This staircase makes a bold design statement through restraint and precision. Thick squared-off white oak treads appear to float between dramatic, black-painted stringers, while horizontal 1/2" round bars create an open, minimal balustrade. The uniform open risers allow natural light to cascade down to the basement level, transforming the stairwell into a light-transmitting vertical shaft. The design thoughtfully responds to the surrounding spaces, connecting levels without interrupting sightlines or blocking light flow. The result is a staircase that feels almost sculptural in its simplicity, proving that sometimes less truly is more. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Open concept—Great Room
Family room - large coastal open concept dark wood floor family room idea in Houston with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace and a media wall

After sitting on the market for three years, this property was purchased by a visionary client who understood that the right landscape designer could turn the unusable landscape into highly comfortable outdoor spaces. db Landscaping LLC designed a series of tiered outdoor living spaces, gardens, and access to the lake that responded to the steep lakeshore terrain of the property. Larger areas for entertaining were complimented by smaller, more intimate spaces for relaxing. The new landscape incorporated lake views and water access while utilizing environmentally responsible materials such as aged local stone and drought tolerant native plants. Storm-water runoff was also engineered to mitigate erosion and allow water to return to the ground rather than entering the lake directly. The resulting outdoor rooms and gardens were balanced, relaxing, and in harmony with the surrounding landscape.

The exterior of what looks like a vernacular Hamptons shingle cottage, designed by architect Blaze Makoid, is intentionally deceiving. For the interiors, Axis Mundi typically decided not to play by the rules. Instead of de rigeur nautical artifacts, floppy sofas and wicker furniture, the firm responded to Makoid’s all-white interior envelope by injecting rooms with comfortable modern elegance that’s more contemporary Cap Ferrat than Eastern Long Island. Clean furniture silhouettes—from Cassina, Poltrona Frau and B&B Italia—a Massimo Vitali beach scene, a Moooi chandelier and industrial finishes (such as the steel of the fireplace surround and the anodized aluminum of a sleek Bulthaup kitchen) spark a creative tension between indoors and out. The gray palette provides a quiet backdrop for the nature outside, except for the master suite, where custom oak panels and blue shades create a reassuring warmth conducive to sleep. Size: 1,920 sf Project Team: John Beckmann, Nick Messerlian and Richard Rosenbloom Architect: Blaze Makoid Architecture Photographer: Mark Roskams © Axis Mundi Design LLC

This staircase makes a bold design statement through restraint and precision. Thick squared-off white oak treads appear to float between dramatic, black-painted stringers, while horizontal 1/2" round bars create an open, minimal balustrade. The uniform open risers allow natural light to cascade down to the basement level, transforming the stairwell into a light-transmitting vertical shaft. The design thoughtfully responds to the surrounding spaces, connecting levels without interrupting sightlines or blocking light flow. The result is a staircase that feels almost sculptural in its simplicity, proving that sometimes less truly is more. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

After sitting on the market for three years, this property was purchased by a visionary client who understood that the right landscape designer could turn the unusable landscape into highly comfortable outdoor spaces. db Landscaping LLC designed a series of tiered outdoor living spaces, gardens, and access to the lake that responded to the steep lakeshore terrain of the property. Larger areas for entertaining were complimented by smaller, more intimate spaces for relaxing. The new landscape incorporated lake views and water access while utilizing environmentally responsible materials such as aged local stone and drought tolerant native plants. Storm-water runoff was also engineered to mitigate erosion and allow water to return to the ground rather than entering the lake directly. The resulting outdoor rooms and gardens were balanced, relaxing, and in harmony with the surrounding landscape.

This staircase makes a bold design statement through restraint and precision. Thick squared-off white oak treads appear to float between dramatic, black-painted stringers, while horizontal 1/2" round bars create an open, minimal balustrade. The uniform open risers allow natural light to cascade down to the basement level, transforming the stairwell into a light-transmitting vertical shaft. The design thoughtfully responds to the surrounding spaces, connecting levels without interrupting sightlines or blocking light flow. The result is a staircase that feels almost sculptural in its simplicity, proving that sometimes less truly is more. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

