Outdoor areas for entertainment and recreation play a key role in offering the residents with varied experiences, each with a function of its own. Engage yourself in open-air activities, take a dive in the pool or go fishing off the docks. To a location that’s celebrated for its marinas and golf courses, this residence checks all factors, defining a home that’s magnetic and fascinating beside a lake. Perched on a hill alongside Lake Austin is a modern expression of residential architecture. Stacked and staggered on a terrain, the ‘Big Horn’ project designed by Motif Architects visualizes an adventurous home that nestles within nature. Every level captures stunning views of the lake that kindle its residents to step out for recreational activities and outdoor entertainment. Arriving by a boat would be the perfect entry to this residence, building momentum and curiosity as you step out onto the docks.

The fifth of six homes in our Modern Farmhouse community at Cayson Fields is Lot 1, offering 4,800+ sq ft, 5 bedrooms and 5 baths, main floor office, lower level recreation room and theater/gym. Classic and crisp with unexpected design elements, this home radiates with design details: custom iron floating staircase, Epicurean kitchen, massive quartz island and stunning fully-tiled 3/4 powder bath. The color palette is a fresh mix of white, black, and iron punctuated with glossy tiles and gold elements. The kitchen boasts a scullery, or separate large pantry that doubles as a prep area. High-end appliance package by Wolf and SubZero, and massive quartz island. The great room leads to the all-seasons covered outdoor living room and large, sunny and flat backyard. Upstairs, the Primary Suite and spa-like Primary Bath are a delightful retreat. Rounding out the lower level is the recreation room with wet bar and guest suite. Modern conveniences include an electric vehicle charging station and NWES Premium PV Solar System package. Cayson Fields is a private enclave in a much sought-after cul-de-sac location on Mercer Island’s South End. Each unique home offers a thoughtfully designed floor plan with modern living given priority. Secluded, yet connected to the South Island trail system with direct access to schools and shopping. The only luxury farmhouse community on Seattle’s Eastside!

Fully finished basement with an added fireplace, walk out to the backyard, recreation room, kitchen, office, bathroom, bedroom and enclosed mechanical room

Example of a basement design in Other

Renovated basement in Calvert County, Maryland, featuring rustic and industrials fixtures and finishes for a playful, yet sophisticated recreation room. Photography Credit: Virgil Stephens Photography

Stunning new construction with Briargrove schools, yard or room for a pool. 1st floor living with gorgeous library and home office area, large wet bar, open concept kitchen/den with butlers pantry/serving area, and great mud/locker area. 2nd story master bedroom, elevator and secondary mini-master bedroom on 3rd floor. Home features massive recreation/game room with pub outfitted with ice maker, wine and drink refrigerator.

Inspiration for a large transitional galley porcelain tile and gray floor open concept kitchen remodel in Dallas with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, white countertops, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

This traditional bungalow house offers a cozy retreat, perfect for vacations or recreational getaways. With its classical design elements, it exudes warmth and comfort. Spanning three stories with two garages, it provides ample space for relaxation and entertainment. The covered front porch sets the stage for a grand entry, while patio and covered patio areas enhance outdoor living. Inside, the main floor features a spacious dining area adjacent to the kitchen, along with a mudroom, powder room, flex room, and gallery space. On the upper floor, you'll find a master bedroom with a split master bathroom, as well as child and guest bedrooms. The lower floor includes another bedroom, bathroom, denim, gym, recreation room, and storage area. Topped with a hip roof made of clay tile, this house combines aesthetic appeal with practicality. Overall, it's a delightful and efficient space for users to enjoy and unwind.

Architectural photography by ibi designs
Photo of a large side yard landscaping in Miami.

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 6,000 square foot 2-story new home complex in Milpitas was designed to facilitate the owners’ large business parties and gatherings, to have rooms for the kids to come back to upstairs, and a ground floor master suite with a huge walk-in closet. Several separate structures make up the dwelling: The main house, 3-car garage with carport for overflow parking, and a separate entertainment and recreation building separated by a courtyard from the main house. The business activities include gatherings in the hundreds of people, so parking was maximized and guests can flow in through a separate gate to party in the courtyard and recreation building. Inside this structure is a wet bar, billiard room, workout gym and home theater. The main house ground floor has formal and informal living rooms, open kitchen and master suite with views and expansive windows in every direction. The house is sited on the crestline of a hill with views of the San Francisco Bay and private golf course below. The indoor-outdoor aspect of the house is further accentuated with outside living and dining areas. High ceilings and expansive glass walls dissolve the sense of enclosure taking advantage of the site’s openness and privacy. The owner’s suite is downstairs in anticipation of aging-in-place, and upstairs there are three bedrooms and four bathrooms plus a sitting area lounge and casual TV loft area. The house sits on one acre at the top of a low hill range overlooking Milpitas. The city was very cognizant of the importance of keeping a low profile at this crestline and required extensive story poles and photo evidence of the proper height and siting so as not to be seen from certain selected vantage points. GENERAL CONTRACTOR: JCD Builders Inc. LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Morf Chang Landscape Architecture / ODS Architecture PHOTOGRAPHS: Paul Dyer Photography

