My House Design/Build Team | www.myhousedesignbuild.com | 604-694-6873 | Martin Knowles Photography ----- As with all our projects, we started with the architectural design. The house was large enough, but it lacked function and openness. There were only 2 bedrooms on the main floor and two sets of stairs into the basement (who was their designer?!). Pair that with some questionable rock feature walls, and we had to look at this home from the perspective of a complete gut. The first step was to plan for a single staircase to the basement in a location that made sense. Once we removed the wall that separated the foyer from the living room, we created a nice open space as you enter the home, and the perfect location for the set of stairs. No rock was salvaged in the making of this space. Additionally, with the centrally located living room and vaulted ceiling, it provided the perfect opportunity to expand the deck space out back and create an amazing covered area with views to the mountains beyond.

My House Design/Build Team | www.myhousedesignbuild.com | 604-694-6873 | Martin Knowles Photography ----- As with all our projects, we started with the architectural design. The house was large enough, but it lacked function and openness. There were only 2 bedrooms on the main floor and two sets of stairs into the basement (who was their designer?!). Pair that with some questionable rock feature walls, and we had to look at this home from the perspective of a complete gut. The first step was to plan for a single staircase to the basement in a location that made sense. Once we removed the wall that separated the foyer from the living room, we created a nice open space as you enter the home, and the perfect location for the set of stairs. No rock was salvaged in the making of this space. Additionally, with the centrally located living room and vaulted ceiling, it provided the perfect opportunity to expand the deck space out back and create an amazing covered area with views to the mountains beyond.

My House Design/Build Team | www.myhousedesignbuild.com | 604-694-6873 | Martin Knowles Photography ----- As with all our projects, we started with the architectural design. The house was large enough, but it lacked function and openness. There were only 2 bedrooms on the main floor and two sets of stairs into the basement (who was their designer?!). Pair that with some questionable rock feature walls, and we had to look at this home from the perspective of a complete gut. The first step was to plan for a single staircase to the basement in a location that made sense. Once we removed the wall that separated the foyer from the living room, we created a nice open space as you enter the home, and the perfect location for the set of stairs. No rock was salvaged in the making of this space. Additionally, with the centrally located living room and vaulted ceiling, it provided the perfect opportunity to expand the deck space out back and create an amazing covered area with views to the mountains beyond.

This project is an Electronic House Magazine Homes of the Year Award Winner: http://electronichouse.com/article/multipurpose_media_room_with_vegas_vibe Shortly after moving into this home, our client wanted to add space and create a custom game room, pool, and courtyard space. They plan to entertain significantly, and wanted a high-performance space that they could be proud of. We integrated quality electronics into a professionally designed space, with culminated in a comfortable environment with plenty of entertainment options. The 9 video screens combine to provide a 138" TV with flawless picture, and incredible surround sound performance. This entertainment can be taken outside with the cleverly hidden rock speakers throughout the property, and outdoor WiFi to allow everything to be controlled with iPads and iPhones from anywhere in or out of the home. Integration of the lighting control, climate control, and audio video into a central app, provides simple control and convenience.

Here we have a Tony Duquette inspired room with an exquisite wallpaper (one panel), a Central Park Sofa, Grey Ainsley chair with aubusson cover and the Henredon coffee table. Let's not forget the Mansini cabinet that is accessorized with Rosenthal porcelain stamped birds and the Almoravid Noble bust. What a room to call your own! Charles Lauersdorf at Realty Pro Shots

