Custom Architectural and Interior Design Driven Renovation of the complete 1st floor in Chads Ford, PA. Our joint vision with our clients was to open up the view from the front of their home to the beautiful backyard. This required moving a powder room in the center of the home and shifting it to the right near the new mudroom and back stairs. Engineering a 25ft steel beam and steel posts was necessary to achieve this improvement. The other main objective was to open the space between the kitchen and the adjacent family room. Let's tour this amazing project by entering the new 9.5 ft x 5.5 ft double custom arched iron door into the 2 story open foyer where new curved stair railings with iron balusters, were installed. To the left through new arched doors is the new library office with new custom built in cabinets around the windows. To the right of the foyer is the renovated dining room with a new custom bar topped with Quartzite Bianco Superior countertop and backsplash. Through the foyer with a clear vision to the backyard you pass the new open hallway, marked by rustic white oak beams. To the left is the guest suite totally renovated. To the right you head to the garage, passing the hidden murphy door pantries, new powder room, massive mudroom with custom cabinets and a hidden laundry. Finishing this tour to the right of the foyer is a seating, storage nook next to the back stairs. From the foyer looking to the back yard, you enter the renovated family room with new custom cabinets surrounding the new fireplace and recessed lighted ceiling. To the right off the family room is the new custom kitchen with a gold trimmed alcove, curved stove hood, two islands, a Wolfe range and two subzero wall units. Under a new rustic white oak beam is the new custom coffee bar supporting the kitchen. This was an amazing project, and we hope the very best for this lovely family.

Custom Architectural and Interior Design Driven Renovation of the complete 1st floor in Chads Ford, PA. Our joint vision with our clients was to open up the view from the front of their home to the beautiful backyard. This required moving a powder room in the center of the home and shifting it to the right near the new mudroom and back stairs. Engineering a 25ft steel beam and steel posts was necessary to achieve this improvement. The other main objective was to open the space between the kitchen and the adjacent family room. Let's tour this amazing project by entering the new 9.5 ft x 5.5 ft double custom arched iron door into the 2 story open foyer where new curved stair railings with iron balusters, were installed. To the left through new arched doors is the new library office with new custom built in cabinets around the windows. To the right of the foyer is the renovated dining room with a new custom bar topped with Quartzite Bianco Superior countertop and backsplash. Through the foyer with a clear vision to the backyard you pass the new open hallway, marked by rustic white oak beams. To the left is the guest suite totally renovated. To the right you head to the garage, passing the hidden murphy door pantries, new powder room, massive mudroom with custom cabinets and a hidden laundry. Finishing this tour to the right of the foyer is a seating, storage nook next to the back stairs. From the foyer looking to the back yard, you enter the renovated family room with new custom cabinets surrounding the new fireplace and recessed lighted ceiling. To the right off the family room is the new custom kitchen with a gold trimmed alcove, curved stove hood, two islands, a Wolfe range and two subzero wall units. Under a new rustic white oak beam is the new custom coffee bar supporting the kitchen. This was an amazing project, and we hope the very best for this lovely family.

Custom Architectural and Interior Design Driven Renovation of the complete 1st floor in Chads Ford, PA. Our joint vision with our clients was to open up the view from the front of their home to the beautiful backyard. This required moving a powder room in the center of the home and shifting it to the right near the new mudroom and back stairs. Engineering a 25ft steel beam and steel posts was necessary to achieve this improvement. The other main objective was to open the space between the kitchen and the adjacent family room. Let's tour this amazing project by entering the new 9.5 ft x 5.5 ft double custom arched iron door into the 2 story open foyer where new curved stair railings with iron balusters, were installed. To the left through new arched doors is the new library office with new custom built in cabinets around the windows. To the right of the foyer is the renovated dining room with a new custom bar topped with Quartzite Bianco Superior countertop and backsplash. Through the foyer with a clear vision to the backyard you pass the new open hallway, marked by rustic white oak beams. To the left is the guest suite totally renovated. To the right you head to the garage, passing the hidden murphy door pantries, new powder room, massive mudroom with custom cabinets and a hidden laundry. Finishing this tour to the right of the foyer is a seating, storage nook next to the back stairs. From the foyer looking to the back yard, you enter the renovated family room with new custom cabinets surrounding the new fireplace and recessed lighted ceiling. To the right off the family room is the new custom kitchen with a gold trimmed alcove, curved stove hood, two islands, a Wolfe range and two subzero wall units. Under a new rustic white oak beam is the new custom coffee bar supporting the kitchen. This was an amazing project, and we hope the very best for this lovely family.

