Amy Bartlam
Living room - mid-sized 1950s formal white floor living room idea in Los Angeles with multicolored walls, a standard fireplace and a tv stand

The design of this home was driven by the owners’ desire for a three-bedroom waterfront home that showcased the spectacular views and park-like setting. As nature lovers, they wanted their home to be organic, minimize any environmental impact on the sensitive site and embrace nature. This unique home is sited on a high ridge with a 45° slope to the water on the right and a deep ravine on the left. The five-acre site is completely wooded and tree preservation was a major emphasis. Very few trees were removed and special care was taken to protect the trees and environment throughout the project. To further minimize disturbance, grades were not changed and the home was designed to take full advantage of the site’s natural topography. Oak from the home site was re-purposed for the mantle, powder room counter and select furniture. The visually powerful twin pavilions were born from the need for level ground and parking on an otherwise challenging site. Fill dirt excavated from the main home provided the foundation. All structures are anchored with a natural stone base and exterior materials include timber framing, fir ceilings, shingle siding, a partial metal roof and corten steel walls. Stone, wood, metal and glass transition the exterior to the interior and large wood windows flood the home with light and showcase the setting. Interior finishes include reclaimed heart pine floors, Douglas fir trim, dry-stacked stone, rustic cherry cabinets and soapstone counters. Exterior spaces include a timber-framed porch, stone patio with fire pit and commanding views of the Occoquan reservoir. A second porch overlooks the ravine and a breezeway connects the garage to the home. Numerous energy-saving features have been incorporated, including LED lighting, on-demand gas water heating and special insulation. Smart technology helps manage and control the entire house. Greg Hadley Photography

Custom Surface Solutions (www.css-tile.com) - Owner Craig Thompson (512) 430-1215. This project shows the remodel of a small 1950's vintage home master bathroom. 8"" x 18" Calcutta gold marble tile was used on the shower walls and floor wall base and ceramic gray penny tile on the floor. Shower includes curbless pan / floor, dual shower boxes, frameless glass slider, trough duel fixture sink and chrome fixtures.

Large detached two-car carport photo in San Diego

A view of the Carsten Lane House, a restored and renovated classic cigar-maker's conch cottage on a secluded lane in Old Town, Key West, FL. The cottage was sensitively restored repairing and replacing traditional material in kind, including the original wood double-hung windows, wood siding, and original interior Dade County pine floors.

Alcove shower - small contemporary 3/4 gray tile, white tile and matchstick tile porcelain tile and beige floor alcove shower idea in New York with a one-piece toilet

Vaulted Stairwell leading from front foyer to large second floor landing with views over living/dining area below. The landing also contains a built-in library and space for the owners' clavinova. Careful attention was given to sensitive uplighting of the timber beams and posts and we avoided doing any pot lights within the Tongue-and-groove ceiling.

Subtle shifts in the walls flanking the stairs and sensitive rail placement create a welcoming approach for guests. The height of the porch roof/ceilings make the entry feel grand. Tracy Witherspoon

In the first post of this two-part blog series, we began the discussion of why we decline business. We’re tackling this sensitive subject by the horns to give more insight into what happens behind the scenes in the remodeling industry. It’s a touchy subject as when we buy something we never expect to be rejected by the seller. However, there are instances where businesses need to filter potential customers to be successful. To help make our explanation more relatable, we’ll return to the example we set up in part one: a farmer selling oranges at a local farmer’s market. Take a read on the conclusion of this 2 part blog series on the reasons why contractors occasionally decline business to customers. Check out the full blog on our website - Either use the link in our bio, QR code provided, or link below to see the post directly. Link: https://mayflowerva.com/why-we-decline-business-pt2/

South facing all white kitchen with high gloss laminate cabinets and Cambria Torquay counters, extensive window offering a view of the trees. Custom designed and painted glass backsplash. Under mount sink and induction cooktop. Kitchen is open to the dining room and to the play/family room. Photo: Reach Design

This house west of Boston was originally designed in 1958 by the great New England modernist, Henry Hoover. He built his own modern home in Lincoln in 1937, the year before the German émigré Walter Gropius built his own world famous house only a few miles away. By the time this 1958 house was built, Hoover had matured as an architect; sensitively adapting the house to the land and incorporating the clients wish to recreate the indoor-outdoor vibe of their previous home in Hawaii. The house is beautifully nestled into its site. The slope of the roof perfectly matches the natural slope of the land. The levels of the house delicately step down the hill avoiding the granite ledge below. The entry stairs also follow the natural grade to an entry hall that is on a mid level between the upper main public rooms and bedrooms below. The living spaces feature a south- facing shed roof that brings the sun deep in to the home. Collaborating closely with the homeowner and general contractor, we freshened up the house by adding radiant heat under the new purple/green natural cleft slate floor. The original interior and exterior Douglas fir walls were stripped and refinished. Photo by: Nat Rea Photography

Tom Harper This home was a renovation of a traditional weekend log home into a modern full time retirement residence. This home was shy of storage, loaded with lots of wood (floors, walls and ceilings were all wood) and was dated and dull. We completely blew out the kitchen and all bathrooms and totally renovated the basement into a cozy entertainment space. The style ended up being "mountain modern" which was sensitive to the modern home style, but fresh with contemporary creature comforts and details.

Chris Golden
Inspiration for a transitional carpeted living room remodel in Phoenix with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace

The single family dwelling resides on Cleveland’s westside near Kaams Corner and is a replacement home to one that had recently burnt down. The client, Eden Inc. provides subsidized housing for those facing challenges of housing insecurities and homelessness. The single level home merges accessibility with a contextually sensitive design. The property is situated amongst a neighborhood full of post war housing. The wedge shaped lot informed the houses geometry, creating a design opportunity with two rectangular volumes overlapping. One simple volume maintains it’s rectangularity and houses bedrooms and accessible bathroom while the other volume houses public functions such as entry, living, kitchen and dining. The project merges contemporary detailing with a traditional material and form resulting in a project that fits in the neighborhood and responds to the context while remaining functional to the diverse needs of today.

This beautiful rear entrance to this split-level home opens out into a recently remodeled basement. Warm oak treads and flooring bring in light and warmth. Built in shelving and cabinets help store kids play area toys away.

The Owners of a home that had been consumed by the moving dunes of Lake Michigan wanted a home that would not only stand the test of aesthetic time, but survive the vicissitudes of the environment. With the assistance of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality as well as the consulting civil engineer and the City of Grand Haven Zoning Department, a soil stabilization site plan was developed based on raising the new home’s main floor elevation by almost three feet, implementing erosion studies, screen walls and planting indigenous, drought tolerant xeriscaping. The screen walls, as well as the low profile of the home and the use of sand trapping marrum beachgrass all help to create a wind shadow buffer around the home and reduce blowing sand erosion and accretion. The Owners wanted to minimize the stylistic baggage which consumes most “cottage” residences, and with the Architect created a home with simple lines focused on the view and the natural environment. Sustainable energy requirements on a budget directed the design decisions regarding the SIPs panel insulation, energy systems, roof shading, other insulation systems, lighting and detailing. Easily constructed and linear, the home harkens back to mid century modern pavilions with present day environmental sensitivities and harmony with the site. James Yochum

Jared McKenna Photography
Mountain style open concept gray floor family room photo in Boston with a wood stove, a metal fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Exterior, brick, lime, limewash, painted brick, architectural finish