A transformation inspired by the owner’s love of modern architecture, art and color (and the adjacent sand, rock, water, and the northwest landscape), the Indianola House sought to bring the soul of a home to a colorless muted box. The original house was a drab 1990’s-era box with no personality or presence sited on a beautiful secluded bay, facing water and island views, northwest of the City of Seattle. The existing mono-colored stucco-clad exterior and pyramidal glass-block openings had led the neighborhood to dub the structure, unflatteringly, “The Miami Vice House”. Rhodes Architecture’s Residential Architects careful use of natural light, rich, collaged finishes and ability to open the house to gardens, beach, and outdoor gathering was critical to the design. The house soon became “The Gallery”. The original home’s grey stucco exterior made the house seem both large and featureless; the introduction of no-maintenance exterior materials that collage and complement each other was a goal of the homeowner and the Seattle Architects who teamed up for this residential design. The bloated scale of the house cried out for the establishment and definition of the parts of the structure, a breaking down of the home’s form and its apparent bland size. Living, sleeping, and bathing areas that started as staid spaces were in need of opening to the natural environment with additions of large doors, folding glass walls and useable balconies were crucial to each space having a dialogue with the outdoors. The owner’s extensive art collection was highlighted and became the focus of interior places, well-lit naturally and through a new lighting system. Energy use and sustainable systems were a key component of the design which used high-efficacy lighting, better cladding on a rain-screen system, high-efficiency doors and windows, new insulation and weather barriers, and which added a photovoltaic-generated electrical system. The contemporary design sought to integrate all of these systems, materials, and finishes into a seamless whole that lent interest and drama to a residence which was previously lusterless. How radically this house was transformed is evident in the exteriors, gardens and the natural spaces the house now opens to, as well as the gallery-like interiors. This home is a stunning testament to what is possible “before-and-after” when remade by Rhodes Architecture + Light. The clients are an older couple with long professional and political careers, a love of art and a clear desire to connect with the Northwest environment and enliven their daily lives with spaces full of color and natural light. Rhodes Architecture + Light was hired in 2019 to add new exteriors and interiors, natural light, larger openings to beach and bay, seismic and foundation upgrades to the home, and to infuse life into the house through the re-use of existing space and varied materials, color, textures, and lighting. The only actual change to the exterior “shell” of the house was the introduction of a low “gull-wing” roof with wood soffits above the central atrium space, to add drama and bring natural light into the entry gallery space. Interior spaces, including bedrooms and bathrooms, were re-planned and opened to each other, to greater natural light, to roof decks, and to the incredible views and sea-side environment. The Builder, Fairbank Construction Company of Bainbridge Island, Washington, met the challenge of the design, first completely deconstructing the finishes inside and out, then precisely interlocking new claddings, windows and doors, cabinetry, finishes and a new gull-wing central roof in a beautiful transformation. The construction was total, thorough, and very detailed, resulting a house that, far from seeming a “remodeling”, is far more present and fitting to the owner’s lives and the natural environment than the house we started with.

Inspiration for a porch remodel in Orlando

My House Design/Build Team | www.myhousedesignbuild.com | 604-694-6873 | Martin Knowles Photography ----- As with all our projects, we started with the architectural design. The house was large enough, but it lacked function and openness. There were only 2 bedrooms on the main floor and two sets of stairs into the basement (who was their designer?!). Pair that with some questionable rock feature walls, and we had to look at this home from the perspective of a complete gut. The first step was to plan for a single staircase to the basement in a location that made sense. Once we removed the wall that separated the foyer from the living room, we created a nice open space as you enter the home, and the perfect location for the set of stairs. No rock was salvaged in the making of this space. Additionally, with the centrally located living room and vaulted ceiling, it provided the perfect opportunity to expand the deck space out back and create an amazing covered area with views to the mountains beyond.

This double-sided fountain is the focal point of a cozy courtyard surrounded by boxwood, flowering shrubs, and an herb garden.
Inspiration for a timeless patio remodel in Columbus

Kennebec Lakehouse is a year-round vacation home located on Kennebec Lake, a finger-lake in Arden Ontario. The 2.8 acre site is defined by its dramatic topography, sloping down from the roadway to the south to Kennebec Lake from south to north. The site is densely wooded with a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees, and features a prominent exposed rock ledge extending the full width of the property parallel to the shoreline. By locating the house on the lake-side of this ledge, we are able to build a 2 level house with a partially exposed lower level to create a walkout with minimal excavation. Programmatically, the house is defined by two distinct zones, the house proper on the main level, clad in ship-lap cedar siding, and a lower poured-in-place concrete volume containing service space, a recreational room, and a guest suite. The simple rectangular plan is oriented in an east-west direction along the exposed rock ledge to exploit the uninterrupted lake views to the north and maximize privacy from adjacent properties. Glazing is mostly limited to both levels of this northern facade. The plan is organized around the central common space containing the entry foyer, living room, kitchen and dining areas in a large column-free space. Bedrooms are located at either end of this space and are oriented towards the lake views along the north facade. The house features a moderately-sloped gable roof with deep overhangs to provide protection for the long north and south facades. On the lakeside, this overhang sponsors an extended flat roof- canopy to provide partial cover for a substantial main level deck and barbecue station. The barbecue station is housed in a concrete tower that is the primary deck and canopy support. The upper volume is clad in ship-lap western red cedar siding, stained a dark charcoal grey to help the house recede into the wooded site and feature minimally from the lake. Lakehouse has been designed to exceed the latest SB-12 energy performance criteria, with exceptionally high R-values for roof, wall and slab assemblies, air tightness considerations, advanced rain-screen wall assemblies and Alumilex high performance triple-glazed aluminum windows and doors with argon filled IGU units with dbl- low-e coatings.

