We were asked by a house builder to build a steel staircase as the centrepiece for their new show home in Auckland. Although they had already decided on the central mono-stringer style staircase (also known as a floating staircase), with solid oak treads and glass balustrades, when we met with them we also made some suggestions. This was in order to help nest the stairs in their desired location, which included having to change the layout to avoid clashing with the existing structure. The stairs lead from a reception area up to a bedroom, so one of our first suggestions, was to have the glass balustrade on the side of the staircase finishing, and finish at the underside of the ground-floor ceiling, and then building an independent balustrade in the bedroom. The intention behind this was to give some separation between the living and sleeping areas, whilst maximising the full width of the opening for the stairs. Additionally, this also helps hide the staircase from inside the bedroom, as you don’t see the balustrade coming up from the floor below. We also recommended the glass on the first floor was face fixed directly to the boundary beam, and the fixings covered with a painted fascia panel. This was in order to avoid using a large floor fixed glazing channel or reduce the opening width with stand-off pin fixings.

We were asked by a house builder to build a steel staircase as the centrepiece for their new show home in Auckland. Although they had already decided on the central mono-stringer style staircase (also known as a floating staircase), with solid oak treads and glass balustrades, when we met with them we also made some suggestions. This was in order to help nest the stairs in their desired location, which included having to change the layout to avoid clashing with the existing structure. The stairs lead from a reception area up to a bedroom, so one of our first suggestions, was to have the glass balustrade on the side of the staircase finishing, and finish at the underside of the ground-floor ceiling, and then building an independent balustrade in the bedroom. The intention behind this was to give some separation between the living and sleeping areas, whilst maximising the full width of the opening for the stairs. Additionally, this also helps hide the staircase from inside the bedroom, as you don’t see the balustrade coming up from the floor below. We also recommended the glass on the first floor was face fixed directly to the boundary beam, and the fixings covered with a painted fascia panel. This was in order to avoid using a large floor fixed glazing channel or reduce the opening width with stand-off pin fixings.

We were asked by a house builder to build a steel staircase as the centrepiece for their new show home in Auckland. Although they had already decided on the central mono-stringer style staircase (also known as a floating staircase), with solid oak treads and glass balustrades, when we met with them we also made some suggestions. This was in order to help nest the stairs in their desired location, which included having to change the layout to avoid clashing with the existing structure. The stairs lead from a reception area up to a bedroom, so one of our first suggestions, was to have the glass balustrade on the side of the staircase finishing, and finish at the underside of the ground-floor ceiling, and then building an independent balustrade in the bedroom. The intention behind this was to give some separation between the living and sleeping areas, whilst maximising the full width of the opening for the stairs. Additionally, this also helps hide the staircase from inside the bedroom, as you don’t see the balustrade coming up from the floor below. We also recommended the glass on the first floor was face fixed directly to the boundary beam, and the fixings covered with a painted fascia panel. This was in order to avoid using a large floor fixed glazing channel or reduce the opening width with stand-off pin fixings.

We were asked by a house builder to build a steel staircase as the centrepiece for their new show home in Auckland. Although they had already decided on the central mono-stringer style staircase (also known as a floating staircase), with solid oak treads and glass balustrades, when we met with them we also made some suggestions. This was in order to help nest the stairs in their desired location, which included having to change the layout to avoid clashing with the existing structure. The stairs lead from a reception area up to a bedroom, so one of our first suggestions, was to have the glass balustrade on the side of the staircase finishing, and finish at the underside of the ground-floor ceiling, and then building an independent balustrade in the bedroom. The intention behind this was to give some separation between the living and sleeping areas, whilst maximising the full width of the opening for the stairs. Additionally, this also helps hide the staircase from inside the bedroom, as you don’t see the balustrade coming up from the floor below. We also recommended the glass on the first floor was face fixed directly to the boundary beam, and the fixings covered with a painted fascia panel. This was in order to avoid using a large floor fixed glazing channel or reduce the opening width with stand-off pin fixings.

