Weighted hedging mirrors the architecture of this traditional English Tudor cottage. The garden entrance lines up with a bay window whose dimensions are replicated in the brick-banded landings on either side of the lawn ellipse. Chiseled boxwood hedges respond to the graduated steps and English Ivy banding. The purity of the lawn ellipse is juxtaposed by irregular stepping pads while an elliptical holly mirrors the timbering present in the home's façade. Handmade ironwork features custom designed flanking shields while a perennial garden gives soft contrast to the rigid hedging, offering a perfect balance between the formal and informal elements in the English cottage garden.

Completed in 2011, this home is designed for a steeply sloping urban lot in Vienna, Virginia. In response to a tight zoning code that limited the building's footprint, we designed a compact plan that rises 3 stories and draws inspiration from the historic character of this small town consistently rated as one of the best places to live and work. Utilizing our favorite Great Room Scheme, the main level is planned with a classic front porch, 2-story entry hall, formal dining room, Kitchen/Breakfast area, large Mud Room with separate entrance and, finally, the Great Room itself. The lower level is the Entertainment hub of the house and contains a guest suite, shop, exercise area, family room and play area with wet bar. Upstairs, 3 kid's bedrooms, 2 full baths, laundry area, Master Suite with large sleeping area and a 5 piece master bath with large walk-in closet are all efficiently arranged to maximize room size. Our clients were interested in a very expressive exterior formalism while staying within the traditional architectural norm of Vienna. We responded with a series of gable dormers, bay windows and a hexagonal sitting room clad with complimentary siding materials and bold colors. Eventually, the back of the structure will be finished out with a large deck at the main level and elaborate staircase that descends to the rear yard.

Weighted hedging mirrors the architecture of this traditional English Tudor cottage. The garden entrance lines up with a bay window whose dimensions are replicated in the brick-banded landings on either side of the lawn ellipse. Chiseled boxwood hedges respond to the graduated steps and English Ivy banding. The purity of the lawn ellipse is juxtaposed by irregular stepping pads while an elliptical holly mirrors the timbering present in the home's façade. Handmade ironwork features custom designed flanking shields while a perennial garden gives soft contrast to the rigid hedging, offering a perfect balance between the formal and informal elements in the English cottage garden.

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

The tub was eliminated in favor of a large walk-in shower featuring double shower heads, multiple shower sprays, a steam unit, two wall-mounted teak seats, a curbless glass enclosure and a minimal infinity drain. Additional floor space in the design allowed us to create a separate water closet. A pocket door replaces a standard door so as not to interfere with either the open shelving next to the vanity or the water closet entrance. We kept the location of the skylight and added a new window for additional light and views to the yard. We responded to the client’s wish for a modern industrial aesthetic by featuring a large metal-clad double vanity and shelving units, wood porcelain wall tile, and a white glass vanity top. Special features include an electric towel warmer, medicine cabinets with integrated lighting, and a heated floor. Industrial style pendants flank the mirrors, completing the symmetry. Photo: Peter Krupenye

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

This classic galley kitchen was in need of more space and better lighting. We responded by removing a wall in the foreground, opening the kitchen up to the dining room and the rest of the front room and main level. A structural post needed to be retained and was integrated into the countertop area at left. The flooring is a Marmoleum tile in a 2 color checkered floor pattern that coordinates with the burgundy wall color. Cabinetry consists of european style maple cabinetry from Crystal Cabinets with a recessed crown, and modern hardware. Photos By Nicks Photo Design

Example of a classic exterior home design in Raleigh

Screen Porch in Avondale PA New deck/screenporch recently completed. Fiberon Sanctuary Expresso deck boards Open Gable style w/ PVC white trim Screeneaze screening Superior 1000 series white vinyl railings with York balusters Recessed lights and fan Client's comments: Daniel and his team at Maple Crest Construction were absolutely wonderful to work with on our enclosed patio project. He was very professional from start to finish, responded quickly to all of our questions, and always kept us up to date on the time frame. We couldn't have asked for a better builder. We look forward to enjoying it for many years to come! He really understood our vision for our perfect deck and explained our options to make that vision a reality. We are very happy with the result, and everyone is telling us how amazing our new deck is. Thank you, Daniel!

