This custom new construction home is a full ground-up build, designed to merge modern architectural features with subtle mid-century references for a timeless yet family-friendly home. Built for a young family, the design achieves the perfect balance of style, comfort, and luxury detail. Exterior & Architecture The home features a clean modern profile with dove gray smooth stucco, black frame Milgard Tuscany windows, and a standing seam metal roof with multiple monopitched overhangs that create striking rooflines. First Floor The interior layout flows with an open concept kitchen and living room, complemented by a home office/bedroom and guest spaces. The kitchen is the heart of the home, designed with custom oak Euro-style flat door cabinetry, Dekton Marmorio stone countertops and backsplash, and a waterfall island centerpiece. A custom limestone plaster hood cover provides a sculptural focal point. The space is elevated with Bosch appliances and statement lighting choices that bring warmth and character. Second Floor The upper level includes bedrooms for the children, each with private bathrooms styled with wallpaper and playful lighting. The laundry room was designed for functionality, featuring two-tone cabinetry, quartzite countertops, and rounded subway tile backsplash. Primary Suite The primary bedroom features a white oak paneling statement wall set on a dark backdrop with pendant lighting. The suite includes a spacious walk-in closet and a luxurious bathroom with a freestanding tub, curbless shower with custom quartzite shelving, a smart toilet nook, and a custom oak vanity with stone-fabricated sinks. 48x48 ceramic tiles with precise mitered edges complete the spa-like atmosphere. General Highlights Throughout the home, thoughtful modern elements tie everything together: SPC natural oak-look plank flooring, custom black iron railings, trimless kerfed doors, 9’ ceilings, recessed lighting, dual HVAC systems, and an interior fire sprinkler system. This new construction showcases what’s possible when combining modern architecture, warm custom details, and functional family living into one cohesive home.