We were asked by a house builder to build a steel staircase as the centrepiece for their new show home in Auckland. Although they had already decided on the central mono-stringer style staircase (also known as a floating staircase), with solid oak treads and glass balustrades, when we met with them we also made some suggestions. This was in order to help nest the stairs in their desired location, which included having to change the layout to avoid clashing with the existing structure. The stairs lead from a reception area up to a bedroom, so one of our first suggestions, was to have the glass balustrade on the side of the staircase finishing, and finish at the underside of the ground-floor ceiling, and then building an independent balustrade in the bedroom. The intention behind this was to give some separation between the living and sleeping areas, whilst maximising the full width of the opening for the stairs. Additionally, this also helps hide the staircase from inside the bedroom, as you don’t see the balustrade coming up from the floor below. We also recommended the glass on the first floor was face fixed directly to the boundary beam, and the fixings covered with a painted fascia panel. This was in order to avoid using a large floor fixed glazing channel or reduce the opening width with stand-off pin fixings.

We were asked by a house builder to build a steel staircase as the centrepiece for their new show home in Auckland. Although they had already decided on the central mono-stringer style staircase (also known as a floating staircase), with solid oak treads and glass balustrades, when we met with them we also made some suggestions. This was in order to help nest the stairs in their desired location, which included having to change the layout to avoid clashing with the existing structure. The stairs lead from a reception area up to a bedroom, so one of our first suggestions, was to have the glass balustrade on the side of the staircase finishing, and finish at the underside of the ground-floor ceiling, and then building an independent balustrade in the bedroom. The intention behind this was to give some separation between the living and sleeping areas, whilst maximising the full width of the opening for the stairs. Additionally, this also helps hide the staircase from inside the bedroom, as you don’t see the balustrade coming up from the floor below. We also recommended the glass on the first floor was face fixed directly to the boundary beam, and the fixings covered with a painted fascia panel. This was in order to avoid using a large floor fixed glazing channel or reduce the opening width with stand-off pin fixings.

Interiors by Aria Design Inc. www.ariades.com John Ellis Photography
Example of a trendy powder room design in Orange County

Inspiration for a rustic brown one-story wood gable roof remodel in Seattle

This newly renovated lakefront home had a budget set aside for new window coverings to finish the rooms and to maximize the beautiful view. A combination of drapery and blinds were used throughout. The living room’s bank of sliding doors looked like a lot of bare windows so custom side panels were added to separate them and soften the room. The Plantation style ceiling fans and newly installed pebble tile were the source of inspiration for the palm branch print that was used while the soft sage and copper tones added to the outdoor feel. An outdoor space was created for use in the summer. On the deck, linen style sheers run on a ceiling mount channel rod so the fabric is able to bypass any brackets and not get in the way. When the sheers are pulled closed a room is created to block the intense sun, and in their open position the panels are pulled back to frame the stucco pillars. In the sun room, custom Sunbrella roman shades were installed into the divided glass ceiling which had always been an intense source of heat. A burnt orange striped fabric was used to incorporate the orange tones used in the living room. Hunter Douglas Pirhouettes were installed throughout the rest of the house to give warmth and texture to the rest of the windows. Pirhouette blinds feature soft fabric vanes attached to a sheer backing that appear to be floating. When closed, they look just like a contemporary shade. The advantage to this type of blind is that they diffuse the light quite nicely, spreading it evenly throughout your room, so you can maximize daylight hours and reduce your need for artificial light. The homeowners required a balance of style and practicality in their home and we delivered with custom window treatments that fit the unique needs of each area in the house.

Photo by Pete Veilleux, East Bay Wilds. 'Island Pink' yarrow (Achillea millefolium 'Island Pink') with woolly blue curls (Trichostema lanatum).

This residence is located on the banks of the Snake River. Drawing inspiration from the adjacent braided river channels, the precise layout form unique relationships to the site from each room, as well as dynamic views and spatial experiences. The sequence of interior spaces gradually unfolds to reveal views of the pond, river and mountains beyond. The skewed geometry creates shifting views between interior spaces and levels. A three-story stair atrium brings light into the core of the house, gracefully connects floor levels, and creates a transition from the public to private zones of the house. The volume of the house cantilevers to cover an exterior dining area and spans to frame the entrance into the house and the river beyond. The exterior rain screen on the clean modern forms creates continuity with the surrounding cottonwood forest.

