The owners of this 25-year old home always knew the existing kitchen needed help. The L shaped layout with a very small island did not make very good use of the space. Due to having two windows, five doorways and a sliding door, there wasn't adequate wall cabinet storage. so the challenge was to redesign the kitchen with more upper storage and enlarge the island. the client also wanted to add seating for three people or more and have a spacial place for entertaining. By modified the gallery kitchen layout, eliminating one window and relocating the appliances, a more functional and kitchen with larger island was possible. The cabinets along the bar area were reduced in depth to enable the island to be wider. A clean transitional design was accomplished by using cherry wood cabinets white quartz counter tops stainless steel appliances and glass tile with aluminum inserts. This kitchen now features a bi-level island with seating for four with a dedicated counter space for entertaining.

We were asked by the client to develop the rear of the property for entertaining family & friends. The wish list included a pool, a generous deck, a hot tub, a lounge area, a sunning deck, and a screened room retreat located within the trees. Pulling off the home’s contemporary architecture, we kept the design linear and simple. An 18 x 36 gunite pool with wedding cake style steps is the visual centerpiece of this back yard sanctuary. Two bluestone terraces are on either side of the pool; one supporting the chaise lounges that face south for optimum tanning while the other is home to the dining area that also provides a transition to the rest of the yard. Large bluestone steppers with lawn joints connect both areas without the heavy feel of a solid walkway. The existing deck was modified which allowed us to sink the hot tub into the frame. This reduced the overall height and kept the sight lines from the home’s interior intact. A vertical cedar screen was built for added privacy and that same material, albeit proportionally smaller, was used to wrap the hot tub for a cohesive look.

We were asked by the client to develop the rear of the property for entertaining family & friends. The wish list included a pool, a generous deck, a hot tub, a lounge area, a sunning deck, and a screened room retreat located within the trees. Pulling off the home’s contemporary architecture, we kept the design linear and simple. An 18 x 36 gunite pool with wedding cake style steps is the visual centerpiece of this back yard sanctuary. Two bluestone terraces are on either side of the pool; one supporting the chaise lounges that face south for optimum tanning while the other is home to the dining area that also provides a transition to the rest of the yard. Large bluestone steppers with lawn joints connect both areas without the heavy feel of a solid walkway. The existing deck was modified which allowed us to sink the hot tub into the frame. This reduced the overall height and kept the sight lines from the home’s interior intact. A vertical cedar screen was built for added privacy and that same material, albeit proportionally smaller, was used to wrap the hot tub for a cohesive look.

Mid-sized elegant u-shaped light wood floor enclosed kitchen photo in Portland with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, stone tile backsplash, black appliances and an island

We were asked by the client to develop the rear of the property for entertaining family & friends. The wish list included a pool, a generous deck, a hot tub, a lounge area, a sunning deck, and a screened room retreat located within the trees. Pulling off the home’s contemporary architecture, we kept the design linear and simple. An 18 x 36 gunite pool with wedding cake style steps is the visual centerpiece of this back yard sanctuary. Two bluestone terraces are on either side of the pool; one supporting the chaise lounges that face south for optimum tanning while the other is home to the dining area that also provides a transition to the rest of the yard. Large bluestone steppers with lawn joints connect both areas without the heavy feel of a solid walkway. The existing deck was modified which allowed us to sink the hot tub into the frame. This reduced the overall height and kept the sight lines from the home’s interior intact. A vertical cedar screen was built for added privacy and that same material, albeit proportionally smaller, was used to wrap the hot tub for a cohesive look.