On a quiet street just steps from San Francisco’s beloved Dolores Park, a formerly modest urban structure has been transformed into a luminous vertical residence that quietly redefines contemporary city living. Through a comprehensive remodel and both vertical and horizontal expansion, the project turns a constrained urban footprint into a sequence of serene, art-forward living spaces that unfold upward toward expansive city views. The architecture balances restraint and warmth: crisp contemporary geometry softened by natural materials, artful lighting, and carefully curated interiors. The result is a home that feels simultaneously grounded and elevated—deeply connected to its neighborhood yet remarkably private. Reimagining the Urban Envelope The original building has been almost entirely reconceived. The facade now reads as a disciplined composition of plaster volumes and precisely detailed window openings framed by subtle projecting bands. The geometry references San Francisco’s classic rhythm of bayed facades while stripping the language down to a refined modern expression. Behind this quiet exterior lies a dramatically expanded interior volume. The redesign adds both additional floor area and new vertical circulation, transforming what was once a conventional city house into a multi-level architectural sequence organized around light, art, and views. At the roofline, planted terraces soften the building’s silhouette and create a green crown visible from surrounding hillsides. Interiors as a Sequence of Galleries Inside, the home unfolds as a series of spatial moments connected by a sculptural stair and gallery-like corridors. Wide plank oak floors run throughout, providing continuity and warmth against a palette of plaster walls, dark steel detailing, and natural stone. The hallways function almost as curated galleries, with layered artworks suspended in front of mesh panels that create depth and subtle shadow. Light filters through carefully placed windows and stair openings, transforming circulation spaces into contemplative transitions rather than mere passageways. A Living Room Anchored by Stone and Light The primary living room occupies one of the home’s central floors, where a quiet interplay of texture and geometry defines the space. A monumental fireplace wrapped in dark stone forms the room’s anchor, its mass contrasting with a recessed ceiling plane that seems to float above the seating area. Integrated perimeter lighting creates a soft architectural glow that washes the ceiling and walls. Furniture is sculptural yet understated—rounded lounge chairs in warm ochre velvet, tailored sofas, and a striking marble cocktail table whose expressive veining becomes a focal artwork in itself. Deep blue carpeting grounds the seating arrangement and subtly absorbs light, enhancing the calm atmosphere. Above the fireplace, a delicate projection artwork introduces a moment of visual poetry—an unexpected cinematic gesture that transforms the wall into a quietly animated canvas. Kitchen as Architectural Furniture The kitchen expresses a different register: crisp, tactile, and materially rich. Custom walnut cabinetry spans the wall in a continuous plane, punctuated only by the sculpted hood and integrated appliances. The wood’s depth and warmth are balanced by expanses of pale marble that flow seamlessly from countertop to backsplash. Three dome pendants hover above the island like industrial sculptures, casting pools of warm light onto the stone surface. A row of vivid red stools introduces a controlled burst of color, a small but confident departure from the otherwise restrained palette. Dining With a Living Backdrop Adjacent to the kitchen, the dining room opens toward a glass wall overlooking a vertical garden of climbing ivy. The greenery becomes a constantly changing backdrop—lush and shadowy during the day, atmospheric and cinematic after sunset. A dark wood table anchors the room, surrounded by pale oak chairs whose understated forms