Custom Architectural and Interior Design Driven Renovation of the complete 1st floor in Chads Ford, PA. Our joint vision with our clients was to open up the view from the front of their home to the beautiful backyard. This required moving a powder room in the center of the home and shifting it to the right near the new mudroom and back stairs. Engineering a 25ft steel beam and steel posts was necessary to achieve this improvement. The other main objective was to open the space between the kitchen and the adjacent family room. Let's tour this amazing project by entering the new 9.5 ft x 5.5 ft double custom arched iron door into the 2 story open foyer where new curved stair railings with iron balusters, were installed. To the left through new arched doors is the new library office with new custom built in cabinets around the windows. To the right of the foyer is the renovated dining room with a new custom bar topped with Quartzite Bianco Superior countertop and backsplash. Through the foyer with a clear vision to the backyard you pass the new open hallway, marked by rustic white oak beams. To the left is the guest suite totally renovated. To the right you head to the garage, passing the hidden murphy door pantries, new powder room, massive mudroom with custom cabinets and a hidden laundry. Finishing this tour to the right of the foyer is a seating, storage nook next to the back stairs. From the foyer looking to the back yard, you enter the renovated family room with new custom cabinets surrounding the new fireplace and recessed lighted ceiling. To the right off the family room is the new custom kitchen with a gold trimmed alcove, curved stove hood, two islands, a Wolfe range and two subzero wall units. Under a new rustic white oak beam is the new custom coffee bar supporting the kitchen. This was an amazing project, and we hope the very best for this lovely family.

Custom Architectural and Interior Design Driven Renovation of the complete 1st floor in Chads Ford, PA. Our joint vision with our clients was to open up the view from the front of their home to the beautiful backyard. This required moving a powder room in the center of the home and shifting it to the right near the new mudroom and back stairs. Engineering a 25ft steel beam and steel posts was necessary to achieve this improvement. The other main objective was to open the space between the kitchen and the adjacent family room. Let's tour this amazing project by entering the new 9.5 ft x 5.5 ft double custom arched iron door into the 2 story open foyer where new curved stair railings with iron balusters, were installed. To the left through new arched doors is the new library office with new custom built in cabinets around the windows. To the right of the foyer is the renovated dining room with a new custom bar topped with Quartzite Bianco Superior countertop and backsplash. Through the foyer with a clear vision to the backyard you pass the new open hallway, marked by rustic white oak beams. To the left is the guest suite totally renovated. To the right you head to the garage, passing the hidden murphy door pantries, new powder room, massive mudroom with custom cabinets and a hidden laundry. Finishing this tour to the right of the foyer is a seating, storage nook next to the back stairs. From the foyer looking to the back yard, you enter the renovated family room with new custom cabinets surrounding the new fireplace and recessed lighted ceiling. To the right off the family room is the new custom kitchen with a gold trimmed alcove, curved stove hood, two islands, a Wolfe range and two subzero wall units. Under a new rustic white oak beam is the new custom coffee bar supporting the kitchen. This was an amazing project, and we hope the very best for this lovely family.