A couple from the Chicago area created a home they can enjoy and reconnect with their fully grown sons and expanding families, to fish and ski. Reclaimed post and beam barn from Vermont as the primary focus with extensions leading to a master suite; garage and artist’s studio. A four bedroom home with ample space for entertaining with surrounding patio with an exterior fireplace Reclaimed board siding; stone and metal roofing

ALYS BEACH With sinuous architecture and a bright white stucco exterior popping against an endless backdrop of blue sky and sea, this Alys Beach vacation home feels like a resort in Santorini. The forty by forty foot lot and beautiful seaside-town setting presented an exciting building opportunity. Because of the small footprint, the design was elevated to use a tower as a focal point. This property was featured in LUXE magazine in 2016 and is the winner of the prestigious Palladio Award in 2018 as well as a Shutze award.

Darren M. Reynolds
Example of a large tuscan backyard water fountain deck design in San Francisco with a pergola

Whisper-quiet cellar cooling unit The compressor-free mechanism makes this wine cooling system whisper-quiet. Generating only 23dBA, the Cube° emits as little noise as an office computer. No moving parts are required since cooling is simply achieved through the movement of electrons, resulting in a soundless wine cellar cooling system. Ultra-silent fans located inside and outside the wine cellar are used for highly efficient thermal exchange. They represent the system’s single source of the noise. With a simple touch of the screen, the velocity of the fan may be modified thus reducing the unit’s sound level. The Cube° now makes it possible to install your wine cellar virtually anywhere, whether in a condo, an apartment or in a space where having a noisy unit is simply out of the question.

Mike Curtis
Example of a tuscan patio design in San Francisco

Blending contemporary forms and lush plantings, this Garden maximizes the sensory experience of the materials and planting from inside and outside the home. The garden occupies an interior courtyard framed by four interior walls. The home, designed by Architect Cliff May was built in 1948 and the following year was featured in House Beautiful Magazine. The clients list of needs and desires was brief. They wanted a space that would complement the mid century modern home and provide visual interest from inside the home. Some form of water was also requested. They had a budget of $30,000. In order to stay within their budget the clients performed the demolition of the old garden. The designer’s intent was to create a garden that would possess a clear sculptural quality and would be as visually striking from inside the home as it would be from inside the courtyard. The strategy behind the design was to use hardscape materials characterized by simple geometric forms and a planting palette that would emphasize form over color, and then to arrange the materials to achieve an interpretation of modern aesthetic. The views from inside the homes three main living rooms present the garden as a graphic composition of space, hardscape materials and planting. Inside the courtyard the edges are defined by stone and planting. The floor is composed of rectangular slabs of Teakwood flagstone with a counterpoint of Mexican beach pebbles set within the joints and around the edges. Concrete along the edges of the Teakwood pads reduces migration of the modified stone and sand base. The contrast of the Mexican beach pebbles accentuates the pattern of the flagstone. The outside perimeter of the pebbles is contained with low profile edging. An existing catch drain was utilized for storm water runoff. A concrete block pier set on a concrete footing is covered with black stucco and provides a perch for a custom made copper bowl that circulates water into the L shaped water feature. The water features subterranean basin is constructed of pressure treated wood with a custom box liner insert. Since the Teakwood flagstone was unavailable as coping for the water feature, the designer chose Shawnee Buff stone to complement the Teakwood flagstone. The subtle sound of water spilling from the copper bowl and the reflective qualities of the water help to create an atmosphere of relaxation. The planting is composed of shades of green with white flowers in order to accentuate the graphic design. ‘Justin Brouwer’ Boxwood, ‘Sum and Substance’ Hosta, white Anemones, black bamboo and ornamental grasses contrast dramatically with the clean lines of the hardscape elements. The black bamboo is set in 30” diameter concrete containers to control the vigorous plant from spreading. The construction of the interior courtyard space challenged the building team. They set up baffles between the front door and the door to the courtyard as well as temporary protection over the floor to allow the process to move forward without too much disturbance to the client’s lives. All of the materials were shuffled through the temporary portal. The clients love the space and recently said that “the design is so well thought out and simple that they would never get tired of it.” The designs sculptural quality compliments the modern feel of the home and creates a sublime yet dramatic view from within the house or within the courtyard. The clients plan to purchase two black Bertoia Diamond chairs with red cushions which should perfectly integrate with the space.

