Robert Benson For Charles Hilton Architects From grand estates, to exquisite country homes, to whole house renovations, the quality and attention to detail of a "Significant Homes" custom home is immediately apparent. Full time on-site supervision, a dedicated office staff and hand picked professional craftsmen are the team that take you from groundbreaking to occupancy. Every "Significant Homes" project represents 45 years of luxury homebuilding experience, and a commitment to quality widely recognized by architects, the press and, most of all....thoroughly satisfied homeowners. Our projects have been published in Architectural Digest 6 times along with many other publications and books. Though the lion share of our work has been in Fairfield and Westchester counties, we have built homes in Palm Beach, Aspen, Maine, Nantucket and Long Island.

Greg Powers
Example of a trendy loft-style medium tone wood floor family room library design in DC Metro with white walls and no tv

CLIENT GOALS This spectacular Victorian was built in 1890 for Joseph Budde, an inventor, patent holder, and major manufacturer of the flush toilet. Through its more than 130-year life, this home evolved with the many incarnations of the Haight District. The most significant was the street modification that made way for the Haight Street railway line in the early 1920s. At that time, streets and sidewalks widened, causing the straight-line, two-story staircase to take a turn. In the 1920s, stucco and terrazzo were considered modern and low-maintenance materials and were often used to replace the handmade residential carpentry that would have graced this spectacular staircase. Sometime during the 1990s, the entire entry door assembly was removed and replaced with another “modern” solution. Our clients challenged Centoni to recreate the original staircase and entry. OUR DESIGN SOLUTION Through a partnership with local artisans and support from San Francisco Historical Planners, team Centoni sourced information from the public library that included original photographs, writings on Cranston and Keenan, and the history of the Haight. Though no specific photo has yet to be sourced, we are confident the design choices are in the spirit of the original and are based on remnants of the original porch discovered under the 1920s stucco. Through this journey, the staircase foundation was reengineered, the staircase designed and built, the original entry doors recreated, the stained glass transom created (including replication of the original hand-painted bird-theme rondels, many rotted decorated elements hand-carved, new and historic lighting installed, and a new iron handrail designed and fabricated.

Custom library living room.
Inspiration for a large timeless black floor, coffered ceiling and wall paneling home office library remodel in New York with brown walls and a wood fireplace surround

CLIENT GOALS This spectacular Victorian was built in 1890 for Joseph Budde, an inventor, patent holder, and major manufacturer of the flush toilet. Through its more than 130-year life, this home evolved with the many incarnations of the Haight District. The most significant was the street modification that made way for the Haight Street railway line in the early 1920s. At that time, streets and sidewalks widened, causing the straight-line, two-story staircase to take a turn. In the 1920s, stucco and terrazzo were considered modern and low-maintenance materials and were often used to replace the handmade residential carpentry that would have graced this spectacular staircase. Sometime during the 1990s, the entire entry door assembly was removed and replaced with another “modern” solution. Our clients challenged Centoni to recreate the original staircase and entry. OUR DESIGN SOLUTION Through a partnership with local artisans and support from San Francisco Historical Planners, team Centoni sourced information from the public library that included original photographs, writings on Cranston and Keenan, and the history of the Haight. Though no specific photo has yet to be sourced, we are confident the design choices are in the spirit of the original and are based on remnants of the original porch discovered under the 1920s stucco. Through this journey, the staircase foundation was reengineered, the staircase designed and built, the original entry doors recreated, the stained glass transom created (including replication of the original hand-painted bird-theme rondels, many rotted decorated elements hand-carved, new and historic lighting installed, and a new iron handrail designed and fabricated.

CLIENT GOALS This spectacular Victorian was built in 1890 for Joseph Budde, an inventor, patent holder, and major manufacturer of the flush toilet. Through its more than 130-year life, this home evolved with the many incarnations of the Haight District. The most significant was the street modification that made way for the Haight Street railway line in the early 1920s. At that time, streets and sidewalks widened, causing the straight-line, two-story staircase to take a turn. In the 1920s, stucco and terrazzo were considered modern and low-maintenance materials and were often used to replace the handmade residential carpentry that would have graced this spectacular staircase. Sometime during the 1990s, the entire entry door assembly was removed and replaced with another “modern” solution. Our clients challenged Centoni to recreate the original staircase and entry. OUR DESIGN SOLUTION Through a partnership with local artisans and support from San Francisco Historical Planners, team Centoni sourced information from the public library that included original photographs, writings on Cranston and Keenan, and the history of the Haight. Though no specific photo has yet to be sourced, we are confident the design choices are in the spirit of the original and are based on remnants of the original porch discovered under the 1920s stucco. Through this journey, the staircase foundation was reengineered, the staircase designed and built, the original entry doors recreated, the stained glass transom created (including replication of the original hand-painted bird-theme rondels, many rotted decorated elements hand-carved, new and historic lighting installed, and a new iron handrail designed and fabricated.

