VistaLuxe® Collection direct set windows allow unobstructed views from multiple angles while also providing energy efficiency. Photos © David Dietrich Photography

Good design must reflect the personality of the client. So when siblings purchased studios in Downtown by Philippe Starck, one of the first buildings to herald the revitalization of Manhattan’s Financial District, the aim was to create environments that were truly bespoke. The brother’s tastes jibed synchronously with the insouciant idea of France’s most popular prankster converting a building that once housed the buttoned-up offices of JP Morgan Chase. His collection of Takashi Murakami works, the gallery-like centerpiece of the main area, announces his boldness and flair up front, as do furnishings by Droog, Moooi and, of course Starck, as well as hide rugs and upholstery, and a predominantly red palette. His sister was after something soothing and discreet. So Axis Mundi responded with a neutrals and used glass to carve out a bedroom surrounded by drapes that transform it into a golden cocoon. Hide (albeit less flamboyantly applied) evokes a familial commonality, and built-in furniture and cabinetry optimize space restrictions inherent in studio apartments. Design Team: John Beckmann, with Richard Rosenbloom Photography: Mikiko Kikuyama © Axis Mundi Design LLC

Welcome to St. Andrew's walk! This TOP floor LUXURY studio apartment boasts CHIC trendy finishing’s and is one of the most AFFORDABLE ways to enjoy all that the Bear Mountain RESORT lifestyle has to offer. Just steps to the golf course itself as well as the gym, spa, fine dining, casual cafe/bistros, nature walks, running, and biking trails. BEAR MOUNTAIN offers it all. Enjoy fantastic views of Mt Finlayson from your private extra-large expansive rare patio, which allows BBQs. This EXTENSIVE private space is covered and set up for outdoor living. The 4th floor also includes another shared deck for gatherings which is beautifully surrounded by greenery, serenity & seasonal displays of the mountainside. This location has city convenience that is only a stone's throw away from all amenities. The 14 1/2-foot soaring ceilings make this approx. 700 sq ft (indoor/outdoor combined) space bright, airy, and open. Some of the features in the unit include cherry wood flooring throughout, stainless steel appliances, an electric wall-mounted fireplace, and beautiful granite countertops. This trendy unit has a classic open NY LOFT STYLE layout that offers in-suite laundry, double patio doors, big picture windows, a built-in Murphy Wall Bed, a huge walk-in closet/utility/storage room. Also, you will have secure underground parking, extra communal storage, a bike lock-up, and another separate storage locker. There are no age or rental restrictions, and you can bring your pet. Whether you chose to fall in love and stay or hold it as an investment property. Currently rented for $1400 the month-to-month tenants are extremely flexible and may stay or move out depending on the buyer’s desire. This gorgeous west shore find is where the possibilities are endless, up incoming, and exciting!| Karen Love (250)-727-5868 | RE/MAX Island Properties & www.KarenLove.com |

