Drawn to the site’s serene location and the prospect of a quiet life after retirement, the homeowners purchased a parcel of land at the northern end of the Gallatin Range in Bozeman, Montana. After five years of engaging with the terrain and observing the local wildlife, they purchased the two adjacent parcels to preserve the optimal views of Paradise Valley and the Bridger Mountains. There, the homeowners envisioned a compact yet modern retreat with a fire-retardant building envelope and minimal disruption to the landscape and wildlife. Known for their sustainable architecture and environmentally conscious design, the homeowner entrusted Lori Ryker of studioryker and Riverbend Builders to bring his vision to life and construct a home with modern comforts and natural materials harmonizing with the land. “The owner was acutely in-tune with the landscape of the property, loving to watch wildlife, and interested in a house that sat down in the land instead of having a prominent profile in the landscape as so many “trophy” homes do,” shares Ryker. The proximity to the forest and concern for fire led the home to be clad almost fully in steel with an apron of crushed rock on the ground surrounding the dwelling. Corten steel was selected for the building envelope for its low maintenance and ability to rust into a natural hue that blends with the surrounding landscape. Sustainability was a core principle throughout the design process. Inside, the home’s radiant-heated, polished concrete floors contribute to passive heating and cooling by absorbing heat during the day and releasing it at night. Folding glass walls enhance the home’s energy efficiency by allowing natural light and ventilation to flow freely through the interior spaces. For a cohesive appearance, all fenestration was specified in the color iron ore with triple glazing to ensure excellent thermal insulation, reducing energy consumption year-round.

This gem of a house was built in the 1950s, when its neighborhood undoubtedly felt remote. The university footprint has expanded in the 70 years since, however, and today this home sits on prime real estate—easy biking and reasonable walking distance to campus. When it went up for sale in 2017, it was largely unaltered. Our clients purchased it to renovate and resell, and while we all knew we'd need to add square footage to make it profitable, we also wanted to respect the neighborhood and the house’s own history. Swedes have a word that means “just the right amount”: lagom. It is a guiding philosophy for us at SYH, and especially applied in this renovation. Part of the soul of this house was about living in just the right amount of space. Super sizing wasn’t a thing in 1950s America. So, the solution emerged: keep the original rectangle, but add an L off the back. With no owner to design with and for, SYH created a layout to appeal to the masses. All public spaces are the back of the home--the new addition that extends into the property’s expansive backyard. A den and four smallish bedrooms are atypically located in the front of the house, in the original 1500 square feet. Lagom is behind that choice: conserve space in the rooms where you spend most of your time with your eyes shut. Put money and square footage toward the spaces in which you mostly have your eyes open. In the studio, we started calling this project the Mullet Ranch—business up front, party in the back. The front has a sleek but quiet effect, mimicking its original low-profile architecture street-side. It’s very Hoosier of us to keep appearances modest, we think. But get around to the back, and surprise! lofted ceilings and walls of windows. Gorgeous.

Outdoor living design build specialist Michael Gotowala principle designer for Preferred Properties landscaping and masonry excels in outdoor living design and masonry excellence. Here are a few outdoor fireplaces designed and built by Preferred Properties Landscaping and Masonry Preferred Properties Landscaping and Masonry has been building outdoor living environments for over two decades long before outdoor kitchens, Fireplaces and pizza ovens became popular. Todays motto of living outside of your walls outdoors has become seamless, with the implementation of a good design. Preferred Properties Landscaping has been well recognized amongst their peers as the leaders in exemplary masonry. Preferred’s vision and creative designs are fully built and backed by extraordinary masonry capabilities. Preferred’s staff has intermingled granite, stone, brick, and limestone into incredible outdoor fireplaces, spa surrounds and kitchens throughout New England Michael Gotowala founder of the OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE. www.OutdoorKitchenDesigner.com

