The landscape enhancements depicted in the photos showcase a beautifully designed entry garden that harmonizes with the surrounding Santa Fe mountainous setting. Generous, wide flagstone walkways create inviting access to the home, guiding visitors through the garden and enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal. Natural stone retaining walls add both structure and visual interest, helping to create terraced levels within the landscape while managing soil erosion and contributing to the earthy, rustic charm typical of Southwestern design. A thoughtfully designed natural style fountain serves as a focal point, providing a soothing sound of flowing water that enhances the tranquil atmosphere. The garden incorporates a variety of native and drought-tolerant plants, which thrive in the arid climate, conserving water while supporting local wildlife and adding vibrant color and texture. Overall, this elegant design functions as both an inviting entryway and an outdoor living area, encouraging outdoor enjoyment and making it a perfect space for relaxation and gatherings while seamlessly blending with the natural environment.

Incorporating a unique blue-chip art collection, this modern Hamptons home was meticulously designed to complement the owners' cherished art collections. The thoughtful design seamlessly integrates tailored storage and entertainment solutions, all while upholding a crisp and sophisticated aesthetic. In the elegant entryway, the double-height ceilings are adorned with exquisite lighting fixtures that cast a warm, inviting glow throughout the space. Above a sleek console, we showcased captivating art pieces. The room is bathed in natural light, creating a bright and airy ambience.

The landscape enhancements depicted in the photos showcase a beautifully designed entry garden that harmonizes with the surrounding Santa Fe mountainous setting. Generous, wide flagstone walkways create inviting access to the home, guiding visitors through the garden and enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal. Natural stone retaining walls add both structure and visual interest, helping to create terraced levels within the landscape while managing soil erosion and contributing to the earthy, rustic charm typical of Southwestern design. A thoughtfully designed natural style fountain serves as a focal point, providing a soothing sound of flowing water that enhances the tranquil atmosphere. The garden incorporates a variety of native and drought-tolerant plants, which thrive in the arid climate, conserving water while supporting local wildlife and adding vibrant color and texture. Overall, this elegant design functions as both an inviting entryway and an outdoor living area, encouraging outdoor enjoyment and making it a perfect space for relaxation and gatherings while seamlessly blending with the natural environment.

Recently, we embarked on a design project to redesign the entry landscaping with the timeless beauty of a Japanese garden, emphasizing Tsukiyama earth mounding. This technique, which involves sculpting gentle, rolling hills to reflect natural landscapes, brought a new dimension of tranquility and depth to the space. By integrating a minimalist planting aesthetic and organic, dissolving lines, we achieved a seamless fusion of serenity with modern sophistication. The transformed entryway now greets visitors with unfolding views that perfectly complements the home’s treehouse views into Nichols Arboretum.

Outdoor living is key to the California coastal lifestyle. Expansive bi-fold doors create a seamless flow, perfect for entertaining or enjoying open spaces. Enhance this experience with outdoor furniture to elevate your home to a resort-style retreat.

In this Cedar Rapids residence, sophistication meets bold design, seamlessly integrating dynamic accents and a vibrant palette. Every detail is meticulously planned, resulting in a captivating space that serves as a modern haven for the entire family. The entryway is enhanced with a stunning blue and white carpet complemented by captivating statement lighting. The carefully curated elements combine to create an inviting and aesthetically pleasing space.

With harmonious visual appeal, the flow of the space allows for convenience and seamless transitions between areas. The entry hall is adorned with original art and a lampakanay wrapped console. The wet bar, with ice maker, is conveniently located in the living room.

This light-filled entry and music room creates a striking first impression, combining architectural detail with purposeful design. A grand piano anchors the space, framed by custom built-in cabinetry that provides both storage and display. Wide-plank wood flooring and clean-lined finishes keep the room warm and contemporary, while large windows invite natural light and views of the surrounding landscape. The modern black front door with geometric glass panels adds a bold focal point, highlighting the home’s thoughtful craftsmanship and seamless blend of function and elegance.

This spacious foyer sets the tone for the home with its wide, open layout and abundant closet storage. Positioned at the entry level of this back-split design, it connects seamlessly to the office, guest suite, and main staircase, creating a bright and functional welcome area.

Example of an arts and crafts entryway design in Chicago

Recently, we embarked on a design project to redesign the entry landscaping with the timeless beauty of a Japanese garden, emphasizing Tsukiyama earth mounding. This technique, which involves sculpting gentle, rolling hills to reflect natural landscapes, brought a new dimension of tranquility and depth to the space. By integrating a minimalist planting aesthetic and organic, dissolving lines, we achieved a seamless fusion of serenity with modern sophistication. The transformed entryway now greets visitors with unfolding views that perfectly complements the home’s treehouse views into Nichols Arboretum.