Robert Trent Jones Golf Club installs AirField Systems AirDrain. The AirField Systems AirDrain for Golf Greens installed at Robert Trent Jones, home of The President’s Cup, continues to perform since 2004. Stronger roots, healthier turf, superior drainage and the ability to make it’s own nearly perfect perched water table without organics make AirDrain Golf Greens by AirField the choice of the most discriminating golf course architects, designers, owners and superintendents – and the savings in time, installation and maintenance make it the choice for everyone. View AirDrain Golf Greens in action after years of use at one of the most prestigious courses on the east coast. Thru a research project conducted at Texas A&M, it was concluded that you can reduce your irrigation needs using AirField Systems AirDrain. The five year research project was jointly funded by the United States Golf Association and AirField Systems and was a collaborative effort between Texas A&M, AirField Systems and the United States Golf Association. The data from the research showed that the AirField Systems drainage profile provided between one to three more days of plant available water than a United States Golf Association recommended gravel and sand profile. In addition, AirDrain by AirField Systems can significantly save on installation time because much less excavation is required compared to the traditional gravel drainage layers that have a much deeper profile. AirDrain arrives on site in 53” trailers, palletized and ready for install. Unlike gravel drainage, with AirDrain there is no need for heavy dump trucks that can compact your golf course. Benefits of an AirField System Design for Golf Greens include: 1 to 3 more days of plant available water stored in the root zone (depending on climate) Significantly reduces daily irrigation needs (as told to us by our customers) Healthier turf / Stronger root system (as told to us by our customers) 100% Vertical Drainage under the entire playing surface AirDrain is a 100% recycled copolymer with the impact modifier “metallocene” qualifying it as a “No Break” plastic Helps eliminate standing water / Simplifies maintenance (as told to us by our customers) Minimal site disturbance / Far less excavation and disposal Several Installation days are saved over a gravel installation Compact shipping that reduces overall storage and transportation costs An AirDrain System sand profile creates its own perched water table without peat moss or clay AirDrain’s sand profile and minimal organics puts it at very little risk for issues of mold or disease http://www.rtjgc.com/Club/Scripts/Home/home.asp

Robert Trent Jones Golf Club installs AirField Systems AirDrain. The AirField Systems AirDrain for Golf Greens installed at Robert Trent Jones, home of The President’s Cup, continues to perform since 2004. Stronger roots, healthier turf, superior drainage and the ability to make it’s own nearly perfect perched water table without organics make AirDrain Golf Greens by AirField the choice of the most discriminating golf course architects, designers, owners and superintendents – and the savings in time, installation and maintenance make it the choice for everyone. View AirDrain Golf Greens in action after years of use at one of the most prestigious courses on the east coast. Thru a research project conducted at Texas A&M, it was concluded that you can reduce your irrigation needs using AirField Systems AirDrain. The five year research project was jointly funded by the United States Golf Association and AirField Systems and was a collaborative effort between Texas A&M, AirField Systems and the United States Golf Association. The data from the research showed that the AirField Systems drainage profile provided between one to three more days of plant available water than a United States Golf Association recommended gravel and sand profile. In addition, AirDrain by AirField Systems can significantly save on installation time because much less excavation is required compared to the traditional gravel drainage layers that have a much deeper profile. AirDrain arrives on site in 53” trailers, palletized and ready for install. Unlike gravel drainage, with AirDrain there is no need for heavy dump trucks that can compact your golf course. Benefits of an AirField System Design for Golf Greens include: 1 to 3 more days of plant available water stored in the root zone (depending on climate) Significantly reduces daily irrigation needs (as told to us by our customers) Healthier turf / Stronger root system (as told to us by our customers) 100% Vertical Drainage under the entire playing surface AirDrain is a 100% recycled copolymer with the impact modifier “metallocene” qualifying it as a “No Break” plastic Helps eliminate standing water / Simplifies maintenance (as told to us by our customers) Minimal site disturbance / Far less excavation and disposal Several Installation days are saved over a gravel installation Compact shipping that reduces overall storage and transportation costs An AirDrain System sand profile creates its own perched water table without peat moss or clay AirDrain’s sand profile and minimal organics puts it at very little risk for issues of mold or disease http://www.rtjgc.com/Club/Scripts/Home/home.asp