echo Scandinavian design traditions. The simplicity of the furniture allows the view and natural light to become the dominant experience. Intimate Spaces and Material Contrast Throughout the home, smaller rooms offer moments of intimacy and material experimentation. The powder room pairs textured wall coverings with a dramatic black marble vanity whose bold veining feels almost geological. A suspended mirror and slender pendant create a sculptural composition against the tactile backdrop. The primary bedroom, by contrast, feels serene and expansive. Floor-to-ceiling glazing frames sweeping views of the city, while soft textiles and warm wood paneling create a cocooning effect. Slender black columns subtly define a sitting area without interrupting the openness of the space. Bathing Above the City In the primary bathroom, a sculptural freestanding tub sits beside a panoramic window overlooking San Francisco’s hills and rooftops. The room’s palette—light oak, grey stone, and matte metals—reinforces the spa-like atmosphere. Floating cabinetry and integrated lighting maintain a sense of visual lightness despite the richness of the materials. Entertaining Above the Park Higher in the house, a lounge and bar area becomes the social heart of the home. Here, dark stone slabs with dramatic veining wrap the bar wall like a piece of monumental art. Open shelving displays glassware and spirits, while integrated wine storage hints at the home’s entertaining ambitions. A soft leather sectional and low glass table create a relaxed setting for conversation, framed by expansive views of the city skyline. Cinema and Retreat The lower level introduces yet another atmosphere: a dedicated media room designed for immersive viewing. Dark walls, plush seating, and soft lighting create a cinematic environment that contrasts intentionally with the airy upper floors. It’s a retreat within the home—intimate, quiet, and removed from the brightness above. Architecture That Balances Discipline and Warmth What makes the project particularly compelling is its balance between architectural discipline and lived warmth. Every element—from the carefully framed views to the restrained material palette—contributes to a cohesive spatial narrative. Yet the home never feels austere. Natural materials, curated art, and layered lighting create a sense of comfort and depth. The result is a house that feels both architecturally rigorous and deeply human. A Contemporary Interpretation of San Francisco Living In a neighborhood defined by historic homes and iconic park views, this transformation offers a contemporary interpretation of San Francisco living. It respects the city’s urban density while embracing openness, light, and vertical living. The home rises quietly above its surroundings, culminating in panoramic vistas that stretch across rooftops, hills, and sky. What began as a conventional structure has become something far more nuanced: a modern urban sanctuary—part gallery, part retreat, and wholly connected to the vibrant city just beyond its walls.

With their children launched, our Clients were relocating to Coastal Maine and wanted to simplify their living arrangements. The resulting design was a clean lined and bright space with considerations for the coming years, including a master suite on the first floor, a workshop, and an income-generating rental unit. On the first floor, a double height Great Room is anchored by a fireplace and includes a kitchen, dining and living room. Large windows bring in ample natural light and offer views out onto the back of the property. A master suite wing provides private space on the lower floor. The design also features guest rooms and a guest bath on the upper level, as well as an attached workshop. A separately entered rental unit is located above the workshop and is designed to ensure full separation from the primary living space. A farmer’s porch, board and batten siding and shingles all reference traditional New England architecture.