This flexible family games room is designed to accommodate groups of people with various activities. A central rock fireplace keeps the space cozy, view windows maintain the connection to the mountain landscape.

Inspired by historic homes in America’s grand old neighborhoods, the Wainsborough combines the rich character and architectural craftsmanship of the past with contemporary conveniences. Perfect for today’s busy lifestyles, the home is the perfect blend of past and present. Touches of the ever-popular Shingle Style – from the cedar lap siding to the pitched roof – imbue the home with all-American charm without sacrificing modern convenience. Exterior highlights include stone detailing, multiple entries, transom windows and arched doorways. Inside, the home features a livable open floor plan as well as 10-foot ceilings. The kitchen, dining room and family room flow together, with a large fireplace and an inviting nearby deck. A children’s wing over the garage, a luxurious master suite and adaptable design elements give the floor plan the flexibility to adapt as a family’s needs change. “Right-size” rooms live large, but feel cozy. While the floor plan reflects a casual, family-friendly lifestyle, craftsmanship throughout includes interesting nooks and window seats, all hallmarks of the past. The main level includes a kitchen with a timeless character and architectural flair. Designed to function as a modern gathering room reflecting the trend toward the kitchen serving as the heart of the home, it features raised panel, hand-finished cabinetry and hidden, state-of-the-art appliances. Form is as important as function, with a central square-shaped island serving as a both entertaining and workspace. Custom-designed features include a pull-out bookshelf for cookbooks as well as a pull-out table for extra seating. Other first-floor highlights include a dining area with a bay window, a welcoming hearth room with fireplace, a convenient office and a handy family mud room near the side entrance. A music room off the great room adds an elegant touch to this otherwise comfortable, casual home. Upstairs, a large master suite and master bath ensures privacy. Three additional children’s bedrooms are located in a separate wing over the garage. The lower level features a large family room and adjacent home theater, a guest room and bath and a convenient wine and wet bar.

This rear yard has a centrally located pool, which is backed by a fieldstone wall. This fieldstone wall has a number of accents to add interest and form, but the highlight is a centrally located fountain. A pool cabana containing a built in grill anchors one side of the pool while a trellis balances the landscape on the other side of the pool. Fieldstone columns with bluestone caps surround the perimeter of the rear yard and lend additional interest to the iron fencing A minimalist approach was taken for the planting scheme. Select ornamental deciduous trees add the vertical element and low shrubs and perennials soften the transition to the house as well as add color. Strategic landscape lighting really transforms this area at night, it's a beautiful area to enjoy a summer evening.

This project is an Electronic House Magazine Homes of the Year Award Winner: http://electronichouse.com/article/multipurpose_media_room_with_vegas_vibe Shortly after moving into this home, our client wanted to add space and create a custom game room, pool, and courtyard space. They plan to entertain significantly, and wanted a high-performance space that they could be proud of. We integrated quality electronics into a professionally designed space, with culminated in a comfortable environment with plenty of entertainment options. The 9 video screens combine to provide a 138" TV with flawless picture, and incredible surround sound performance. This entertainment can be taken outside with the cleverly hidden rock speakers throughout the property, and outdoor WiFi to allow everything to be controlled with iPads and iPhones from anywhere in or out of the home. Integration of the lighting control, climate control, and audio video into a central app, provides simple control and convenience.