For this couple, planning to move back to their rambler home in Arlington after living overseas for few years, they were ready to get rid of clutter, clean up their grown-up kids’ boxes, and transform their home into their dream home for their golden years. The old home included a box-like 8 feet x 10 feet kitchen, no family room, three small bedrooms and two back to back small bathrooms. The laundry room was located in a small dark space of the unfinished basement. This home is located in a cul-de-sac, on an uphill lot, of a very secluded neighborhood with lots of new homes just being built around them. The couple consulted an architectural firm in past but never were satisfied with the final plans. They approached Michael Nash Custom Kitchens hoping for fresh ideas. The backyard and side yard are wooded and the existing structure was too close to building restriction lines. We developed design plans and applied for special permits to achieve our client’s goals. The remodel includes a family room, sunroom, breakfast area, home office, large master bedroom suite, large walk-in closet, main level laundry room, lots of windows, front porch, back deck, and most important than all an elevator from lower to upper level given them and their close relative a necessary easier access. The new plan added extra dimensions to this rambler on all four sides. Starting from the front, we excavated to allow a first level entrance, storage, and elevator room. Building just above it, is a 12 feet x 30 feet covered porch with a leading brick staircase. A contemporary cedar rail with horizontal stainless steel cable rail system on both the front porch and the back deck sets off this project from any others in area. A new foyer with double frosted stainless-steel door was added which contains the elevator. The garage door was widened and a solid cedar door was installed to compliment the cedar siding. The left side of this rambler was excavated to allow a storage off the garage and extension of one of the old bedrooms to be converted to a large master bedroom suite, master bathroom suite and walk-in closet. We installed matching brick for a seam-less exterior look. The entire house was furnished with new Italian imported highly custom stainless-steel windows and doors. We removed several brick and block structure walls to put doors and floor to ceiling windows. A full walk in shower with barn style frameless glass doors, double vanities covered with selective stone, floor to ceiling porcelain tile make the master bathroom highly accessible. The other two bedrooms were reconfigured with new closets, wider doorways, new wood floors and wider windows. Just outside of the bedroom, a new laundry room closet was a major upgrade. A second HVAC system was added in the attic for all new areas. The back side of the master bedroom was covered with floor to ceiling windows and a door to step into a new deck covered in trex and cable railing. This addition provides a view to wooded area of the home. By excavating and leveling the backyard, we constructed a two story 15’x 40’ addition that provided the tall ceiling for the family room just adjacent to new deck, a breakfast area a few steps away from the remodeled kitchen. Upscale stainless-steel appliances, floor to ceiling white custom cabinetry and quartz counter top, and fun lighting improved this back section of the house with its increased lighting and available work space. Just below this addition, there is extra space for exercise and storage room. This room has a pair of sliding doors allowing more light inside. The right elevation has a trapezoid shape addition with floor to ceiling windows and space used as a sunroom/in-home office. Wide plank wood floors were installed throughout the main level for continuity. The hall bathroom was gutted and expanded to allow a new soaking tub and large vanity. The basement half bathroom was converted to a full bathroom, new flooring and lighting in the entire basement changed the purpose of the basement for entertainment and spending time with grandkids. Off white and soft tone were used inside and out as the color schemes to make this rambler spacious and illuminated. Final grade and landscaping, by adding a few trees, trimming the old cherry and walnut trees in backyard, saddling the yard, and a new concrete driveway and walkway made this home a unique and charming gem in the neighborhood.

Staircase Design by Simply Exquisite Interiors - the focal point on entry of this compact residence. It's already the talk of the neighborhood and we expect it will be for a while to come.

With a large family, 'Cloud Nine' was designed to be a functional and well utilized space for entertaining. Multiple retaining walls were necessary to achieve the desired design because of the restricted regrading allowed on the property. A warm and inviting space is created underneath the upper deck with a seating area around the fire and a L-shaped outdoor kitchen. A bocce court, a putting green tucked away by the treeline, a hammock swaying from the custom pergola, and a large pool patio can keep anyone busy. A feature that really makes this design unique is the turf terrace overlooking the pool. 2016 Award of Excellence winner

This beautiful house in an amazing neighborhood was originally built with an underwhelming kitchen. The remodel of this space involved changing a few things to allow the kitchen you see here. We changed a sliding door to a smaller single swinging door, enlarged the window, removed a non-load bearing, decorative column and a flow restricting half wall. All off those changes as well as stealing 6.5' of the 3 car, garage allowed this kitchen to become this homes star of the show!!

If you were to look up “classic summer cottage” in the dictionary, there should be a picture of this house. Located in a densely populated community of historic summer cottages, this new gambrel-style home was designed to maintain the beach cottage feel of its predecessor. Due to strict zoning and easement restrictions the new construction had to be designed within the same footprint and volume of its former self. The new design allows for a more open floor plan, more living space, and an almost 180-degree view of the ocean. Filled with natural light and a palette of colors and materials reminiscent of seashells, this four-bedroom home is the quintessential summer retreat. Glass foldaway doors extend the main living area to a covered porch with gas fireplace. A fully finished basement suite, with walk-out access to a gas grilling patio and the beach, is perfect for guests. The interiors are an artful blend of modern fixtures along with some slightly more traditional materials that are in keeping with the cottage vibe. © Eric Roth Photography

The small, boring and dysfunctional patio space this client inherited when they purchased their home is now replaced by outdoor room experiences that better meet the entertainment needs and expectations of our client. The built-in masonry sofa and fire pit is always the hit of every party! The old mismatched dated planting areas have been removed to make way for current colorful succulents, natural grasses, and blooming perennials. The water hogging mowed lawn areas that were always being eaten by rabbits is now replaced with artificial grass that looks so real that the neighbors were reminding our client they could only water once a week due to drought restrictions!

