A traditional house that meanders around courtyards built as though it where built in stages over time. Well proportioned and timeless. Presenting its modest humble face this large home is filled with surprises as it demands that you take your time to experience it.

Paul Warchol Photography
Home office - country dark wood floor and brown floor home office idea in DC Metro with white walls

Entryway - traditional entryway idea in Atlanta with a glass front door

A vibrant perennial border with lady's mantle, foxglove, geranium, and salvia.
Inspiration for a traditional backyard gravel landscaping in Portland.

2011 EcoHome Design Award Winner Key to the successful design were the homeowner priorities of family health, energy performance, and optimizing the walk-to-town construction site. To maintain health and air quality, the home features a fresh air ventilation system with energy recovery, a whole house HEPA filtration system, radiant & radiator heating distribution, and low/no VOC materials. The home’s energy performance focuses on passive heating/cooling techniques, natural daylighting, an improved building envelope, and efficient mechanical systems, collectively achieving overall energy performance of 50% better than code. To address the site opportunities, the home utilizes a footprint that maximizes southern exposure in the rear while still capturing the park view in the front. ZeroEnergy Design | Green Architecture & Mechanical Design www.ZeroEnergy.com Photos by Eric Roth

2011 EcoHome Design Award Winner Key to the successful design were the homeowner priorities of family health, energy performance, and optimizing the walk-to-town construction site. To maintain health and air quality, the home features a fresh air ventilation system with energy recovery, a whole house HEPA filtration system, radiant & radiator heating distribution, and low/no VOC materials. The home’s energy performance focuses on passive heating/cooling techniques, natural daylighting, an improved building envelope, and efficient mechanical systems, collectively achieving overall energy performance of 50% better than code. To address the site opportunities, the home utilizes a footprint that maximizes southern exposure in the rear while still capturing the park view in the front. ZeroEnergy Design | Green Architecture & Mechanical Design www.ZeroEnergy.com Kauffman Tharp Design | Interior Design www.ktharpdesign.com Photos by Eric Roth

Completely renovated home office with gray cerused oak veneer. Details include pullout keyboard tray, hidden "trough" for wire management, and retractable cabinet doors for access to CPUs and other computer accessories. New porcelain stone-look tile flooring. New flat weave lavender rug with a beige bubble pattern.