The goal in building this home was to create an exterior esthetic that elicits memories of a Tuscan Villa on a hillside and also incorporates a modern feel to the interior. Modern aspects were achieved using an open staircase along with a 25' wide rear folding door. The addition of the folding door allows us to achieve a seamless feel between the interior and exterior of the house. Such creates a versatile entertaining area that increases the capacity to comfortably entertain guests. The outdoor living space with covered porch is another unique feature of the house. The porch has a fireplace plus heaters in the ceiling which allow one to entertain guests regardless of the temperature. The zero edge pool provides an absolutely beautiful backdrop—currently, it is the only one made in Indiana. Lastly, the master bathroom shower has a 2' x 3' shower head for the ultimate waterfall effect. This house is unique both outside and in.

Stephanie Barnes-Castro is a full service architectural firm specializing in sustainable design serving Santa Cruz County. Her goal is to design a home to seamlessly tie into the natural environment and be aesthetically pleasing and energy efficient.

Recently, we embarked on a design project to redesign the entry landscaping with the timeless beauty of a Japanese garden, emphasizing Tsukiyama earth mounding. This technique, which involves sculpting gentle, rolling hills to reflect natural landscapes, brought a new dimension of tranquility and depth to the space. By integrating a minimalist planting aesthetic and organic, dissolving lines, we achieved a seamless fusion of serenity with modern sophistication. The transformed entryway now greets visitors with unfolding views that perfectly complements the home’s treehouse views into Nichols Arboretum.

For large living areas, avoiding the enclosure of space is key. Installing high-quality bi-fold doors can open up walls and create a seamless indoor-outdoor living experience. These doors offer a refreshing ambiance with uninterrupted views, perfect for any gathering, and add an engaging element to parties.

The goal in building this home was to create an exterior esthetic that elicits memories of a Tuscan Villa on a hillside and also incorporates a modern feel to the interior. Modern aspects were achieved using an open staircase along with a 25' wide rear folding door. The addition of the folding door allows us to achieve a seamless feel between the interior and exterior of the house. Such creates a versatile entertaining area that increases the capacity to comfortably entertain guests. The outdoor living space with covered porch is another unique feature of the house. The porch has a fireplace plus heaters in the ceiling which allow one to entertain guests regardless of the temperature. The zero edge pool provides an absolutely beautiful backdrop—currently, it is the only one made in Indiana. Lastly, the master bathroom shower has a 2' x 3' shower head for the ultimate waterfall effect. This house is unique both outside and in.

This Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA home features a comprehensive exterior renovation that blends classic coastal materials with modern functionality. Cedar shingle siding, a prominent stone chimney, and a balanced façade reflect timeless New England architecture, while the folding glass door entry introduces a seamless indoor-outdoor connection. The gravel driveway and natural landscaping enhance the home’s setting, creating a warm and cohesive exterior that feels both refined and inviting.

The custom designed pivot door of this home's foyer is a showstopper. The 5' x 9' wood front door and sidelights blend seamlessly with the adjacent staircase. A round marble foyer table provides an entry focal point, while round ottomans beneath the table provide a convenient place the remove snowy boots before entering the rest of the home. The modern sleek staircase in this home serves as the common thread that connects the three separate floors. The architecturally significant staircase features "floating treads" and sleek glass and metal railing. Our team thoughtfully selected the staircase details and materials to seamlessly marry the modern exterior of the home with the interior. A striking multi-pendant chandelier is the eye-catching focal point of the stairwell on the main and upper levels of the home. The positions of each hand-blown glass pendant were carefully placed to cascade down the stairwell in a dramatic fashion. The elevator next to the staircase (not shown) provides ease in carrying groceries or laundry, as an alternative to using the stairs.

This Boulder, Colorado remodel by fuentesdesign demonstrates the possibility of renewal in American suburbs, and Passive House design principles. Once an inefficient single story 1,000 square-foot ranch house with a forced air furnace, has been transformed into a two-story, solar powered 2500 square-foot three bedroom home ready for the next generation. The new design for the home is modern with a sustainable theme, incorporating a palette of natural materials including; reclaimed wood finishes, FSC-certified pine Zola windows and doors, and natural earth and lime plasters that soften the interior and crisp contemporary exterior with a flavor of the west. A Ninety-percent efficient energy recovery fresh air ventilation system provides constant filtered fresh air to every room. The existing interior brick was removed and replaced with insulation. The remaining heating and cooling loads are easily met with the highest degree of comfort via a mini-split heat pump, the peak heat load has been cut by a factor of 4, despite the house doubling in size. During the coldest part of the Colorado winter, a wood stove for ambiance and low carbon back up heat creates a special place in both the living and kitchen area, and upstairs loft. This ultra energy efficient home relies on extremely high levels of insulation, air-tight detailing and construction, and the implementation of high performance, custom made European windows and doors by Zola Windows. Zola’s ThermoPlus Clad line, which boasts R-11 triple glazing and is thermally broken with a layer of patented German Purenit®, was selected for the project. These windows also provide a seamless indoor/outdoor connection, with 9′ wide folding doors from the dining area and a matching 9′ wide custom countertop folding window that opens the kitchen up to a grassy court where mature trees provide shade and extend the living space during the summer months. With air-tight construction, this home meets the Passive House Retrofit (EnerPHit) air-tightness standard of