This is a pool we built in Lockport, IL. This is a custom Lazy L pool that was designed to fit with the yard setbacks that their lot. This is a Steel Wall Pool with a Vinyl Liner. Corner Steel Stairs and some Laminar Jets. The paver patio is a unilok paver patio.

Granite Marble and Direct Precision Exteriors in MN
Mid-sized beach style formal and open concept light wood floor and beige floor living room photo in Minneapolis with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Linda Oyama Bryan
Design ideas for a mediterranean backyard landscaping in Chicago.

The transom window above the double wooden doors allows ventilation when the doors are closed. Tom Wuelpern
Example of a southwest beige two-story stucco house exterior design in Other

All photos courtesy of ShootingLA
Photo of a mid-sized eclectic partial sun gravel landscaping in Los Angeles.

At exactly 400sf, this Accessory Dwelling Unit was originally an alley garage crammed with junk, and nearly falling over. Intended as a short- or long-term rental, a family guest house, summer party spot, and a potential future home for the clients, this ADU had to live larger than its actual square footage. Because of this, there needed to be a full kitchen, dining, living space, and limited long-term storage, as well as have the ability to fully open up to a landscaped patio. The clients also wanted to be sure that the space was extremely energy efficient, as well as budget-conscious. Using the existing footprint, and a small portion of the garage to construct the new ADU enabled the homeowners keep the structure very close to the property lines, way within current setback requirements. This one move, although it ended up being a more expensive option than building completely new, saved the small back yard from being fully overtaken. The plan of this unit is very simple, and we used a slim palette of finishes; both moves make it seem larger than it is. White walls and cabinets are punctuated by black stained wood doors and windows, and vertical grain Douglas Fir was used for window sills, shelving, and wall base. We used a mixture of the clients’ vintage door hardware and kitchen pulls with some new fixtures for the build-out to make it somewhat eclectic and personal. Photographer: Matt Swain Photography

This project transformed an underutilized space beneath our clients' modern residence into a functional and luxurious lower-level addition featuring a light-filled guest suite and exercise room. A new stairwell, framed by custom steel railings, connects the main floor to the lower level, enhancing visual flow and natural lighting while complementing the home's modern aesthetic. Polished concrete floors with radiant heating provide year-round comfort while the guest suite, with a luxury en suite bathroom including a steam shower, can also function as a home office. Large articulating Nanawall doors open the exercise room to the exterior, including a sauna room, and the built-in beverage station allows for quick refreshments. The project required innovative solutions to address structural constraints and property setbacks, including designing a code-compliant staircase within tight spatial limits, excavating a crawlspace to achieve full-height ceilings, and working around foundation walls to maximize usable space. By blending functionality, style, and attention to detail, this addition exceeded the clients' expectations, providing a cohesive, luxurious, and highly practical enhancement to their home.

After a trip to Hawaii, this couple brought home an idea. They wanted to have a lanai of their own here in Newton. But. They only had a small, ugly public space to work with at their condominium home with difficult permitting and setback limitations. This incredibly useful and beautiful landscape is theirs. They even have winter use of a heated spa to ease arthritis along with colorful and functional entertaining spaces (with an outdoor kitchen) that they use constantly in the summer.

Trendy home design photo in Bengaluru

The renovation of the rear of the house was both inspired by the look of Parisian garret apartments, and the need to respect existing zoning setback requirements. Sloping the 'roof' of the first floor up to connect at the top of the 2nd floor parapet, and filling that slope with skylights, created inviting sunrooms on both the first and second floor.

This project is proof that the challenges posed by limited space and accessibility can always be overcome in order to deliver stunning results. The space itself was rather small and also very close to the neighboring residence. Not only was the neighboring wall imposing, it was also of a completely different design style. The goal here was to create a layering effect with numerous features of varying heights. Not only would this add depth and dimension to the overall design, but it would cause the viewer to shift their focus from the encroaching wall to the beauty of the pool space. Instead of trying to maximize the water area by squaring off the pool, I decided to instead maximize the visual interest by gracefully rounding off the back wall of the pool. This was accomplished by implementing a raised stucco wall, and also a shorter, matching curved wall, featuring a "Sheer Descent" waterfall. Inside the taller, deep-plum stucco wall, I created three vertical windows which are all highlighted by LED uplighting. To give depth, dimension and some natural beauty, I implemented a simple bed of Horse Tail Reeds behind the short wall, and chose to place Banana Trees behind the taller wall. The main seating area is just outside the home's master suite, and is separated by a "Leuder" limestone fire pit. Aside from being a striking design feature, the floating stepper pads accomplish a number of things; they serve triple-duty as a walkway, a seating area adjacent to the fire pit, and also as a poolside rest for beverages. After discovering that the narrow courtyard acted as a sort of wind tunnel between the two houses, we opted to install tempered glass in order to better control the behavior of the flames. This solved the problem while remaining visually pleasing to the client as well. You'll notice in some of the leading photos for this project that I had originally intended to implement stepper pads on both sides of the pool closest to the house. And despite a thorough understanding of what would be necessary on an engineering and structural-design basis, we were eventually forced to turn this into a solid deck due to unrelenting city-required setbacks. However the client remained very understanding due to encountering a number of similar issues in their home-build process. In the end, they were delivered an outstanding pool design that had come to fruition only after coming up with numerous solutions to a number of challenges that only a unique space like this could provide.

