Hallway - mid-sized transitional medium tone wood floor and gray floor hallway idea with gray walls

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional front porch design in Jacksonville with decking and a roof extension.

A complete makeover of a tired 1990s mahogany kitchen in a stately Greenwich back country manor. We couldn't change the windows in this project due to exterior restrictions but the fix was clear. We transformed the entire space of the kitchen and adjoining grand family room space by removing the dark cabinetry and painting over all the mahogany millwork in the entire space. The adjoining family walls with a trapezoidal vaulted ceiling needed some definition to ground the room. We added painted paneled walls 2/3rds of the way up to entire family room perimeter and reworked the entire fireplace wall with new surround, new stone and custom cabinetry around it with room for an 85" TV. The end wall in the family room had floor to ceiling gorgeous windows and Millowrk details. Once everything installed, painted and furnished the entire space became connected and cohesive as the central living area in the home.

The homeowners were building a new home and wanted to incorporate a beautiful lakeside landscape design. The design was constrained by several factors, including lakeshore setbacks that limited development towards the lake and impacted sideyards, as well as strict impervious surface restrictions that limited installation options. To address these challenges, steppers and 3-foot pathways with planting beds were used to create connection spaces without affecting lot coverage. Despite these restrictions, the goals for the project were clear: create an open yard that maintains views of the lake, develop connected and versatile entertaining spaces, and use materials and colors that blend seamlessly with the house. The design also aimed to provide ample space for family and friends and incorporate a firepit area, hot tub, cooking area, longue beds, and dining area.

The homeowners were building a new home and wanted to incorporate a beautiful lakeside landscape design. The design was constrained by several factors, including lakeshore setbacks that limited development towards the lake and impacted sideyards, as well as strict impervious surface restrictions that limited installation options. To address these challenges, steppers and 3-foot pathways with planting beds were used to create connection spaces without affecting lot coverage. Despite these restrictions, the goals for the project were clear: create an open yard that maintains views of the lake, develop connected and versatile entertaining spaces, and use materials and colors that blend seamlessly with the house. The design also aimed to provide ample space for family and friends and incorporate a firepit area, hot tub, cooking area, longue beds, and dining area.

The homeowners were building a new home and wanted to incorporate a beautiful lakeside landscape design. The design was constrained by several factors, including lakeshore setbacks that limited development towards the lake and impacted sideyards, as well as strict impervious surface restrictions that limited installation options. To address these challenges, steppers and 3-foot pathways with planting beds were used to create connection spaces without affecting lot coverage. Despite these restrictions, the goals for the project were clear: create an open yard that maintains views of the lake, develop connected and versatile entertaining spaces, and use materials and colors that blend seamlessly with the house. The design also aimed to provide ample space for family and friends and incorporate a firepit area, hot tub, cooking area, longue beds, and dining area.

The homeowners were building a new home and wanted to incorporate a beautiful lakeside landscape design. The design was constrained by several factors, including lakeshore setbacks that limited development towards the lake and impacted sideyards, as well as strict impervious surface restrictions that limited installation options. To address these challenges, steppers and 3-foot pathways with planting beds were used to create connection spaces without affecting lot coverage. Despite these restrictions, the goals for the project were clear: create an open yard that maintains views of the lake, develop connected and versatile entertaining spaces, and use materials and colors that blend seamlessly with the house. The design also aimed to provide ample space for family and friends and incorporate a firepit area, hot tub, cooking area, longue beds, and dining area.

Small spaces can provide big challenges. These homeowners wanted to include a lot in their tiny backyard! There were also numerous city restrictions to comply with, and elevations to contend with. The design includes several seating areas, a fire feature that can be seen from the home's front entry, a water wall, and retractable screens. This was a "design only" project. Installation was coordinated by the homeowner and completed by others. Photos copyright Cascade Outdoor Design, LLC

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional galley medium tone wood floor and gray floor open concept kitchen remodel with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, granite countertops, black backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Restricted by variances and elevation we got the most out of a small space. A private oasis with relaxing fire features and pool scuppers. Moving from the wading area to the spa with ease as you enjoy the glimmering glass tile accents bringing the Tuscany feel to Ohio.

Client was using 4th bedroom as a catchall but with restrictions needed a place to work and accommodate guests, cleaned out the space, added a second bed and a desk to give a quiet work from home space when needed.

The Control/Shift House is perched on the high side of the site which takes advantage of the view to the southeast. A gradual descending path navigates the change in terrain from the street to the entry of the house. A series of low retaining walls/planter beds gather and release the earth upon the descent resulting in a fairly flat level for the house to sit on the top one third of the site. The entry axis is aligned with the celebrated stair volume and then re-centers on the actual entry axis once you approach the forecourt of the house. The initial desire was for an “H” scheme house with common entertaining spaces bridging the gap between the more private spaces. After an investigation considering the site, program, and view, a key move was made: unfold the east wing of the “H” scheme to open all rooms to the southeast view resulting in a “T” scheme. The new derivation allows for both a swim pool which is on axis with the entry and main gathering space and a lap pool which occurs on the cross axis extending along the lengthy edge of the master suite, providing direct access for morning exercise and a view of the water throughout the day. The Control/Shift House was derived from a clever way of following the “rules.” Strict HOA guidelines required very specific exterior massing restrictions which limits the lengths of unbroken elevations and promotes varying sizes of masses. The solution most often used in this neighborhood is one of addition - an aggregation of masses and program randomly attached to the inner core of the house which often results in a parasitic plan. The approach taken with the Control/Shift House was to push and pull program/massing to delineate and define the layout of the house. Massing is intentional and reiterated by the careful selection of materiality that tracks through the house. Voids and relief in the plan are a natural result of this method and allow for light and air to circulate throughout every space of the house, even into the most inner core. Photography: Charles Davis Smith

The neighborhood restrictions required Tudor-style architecture for the homes therein. Our clients fully embraced the aesthetic in their new custom home designed and built by Meadowlark Design+Build in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Photography by Joshua Caldwell.

We constructed this garden shed to complement the main house. Cedar shake roof, Hardi lap siding, wood frame construction. In subdivisions where there are restrictive covenants we will work within the guidelines and construct a building that will be appreciated by all. Wildwood Homes LLC Anacortes, WA 360-708-0957

The decaying timber retaining wall was replaced with one using dimensional reclaimed granite blocks – small enough that they could be used in the restricted space, yet sizable enough to provide a sturdy wall. Slope curbing was used as “fillers” (note: some vertical placements) and for the wall cap.

Example of a mid-sized transitional galley medium tone wood floor and gray floor open concept kitchen design with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, granite countertops, black backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

This new mudroom entry ties the garage to the kitchen and a stairway to the basement gym. Due to watershed zoning restrictions, we had to keep the addition's footprint small. It also contains a sunny breakfast room leading to a renovated kitchen. Photo: (c) Jeffrey Totaro 2020

As a carriage house there was no kitchen in the design in order to meet the municipality’s restrictions. However, with a fully functional bar for comfortable wine & cheese pairings, the space doesn’t feel lacking.

Our latest project, Fish Camp, on Longboat Key, FL. This home was designed around tight zoning restrictions while meeting the FEMA V-zone requirement. It is registered with LEED and is expected to be Platinum certified. It is rated EnergyStar v. 3.1 with a HERS index of 50. The design is a modern take on the Key West vernacular so as to keep with the neighboring historic homes in the area. Ryan Gamma Photography