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.

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.

SANTA BARBARA, CA / DUPLEX RESIDENTIAL This urban infill, artist loft duplex was located in an overlooked, but well-located, light-commercial zone. It was also the first new residential construction built in the area for decades, the project is located within a 10-square-block area zoned for light-commercial and affectionately dubbed the “Funk Zone” by resident artists and city planners. Only two blocks walking distance to the beach, and a similar distance to the downtown commercial district, this pedestrian-oriented project ideally suits the lifestyles of the owners. Although the two units share equal footprints, the southerly unit features a double-height, north-facing living space. The northerly unit supplants this volume with additional living space. The siting also allows for secure private courtyard entries, maximization of natural light and view-swept, rooftop living space. The design incorporates a raised plinth required by flood zone restrictions to create a peaceful, intimate environment within the somewhat chaotic surrounding context. The disciplined and restrained approach towards the building’s image was intended to make reference to the much-loved Meridian Studios by George Washington Smith. Two roof-decks with outdoor fireplaces and shade trellises extend outdoor living space, contribute ocean and mountain views and provide both refuge and release. Cost-effective materials were selected in order to adhere to the strict budget and to relate to the industrial surroundings. Over-sized pivot doors, “industrial” staircases and cabinetry were constructed on-site by the owners to conserve design integrity within the extremely limited budget. 2000 AIA Santa Barbara Chapter Honor Award

Our design for an apartment located in the West End-Collegiate Historic District Extension in Manhattan addressed a number of challenges to unleash the potential of this 2.500-square-foot space in an elegant pre-war building. When purchased by our client, the property was in estate condition and needed extensive work, requiring demolition and a complete makeover of the living spaces, as well as the addition of contemporary climate control. Among the spatial and design challenges, the primary bathroom was exposed to the entry foyer of the apartment, and the dining room and kitchen were each closed-in and lacking light. The dining room’s promise as a bright, convivial space was fulfilled by adding double pocket doors opening to the living room, kitchen and foyer, establishing a seamless flow through the entertaining spaces while bringing in much-needed light. We designed a chic and modern solution for the primary bedroom’s lack of privacy, creating a walk-in closet that serves as a transitional vestibule in the bedroom, adding both visual intrigue and additional storage space while shielding the viewscape from the apartment entrance through the foyer to the bedroom. To add a three-zone central air conditioning system, we took advantage of the kitchen facing an interior courtyard, placing the air conditioning condensers here, which also satisfied landmark property restrictions. The climate control system was accomplished without lowering ceiling heights. Finally, we worked with the client to choose classic finishes and fixtures that reflect and enhance the historic nature of the property, and are also contemporary and timeless. These include unlacquered brass hardware, herringbone oak flooring with a stencil border, black-and-white bathrooms, and paneling, trim, and moldings that are simple and elegant. POP Architecture was the architect for the project, and Godwin Construction was the general contractor.