This is a pool we built in Lockport, IL. This is a custom Lazy L pool that was designed to fit with the yard setbacks that their lot. This is a Steel Wall Pool with a Vinyl Liner. Corner Steel Stairs and some Laminar Jets. The paver patio is a unilok paver patio.

Ground One designed and built a deck off the back of the house for casual sitting, mirroring the house’s front porch. This deck and the screened porch steps descend to a patio terrace. To expand the entertaining space and accommodate the setback restrictions for a permitted gas firepit, we excavated the lot’s back slope to gain bonus space and create a rustic campfire spot. Large boulders found on the site during house construction are incorporated into a retaining wall. Colonial bluestone fills the gaps between these large accent stones and surrounds the firepit. Additional boulders hold up the patio and a slab of bluestone bridges the terrace and patio, preserving the overall drainage pattern. Bluestone is the common thread throughout the project, but it is used in different forms; clean lines closer to the house transition to a more weathered look as you move toward the natural area. The swale is a variety of boulder sizes and river rock to create a more visually-compelling creekbed. The firepit patio is comfortable for just two people, but can also accommodate a larger group. It is close to the dining space, but physical separation allows for entertaining in different configurations: pre-dinner cocktails around the fire, a roaring flame as backdrop during dinner, kids roasting marshmallows while the adults linger within sight at the dining table, or the gang huddled around a bonfire.

This La Mesa project started with a video call from across the country. The homeowners’ son had just gotten a job in San Diego and needed a place to land—but the rental market was brutal, and they wanted him close. “Can you build something in our backyard before he moves in September?” It was May. We had four months. Here’s the thing about ADU construction in La Mesa: the permitting process can be unpredictable. We got lucky with a new streamlined approval process the city had just implemented, but we still had to navigate setback requirements and that magnificent old oak tree you see shading the front. That tree wasn’t going anywhere—we designed around it. The exterior keeps things classic California cottage: cream stucco, a pitched roofline that echoes the main house, and that warm wood door with glass panels that the homeowner picked out herself during a Saturday morning trip to the salvage yard. The lattice privacy screen on the side patio was a last-minute addition—turns out the neighbors’ kitchen window looked right into the ADU’s bedroom, so we needed a creative solution that didn’t feel like a wall. Inside, we opened everything up. The kitchen became the heart of the space, with white shaker cabinets that maximize storage and that pop-of-color island in teal blue. The homeowner’s wife insisted on it—”He needs at least one thing with personality,” she said. Those glass-front upper cabinets with interior lighting? Her idea too, and she was right. They make the whole space feel bigger and more intentional. The skylight was our contribution. In a compact ADU, natural light is everything, and that one feature completely transformed how the space feels during the day. Did we finish before September? Of Course! The son moved in August with his beat-up Honda Civic and three boxes of belongings. Six months later, he’s still there, and according to his mom, he cooks dinner for the family twice a week. Mission accomplished!

The owners wanted a new master suite on the first floor to be able to remain at the property after retirement. Lot setbacks presented a challenge with the floor plan shape, resulting in a custom bathroom skewed at an angle to accommodate the addition against an existing rear ell. Work included the bathroom and new rear deck and the reconstruction of a side porch.

The interior renovation began with the master bath, which included a glass-partitioned bathtub accented by glass shelving. A drop ceiling that is highlighted by recessed lighting fixtures and finished with minimal trim. The half wall mirror houses a hidden large plasma TV wall screen with audio/visual and remote control elements. The sleek white marble flooring in the hallway leads to a refinished deco staircase and handrail. “Museum” quality paint throughout and refined custom-millwork calls attention to the grand feel of the space. On the exterior, Empire City Construction repointed new mortar joints (cement lines) and replaced decaying bricks in the archways and walls of the corner patio. Preserving the classic hexagon bays and European style arches in this setback terrace of the penthouse suite.

