Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional drought-tolerant and full sun backyard stone garden path in Los Angeles for summer.

Scottsdale, AZ Our turf does great in the heat and snow.
Design ideas for a large traditional drought-tolerant and full sun courtyard landscaping in Los Angeles.

Automated Home Lighting: Revolutionize Your Home with Smart Lighting Solutions Transform your living space with automated home lighting, the latest innovation in smart home technology. Automated lighting systems provide convenience, energy efficiency, and enhanced security for homeowners. With smart lighting solutions, you can control your home's lighting from anywhere using voice commands, motion, smartphone app, , or automated schedules. Benefits of Automated Home Lighting Energy Efficiency: Save on energy bills by using smart bulbs and automated lighting controls that adjust brightness based on natural light or occupancy. Convenience: Easily manage your home's lighting with smart home integration, including compatibility with Josh AI, Control 4, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and other voice-activated systems. Enhanced Security: Program your lights to turn on and off at specific times to give the appearance of occupancy, even when you're away, deterring potential intruders. Customization: Create personalized lighting scenes for different moods and activities, such as reading, watching movies, or hosting a dinner party. Features of Smart Lighting Systems Remote Control: Adjust lighting settings from anywhere using your smartphone or tablet. Voice Activation: Use voice commands to control your lights with popular smart home assistants like Josh AI, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Scheduling: Set schedules for your lights to turn on and off at specific times, enhancing convenience and security. Energy Monitoring: Track energy usage and optimize lighting to reduce your carbon footprint. Why Choose Automated Home Lighting? Investing in automated home lighting not only adds convenience and style to your home but also increases its value. Smart lighting systems are easy to install and can be customized to meet your unique needs and preferences. Whether you're looking to improve energy efficiency, enhance home security, or simply enjoy the convenience of modern technology, automated home lighting is the perfect solution.

Here's the wide angle. The plants were just planted and are not fully established yet, but are sure to fill out over the course of the year. This Orange County landscape front yard looks lush, but is saving water! The side yard was turned into a gorgeous interlocking paver stone walkway. The front yard's turf has been removed and replaced with mulch. Our drought tolerant Orange County landscapes use drip irrigation to save you water! Each head is controlled by a water saving smart sprinkler timer system. Xeriscape can still look lush with small low water fruit trees!

To create this Mt Lebanon client’s “smart” dream kitchen, we removed two walls to create a large, open space perfect for their family and entertainment needs. The L- shaped island features a built-in microwave oven and wine cooler, breakfast bar and custom built bench seating with hidden storage. The side door was moved to the rear of the house for easy access to the yard and a pantry was added to the space next to the door. Smart technology was added with a Samsung refrigerator with Family Hub and lighting and audio controlled by Alexa voice controlled intelligence. All the Samsung appliances are finished in modern black stainless steel. The beautiful blue glass tile backsplash is Jeffrey Court Caribbean Gloss and the sleek countertops are Stella New Age Quartz.

Paul Despenas: EcoSmart Custom Built 2-Lite Sliding windows, picture units and patio door were installed before the siding crew came to do their part. EcoSmart windows feature Smart Core insulated master and sash frames: EcoSmart windows come standard with our patented insulation in all primary frame and sash cavities. This is high density insulation provides a NFRC determined R-Value of 7.25 per inch of thickness. SmartCore insulation provides almost two times the insulating proprieties of typical fiberglass insulation, making EcoSmart windows more energy efficient and your home more comfortable. Performance Glass Options are the heart and soul of any good window. You’ll find a great selection of options to deliver the energy savings your home deserves. Fusion-Welded Frames: The frame and sash on EcoSmart windows are 100% fusion welded for superior sealing against water or air infiltration and no expansion and contraction. Added strength provided by our I-Beam & Rigid Core Fiberglass Reinforcement. All EcoSmart windows are custom built to fit into your home. American Classic Insulated siding features: Lifetime Non-Fade Protection Progressive Foam Fullback Insulation is laminated to the back of the siding to add rigid backing to the siding panel to give straight wall lines Four Times the energy savings value than conventional siding underlayments High permebiliyty lets your walls breath to minimize the opportunity for mold growth Deters termites and carpenter ants The list goes on and on……….American Classic Insulated Vinyl siding and EcoSmart Windows = ENERGY SAVINGS FOR THE LIFETIME OF THE HOME

