Nestled at the end of a long flag lot driveway in Amagansett, NY, a young couple purchased the property with intentions to construct a second home for their growing family. A home that would not only be comfortable for the immediate family but also serve and grow on busy summer weekends to accommodate extended family, friends, children and guests. The tight lot along with the sizable program culminated in the building envelope being pushed to every limit, restriction and regulation one could imagine. The resulting architecture possesses a traditional Hamptons cottage exterior juxtaposed with modern elements that help break up the single mass. Centered on the entry façade is a large double story window that shrouds the floating switchback staircase on the interior. A bluestone patio wraps three sides of the home, which, in the rear, leads to a small in ground pool with a frameless glass railing. In the interior, custom white washed white oak floors run throughout the home as well as on the floating central staircase. For a more modern style of living, the open living, kitchen and dining area serve as one large entertaining space. In an area surrounded by sprawling Mcmansions, this tightly knit home functions more similar to that of a large NYC apartment by serving the perfect balance between maximized form with the right amount of function given the strict parameters. Large glass sliders open the living and dining rooms to the backyard patio and pool creating harmony between the indoor and outdoor spaces. Shaker style cabinets in the kitchen pair with a more contemporary staircase softened by the warmer wood tones of the vertical slats that surround it.

The clients had just bought the home and loved the inside but not the outside. They did not want the formal setting with Greek busts. Since remodeling the old pool would have restricted the new, they had it removed so they could start from scratch. Their favorite setting was much more organic with a cabana, fireplace, and an outdoor kitchen. The house needed an addition with an entertainment media room, cigar room and pool bath. Privacy was achieved by adding a cabana on the north side with a full stone wall. The spa needed to be close to the master bedroom and have visibility of the flat screen television in the cabana. The spa is flush with the upper patio so not to block the view of the pool. A natural boulder stream connects the pool and spa. To soften the house planting is between the cabana and house. Decks and coping are Travertine. Pebblesheen color is Ocean Blue. Access to the cabana was located between the spa and the pool on the floating pad. Remote controlled fire features accent both ends of the boulders. Retaining walls were built behind the waterfall to bring the grade up so plantings looked more natural and waterfalls appeared to come out of the hillside. The cabana features were to create three zones. It does not matter the season or time of day, this space provides the family's perfect outside setting to enjoy each other. Project designed by Mike Farley. Check out Mike's Reference Site at FarleyPoolDesigns.com for more info and videos.

Green Mountain Builders has recently completed a luxury whole home remodel in Bonita Bay, a magnificent award-winning country club community in Bonita Springs, Florida. The remodel focused on opening up the interior space by removing walls that closed off rooms, restricting an open-concept layout. With the dining room wall removed, the home now is bathed in additional sunlight. Opening up the closed area, also makes the home seem much larger. New flooring and paint throughout and a beautiful Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring enhance the beauty of this lovely golf course home. LVP is a wonderful wood-look flooring option that offers warmth and texture. The kitchen was completely renovated as were the bedrooms, including the master, and all bathrooms. Green Mountain creatively used shiplap boards in the family room effecting a stunning wall display. In addition, the lovely courtyard remodel has been updated to provide an outdoor space perfect for entertaining and family enjoyment.

This kitchen, designed by David Arnoff, features Bilotta Collection cabinetry in a classic Frosty White paint on the perimeter and Rift Cut White Oak with a “Driftwood” stain for the island. The kitchen prior to renovation had a small island and a peninsula that blocked the flow into the other rooms. It also had a massive wood hood that flanked both sides of the range all the way down to the countertop which was very cumbersome and restrictive. The client wanted to reuse their appliances which were fairly new. So the cabinetry had to be designed around those models but laid out with a much more functional flow. David chose to eliminate the existing peninsula to allow access to the sun room and living area. He opted instead for a larger island to give back the space lost by removing the peninsula. This gave the same amount of cabinet and counter space and was far more functional and easier to move around. Since the one wall of cabinets (where the main sink is) had no wall cabinets, David designed the opposite wall with double stacked cabinets for additional storage – with glass fronts for aesthetics. They also raised the custom hood, by Amore, allowing for more countertop space around the range. The countertops are polished quartz, Aurea Stone by Eastern Stone. The Backsplash is a basket weave marble from Greenwich Tile Marble. Sink and faucets by Kohler. Appliances are a mix of Subzero and Wolf. Designer: David Arnoff Photo Credit: Peter Krupenye