Creo Concepts is a landscape construction company based in Elora, Ontario. We seek to be leaders in innovative, European landscape designs to enhance properties for generations to come. We are proud to be the first company in Ontario to make hand-crafted Cruck Marquee Tents available for purchase. Whether it’s used for a corporate event or in a private back yard, the Cruck Marquee Tent combines function and design. “Cruck” refers to the pair of curved timbers that defines the structure. Originating in Medieval Europe, the cruck frame epitomizes old-world craftsmanship. The cruck frame is exceptionally strong and can support a heavy load, that, combined with traditional mortise and tenon joinery produces a structure that will stand the test of time. The Cruck Marquee comes with a 9 oz. canvas that will not only provide shade from the sun but will also protect from the rain. Optional side canvases and hardwood tent poles are also available to extend coverage and allow spaces for side tables and other furnishings. The structure can be placed on a patio or even on the lawn on its timber “feet.” Set up and take down is easy with wood pegs fastening the mortise and tenon joinery of the frame.

Our client recently purchased a newly-constructed home in order to downsize and have a low- maintenance home and yard. The existing side yard/back yard was undeveloped by the builder, leaving the homeowner with the huge challenge of creating a great outdoor entertaining space for family and friends, while creating privacy and overcoming the over 8-foot steep drop from the existing back porch down to the alley. The grade was the largest challenge because the space was so narrow with such a large fall from existing porch to the property line. The second largest challenge is that this residence is located in a semi-private community where HOA approval of plans and materials is difficult, as all the residences here share a similar look and feel with a very clean and contemporary aesthetic. We had to precisely shoot grades to know what kinds of retaining walls would need to be constructed along with how much backfill soil and dirt movement would need to be done. After that the design had to carefully consider the space with maximum functionality for outdoor entertainment with newly constructed walls to ensure it would last for many years to come. All of this was done with multiple meetings with the homeowners who are a retired engineer and active architect themselves. Once a design was settled upon, then submission to the HOA board of approval had to be completed and signed off on with all questions and concerns answered for the community by-laws. The two biggest difficulties within the construction phase were that the neighbor next to the back yard had a large retaining wall not properly backfilled up to the property line. That neighbor wouldn’t allow us proper access and control to help alleviate the issues, so we had to skillfully work around this to ensure what we constructed would last, despite their property not being properly addressed. We also had to go through multiple shipments from the manufacturer due to large variances in the material’s appearance on the steps and another shipment that was broken during shipping. These two things delayed the project we were working to complete before the spring so the homeowner could have the maximum use of the space this year. Topping off this challenging construction was a beautiful palette of native grasses, rosemary, groundcover, granite walkways, and synthetic grass to ensure year-round, practically effortless beauty.

This 1930's Barrington Hills farmhouse was in need of some TLC when it was purchased by this southern family of five who planned to make it their new home. The renovation taken on by Advance Design Studio's designer Scott Christensen and master carpenter Justin Davis included a custom porch, custom built in cabinetry in the living room and children's bedrooms, 2 children's on-suite baths, a guest powder room, a fabulous new master bath with custom closet and makeup area, a new upstairs laundry room, a workout basement, a mud room, new flooring and custom wainscot stairs with planked walls and ceilings throughout the home. The home's original mechanicals were in dire need of updating, so HVAC, plumbing and electrical were all replaced with newer materials and equipment. A dramatic change to the exterior took place with the addition of a quaint standing seam metal roofed farmhouse porch perfect for sipping lemonade on a lazy hot summer day. In addition to the changes to the home, a guest house on the property underwent a major transformation as well. Newly outfitted with updated gas and electric, a new stacking washer/dryer space was created along with an updated bath complete with a glass enclosed shower, something the bath did not previously have. A beautiful kitchenette with ample cabinetry space, refrigeration and a sink was transformed as well to provide all the comforts of home for guests visiting at the classic cottage retreat. The biggest design challenge was to keep in line with the charm the old home possessed, all the while giving the family all the convenience and efficiency of modern functioning amenities. One of the most interesting uses of material was the porcelain "wood-looking" tile used in all the baths and most of the home's common areas. All the efficiency of porcelain tile, with the nostalgic look and feel of worn and weathered hardwood floors. The home’s casual entry has an 8" rustic antique barn wood look porcelain tile in a rich brown to create a warm and welcoming first impression. Painted distressed cabinetry in muted shades of gray/green was used in the powder room to bring out the rustic feel of the space which was accentuated with wood planked walls and ceilings. Fresh white painted shaker cabinetry was used throughout the rest of the rooms, accentuated by bright chrome fixtures and muted pastel tones to create a calm and relaxing feeling throughout the home. Custom cabinetry was designed and built by Advance Design specifically for a large 70” TV in the living room, for each of the children’s bedroom’s built in storage, custom closets, and book shelves, and for a mudroom fit with custom niches for each family member by name. The ample master bath was fitted with double vanity areas in white. A generous shower with a bench features classic white subway tiles and light blue/green glass accents, as well as a large free standing soaking tub nestled under a window with double sconces to dim while relaxing in a luxurious bath. A custom classic white bookcase for plush towels greets you as you enter the sanctuary bath. Joe Nowak

