Phacelia parryi / Parry's phacelia Photo: National Park Service: Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-2.0 Generic

Our client initially asked us to assist with selecting materials and designing a guest bath for their new Tucson home. Our scope of work progressively expanded into interior architecture and detailing, including the kitchen, baths, fireplaces, stair, custom millwork, doors, guardrails, and lighting for the residence – essentially everything except the furniture. The home is loosely defined by a series of thick, parallel walls supporting planar roof elements floating above the desert floor. Our approach was to not only reinforce the general intentions of the architecture but to more clearly articulate its meaning. We began by adopting a limited palette of desert neutrals, providing continuity to the uniquely differentiated spaces. Much of the detailing shares a common vocabulary, while numerous objects (such as the elements of the master bath – each operating on their own terms) coalesce comfortably in the rich compositional language. Photo Credit: William Lesch

An art gallery was designed with low windows to allow natural light to permeate while protecting the sensitive art from harmful direct sunlight. It is these careful details that, in combination with the striking lineation of the home, create a harmonious alliance of function and design. Photo: David Agnello

Coeur d’Alene Limestone Paving, Golden Pearl Granite Stairs and Wall Veneer, Photo: Matthew Millman
Minimalist patio photo in Houston

Eames House, Case Study House No. 8 (1949), Pacific Palisades, California, designed by Charles and Ray Eames Photograph: Lauren Manning's photostream on flickr, used under the Creative Commons license.

Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor open concept kitchen remodel in Boston with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, marble countertops, stainless steel appliances, an island, gray countertops, light wood cabinets, gray backsplash and glass sheet backsplash

Example of a large transitional master bedroom design in Boston with green walls and no fireplace

A separate water closet with it's own fan ensures privacy when more than one person is using the bathroom. A skirted dual flush toilet makes water conservation and cleaning a breeze.

Cold frames are a terrific way to extend the growing season on both ends; serving as mini-greenhouses they allow your garden to keep producing in cold weather months when growing would otherwise be impossible. These beautiful, locally made cedar cold frames measure 24″x 44″ and slope from 5″ in front to 24″ in back (custom built sizes are also available). A temperature sensitive piston automatically opens and closes the lid as-need to create a perfect climate for your plants.

Large transitional brown three-story mixed siding exterior home idea in Boston with a shingle roof

WINNER: FIRST PLACE, Kitchen Design / ASID SAN DIEGO / “2008 Design Excellence Awards” Photo credit: Arclinea San Diego / Gail Owens Photography Design by Lisa Wilson-Wirth, CKD, featuring custom cabinetry from The Arclinea Collection (Source: Arclinea San Diego). PROJECT GOALS: With a passion for the delicious moments family gatherings bring, this oceanfront hi-rise vacation condo was extensively remodeled to meet the needs of a vibrant extended family. Fundamental to the Clients’ recipe for family harmony: an open, contemporary living plan to connect the kitchen, dinning and living areas with the condo’s exquisite views. “Breaking down walls,” a multi-functional peninsula now defines the kitchen perimeter — inviting participation in preparation and consumption —providing an axis from which all other activities radiate. Living, dining, cooking and socializing co-exist in a continual interlacing of relationships and activity. PROJECT FEATURES: Work surfaces are kept to one height, and work zones carefully placed to take advantage of sweeping ocean views and extensive natural day-lighting. To satisfy the culinary requirements of multiple cooks within a small kitchen footprint, every Arclinea cabinet incorporates unique solutions for maximizing storage and enhancing culinary work functions in ergonomically sensitive ways. GREEN DESIGN: Materials specified are ecologically sensitive and cutting-edge. Arclinea cabinets feature sustainably-sourced stained oak veneers in medium grey, paired with our water-based white matte lacquer, and recyclable acid-etched glass. (The finishes complement the coastal setting and offer easy-care maintenance in a household with children.) Cabinets feature Arclinea's recessed “Italia” handle-grips in stainless steel and stainless steel plinths. The resulting award-winning kitchen design is a true recipe for modern living — a sophisticated but accessible design that is integral to all the household activities. ©Lisa Wilson-Wirth, CKD / ©Arclinea San Diego. All Rights Reserved.

