Inspiration for a timeless exterior home remodel in Chicago

Inspiration for a timeless exterior home remodel in Chicago

Inspiration for a timeless exterior home remodel in Chicago

Spectacular unobstructed views of the Bay, Bridge, Alcatraz, San Francisco skyline and the rolling hills of Marin greet you from almost every window of this stunning Provençal Villa located in the acclaimed Middle Ridge neighborhood of Mill Valley. Built in 2000, this exclusive 5 bedroom, 5+ bath estate was thoughtfully designed by architect Jorge de Quesada to provide a classically elegant backdrop for today’s active lifestyle. Perfectly positioned on over half an acre with flat lawns and an award winning garden there is unmatched sense of privacy just minutes from the shops and restaurants of downtown Mill Valley. A curved stone staircase leads from the charming entry gate to the private front lawn and on to the grand hand carved front door. A gracious formal entry and wide hall opens out to the main living spaces of the home and out to the view beyond. The Venetian plaster walls and soaring ceilings provide an open airy feeling to the living room and country chef’s kitchen, while three sets of oversized French doors lead onto the Jerusalem Limestone patios and bring in the panoramic views. The chef’s kitchen is the focal point of the warm welcoming great room and features a range-top and double wall ovens, two dishwashers, marble counters and sinks with Waterworks fixtures. The tile backsplash behind the range pays homage to Monet’s Giverny kitchen. A fireplace offers up a cozy sitting area to lounge and watch television or curl up with a book. There is ample space for a farm table for casual dining. In addition to a well-appointed formal living room, the main level of this estate includes an office, stunning library/den with faux tortoise detailing, butler’s pantry, powder room, and a wonderful indoor/outdoor flow allowing the spectacular setting to envelop every space. A wide staircase leads up to the four main bedrooms of home. There is a spacious master suite complete with private balcony and French doors showcasing the views. The suite features his and her baths complete with walk – in closets, and steam showers. In hers there is a sumptuous soaking tub positioned to make the most of the view. Two additional bedrooms share a bath while the third is en-suite. The laundry room features a second set of stairs leading back to the butler’s pantry, garage and outdoor areas. The lowest level of the home includes a legal second unit complete with kitchen, spacious walk in closet, private entry and patio area. In addition to interior access to the second unit there is a spacious exercise room, the potential for a poolside kitchenette, second laundry room, and secure storage area primed to become a state of the art tasting room/wine cellar. From the main level the spacious entertaining patio leads you out to the magnificent grounds and pool area. Designed by Steve Stucky, the gardens were featured on the 2007 Mill Valley Outdoor Art Club tour. A level lawn leads to the focal point of the grounds; the iconic “Crags Head” outcropping favored by hikers as far back as the 19th century. The perfect place to stop for lunch and take in the spectacular view. The Century old Sonoma Olive trees and lavender plantings add a Mediterranean touch to the two lawn areas that also include an antique fountain, and a charming custom Barbara Butler playhouse. Inspired by Provence and built to exacting standards this charming villa provides an elegant yet welcoming environment designed to meet the needs of today’s active lifestyle while staying true to its Continental roots creating a warm and inviting space ready to call home.

Julieane Webb Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern gender-neutral carpeted kids' room remodel in New York with gray walls

This historic Cleveland Park home has housed a Georgetown Professor and a well known cartoon artist for the New Yorker and Washington Post. The front as shown here has original beautiful masonry details and a charming facade, but had not been maintained and was in ill repair when our client Hans and Ginny Wydler purchased the property. Hans Wydler is owner of one of the most successful real estate firms, Wydler Brothers and his wife Ginny loves interior design and the two decided to start a development team to create spec home developments that are finished to a very high level. They hired Ballard Mensua to help them to expand and renovate the home. We then hired Kathryn Everett as our landscape designer and Clemens Group Construction as our builder to complete the team. We believe the project to be a successful example of maintaining historic charm while adding modern amenities. Some day, we will do the same thing for Seth Ballard and his wife to move into .. it is a great house for a young family or for empty nesters who want to sell their large suburban home and move to where they can walk to restaurants and the park.

Once again you see the rusted metal siding close up with the large clavos that give it an industrial riveted look, along with the drystack stone facade which is part of the modern rustic look that is popular today. You see these riveted panels in my original design elevations and plans.