Custom Architectural and Interior Design Driven Renovation of the complete 1st floor in Chads Ford, PA. Our joint vision with our clients was to open up the view from the front of their home to the beautiful backyard. This required moving a powder room in the center of the home and shifting it to the right near the new mudroom and back stairs. Engineering a 25ft steel beam and steel posts was necessary to achieve this improvement. The other main objective was to open the space between the kitchen and the adjacent family room. Let's tour this amazing project by entering the new 9.5 ft x 5.5 ft double custom arched iron door into the 2 story open foyer where new curved stair railings with iron balusters, were installed. To the left through new arched doors is the new library office with new custom built in cabinets around the windows. To the right of the foyer is the renovated dining room with a new custom bar topped with Quartzite Bianco Superior countertop and backsplash. Through the foyer with a clear vision to the backyard you pass the new open hallway, marked by rustic white oak beams. To the left is the guest suite totally renovated. To the right you head to the garage, passing the hidden murphy door pantries, new powder room, massive mudroom with custom cabinets and a hidden laundry. Finishing this tour to the right of the foyer is a seating, storage nook next to the back stairs. From the foyer looking to the back yard, you enter the renovated family room with new custom cabinets surrounding the new fireplace and recessed lighted ceiling. To the right off the family room is the new custom kitchen with a gold trimmed alcove, curved stove hood, two islands, a Wolfe range and two subzero wall units. Under a new rustic white oak beam is the new custom coffee bar supporting the kitchen. This was an amazing project, and we hope the very best for this lovely family.

Inspiration for a contemporary outdoor patio shower remodel in New York

One of the biggest shifts in home design over the past few years has been a move away from matchy-matchy, big-box decor toward spaces that feel personal, layered, and collected over time. If you've been searching for ways to add that "collected" quality to your own home, hand-carved wooden accent pieces are one of the most effective — and most overlooked — tools for achieving it. Here's how to use them well, where they work best, and what to avoid. Why Collected Spaces Read as More Designed Design professionals often talk about the difference between a "decorated" room and a "collected" one. A decorated room looks like it was purchased all at once from a single catalog. A collected room looks like it evolved — pieces gathered over time, each with its own texture, material, and story. Wooden objects, such as these hand-carved wooden ducks, contribute to that collected feeling almost instantly, for a simple reason: no two pieces are exactly alike. Unlike resin or plastic decor cast from a single mold, hand-carved pieces carry small variations — a slightly different grain pattern, a unique brushstroke, a subtle asymmetry — that read as authentic rather than mass-produced. That authenticity is what separates a space that feels curated from one that feels furnished.   Where Hand-Carved Wooden Accents Work Best Entry tables and consoles. A single carved piece paired with a stack of books or a low bowl creates an intentional first impression without overwhelming a small surface. Open shelving. Bookshelves benefit enormously from three-dimensional objects breaking up rows of spines. Tuck a carved piece between book stacks at varying heights to create visual rhythm. Mantels. Grouping in odd numbers — three or five — with varied heights creates a naturally balanced display. Mix in a taper candle or two for additional height variation. Kitchen windowsills. Smaller carved pieces catch natural light beautifully and add warmth to an otherwise utilitarian space. Nightstands and dressers. A single small piece here adds personality without requiring extra surface space.   Styling Principles That Make the Difference

1. Let one material contrast do the work.Wood against smooth ceramic, matte metal, or glass creates textural interest without needing additional colors or patterns. If your space already has a lot of wood tones (flooring, cabinetry, furniture), look for carved pieces in a slightly different wood finish to keep them from disappearing into the background.
2. Odd numbers, varied heights.This is a foundational styling rule for a reason — it works. Groupings of three tend to feel more intentional than pairs, and varying the height of each object (using books or small risers if needed) prevents a flat, lined-up look.
3. Give each piece breathing room.One of the most common styling mistakes is overcrowding a surface. A single well-chosen carved piece with negative space around it reads as more expensive and more intentional than five pieces crammed together.
4. Rotate seasonally.Because hand-carved pieces are often designed as individual characters or figures, many collections include seasonal or themed variations. Swapping a neutral piece for a seasonal one is a low-effort way to refresh a space without a full redesign.
5. Mix textures, not just objects.Pair a carved wooden piece with something soft (a linen table runner), something reflective (a brass tray), and something organic (fresh greenery or dried botanicals) to build a layered vignette rather than a single-note display.