DUETTE® Honeycomb Shades THE ORIGINAL ENERGY-EFFICIENT HONEYCOMB SHADE An innovative window treatment that looks beautiful and insulates your home all year round, Duette® Honeycomb Shades were the first cellular shades, specially engineered to provide energy efficiency at the window in both cold and warm climates. Their specially engineered honeycomb construction traps air in distinct pockets, which creates insulation that can help lower your energy consumption and energy bills. Decorate every kind of window you have—even tricky skylights and unusually shaped panes—with Duette. Our signature honeycomb shades are one of our most versatile options and beautify every kind of interior. KEY FEATURES Room Darkening—The LightLock™ system, the newest iteration from Duette, is the first operating system of its kind to offer unparalleled darkness. The secret lies within the patent-pending side channel design, optimized to absorb or deflect nearly all incoming light. Durability—All of our high-performing fabrics are resistant to fading and will maintain their crisp, neat pleats over time. Vertical Application—For doors that need extra insulation, the Duette Vertiglide™ operating system is the ideal option. It’s designed for vertical applications and uses the same fabrics as your horizontal Duette shades. Use one shade to cover the entire expanse of a sliding door, or, cover the door with a split stack Vertiglide shade, with each side operating independently. Sound Absorption—Improve your room’s acoustics while reducing the intensity of outside sound. Duette Honeycomb Shades absorb up to 70% of sound energy, creating a more quiet, tranquil room. LNG Blinds 19 Addison Pl Valley Stream, NY 11580 Call Us (516) 593-0044 #homesweethome #homedecor #lovemyhome #barenecessities #windows #instastyle #instadesign #interiordesign#blinds #privacy #embellishment #instahomes #propertyowner #renovation #customblindsbydesign #showcase #displays #windowtreatments #windowcoverings #shades #shutters #drapery #interiors #decor

ProDek tiles on an outside patio with tables and couches.
Example of a mid-sized trendy backyard patio container garden design in Chicago with no cover

A handy, empty-nester couple, nearing retirement, sold their mansion, and purchased a fixer-upper on a sunlit hillside that features the spectacular ocean view of the Channel Islands. ENRarchitects was hired to assist with making minor enhancements to the plan, integrating the lower level parking court, and adding a patio deck. The owner, a retiring engineer, took on the responsibilities of general contracting during construction. Our collaboration included opening the kitchen to the Living-Dining space, so all can enjoy the ocean view. A balcony was added to second floor Master Study, with a new laundry room below it. Both bathrooms were modestly enlarged to provide more spacious showers. Lastly, the Entry Foyer was opened to ceiling height into the Living Room. In California, ocean views inherently include relentless west sunshine, and formidable interior heat gain. Multiple design studies explored various means to incorporate shading and solar screening measures to permit the view, and to reduce heat gain. Additional studies featured more substantial proposed additions, including a lower level guest suite, and a detached office. A key feature, is the addition of a raised, covered entry porch, where passengers and goods can be offloaded, prior to parking on the lower level. The new porch also provides a secondary transition around the structure to the ocean view, split-level patio. A 2nd phase included the suggestion of rebuilding the lower covered parking to include a roof deck, rooftop guest suite, and solar electricity, which was successfully completed. The property is now mildly reminiscent of the Sea Ranch community. With the blessing of year-round comfortable weather, and ever-changing, dynamic views, the successfully remodeled home takes full advantage for a new generation of colorful living. (photo by owner) "We are so happy with the results, and proud you’d include our place in your client list. We are extremely happy and will always tout your skills." -Bill & Janice, Camarillo