The exterior of what looks like a vernacular Hamptons shingle cottage, designed by architect Blaze Makoid, is intentionally deceiving. For the interiors, Axis Mundi typically decided not to play by the rules. Instead of de rigeur nautical artifacts, floppy sofas and wicker furniture, the firm responded to Makoid’s all-white interior envelope by injecting rooms with comfortable modern elegance that’s more contemporary Cap Ferrat than Eastern Long Island. Clean furniture silhouettes—from Cassina, Poltrona Frau and B&B Italia—a Massimo Vitali beach scene, a Moooi chandelier and industrial finishes (such as the steel of the fireplace surround and the anodized aluminum of a sleek Bulthaup kitchen) spark a creative tension between indoors and out. The gray palette provides a quiet backdrop for the nature outside, except for the master suite, where custom oak panels and blue shades create a reassuring warmth conducive to sleep. Size: 1,920 sf Project Team: John Beckmann, Nick Messerlian and Richard Rosenbloom Architect: Blaze Makoid Architecture Photographer: Mark Roskams © Axis Mundi Design LLC

After sitting on the market for three years, this property was purchased by a visionary client who understood that the right landscape designer could turn the unusable landscape into highly comfortable outdoor spaces. db Landscaping LLC designed a series of tiered outdoor living spaces, gardens, and access to the lake that responded to the steep lakeshore terrain of the property. Larger areas for entertaining were complimented by smaller, more intimate spaces for relaxing. The new landscape incorporated lake views and water access while utilizing environmentally responsible materials such as aged local stone and drought tolerant native plants. Storm-water runoff was also engineered to mitigate erosion and allow water to return to the ground rather than entering the lake directly. The resulting outdoor rooms and gardens were balanced, relaxing, and in harmony with the surrounding landscape.

The exterior of what looks like a vernacular shingle cottage, designed by architect Blaze Makoid, is intentionally deceiving. For the interiors, Axis Mundi typically decided not to play by the rules. Instead of de rigeur nautical artifacts, floppy sofas and wicker furniture, the firm responded to Makoid’s all-white interior envelope by injecting rooms with comfortable modern elegance that’s more contemporary Cap Ferrat than Eastern Long Island. Clean furniture silhouettes—from Cassina, Poltrona Frau and B&B Italia—a Massimo Vitali beach scene, a Moooi chandelier and industrial finishes (such as the steel of the fireplace surround and the anodized aluminum of a sleek Bulthaup kitchen) spark a creative tension between indoors and out. The gray palette provides a quiet backdrop for the nature outside, except for the master suite, where custom oak panels and blue shades create a reassuring warmth conducive to sleep. Size: 1,920 sf Project Team: John Beckmann, Nick Messerlian and Richard Rosenbloom Architect: Blaze Makoid Architecture Contractor: Greg D'Angelo Construction Inc. Photographer: Mark Roskams © Axis Mundi Design LLC.

"I cannot say enough good things about the Innovative Construction team and work product. They remodeled our water-damaged, 1930s basement, and exceeded all of our expectations - before and after photos simply cannot do this project justice. The original basement included an awkward staircase in an awkward location, one bedroom, one bathroom, a kitchen and small living space. We had a difficult time imagining that it could be much more than that. Innovative Construction's design team was creative, and thought completely out of the box. They relocated the stairwell in a way we did not think was possible, opening up the basement to reconfigure the bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette, living space, but also adding an office and finished storage room. The end result is as functional as it is beautiful. As with all construction, particularly a renovation of an old house, there will be inconveniences, it will be messy, and plenty of surprises behind the old walls. The Innovative Construction team maintained a clean and safe work site for 100% of the project, with minimal disruption to our daily lives, even when there was a large hole cut into our main living room floor to accommodate new stairs down to the basement. The team showed creativity and an eye for design when working around some of the unexpected "character" revealed when opening the walls. The team effectively uses technology to keep everyone on the same page about changes, requests, schedules, contracts, invoices, etc. Everyone is friendly, competent, helpful, and responsive. I felt heard throughout the process, and my requests were responded to quickly and thoroughly. I recommend Innovative Construction without reservation."