Robert Trent Jones Golf Club installs AirField Systems AirDrain. The AirField Systems AirDrain for Golf Greens installed at Robert Trent Jones, home of The President’s Cup, continues to perform since 2004. Stronger roots, healthier turf, superior drainage and the ability to make it’s own nearly perfect perched water table without organics make AirDrain Golf Greens by AirField the choice of the most discriminating golf course architects, designers, owners and superintendents – and the savings in time, installation and maintenance make it the choice for everyone. View AirDrain Golf Greens in action after years of use at one of the most prestigious courses on the east coast. Thru a research project conducted at Texas A&M, it was concluded that you can reduce your irrigation needs using AirField Systems AirDrain. The five year research project was jointly funded by the United States Golf Association and AirField Systems and was a collaborative effort between Texas A&M, AirField Systems and the United States Golf Association. The data from the research showed that the AirField Systems drainage profile provided between one to three more days of plant available water than a United States Golf Association recommended gravel and sand profile. In addition, AirDrain by AirField Systems can significantly save on installation time because much less excavation is required compared to the traditional gravel drainage layers that have a much deeper profile. AirDrain arrives on site in 53” trailers, palletized and ready for install. Unlike gravel drainage, with AirDrain there is no need for heavy dump trucks that can compact your golf course. Benefits of an AirField System Design for Golf Greens include: 1 to 3 more days of plant available water stored in the root zone (depending on climate) Significantly reduces daily irrigation needs (as told to us by our customers) Healthier turf / Stronger root system (as told to us by our customers) 100% Vertical Drainage under the entire playing surface AirDrain is a 100% recycled copolymer with the impact modifier “metallocene” qualifying it as a “No Break” plastic Helps eliminate standing water / Simplifies maintenance (as told to us by our customers) Minimal site disturbance / Far less excavation and disposal Several Installation days are saved over a gravel installation Compact shipping that reduces overall storage and transportation costs An AirDrain System sand profile creates its own perched water table without peat moss or clay AirDrain’s sand profile and minimal organics puts it at very little risk for issues of mold or disease http://www.rtjgc.com/Club/Scripts/Home/home.asp

Robert Trent Jones Golf Club installs AirField Systems AirDrain. The AirField Systems AirDrain for Golf Greens installed at Robert Trent Jones, home of The President’s Cup, continues to perform since 2004. Stronger roots, healthier turf, superior drainage and the ability to make it’s own nearly perfect perched water table without organics make AirDrain Golf Greens by AirField the choice of the most discriminating golf course architects, designers, owners and superintendents – and the savings in time, installation and maintenance make it the choice for everyone. View AirDrain Golf Greens in action after years of use at one of the most prestigious courses on the east coast. Thru a research project conducted at Texas A&M, it was concluded that you can reduce your irrigation needs using AirField Systems AirDrain. The five year research project was jointly funded by the United States Golf Association and AirField Systems and was a collaborative effort between Texas A&M, AirField Systems and the United States Golf Association. The data from the research showed that the AirField Systems drainage profile provided between one to three more days of plant available water than a United States Golf Association recommended gravel and sand profile. In addition, AirDrain by AirField Systems can significantly save on installation time because much less excavation is required compared to the traditional gravel drainage layers that have a much deeper profile. AirDrain arrives on site in 53” trailers, palletized and ready for install. Unlike gravel drainage, with AirDrain there is no need for heavy dump trucks that can compact your golf course. Benefits of an AirField System Design for Golf Greens include: 1 to 3 more days of plant available water stored in the root zone (depending on climate) Significantly reduces daily irrigation needs (as told to us by our customers) Healthier turf / Stronger root system (as told to us by our customers) 100% Vertical Drainage under the entire playing surface AirDrain is a 100% recycled copolymer with the impact modifier “metallocene” qualifying it as a “No Break” plastic Helps eliminate standing water / Simplifies maintenance (as told to us by our customers) Minimal site disturbance / Far less excavation and disposal Several Installation days are saved over a gravel installation Compact shipping that reduces overall storage and transportation costs An AirDrain System sand profile creates its own perched water table without peat moss or clay AirDrain’s sand profile and minimal organics puts it at very little risk for issues of mold or disease http://www.rtjgc.com/Club/Scripts/Home/home.asp