  A Practical Example: Wooden Duck Ornaments One category of hand-carved decor that's gained popularity for exactly these reasons is DCUK wooden duck ornaments — individually hand-carved from bamboo root and hand-painted, with each piece designed as its own character. Because every duck is genuinely unique, even collectors who own several ducks end up with a display that feels organically gathered rather than purchased as a set. These work particularly well in the entry table, shelving, and mantel scenarios described above, precisely because their small footprint and varied "poses" allow for the kind of asymmetrical, breathing-room styling that reads as professionally designed. For readers wanting to source authentic pieces rather than mass-produced imitations, Ducks-N-Stuff maintains one of the largest U.S. selections of genuine DCUK ducks, which is worth knowing given how many imitation products have entered the market as the style has grown in popularity. What to Avoid Don't cluster too many pieces together. Even beautiful individual objects lose their impact when grouped without spacing or hierarchy. Don't ignore scale. A tiny carved piece on a large mantel will get visually lost; match the scale of your object to the scale of your surface. Don't skip the base layer. Placing objects directly on a bare shelf often looks unfinished. A small tray, stack of books, or piece of fabric underneath grounds the display. Don't buy in bulk all at once. Part of what makes collected spaces feel authentic is that they were, in fact, collected — gradually, with intention. Building a display over several months (or years) produces better results than a single shopping trip. The Bottom Line Hand-carved wooden accents are a low-cost, high-impact way to move a space from "decorated" to "collected." The key isn't the object itself so much as how it's styled: thoughtful groupings, varied heights, adequate spacing, and a willingness to build the display over time rather than all at once. Done well, a few carved pieces can do more to make a room feel personal and finished than an entire shelf of matched decor ever could.  

The 5,000 square foot private residence is located in the community of Horseshoe Bay, above the shores of Lake LBJ, and responds to the Texas Hill Country vernacular prescribed by the community: shallow metal roofs, regional materials, sensitive scale massing and water-wise landscaping. The house opens to the scenic north and north-west views and fractures and shifts in order to keep significant oak, mesquite, elm, cedar and persimmon trees, in the process creating lush private patios and limestone terraces. The Owners desired an accessible residence built for flexibility as they age. This led to a single level home, and the challenge to nestle the step-less house into the sloping landscape. Full height glazing opens the house to the very beautiful arid landscape, while porches and overhangs protect interior spaces from the harsh Texas sun. Expansive walls of industrial insulated glazing panels allow soft modulated light to penetrate the interior while providing visual privacy. An integral lap pool with adjacent low fenestration reflects dappled light deep into the house. Chaste stained concrete floors and blackened steel focal elements contrast with islands of mesquite flooring, cherry casework and fir ceilings. Selective areas of exposed limestone walls, some incorporating salvaged timber lintels, and cor-ten steel components further the contrast within the uncomplicated framework. The Owner’s object and art collection is incorporated into the residence’s sequence of connecting galleries creating a choreography of passage that alternates between the lucid expression of simple ranch house architecture and the rich accumulation of their heritage. The general contractor for the project is local custom homebuilder Dauphine Homes. Structural Engineering is provided by Structures Inc. of Austin, Texas, and Landscape Architecture is provided by Prado Design LLC in conjunction with Jill Nokes, also of Austin. Cecil Baker + Partners Photography