A handy, empty-nester couple, nearing retirement, sold their mansion, and purchased a fixer-upper on a sunlit hillside that features the spectacular ocean view of the Channel Islands. ENRarchitects was hired to assist with making minor enhancements to the plan, integrating the lower level parking court, and adding a patio deck. The owner, a retiring engineer, took on the responsibilities of general contracting during construction. Our collaboration included opening the kitchen to the Living-Dining space, so all can enjoy the ocean view. A balcony was added to second floor Master Study, with a new laundry room below it. Both bathrooms were modestly enlarged to provide more spacious showers. Lastly, the Entry Foyer was opened to ceiling height into the Living Room. In California, ocean views inherently include relentless west sunshine, and formidable interior heat gain. Multiple design studies explored various means to incorporate shading and solar screening measures to permit the view, and to reduce heat gain. Additional studies featured more substantial proposed additions, including a lower level guest suite, and a detached office. A key feature, is the addition of a raised, covered entry porch, where passengers and goods can be offloaded, prior to parking on the lower level. The new porch also provides a secondary transition around the structure to the ocean view, split-level patio. A 2nd phase included the suggestion of rebuilding the lower covered parking to include a roof deck, rooftop guest suite, and solar electricity, which was successfully completed. The property is now mildly reminiscent of the Sea Ranch community. With the blessing of year-round comfortable weather, and ever-changing, dynamic views, the successfully remodeled home takes full advantage for a new generation of colorful living. (photo by owner) "We are so happy with the results, and proud you’d include our place in your client list. We are extremely happy and will always tout your skills." -Bill & Janice, Camarillo

A handy, empty-nester couple, nearing retirement, sold their mansion, and purchased a fixer-upper on a sunlit hillside that features the spectacular ocean view of the Channel Islands. ENRarchitects was hired to assist with making minor enhancements to the plan, integrating the lower level parking court, and adding a patio deck. The owner, a retiring engineer, took on the responsibilities of general contracting during construction. Our collaboration included opening the kitchen to the Living-Dining space, so all can enjoy the ocean view. A balcony was added to second floor Master Study, with a new laundry room below it. Both bathrooms were modestly enlarged to provide more spacious showers. Lastly, the Entry Foyer was opened to ceiling height into the Living Room. In California, ocean views inherently include relentless west sunshine, and formidable interior heat gain. Multiple design studies explored various means to incorporate shading and solar screening measures to permit the view, and to reduce heat gain. Additional studies featured more substantial proposed additions, including a lower level guest suite, and a detached office. A key feature, is the addition of a raised, covered entry porch, where passengers and goods can be offloaded, prior to parking on the lower level. The new porch also provides a secondary transition around the structure to the ocean view, split-level patio. A 2nd phase included the suggestion of rebuilding the lower covered parking to include a roof deck, rooftop guest suite, and solar electricity, which was successfully completed. The property is now mildly reminiscent of the Sea Ranch community. With the blessing of year-round comfortable weather, and ever-changing, dynamic views, the successfully remodeled home takes full advantage for a new generation of colorful living. (photo by owner) "We are so happy with the results, and proud you’d include our place in your client list. We are extremely happy and will always tout your skills." -Bill & Janice, Camarillo

A handy, empty-nester couple, nearing retirement, sold their mansion, and purchased a fixer-upper on a sunlit hillside that features the spectacular ocean view of the Channel Islands. ENRarchitects was hired to assist with making minor enhancements to the plan, integrating the lower level parking court, and adding a patio deck. The owner, a retiring engineer, took on the responsibilities of general contracting during construction. Our collaboration included opening the kitchen to the Living-Dining space, so all can enjoy the ocean view. A balcony was added to second floor Master Study, with a new laundry room below it. Both bathrooms were modestly enlarged to provide more spacious showers. Lastly, the Entry Foyer was opened to ceiling height into the Living Room. In California, ocean views inherently include relentless west sunshine, and formidable interior heat gain. Multiple design studies explored various means to incorporate shading and solar screening measures to permit the view, and to reduce heat gain. Additional studies featured more substantial proposed additions, including a lower level guest suite, and a detached office. A key feature, is the addition of a raised, covered entry porch, where passengers and goods can be offloaded, prior to parking on the lower level. The new porch also provides a secondary transition around the structure to the ocean view, split-level patio. A 2nd phase included the suggestion of rebuilding the lower covered parking to include a roof deck, rooftop guest suite, and solar electricity, which was successfully completed. The property is now mildly reminiscent of the Sea Ranch community. With the blessing of year-round comfortable weather, and ever-changing, dynamic views, the successfully remodeled home takes full advantage for a new generation of colorful living. (photo by owner) "We are so happy with the results, and proud you’d include our place in your client list. We are extremely happy and will always tout your skills." -Bill & Janice, Camarillo