Holly Days Nursery and Landscapes http://hollydaysnursery.com Project Entry: Collegeville Manor 2013 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Residential Hardscaping $15,000 - $30,000 Project Description: Located on a hilltop in rural Collegeville, Montgomery County, this three-story single-family residence creates a bold silhouette when viewed from the road below. Built on a 2-acre lot in 1997, the home has undergone several upgrades — a lovely stone façade, a pool and bathhouse, an extensive paver patio for entertaining guests, and a gazebo to enjoy quieter times. However, despite attempts by others to improve upon the builder's original design, the front entry remained unwelcoming and therefore underused. The original front entry included a portico stretching three stories above a narrow porch. The porch steps were of uneven length with one step situated two feet off-center. The portico columns, only 8" in diameter, rested on the lowest step, further highlighting the off-centered step above. The landing and walkway were installed using small pavers, while minimal plantings occupied narrow beds. At a later date several planting beds within the entry area were enlarged to make space for a more complex planting plan, yet the overall design remained out­of-scale. The clients were most unhappy with the space and were at a loss as to how to remedy the situation. Here, in this beautiful countryside, sat this big bold three-story house that demanded an equally bold front entry. The design solution was to remove all the under-scaled distractions and make the portico, with the door at its center, the focal point it was meant to be. The key elements required to make this transformation would include: Install wider portico pillars and visually anchor them on an elevated base; Center the porch steps; Pay particular attention to size, color and pattern with regard to stone work and pavers; and Create a sense of space using sitting walls, formal plantings and outdoor lighting. The original 8" diameter portico columns looked like toothpicks straining to hold the weight of the roof above. The columns were replaced with 14" square pillars set on a 32"H base using flamed West Mountain Pier Caps (30"x30"x3") and rock face edge. The steps were recreated; being of equal length, they now sit snuggly between the pillar bases. The portico elements (steps, porch, door, pillars and roof) now function as one architectural feature with the door at its center. The original design included a small landing area that appeared even smaller due to the size and pattern of the pavers. An expanded landing area and reconfigured walkway was installed using Rinox Palazzo, Panama Beige pavers set in a random pattern with a sailor bond edge. Two sitting walls flank the entrance to the landing to create a formal courtyard. The sitting walls were capped using Architectural Stone's 2" West Mountain Flagstone. The beige pavers and West Mountain stone more closely match the color of the stone façade of the house. Architectural lighting was installed on the sitting wall piers to light the walkway, while spotlighting and backlighting are used to accent trees and taller shrubs within the courtyard. Formal plantings of hollies, boxwoods and laurels provide structure to the courtyard while a few larger shrubs provide color and texture. The homeowners chose not to add many perennials to the courtyard's planting plan, preferring instead to focus more on the structure of the plants and how they compliment the larger features of the house. However, the formal lines of the boxwoods and hollies are softened by the informality of Knockout roses and Oakleaf Hydrangeas. What makes this project special is the sense of accomplishment everyone felt when the project was completed. The homeowners, the designer and the stone mason knew the space had great potential; however, its beauty was overshadowed by so many distractions — the scale of the original portico; the uneven steps; the missing focal point and mismatched hardscape components. As testament to the success of the design, the clients tell us that guests now approach the front entry and courtyard on a regular basis, no longer choosing to knock at the side- door entrance. Photo Credit: Holly Days Nursery and Landscapes

Lori Hethmon is the founder, owner of, and lead designer at Granite Grannies. Her home is a historic house in rural Prince George's County, MD. The core of the home (the kitchen and two other rooms) were built in 1809, and the rest of the home was added in 1870. The home was restored by its previous owners in the 1980's. They were faithful to the history of the home. The kitchen floors are the original heart pine. The granite countertops are Macusha Granite, an extremely exotic stone. A couple slabs showed up on the market, and we've never seen anything exactly like it since. The counter are bookmatched so that the large quartz formation above the sink runs down onto the sink counter, hops across the galley kitchen, and runs back up the wall on the other side. The antique kitchen table is also covered in a piece of the Macusha Granite. The cabinets were probably added to the home sometime in the mid 20th century, but every other improvement and decorating aspect was done by Lori personally (including stripping the painted wainscoting, staining it, and then distressing it.) The sink is copper with black patina.