Blending contemporary forms and lush plantings, this Garden maximizes the sensory experience of the materials and planting from inside and outside the home. The garden occupies an interior courtyard framed by four interior walls. The home, designed by Architect Cliff May was built in 1948 and the following year was featured in House Beautiful Magazine. The clients list of needs and desires was brief. They wanted a space that would complement the mid century modern home and provide visual interest from inside the home. Some form of water was also requested. They had a budget of $30,000. In order to stay within their budget the clients performed the demolition of the old garden. The designer’s intent was to create a garden that would possess a clear sculptural quality and would be as visually striking from inside the home as it would be from inside the courtyard. The strategy behind the design was to use hardscape materials characterized by simple geometric forms and a planting palette that would emphasize form over color, and then to arrange the materials to achieve an interpretation of modern aesthetic. The views from inside the homes three main living rooms present the garden as a graphic composition of space, hardscape materials and planting. Inside the courtyard the edges are defined by stone and planting. The floor is composed of rectangular slabs of Teakwood flagstone with a counterpoint of Mexican beach pebbles set within the joints and around the edges. Concrete along the edges of the Teakwood pads reduces migration of the modified stone and sand base. The contrast of the Mexican beach pebbles accentuates the pattern of the flagstone. The outside perimeter of the pebbles is contained with low profile edging. An existing catch drain was utilized for storm water runoff. A concrete block pier set on a concrete footing is covered with black stucco and provides a perch for a custom made copper bowl that circulates water into the L shaped water feature. The water features subterranean basin is constructed of pressure treated wood with a custom box liner insert. Since the Teakwood flagstone was unavailable as coping for the water feature, the designer chose Shawnee Buff stone to complement the Teakwood flagstone. The subtle sound of water spilling from the copper bowl and the reflective qualities of the water help to create an atmosphere of relaxation. The planting is composed of shades of green with white flowers in order to accentuate the graphic design. ‘Justin Brouwer’ Boxwood, ‘Sum and Substance’ Hosta, white Anemones, black bamboo and ornamental grasses contrast dramatically with the clean lines of the hardscape elements. The black bamboo is set in 30” diameter concrete containers to control the vigorous plant from spreading. The construction of the interior courtyard space challenged the building team. They set up baffles between the front door and the door to the courtyard as well as temporary protection over the floor to allow the process to move forward without too much disturbance to the client’s lives. All of the materials were shuffled through the temporary portal. The clients love the space and recently said that “the design is so well thought out and simple that they would never get tired of it.” The designs sculptural quality compliments the modern feel of the home and creates a sublime yet dramatic view from within the house or within the courtyard. The clients plan to purchase two black Bertoia Diamond chairs with red cushions which should perfectly integrate with the space.

