Bask in the glow of our perfectly proportioned, hand-hammered Copper Chiminea. The generous basin tapers into a smoke-reducing chimney, topped with a rain cap.

Majestic stacked stone columns form the foundation of this stunning spa and poolside pergola. Uplighting and moonlighting effects broadcast rich details of the natural earth tone textures as horizontal fountainheads spray into the illuminated waters.

Trendy kitchen photo in Los Angeles

photo by: David Papazian
Cottage l-shaped open concept kitchen photo in Portland with glass-front cabinets, beige cabinets, multicolored backsplash and stainless steel appliances

"Brandon Stengel - www.farmkidstudios.com”
Alcove shower - small contemporary gray tile, red tile and white tile alcove shower idea in Minneapolis with white walls, open cabinets and a two-piece toilet

Large modern multicolored two-story mixed siding gable roof idea in Dallas with a metal roof

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

With the appearance of hand-scraped hardwood that is unique from any other decking, the timeless style of the Legacy Collection will adapt to any decor from rustic and relaxed to elegant and modern. Legacy Collection is a line of capped composites that elevates your outdoor lifestyle - and scratch, stain and fade resistance, to a whole new level. Capped with a protective polymer shell, Legacy Collection is inspired by nature, improved by science and backed by an additional 25 Year Fade and Stain Warranty for total peace of mind. Show here are the Legacy Collections color Mocha, a deep, rich walnut color, and Pecan, a warm reddish-brown color.

Photography by Michael J. Lee
Living room - large transitional formal and enclosed dark wood floor living room idea in Boston with no tv and brown walls

East Sound, Puget Sound, Washington State Photography: Dale Lang
Mid-sized rustic gray one-story vinyl house exterior idea in Seattle with a shed roof and a metal roof

Modern Desert Home | Guest House | Imbue Design
Small trendy white one-story metal exterior home photo in Salt Lake City with a shed roof

Melissa Kaseman Photography Countertop: Luca di Luna Quartzite Chandelier: Restoration Hardware Sconces: Shades of Light Cabinet Hardware: Top Knobs Appliances: Albert Lee Hood: Custom Built with Tiger Wood Wrap Backsplash: Heath Tiles both 3 x 5 and Hexagon Refrigerator: Liebherr Dishwasher: Miele Range: Bluestar Hood Insert: Zephyr Faucets and Pot Filler: Waterstone Sinks: Kohler White Cabinet + Ceiling Color: SW7005 Pure White Island Cabinet Color: SW6516 Down Pour Wall Paint: SW7666 Fleur de Sel

Living Images Photography, LLC
Example of a mountain style master bathroom design in Denver with raised-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets and beige walls

The owners requested that their home harmonize with the spirit of the surrounding Colorado mountain setting and enhance their outdoor recreational lifestyle - while reflecting their contemporary architectural tastes. The site was burdened with a myriad of strict design criteria enforced by the neighborhood covenants and architectural review board. Creating a distinct design challenge, the covenants included a narrow interpretation of a “mountain style” home which established predetermined roof pitches, glazing percentages and material palettes - at direct odds with the client‘s vision of a flat-roofed, glass, “contemporary” home. Our solution finds inspiration and opportunities within the site covenant’s strict definitions. It promotes and celebrates the client’s outdoor lifestyle and resolves the definition of a contemporary “mountain style” home by reducing the architecture to its most basic vernacular forms and relying upon local materials. The home utilizes a simple base, middle and top that echoes the surrounding mountains and vegetation. The massing takes its cues from the prevalent lodgepole pine trees that grow at the mountain’s high altitudes. These pine trees have a distinct growth pattern, highlighted by a single vertical trunk and a peaked, densely foliated growth zone above a sparse base. This growth pattern is referenced by placing the wood-clad body of the home at the second story above an open base composed of wood posts and glass. A simple peaked roof rests lightly atop the home - visually floating above a triangular glass transom. The home itself is neatly inserted amongst an existing grove of lodgepole pines and oriented to take advantage of panoramic views of the adjacent meadow and Continental Divide beyond. The main functions of the house are arranged into public and private areas and this division is made apparent on the home’s exterior. Two large roof forms, clad in pre-patinated zinc, are separated by a sheltering central deck - which signals the main entry to the home. At this connection, the roof deck is opened to allow a cluster of aspen trees to grow – further reinforcing nature as an integral part of arrival. Outdoor living spaces are provided on all levels of the house and are positioned to take advantage of sunrise and sunset moments. The distinction between interior and exterior space is blurred via the use of large expanses of glass. The dry stacked stone base and natural cedar cladding both reappear within the home’s interior spaces. This home offers a unique solution to the client’s requests while satisfying the design requirements of the neighborhood covenants. The house provides a variety of indoor and outdoor living spaces that can be utilized in all seasons. Most importantly, the house takes its cues directly from its natural surroundings and local building traditions to become a prototype solution for the “modern mountain house”. Overview Ranch Creek Ranch Winter Park, Colorado Completion Date October, 2007 Services Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture

The barn is nestled perfectly in the landscape of the historic complex and engages directly with the pool and spa. Photography by Michael Partenio
Farmhouse backyard stone and custom-shaped hot tub photo in New York

Small Media Room. This project was an acoustic challenge, due to the hard surfaces in the room. Additionally, there is a bedroom directly above. A sound isolating system was installed to reduce sound migration from the in ceiling speakers and subwoofer to the room above. Control of the Media Room, as well as the motorized shades throughout the home, are all done using the iPad. Here you see the equipment rack with the custom door open.

Reduce your energy costs with a motorized Patio Sun & Wind Screen that will block up to 97% of the direct sunlight.
Example of a large trendy backyard stone patio design in Phoenix with an awning

Custom solar roller shades partially lowered in a modern sunroom sitting area to block direct overhead sun. The light-filtering fabric reduces glare while keeping lower windows clear for unobstructed landscape views.

The Cherry Road project is a humble yet striking example of how small changes can have a big impact. A meaningful project as the final room to be renovated in this house, thus our completion aligned with the family’s move-in. The kitchen posed a number of problems the design worked to remedy. Such as an existing window oriented the room towards a neighboring driveway. The initial design move sought to reorganize the space internally, focusing the view from the sink back through the house to the pool and courtyard beyond. This simple repositioning allowed the range to center on the opposite wall, flanked by two windows that reduce direct views to the driveway while increasing the natural light of the space. Opposite that opening to the dining room, we created a new custom hutch that has the upper doors bypass doors incorporate an antique mirror, then led they magnified the light and view opposite side of the room. The ceilings we were confined to eight foot four, so we wanted to create as much verticality as possible. All the cabinetry was designed to go to the ceiling, incorporating a simple coat mold at the ceiling. The west wall of the kitchen is primarily floor-to-ceiling storage behind paneled doors. So the refrigeration and freezers are fully integrated. The island has a custom steel base with hammered legs, with a natural wax finish on it. The top is soapstone and incorporates an integral drain board in the kitchen sink. We did custom bar stools with steel bases and upholstered seats. At the range, we incorporated stainless steel countertops to integrate with the range itself, to make that more seamless flow. The edge detail is historic from the 1930s. There is a concealed sort of office for the homeowner behind custom, bi-folding panel doors. So it can be closed and totally concealed, or opened up and engaged with the kitchen. In the office area, which was a former pantry, we repurposed a granite marble top that was on the former island. Then the walls have a grass cloth wall covering, which is pinnable, so the homeowner can display photographs, calendars, and schedules.