When a world class sailing champion approached us to design a Newport home for his family, with lodging for his sailing crew, we set out to create a clean, light-filled modern home that would integrate with the natural surroundings of the waterfront property, and respect the character of the historic district. Our approach was to make the marine landscape an integral feature throughout the home. One hundred eighty degree views of the ocean from the top floors are the result of the pinwheel massing. The home is designed as an extension of the curvilinear approach to the property through the woods and reflects the gentle undulating waterline of the adjacent saltwater marsh. Floodplain regulations dictated that the primary occupied spaces be located significantly above grade; accordingly, we designed the first and second floors on a stone “plinth” above a walk-out basement with ample storage for sailing equipment. The curved stone base slopes to grade and houses the shallow entry stair, while the same stone clads the interior’s vertical core to the roof, along which the wood, glass and stainless steel stair ascends to the upper level. One critical programmatic requirement was enough sleeping space for the sailing crew, and informal party spaces for the end of race-day gatherings. The private master suite is situated on one side of the public central volume, giving the homeowners views of approaching visitors. A “bedroom bar,” designed to accommodate a full house of guests, emerges from the other side of the central volume, and serves as a backdrop for the infinity pool and the cove beyond. Also essential to the design process was ecological sensitivity and stewardship. The wetlands of the adjacent saltwater marsh were designed to be restored; an extensive geo-thermal heating and cooling system was implemented; low carbon footprint materials and permeable surfaces were used where possible. Native and non-invasive plant species were utilized in the landscape. The abundance of windows and glass railings maximize views of the landscape, and, in deference to the adjacent bird sanctuary, bird-friendly glazing was used throughout. Photo: Michael Moran/OTTO Photography

A series of stone steps and ample landings create a gracious path from the street to the front door.
This is an example of a large rustic partial sun front yard stone garden path in Atlanta for summer.

©David Lauer Photography
Example of a mountain style wooden metal railing staircase design in Denver with concrete risers

Located along a country road, a half mile from the clear waters of Lake Michigan, we were hired to re-conceptualize an existing weekend cabin to allow long views of the adjacent farm field and create a separate area for the owners to escape their high school age children and many visitors! The site had tight building setbacks which limited expansion options, and to further our challenge, a 200 year old pin oak tree stood in the available building location. We designed a bedroom wing addition to the side of the cabin which freed up the existing cabin to become a great room with a wall of glass which looks out to the farm field and accesses a newly designed pea-gravel outdoor dining room. The addition steps around the existing tree, sitting on a specialized foundation we designed to minimize impact to the tree. The master suite is kept separate with ‘the pass’- a low ceiling link back to the main house. Painted board and batten siding, ribbons of windows, a low one-story metal roof with vaulted ceiling and no-nonsense detailing fits this modern cabin to the Michigan country-side. A great place to vacation. The perfect place to retire someday.

This cozy lake cottage skillfully incorporates a number of features that would normally be restricted to a larger home design. A glance of the exterior reveals a simple story and a half gable running the length of the home, enveloping the majority of the interior spaces. To the rear, a pair of gables with copper roofing flanks a covered dining area and screened porch. Inside, a linear foyer reveals a generous staircase with cascading landing. Further back, a centrally placed kitchen is connected to all of the other main level entertaining spaces through expansive cased openings. A private study serves as the perfect buffer between the homes master suite and living room. Despite its small footprint, the master suite manages to incorporate several closets, built-ins, and adjacent master bath complete with a soaker tub flanked by separate enclosures for a shower and water closet. Upstairs, a generous double vanity bathroom is shared by a bunkroom, exercise space, and private bedroom. The bunkroom is configured to provide sleeping accommodations for up to 4 people. The rear-facing exercise has great views of the lake through a set of windows that overlook the copper roof of the screened porch below.

Mountain style single-wall kitchen photo in Other with a drop-in sink, light wood cabinets, brown backsplash and white appliances

bright master bathroom, white quartz, carrara marble tile, carrara marble square mosaic, steam shower, frameless shower door
Inspiration for a contemporary concrete floor and gray floor bathroom remodel in Los Angeles with white walls

Inspiration for a small rustic one-story wood exterior home remodel in Portland with a metal roof and a gray roof

Mountain style u-shaped medium tone wood floor seated home bar photo in Other with open cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, mirror backsplash and gray countertops

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This metro Atlanta kitchen remodel combines the most appealing elements of rustic and modern aesthetics. The key to a modern rustic kitchen like this one is an open floor plan, modern accents, and preserved or created architectural elements. The warm tones of wood, expansive space, and a blend of both rustic and modern spirit, our designers created structural and visual solutions that suited the client's unique and elegant taste.

Example of a mountain style bathroom design in Denver

White hot! This modern rustic bath was fully remodelled using calacatta umber in a honed finish. The pop of teal carries from the adjacent master bedroom. The gorgeous white oak cabinet relates to the existing wood trim of the house, and keeps the space slightly rustic.

Bedroom in Guest House. Photograph by Randall Perry.
Inspiration for a mid-sized craftsman guest medium tone wood floor bedroom remodel in New York with brown walls

Dedicated laundry room - country l-shaped brown floor dedicated laundry room idea in Oklahoma City with an utility sink, recessed-panel cabinets, green cabinets, beige walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and gray countertops

Transitional living room photo in Minneapolis

A cabin in Western Wisconsin is transformed from within to become a serene and modern retreat. In a past life, this cabin was a fishing cottage which was part of a resort built in the 1920’s on a small lake not far from the Twin Cities. The cabin has had multiple additions over the years so improving flow to the outdoor space, creating a family friendly kitchen, and relocating a bigger master bedroom on the lake side were priorities. The solution was to bring the kitchen from the back of the cabin up to the front, reduce the size of an overly large bedroom in the back in order to create a more generous front entry way/mudroom adjacent to the kitchen, and add a fireplace in the center of the main floor. Photographer: Wing Ta Interior Design: Jennaea Gearhart Design

Mountain style deck photo in San Francisco

Inspiration for a modern exterior home remodel in Sacramento