The Bunker House is a two-story house with a bomb shelter in the basement. A bunker house is a two-story residential building with a basement bomb shelter. In a short time, we had to equip the basement, master the "two walls" principle and properly seal the windows to protect ourselves and our family from the impact of the shock wave. Our priorities have changed when choosing a home - proximity to the city center or transportation hubs no longer matters. Moreover, SENCE ARCHITECTS also took care of other safety aspects. According to the rules, the storage has two distributed exits outside, each with light "hints" of the direction of evacuation. The basement area is sealed and equipped with a double ventilation system. This is a zone of guaranteed protection against missile attacks, poisonous or radioactive substances, combustion products, and bacteriological weapons. The first mode works on air recovery, providing a fresh flow of it in the absence of heat loss. The second is carried out by a filter ventilation unit — it cleans the outside air, and then distributes it to the compartments and creates excess pressure. Thus, contaminated air will not penetrate inside even through small cracks in protective structures. CONCEPTUAL SOLUTION The structures of the building itself are made of strong reinforced concrete — this way SENCE ARCHITECTS suggests abandoning "glass" facades. The number of windows has also been reduced: they will have a protective anti-shock film, and in case of an explosive wave, they will be closed with reinforced shutters made of fire-resistant plywood. At the entrance to the house and bomb shelter, armored doors are installed. Water is supplied from its own artesian well, electricity — from its own diesel power plant. This means that possible damage to infrastructure facilities will not affect the lives of residents in any way. The house is equipped with modern types of radio- and telephone communication, and satellite Internet, which will work even in the bomb shelter. The signaling and air-raid alert systems are to be installed too. The systems are powered autonomously and have backup channels. Overall, given its specificity, the house is designed for a family of 4-5 people. Size / 733 sq.m. Year / 2022

The Bunker House is a two-story house with a bomb shelter in the basement. A bunker house is a two-story residential building with a basement bomb shelter. In a short time, we had to equip the basement, master the "two walls" principle and properly seal the windows to protect ourselves and our family from the impact of the shock wave. Our priorities have changed when choosing a home - proximity to the city center or transportation hubs no longer matters. Moreover, SENCE ARCHITECTS also took care of other safety aspects. According to the rules, the storage has two distributed exits outside, each with light "hints" of the direction of evacuation. The basement area is sealed and equipped with a double ventilation system. This is a zone of guaranteed protection against missile attacks, poisonous or radioactive substances, combustion products, and bacteriological weapons. The first mode works on air recovery, providing a fresh flow of it in the absence of heat loss. The second is carried out by a filter ventilation unit — it cleans the outside air, and then distributes it to the compartments and creates excess pressure. Thus, contaminated air will not penetrate inside even through small cracks in protective structures. CONCEPTUAL SOLUTION The structures of the building itself are made of strong reinforced concrete — this way SENCE ARCHITECTS suggests abandoning "glass" facades. The number of windows has also been reduced: they will have a protective anti-shock film, and in case of an explosive wave, they will be closed with reinforced shutters made of fire-resistant plywood. At the entrance to the house and bomb shelter, armored doors are installed. Water is supplied from its own artesian well, electricity — from its own diesel power plant. This means that possible damage to infrastructure facilities will not affect the lives of residents in any way. The house is equipped with modern types of radio- and telephone communication, and satellite Internet, which will work even in the bomb shelter. The signaling and air-raid alert systems are to be installed too. The systems are powered autonomously and have backup channels. Overall, given its specificity, the house is designed for a family of 4-5 people. Size / 733 sq.m. Year / 2022