Nestled into the side of a mountain in the foothills west of Fort Collins CO, this home gives mountain views a whole new meaning. To achieve the homeowners’ desire for floor-to-ceiling windows in just about every room, we started by constructing a steel superstructure anchored to the granite bedrock. And then we basically filled it with wood and windows. Speaking of windows, huge sliding windows open up the kitchen to the covered outdoor kitchen, blurring the lines between indoors and out. Upstairs, the observation deck accesses the same view, only from above the pines. On the practical side, the exterior and interior wood lap and tile siding, with local stone accents, are both Nichiha brand products made from fiber cement. Nichiha siding is both fire resistant and weather resistant to give the homeowners peace of mind in the Colorado Front Range’s dry, sometimes challenging, climate. Similarly, the tongue-and-groove ceiling and soffit woodwork is Pakari, a wood product made by thermally modifying (i.e., baking) wood to make it more durable and fire resistant as well. The ballasted roof, accented by custom metal facia and built to handle the load from wet spring snows, also reduces the opportunity for flying embers to snag should a wildfire erupt near the home. This grand home isn’t without comforts, either. In-floor radiant heat keeps it toasty when it’s chilly out, and an EPA-approved wood-burning fireplace provides warmth and ambiance without nasty emissions. A full home automation system senses motion and turns on the lights as one progresses from room to room. And the two home offices make use of custom built-in desks and storage to frame the view. Who needs artwork?

Nestled into the side of a mountain in the foothills west of Fort Collins CO, this home gives mountain views a whole new meaning. To achieve the homeowners’ desire for floor-to-ceiling windows in just about every room, we started by constructing a steel superstructure anchored to the granite bedrock. And then we basically filled it with wood and windows. Speaking of windows, huge sliding windows open up the kitchen to the covered outdoor kitchen, blurring the lines between indoors and out. Upstairs, the observation deck accesses the same view, only from above the pines. On the practical side, the exterior and interior wood lap and tile siding, with local stone accents, are both Nichiha brand products made from fiber cement. Nichiha siding is both fire resistant and weather resistant to give the homeowners peace of mind in the Colorado Front Range’s dry, sometimes challenging, climate. Similarly, the tongue-and-groove ceiling and soffit woodwork is Pakari, a wood product made by thermally modifying (i.e., baking) wood to make it more durable and fire resistant as well. The ballasted roof, accented by custom metal facia and built to handle the load from wet spring snows, also reduces the opportunity for flying embers to snag should a wildfire erupt near the home. This grand home isn’t without comforts, either. In-floor radiant heat keeps it toasty when it’s chilly out, and an EPA-approved wood-burning fireplace provides warmth and ambiance without nasty emissions. A full home automation system senses motion and turns on the lights as one progresses from room to room. And the two home offices make use of custom built-in desks and storage to frame the view. Who needs artwork?

Nestled into the side of a mountain in the foothills west of Fort Collins CO, this home gives mountain views a whole new meaning. To achieve the homeowners’ desire for floor-to-ceiling windows in just about every room, we started by constructing a steel superstructure anchored to the granite bedrock. And then we basically filled it with wood and windows. Speaking of windows, huge sliding windows open up the kitchen to the covered outdoor kitchen, blurring the lines between indoors and out. Upstairs, the observation deck accesses the same view, only from above the pines. On the practical side, the exterior and interior wood lap and tile siding, with local stone accents, are both Nichiha brand products made from fiber cement. Nichiha siding is both fire resistant and weather resistant to give the homeowners peace of mind in the Colorado Front Range’s dry, sometimes challenging, climate. Similarly, the tongue-and-groove ceiling and soffit woodwork is Pakari, a wood product made by thermally modifying (i.e., baking) wood to make it more durable and fire resistant as well. The ballasted roof, accented by custom metal facia and built to handle the load from wet spring snows, also reduces the opportunity for flying embers to snag should a wildfire erupt near the home. This grand home isn’t without comforts, either. In-floor radiant heat keeps it toasty when it’s chilly out, and an EPA-approved wood-burning fireplace provides warmth and ambiance without nasty emissions. A full home automation system senses motion and turns on the lights as one progresses from room to room. And the two home offices make use of custom built-in desks and storage to frame the view. Who needs artwork?