The "Corner Villa" design principles are meticulously crafted to create communal spaces for celebrations and gatherings while catering to the owner's need for private sanctuaries and privacy. One unique feature of the villa is the courtyard at the back of the building, separated from the main facade and parking area. This placement ensures that the courtyard and private areas of the villa remain secluded and at the center of the structure. In addition, the desire for a peaceful space away from the main reception and party hall led to more secluded private spaces and bedrooms on a single floor. These spaces are connected by a deep balcony, allowing for different activities to take place simultaneously, making the villa more energy-efficient during periods of lower occupancy and contributing to reduced energy consumption. The villa's shape features broken lines and geometric lozenges that create corners. This design not only allows for expansive balconies but also provides captivating views. The broken lines also serve the purpose of shading areas that receive intense sunlight, ensuring thermal comfort. Addressing the client's crucial need for a serene and tranquil space detached from the main reception and party hall led to the creation of more secluded private spaces and bedrooms on a single floor due to building restrictions. A deep balcony was introduced as a connecting point between these spaces. This arrangement enables various activities, such as parties and relaxation, to occur simultaneously, contributing to energy-efficient practices during periods of lower occupancy, thus aiding in reduced energy consumption.

The "Corner Villa" design principles are meticulously crafted to create communal spaces for celebrations and gatherings while catering to the owner's need for private sanctuaries and privacy. One unique feature of the villa is the courtyard at the back of the building, separated from the main facade and parking area. This placement ensures that the courtyard and private areas of the villa remain secluded and at the center of the structure. In addition, the desire for a peaceful space away from the main reception and party hall led to more secluded private spaces and bedrooms on a single floor. These spaces are connected by a deep balcony, allowing for different activities to take place simultaneously, making the villa more energy-efficient during periods of lower occupancy and contributing to reduced energy consumption. The villa's shape features broken lines and geometric lozenges that create corners. This design not only allows for expansive balconies but also provides captivating views. The broken lines also serve the purpose of shading areas that receive intense sunlight, ensuring thermal comfort. Addressing the client's crucial need for a serene and tranquil space detached from the main reception and party hall led to the creation of more secluded private spaces and bedrooms on a single floor due to building restrictions. A deep balcony was introduced as a connecting point between these spaces. This arrangement enables various activities, such as parties and relaxation, to occur simultaneously, contributing to energy-efficient practices during periods of lower occupancy, thus aiding in reduced energy consumption.

The "Corner Villa" design principles are meticulously crafted to create communal spaces for celebrations and gatherings while catering to the owner's need for private sanctuaries and privacy. One unique feature of the villa is the courtyard at the back of the building, separated from the main facade and parking area. This placement ensures that the courtyard and private areas of the villa remain secluded and at the center of the structure. In addition, the desire for a peaceful space away from the main reception and party hall led to more secluded private spaces and bedrooms on a single floor. These spaces are connected by a deep balcony, allowing for different activities to take place simultaneously, making the villa more energy-efficient during periods of lower occupancy and contributing to reduced energy consumption. The villa's shape features broken lines and geometric lozenges that create corners. This design not only allows for expansive balconies but also provides captivating views. The broken lines also serve the purpose of shading areas that receive intense sunlight, ensuring thermal comfort. Addressing the client's crucial need for a serene and tranquil space detached from the main reception and party hall led to the creation of more secluded private spaces and bedrooms on a single floor due to building restrictions. A deep balcony was introduced as a connecting point between these spaces. This arrangement enables various activities, such as parties and relaxation, to occur simultaneously, contributing to energy-efficient practices during periods of lower occupancy, thus aiding in reduced energy consumption.

