Karen Tropea
Photo of a traditional landscaping in Philadelphia.

Inspiration for a timeless living room remodel in Orlando

The building is a Will Bruder design from the mid 90's and owned & operated by Jackson Hole Title & Escrow. It's an interesting space with all angled walls, lots of glass & a center atrium that extends from the main level to the 3rd floor ceiling. My client wanted to soften the masculinity of the spaces and give it a vibrant fresh look. She has love for contemporary design, especially mid century modern and is always eager to push boundaries with her design choices. I used 'Cocobolo' paper from Flavor Paper as the starting point for pattern and color direction. 30" Satellite pendants from DWR hang on every level in the atrium and can be seen from all pathways. Humorous artwork from The Grand Image, candy bins, a metallic chevron stripe and funky, loose lighting from Tech add to the playfulness of the space. Photo Credit: David Agnello

These barn doors are a great space saver but also bring an amazing look that ties in so well to the space. The farmhouse sink and gold faucet ties in well with the pendant lighting above.

The Sputnik Pendant by Maxim Lighting in this quant Office space.
Example of a classic light wood floor home office design in Los Angeles with gray walls

The Bunker House is a two-story house with a bomb shelter in the basement. A bunker house is a two-story residential building with a basement bomb shelter. In a short time, we had to equip the basement, master the "two walls" principle and properly seal the windows to protect ourselves and our family from the impact of the shock wave. Our priorities have changed when choosing a home - proximity to the city center or transportation hubs no longer matters. Moreover, SENCE ARCHITECTS also took care of other safety aspects. According to the rules, the storage has two distributed exits outside, each with light "hints" of the direction of evacuation. The basement area is sealed and equipped with a double ventilation system. This is a zone of guaranteed protection against missile attacks, poisonous or radioactive substances, combustion products, and bacteriological weapons. The first mode works on air recovery, providing a fresh flow of it in the absence of heat loss. The second is carried out by a filter ventilation unit — it cleans the outside air, and then distributes it to the compartments and creates excess pressure. Thus, contaminated air will not penetrate inside even through small cracks in protective structures. CONCEPTUAL SOLUTION The structures of the building itself are made of strong reinforced concrete — this way SENCE ARCHITECTS suggests abandoning "glass" facades. The number of windows has also been reduced: they will have a protective anti-shock film, and in case of an explosive wave, they will be closed with reinforced shutters made of fire-resistant plywood. At the entrance to the house and bomb shelter, armored doors are installed. Water is supplied from its own artesian well, electricity — from its own diesel power plant. This means that possible damage to infrastructure facilities will not affect the lives of residents in any way. The house is equipped with modern types of radio- and telephone communication, and satellite Internet, which will work even in the bomb shelter. The signaling and air-raid alert systems are to be installed too. The systems are powered autonomously and have backup channels. Overall, given its specificity, the house is designed for a family of 4-5 people. Size / 733 sq.m. Year / 2022

Open floor plan, custom kitchen part of massive remodel and two story addition on Bald Head Island. Custom open shelf coffee bar.
Example of a huge single-wall brown floor and bamboo floor kitchen design in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, quartz backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Stunning bi-level modern two bedroom plus den with two and half bath Penthouse condo features soaring 20 foot ceiling. Relax or entertain with two private outdoor terraces. Open floor plan with hard wood throughout. Floor to ceiling triple pane Weru windows. Luxury kitchen with Bosch appliances. Bedrooms offer a ton of natural light while master bedroom includes en-suite. Parking space for two (tandem) and located one block from Metro, restaurants, shops and more. Low condo fee includes Satellite TV, internet and more.

This stunning modern farmhouse residence in Columbia, Tennessee, sits atop a transformed hilltop parcel, originally raw land that was expertly excavated to create a level 2-acre plateau. The site development included installing essential infrastructure such as paved roads, water lines, and electrical systems, turning an undeveloped ridge into a private, family-friendly haven with panoramic valley and mountain views. The home features a crisp white board-and-batten and horizontal siding exterior, accented by natural stone foundations and stained timber beams for a perfect blend of rustic charm and contemporary edge. Dramatic black-framed windows flood the interior with natural light, while the dark asphalt shingle roof with gabled peaks adds depth and contrast. An expansive covered front porch, supported by cedar posts and topped with metal roofing, invites relaxation with seating areas overlooking the sunset. Additional highlights include an oversized two-car garage with white doors, a lower-level walkout basement ready for expansion, and smart-home-ready elements like energy-efficient construction. Twilight lighting accentuates the clean lines, making the house glow against the evening sky. The landscaped yard is thoughtfully designed for everyday enjoyment, with manicured green lawns, gravel pathways, and low-maintenance shrubs lining the foundation. A circular asphalt driveway provides easy access and ample parking, curving gracefully around the property. In the backyard, a gravel patio area with a fire pit offers a cozy spot for gatherings, while a covered rear deck extends living space outdoors. The setup includes potential for additions like a pool, outdoor kitchen, or expanded entertaining zones, with features like a satellite dish and HVAC units discreetly placed for functionality without compromising aesthetics. Perched on a scenic hilltop surrounded by wooded forests, the 2-acre lot provides plenty of flat, open space for children and dogs to play safely—ideal for games, picnics, or simply running free amid the fresh air. The elevated position ensures unobstructed, layered views of rolling hills, distant valleys, and seasonal foliage, creating a serene rural retreat feel. In summer, lush green trees frame the property; in fall and winter, bare branches reveal even broader vistas. This custom-developed site balances privacy, accessibility, and natural beauty, making it a true dream property for those seeking a luxurious escape in Tennessee's countryside.