Located near the foot of the Teton Mountains, the site and a modest program led to placing the main house and guest quarters in separate buildings configured to form outdoor spaces. With mountains rising to the northwest and a stream cutting through the southeast corner of the lot, this placement of the main house and guest cabin distinctly responds to the two scales of the site. The public and private wings of the main house define a courtyard, which is visually enclosed by the prominence of the mountains beyond. At a more intimate scale, the garden walls of the main house and guest cabin create a private entry court. A concrete wall, which extends into the landscape marks the entrance and defines the circulation of the main house. Public spaces open off this axis toward the views to the mountains. Secondary spaces branch off to the north and south forming the private wing of the main house and the guest cabin. With regulation restricting the roof forms, the structural trusses are shaped to lift the ceiling planes toward light and the views of the landscape. A.I.A Wyoming Chapter Design Award of Citation 2017 Project Year: 2008

S. Wolf Photography
Example of a large transitional l-shaped light wood floor and brown floor kitchen design with light wood cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, an island, white countertops and shaker cabinets

Located near the foot of the Teton Mountains, the site and a modest program led to placing the main house and guest quarters in separate buildings configured to form outdoor spaces. With mountains rising to the northwest and a stream cutting through the southeast corner of the lot, this placement of the main house and guest cabin distinctly responds to the two scales of the site. The public and private wings of the main house define a courtyard, which is visually enclosed by the prominence of the mountains beyond. At a more intimate scale, the garden walls of the main house and guest cabin create a private entry court. A concrete wall, which extends into the landscape marks the entrance and defines the circulation of the main house. Public spaces open off this axis toward the views to the mountains. Secondary spaces branch off to the north and south forming the private wing of the main house and the guest cabin. With regulation restricting the roof forms, the structural trusses are shaped to lift the ceiling planes toward light and the views of the landscape. A.I.A Wyoming Chapter Design Award of Citation 2017 Project Year: 2008

This staircase makes a bold design statement through restraint and precision. Thick squared-off white oak treads appear to float between dramatic, black-painted stringers, while horizontal 1/2" round bars create an open, minimal balustrade. The uniform open risers allow natural light to cascade down to the basement level, transforming the stairwell into a light-transmitting vertical shaft. The design thoughtfully responds to the surrounding spaces, connecting levels without interrupting sightlines or blocking light flow. The result is a staircase that feels almost sculptural in its simplicity, proving that sometimes less truly is more. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Located near the foot of the Teton Mountains, the site and a modest program led to placing the main house and guest quarters in separate buildings configured to form outdoor spaces. With mountains rising to the northwest and a stream cutting through the southeast corner of the lot, this placement of the main house and guest cabin distinctly responds to the two scales of the site. The public and private wings of the main house define a courtyard, which is visually enclosed by the prominence of the mountains beyond. At a more intimate scale, the garden walls of the main house and guest cabin create a private entry court. A concrete wall, which extends into the landscape marks the entrance and defines the circulation of the main house. Public spaces open off this axis toward the views to the mountains. Secondary spaces branch off to the north and south forming the private wing of the main house and the guest cabin. With regulation restricting the roof forms, the structural trusses are shaped to lift the ceiling planes toward light and the views of the landscape. A.I.A Wyoming Chapter Design Award of Citation 2017 Project Year: 2008

After sitting on the market for three years, this property was purchased by a visionary client who understood that the right landscape designer could turn the unusable landscape into highly comfortable outdoor spaces. db Landscaping LLC designed a series of tiered outdoor living spaces, gardens, and access to the lake that responded to the steep lakeshore terrain of the property. Larger areas for entertaining were complimented by smaller, more intimate spaces for relaxing. The new landscape incorporated lake views and water access while utilizing environmentally responsible materials such as aged local stone and drought tolerant native plants. Storm-water runoff was also engineered to mitigate erosion and allow water to return to the ground rather than entering the lake directly. The resulting outdoor rooms and gardens were balanced, relaxing, and in harmony with the surrounding landscape.

This staircase makes a bold design statement through restraint and precision. Thick squared-off white oak treads appear to float between dramatic, black-painted stringers, while horizontal 1/2" round bars create an open, minimal balustrade. The uniform open risers allow natural light to cascade down to the basement level, transforming the stairwell into a light-transmitting vertical shaft. The design thoughtfully responds to the surrounding spaces, connecting levels without interrupting sightlines or blocking light flow. The result is a staircase that feels almost sculptural in its simplicity, proving that sometimes less truly is more. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company