Fountains add the soothing sound of running water to your landscape. Butterflies and birds love these fountains.
Inspiration for a rustic backyard water fountain landscape in Chicago.

Sleek lines.Slender cable railings ny Keuka Studios, inc.
Example of a minimalist exterior home design in New York

Ryann Ford
Inspiration for a cottage home design remodel in Austin

Inspiration for a transitional landscaping in San Francisco.

ZeroEnergy Design (ZED) created this modern home for a progressive family in the desirable community of Lexington. Thoughtful Land Connection. The residence is carefully sited on the infill lot so as to create privacy from the road and neighbors, while cultivating a side yard that captures the southern sun. The terraced grade rises to meet the house, allowing for it to maintain a structured connection with the ground while also sitting above the high water table. The elevated outdoor living space maintains a strong connection with the indoor living space, while the stepped edge ties it back to the true ground plane. Siting and outdoor connections were completed by ZED in collaboration with landscape designer Soren Deniord Design Studio. Exterior Finishes and Solar. The exterior finish materials include a palette of shiplapped wood siding, through-colored fiber cement panels and stucco. A rooftop parapet hides the solar panels above, while a gutter and site drainage system directs rainwater into an irrigation cistern and dry wells that recharge the groundwater. Cooking, Dining, Living. Inside, the kitchen, fabricated by Henrybuilt, is located between the indoor and outdoor dining areas. The expansive south-facing sliding door opens to seamlessly connect the spaces, using a retractable awning to provide shade during the summer while still admitting the warming winter sun. The indoor living space continues from the dining areas across to the sunken living area, with a view that returns again to the outside through the corner wall of glass. Accessible Guest Suite. The design of the first level guest suite provides for both aging in place and guests who regularly visit for extended stays. The patio off the north side of the house affords guests their own private outdoor space, and privacy from the neighbor. Similarly, the second level master suite opens to an outdoor private roof deck. Light and Access. The wide open interior stair with a glass panel rail leads from the top level down to the well insulated basement. The design of the basement, used as an away/play space, addresses the need for both natural light and easy access. In addition to the open stairwell, light is admitted to the north side of the area with a high performance, Passive House (PHI) certified skylight, covering a six by sixteen foot area. On the south side, a unique roof hatch set flush with the deck opens to reveal a glass door at the base of the stairwell which provides additional light and access from the deck above down to the play space. Energy. Energy consumption is reduced by the high performance building envelope, high efficiency mechanical systems, and then offset with renewable energy. All windows and doors are made of high performance triple paned glass with thermally broken aluminum frames. The exterior wall assembly employs dense pack cellulose in the stud cavity, a continuous air barrier, and four inches exterior rigid foam insulation. The 10kW rooftop solar electric system provides clean energy production. The final air leakage testing yielded 0.6 ACH 50 - an extremely air tight house, a testament to the well-designed details, progress testing and quality construction. When compared to a new house built to code requirements, this home consumes only 19% of the energy. Architecture & Energy Consulting: ZeroEnergy Design Landscape Design: Soren Deniord Design Paintings: Bernd Haussmann Studio Photos: Eric Roth Photography

Jonathan Reece
Mid-sized transitional brown backyard and two-story gravel and wood gable roof photo in Portland Maine with a fire pit, no cover and a metal roof

SGA designed this 140,000 sq ft building, completed in 2015, to provide 150 residential units, 6,000 sq ft of retail space, and parking. The building is comprised of four levels and a penthouse with a roof garden, and two levels of below-grade parking. The building was designed with environmentally friendly principles in mind in the interest of reducing its impact on the community. A green roof system reduces the heat effect on the neighborhood as well as the impact on the storm water sewer system, while increasing the building’s energy efficiency.

SGA designed this 140,000 sq ft building, completed in 2015, to provide 150 residential units, 6,000 sq ft of retail space, and parking. The building is comprised of four levels and a penthouse with a roof garden, and two levels of below-grade parking. The building was designed with environmentally friendly principles in mind in the interest of reducing its impact on the community. A green roof system reduces the heat effect on the neighborhood as well as the impact on the storm water sewer system, while increasing the building’s energy efficiency.

SGA designed this 140,000 sq ft building, completed in 2015, to provide 150 residential units, 6,000 sq ft of retail space, and parking. The building is comprised of four levels and a penthouse with a roof garden, and two levels of below-grade parking. The building was designed with environmentally friendly principles in mind in the interest of reducing its impact on the community. A green roof system reduces the heat effect on the neighborhood as well as the impact on the storm water sewer system, while increasing the building’s energy efficiency.

SGA designed this 140,000 sq ft building, completed in 2015, to provide 150 residential units, 6,000 sq ft of retail space, and parking. The building is comprised of four levels and a penthouse with a roof garden, and two levels of below-grade parking. The building was designed with environmentally friendly principles in mind in the interest of reducing its impact on the community. A green roof system reduces the heat effect on the neighborhood as well as the impact on the storm water sewer system, while increasing the building’s energy efficiency.

SGA designed this 140,000 sq ft building, completed in 2015, to provide 150 residential units, 6,000 sq ft of retail space, and parking. The building is comprised of four levels and a penthouse with a roof garden, and two levels of below-grade parking. The building was designed with environmentally friendly principles in mind in the interest of reducing its impact on the community. A green roof system reduces the heat effect on the neighborhood as well as the impact on the storm water sewer system, while increasing the building’s energy efficiency.

Accent on Design’s was able to assist this homeowner in downsizing to a senior retirement community at Temelec in Sonoma, California. Downsizing can be very demanding and using an experienced Interior Designer can reduce the stress. Marty over saw the complete design and remodel of this project and was able to retain the touch of elegance this client had in her previous larger home.

Accent on Design’s was able to assist this homeowner in downsizing to a senior retirement community at Temelec in Sonoma, California. Downsizing can be very demanding and using an experienced Interior Designer can reduce the stress. Marty over saw the complete design and remodel of this project and was able to retain the touch of elegance this client had in her previous larger home.

Owner wanted to sell and appeal to younger buyers - focus was on reducing clutter/minimizing accents and updating spaces with lighter finishes and more youthful furnishings. Print was purchased at Home Goods and used as the focal point to drive design/color for rest of room. Home is in Oceanside community so the intent was to go for a beachy, relaxed feel throughout.

Accent on Design’s was able to assist this homeowner in downsizing to a senior retirement community at Temelec in Sonoma, California. Downsizing can be very demanding and using an experienced Interior Designer can reduce the stress. Marty over saw the complete design and remodel of this project and was able to retain the touch of elegance this client had in her previous larger home.

Accent on Design’s was able to assist this homeowner in downsizing to a senior retirement community at Temelec in Sonoma, California. Downsizing can be very demanding and using an experienced Interior Designer can reduce the stress. Marty over saw the complete design and remodel of this project and was able to retain the touch of elegance this client had in her previous larger home.

Accent on Design’s was able to assist this homeowner in downsizing to a senior retirement community at Temelec in Sonoma, California. Downsizing can be very demanding and using an experienced Interior Designer can reduce the stress. Marty over saw the complete design and remodel of this project and was able to retain the touch of elegance this client had in her previous larger home.

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

Accent on Design’s was able to assist this homeowner in downsizing to a senior retirement community at Temelec in Sonoma, California. Downsizing can be very demanding and using an experienced Interior Designer can reduce the stress. Marty over saw the complete design and remodel of this project and was able to retain the touch of elegance this client had in her previous larger home.