With their children launched, our Clients were relocating to Coastal Maine and wanted to simplify their living arrangements. The resulting design was a clean lined and bright space with considerations for the coming years, including a master suite on the first floor, a workshop, and an income-generating rental unit. On the first floor, a double height Great Room is anchored by a fireplace and includes a kitchen, dining and living room. Large windows bring in ample natural light and offer views out onto the back of the property. A master suite wing provides private space on the lower floor. The design also features guest rooms and a guest bath on the upper level, as well as an attached workshop. A separately entered rental unit is located above the workshop and is designed to ensure full separation from the primary living space. A farmer’s porch, board and batten siding and shingles all reference traditional New England architecture.

This condo is located in Williams Island Aventura, Florida. It features a complex integration with a four link music distribution system. Stereo in the Master Bedroom, Master Bathroom, Patio; and Dolby pro & DTS 5.1 Surround Sound in the Living Room. Using a swivel free standing TV from Bang & Olufsen the BeoVision 5 TV has a "1080p Broadcast grade Plasma display", built in BeoSystem 1 scaler and decoder, built in BeoLab 4000 as center channel. BeoSound 9000 as an Audio Source, a wall mounted iMac as media server source in the kitchen bar, Bang & Olufsen BeoLab 1, and Martin Logan speakers, this home theater has a great sound reproduction and a clean modern look. V. Gonzalo Martinez

Located six feet from the sand, this residence seeks to reframe the contextual reference of its inhabitants in order to mitigate its highly trafficked location and create a private beach retreat. In parallel to its unobstructed ocean view, the design carves out infinite pockets of nature within the architecture. From the dining room’s bamboo garden to the expansive skylight above the stairwell, moments of serenity have been carefully composed throughout the home in order to make each frame as infinite as the horizon line of the Pacific Ocean.

Creo Concepts is a landscape construction company based in Elora, Ontario. We seek to be leaders in innovative, European landscape designs to enhance properties for generations to come. We are proud to be the first company in Ontario to make hand-crafted Cruck Marquee Tents available for purchase. Whether it’s used for a corporate event or in a private back yard, the Cruck Marquee Tent combines function and design. “Cruck” refers to the pair of curved timbers that defines the structure. Originating in Medieval Europe, the cruck frame epitomizes old-world craftsmanship. The cruck frame is exceptionally strong and can support a heavy load, that, combined with traditional mortise and tenon joinery produces a structure that will stand the test of time. The Cruck Marquee comes with a 9 oz. canvas that will not only provide shade from the sun but will also protect from the rain. Optional side canvases and hardwood tent poles are also available to extend coverage and allow spaces for side tables and other furnishings. The structure can be placed on a patio or even on the lawn on its timber “feet.” Set up and take down is easy with wood pegs fastening the mortise and tenon joinery of the frame.

This custom new construction home is a full ground-up build, designed to merge modern architectural features with subtle mid-century references for a timeless yet family-friendly home. Built for a young family, the design achieves the perfect balance of style, comfort, and luxury detail. Exterior & Architecture The home features a clean modern profile with dove gray smooth stucco, black frame Milgard Tuscany windows, and a standing seam metal roof with multiple monopitched overhangs that create striking rooflines. First Floor The interior layout flows with an open concept kitchen and living room, complemented by a home office/bedroom and guest spaces. The kitchen is the heart of the home, designed with custom oak Euro-style flat door cabinetry, Dekton Marmorio stone countertops and backsplash, and a waterfall island centerpiece. A custom limestone plaster hood cover provides a sculptural focal point. The space is elevated with Bosch appliances and statement lighting choices that bring warmth and character. Second Floor The upper level includes bedrooms for the children, each with private bathrooms styled with wallpaper and playful lighting. The laundry room was designed for functionality, featuring two-tone cabinetry, quartzite countertops, and rounded subway tile backsplash. Primary Suite The primary bedroom features a white oak paneling statement wall set on a dark backdrop with pendant lighting. The suite includes a spacious walk-in closet and a luxurious bathroom with a freestanding tub, curbless shower with custom quartzite shelving, a smart toilet nook, and a custom oak vanity with stone-fabricated sinks. 48x48 ceramic tiles with precise mitered edges complete the spa-like atmosphere. General Highlights Throughout the home, thoughtful modern elements tie everything together: SPC natural oak-look plank flooring, custom black iron railings, trimless kerfed doors, 9’ ceilings, recessed lighting, dual HVAC systems, and an interior fire sprinkler system. This new construction showcases what’s possible when combining modern architecture, warm custom details, and functional family living into one cohesive home.