Standard Grade Thickness: ½” minimum to 7/8” maximum Width: Random widths from 6” minimum to 48” maximum Length: 13”, 18”, or 26”. Custom sizing available Certified Kiln Dried and Heat Sterilized Precision Squared for Ease in Installation FSC Controlled Wood or FSC 100% Pure Cradle to Cradle Gold CM Certified for exterior use Automatic Full LEED Point Qualifier ASTM E-84 -05 Class B Fire Rating Meets California VOC Emission Standards No Minimum Order Required

A transformation of a modest raised ranch into a modern oasis. I was the interior designer and general contractor from mechanicals to finishing. It’s also my personal home. The interior design style is that of modern minimalist meets organic modern. I wanted a space that reduced distractions and let the eyes, head, and soul rest. Where everything inside the home has a specific use and purpose. The objects in our home are fewer but each hold a great personal value. You might expect to see this airy aesthetic, with its gallery white walls, in California or New York. Not nestled in a modest 50 year old neighborhood in Omaha, Nebraska. Creating a minimal aesthetic is one of the trickiest design styles to pull off. It is more than just less stuff and lots of white. It means sticking to these design principals: -weaving in an abundance of textures -incorporating natural finishes -keenly curating art -giving extra attention to scale -limiting purely decorative items -maximizing natural light This style is not to be confused with the frugality of reductive design. I have incorporated many elevated basics that create an aesthetic of quiet luxury: -architectural bead for trim-less doors -first-of-its kind interior door hardware made of terrazzo -historical marble found in landmark interiors like the NY Public Library -premium flush air vents that disappear out of site -luxury appliances from GE Café and Signature -elegant and resilient terrazzo field tiles Ours was not a simple interior remodel and addition: -gutted and remodeled the existing 2,000 SF -added on approximately another 1,000 SF -moved and installed all new major mechanicals i.e. heating, plumbing and electrical. -knocked through foundation walls to extend the space back -dug down and built up

A transformation of a modest raised ranch into a modern oasis. I was the interior designer and general contractor from mechanicals to finishing. It’s also my personal home. The interior design style is that of modern minimalist meets organic modern. I wanted a space that reduced distractions and let the eyes, head, and soul rest. Where everything inside the home has a specific use and purpose. The objects in our home are fewer but each hold a great personal value. You might expect to see this airy aesthetic, with its gallery white walls, in California or New York. Not nestled in a modest 50 year old neighborhood in Omaha, Nebraska. Creating a minimal aesthetic is one of the trickiest design styles to pull off. It is more than just less stuff and lots of white. It means sticking to these design principals: -weaving in an abundance of textures -incorporating natural finishes -keenly curating art -giving extra attention to scale -limiting purely decorative items -maximizing natural light This style is not to be confused with the frugality of reductive design. I have incorporated many elevated basics that create an aesthetic of quiet luxury: -architectural bead for trim-less doors -first-of-its kind interior door hardware made of terrazzo -historical marble found in landmark interiors like the NY Public Library -premium flush air vents that disappear out of site -luxury appliances from GE Café and Signature -elegant and resilient terrazzo field tiles Ours was not a simple interior remodel and addition: -gutted and remodeled the existing 2,000 SF -added on approximately another 1,000 SF -moved and installed all new major mechanicals i.e. heating, plumbing and electrical. -knocked through foundation walls to extend the space back -dug down and built up

CLIENT GOALS This spectacular Victorian was built in 1890 for Joseph Budde, an inventor, patent holder, and major manufacturer of the flush toilet. Through its more than 130-year life, this home evolved with the many incarnations of the Haight District. The most significant was the street modification that made way for the Haight Street railway line in the early 1920s. At that time, streets and sidewalks widened, causing the straight-line, two-story staircase to take a turn. In the 1920s, stucco and terrazzo were considered modern and low-maintenance materials and were often used to replace the handmade residential carpentry that would have graced this spectacular staircase. Sometime during the 1990s, the entire entry door assembly was removed and replaced with another “modern” solution. Our clients challenged Centoni to recreate the original staircase and entry. OUR DESIGN SOLUTION Through a partnership with local artisans and support from San Francisco Historical Planners, team Centoni sourced information from the public library that included original photographs, writings on Cranston and Keenan, and the history of the Haight. Though no specific photo has yet to be sourced, we are confident the design choices are in the spirit of the original and are based on remnants of the original porch discovered under the 1920s stucco. Through this journey, the staircase foundation was reengineered, the staircase designed and built, the original entry doors recreated, the stained glass transom created (including replication of the original hand-painted bird-theme rondels, many rotted decorated elements hand-carved, new and historic lighting installed, and a new iron handrail designed and fabricated.

