Completed in 2011 this 4 BR, 3 1/2 bath custom home is situated on a very tight urban infill lot in Northern, Virginia. Our clients were relocating to the D.C. area from New England and wanted to retain some of the New England vernacular they were familiar with in their new home. Due to heavy zoning restrictions, stylistic CCR's and a large program of almost 7000 sf, our design response is a modern take on a traditional hipped 4-square. We intentionally kept the skin and form of the building simple in order to contain cost and allow for a higher level of interior finish. The main level employs our favorite Great Room scheme that merges cooking, eating and entertaining into one seamless space that flows onto an expansive deck overlooking the rear yard. The entry elevation welcomes guests with a traditional front porch and stone path that passes by a small rain garden. The basement accommodates a guest room, media room, exercise area, and full shop while the upper level orients 2 kid's bedrooms, a Jack-n-Jill bath and the master suite toward a territorial view of the rear yard. All of this program is housed beneath a hipped roof that minimizes the scale of the house while presenting a thoughtful appearance toward the street and neighbors.

Feng Shui dictated the orientation and functional layout of this 2 bed, 3 full bath apartment to harmonize with spiritual forces. The 1,600sf plan creates generous, open, and clutter-free spaces, as small, dark areas restrict the flow of positive energy. The den area can be separated from the main living/dining areas into a flex-bedroom with a series of 3 interlocked translucent sliding panels that span 26 feet. When not needed, the panels stack unobtrusively at the entry. A welcoming mask floats in a NE-facing niche at the central axis of the apartment to protect the occupants from evil spirits. © Francis Dzikowski

Here was a large space with a restricted U-shaped kitchen, originally built when the home was constructed in the 80′s. By removing the peninsula & replacing it with an island, the entire space was more effectively usable. The remodel included a second sink, wine storage & desk area. Materials were chosen for a “Zen” look. Lead Designer: Karen Zeiders Contractor: Ron Chapman Materials: Candlelight Cabinetry, Autumn Glow on Red Birch Ithaca, NY

Certified Green home. 38 Mar Azul N, Ponce Inlet, Florida NEW CONSTRUCTION. Masonry construction with Hurricane standards included. Walk into the front door and see thru to the covered 377 sq Ft Lanai. Open the QUAD sliders for the indoor/outdoor lifestyle. Outdoor shower and plumbed for a outdoor kitchen.Inside is beautiful Porcelain tile thru out. Open floor plan for living, kitchen and dining with soaring ceilings and recessed lighting. The kitchen has a Quartz 10 Foot long Island and walk in pantry. All bedrooms have their own bath and walk in closet plus a half bath for guests. It is definitely a must see to appreciate all the features. https://www.nodalview.com/BxkyYmbx5AcAbWvKcG9D1DgQ?viewer=mls Ponce Inlet Ponce Inlet is small, quiet safe seaside community at the end of the Daytona Beach peninsula. You are walking distance to the beach ,river, jetty, lighthouse and the Park.You are less than an hour away from Orlando. Las Olas Las Olas is the only gated subdivision in Ponce Inlet. There is a deeded beach walkway for the residents. Walking distance to the beach and the river. It is restricted for the protection of the values of the residences. https://floridagreenconstruction.us

Mid-sized trendy rooftop deck photo in San Francisco with a roof extension

Do you have a lot of shoes? We know how to handle it ! We maximized the storage in this closet, which had a low slanted ceiling that restricted height on several walls. We added features such as a tilt out hamper, valet rods, scarf rack, and belt racks. We also added a slide out mirror, shown in one of the pictures here.

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

Due to by-law restrictions, we couldn’t replace any of the side windows without obtaining a permit. We were faced with three small, mismatched windows all installed at different heights. Our solution? We added ‘cheater windows’ – real windows fitted with an opaque film, installed solely on the exterior without going all the way through. This modification helped make sense of these tiny windows and significantly improved the overall appearance. Can you spot the cheater windows?