Below Buchanan is a basement renovation that feels as light and welcoming as one of our outdoor living spaces. The project is full of unique details, custom woodworking, built-in storage, and gorgeous fixtures. Custom carpentry is everywhere, from the built-in storage cabinets and molding to the private booth, the bar cabinetry, and the fireplace lounge. Creating this bright, airy atmosphere was no small challenge, considering the lack of natural light and spatial restrictions. A color pallet of white opened up the space with wood, leather, and brass accents bringing warmth and balance. The finished basement features three primary spaces: the bar and lounge, a home gym, and a bathroom, as well as additional storage space. As seen in the before image, a double row of support pillars runs through the center of the space dictating the long, narrow design of the bar and lounge. Building a custom dining area with booth seating was a clever way to save space. The booth is built into the dividing wall, nestled between the support beams. The same is true for the built-in storage cabinet. It utilizes a space between the support pillars that would otherwise have been wasted. The small details are as significant as the larger ones in this design. The built-in storage and bar cabinetry are all finished with brass handle pulls, to match the light fixtures, faucets, and bar shelving. White marble counters for the bar, bathroom, and dining table bring a hint of Hollywood glamour. White brick appears in the fireplace and back bar. To keep the space feeling as lofty as possible, the exposed ceilings are painted black with segments of drop ceilings accented by a wide wood molding, a nod to the appearance of exposed beams. Every detail is thoughtfully chosen right down from the cable railing on the staircase to the wood paneling behind the booth, and wrapping the bar.

Earlier this year we completed a kitchen, lounge and bedroom refurbishment on behalf of our lovely client, and felt honoured to be called back to also refurbish their dining room into a cosy snug area recently. When designing the space, we wanted to repeat similar materials, colours and themes that were in the other refurbished areas so that our client's property had flow and harmony. We replaced the flooring throughout the house and incorporated a gorgeous sisal rug made from the same material as the main lounge and had the space painted in the same colour as the hallway and had a feature wall installed to provide tantalising texture. Before doing this, we had the side window safely boarded up so that wall lights could be installed and so that the room regained it's symmetry. Previously, the window provided only a restricted amount of day light due to the neighbouring property obstructing light, and hence, was redundant of it's primary function. We decided to install wall lights each side of the television to provide additional lighting that did not obstruct the view of the TV. Overall, the space was transformed into an indulgent yet gloriously cosy room, perfect for snuggling up, watching a film and welcoming those winter nights in.

The "Corner Villa" design principles are meticulously crafted to create communal spaces for celebrations and gatherings while catering to the owner's need for private sanctuaries and privacy. One unique feature of the villa is the courtyard at the back of the building, separated from the main facade and parking area. This placement ensures that the courtyard and private areas of the villa remain secluded and at the center of the structure. In addition, the desire for a peaceful space away from the main reception and party hall led to more secluded private spaces and bedrooms on a single floor. These spaces are connected by a deep balcony, allowing for different activities to take place simultaneously, making the villa more energy-efficient during periods of lower occupancy and contributing to reduced energy consumption. The villa's shape features broken lines and geometric lozenges that create corners. This design not only allows for expansive balconies but also provides captivating views. The broken lines also serve the purpose of shading areas that receive intense sunlight, ensuring thermal comfort. Addressing the client's crucial need for a serene and tranquil space detached from the main reception and party hall led to the creation of more secluded private spaces and bedrooms on a single floor due to building restrictions. A deep balcony was introduced as a connecting point between these spaces. This arrangement enables various activities, such as parties and relaxation, to occur simultaneously, contributing to energy-efficient practices during periods of lower occupancy, thus aiding in reduced energy consumption.

The "Corner Villa" design principles are meticulously crafted to create communal spaces for celebrations and gatherings while catering to the owner's need for private sanctuaries and privacy. One unique feature of the villa is the courtyard at the back of the building, separated from the main facade and parking area. This placement ensures that the courtyard and private areas of the villa remain secluded and at the center of the structure. In addition, the desire for a peaceful space away from the main reception and party hall led to more secluded private spaces and bedrooms on a single floor. These spaces are connected by a deep balcony, allowing for different activities to take place simultaneously, making the villa more energy-efficient during periods of lower occupancy and contributing to reduced energy consumption. The villa's shape features broken lines and geometric lozenges that create corners. This design not only allows for expansive balconies but also provides captivating views. The broken lines also serve the purpose of shading areas that receive intense sunlight, ensuring thermal comfort. Addressing the client's crucial need for a serene and tranquil space detached from the main reception and party hall led to the creation of more secluded private spaces and bedrooms on a single floor due to building restrictions. A deep balcony was introduced as a connecting point between these spaces. This arrangement enables various activities, such as parties and relaxation, to occur simultaneously, contributing to energy-efficient practices during periods of lower occupancy, thus aiding in reduced energy consumption.