Located six feet from the sand, this residence seeks to reframe the contextual reference of its inhabitants in order to mitigate its highly trafficked location and create a private beach retreat. In parallel to its unobstructed ocean view, the design carves out infinite pockets of nature within the architecture. From the dining room’s bamboo garden to the expansive skylight above the stairwell, moments of serenity have been carefully composed throughout the home in order to make each frame as infinite as the horizon line of the Pacific Ocean.

Off the back of the house is a very private deck made of Azek. It has a redwood cedar open trellis over the hot tub. The stone walkway was constructed out of reclaimed Belgian block and was laid in circular pattern. In this classic English Tudor home located in Penn Valley, PA, we renovated the kitchen, mudroom, deck, patio, and the exterior walkways and driveway. The European kitchen features high end finishes and appliances, and heated floors for year-round comfort! The outdoor areas are spacious and inviting. The open trellis over the hot tub provides just the right amount of shelter. These clients were referred to us by their architect, and we had a great time working with them to mix classic European styles in with contemporary, current spaces. Rudloff Custom Builders has won Best of Houzz for Customer Service in 2014, 2015 2016, 2017 and 2019. We also were voted Best of Design in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 which only 2% of professionals receive. Rudloff Custom Builders has been featured on Houzz in their Kitchen of the Week, What to Know About Using Reclaimed Wood in the Kitchen as well as included in their Bathroom WorkBook article. We are a full service, certified remodeling company that covers all of the Philadelphia suburban area. This business, like most others, developed from a friendship of young entrepreneurs who wanted to make a difference in their clients’ lives, one household at a time. This relationship between partners is much more than a friendship. Edward and Stephen Rudloff are brothers who have renovated and built custom homes together paying close attention to detail. They are carpenters by trade and understand concept and execution. Rudloff Custom Builders will provide services for you with the highest level of professionalism, quality, detail, punctuality and craftsmanship, every step of the way along our journey together. Specializing in residential construction allows us to connect with our clients early in the design phase to ensure that every detail is captured as you imagined. One stop shopping is essentially what you will receive with Rudloff Custom Builders from design of your project to the construction of your dreams, executed by on-site project managers and skilled craftsmen. Our concept: envision our client’s ideas and make them a reality. Our mission: CREATING LIFETIME RELATIONSHIPS BUILT ON TRUST AND INTEGRITY. Photo Credit: Linda McManus Images

Amia Fa
Inspiration for a scandinavian home design remodel in Other

This residence was a complete gut renovation of a 4-story row house in Park Slope, and included a new rear extension and penthouse addition. The owners wished to create a warm, family home using a modern language that would act as a clean canvas to feature rich textiles and items from their world travels. As with most Brooklyn row houses, the existing house suffered from a lack of natural light and connection to exterior spaces, an issue that Principal Brendan Coburn is acutely aware of from his experience re-imagining historic structures in the New York area. The resulting architecture is designed around moments featuring natural light and views to the exterior, of both the private garden and the sky, throughout the house, and a stripped-down language of detailing and finishes allows for the concept of the modern-natural to shine. Upon entering the home, the kitchen and dining space draw you in with views beyond through the large glazed opening at the rear of the house. An extension was built to allow for a large sunken living room that provides a family gathering space connected to the kitchen and dining room, but remains distinctly separate, with a strong visual connection to the rear garden. The open sculptural stair tower was designed to function like that of a traditional row house stair, but with a smaller footprint. By extending it up past the original roof level into the new penthouse, the stair becomes an atmospheric shaft for the spaces surrounding the core. All types of weather – sunshine, rain, lightning, can be sensed throughout the home through this unifying vertical environment. The stair space also strives to foster family communication, making open living spaces visible between floors. At the upper-most level, a free-form bench sits suspended over the stair, just by the new roof deck, which provides at-ease entertaining. Oak was used throughout the home as a unifying material element. As one travels upwards within the house, the oak finishes are bleached to further degrees as a nod to how light enters the home. The owners worked with CWB to add their own personality to the project. The meter of a white oak and blackened steel stair screen was designed by the family to read “I love you” in Morse Code, and tile was selected throughout to reference places that hold special significance to the family. To support the owners’ comfort, the architectural design engages passive house technologies to reduce energy use, while increasing air quality within the home – a strategy which aims to respect the environment while providing a refuge from the harsh elements of urban living. This project was published by Wendy Goodman as her Space of the Week, part of New York Magazine’s Design Hunting on The Cut. Photography by Kevin Kunstadt