Committed to strong environmental standards, Tbektu Design and Development determined from the beginning that the "Eleven on 7th" project would not only follow green development protocol -- but also that it would even become a benchmark for Low-Impact Development, from the purchase of the infill property to the 100% recycled paper used for marketing. "Gunstock," was selected to floor the first home, Halcyon Halls as Teresa preferred our oil-rubbed finish rather than polyurethane, which contributed to a non-toxic work environment for the contractors and a non-toxic home in which to live. Since family is front & center in ELEVEN on 7th, a floor that can handle everyday life was crucial and our oil finish leaves the floor looking and feeling more natural, not shiny like a polyurethane, and makes for very easy touch-up and maintenance. The wide plank pine fits perfectly with Teresa's vision for both Halcyon Hall and the entire ELEVEN on 7th development. Visit Halcyon Halls TBEKTU Design + Development All photos courtesy of: Reed Brown Photography / Nashville, TN

The Portland 560 Prefabricated ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) is an efficiently designed modern 1 bedroom/1 bathroom home built completely out of teak grown on deforested cattle lands through reforestation efforts. The structure, floors, exterior cladding, interior walls, ceilings, doors, millwork, and cabinetry are all made out of sustainably grown teak. You are capturing carbon and reducing your footprint while gaining rental income and increasing the value of your property.

This 100 room assisted living housing center had been purchased by new owners. Their primary motive for the exterior of the property was to create an inviting and interactive setting for residents, visitors, employees, and family. Healthcare research shows that comfortable and stimulating seating areas close to the daily activity of the front doors are generally well used and popular areas among seniors and employees as well to prevent "workplace burnout". A crushed granite seating area, wooden benches, a recirculating waterfall, and a variety of plantings surround the front entry island. Seasonal color, texture, motion, shade, wildlife interest, mass and scale is provided by the mix of entryway, foundation, and entry island plantings.

In 2010, these clients presented Studio 1200 with a very interesting challenge. They had just purchased a dilapidated house on a great piece of property in Harding Township that leaked like a sieve. The original structure was extremely modern with most of the living space on the first floor. They needed a two-phased design solution. Phase one would be to build a two-story shell that sloped roofs and more traditional details and maintained all of the living space on the first floor. Phase two would create all of the bedrooms and bathrooms on the second floor and a central stair would be added to connect the two floors. We successfully completed phase one and the interior fit out for phase two is scheduled to begin soon. When completed, the home will have four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a master suite, a two-story living room, an open kitchen, dining and family area, as well as a mudroom and laundry room.

Purchasing a beach condo has been our client's dream since she was little. It was important to us that we capture her dream and create a condo that made her feel at home. In the moments when her family would not be staying there, it is also being rented out as a vacation property so finding elements that were not only stylish but also durable was crucial to the overall design and styling of this space. Mixing style with functionality. We kept the original ceiling in the living room as well as the original cement accent wall in the living room. Everything else was changed. A window was added to the stair wall so that as you walk downstairs, you get a view of the ocean. The walls were painted a barely-there minty seafoam color and we stuck with a neutral color palette with pops of various shades of blues.