This gorgeous Mediterranean/Tuscan style home is perched on a hillside overlooking thousands of acres of Texas Hill Country. Everything about the home captures your interest and draws you in. The home was built with every room taking advantage of the incredible views. As you enter, the handmade brick ceiling entices you into the magnificent great room. Your eyes continue through the great room and are drawn to the huge picture window that looks out forever. The great room has a see through fireplace to the master bedroom, Saltillo tile floors, and a full bar with wine frig and icemaker. To the right of the foyer is a study with wooden floors, a half bath and also includes a nice size closet. To the left of the foyer is an open dining room with a cathedral ceiling and windows at the top allowing ample light to flow in. The dining room has wooden floors with a built-in buffet. The master bedroom has plush carpet, French doors that open out onto the veranda, fireplace, his/hers closets with built ins and a huge master bath complete with laundry room. The master bath has his/hers sinks with generous counter space, Jacuzzi tub and a walk- through shower with double heads. The enormous kitchen is open to the den area and also has incredible views. A large granite island houses the sink and leaves more than enough room for friends to visit while your chef is preparing the meal. Stainless steel double ovens, five burner gas stove, terracotta tile countertops with backsplash, and thermador frig and freezer. The den has a native stone fireplace and a large wall of built-ins for your T.V. and plenty of books and other décor. Saltillo tile floors cover the kitchen and den area. Next to the kitchen is a custom butler’s pantry with wood floors, terracotta tile counters, copper sink, a compact dishwasher plus a cutout into the wet bar area for ease of service. Two additional bedrooms with private baths are in the main home, with a separate 900 SF guest quarters that has a nice size living area, kitchenette, two bedrooms and a full bath. This incredible 4574+-SF estate is in a gated subdivision just minutes out of Kerrville and a stone’s throw from the eclectic Camp Verde General Store and Post Office. The home was custom built in 2004 with such attention to detail that it will stand the test of time and changing décor. The home sits on 30 acres in an area that is all wildlife exempt with superb restrictions to protect the homeowner’s investment.

Words cannot describe the level of transformation this beautiful 60’s ranch has undergone. The home was blessed with a ton of natural light, however the sectioned rooms made for large awkward spaces without much functionality. By removing the dividing walls and reworking a few key functioning walls, this home is ready to entertain friends and family for all occasions. The large island has dual ovens for serious bake-off competitions accompanied with an inset induction cooktop equipped with a pop-up ventilation system. Plenty of storage surrounds the cooking stations providing large countertop space and seating nook for two. The beautiful natural quartzite is a show stopper throughout with it’s honed finish and serene blue/green hue providing a touch of color. Mother-of-Pearl backsplash tiles compliment the quartzite countertops and soft linen cabinets. The level of functionality has been elevated by moving the washer & dryer to a newly created closet situated behind the refrigerator and keeps hidden by a ceiling mounted barn-door. The new laundry room and storage closet opposite provide a functional solution for maintaining easy access to both areas without door swings restricting the path to the family room. Full height pantry cabinet make up the rest of the wall providing plenty of storage space and a natural division between casual dining to formal dining. Built-in cabinetry with glass doors provides the opportunity to showcase family dishes and heirlooms accented with in-cabinet lighting. With the wall partitions removed, the dining room easily flows into the rest of the home while maintaining its special moment. A large peninsula divides the kitchen space from the seating room providing plentiful storage including countertop cabinets for hidden storage, a charging nook, and a custom doggy station for the beloved dog with an elevated bowl deck and shallow drawer for leashes and treats! Beautiful large format tiles with a touch of modern flair bring all these spaces together providing a texture and color unlike any other with spots of iridescence, brushed concrete, and hues of blue and green. The original master bath and closet was divided into two parts separated by a hallway and door leading to the outside. This created an itty-bitty bathroom and plenty of untapped floor space with potential! By removing the interior walls and bringing the new bathroom space into the bedroom, we created a functional bathroom and walk-in closet space. By reconfiguration the bathroom layout to accommodate a walk-in shower and dual vanity, we took advantage of every square inch and made it functional and beautiful! A pocket door leads into the bathroom suite and a large full-length mirror on a mosaic accent wall greets you upon entering. To the left is a pocket door leading into the walk-in closet, and to the right is the new master bath. A natural marble floor mosaic in a basket weave pattern is warm to the touch thanks to the heating system underneath. Large format white wall tiles with glass mosaic accent in the shower and continues as a wainscot throughout the bathroom providing a modern touch and compliment the classic marble floor. A crisp white double vanity furniture piece completes the space. The journey of the Yosemite project is one we will never forget. Not only were we given the opportunity to transform this beautiful home into a more functional and beautiful space, we were blessed with such amazing clients who were endlessly appreciative of TVL – and for that we are grateful!