On a quiet street just steps from San Francisco’s beloved Dolores Park, a formerly modest urban structure has been transformed into a luminous vertical residence that quietly redefines contemporary city living. Through a comprehensive remodel and both vertical and horizontal expansion, the project turns a constrained urban footprint into a sequence of serene, art-forward living spaces that unfold upward toward expansive city views. The architecture balances restraint and warmth: crisp contemporary geometry softened by natural materials, artful lighting, and carefully curated interiors. The result is a home that feels simultaneously grounded and elevated—deeply connected to its neighborhood yet remarkably private. Reimagining the Urban Envelope The original building has been almost entirely reconceived. The facade now reads as a disciplined composition of plaster volumes and precisely detailed window openings framed by subtle projecting bands. The geometry references San Francisco’s classic rhythm of bayed facades while stripping the language down to a refined modern expression. Behind this quiet exterior lies a dramatically expanded interior volume. The redesign adds both additional floor area and new vertical circulation, transforming what was once a conventional city house into a multi-level architectural sequence organized around light, art, and views. At the roofline, planted terraces soften the building’s silhouette and create a green crown visible from surrounding hillsides. Interiors as a Sequence of Galleries Inside, the home unfolds as a series of spatial moments connected by a sculptural stair and gallery-like corridors. Wide plank oak floors run throughout, providing continuity and warmth against a palette of plaster walls, dark steel detailing, and natural stone. The hallways function almost as curated galleries, with layered artworks suspended in front of mesh panels that create depth and subtle shadow. Light filters through carefully placed windows and stair openings, transforming circulation spaces into contemplative transitions rather than mere passageways. A Living Room Anchored by Stone and Light The primary living room occupies one of the home’s central floors, where a quiet interplay of texture and geometry defines the space. A monumental fireplace wrapped in dark stone forms the room’s anchor, its mass contrasting with a recessed ceiling plane that seems to float above the seating area. Integrated perimeter lighting creates a soft architectural glow that washes the ceiling and walls. Furniture is sculptural yet understated—rounded lounge chairs in warm ochre velvet, tailored sofas, and a striking marble cocktail table whose expressive veining becomes a focal artwork in itself. Deep blue carpeting grounds the seating arrangement and subtly absorbs light, enhancing the calm atmosphere. Above the fireplace, a delicate projection artwork introduces a moment of visual poetry—an unexpected cinematic gesture that transforms the wall into a quietly animated canvas. Kitchen as Architectural Furniture The kitchen expresses a different register: crisp, tactile, and materially rich. Custom walnut cabinetry spans the wall in a continuous plane, punctuated only by the sculpted hood and integrated appliances. The wood’s depth and warmth are balanced by expanses of pale marble that flow seamlessly from countertop to backsplash. Three dome pendants hover above the island like industrial sculptures, casting pools of warm light onto the stone surface. A row of vivid red stools introduces a controlled burst of color, a small but confident departure from the otherwise restrained palette. Dining With a Living Backdrop Adjacent to the kitchen, the dining room opens toward a glass wall overlooking a vertical garden of climbing ivy. The greenery becomes a constantly changing backdrop—lush and shadowy during the day, atmospheric and cinematic after sunset. A dark wood table anchors the room, surrounded by pale oak chairs whose understated forms echo Scandinavian design traditions. The simplicity of the furniture allows the view and natural light to become the dominant experience. Intimate Spaces and Material Contrast Throughout the home, smaller rooms offer moments of intimacy and material experimentation. The powder room pairs textured wall coverings with a dramatic black marble vanity whose bold veining feels almost geological. A suspended mirror and slender pendant create a sculptural composition against the tactile backdrop. The primary bedroom, by contrast, feels serene and expansive. Floor-to-ceiling glazing frames sweeping views of the city, while soft textiles and warm wood paneling create a cocooning effect. Slender black columns subtly define a sitting area without interrupting the openness of the space. Bathing Above the City In the primary bathroom, a sculptural freestanding tub sits beside a panoramic window overlooking San Francisco’s hills and rooftops. The room’s palette—light oak, grey stone, and matte metals—reinforces the spa-like atmosphere. Floating cabinetry and integrated lighting maintain a sense of visual lightness despite the richness of the materials. Entertaining Above the Park Higher in the house, a lounge and bar area becomes the social heart of the home. Here, dark stone slabs with dramatic veining wrap the bar wall like a piece of monumental art. Open shelving displays glassware and spirits, while integrated wine storage hints at the home’s entertaining ambitions. A soft leather sectional and low glass table create a relaxed setting for conversation, framed by expansive views of the city skyline. Cinema and Retreat The lower level introduces yet another atmosphere: a dedicated media room designed for immersive viewing. Dark walls, plush seating, and soft lighting create a cinematic environment that contrasts intentionally with the airy upper floors. It’s a retreat within the home—intimate, quiet, and removed from the brightness above. Architecture That Balances Discipline and Warmth What makes the project particularly compelling is its balance between architectural discipline and lived warmth. Every element—from the carefully framed views to the restrained material palette—contributes to a cohesive spatial narrative. Yet the home never feels austere. Natural materials, curated art, and layered lighting create a sense of comfort and depth. The result is a house that feels both architecturally rigorous and deeply human. A Contemporary Interpretation of San Francisco Living In a neighborhood defined by historic homes and iconic park views, this transformation offers a contemporary interpretation of San Francisco living. It respects the city’s urban density while embracing openness, light, and vertical living. The home rises quietly above its surroundings, culminating in panoramic vistas that stretch across rooftops, hills, and sky. What began as a conventional structure has become something far more nuanced: a modern urban sanctuary—part gallery, part retreat, and wholly connected to the vibrant city just beyond its walls.

