removed, the original walled-off space became a part of the home. Relocating the first floor Powder Room, revising the entry closet, removing the wall into the kitchen and resizing the Living Room all were key components to the final rebirth of the larger picture. To finalize the new kitchen space, it was suggested to raise the Bay window unit thus allowing the relocated sink location. With all the revisions, the Kitchen now could easily accommodate a stretched out “L” layout with a large seated Island and a separate desk area. With the final plans in place, the clients were amazed to find that within the existing walls of their newly purchased home they had gained so much extra use. And…the very last prize they gained was a dreamed of Mudroom!

Branksome Road Set within a Bournemouth conservation zone; Branksome Woods provided the challenge of designing additional, modern space for a growing family whilst respecting sensitive contextual conditions. Footprint Architects responded by continuing the existing roofline across the property, providing an extra two bedrooms whilst also allowing the proposal to blend seamlessly with the properties existing form, whilst breathing new life into the look of the dated building. On the ground floor, the kitchen and dinning area were re-organised and extended out from the property in a brick form that exhibits views of the garden, with an alternative contrasting timber rear entrance to provide improved access to the house from the drive and garage. The design changes have transformed the quality and functionality of Branksome Woods, providing modern additional space, with a minimal impact on the surrounding context. The project was completed in November 2017.

Branksome Road Set within a Bournemouth conservation zone; Branksome Woods provided the challenge of designing additional, modern space for a growing family whilst respecting sensitive contextual conditions. Footprint Architects responded by continuing the existing roofline across the property, providing an extra two bedrooms whilst also allowing the proposal to blend seamlessly with the properties existing form, whilst breathing new life into the look of the dated building. On the ground floor, the kitchen and dinning area were re-organised and extended out from the property in a brick form that exhibits views of the garden, with an alternative contrasting timber rear entrance to provide improved access to the house from the drive and garage. The design changes have transformed the quality and functionality of Branksome Woods, providing modern additional space, with a minimal impact on the surrounding context. The project was completed in November 2017.

Roger Hill/Hill Construction
Example of a mountain style home design design in San Francisco

In conjunction with a complete pool renovation, to provide access to the rear of this hillside property, we extended deck, put in steps and installed a gate to meet pool barrier requirements. We used flat stock steel and turned every other slat to give the gate dimension and allow for privacy at the same time not give it a closed in feeling.

Staircase #3: Frosted glass treads and Glass railings.
Staircase - large modern glass l-shaped open and glass railing staircase idea in Tampa

Patio - small craftsman front yard concrete paver patio idea in Boston

This charming top floor condo in Ashbury Heights had beautiful Victorian period details and like all homes of the period, the kitchen was an afterthought. The goal of this project was to reunite the living spaces and introduce them to the outdoors. The rear yard, which was previously accessible only through a dank laundry room, was invited in and integrated with the new dining room and kitchen. The hidden gem in this home was the fantastic attic space. Removing the ceiling joists and exposing the sloping roof to create a cathedral ceiling, the structure provided this new kitchen and dining room with the breathing space it needed. With the south facing exposure now accessible, the space was transformed, bringing light to where before there was little. Careful detailing by the interior designer ensured the traditional qualities this home has to offer were blended in elegantly while respecting the original charm.

Architect: Architects Ink Photographer: Sam Noonan Photography
Example of a 1950s exterior home design in Sydney

This growing family of six was struggling with a dysfunctional kitchen design. The center island had been installed at an odd angle that limited accessibility and traffic flow. Additionally, storage space was limited by poor cabinet design. Finally, doorways in and out of the kitchen were narrow and poorly located, especially for children dashing in and out. Other design challenges included how to better use a 10’ x 12’ room for children’s jackets and toys and how to add a professional-quality gas range in a neighborhood were natural gas wasn’t available. The new design would address all of these issues. DESIGN SOLUTIONS The new kitchen design revolves around a more proportional island. Carefully placed in the center of the new space with seating for four, it includes a prep sink, a second dishwasher and a beverage center. The distressed ebony-stained island and hutch provides a brilliant contrast between the white color cabinetry. White Carrera marble countertops and backsplash top both island and perimeter cabinets. Tall, double stacked cabinetry lines two walls to maximize storage space. Across the room there was an unused wall that now contains a 36” tower fridge and freezer, both covered with matching panels, and a tall cabinet that contains a microwave, steam unit and warming drawer. A propane tank was buried in the back yard to provide gas to a new 60” professional range and cooktop. A custom-made wood mantel hood blends perfectly with the cabinet style. The old laundry room was reconfigured to have lots of locker space for all kids and added cabinetry for storage. A double entry door separated the new mudroom from the rest of the back hall. In the back hall the back windows were replaced with a set of French door and added decking to create a direct access to deck and backyard. The end result is an open floor plan, high-end appliances, great traffic flow and pleasing colors. The homeowner calls it the “kitchen of her dreams.”

This new 1,700 sf two-story single family residence for a young couple required a minimum of three bedrooms, two bathrooms, packaged to fit unobtrusively in an older low-key residential neighborhood. The house is located on a small non-conforming lot. In order to get the maximum out of this small footprint, we virtually eliminated areas such as hallways to capture as much living space. We made the house feel larger by giving the ground floor higher ceilings, provided ample natural lighting, captured elongated sight lines out of view windows, and used outdoor areas as extended living spaces. To help the building be a “good neighbor,” we set back the house on the lot to minimize visual volume, creating a friendly, social semi-public front porch. We designed with multiple step-back levels to create an intimacy in scale. The garage is on one level, the main house is on another higher level. The upper floor is set back even further to reduce visual impact. By designing a single car garage with exterior tandem parking, we minimized the amount of yard space taken up with parking. The landscaping and permeable cobblestone walkway up to the house serves double duty as part of the city required parking space. The final building solution incorporated a variety of significant cost saving features, including a floor plan that made the most of the natural topography of the site and allowed access to utilities’ crawl spaces. We avoided expensive excavation by using slab on grade at the ground floor. Retaining walls also doubled as building walls.

To complement the unique backsplash design, our client opted for under-cabinet power strips—discreetly mounted outlets that keep the kitchen both functional and clutter-free. This smart solution provides easy access to power while preserving the clean, seamless look of the space!

Conveniently located beside the home’s outdoor dining portico, a custom barbecue station features a four-burner stainless steel grill with a dual-head side burner. The polished granite countertop provides ample serving space while the chef’s essentials are easily accessible in the under counter cupboards and drawers.

The house is built onto an upslope lot, therefore the main living spaces which open onto the backyard are located on the upper floor which is accessed via a short run of stairs. To make the rather compact space appear more spacious, double doors were substituted for the original single width opening. A glass banister and a picture window above the door provide see-through surfaces. The chandelier which hangs from the newly vaulted ceiling adds a dramatic touch to this entryway. .

Designed for entertaining and family gatherings, the open floor plan connects the different levels of the home to outdoor living spaces. A private patio to the side of the home is connected to both levels by a mid-level entrance on the stairway. This access to the private outdoor living area provides a step outside of the traditional condominium lifestyle into a new desirable, high-end stand-alone condominium.

Updating historic John Hudson Thomas-designed Berkeley bungalow to modern code. Remodel designed by Lorin Hill, Architect included adding an interior stair to provide access to new second-story bedroom with ensuite bath. Main floor renovation included new kitchen, bath as well as bringing all services up to code. Project involved extensive use of traditional materials and craftsmanship.