The 5,000 square foot private residence is located in the community of Horseshoe Bay, above the shores of Lake LBJ, and responds to the Texas Hill Country vernacular prescribed by the community: shallow metal roofs, regional materials, sensitive scale massing and water-wise landscaping. The house opens to the scenic north and north-west views and fractures and shifts in order to keep significant oak, mesquite, elm, cedar and persimmon trees, in the process creating lush private patios and limestone terraces. The Owners desired an accessible residence built for flexibility as they age. This led to a single level home, and the challenge to nestle the step-less house into the sloping landscape. Full height glazing opens the house to the very beautiful arid landscape, while porches and overhangs protect interior spaces from the harsh Texas sun. Expansive walls of industrial insulated glazing panels allow soft modulated light to penetrate the interior while providing visual privacy. An integral lap pool with adjacent low fenestration reflects dappled light deep into the house. Chaste stained concrete floors and blackened steel focal elements contrast with islands of mesquite flooring, cherry casework and fir ceilings. Selective areas of exposed limestone walls, some incorporating salvaged timber lintels, and cor-ten steel components further the contrast within the uncomplicated framework. The Owner’s object and art collection is incorporated into the residence’s sequence of connecting galleries creating a choreography of passage that alternates between the lucid expression of simple ranch house architecture and the rich accumulation of their heritage. The general contractor for the project is local custom homebuilder Dauphine Homes. Structural Engineering is provided by Structures Inc. of Austin, Texas, and Landscape Architecture is provided by Prado Design LLC in conjunction with Jill Nokes, also of Austin. Cecil Baker + Partners Photography

The 5,000 square foot private residence is located in the community of Horseshoe Bay, above the shores of Lake LBJ, and responds to the Texas Hill Country vernacular prescribed by the community: shallow metal roofs, regional materials, sensitive scale massing and water-wise landscaping. The house opens to the scenic north and north-west views and fractures and shifts in order to keep significant oak, mesquite, elm, cedar and persimmon trees, in the process creating lush private patios and limestone terraces. The Owners desired an accessible residence built for flexibility as they age. This led to a single level home, and the challenge to nestle the step-less house into the sloping landscape. Full height glazing opens the house to the very beautiful arid landscape, while porches and overhangs protect interior spaces from the harsh Texas sun. Expansive walls of industrial insulated glazing panels allow soft modulated light to penetrate the interior while providing visual privacy. An integral lap pool with adjacent low fenestration reflects dappled light deep into the house. Chaste stained concrete floors and blackened steel focal elements contrast with islands of mesquite flooring, cherry casework and fir ceilings. Selective areas of exposed limestone walls, some incorporating salvaged timber lintels, and cor-ten steel components further the contrast within the uncomplicated framework. The Owner’s object and art collection is incorporated into the residence’s sequence of connecting galleries creating a choreography of passage that alternates between the lucid expression of simple ranch house architecture and the rich accumulation of their heritage. The general contractor for the project is local custom homebuilder Dauphine Homes. Structural Engineering is provided by Structures Inc. of Austin, Texas, and Landscape Architecture is provided by Prado Design LLC in conjunction with Jill Nokes, also of Austin. Cecil Baker + Partners Photography

The 5,000 square foot private residence is located in the community of Horseshoe Bay, above the shores of Lake LBJ, and responds to the Texas Hill Country vernacular prescribed by the community: shallow metal roofs, regional materials, sensitive scale massing and water-wise landscaping. The house opens to the scenic north and north-west views and fractures and shifts in order to keep significant oak, mesquite, elm, cedar and persimmon trees, in the process creating lush private patios and limestone terraces. The Owners desired an accessible residence built for flexibility as they age. This led to a single level home, and the challenge to nestle the step-less house into the sloping landscape. Full height glazing opens the house to the very beautiful arid landscape, while porches and overhangs protect interior spaces from the harsh Texas sun. Expansive walls of industrial insulated glazing panels allow soft modulated light to penetrate the interior while providing visual privacy. An integral lap pool with adjacent low fenestration reflects dappled light deep into the house. Chaste stained concrete floors and blackened steel focal elements contrast with islands of mesquite flooring, cherry casework and fir ceilings. Selective areas of exposed limestone walls, some incorporating salvaged timber lintels, and cor-ten steel components further the contrast within the uncomplicated framework. The Owner’s object and art collection is incorporated into the residence’s sequence of connecting galleries creating a choreography of passage that alternates between the lucid expression of simple ranch house architecture and the rich accumulation of their heritage. The general contractor for the project is local custom homebuilder Dauphine Homes. Structural Engineering is provided by Structures Inc. of Austin, Texas, and Landscape Architecture is provided by Prado Design LLC in conjunction with Jill Nokes, also of Austin. Cecil Baker + Partners Photography