Mark Lohman
Mid-century modern kitchen photo in Other with orange countertops

Photo: Adrienne DeRosa © 2015 Houzz Weiss and Carpenter chose to outfit the guest bath in a way that perfectly exemplifies their design philosophy of old-meets-new. Fashioned from an antique butchers freezer, the vanity maintains all of its original features, including the wooden top and worn paint. "Keeping elements from the past not only interests us aesthetically," explains Will, "it also works with our strong held dedication to environmentally sensitive construction. Our view is that by repurposing antiques and found objects, we can lessen our carbon footprint and minimize our individual effect on the environ- ment." Following the industrial vibe of the vanity, an antique French pendant hangs above. Finished in dark green enamel, it is a subtle statement piece in the room. The overall arrangement of the space comes together with encaustic mission tile. Graphic and lively, the cement tiles grace the room with a sophisticated sense of humor. Tile: Harlequin, Original Mission Tile; Taps: Brooklyn 31, Watermark Designs

Cold frames are a terrific way to extend the growing season on both ends; serving as mini-greenhouses they allow your garden to keep producing in cold weather months when growing would otherwise be impossible. These beautiful, locally made cedar cold frames measure 24″x 44″ and slope from 5″ in front to 24″ in back (custom built sizes are also available). A temperature sensitive piston automatically opens and closes the lid as-need to create a perfect climate for your plants.

WINNER: FIRST PLACE, Kitchen Design / ASID SAN DIEGO / “2008 Design Excellence Awards” Photo credit: Arclinea San Diego / Gail Owens Photography Design by Lisa Wilson-Wirth, CKD, featuring custom cabinetry from The Arclinea Collection (Source: Arclinea San Diego). PROJECT GOALS: With a passion for the delicious moments family gatherings bring, this oceanfront hi-rise vacation condo was extensively remodeled to meet the needs of a vibrant extended family. Fundamental to the Clients’ recipe for family harmony: an open, contemporary living plan to connect the kitchen, dinning and living areas with the condo’s exquisite views. “Breaking down walls,” a multi-functional peninsula now defines the kitchen perimeter — inviting participation in preparation and consumption —providing an axis from which all other activities radiate. Living, dining, cooking and socializing co-exist in a continual interlacing of relationships and activity. PROJECT FEATURES: Work surfaces are kept to one height, and work zones carefully placed to take advantage of sweeping ocean views and extensive natural day-lighting. To satisfy the culinary requirements of multiple cooks within a small kitchen footprint, every Arclinea cabinet incorporates unique solutions for maximizing storage and enhancing culinary work functions in ergonomically sensitive ways. GREEN DESIGN: Materials specified are ecologically sensitive and cutting-edge. Arclinea cabinets feature sustainably-sourced stained oak veneers in medium grey, paired with our water-based white matte lacquer, and recyclable acid-etched glass. (The finishes complement the coastal setting and offer easy-care maintenance in a household with children.) Cabinets feature Arclinea's recessed “Italia” handle-grips in stainless steel and stainless steel plinths. The resulting award-winning kitchen design is a true recipe for modern living — a sophisticated but accessible design that is integral to all the household activities. ©Lisa Wilson-Wirth, CKD / ©Arclinea San Diego. All Rights Reserved.

URRUTIA DESIGN Photography by Matt Sartain
Inspiration for a transitional light wood floor bedroom remodel in San Francisco with gray walls

Albert Frey House II : Designed by Albert Frey : Palm Springs Photo by Colin Flavin
Modern exterior home idea in Boston

We designed this group of four residences in 2000-2001. The land had been owned by Mary and Lloyd Anderson (founders of REI) since 1932. We designed an extensive renovation of the original house and three new residences. All four houses surround a large garden dedicated to Mary Anderson who was a Master Gardener. We were asked to incorporate the soul of the original farmhouse in small, carefully crafted houses that were sensitive to the site.

Common checkered skipper butterfly (Pyrgus communis) on California native Bur marigold (Bidens laevis). Photo by Pete Veilleux
Inspiration for a landscaping in San Francisco.