Photos by Alan Barley. An innovative Modern-style home at an affordable price – yet, responds to our principles of climate-specific design, superior indoor air-quality and “total cost of ownership” durability. The appeal of our solutions from a “creature comfort” point of view is that they embody an understated simplicity, yet contain a visually interesting design that can be adapted to multiple home-buyer needs.

Falcon House is located on Falcon Ridge Road, which winds along a steeply inclined ridge in a stretch of foothills within Carmel Valley in Monterey County. An old lichen covered barn and split rail, cedar fences characterize this area known as Markham Ranch, and contrast sharply with the preponderance of sprawling, large estate-style homes, many more at-home in the Italian countryside than any landscape of California. Designed for a young family, Falcon House responds to the family’s desire to live a more modest lifestyle, eschewing overt displays of extravagance for an intimate and deferential relation to nature. The 3,200-square-foot residence occupies a difficult portion of the northern slope of a hillside, overlooking a verdant valley and oriented toward Castle Rock in the distance. The steep terrain necessitated a compartmentalized plan capable of negotiating the gentle hillock at the center of the site. A corridor bridge spans two pieces of the house, uniting living and sleeping spaces and allowing an existing watercourse to flow essentially through the house unobstructed. Large panels of glass open the living spaces to the landscape, beneath the deep overhang of a butterfly roof. Operable clerestories placed high on the window-wall allow prevailing breezes to cool the interior spaces. The bedroom wing of the house hugs the hillside as it turns to the west, ensuring privacy from the main living spaces. The sense of seclusion and protection of this wing is reinforced by its lower roofline and its embedment into the hill. Initial resistance by neighboring homeowners has given way to appreciation, having seen the results of careful siting and a material and color palate sympathetic to the surrounding hillsides. The dwelling embodies an attitude of respect for the landscape, and through that perspective Falcon House has become as natural a part of its environment as the hawks flying overhead. 2008 AIA Orange County Chapter Merit Award

This residence sits atop a precipice with views to the metropolitan Denver valley to the east and the iconic Flatiron peaks to the west. The two sides of this linear scheme respond independently to the site conditions. The east has a high band of glass for morning light infiltration, with a thick zone of storage below. Dividing the storage areas, a rhythm of intermittent windows provide views to the entry court and distant city. On the opposite side, full height sliding glass panels extend the length of the house embracing the best views. After entering through the solid east wall, the amazing mountain peaks are revealed. For this residence, simplicity and restraint are the innovation. Materials are limited to wood structure and ceilings, concrete floors, and oxidized steel cladding. The roof extension provides sun shading for the west facing glass and shelter for the end terrace. The house’s modest form and palate of materials place it unpretentiously within its surroundings, allowing the natural environment to carry the day. A.I.A. Wyoming Chapter Design Award of Merit 2011 Project Year: 2009

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 front room of the home can be used for either a dining room, office space or a conversation room, as shown here.
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern loft-style medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Calgary with a bar, white walls and no tv

Photos by Alan Barley. An innovative Modern-style home at an affordable price – yet, responds to our principles of climate-specific design, superior indoor air-quality and “total cost of ownership” durability. The appeal of our solutions from a “creature comfort” point of view is that they embody an understated simplicity, yet contain a visually interesting design that can be adapted to multiple home-buyer needs.

Photos by Alan Barley. An innovative Modern-style home at an affordable price – yet, responds to our principles of climate-specific design, superior indoor air-quality and “total cost of ownership” durability. The appeal of our solutions from a “creature comfort” point of view is that they embody an understated simplicity, yet contain a visually interesting design that can be adapted to multiple home-buyer needs.

Luxury Vinyl Planks are a great option for water areas like bathrooms, basements, and kitchens. The technology is advancing so that the product looks and feels like natural products like wood and stone.

The Commodore Way residence in Seattle, WA overlooks Salmon Bay just west of the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks. It is a modern three-story home built on a large 8,000 square-foot sloping vacant lot. The four-bedroom, three and a half bath, 4,000 square-foot home, including basement and attached garage, responds to the topography and orientation of its property. Inspired by the amazing view of Salmon Bay and the Olympic Mountains beyond, the primary living spaces are located on the top level taking full advantage of the view. Deck projections extend the indoor living experience to the view to the north. A sloped shed roof over half of the structure opens up to that view as well. The other portion of the roof allows for a generous roof deck extending the exterior space of the home and its fantastic view. The basement is flexible allowing for a variety of uses: playroom, den, art studio or mother in law dwelling.