Custom Architectural and Interior Design Driven Renovation of the complete 1st floor in Chads Ford, PA. Our joint vision with our clients was to open up the view from the front of their home to the beautiful backyard. This required moving a powder room in the center of the home and shifting it to the right near the new mudroom and back stairs. Engineering a 25ft steel beam and steel posts was necessary to achieve this improvement. The other main objective was to open the space between the kitchen and the adjacent family room. Let's tour this amazing project by entering the new 9.5 ft x 5.5 ft double custom arched iron door into the 2 story open foyer where new curved stair railings with iron balusters, were installed. To the left through new arched doors is the new library office with new custom built in cabinets around the windows. To the right of the foyer is the renovated dining room with a new custom bar topped with Quartzite Bianco Superior countertop and backsplash. Through the foyer with a clear vision to the backyard you pass the new open hallway, marked by rustic white oak beams. To the left is the guest suite totally renovated. To the right you head to the garage, passing the hidden murphy door pantries, new powder room, massive mudroom with custom cabinets and a hidden laundry. Finishing this tour to the right of the foyer is a seating, storage nook next to the back stairs. From the foyer looking to the back yard, you enter the renovated family room with new custom cabinets surrounding the new fireplace and recessed lighted ceiling. To the right off the family room is the new custom kitchen with a gold trimmed alcove, curved stove hood, two islands, a Wolfe range and two subzero wall units. Under a new rustic white oak beam is the new custom coffee bar supporting the kitchen. This was an amazing project, and we hope the very best for this lovely family.

The 5,000 square foot private residence is located in the community of Horseshoe Bay, above the shores of Lake LBJ, and responds to the Texas Hill Country vernacular prescribed by the community: shallow metal roofs, regional materials, sensitive scale massing and water-wise landscaping. The house opens to the scenic north and north-west views and fractures and shifts in order to keep significant oak, mesquite, elm, cedar and persimmon trees, in the process creating lush private patios and limestone terraces. The Owners desired an accessible residence built for flexibility as they age. This led to a single level home, and the challenge to nestle the step-less house into the sloping landscape. Full height glazing opens the house to the very beautiful arid landscape, while porches and overhangs protect interior spaces from the harsh Texas sun. Expansive walls of industrial insulated glazing panels allow soft modulated light to penetrate the interior while providing visual privacy. An integral lap pool with adjacent low fenestration reflects dappled light deep into the house. Chaste stained concrete floors and blackened steel focal elements contrast with islands of mesquite flooring, cherry casework and fir ceilings. Selective areas of exposed limestone walls, some incorporating salvaged timber lintels, and cor-ten steel components further the contrast within the uncomplicated framework. The Owner’s object and art collection is incorporated into the residence’s sequence of connecting galleries creating a choreography of passage that alternates between the lucid expression of simple ranch house architecture and the rich accumulation of their heritage. The general contractor for the project is local custom homebuilder Dauphine Homes. Structural Engineering is provided by Structures Inc. of Austin, Texas, and Landscape Architecture is provided by Prado Design LLC in conjunction with Jill Nokes, also of Austin. Cecil Baker + Partners Photography