This compact but spacious apartment is located in Capitol Hill, Washington DC. It features a comprehensive systems integration with two link music distribution system. Stereo in the Master bedroom, and Dolby Pro & DTS 5.1 Surround sound in the Living room, using a Bang & Olufsen BeoVision 4 “1080p Broadcast grade Plasma display”, BeoSystem 1 as main decoder, BeoCenter 2 as an Audio & Video Source, BeoSound 5 Media Player as Audio & Pictures Source, Kaleidescape Media Player as Video & Audio Source, Bang & Olufsen BeoLab 4000, BeoLab 3, and BeoLab 2 Subwoofer, using Acoustic Lent Technology® through most loudspeakers for good sound image reproduction. AXIS Communications Network Video Cameras for Surveillance, and Ruckus Wireless for the best high performance Wi-Fi available to man kind. V. Gonzalo Martinez

Off the back of the house is a very private deck made of Azek. It has a redwood cedar open trellis over the hot tub. The stone walkway was constructed out of reclaimed Belgian block and was laid in circular pattern. In this classic English Tudor home located in Penn Valley, PA, we renovated the kitchen, mudroom, deck, patio, and the exterior walkways and driveway. The European kitchen features high end finishes and appliances, and heated floors for year-round comfort! The outdoor areas are spacious and inviting. The open trellis over the hot tub provides just the right amount of shelter. These clients were referred to us by their architect, and we had a great time working with them to mix classic European styles in with contemporary, current spaces. Rudloff Custom Builders has won Best of Houzz for Customer Service in 2014, 2015 2016, 2017 and 2019. We also were voted Best of Design in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 which only 2% of professionals receive. Rudloff Custom Builders has been featured on Houzz in their Kitchen of the Week, What to Know About Using Reclaimed Wood in the Kitchen as well as included in their Bathroom WorkBook article. We are a full service, certified remodeling company that covers all of the Philadelphia suburban area. This business, like most others, developed from a friendship of young entrepreneurs who wanted to make a difference in their clients’ lives, one household at a time. This relationship between partners is much more than a friendship. Edward and Stephen Rudloff are brothers who have renovated and built custom homes together paying close attention to detail. They are carpenters by trade and understand concept and execution. Rudloff Custom Builders will provide services for you with the highest level of professionalism, quality, detail, punctuality and craftsmanship, every step of the way along our journey together. Specializing in residential construction allows us to connect with our clients early in the design phase to ensure that every detail is captured as you imagined. One stop shopping is essentially what you will receive with Rudloff Custom Builders from design of your project to the construction of your dreams, executed by on-site project managers and skilled craftsmen. Our concept: envision our client’s ideas and make them a reality. Our mission: CREATING LIFETIME RELATIONSHIPS BUILT ON TRUST AND INTEGRITY. Photo Credit: Linda McManus Images

Nestled atop a wooded ridge in the Hudson Highlands, the architect-owner envisioned a reinterpretation of renowned mid-century experimental “Case Study Homes”. An authentic representation of the materials and a clear outdoor-indoor connection were priorities for the design. Heart pine on the ceiling references the forested surroundings. All cabinets are Bilotta’s private Bilotta Collection cabinetry. The island and wall cabinets are distinctive: natural walnut quarter-sawn veneer trimmed with thin strips of natural walnut solid stock. Matte black on the paneled refrigerator, tall pantry and rear base cabinets frame the area and merge into the black structural columns. Balancing the darker finishes is a single slab of Carrera marble on the backsplash, with Caesarstone in “Concrete” topping the cabinetry. Surrounded by walls of glass, the kitchen is flanked by oversized impressive roof overhangs with exposed joists. Inside, a header was placed to align with the outermost joist and delineate the prep area. Within that footprint, natural heart pine planks line the ceiling, parallel to the outdoor joists. This creates the illusion that the overhang enters the kitchen at one end and exits out the other, further obscuring the line between indoors and out. As a counterpoint to strong vertical cabinet lines and horizontal ceiling lines, a unique bronze scissor-armed light fixture creates a diamond pattern across the length of the kitchen. At the intersection of each arm is an individual half-gold exposed light bulb, resulting in pools of illumination that highlight the beautiful grain pattern and coloration of the wood ceiling – a stunning alternative to ubiquitous recessed lighting. Although it’s not large, this kitchen offers an abundance of storage and countertop space for meal prep and serving. The refrigerator and tall pantry bookend the space; making them equal in size imparts pleasing symmetry. With the sink centered along the back wall and the range centered in the island, there’s plenty of elbow room on each side of the appliances. Everything is within arms’ reach for easy use and fast cleanup. The gray hues of the “Concrete” colored quartz tops and the veining of the Carrera backsplash echo the stone outcroppings in the landscape and provide contrast to the variety of wood tones throughout the room.

SANTA BARBARA, CA / DUPLEX RESIDENTIAL This urban infill, artist loft duplex was located in an overlooked, but well-located, light-commercial zone. It was also the first new residential construction built in the area for decades, the project is located within a 10-square-block area zoned for light-commercial and affectionately dubbed the “Funk Zone” by resident artists and city planners. Only two blocks walking distance to the beach, and a similar distance to the downtown commercial district, this pedestrian-oriented project ideally suits the lifestyles of the owners. Although the two units share equal footprints, the southerly unit features a double-height, north-facing living space. The northerly unit supplants this volume with additional living space. The siting also allows for secure private courtyard entries, maximization of natural light and view-swept, rooftop living space. The design incorporates a raised plinth required by flood zone restrictions to create a peaceful, intimate environment within the somewhat chaotic surrounding context. The disciplined and restrained approach towards the building’s image was intended to make reference to the much-loved Meridian Studios by George Washington Smith. Two roof-decks with outdoor fireplaces and shade trellises extend outdoor living space, contribute ocean and mountain views and provide both refuge and release. Cost-effective materials were selected in order to adhere to the strict budget and to relate to the industrial surroundings. Over-sized pivot doors, “industrial” staircases and cabinetry were constructed on-site by the owners to conserve design integrity within the extremely limited budget. 2000 AIA Santa Barbara Chapter Honor Award