The home began life as an unassuming ranch on a large lot in Palos Heights, a southern suburb of Chicago. And then, several years ago, this quiet little home was purchased for the large property that it sat on by two people that love to garden and envisioned a dream. Along with the yard, the quiet home was also in for a complete new life with it’s new people. Lifestyles today require homes to function differently than 50 years ago so the clients went about building-in new and repurposing original space. When all the dust settled from the large construction revisions the clients looked at their existing kitchen and decided it was now time to move this room to another level. LaMantia kitchen designer, James Campbell, CKD, saw many opportunities to open the flow and enlarge the existing kitchen footprint. But, mostly, the drawings Campbell presented to the clients, played mainly into marrying the glorious outdoor space into the interior of the home. The original furnace room, sitting just behind the kitchen and abandoned during a previous construction, offered the possibility of additional kitchen square footage. Enlarging both the Family and Living Room entries into the kitchen played a significant part of the open flow Campbell was looking to achieve;widening these opening allowed clear views of both the front and back outside expanses of the home.

The land parcel that our client purchased for his home is unique in numerous ways. Located in the desert country of Southwest Colorado in the historically and archaeologically significant McElmo Canyon, it encompasses 20 acres of seasonally irrigated ranch land along the banks of McElmo Creek. The richly colored sandstone canyon walls that rise on the other side of the creek are included in the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. Mantell-Hecathorn Builders oriented the house on the property with great care. The goals included: Maximizing solar exposure for photovoltaic panels and passive solar benefits Retaining the irrigated acreage for continued agricultural hay production Avoiding encroachment into the natural riparian zone located along McElmo Creek, which has year around water flow (rare in the desert ecosystem) Locating and designing the home to stay above a potential floodplain level (more as a precaution due to lack of historical evidence flooding) Focusing on the beautiful views to the north of the sandstone canyon walls and Sleeping Ute Mountain to the south, while maintaining the privacy and seclusion of the setting This home won the Department of Energy's Housing Innovation Award in 2016 for its efficiency, comfort, and design making this Net Zero home truly in a league of its own.

The owners of this home came to us with a plan to build a new high-performance home that physically and aesthetically fit on an infill lot in an old well-established neighborhood in Bellingham. The Craftsman exterior detailing, Scandinavian exterior color palette, and timber details help it blend into the older neighborhood. At the same time the clean modern interior allowed their artistic details and displayed artwork take center stage. We started working with the owners and the design team in the later stages of design, sharing our expertise with high-performance building strategies, custom timber details, and construction cost planning. Our team then seamlessly rolled into the construction phase of the project, working with the owners and Michelle, the interior designer until the home was complete. The owners can hardly believe the way it all came together to create a bright, comfortable, and friendly space that highlights their applied details and favorite pieces of art. Photography by Radley Muller Photography​ Design by Deborah Todd Building Design Services Interior Design by Spiral Studios​

--AFTER-- Blogger, teacher and renovator Kelly-Anne Rush is no stranger to DIY remodels. So when she found out that her cousin had recently purchased a property that was in need of some work, she found a way to help. One of the first things that the home needed redone was the bathroom floor, so Kelly-Anne worked with Allure to find the best solution for her relative’s flooring needs! Before selecting which direction to go for her cousin’s flooring, Kelly-Anne thought about her previous experience with Allure. “​When I renovated my bathroom last year, I wanted a product for the floors that looked like wood but was water resistant and durable. After doing a lot of research, I chose Allure,” she said. “In addition to the durability, the other great part about this type of flooring is that it’s so easy to install!” The property that Kelly-Anne was working on was originally built in the 1900’s, and was in need of some modernization. Kelly-Anne and her cousin had also decided on a coastal theme for the bathroom that incorporated oceanic colors. After browsing Allure’s online catalogue, they found the perfect floor for their bathroom: ​Allure Durban Oak Luxury Plank Flooring​. Kelly-Anne selected the flooring because it matched the color palette of her coastal theme, while also adding a more modern feel to the bathroom. Once they had chosen their floor, the final step was installation. “My cousin’s girlfriend installed the vinyl planking in their bathroom all by herself in a day without any previous renovation experience,” Kelly-Anne said of the installation process. “When I first walked into the space after they were finished renovating, I was so impressed! They did such a great job and certainly had such a feeling of accomplishment from tackling this renovation all by themselves!”