The 5,000 square foot private residence is located in the community of Horseshoe Bay, above the shores of Lake LBJ, and responds to the Texas Hill Country vernacular prescribed by the community: shallow metal roofs, regional materials, sensitive scale massing and water-wise landscaping. The house opens to the scenic north and north-west views and fractures and shifts in order to keep significant oak, mesquite, elm, cedar and persimmon trees, in the process creating lush private patios and limestone terraces. The Owners desired an accessible residence built for flexibility as they age. This led to a single level home, and the challenge to nestle the step-less house into the sloping landscape. Full height glazing opens the house to the very beautiful arid landscape, while porches and overhangs protect interior spaces from the harsh Texas sun. Expansive walls of industrial insulated glazing panels allow soft modulated light to penetrate the interior while providing visual privacy. An integral lap pool with adjacent low fenestration reflects dappled light deep into the house. Chaste stained concrete floors and blackened steel focal elements contrast with islands of mesquite flooring, cherry casework and fir ceilings. Selective areas of exposed limestone walls, some incorporating salvaged timber lintels, and cor-ten steel components further the contrast within the uncomplicated framework. The Owner’s object and art collection is incorporated into the residence’s sequence of connecting galleries creating a choreography of passage that alternates between the lucid expression of simple ranch house architecture and the rich accumulation of their heritage. The general contractor for the project is local custom homebuilder Dauphine Homes. Structural Engineering is provided by Structures Inc. of Austin, Texas, and Landscape Architecture is provided by Prado Design LLC in conjunction with Jill Nokes, also of Austin. Paul Bardagjy Photography

The 5,000 square foot private residence is located in the community of Horseshoe Bay, above the shores of Lake LBJ, and responds to the Texas Hill Country vernacular prescribed by the community: shallow metal roofs, regional materials, sensitive scale massing and water-wise landscaping. The house opens to the scenic north and north-west views and fractures and shifts in order to keep significant oak, mesquite, elm, cedar and persimmon trees, in the process creating lush private patios and limestone terraces. The Owners desired an accessible residence built for flexibility as they age. This led to a single level home, and the challenge to nestle the step-less house into the sloping landscape. Full height glazing opens the house to the very beautiful arid landscape, while porches and overhangs protect interior spaces from the harsh Texas sun. Expansive walls of industrial insulated glazing panels allow soft modulated light to penetrate the interior while providing visual privacy. An integral lap pool with adjacent low fenestration reflects dappled light deep into the house. Chaste stained concrete floors and blackened steel focal elements contrast with islands of mesquite flooring, cherry casework and fir ceilings. Selective areas of exposed limestone walls, some incorporating salvaged timber lintels, and cor-ten steel components further the contrast within the uncomplicated framework. The Owner’s object and art collection is incorporated into the residence’s sequence of connecting galleries creating a choreography of passage that alternates between the lucid expression of simple ranch house architecture and the rich accumulation of their heritage. The general contractor for the project is local custom homebuilder Dauphine Homes. Structural Engineering is provided by Structures Inc. of Austin, Texas, and Landscape Architecture is provided by Prado Design LLC in conjunction with Jill Nokes, also of Austin. Cecil Baker + Partners Photography

The 5,000 square foot private residence is located in the community of Horseshoe Bay, above the shores of Lake LBJ, and responds to the Texas Hill Country vernacular prescribed by the community: shallow metal roofs, regional materials, sensitive scale massing and water-wise landscaping. The house opens to the scenic north and north-west views and fractures and shifts in order to keep significant oak, mesquite, elm, cedar and persimmon trees, in the process creating lush private patios and limestone terraces. The Owners desired an accessible residence built for flexibility as they age. This led to a single level home, and the challenge to nestle the step-less house into the sloping landscape. Full height glazing opens the house to the very beautiful arid landscape, while porches and overhangs protect interior spaces from the harsh Texas sun. Expansive walls of industrial insulated glazing panels allow soft modulated light to penetrate the interior while providing visual privacy. An integral lap pool with adjacent low fenestration reflects dappled light deep into the house. Chaste stained concrete floors and blackened steel focal elements contrast with islands of mesquite flooring, cherry casework and fir ceilings. Selective areas of exposed limestone walls, some incorporating salvaged timber lintels, and cor-ten steel components further the contrast within the uncomplicated framework. The Owner’s object and art collection is incorporated into the residence’s sequence of connecting galleries creating a choreography of passage that alternates between the lucid expression of simple ranch house architecture and the rich accumulation of their heritage. The general contractor for the project is local custom homebuilder Dauphine Homes. Structural Engineering is provided by Structures Inc. of Austin, Texas, and Landscape Architecture is provided by Prado Design LLC in conjunction with Jill Nokes, also of Austin. Cecil Baker + Partners Photography

