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

This Demarest, NJ home received a full makeover by our Retail President, Lauren Cherkas. in concert with the homeowners. With a mix of patterns, stones, and stone-look porcelains, their tile choices make a unique statement in each room.

A grand home on Philadelphia's Main Line receives a freshening up when clients buy an old home and bring in their previous traditional furnishings but add lots of new contemporary and colorful furnishings to bring the house up to date. A grand high family room gets an antique rug, animal skin and new furnishings to brighten the space. Jay Greene Photography

A grand home on Philadelphia's Main Line receives a freshening up when clients buy an old home and bring in their previous traditional furnishings but add lots of new contemporary and colorful furnishings to bring the house up to date. The Master Sitting room in beige and gray with yellow accents is a great place for a quiet repose before settling into bed in the large master bedroom suite. Jay Greene Photography

The bathroom receives natural light from a solar tube that illuminates the frameless shower.
Alcove shower - small contemporary 3/4 gray tile and marble tile marble floor and gray floor alcove shower idea in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, a wall-mount toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops and a hinged shower door

A family room receives a Farmhouse Chic make over with the use of reclaimed barn wood, a soothing neutral palette of grey and beige, warm woods, and stone. Nailheads and mixed metals give it a contemporary lift. Erica Peale

A grand home on Philadelphia's Main Line receives a freshening up when clients buy an old home and bring in their previous traditional furnishings but add lots of new contemporary and colorful furnishings to bring the house up to date. A large priceless antique rug sets the color palette and whimsy for the room. Color blocked furniture in the colors of the rug add interest and make the space lighter and less serious. Jay Greene Photography

Serene and inviting, this primary bathroom received a full renovation with new, modern amenities. A custom white oak vanity and low maintenance stone countertop provides a clean and polished space. Handmade tiles combined with soft brass fixtures, creates a luxurious shower for two. The generous, sloped, soaking tub allows for relaxing baths by candlelight. The result is a soft, neutral, timeless bathroom retreat.

Serene and inviting, this primary bathroom received a full renovation with new, modern amenities. A custom white oak vanity and low maintenance stone countertop provides a clean and polished space. Handmade tiles combined with soft brass fixtures, creates a luxurious shower for two. The generous, sloped, soaking tub allows for relaxing baths by candlelight. The result is a soft, neutral, timeless bathroom retreat.

Serene and inviting, this primary bathroom received a full renovation with new, modern amenities. A custom white oak vanity and low maintenance stone countertop provides a clean and polished space. Handmade tiles combined with soft brass fixtures, creates a luxurious shower for two. The generous, sloped, soaking tub allows for relaxing baths by candlelight. The result is a soft, neutral, timeless bathroom retreat.

Robin Stancliff photo credits. My client’s main focus for this bathroom was to create a wheelchair accessible shower while maintaining a unique and rustic visual appeal. When we received this project, the majority of the bathroom had already been destroyed, and the new vanity was already in place. Our main contribution was the new ADA accessible shower. We decided to keep the Saltillo tile and brick wall in the bathroom to keep some of the original Southwestern charm of the home, and create a stone flooring for the base of the shower. By mixing a variety of colored stones and creating a stone detail up the side of the shower, we were able to add a modern and fresh touch to the shower. Aside from the stone detail, the sides of the shower are made up of rustic wood-look porcelain which fits the overall aesthetic of the bathroom while still being easy to clean. To accommodate a wheelchair, the shower is 5’ by 5’ with a 3’ door. The handheld bar at the back of the shower is an ADA compliant bar which has levers so it can be easily maneuvered. Overall, we aimed to create a sturdy structure for the shower that would hold up to various disability needs while still remaining chic. By adding rustic details and thoughtful ADA compliant components, this shower is useful and attractive.

San Francisco native, and daughter of a well-known interior designer, Kendall Wilkinson’s passion for design started after an earlier career in the film and music industries. While traveling in Paris, Kendall became enamored by French architecture and began extensively traveling abroad. Upon returning to the States, she embraced her interior design heritage, ultimately becoming one of the leading designers in the West. With a respect for tradition and a passion for the new, Kendall’s true expertise lies in her ability to artfully mix authenticity with modernity to match her clients’ tastes. Her spectacular interiors have been featured in an array of magazines nationwide. In addition, Kendall has received numerous design awards and accolades throughout her career. Start your Kendall makeover here http://www.decorist.com/designers/31042/kendall-wilkinson/

A young lady's bathroom in an historic home receives a modern update. A new white double vanity is installed with marble tiles on the floor. The basket weave metallic mirrors are hung above dual under-mounted sinks in the double vanity. A glamorous sconce with shell beads provides a pool of light above the floral arrangement in an antique vase at the center. Photography by Jonathan Friedrich

Serene and inviting, this primary bathroom received a full renovation with new, modern amenities. A custom white oak vanity and low maintenance stone countertop provides a clean and polished space. Handmade tiles combined with soft brass fixtures, creates a luxurious shower for two. The generous, sloped, soaking tub allows for relaxing baths by candlelight. The result is a soft, neutral, timeless bathroom retreat.

Serene and inviting, this primary bathroom received a full renovation with new, modern amenities. A custom white oak vanity and low maintenance stone countertop provides a clean and polished space. Handmade tiles combined with soft brass fixtures, creates a luxurious shower for two. The generous, sloped, soaking tub allows for relaxing baths by candlelight. The result is a soft, neutral, timeless bathroom retreat.

A family room receives a Farmhouse Chic make over with the use of reclaimed barn wood, a soothing neutral palette of grey and beige, warm woods, and stone. Nailheads and mixed metals give it a contemporary lift. Erica Peale

A grand home on Philadelphia's Main Line receives a freshening up when clients buy an old home and bring in their previous traditional furnishings but add lots of new contemporary and colorful furnishings to bring the house up to date. Colorful walls left by the previous owner are toned down with two brown velvet sofas and then energized with aqua velvet furnishings. Jay Greene photography

This newly renovated brownstone multi-unit in the South End received a beautiful custom makeover. KITCHEN - SPACIOUS The remodel of this unit has created an exquisite new space comprised of natural lighting, a community island, and sleek countertops. BATHROOM - SLEEK This gorgeous custom design includes a Caesarstone countertop, matching floor and wall tiles, floating ceiling shower heads and a stand-alone tub. The all white gives a super sleek look and feel. FEATURES - HIGH GLOSS The high gloss countertops and mixed color cabinetry complement each other to provide the host with a welcoming space. STAIRCASE - MODERN With a modern staircase and brand new hardwoods, there is a unique way to connect the two floors. LAYOUT - OPEN The custom layout connects a dining and living area, complemented with classic furniture pieces and marble fireplace. KITCHEN - EXTRAS As a bonus, the wet bar features a mini fridge and second sink in the kitchen for those in need of quick access.

This beautiful French Provincial home is set on 10 acres, nestled perfectly in the oak trees. The original home was built in 1974 and had two large additions added; a great room in 1990 and a main floor master suite in 2001. This was my dream project: a full gut renovation of the entire 4,300 square foot home! I contracted the project myself, and we finished the interior remodel in just six months. The exterior received complete attention as well. The 1970s mottled brown brick went white to completely transform the look from dated to classic French. Inside, walls were removed and doorways widened to create an open floor plan that functions so well for everyday living as well as entertaining. The white walls and white trim make everything new, fresh and bright. It is so rewarding to see something old transformed into something new, more beautiful and more functional.