The "Corner Villa" design principles are meticulously crafted to create communal spaces for celebrations and gatherings while catering to the owner's need for private sanctuaries and privacy. One unique feature of the villa is the courtyard at the back of the building, separated from the main facade and parking area. This placement ensures that the courtyard and private areas of the villa remain secluded and at the center of the structure. In addition, the desire for a peaceful space away from the main reception and party hall led to more secluded private spaces and bedrooms on a single floor. These spaces are connected by a deep balcony, allowing for different activities to take place simultaneously, making the villa more energy-efficient during periods of lower occupancy and contributing to reduced energy consumption. The villa's shape features broken lines and geometric lozenges that create corners. This design not only allows for expansive balconies but also provides captivating views. The broken lines also serve the purpose of shading areas that receive intense sunlight, ensuring thermal comfort. Addressing the client's crucial need for a serene and tranquil space detached from the main reception and party hall led to the creation of more secluded private spaces and bedrooms on a single floor due to building restrictions. A deep balcony was introduced as a connecting point between these spaces. This arrangement enables various activities, such as parties and relaxation, to occur simultaneously, contributing to energy-efficient practices during periods of lower occupancy, thus aiding in reduced energy consumption.

Esteban La Tessa
Large minimalist concrete floor and gray floor kitchen/dining room combo photo in Sydney with white walls

This kitchen, designed by David Arnoff, features Bilotta Collection cabinetry in a classic Frosty White paint on the perimeter and Rift Cut White Oak with a “Driftwood” stain for the island. The kitchen prior to renovation had a small island and a peninsula that blocked the flow into the other rooms. It also had a massive wood hood that flanked both sides of the range all the way down to the countertop which was very cumbersome and restrictive. The client wanted to reuse their appliances which were fairly new. So the cabinetry had to be designed around those models but laid out with a much more functional flow. David chose to eliminate the existing peninsula to allow access to the sun room and living area. He opted instead for a larger island to give back the space lost by removing the peninsula. This gave the same amount of cabinet and counter space and was far more functional and easier to move around. Since the one wall of cabinets (where the main sink is) had no wall cabinets, David designed the opposite wall with double stacked cabinets for additional storage – with glass fronts for aesthetics. They also raised the custom hood, by Amore, allowing for more countertop space around the range. The countertops are polished quartz, Aurea Stone by Eastern Stone. The Backsplash is a basket weave marble from Greenwich Tile Marble. Sink and faucets by Kohler. Appliances are a mix of Subzero and Wolf. Designer: David Arnoff Photo Credit: Peter Krupenye

The "Corner Villa" design principles are meticulously crafted to create communal spaces for celebrations and gatherings while catering to the owner's need for private sanctuaries and privacy. One unique feature of the villa is the courtyard at the back of the building, separated from the main facade and parking area. This placement ensures that the courtyard and private areas of the villa remain secluded and at the center of the structure. In addition, the desire for a peaceful space away from the main reception and party hall led to more secluded private spaces and bedrooms on a single floor. These spaces are connected by a deep balcony, allowing for different activities to take place simultaneously, making the villa more energy-efficient during periods of lower occupancy and contributing to reduced energy consumption. The villa's shape features broken lines and geometric lozenges that create corners. This design not only allows for expansive balconies but also provides captivating views. The broken lines also serve the purpose of shading areas that receive intense sunlight, ensuring thermal comfort. Addressing the client's crucial need for a serene and tranquil space detached from the main reception and party hall led to the creation of more secluded private spaces and bedrooms on a single floor due to building restrictions. A deep balcony was introduced as a connecting point between these spaces. This arrangement enables various activities, such as parties and relaxation, to occur simultaneously, contributing to energy-efficient practices during periods of lower occupancy, thus aiding in reduced energy consumption.