Automated Home Lighting: Revolutionize Your Home with Smart Lighting Solutions Transform your living space with automated home lighting, the latest innovation in smart home technology. Automated lighting systems provide convenience, energy efficiency, and enhanced security for homeowners. With smart lighting solutions, you can control your home's lighting from anywhere using voice commands, motion, smartphone app, , or automated schedules. Benefits of Automated Home Lighting Energy Efficiency: Save on energy bills by using smart bulbs and automated lighting controls that adjust brightness based on natural light or occupancy. Convenience: Easily manage your home's lighting with smart home integration, including compatibility with Josh AI, Control 4, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and other voice-activated systems. Enhanced Security: Program your lights to turn on and off at specific times to give the appearance of occupancy, even when you're away, deterring potential intruders. Customization: Create personalized lighting scenes for different moods and activities, such as reading, watching movies, or hosting a dinner party. Features of Smart Lighting Systems Remote Control: Adjust lighting settings from anywhere using your smartphone or tablet. Voice Activation: Use voice commands to control your lights with popular smart home assistants like Josh AI, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Scheduling: Set schedules for your lights to turn on and off at specific times, enhancing convenience and security. Energy Monitoring: Track energy usage and optimize lighting to reduce your carbon footprint. Why Choose Automated Home Lighting? Investing in automated home lighting not only adds convenience and style to your home but also increases its value. Smart lighting systems are easy to install and can be customized to meet your unique needs and preferences. Whether you're looking to improve energy efficiency, enhance home security, or simply enjoy the convenience of modern technology, automated home lighting is the perfect solution.

This Orange County landscape front yard looks lush, but is saving water! The front yard's turf has been removed and replaced with mulch. and simple step stones Our drought tolerant Orange County landscapes use drip irrigation to save you water! Each head is controlled by a water saving smart sprinkler timer system. Xeriscape can still look lush with small low water fruit trees!

Minimalist bedroom photo in Miami

The client asked for a drain pipe to be installed to capture rain water in the Rain Barrel. Edibles are growing in pots along the driveway. The garage is in the rear, partially visible on the far left of this photo.

Automated Home Lighting: Revolutionize Your Home with Smart Lighting Solutions Transform your living space with automated home lighting, the latest innovation in smart home technology. Automated lighting systems provide convenience, energy efficiency, and enhanced security for homeowners. With smart lighting solutions, you can control your home's lighting from anywhere using voice commands, motion, smartphone app, , or automated schedules. Benefits of Automated Home Lighting Energy Efficiency: Save on energy bills by using smart bulbs and automated lighting controls that adjust brightness based on natural light or occupancy. Convenience: Easily manage your home's lighting with smart home integration, including compatibility with Josh AI, Control 4, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and other voice-activated systems. Enhanced Security: Program your lights to turn on and off at specific times to give the appearance of occupancy, even when you're away, deterring potential intruders. Customization: Create personalized lighting scenes for different moods and activities, such as reading, watching movies, or hosting a dinner party. Features of Smart Lighting Systems Remote Control: Adjust lighting settings from anywhere using your smartphone or tablet. Voice Activation: Use voice commands to control your lights with popular smart home assistants like Josh AI, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Scheduling: Set schedules for your lights to turn on and off at specific times, enhancing convenience and security. Energy Monitoring: Track energy usage and optimize lighting to reduce your carbon footprint. Why Choose Automated Home Lighting? Investing in automated home lighting not only adds convenience and style to your home but also increases its value. Smart lighting systems are easy to install and can be customized to meet your unique needs and preferences. Whether you're looking to improve energy efficiency, enhance home security, or simply enjoy the convenience of modern technology, automated home lighting is the perfect solution.

Example of a huge trendy white tile dark wood floor tub/shower combo design in Los Angeles with marble countertops

Photo of a mid-sized traditional drought-tolerant and full sun backyard stone garden path in Los Angeles for summer.

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional drought-tolerant and full sun backyard stone garden path in Los Angeles for summer.

Make your home a smart home with the Google Nest products. Save money with a Nest Learning Thermostat, keep an eye on your home with a Nest Cam, and control it all from the Google Home Hub.

Hunter Douglas Silhouette® Window Shadings Fills a Room with Beautiful Light. Brilliant Idea. Silhouette® window shadings diffuse and dispense the sun's rays into soft, natural light throughout the room, reducing your need for electric lighting during the daytime. A choice that's beautiful and smart. Energy Smart Style Promotion February 1 — March 31, 2014 Hunter Douglas Silhouette Window Shadings The Silhouette is the second energy-efficient window treatment to be offered in Hunter Douglas’ Energy Smart Style event; available in an advanced cordless LiteRise® system that allows you to control the vanes without the use of messy and unsightly cords, the Silhouette is as stylish as it is green. Copyright 2001-2013 Hunter Douglas, Inc. All rights reserved.

This Ideabook shares small apartment storage ideas using flat-pack panel furniture. Flat-pack and RTA furniture are perfect for rental apartments and studio units. As an OEM & ODM panel furniture manufacturer, we design space-saving wardrobes, storage beds and TV units for small bedrooms and compact living rooms. These smart storage solutions work well for student housing and modern rental projects. Flat-pack and RTA furniture are perfect for rental apartments and studio units. As an OEM & ODM panel furniture manufacturer, we design space-saving wardrobes, storage beds and TV units for small bedrooms and compact living rooms. These smart storage solutions work well for student housing and modern rental projects.