Holly Days Nursery and Landscapes http://hollydaysnursery.com Project Entry: Collegeville Manor 2013 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Residential Hardscaping $15,000 - $30,000 Project Description: Located on a hilltop in rural Collegeville, Montgomery County, this three-story single-family residence creates a bold silhouette when viewed from the road below. Built on a 2-acre lot in 1997, the home has undergone several upgrades — a lovely stone façade, a pool and bathhouse, an extensive paver patio for entertaining guests, and a gazebo to enjoy quieter times. However, despite attempts by others to improve upon the builder's original design, the front entry remained unwelcoming and therefore underused. The original front entry included a portico stretching three stories above a narrow porch. The porch steps were of uneven length with one step situated two feet off-center. The portico columns, only 8" in diameter, rested on the lowest step, further highlighting the off-centered step above. The landing and walkway were installed using small pavers, while minimal plantings occupied narrow beds. At a later date several planting beds within the entry area were enlarged to make space for a more complex planting plan, yet the overall design remained out­of-scale. The clients were most unhappy with the space and were at a loss as to how to remedy the situation. Here, in this beautiful countryside, sat this big bold three-story house that demanded an equally bold front entry. The design solution was to remove all the under-scaled distractions and make the portico, with the door at its center, the focal point it was meant to be. The key elements required to make this transformation would include: Install wider portico pillars and visually anchor them on an elevated base; Center the porch steps; Pay particular attention to size, color and pattern with regard to stone work and pavers; and Create a sense of space using sitting walls, formal plantings and outdoor lighting. The original 8" diameter portico columns looked like toothpicks straining to hold the weight of the roof above. The columns were replaced with 14" square pillars set on a 32"H base using flamed West Mountain Pier Caps (30"x30"x3") and rock face edge. The steps were recreated; being of equal length, they now sit snuggly between the pillar bases. The portico elements (steps, porch, door, pillars and roof) now function as one architectural feature with the door at its center. The original design included a small landing area that appeared even smaller due to the size and pattern of the pavers. An expanded landing area and reconfigured walkway was installed using Rinox Palazzo, Panama Beige pavers set in a random pattern with a sailor bond edge. Two sitting walls flank the entrance to the landing to create a formal courtyard. The sitting walls were capped using Architectural Stone's 2" West Mountain Flagstone. The beige pavers and West Mountain stone more closely match the color of the stone façade of the house. Architectural lighting was installed on the sitting wall piers to light the walkway, while spotlighting and backlighting are used to accent trees and taller shrubs within the courtyard. Formal plantings of hollies, boxwoods and laurels provide structure to the courtyard while a few larger shrubs provide color and texture. The homeowners chose not to add many perennials to the courtyard's planting plan, preferring instead to focus more on the structure of the plants and how they compliment the larger features of the house. However, the formal lines of the boxwoods and hollies are softened by the informality of Knockout roses and Oakleaf Hydrangeas. What makes this project special is the sense of accomplishment everyone felt when the project was completed. The homeowners, the designer and the stone mason knew the space had great potential; however, its beauty was overshadowed by so many distractions — the scale of the original portico; the uneven steps; the missing focal point and mismatched hardscape components. As testament to the success of the design, the clients tell us that guests now approach the front entry and courtyard on a regular basis, no longer choosing to knock at the side- door entrance. Photo Credit: Holly Days Nursery and Landscapes

Holly Days Nursery and Landscapes http://hollydaysnursery.com Project Entry: Collegeville Manor 2013 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Residential Hardscaping $15,000 - $30,000 Project Description: Located on a hilltop in rural Collegeville, Montgomery County, this three-story single-family residence creates a bold silhouette when viewed from the road below. Built on a 2-acre lot in 1997, the home has undergone several upgrades — a lovely stone façade, a pool and bathhouse, an extensive paver patio for entertaining guests, and a gazebo to enjoy quieter times. However, despite attempts by others to improve upon the builder's original design, the front entry remained unwelcoming and therefore underused. The original front entry included a portico stretching three stories above a narrow porch. The porch steps were of uneven length with one step situated two feet off-center. The portico columns, only 8" in diameter, rested on the lowest step, further highlighting the off-centered step above. The landing and walkway were installed using small pavers, while minimal plantings occupied narrow beds. At a later date several planting beds within the entry area were enlarged to make space for a more complex planting plan, yet the overall design remained out­of-scale. The clients were most unhappy with the space and were at a loss as to how to remedy the situation. Here, in this beautiful countryside, sat this big bold three-story house that demanded an equally bold front entry. The design solution was to remove all the under-scaled distractions and make the portico, with the door at its center, the focal point it was meant to be. The key elements required to make this transformation would include: Install wider portico pillars and visually anchor them on an elevated base; Center the porch steps; Pay particular attention to size, color and pattern with regard to stone work and pavers; and Create a sense of space using sitting walls, formal plantings and outdoor lighting. The original 8" diameter portico columns looked like toothpicks straining to hold the weight of the roof above. The columns were replaced with 14" square pillars set on a 32"H base using flamed West Mountain Pier Caps (30"x30"x3") and rock face edge. The steps were recreated; being of equal length, they now sit snuggly between the pillar bases. The portico elements (steps, porch, door, pillars and roof) now function as one architectural feature with the door at its center. The original design included a small landing area that appeared even smaller due to the size and pattern of the pavers. An expanded landing area and reconfigured walkway was installed using Rinox Palazzo, Panama Beige pavers set in a random pattern with a sailor bond edge. Two sitting walls flank the entrance to the landing to create a formal courtyard. The sitting walls were capped using Architectural Stone's 2" West Mountain Flagstone. The beige pavers and West Mountain stone more closely match the color of the stone façade of the house. Architectural lighting was installed on the sitting wall piers to light the walkway, while spotlighting and backlighting are used to accent trees and taller shrubs within the courtyard. Formal plantings of hollies, boxwoods and laurels provide structure to the courtyard while a few larger shrubs provide color and texture. The homeowners chose not to add many perennials to the courtyard's planting plan, preferring instead to focus more on the structure of the plants and how they compliment the larger features of the house. However, the formal lines of the boxwoods and hollies are softened by the informality of Knockout roses and Oakleaf Hydrangeas. What makes this project special is the sense of accomplishment everyone felt when the project was completed. The homeowners, the designer and the stone mason knew the space had great potential; however, its beauty was overshadowed by so many distractions — the scale of the original portico; the uneven steps; the missing focal point and mismatched hardscape components. As testament to the success of the design, the clients tell us that guests now approach the front entry and courtyard on a regular basis, no longer choosing to knock at the side- door entrance. Photo Credit: Holly Days Nursery and Landscapes