Nestled in the lush landscape, a modern reinterpretation of a once-fallen barn now features a charming guest cottage with stylish details and contemporary amenities. Situated along a narrow lot in Germantown, New York, the cottage completes a cluster of existing buildings, forming an intimate courtyard on one side. Steel effect folding patio doors fully open the living areas to the expansive fields and the Catskill Mountains beyond. The homeowners, a young family with parents living abroad, envisioned a cozy yet modern ADU for extended stays. Designed by Lauren Cawse, AIA, architect and partner at The Art of Building, the year-round retreat draws inspiration from traditional local barns while embracing a seamless indoor-outdoor connection. Captivating Guest Cottage Design Enhances the Senses with Steel Effect Folding Patio Doors The modern ADU design started with the site itself. Positioned between residential and commercial neighbors, the elongated property required a careful balance of privacy and openness. Architect Lauren Cawse approached the layout by redefining the existing house and garage as the east and west sides of an outdoor room, with the new cottage forming its southern boundary. This arrangement created a clear courtyard near the main residence while directing the 800-square-foot guest house toward the open meadow and the distant Catskill Mountains. “The unique character of the site and its history inspired the architectural direction,” says Cawse. “The intent was to create a secondary structure in the compound in clear contrast to the modern farmhouse style of the house and garage.” A Barn-Inspired Exterior Adds Visual Flair The exterior envelope evokes a traditional barn with a simple gable shape, weathered wood siding, cedar shingles, and a foundation veneer made of local fieldstone. A large sliding barn door adds a complementary feature to the courtyard-facing side, creating a dynamic opening that maintains uninterrupted views through the cottage to the meadow beyond. Steel effect folding patio doors surrounding the structure add a modern touch of transparency, and simulated divided lites allow the contemporary glass wall systems to harmonize with the traditional elements of the modern ADU design. “The goal was to fully open the living areas to the outdoors, framing views to the meadows and mountains,” says Cawse. “The positioning of the NanaWall systems frames the views and, when open, dissolves the boundary between inside and out.” Interior Design That Mirrors Nature’s Tranquility Inside, the design program features a simple layout with one bedroom, a full bath, a kitchenette, and a living area with a wood-burning stove. The interior, a collaboration between The Art of Building and the homeowners, is defined by an understated palette and tactile materials that reflect the natural setting. Color is introduced through the framed glass views on all sides of the structure. Reclaimed timber collar ties span the ceiling overhead, while stone surfaces and naturally patinated metal accents add quiet texture throughout. Custom hand-painted Delft tiles along the kitchen backsplash add personal detail, and terra cotta flooring in the bathroom brings warmth and old-world charm. Soaring ceilings and abundant daylight create a peaceful play of light and shadow, shifting subtly with the seasons and emphasizing the cottage’s connection to the natural landscape outside. Sleek Steel Effect Folding Patio Doors Elevate the Modern ADU Design Aesthetic Three customized steel effect folding patio doors define the living space, each aligned to respond to a different edge of the site. The largest, spanning nearly 20 feet wide and just under eight feet tall, opens directly onto the stone patio, allowing the main gathering area to extend fully into the landscape. Along the side of the living room, a smaller 10-foot-wide system introduces more light and ventilation, nearly creating an open corner condition if not for the structural post that supports the façade and roofline. At the rear, a fourth ten-foot-wide system features a French door swing panel configuration that opens toward the courtyard, strengthening the design connection to the main residence. All steel effect folding patio doors were specified with a low-maintenance, water-rated Performance Sill to safeguard against inclement weather while providing a seamless, barrier-free transition to the outdoor patio. Unique Customizations for Visual Appeal and a Steel Effect Each folding patio door system is configured to open outward, maximizing usable floor space in the compact interior and allowing furniture placement to remain uninterrupted. By stacking outward, the steel effect folding patio doors, specified in a SE Classic Bronze powder coat, ensure every inch of the cottage is optimized. Simulated divided lites create a consistent rhythm across windows and doors, maintaining alignment with the traditional barn-inspired exterior. In the bedroom, a three-panel, 10-foot-wide system mirrors these customizations, matching the steel effect divided-lite pattern and outward-opening configuration, extending the indoor-outdoor connection while preserving visual continuity throughout the ADU. “The divided lites were crucial to the architectural vision, and while budget prohibited a steel and glass system, NanaWall Systems’ thin frames provide the open and airy feeling we hoped to attain,” says Cawse. “Simulated divided lites transition the thoroughly modern element of the glass