The 5,000 square foot private residence is located in the community of Horseshoe Bay, above the shores of Lake LBJ, and responds to the Texas Hill Country vernacular prescribed by the community: shallow metal roofs, regional materials, sensitive scale massing and water-wise landscaping. The house opens to the scenic north and north-west views and fractures and shifts in order to keep significant oak, mesquite, elm, cedar and persimmon trees, in the process creating lush private patios and limestone terraces. The Owners desired an accessible residence built for flexibility as they age. This led to a single level home, and the challenge to nestle the step-less house into the sloping landscape. Full height glazing opens the house to the very beautiful arid landscape, while porches and overhangs protect interior spaces from the harsh Texas sun. Expansive walls of industrial insulated glazing panels allow soft modulated light to penetrate the interior while providing visual privacy. An integral lap pool with adjacent low fenestration reflects dappled light deep into the house. Chaste stained concrete floors and blackened steel focal elements contrast with islands of mesquite flooring, cherry casework and fir ceilings. Selective areas of exposed limestone walls, some incorporating salvaged timber lintels, and cor-ten steel components further the contrast within the uncomplicated framework. The Owner’s object and art collection is incorporated into the residence’s sequence of connecting galleries creating a choreography of passage that alternates between the lucid expression of simple ranch house architecture and the rich accumulation of their heritage. The general contractor for the project is local custom homebuilder Dauphine Homes. Structural Engineering is provided by Structures Inc. of Austin, Texas, and Landscape Architecture is provided by Prado Design LLC in conjunction with Jill Nokes, also of Austin. Cecil Baker + Partners Photography

THE SETUP Upon moving to Glen Ellyn, the homeowners were eager to infuse their new residence with a style that resonated with their modern aesthetic sensibilities. The primary bathroom, while spacious and structurally impressive with its dramatic high ceilings, presented a dated, overly traditional appearance that clashed with their vision. Design objectives: Transform the space into a serene, modern spa-like sanctuary. Integrate a palette of deep, earthy tones to create a rich, enveloping ambiance. Employ a blend of organic and natural textures to foster a connection with nature. THE REMODEL Design challenges: Take full advantage of the vaulted ceiling Source unique marble that is more grounding than fanciful Design minimal, modern cabinetry with a natural, organic finish Offer a unique lighting plan to create a sexy, Zen vibe Design solutions: To highlight the vaulted ceiling, we extended the shower tile to the ceiling and added a skylight to bathe the area in natural light. Sourced unique marble with raw, chiseled edges that provide a tactile, earthy element. Our custom-designed cabinetry in a minimal, modern style features a natural finish, complementing the organic theme. A truly creative layered lighting strategy dials in the perfect Zen-like atmosphere. The wavy protruding wall tile lights triggered our inspiration but came with an unintended harsh direct-light effect so we sourced a solution: bespoke diffusers measured and cut for the top and bottom of each tile light gap. THE RENEWED SPACE The homeowners dreamed of a tranquil, luxurious retreat that embraced natural materials and a captivating color scheme. Our collaborative effort brought this vision to life, creating a bathroom that not only meets the clients’ functional needs but also serves as a daily sanctuary. The carefully chosen materials and lighting design enable the space to shift its character with the changing light of day. “Trust the process and it will all come together,” the home owners shared. “Sometimes we just stand here and think, ‘Wow, this is lovely!'”