Holly Days Nursery and Landscapes http://hollydaysnursery.com Project Entry: Collegeville Manor 2013 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Residential Hardscaping $15,000 - $30,000 Project Description: Located on a hilltop in rural Collegeville, Montgomery County, this three-story single-family residence creates a bold silhouette when viewed from the road below. Built on a 2-acre lot in 1997, the home has undergone several upgrades — a lovely stone façade, a pool and bathhouse, an extensive paver patio for entertaining guests, and a gazebo to enjoy quieter times. However, despite attempts by others to improve upon the builder's original design, the front entry remained unwelcoming and therefore underused. The original front entry included a portico stretching three stories above a narrow porch. The porch steps were of uneven length with one step situated two feet off-center. The portico columns, only 8" in diameter, rested on the lowest step, further highlighting the off-centered step above. The landing and walkway were installed using small pavers, while minimal plantings occupied narrow beds. At a later date several planting beds within the entry area were enlarged to make space for a more complex planting plan, yet the overall design remained out­of-scale. The clients were most unhappy with the space and were at a loss as to how to remedy the situation. Here, in this beautiful countryside, sat this big bold three-story house that demanded an equally bold front entry. The design solution was to remove all the under-scaled distractions and make the portico, with the door at its center, the focal point it was meant to be. The key elements required to make this transformation would include: Install wider portico pillars and visually anchor them on an elevated base; Center the porch steps; Pay particular attention to size, color and pattern with regard to stone work and pavers; and Create a sense of space using sitting walls, formal plantings and outdoor lighting. The original 8" diameter portico columns looked like toothpicks straining to hold the weight of the roof above. The columns were replaced with 14" square pillars set on a 32"H base using flamed West Mountain Pier Caps (30"x30"x3") and rock face edge. The steps were recreated; being of equal length, they now sit snuggly between the pillar bases. The portico elements (steps, porch, door, pillars and roof) now function as one architectural feature with the door at its center. The original design included a small landing area that appeared even smaller due to the size and pattern of the pavers. An expanded landing area and reconfigured walkway was installed using Rinox Palazzo, Panama Beige pavers set in a random pattern with a sailor bond edge. Two sitting walls flank the entrance to the landing to create a formal courtyard. The sitting walls were capped using Architectural Stone's 2" West Mountain Flagstone. The beige pavers and West Mountain stone more closely match the color of the stone façade of the house. Architectural lighting was installed on the sitting wall piers to light the walkway, while spotlighting and backlighting are used to accent trees and taller shrubs within the courtyard. Formal plantings of hollies, boxwoods and laurels provide structure to the courtyard while a few larger shrubs provide color and texture. The homeowners chose not to add many perennials to the courtyard's planting plan, preferring instead to focus more on the structure of the plants and how they compliment the larger features of the house. However, the formal lines of the boxwoods and hollies are softened by the informality of Knockout roses and Oakleaf Hydrangeas. What makes this project special is the sense of accomplishment everyone felt when the project was completed. The homeowners, the designer and the stone mason knew the space had great potential; however, its beauty was overshadowed by so many distractions — the scale of the original portico; the uneven steps; the missing focal point and mismatched hardscape components. As testament to the success of the design, the clients tell us that guests now approach the front entry and courtyard on a regular basis, no longer choosing to knock at the side- door entrance. Photo Credit: Holly Days Nursery and Landscapes