The Lower Level of the Breckenridge features a living area with fireplace, recreation area, bedroom, exercise room & wet bar.
Inspiration for a huge contemporary walk-out carpeted basement remodel in St Louis with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace

The recreation room was redesigned around one of the family's priorities: reducing clutter. Floor-to-ceiling built-in cabinetry gives children's books and toys dedicated storage, while a large table creates space for games, projects and family time.

Arched windows and arches in the covered front porch complement the gable peaks on the façade of this stylish Craftsman home with stone and siding exterior and partial, finished walkout basement. Designed for sloping lots, this home positions its common living areas and master suite on the first floor and a generous recreation room and two family bedrooms on the lower level. A cathedral ceiling expands the foyer and great room, while the dining room and master bedroom and bath enjoy elegant tray ceilings. The island kitchen is open to the great room, dining room and breakfast area and features a nearby walk-in pantry. With a bay window and back-porch access, the master suite boasts dual walk-ins and a luxurious bath. Downstairs, two bedrooms and baths flank the recreation room with fireplace and wet bar.

Outdoor areas for entertainment and recreation play a key role in offering the residents with varied experiences, each with a function of its own. Engage yourself in open-air activities, take a dive in the pool or go fishing off the docks. To a location that’s celebrated for its marinas and golf courses, this residence checks all factors, defining a home that’s magnetic and fascinating beside a lake. Perched on a hill alongside Lake Austin is a modern expression of residential architecture. Stacked and staggered on a terrain, the ‘Big Horn’ project designed by Motif Architects visualizes an adventurous home that nestles within nature. Every level captures stunning views of the lake that kindle its residents to step out for recreational activities and outdoor entertainment. Arriving by a boat would be the perfect entry to this residence, building momentum and curiosity as you step out onto the docks.

When our clients discovered their current property on the scenic Madawaska River, they knew it would be the perfect place to enjoy kayaking and the outdoors. They also knew that the existing home would be too small to comfortably accommodate their large family get-togethers. That’s when they called on our design team to design a renovation and addition to transform the home into a more functional and beautiful space for their day-to-day lives and their family and friends. Today we share the renderings presented during the Design Development phase. The riverfront home will be extended, and the interior completely reconfigured, to match their needs and vision. The main floor addition allows for a spacious open-concept great room, dining area and chef’s kitchen, opening onto a new screened room and covered porch to deliver the shared space they need for their large family gatherings. The kitchen has an island to seat four for casual dining or food prep, and a walk-in pantry for storage and a second refrigerator. The coffee bar in the dining area keeps beverage prep out of the main kitchen area and easily accessible to all. The stone-clad fireplace will create a welcoming centerpiece and provide warmth during the colder months. There is room for both a sitting area and large dining table in the screened porch. Our clients will wake up every morning to the lovely river view from their main-floor primary bedroom. It also includes a spacious walk-in closet and ensuite bathroom. Laundry and a home office are immediately adjacent to the primary bedroom suite. So, everything they need is conveniently located on the main level. The lower full walk-out basement won’t feel like a basement with its large windows and direct access to the outdoors. It’s designed to comfortably accommodate family and friends with three bedrooms, a full bathroom, and a laundry room. Located on the opposite side from the bedrooms, a huge recreation room with a fireplace and view of the river will be a pleasant place to rest and play. Storage and mechanical are tucked in along the front wall. An outdoor patio will be protected from the sun by the deck above and a massive unheated storage room will be perfect for the kayaks and other recreational equipment, while still easily accessible from the river.

Inspiration for a basement remodel in Other

We designed this North Shore home bar-rec room to have a pub-like atmosphere. The custom alder wood wall panels and cabinetry provide a rich feel. The classic bar top and rail were given a glossy finish which adds to the over all pub look. Two of the wall panels house large screen TVs allowing guests to view from different seating and recreational areas. This home bar-rec room located in the lower level of this Kenilworth home has provided our clients with a great comfortable and functional space to relax and entertain.

Natural Hill Country Multi Level Recreation and Diving Pools with Oversized Spa. Designed by Mike Farley, constructed by Claffey Pools. Limestone slabs quarried onsite.