Creo Concepts is a landscape construction company based in Elora, Ontario. We seek to be leaders in innovative, European landscape designs to enhance properties for generations to come. We are proud to be the first company in Ontario to make hand-crafted Cruck Marquee Tents available for purchase. Whether it’s used for a corporate event or in a private back yard, the Cruck Marquee Tent combines function and design. “Cruck” refers to the pair of curved timbers that defines the structure. Originating in Medieval Europe, the cruck frame epitomizes old-world craftsmanship. The cruck frame is exceptionally strong and can support a heavy load, that, combined with traditional mortise and tenon joinery produces a structure that will stand the test of time. The Cruck Marquee comes with a 9 oz. canvas that will not only provide shade from the sun but will also protect from the rain. Optional side canvases and hardwood tent poles are also available to extend coverage and allow spaces for side tables and other furnishings. The structure can be placed on a patio or even on the lawn on its timber “feet.” Set up and take down is easy with wood pegs fastening the mortise and tenon joinery of the frame.

Location, location, location! Isn’t that what all of our real-estate friends and colleagues are always telling us? Our clients made a wise choice when purchasing this beautifully located ocean front property nestled in the dunes of Palm Beach, but they were presented with a challenge: how to take this luxury townhouse from dark and dated to a chic easy breezy dream home that reflects is naturally gorgeous sun and sand dunes surroundings as well as our clients laid back personalities. Built in 1981, this dream home’s post-modern style with dark wood architectural features, cold concrete structure, and harsh lighting felt out of step by todays standards. Our solution: open the staircase and switch out the wood paneled banister for clear glass, exposing its grand design and allowing for amazing and unobscured views of the property’s outdoor spaces as well as the home’s common areas, permitting its large loft space to shine. Bedrooms were treated to neutral color-schemes inspired by the Palm Beach dunes that surround this oceanfront home. An impressive pallet of textures and materials were chosen, and juxtapositions of lux linens and natural textiles like grass wall coverings and a large arrangement of sculptural branches brings the outside, in. Big and bold custom metal sculptures were installed in the primary bedroom along with hand blown glass light fixtures, adding that touch of glam that we are known for. The private courtyard revamp is above and beyond anything you will see in Palm Beach. Playful and luxurious, it features a koi pond, a two story art installation and a dramatic custom stone waterfall. Its seating area makes great use of this homes original design by softening the heavy overhang with ceiling coverings in Peaky Cyprus and covering the walls with grass, creating a very cool and cozy space to relax and unwind. The entire courtyard is expertly illuminated by artistic lighting that makes every corner a sparkling treat for the eyes. We had fun with this ambitious project and we hope your takeaway is to let location be your guide when looking for your dream home, because anything is possible in design but great surroundings are rare treasures that must be found and cherished.