Living Room in Monte Lindo | Room Type: Full Home Furnishing – 4,368 sq ft | 6 Bedrooms | 5 Baths- Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen Nook, Family Room, Office, Primary Bedroom + Bath. Project Name: Monte Lindo | Key Feature: A Modern Transitional new build transformed from builder-grade into a unique, personality-driven home through curated furnishings, lighting, art, and mirrors. Challenge: COVID-related supply and delivery delays, along with limitations of working within a builder-grade home that restricted creativity in certain areas. Solution: The team elevated the space with thoughtfully selected furnishings, lighting, wallpaper, art, and mirrors, pushing the clients slightly outside their comfort zone to create a home that felt both comfortable and impressive. Materials: Lighting: Arteriors, Palecek, Circa, Memoky. Rugs: Loloi, Surya. Mirrors: Four Hands, Ferguson, Arteriors. Wallpaper: Savannah Hayes. Furniture: Classic Home, Four Hands, Moss Home, Dovetail, Union Home. Budget: $50k-$75K | Timeline: 11 months, completed September 2021.

The view from the unit is spectacular, therefore, the furniture selected for this space was appropriately scaled to fit in the confined space and maintain the awesome view with low back seating. A mid-century modern swivel chair is positioned strategically near the TV and rotates towards the kitchen for easy conversation. The handsome gray arm chair has black metal arms and legs to tie in with the industrial accents in the kitchen. Finally, the French gray TV console adds a touch of elegance and balances the far end of the living space. The property is a 700 square foot condo. The homeowner's goal was to have his 40+ year old unit transformed into a brand new space. To accomplish this, we gutted the entire unit; we replaced the popcorn ceiling with new drywall, replaced the old flooring with maple engineered wood flooring, removed the mirrored walls and painted the drywall a soothing neutral gray, and removed the kitchen walls and bulkheads to create an open concept. The bathroom and kitchen were totally renovated as well. Additions include: Handsome crown moulding and custom baseboards, Sherwin Williams wall, ceiling and trim paint (the ceiling is NOT white), LED recessed light fixtures, custom island pendants, Quartz countertops, custom dining chandelier, custom shelving over the kitchen sink and custom "iron pipe" designed to house existing telephone wires (building restricted the removal of existing phone line). Photography by Michael Anthony Harrison, www.MikeAntPhotography.com

Set on a narrow lakefront parcel defined by tight setbacks and limited hardscape allowance, this modern cabin demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform restriction into possibility. Carefully composed to preserve privacy while opening fully toward the water, the home feels both expansive and intimate—an elevated retreat grounded in its landscape. Though modest in footprint, the residence lives generously. Four bedrooms are tucked efficiently within the plan, including a light-filled quilting studio that reflects the homeowners’ creative life. Each bedroom opens onto its own private balcony, offering moments of pause and perspective with views stretching across lake and countryside. The upper level also includes a family room, providing a quiet gathering space removed from the activity below. From here, the home’s vertical volume becomes apparent, as daylight pours down through a dramatic two-story space framed by glass facing the lake. At the center of the home, a custom steel-and-wood plank stair acts as both circulation and sculpture. Rising through the double-height volume, it leads the eye upward to a tall Nelson cigar lamp suspended above—an intentional moment of drama and delight. The main floor is designed around connection and flow. Kitchen, dining, and living areas exist as one continuous space, unified by light, views, and material warmth. A 12-foot-long island anchors the kitchen, serving as the natural gathering place for morning coffee, family meals, and summertime buffet-style entertaining. When fully opened, large folding accordion glass doors dissolve the boundary between inside and out, allowing the screened porch to become a true extension of the living space. Function is carefully layered throughout the plan. A mudroom entry from the tucked-under two-car garage includes a powder room and utility closet, while a generous entry closet provides essential storage and has been dimensioned to accommodate a future elevator. Designed intentionally for aging in place, the home incorporates zero-threshold access from the garage, wide halls and doorways, reinforced wall blocking for future grab bars, and infrastructure for a future elevator—ensuring long-term comfort without compromising design. Clad in dark painted board-and-batten siding, the exterior minimizes visual scale and allows the home to recede quietly into the landscape. Recessed balconies and façade elements are wrapped in warm wood-look siding, adding depth and contrast while bringing warmth into the interior. At night, light spills softly from within, and the cabin glows along the shoreline—welcoming, calm, and enduring.

Inspiration for a coastal staircase remodel in Denver