Soaring 37 stories above Miami and boasting dramatic ocean and city views, Canvas’ mostly glass facade is witness to the radically evolving landscape immediately north of downtown Miami. This is the ideal home for young people and artists. Amenities include; lounge, restaurant and bar, Jam session and music room, indoor pool, racquetball court, Jacuzzi, Gym, social room, yoga garden, children’s playroom and more! Residences from $247k to $417k.

photo: Mark Pinkerton, VI360
Trendy home design photo in San Francisco

Exterior view that shows the all of the exterior and it's finishes with Rusted metal and post and beam split faced block and rock to give it all a nice modern rustic look.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION: Award of Excellence PROJECT: Hotel Monaco CLIENT: PMC Property Group and Kimpton Real Estate Investment Funds ARCHITECTURE FIRM: Strada Architecture, LLC with Gensler ENGINEERS: Atlantic Engineering Services CONTRACTORS: Fastrack Construction, Inc. PHOTOGRAPHER: Dennis Marsico DESCRIPTION: The Hotel Monaco reinvigorates the original 1903 Duquesne Light Company Building, creating 248 guest rooms, 13 suites, 11,300 sf of meeting space, a restaurant/bar, and a rooftop garden. The project aimed to inhabit the building seamlessly while bringing it (the historic building) back to life; repairing and restoring the exterior facades were an important part of this. Additionally, grand ballrooms on the main floor take advantage of the original two-story lobby, where windows and columns have been restored, while a basement mailroom has been converted into a new restaurant. JURY COMMENTS: The finished product has allowed the historic parts to shine through. The improvements are compatible with the buildings original design and beautifully executed.

Evoking elegant waves, its all-white double skin façade has turned the Aires de Mall Plaza Oeste into an urban icon of Santiago, Chile. Its versatile design guarantees an eye-catching-effect day and night, when a retro illuminated effect is created through the use of external lights. The façade serves as a warmth barrier and to unify the look of the existing buildings. The expansion added two floors of high-end fashion stores, restaurants and outdoor cafes. It allows for the creation of much needed public and recreation spaces, which are scarce in the surrounding areas.

Tall glass wall Northeast corner Mariposa Restaurant Sedona, AZ part of my original design for Mariposa. Note the rusted metal facade with drystack stone and post and beam treatments that are part of the very popular Modern rustic style of today. The second photo in the cue is what you actually see today as part of my North Elevation design.

Example of a classic exterior home design in Chicago

ARCHITECTURE: Honor Award
 PROJECT: Graduate School of Public Health 
CLIENT: University of Pittsburgh ARCHITECTURE FIRM: Joint Venture: Renaissance 3 Architects, P.C. and Wilson Architects CONTRACTOR: PJ Dick 
ENGINEERS: Affiliated Engineers Metro DC, Inc.; Barber & Hoffman, Inc.; The Gateway Engineers, Inc. PHOTOGRAPHER: Anton Grassl of Esto Photographics DESCRIPTION: The Graduate School of Public Health is located on a main thoroughfare that runs the length of the University of Pittsburgh’s urban campus. The University sought a building that would establish a real presence for GSPH in the community and reflect the significant research occurring within. By designing an elevated addition with extensive glass facades, the building showcases the school’s activities along the main avenue; the transparent facades eliminate barriers between the researchers and the outside world. While maximizing sunlight, the new lab addition provides flexibility for researchers and the design was crucial in creating a welcoming and inspiring atmosphere. JURY COMMENTS: This is an addition to an existing building that creates a unified building expression. It has a strong civic quality and the materials are well considered. There is a pleasing façade rhythm. The building is clearly organized and the addition enhances the original facility.