Our homeowner really wanted to create an open concept feel for his home but was restricted by the closed room floorplan so popular in the decade this house was built. We decided to remove a major loadbearing wall between the kitchen and the dining room as well as the wall separating the kitchen from the front foyer. The existing wood floor that ran throughout the house was repaired and restained to work with the new layout, then came beautiful Benjamin Moore painted cabinetry and an awesome Quartz countertop for the new massive island. Ceramic backsplash in a subway pattern was added and all the handles were done in a contrasting black finish to create a really classic look! Now our homeowners can host large gatherings and parties with their amazing new open concept kitchen!

We kept the sellers floor due to budget restrictions. also, this is peel and stick tile for the backsplash!
Elegant kitchen photo in Baltimore

This project was the result of the owner’s desire to install a swimming pool and outdoor living space inspired by tropical resorts they had visited on family vacations. The one element asked for specifically was a large waterfall spilling into the pool. The challenge for the designers was how to achieve the look the owner’s wished without the use of clichéd items such as thatched huts and tiki torches. The designers decided lush full plantings using plants found in the northeast region that met certain design criteria would be the primary way of giving the tropical feel. Boulder outcroppings, irregular stone paving and fire bowls along the back of the pool would complete the look. The property is located in a newer subdivision with homes on both sides and a school to the rear. A walkway connects the neighborhood and the school along one side. The desired privacy would be addressed by the placement of plants and trees around the perimeter in mounded beds. Placing the waterfall to the rear of the pool helped block the view of the school beyond. The township had restrictions on the amount of impervious material allowable on site. The patio was designed to the maximum allowable size with square footage going to where it would be most usable. Planting beds were cut into the patio to decrease unnecessary square footage, divide spaces, and allow for more places to add plants and trees. A rectangular swimming pool was chosen to make it easier to install an automatic pool cover. The pool was designed, with input from the landscape designers, and contracted separately by the owner. The landscape designers chose the location of pool and waterfall so that it was prominently placed to be the focal point of the backyard. The pool includes a curving sunbathing shelf running from end to end, finished in a lighter color to make it more visible, with removable umbrellas for shade and to add to the resort feel. To tie into the boulders used throughout the design, a large boulder was used as a substitute for a diving board. The yard sloped down towards the back of the property which required a large amount of soil to be added and large boulder retaining wall along the back. For the planting design, the designers choose to focus on plants with larger leaves, various leaf colors and textures, and plants with large flowers in bold colors. These plants were then arranged into a loose lush planting scheme mixed with more traditional northeast plants such as pines, grasses, and roses. Unique plants such as hardy bananas were added for their tropical and exotic look. The full planting beds help to nestle in and enclose the living space. Broken flagstone was chosen for the patio and intentionally left irregular at the edges. PA flagstone was avoided and a stone with gold and brown tones was chosen. Boulder outcroppings added to the natural and tropical theme. The fire pit was designed with a large built-in bench to increase the amount of seating. The designers chose a rounded smooth shape and incorporated the same stone as the pool coping for the caps and bench. For entertaining guests the outdoor kitchen was outfitted with a large gas grill, beverage taps, refrigerator, sink and a dedicated lobster cooker. The kitchen was finished with granite countertops and stainless steel cabinets. Two strategically placed fire bowls, along with the low voltage lighting, add additional interest to the space at night. While the designers were faced with many challenges the resulting design incorporated enough elements to achieve the desired look and feel. Using plants appropriate to the northeast that fit the design criteria and carefully choosing hardscaping materials was essential. The owner’s feel they now have their own tropical theme resort right in their Pennsylvania backyard.