This custom home designed by Kimberly Kerl of Kustom Home Design beautifully reflects the unique personality and taste of the homeowners in a creative and dramatic fashion. The three-story home combines an eclectic blend of brick, stone, timber, lap and shingle siding. Rich textural materials such as stone and timber are incorporated into the interior design adding unexpected details and charming character to a new build. The two-story foyer with open stair and balcony allows a dramatic welcome and easy access to the upper and lower levels of the home. The Upper level contains 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, including a Jack-n-Jill style 4 piece bathroom design with private vanities and shared shower and toilet. Ample storage space is provided in the walk-in attic and large closets. Partially sloped ceilings, cozy dormers, barn doors and lighted niches give each of the bedrooms their own personality. The main level provides access to everything the homeowners need for independent living. A formal dining space for large family gatherings is connected to the open concept kitchen by a Butler's pantry and mudroom that also leads to the 3-car garage. An oversized walk-in pantry provide storage and an auxiliary prep space often referred to as a "dirty kitchen". Dirty kitchens allow homeowners to have behind the scenes spaces for clean up and prep so that the main kitchen remains clean and uncluttered. The kitchen has a large island with seating, Thermador appliances including the chef inspired 48" gas range with double ovens, 30" refrigerator column, 30" freezer columns, stainless steel double compartment sink and quiet stainless steel dishwasher. The kitchen is open to the casual dining area with large views of the backyard and connection to the two-story living room. The vaulted kitchen ceiling has timber truss accents centered on the full height stone fireplace of the living room. Timber and stone beams, columns and walls adorn this combination of living and dining spaces. The master suite is on the main level with a raised ceiling, oversized walk-in closet, master bathroom with soaking tub, two-person luxury shower, water closet and double vanity. The laundry room is convenient to the master, garage and kitchen. An executive level office is also located on the main level with clerestory dormer windows, vaulted ceiling, full height fireplace and grand views. All main living spaces have access to the large veranda and expertly crafted deck. The lower level houses the future recreation space and media room along with surplus storage space and utility areas. Kimberly Kerl, KH Design

Description: In early 1994, the architects began work on the project and while in construction (demolition, grading and foundations) the owner, due to circumstances beyond his control, halted all construction of the project. Seven years later the owner returned to the architects and asked them to complete the partially constructed house. Due to code changes, city ordinances and a wide variety of obstacles it was determined that the house was unable to be completed as originally designed. After much consideration the client asked the architect if it were possible to alter/remodel the partially constructed house, which was a remodel/addition to a 1970’s ranch style house, into a project that fit into current zoning and structural codes. The owner also requested that the house’s footprint and partially constructed foundations remain to avoid the need for further entitlements and delays on an already long overdue and difficult hillside site. The architects’ main challenge was how to alter the design that reflected an outdated philosophical approach to architecture that was nearly a decade old. How could the house be re-conceived reflecting the architect and client’s maturity on a ten-year-old footprint? The answer was to remove almost all of the previously proposed existing interior walls and transform the existing footprint into a pavilion-like structure that allows the site to in a sense “pass through the house”. This allowed the client to take better advantage of a limited and restricted building area while capturing extraordinary panoramic views of the San Fernando Valley and Hollywood Hills. Large 22-foot high custom sliding glass doors allow the interior and exterior to become one. Even the studio is separated from the house and connected only by an exterior bridge. Private spaces are treated as loft-like spaces capturing volume and views while maintaining privacy. Limestone floors extend from inside to outside and into the lap pool that runs the entire length of the house creating a horizon line at the edge of the view. Other natural materials such as board formed concrete, copper, steel and cherry provides softness to the objects that seem to float within the interior volume. By placing objects and materials "outside the frame," a new frame of reference deepens our sense of perception. Art does not reproduce what we see; rather it makes us see.