Realty Landscaping Corp./Real Winter, Inc. http://www.realtylandscaping.com 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Commercial $75,000 & Over Award Level: Silver Project Description: Located in a highly commercialized area of lower Bucks County, the property that was once a declining horse track is now revitalized as Pennsylvania's #1 casino. Parx Casino is owned and operated by Greenwood Gaming & Entertainment, Inc. and includes high stakes gaming, horse racing, premium entertainment and multiple restaurants and amenities. It's doors are open 24 hours a day. In the midst of an economic downturn, Parx brought in many much needed jobs, stimulating the local economy. The construction of the Parx Casino project began in 2008. The main portion our landscape installation ran the course of 2009 and into 2010. We originally were contracted to install a landscape that was already designed. The owner however was not totally satisfied with the design that he had commissioned, so we made a few recommendations to them. We took a leap of faith and installed one section of the landscape as a mock-up for a concept that we envisioned. Hoping to stir some interest and excitement and help the client draw in huge numbers of patrons, our concept included a high energy, formal and contemporary layout based upon low hedging and bright panels of color to match the Parx Casino logo. Lines were clean to compliment the building theme and layout. We were given the owners blessing right away and proceeded to redesign the majority of the newly re-developed site. There were a number of demanding deadlines and site related challenges. The site is very windy and open. Large volumes of vehicular and pedestrian traffic pulse through the site's veins continuously. The scale of the building and property is immense. In order to complete a project of this magnitude, a large labor force was utilized. Overnight and overtime hours were sometimes a necessity. Our veteran supervisory team ensured a good quality product on demand. Great quantities of the highest quality plant materials were needed to soften the huge expanse of asphalt, concrete and building facade. Massive 20 foot evergreen trees were brought in as a wind break, softening the building and obscuring the view to the valet security areas. Views were kept open from the main road to allow visitors a clear view of building entrances and mega-sized digital signage. A hardy mix of evergreen, deciduous and herbaceous plant materials were used to stir seasonal interest year round. Bright colors light the way down the main boulevard, drawing in the masses toward the casino entrances. We installed an automatic overhead and drip irrigation system to help keep the windy site from drying out. To supply the expansive landscape with water, we provided a large pump, which pushed thousands of gallons of water through a 4” main. The two-wire system features a smart controller and pressure regulating heads. The installation project as a whole was very successful. We took a plan that was given to us, made it our own, and turned our vision into reality. The client so satisfied that they've contracted us to maintain the landscape we implemented ever since. The casino shows no signs of slowing down. Thousands of patrons test their luck daily at Parx. The local economy, strengthened. The Lower Bucks strip is once again the place to be. Plant Schedule Trees: 6- X Cupressocyparis leylandii 8-10’ ht. 2- Ilex opaca 18-20’ ht. 37- Picea abies 20-22’ ht. 9- Picea abies 16-18’ ht. 35- Picea abies 12-14’ ht. 4- Pyrus calleryana ‘Aristocrat’ 4-4 ½” cal. Shrubs: 1,171- Berberis thunbergii var. atropurpurea ‘Cr. Pygmy’ 3 gal. 2,954- Boxwood microphylla ‘Winter Gem’ 18-24” ht. 41- Chaemacyparis obtusa ‘Crippsii’ 3-4’ ht. 104- Chaemacyparis pisifera ‘Filifera Aurea’ 7 gal. 124- Ilex glabra 36-42” ht. 496- Juniperus conferta ‘Blue Pacific’ 3 gal. 223- Prunus cistena 5-6’ ht. 281- Pyracantha coccinea ‘Rutgers’ 3 gal. 463- Rosa ‘Meidrifora’ 3 gal. 143- Rosa ‘Radrazz’ 3 gal. 1,045- Rosa ‘Radcon’ 3 gal. 362- Spiraea japonica ‘Lemon Princess’ 10 gal. 113- Spiraea japonica ‘Lemon Princess’ 3 gal. 217- Spiraea japonica ‘Little Princess’ 10 gal. 369- Spirea japonica ‘Little Princess’ 3 gal. 246- Spiraea x bumulda ‘Goldflame’ 10 gal. 106- Taxus baccata ‘Repandens’ 18-24” ht. Photo Credit: Matthew P. Aubel, Realty Landscaping Corp./Real Winter, Inc.

Jan Fogel, an architect based in Brooklyn, specified reSAWN’s shou sugi ban CHARRED exterior siding for this private residence in Park Slope. reSAWN worked closely with the homeowners and the architect to select MURASAKI, a custom CHARRED product offered upon request.

With an open concept and exceptional entertaining flow, this home is meant for living and enjoyment. The spacious formal living room features a gas fireplace with sleek granite surround. The dining room has a stylish chrome chandelier in the coffered ceiling and opens to a wet bar with a restaurant-level sub-zero wine refrigerator, storage and hammered sink. The sun-drenched den off the kitchen opens through floor to ceiling doors to the rear terrace and has stunning backyard views. A hallway leads to the first of three floors of laundry rooms, each with LG washer & dryers and on this floor the double wash machine, and a beautifully turned-out mudroom with parking court access. Powder room surprises and delights with Venetian plastered walls, juxtaposed with the modern vanity. The first floor bedroom has outfitted closets and the en-suite bathroom has, as with every bathroom in this showplace, commissioned Porcelanosa tiles.

A photo taken during construction, prior to bar and floor finishing Walnut bar top, solid frame bar facade capturing large slab slate Long drink shelf leading to walnut curved banquette Reclaimed antique doors to office and bathroom Hand plastered wall finish