Open floor plan, custom kitchen part of massive remodel and two story addition on Bald Head Island. Custom open shelf coffee bar.
Inspiration for a huge single-wall bamboo floor and brown floor kitchen remodel in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, quartz backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Equipment rack located in a climate controlled utility closet.
Southwest closet photo in Phoenix

Red velvet, brown lace and leather make a big statement in this bright sunroom scattered with greenery and fun trinkets. Photo by Shea Conner
Inspiration for a large eclectic ceramic tile sunroom remodel in Austin with a standard ceiling

Opposite the main bar is a built-in entertainment center, and to the right is a satellite bar, for overflow patrons.
Inspiration for a large timeless underground laminate floor and brown floor basement remodel in Boston with red walls

We believe that in our climate outdoor living spaces are some of the best assets on any property. Creating seating areas around your gardens will give you the time and space to sit and relax or host any size gathering you desire. A design tip is to create a main outdoor dining patio and then have satellite patios for specific uses like a fire pit or lounge area.

We believe that in our climate outdoor living spaces are some of the best assets on any property. Creating seating areas around your gardens will give you the time and space to sit and relax or host any size gathering you desire. A design tip is to create a main outdoor dining patio and then have satellite patios for specific uses like a fire pit or lounge area.

The Bunker House is a two-story house with a bomb shelter in the basement. A bunker house is a two-story residential building with a basement bomb shelter. In a short time, we had to equip the basement, master the "two walls" principle and properly seal the windows to protect ourselves and our family from the impact of the shock wave. Our priorities have changed when choosing a home - proximity to the city center or transportation hubs no longer matters. Moreover, SENCE ARCHITECTS also took care of other safety aspects. According to the rules, the storage has two distributed exits outside, each with light "hints" of the direction of evacuation. The basement area is sealed and equipped with a double ventilation system. This is a zone of guaranteed protection against missile attacks, poisonous or radioactive substances, combustion products, and bacteriological weapons. The first mode works on air recovery, providing a fresh flow of it in the absence of heat loss. The second is carried out by a filter ventilation unit — it cleans the outside air, and then distributes it to the compartments and creates excess pressure. Thus, contaminated air will not penetrate inside even through small cracks in protective structures. CONCEPTUAL SOLUTION The structures of the building itself are made of strong reinforced concrete — this way SENCE ARCHITECTS suggests abandoning "glass" facades. The number of windows has also been reduced: they will have a protective anti-shock film, and in case of an explosive wave, they will be closed with reinforced shutters made of fire-resistant plywood. At the entrance to the house and bomb shelter, armored doors are installed. Water is supplied from its own artesian well, electricity — from its own diesel power plant. This means that possible damage to infrastructure facilities will not affect the lives of residents in any way. The house is equipped with modern types of radio- and telephone communication, and satellite Internet, which will work even in the bomb shelter. The signaling and air-raid alert systems are to be installed too. The systems are powered autonomously and have backup channels. Overall, given its specificity, the house is designed for a family of 4-5 people. Size / 733 sq.m. Year / 2022

The dining area is adjacent to the kitchen. The custom reclaimed white oak dining table is 11 feet long with the extension table attached. The table frame is a custom design welded in cold rolled steel and mounted on casters. The open pantry behind features custom mahogany cabinet doors composed of parallel strips of wood, patterned porcelain tile, a sandstone counter and open white oak shelves with a sliding metal chain mesh screen. Photo copyright Timothy Bell

The 'Rack' helps keep the rest of the house 'clean'. All the technology for networking, video distribution, home automation, cable tuners, satellite tuners, surround sound receivers and surveillance is hidden in the closet.

Wall hung Widescreen surround. Only 8" deep but very adequate for this 50" widescreen display. An excellent alternative to the stand-alone floor-based unit. The DVD, Satellite and Amplifier components are hard-wired in to this space and controlled via wireless. Another example of a project where the client was open to out-of-the-box thinking and collaborated with us on the design through back and forth exchange of ideas. End results were perfect for the space and use desired. Wonderful people to work with: Thanks so much, Amy & John, for trusting us with your project.