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.

At three-fourths the size of the house’s footprint, it maximizes the available living space at the levels above without overshadowing the 1930s vintage suburb with its single family houses and deed restricted setbacks. The site’s woodland characteristics inspired the use of exterior stone. Accoya, a fast-growing softwood that is impervious to decay in the Houston humidity, was used for siding. The combination of the site strategy, program and aesthetic direction respond to the site’s challenges to create an elegant solution. Peter Molick Photography

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. Photography: Mark Roskams

Blackstone Edge
Single front door - craftsman light wood floor and brown floor single front door idea in Portland with white walls and a dark wood front door

The top interior design is all about creating meaningful, powerful, and sensual experiences for ourselves and our clients. It is more than creating luxury interiors of residences or choosing the right cushion color for your living room. It is about creating experiences that address, protect, and respond to the need of humans.

This single-family plus ADU project started out as a remodel. Through a very difficult and contentious planning process (over three years), it became a demolition and rebuild to appease neighbors, yielding a three-bedroom main house and a two-bedroom basement ADU. The design responds to the context using a sloped anterior roof that aligns with the neighbor’s to accentuate the dramatic views of downtown San Francisco.

Our clients used an empty nest as the motivation for a long-desired relocation to a walkable neighborhood in Seattle. The small segmented rooms of the house they purchased did not support their lifestyle or preferred manner of entertaining. Our design responded by opening the kitchen, stair, living, and dining rooms into a shared space. The two-sided fireplace and the waterfall kitchen countertop serve as islands to delineate the space without dividing it.

This single-family plus ADU project started out as a remodel. Through a very difficult and contentious planning process (over three years), it became a demolition and rebuild to appease neighbors, yielding a three-bedroom main house and a two-bedroom basement ADU. The design responds to the context using a sloped anterior roof that aligns with the neighbor’s to accentuate the dramatic views of downtown San Francisco.

This single-family plus ADU project started out as a remodel. Through a very difficult and contentious planning process (over three years), it became a demolition and rebuild to appease neighbors, yielding a three-bedroom main house and a two-bedroom basement ADU. The design responds to the context using a sloped anterior roof that aligns with the neighbor’s to accentuate the dramatic views of downtown San Francisco.

Colorful yet serene entry garden. Photography: Van Inwegen Digital Arts.
Inspiration for a contemporary front yard landscaping in Chicago.

This is a terraced home that responds to its sloping site near the Shawangunk Mountains. Separated into two volumes anchored by a glass corridor, the private entry volume houses the guest suites. The lower volume opens to a glass-enclosed rear facade that showcases expansive wooded views in our clients’ bedrooms and main living area.

Significant Additions to a Georgian Revival House: The original house was constructed by a sea captain and many of the details are a nod to nautical details fabricated by shipwrights. The new owners wanted to improve the internal circulation and interior proportions of the house. The front entry and family room addition respond to near and distance views of the surrounding landscape and the historic Hobart Gap. The side French doors open onto a private garden and serpentine wall referencing the historical gardens of the Lawn at University of Virginia, where the owner attend.

The top interior design is all about creating meaningful, powerful, and sensual experiences for ourselves and our clients. It is more than creating luxury interiors of residences or choosing the right cushion color for your living room. It is about creating experiences that address, protect, and respond to the need of humans.

This single-family plus ADU project started out as a remodel. Through a very difficult and contentious planning process (over three years), it became a demolition and rebuild to appease neighbors, yielding a three-bedroom main house and a two-bedroom basement ADU. The design responds to the context using a sloped anterior roof that aligns with the neighbor’s to accentuate the dramatic views of downtown San Francisco.

Significant Additions to a Georgian Revival House: The original house was constructed by a sea captain and many of the details are a nod to nautical details fabricated by shipwrights. The new owners wanted to improve the internal circulation and interior proportions of the house. The front entry and family room addition respond to near and distance views of the surrounding landscape and the historic Hobart Gap. The side French doors open onto a private garden and serpentine wall referencing the historical gardens of the Lawn at University of Virginia, where the owner attend.

“A Powder Room with Personality” by designer: Scott Sanders Photo by Nickolas Sargent www.sargentphoto.com Tucked between the piano nobile gallery and dining room of this year’s imposing townhouse, designer Scott Sanders chose a decidedly masculine, “gentleman’s library” aesthetic for the essential powder room. It is both tailored yet moody, with distinctive elements carefully selected to insure appeal to either sex. Experienced solo or a deux, as so many powder rooms are, this jewel box is the perfect place to escape from the maddening crowd to exchange a bit of gossip, touch up lipstick or straighten a tie, discretely respond to a text message or, quite frankly, answer nature’s call. The walls are covered in de Gournay’s new bas relief “Labrado” wallpaper, which has been hand painted to replicate the look of tooled Moroccan leather. Kohler fixtures in dramatic black with chic “Pinstripe” fittings in brushed bronze respond perfectly to the traditions of classic Park Avenue elegance, along with deluxe crocodile accessories. Extraordinary photography and fine art, includingHarry Benson’s iconic 1964 shot of the Beatles’ Pillow Fight at the Plaza Hotel and a pair of exquisite 18th century Goya etchings, complete the composition.

The Stressless Panorama sofa (medium seat) is perfectly designed for the modern home. The combination of soft lines in the cushion and the armrest’s rounded shape creates an exclusive look. The legs in solid wood come in seven different finishes, and can fit in with your existing decor. Unlike other Stressless sofas, the Stressless Panorama has a fixed angle between seat and back. When seated, you will feel the BalanceAdapt™ system effortlessly adjusts the seat and back to your desired sitting angle. The seat and back respond to your movements with a subtle and comfortable rocking movement, offering personal comfort and perfect BalanceAdapt balance to each seat. Available bow legs in steel or seven wood stain options. The Stressless Panorama perfectly matches the Stressless View recliner.

This single-family plus ADU project started out as a remodel. Through a very difficult and contentious planning process (over three years), it became a demolition and rebuild to appease neighbors, yielding a three-bedroom main house and a two-bedroom basement ADU. The design responds to the context using a sloped anterior roof that aligns with the neighbor’s to accentuate the dramatic views of downtown San Francisco.

This single-family plus ADU project started out as a remodel. Through a very difficult and contentious planning process (over three years), it became a demolition and rebuild to appease neighbors, yielding a three-bedroom main house and a two-bedroom basement ADU. The design responds to the context using a sloped anterior roof that aligns with the neighbor’s to accentuate the dramatic views of downtown San Francisco.