This modern green home offers both a vacation destination on Cape Cod near local family members and an opportunity for rental income. FAMILY ROOTS. A West Coast couple living in the San Francisco Bay Area sought a permanent East Coast vacation home near family members living on Cape Cod. As academic professionals focused on sustainability, they sought a green, energy efficient home that was well-aligned with their values. With no green homes available for sale on Cape Cod, they decided to purchase land near their family and build their own. SLOPED SITE. Comprised of a 3/4 acre lot nestled in the pines, the steeply sloping terrain called for a plan that embraced and took advantage of the slope. Of equal priority was optimizing solar exposure, preserving privacy from abutters, and creating outdoor living space. The design accomplished these goals with a simple, rectilinear form, offering living space on the both entry and lower/basement levels. The stepped foundation allows for a walk-out basement level with light-filled living space on the down-hill side of the home. The traditional basement on the eastern, up-hill side houses mechanical equipment and a home gym. The house welcomes natural light throughout, captures views of the forest, and delivers entertainment space that connects indoor living space to outdoor deck and dining patio. MODERN VISION. The clean building form and uncomplicated finishes pay homage to the modern architectural legacy on the outer Cape. Durable and economical fiber cement panels, fixed with aluminum channels, clad the primary form. Cedar clapboards provide a visual accent at the south-facing living room, which extends a single roof plane to cover the entry porch. SMART USE OF SPACE. On the entry level, the “L”-shaped living, dining, and kitchen space connects to the exterior living, dining, and grilling spaces to effectively double the home’s summertime entertainment area. Placed at the western end of the entry level (where it can retain privacy but still claim expansive downhill views) is the master suite with a built-in study. The lower level has two guest bedrooms, a second full bathroom, and laundry. The flexibility of the space—crucial in a house with a modest footprint—emerges in one of the guest bedrooms, which doubles as home office by opening the barn-style double doors to connect it to the bright, airy open stair leading up to the entry level. Thoughtful design, generous ceiling heights and large windows transform the modest 1,100 sf* footprint into a well-lit, spacious home. *(total finished space is 1800 sf) RENTAL INCOME. The property works for its owners by netting rental income when the owners are home in San Francisco. The house especially caters to vacationers bound for nearby Mayo Beach and includes an outdoor shower adjacent to the lower level entry door. In contrast to the bare bones cottages that are typically available on the Cape, this home offers prospective tenants a modern aesthetic, paired with luxurious and green features. Durable finishes inside and out will ensure longevity with the heavier use that comes with a rental property. COMFORT YEAR-ROUND. The home is super-insulated and air-tight, with mechanical ventilation to provide continuous fresh air from the outside. High performance triple-paned windows complement the building enclosure and maximize passive solar gain while ensuring a warm, draft-free winter, even when sitting close to the glass. A properly sized air source heat pump offers efficient heating & cooling, and includes a carefully designed the duct distribution system to provide even comfort throughout the house. The super-insulated envelope allows us to significantly reduce the equipment capacity, duct size, and airflow quantities, while maintaining unparalleled thermal comfort. ENERGY EFFICIENT. The building’s shell and mechanical systems play instrumental roles in the home’s exceptional performance. The building enclosure reduces the most significant energy glutton: heating. Continuous super-insulation, thorough air sealing, triple-pane windows, and passive solar gain work together to yield a miniscule heating load. All active energy consumers are extremely efficient: an air source heat pump for heating and cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation (ERV), and high efficiency appliances. The result is a home that uses 70% less energy than a similar new home built to code requirements. OVERALL. The home embodies the owners’ goals and values while comprehensively enabling thermal comfort, energy efficiency, a vacation respite, and supplementary income. PROJECT TEAM ZeroEnergy Design - Architect & Mechanical Designer A.F. Hultin & Co. - Contractor Pamet Valley Landscape Design - Landscape & Masonry Lisa Finch - Original Artwork European Architectural Supply - Windows Eric Roth Photography - Photography

Lisa Merkle Design is a premier interior design studio proudly serving Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Century City, Malibu, West Los Angeles, Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, Bel Air, Santa Monica, Westwood, Hancock Park, Encino, Beverly Park, and Hidden Hills. With a refined eye for detail and a passion for creating timeless, functional, and beautiful spaces, we specialize in transforming houses, offices, and commercial properties into inspired environments that reflect your vision and lifestyle.Our Services Include:Full House Design & Renovation Consultation, Bedroom, Living Room, Dining Room & Kids’ Room Design, Kitchen & Bathroom Design, Home Office & Commercial Space Design, Space Planning & Layout, Furniture Selection & Customization, Lighting, Flooring & Window Treatments Selection, Color & Paint Selection, Art Selection & Procurement, Shopping/Purchasing & Installation Services. At Lisa Merkle Design, we blend creativity with functionality to curate spaces that are not only visually stunning but also comfortable and practical. From personalized home interiors to professional commercial spaces, our tailored approach ensures that each project reflects the unique personality and needs of our clients.