The studio designed by David Adjaye is at left, and the brick building in the center of the shot is the house for the artist clients. Photo by John Hill

Holly Days Nursery and Landscapes http://hollydaysnursery.com Project Entry: Collegeville Manor 2013 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Residential Hardscaping $15,000 - $30,000 Project Description: Located on a hilltop in rural Collegeville, Montgomery County, this three-story single-family residence creates a bold silhouette when viewed from the road below. Built on a 2-acre lot in 1997, the home has undergone several upgrades — a lovely stone façade, a pool and bathhouse, an extensive paver patio for entertaining guests, and a gazebo to enjoy quieter times. However, despite attempts by others to improve upon the builder's original design, the front entry remained unwelcoming and therefore underused. The original front entry included a portico stretching three stories above a narrow porch. The porch steps were of uneven length with one step situated two feet off-center. The portico columns, only 8" in diameter, rested on the lowest step, further highlighting the off-centered step above. The landing and walkway were installed using small pavers, while minimal plantings occupied narrow beds. At a later date several planting beds within the entry area were enlarged to make space for a more complex planting plan, yet the overall design remained out­of-scale. The clients were most unhappy with the space and were at a loss as to how to remedy the situation. Here, in this beautiful countryside, sat this big bold three-story house that demanded an equally bold front entry. The design solution was to remove all the under-scaled distractions and make the portico, with the door at its center, the focal point it was meant to be. The key elements required to make this transformation would include: Install wider portico pillars and visually anchor them on an elevated base; Center the porch steps; Pay particular attention to size, color and pattern with regard to stone work and pavers; and Create a sense of space using sitting walls, formal plantings and outdoor lighting. The original 8" diameter portico columns looked like toothpicks straining to hold the weight of the roof above. The columns were replaced with 14" square pillars set on a 32"H base using flamed West Mountain Pier Caps (30"x30"x3") and rock face edge. The steps were recreated; being of equal length, they now sit snuggly between the pillar bases. The portico elements (steps, porch, door, pillars and roof) now function as one architectural feature with the door at its center. The original design included a small landing area that appeared even smaller due to the size and pattern of the pavers. An expanded landing area and reconfigured walkway was installed using Rinox Palazzo, Panama Beige pavers set in a random pattern with a sailor bond edge. Two sitting walls flank the entrance to the landing to create a formal courtyard. The sitting walls were capped using Architectural Stone's 2" West Mountain Flagstone. The beige pavers and West Mountain stone more closely match the color of the stone façade of the house. Architectural lighting was installed on the sitting wall piers to light the walkway, while spotlighting and backlighting are used to accent trees and taller shrubs within the courtyard. Formal plantings of hollies, boxwoods and laurels provide structure to the courtyard while a few larger shrubs provide color and texture. The homeowners chose not to add many perennials to the courtyard's planting plan, preferring instead to focus more on the structure of the plants and how they compliment the larger features of the house. However, the formal lines of the boxwoods and hollies are softened by the informality of Knockout roses and Oakleaf Hydrangeas. What makes this project special is the sense of accomplishment everyone felt when the project was completed. The homeowners, the designer and the stone mason knew the space had great potential; however, its beauty was overshadowed by so many distractions — the scale of the original portico; the uneven steps; the missing focal point and mismatched hardscape components. As testament to the success of the design, the clients tell us that guests now approach the front entry and courtyard on a regular basis, no longer choosing to knock at the side- door entrance. Photo Credit: Holly Days Nursery and Landscapes