The "Corner Villa" design principles are meticulously crafted to create communal spaces for celebrations and gatherings while catering to the owner's need for private sanctuaries and privacy. One unique feature of the villa is the courtyard at the back of the building, separated from the main facade and parking area. This placement ensures that the courtyard and private areas of the villa remain secluded and at the center of the structure. In addition, the desire for a peaceful space away from the main reception and party hall led to more secluded private spaces and bedrooms on a single floor. These spaces are connected by a deep balcony, allowing for different activities to take place simultaneously, making the villa more energy-efficient during periods of lower occupancy and contributing to reduced energy consumption. The villa's shape features broken lines and geometric lozenges that create corners. This design not only allows for expansive balconies but also provides captivating views. The broken lines also serve the purpose of shading areas that receive intense sunlight, ensuring thermal comfort. Addressing the client's crucial need for a serene and tranquil space detached from the main reception and party hall led to the creation of more secluded private spaces and bedrooms on a single floor due to building restrictions. A deep balcony was introduced as a connecting point between these spaces. This arrangement enables various activities, such as parties and relaxation, to occur simultaneously, contributing to energy-efficient practices during periods of lower occupancy, thus aiding in reduced energy consumption.

Project Overview: The owner of this project is a financial analyst turned realtor turned landlord, and the goal was to increase rental income on one of his properties as effectively as possible. The design was developed to minimize construction costs, minimize City of Portland building compliance costs and restrictions, and to avoid a county tax assessment increase based on site improvements. The owner started with a large backyard at one of his properties, had a custom tiny home built as “personal property”, then added two ancillary sheds each under a 200SF compliance threshold to increase the habitable floor plan. Compliant navigation of laws and code ended up with an out-of-the-box design that only needed mechanical permitting and inspections by the city, but no building permits that would trigger a county value re-assessment. The owner’s final construction costs were $50k less than a standard ADU, rental income almost doubled for the property, and there was no resultant tax increase. Product: Gendai 1×6 select grade shiplap Prefinish: Unoiled Application: Residential – Exterior SF: 900SF Designer: Builder: Date: March 2019 Location: Portland, OR

Nestled at the end of a long flag lot driveway in Amagansett, NY, a young couple purchased the property with intentions to construct a second home for their growing family. A home that would not only be comfortable for the immediate family but also serve and grow on busy summer weekends to accommodate extended family, friends, children and guests. The tight lot along with the sizable program culminated in the building envelope being pushed to every limit, restriction and regulation one could imagine. The resulting architecture possesses a traditional Hamptons cottage exterior juxtaposed with modern elements that help break up the single mass. Centered on the entry façade is a large double story window that shrouds the floating switchback staircase on the interior. A bluestone patio wraps three sides of the home, which, in the rear, leads to a small in ground pool with a frameless glass railing. In the interior, custom white washed white oak floors run throughout the home as well as on the floating central staircase. For a more modern style of living, the open living, kitchen and dining area serve as one large entertaining space. In an area surrounded by sprawling Mcmansions, this tightly knit home functions more similar to that of a large NYC apartment by serving the perfect balance between maximized form with the right amount of function given the strict parameters. Large glass sliders open the living and dining rooms to the backyard patio and pool creating harmony between the indoor and outdoor spaces. Shaker style cabinets in the kitchen pair with a more contemporary staircase softened by the warmer wood tones of the vertical slats that surround it.

Nestled at the end of a long flag lot driveway in Amagansett, NY, a young couple purchased the property with intentions to construct a second home for their growing family. A home that would not only be comfortable for the immediate family but also serve and grow on busy summer weekends to accommodate extended family, friends, children and guests. The tight lot along with the sizable program culminated in the building envelope being pushed to every limit, restriction and regulation one could imagine. The resulting architecture possesses a traditional Hamptons cottage exterior juxtaposed with modern elements that help break up the single mass. Centered on the entry façade is a large double story window that shrouds the floating switchback staircase on the interior. A bluestone patio wraps three sides of the home, which, in the rear, leads to a small in ground pool with a frameless glass railing. In the interior, custom white washed white oak floors run throughout the home as well as on the floating central staircase. For a more modern style of living, the open living, kitchen and dining area serve as one large entertaining space. In an area surrounded by sprawling Mcmansions, this tightly knit home functions more similar to that of a large NYC apartment by serving the perfect balance between maximized form with the right amount of function given the strict parameters. Large glass sliders open the living and dining rooms to the backyard patio and pool creating harmony between the indoor and outdoor spaces. Shaker style cabinets in the kitchen pair with a more contemporary staircase softened by the warmer wood tones of the vertical slats that surround it.