walls to remain in harmony with the otherwise traditional palette.” Matching Windows and Doors: Create a Cohesive Design Program Alongside the larger openings in the living areas and bedroom, a smaller 3-foot-tall NanaWall tilt turn window was added to the bathroom. This window-sized NanaWall system perfectly matches the divided lite panels and sleek frames of the steel effect folding patio doors, creating a cohesive modern ADU design throughout. The compact opening provides ventilation and natural light, enhancing the spa-like atmosphere along with natural stone flooring. The matching glass lines and sleek profiles of the NanaWall Generation 4 comprehensive product line further unify visual consistency, allowing each system to fit into the architectural style seamlessly. “This project had three bifold glass walls, a pair of double French doors with sidelites, and a single tilt turn window,” says architect Lauren Cawse. “Being able to work with a single manufacturer provided aesthetic cohesiveness and simplified coordination.” Sustainability Where It Matters Most New York weather can vary from hot 85-degree summers to cold 26-degree winters. Creating an efficient living space was a primary goal. To achieve this, the design included Timber HP-insulated walls and floors with a heat pump system for effective heating and cooling. Additionally, the steel effect folding patio doors and windows were specified with double-glazed panels to ensure a tight building envelope. Indoor-Outdoor Living Spaces for Relaxing and Entertaining In-house landscape designer Liz Pulver worked closely with the team to conceive open-air spaces that enhanced the connection between inside and outside. To the south end of the lot, the landscape transitions into an “enhanced meadow,” allowing the cottage to feel embedded within the surrounding fields rather than set apart from them. A circular pool was designed to mimic a natural pond with a modest footprint. Around it, a minimalist fence and sunken stone ha-ha wall offer discreet safety for young children. Limited space due to existing infrastructure and zoning setbacks left only a small footprint for the swimming pool, prompting the designer to propose a circular form that maximized the usable swimming area. “We felt that the perfect way to integrate a pool into the property and to honor the landscape would be to treat the pool as a piece of art itself,” says Pulver. “The result is a beautiful round pool that serves as both a functional retreat and a sculptural moment.” Final Thoughts: A Barn-Inspired Design for Contemporary Living This modern ADU design skillfully combines modern features with the enduring charm of traditional barns. The outcome is a welcoming living space that stands out amid a stunning landscape. Natural materials that mimic the beauty of the outdoors, expansive steel effect folding patio doors that fill the space with fresh air and natural light, and a restrained interior design work together to create an inviting retreat for everyday living, throughout the seasons. “When entering the site, the cottage feels as though it was always there,” says Cawse. “It achieves its two opposing goals by creating a feeling of intimacy and enclosure near the house while also functioning as a threshold to the expansive fields and views beyond.” Explore how NanaWall folding patio doors elevate other ADU spaces in our inspiring project photo gallery! Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What is Slimline Steel Effect? Steel Effect is a folding patio door design option that replicates the appearance of traditional steel-framed glass doors. It combines the look of steel with the performance benefits of aluminum, including energy efficiency, low maintenance, greater design flexibility, and lower cost. How does a NanaWall Steel Effect aluminum system compare to traditional steel-framed glass doors? NanaWall Slimline Steel Effect folding patio doors replicate the narrow frames of traditional steel doors with improved weather and thermal performance and easier operation. They are lighter, more corrosion-resistant, and feature a thermally broken design for better energy efficiency and lower long-term maintenance. What are the benefits of Steel Effect folding glass walls? Steel Effect folding glass walls deliver the narrow sightlines and grid patterns of traditional steel, combined with the performance and low maintenance of aluminum. The slimline steel effect option offers all the benefits of our Generation 4 product line, including the FourFold / SixFold floating panel set option and smooth operation with Gothic arch stainless steel rollers on a stainless steel track. Can Slimline Steel Effect glass walls be customized? Yes, these systems offer a high level of customization to suit different architectural styles, including simulated divided lites specified in various patterns, popular SE colors for a true steel effect look, and a contemporary glass stop option for a refined look. Contact your local NanaWall representative for additional options here. How energy-efficient and weather-resistant are Slimline Steel Effect folding patio doors? Steel effect folding systems are engineered for strong thermal and weather performance. Thermally broken frames and high-performance glazing help improve energy efficiency. Each NanaWall system has been independently tested for air, water, structural integrity, and forced entry with excellent results.

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