Brookhill Raised Panel and Devonshire Beaded Panel wrap visitors in the comfort and warmth of a rustic twist on a traditional kitchen. Designers take their traditional rustic color cues directly from nature. The Brookhill Raised Panel cabinetry in Knotty Alder finished with a natural stain; combined with the Devonshire Beaded Panel in the semi-transparent Seagrass pigmented stain brings color to this home on the range. Beaded panels, turned legs on the island and wood panels on built-in appliances create that traditional feel, while stacking the crown molding to the ceiling or soffit defines height and makes dusting a breeze. Deep drawer storage, and smart pull-out shelves create plenty of storage space that is easily accessible for all your ranch-hands. The built-in Brookhill Raised Panel hutch in warm Seagrass makes storage stylish and is easily accessible without crowding the nearby dining room. Find a Design-Craft Showroom near you today: http://www.designcraftcabinets.com/dealer-locations

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2013 Houzz
Family room - eclectic family room idea in New York

Lori Hethmon is the founder, owner of, and lead designer at Granite Grannies. Her home is a historic house in rural Prince George's County, MD. The core of the home (the kitchen and two other rooms) were built in 1809, and the rest of the home was added in 1870. The home was restored by its previous owners in the 1980's. They were faithful to the history of the home. The kitchen floors are the original heart pine. The granite countertops are Macusha Granite, an extremely exotic stone. A couple slabs showed up on the market, and we've never seen anything exactly like it since. The counter are bookmatched so that the large quartz formation above the sink runs down onto the sink counter, hops across the galley kitchen, and runs back up the wall on the other side. The antique kitchen table is also covered in a piece of the Macusha Granite. The cabinets were probably added to the home sometime in the mid 20th century, but every other improvement and decorating aspect was done by Lori personally (including stripping the painted wainscoting, staining it, and then distressing it.) The sink is copper with black patina.

Lori Hethmon is the founder, owner of, and lead designer at Granite Grannies. Her home is a historic house in rural Prince George's County, MD. The core of the home (the kitchen and two other rooms) were built in 1809, and the rest of the home was added in 1870. The home was restored by its previous owners in the 1980's. They were faithful to the history of the home. The kitchen floors are the original heart pine. The granite countertops are Macusha Granite, an extremely exotic stone. A couple slabs showed up on the market, and we've never seen anything exactly like it since. The counter are bookmatched so that the large quartz formation above the sink runs down onto the sink counter, hops across the galley kitchen, and runs back up the wall on the other side. The antique kitchen table is also covered in a piece of the Macusha Granite. The cabinets were probably added to the home sometime in the mid 20th century, but every other improvement and decorating aspect was done by Lori personally (including stripping the painted wainscoting, staining it, and then distressing it.) The sink is copper with black patina.

Lori Hethmon is the founder, owner of, and lead designer at Granite Grannies. Her home is a historic house in rural Prince George's County, MD. The core of the home (the kitchen and two other rooms) were built in 1809, and the rest of the home was added in 1870. The home was restored by its previous owners in the 1980's. They were faithful to the history of the home. The kitchen floors are the original heart pine. The granite countertops are Macusha Granite, an extremely exotic stone. A couple slabs showed up on the market, and we've never seen anything exactly like it since. The counter are bookmatched so that the large quartz formation above the sink runs down onto the sink counter, hops across the galley kitchen, and runs back up the wall on the other side. The antique kitchen table is also covered in a piece of the Macusha Granite. The cabinets were probably added to the home sometime in the mid 20th century, but every other improvement and decorating aspect was done by Lori personally (including stripping the painted wainscoting, staining it, and then distressing it.) The sink is copper with black patina.