Sargent Photography
Example of a tuscan home design design in Miami

This 1975 split-level home in a wooded area of Reston, Virginia, is home to a growing family of six. Needless to say, space was at a premium and they needed more of it. So they turned to Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes to create a second-story expansion. With limited ability to expand the footprint of the home due to lot restrictions, the design team created a 25’ x 35’ master suite addition to be placed over the existing first floor. The space would be located above the living room, dining room and kitchen, creating a private and secluded oasis for mom and dad. The children would have the home’s three middle level bedrooms and a bath of their own. A New Master Suite A new custom wooden staircase leads the homeowner to the doorstep of what she now calls her “heavenly space.” It’s a large master bedroom complete with a seating area, vaulted ceiling and skylights, and a beautiful Bordeaux-finish maple wood floor. Bright color paint was selected for the walls to complement the wood flooring and bedroom furniture. The new 11’x12’ master bathroom offers a spa-like experience. The new bath touts a large shower stall with a built-in bench and storage niches covered with flagstone tiles; a soaking whirlpool tub; and a long double vanity with granite top and fancy fixtures. Exterior Ties It Together Like any large addition, this one required exterior renovation to make the addition look like the rest of the home. New vinyl siding and architectural shingles replaced the old cedar siding and run down shingles on the original structure. A new front porch with half-stone columns and pillars maintains the home’s cottage look. A new double car garage replaces the original carport. Both are a big part of the home’s new front elevation which greatly improves its curbside appeal. The end result of this project offers everyone in the family a place of their own. The children have new bedrooms and the parents have their sanctuary in their new master suite.

This homeowner had their cabinets painted white a few years ago and they were already starting to see the wear. They were actually glad that they initially painted, because it gave them time to realize refacing was the way they wanted to update their cabinets. They wanted a different look to complement their existing quartz countertop. They selected the Shaker style door in the Swiss Elm Skye wood-grain finish. We also replaced all the drawers with new custom solid wood drawers with soft-close heavy-duty glides. Before, their corner cabinets were restricted due to the double doors only opening at 90 degrees. By replacing the hinges, they can now fully open the doors and access the cabinets. The homeowners are so happy with their refaced kitchen. They say it looks crisp and clean and more their style now.

11' long x 3" thick concrete kitchen island countertop. Natural grey color on white cabinets looks amazing in this loft remodel. Metal inlay brackets tie the waterfall edges to the main top. Seams required only due to the elevator restrictions to get this piece up to the 20th floor. Backlit steel laser cut panel

Nancy B. Greene
Home design - eclectic home design idea in Los Angeles

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 traditional 1926 cottage was transformed into a stunning, contemporary home. The focal point from both inside and out is a 3-story floating wood and stainless staircase, showcased by oversized windows and dramatic lighting. Walnut cabinetry with a distinct stain and natural slab surfaces offset the metals used throughout – Including at the interior and exterior of the fireplace. Reclaimed wood floors pay homage to the industrial area the home is situated in. In designing this home restrictions set forth by the building department were key. For instance, in order for the project to be considered a remodel the existing 8’ tall perimeter walls had to remain in place. The homeowners desperately wanted 9’ tall ceilings, so with crafty engineering and framing we were able to embellish the existing wall framing to achieve the added height. Clearstory windows allow much needed light into the spaces and creates the illusion of spaciousness, while maintaining wall areas for key furnishings and artwork. Every inch of space maximizes storage throughout the 2,600 square foot home. A cabinet for shoe storage immediately inside the front door also serves as a key component at the staircase and provides a platform to highlight sculptural artwork. Unique products and details, such as a metal link shower curtain and custom built-in guest beds with strategically placed outlets and horizontal surfaces to allow for electronics to be close at hand, elevate this home to the next level.

Farmhouse style kitchen remodel. Our clients wanted to do a total refresh of their kitchen. We incorporated a warm toned vinyl flooring (Nuvelle Density Rigid Core in Honey Pecan"), two toned cabinets in a beautiful blue gray and cream (Diamond cabinets) granite countertops and a gorgeous gas range (GE Cafe Pro range). By overhauling the laundry and pantry area we were able to give them a lot more storage. We reorganized a lot of the kitchen creating a better flow specifically giving them a coffee bar station, cutting board station, and a new microwave drawer and wine fridge. Increasing the gas stove to 36" allowed the avid chef owner to cook without restrictions making his daily life easier. One of our favorite sayings is "I love it" and we are able to say thankfully we heard it a lot.