Used book shelves from former public library , repurposed for private collection.
Mid-sized trendy freestanding desk carpeted home office library photo in New York with beige walls

CLIENT GOALS This spectacular Victorian was built in 1890 for Joseph Budde, an inventor, patent holder, and major manufacturer of the flush toilet. Through its more than 130-year life, this home evolved with the many incarnations of the Haight District. The most significant was the street modification that made way for the Haight Street railway line in the early 1920s. At that time, streets and sidewalks widened, causing the straight-line, two-story staircase to take a turn. In the 1920s, stucco and terrazzo were considered modern and low-maintenance materials and were often used to replace the handmade residential carpentry that would have graced this spectacular staircase. Sometime during the 1990s, the entire entry door assembly was removed and replaced with another “modern” solution. Our clients challenged Centoni to recreate the original staircase and entry. OUR DESIGN SOLUTION Through a partnership with local artisans and support from San Francisco Historical Planners, team Centoni sourced information from the public library that included original photographs, writings on Cranston and Keenan, and the history of the Haight. Though no specific photo has yet to be sourced, we are confident the design choices are in the spirit of the original and are based on remnants of the original porch discovered under the 1920s stucco. Through this journey, the staircase foundation was reengineered, the staircase designed and built, the original entry doors recreated, the stained glass transom created (including replication of the original hand-painted bird-theme rondels, many rotted decorated elements hand-carved, new and historic lighting installed, and a new iron handrail designed and fabricated.

“The Carnegie” - formerly Rockport Public Library and restored as a private residence is being listed by the Syndi Zaiger Team at Nest Real Estate.
Inspiration for a large timeless guest medium tone wood floor bedroom remodel in Boston with yellow walls

"Tropical Ocean View". Oceanside, CA - 2011
Home design - modern home design idea in San Diego

CLIENT GOALS This spectacular Victorian was built in 1890 for Joseph Budde, an inventor, patent holder, and major manufacturer of the flush toilet. Through its more than 130-year life, this home evolved with the many incarnations of the Haight District. The most significant was the street modification that made way for the Haight Street railway line in the early 1920s. At that time, streets and sidewalks widened, causing the straight-line, two-story staircase to take a turn. In the 1920s, stucco and terrazzo were considered modern and low-maintenance materials and were often used to replace the handmade residential carpentry that would have graced this spectacular staircase. Sometime during the 1990s, the entire entry door assembly was removed and replaced with another “modern” solution. Our clients challenged Centoni to recreate the original staircase and entry. OUR DESIGN SOLUTION Through a partnership with local artisans and support from San Francisco Historical Planners, team Centoni sourced information from the public library that included original photographs, writings on Cranston and Keenan, and the history of the Haight. Though no specific photo has yet to be sourced, we are confident the design choices are in the spirit of the original and are based on remnants of the original porch discovered under the 1920s stucco. Through this journey, the staircase foundation was reengineered, the staircase designed and built, the original entry doors recreated, the stained glass transom created (including replication of the original hand-painted bird-theme rondels, many rotted decorated elements hand-carved, new and historic lighting installed, and a new iron handrail designed and fabricated.

CLIENT GOALS This spectacular Victorian was built in 1890 for Joseph Budde, an inventor, patent holder, and major manufacturer of the flush toilet. Through its more than 130-year life, this home evolved with the many incarnations of the Haight District. The most significant was the street modification that made way for the Haight Street railway line in the early 1920s. At that time, streets and sidewalks widened, causing the straight-line, two-story staircase to take a turn. In the 1920s, stucco and terrazzo were considered modern and low-maintenance materials and were often used to replace the handmade residential carpentry that would have graced this spectacular staircase. Sometime during the 1990s, the entire entry door assembly was removed and replaced with another “modern” solution. Our clients challenged Centoni to recreate the original staircase and entry. OUR DESIGN SOLUTION Through a partnership with local artisans and support from San Francisco Historical Planners, team Centoni sourced information from the public library that included original photographs, writings on Cranston and Keenan, and the history of the Haight. Though no specific photo has yet to be sourced, we are confident the design choices are in the spirit of the original and are based on remnants of the original porch discovered under the 1920s stucco. Through this journey, the staircase foundation was reengineered, the staircase designed and built, the original entry doors recreated, the stained glass transom created (including replication of the original hand-painted bird-theme rondels, many rotted decorated elements hand-carved, new and historic lighting installed, and a new iron handrail designed and fabricated.

A Public Library outdoor reading room encompasses this triple basalt column fountain with two bubblers between. It adds a contemporary feel to any formal landscape.

The French polished anigre paneled Library frames a majestic view of Central Park. A pocket door leads to the Master Bedroom on the right and as with the other main rooms the ceiling is expressed with plaster band-work that echoes the layout of the room. The central and flanking medallion are subtly sculpted to enrich the ceiling. The compressed mutular entablature draws inspiration from the Laurentian and New York Public Libraries. Photographer: Nick Johnson

Elegant exterior home photo in Denver