Photos By Shawn Lortie Photography
Inspiration for a large contemporary brown two-story mixed siding exterior home remodel in DC Metro

Interior view of Primary Bathroom vanity and shower. Photo credit: John Granen
Trendy master gray tile and matchstick tile porcelain tile, gray floor and double-sink bathroom photo in Seattle with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a floating vanity, gray walls and beige countertops

Master bedroom with white shutters and medium wood flooring.
Large elegant master medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom photo in Salt Lake City with beige walls and no fireplace

Greg Premru
Example of a mid-sized classic detached four-car garage design in Boston

This project began as a design-build proposal to build an addition for an indoor swim spa and exercise room to a ranch style house. The Clients were seeking a functional and inviting space reminiscent of the luxury resorts and space they have visited during their international travels. One of the biggest challenges was to fit the program within the site and buildable area constraints. In order to maximize floor area, the exterior walls of the addition were located parallel to the property lines along the required setbacks, which resulted in a non-orthagonal geometry in plan. The volume of the addition began to take shape with large floor to ceiling openings strengthening the connection to the outdoors with roof line that rises northward to capture daylight. A series of operable skylights ventilate the room and allow more daylight to penetrate into the adjacent existing den. Inspired by modern additions made to historic structures in Europe, we made a conscious decision to not try to blend the addition into the language of the existing ranch house, choosing instead to juxtapose a structure that was layered and felt light next to the cement tile roof and framed picture windows. The interior walls were finished with a marine grade plywood to withstand a humid environment, and the exteriors were clad with a cedar rainscreen to give privacy where needed and gradually reduced to allow for more glass and visibility. The Clients are immersed in the technological environment of Silicon Valley and appreciated the simple geometries and aesthetics of modern design. david wakely

Window seat in master bedroom. Another of our goals for this project was to create, simultaneously, a juxtaposition of the man-made and the natural, as well as a window--literally or metaphorically--to nature, a space to meditate upon nature. These two aims are quite closely intertwined: The clear, straight, simple geometry of this window is juxtaposed upon the lovely random chaos of the oak tree beyond. These are complimentary contrasts rather than contradictory. Each actually enhances the other. Rather than 'nature' and the 'artificial'/man-made being considered perpetually at odds, we can see how intentional juxtaposition can allow us a framework--in this case literally--to meditate on both. Photographer: Eric Rorer

Natural materials and simple geometries are key elements of the collection. The sleek propeller design and slim profile of the Falcon Fan make it equally at home in small rooms and wide-open spaces.

Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in San Francisco

Deck - small contemporary backyard deck idea in San Francisco

Wall paint: Simply White, Benjamin Moore; hardwood floor: Southern Pecan Natural, Home Depot; lamps: Morten Table Lamp, West Elm; sofa: Hamilton Leath Sofa, West Elm; sofa piillows: Susan Connor; chairs, mirror, and pole lamp: Craigslist; coffee table: Switch Coffee Table, Crate & Barrel; side tables: Mason Side Table, Crate & Barrel; rug: West Elm (no longer sold) Design: Annabode + Co Photo: Allie Crafton © 2016 Houzz

Blue & White Garden with rectangular lily pond; azaleas, tree peonies, assorted Spring bulbs, perennials and flowering shrubs. Display Garden, Seekonk, MA.

Melani Lust Photography Designed by Thiel Architecture + Design
Transitional three-story exterior home photo in New York

Pool courtyard featuring cantilevered sky frames to extend the living spaces.
Pool - modern backyard decomposed granite and rectangular pool idea in Austin

Our goal of providing a clean design with great functional lighting was achieved by working with the architect, contractor and interior designer to perfect the details in this bathroom. Inverse coves provide the illusion of daylight coming from above while the mirrors illuminate occupants by lighting above their heads and below their chins for maximum function. Trimless recessed lights in the ceiling add to the rectilinear geometry of the interiors. Brent Moss - Photographer David Finholm - Architect Interior Design - Atelier A.M. General Contractor - Hansen Construction

On a quiet street just steps from San Francisco’s beloved Dolores Park, a formerly modest urban structure has been transformed into a luminous vertical residence that quietly redefines contemporary city living. Through a comprehensive remodel and both vertical and horizontal expansion, the project turns a constrained urban footprint into a sequence of serene, art-forward living spaces that unfold upward toward expansive city views. The architecture balances restraint and warmth: crisp contemporary geometry softened by natural materials, artful lighting, and carefully curated interiors. The result is a home that feels simultaneously grounded and elevated—deeply connected to its neighborhood yet remarkably private. Reimagining the Urban Envelope The original building has been almost entirely reconceived. The facade now reads as a disciplined composition of plaster volumes and precisely detailed window openings framed by subtle projecting bands. The geometry references San Francisco’s classic rhythm of bayed facades while stripping the language down to a refined modern expression. Behind this quiet exterior lies a dramatically expanded interior volume. The redesign adds both additional floor area and new vertical circulation, transforming what was once a conventional city house into a multi-level architectural sequence organized around light, art, and views. At the roofline, planted terraces soften the building’s silhouette and create a green crown visible from surrounding hillsides. Interiors as a Sequence of Galleries Inside, the home unfolds as a series of spatial moments connected by a sculptural stair and gallery-like corridors. Wide plank oak floors run throughout, providing continuity and warmth against a palette of plaster walls, dark steel detailing, and natural stone. The hallways function almost as curated galleries, with layered artworks suspended in front of mesh panels that create depth and subtle shadow. Light filters through carefully placed windows and stair openings, transforming circulation spaces into contemplative transitions rather than mere passageways. A Living Room Anchored by Stone and Light The primary living room occupies one of the home’s central floors, where a quiet interplay of texture and geometry defines the space. A monumental fireplace wrapped in dark stone forms the room’s anchor, its mass contrasting with a recessed ceiling plane that seems to float above the seating area. Integrated perimeter lighting creates a soft architectural glow that washes the ceiling and walls. Furniture is sculptural yet understated—rounded lounge chairs in warm ochre velvet, tailored sofas, and a striking marble cocktail table whose expressive veining becomes a focal artwork in itself. Deep blue carpeting grounds the seating arrangement and subtly absorbs light, enhancing the calm atmosphere. Above the fireplace, a delicate projection artwork introduces a moment of visual poetry—an unexpected cinematic gesture that transforms the wall into a quietly animated canvas. Kitchen as Architectural Furniture The kitchen expresses a different register: crisp, tactile, and materially rich. Custom walnut cabinetry spans the wall in a continuous plane, punctuated only by the sculpted hood and integrated appliances. The wood’s depth and warmth are balanced by expanses of pale marble that flow seamlessly from countertop to backsplash. Three dome pendants hover above the island like industrial sculptures, casting pools of warm light onto the stone surface. A row of vivid red stools introduces a controlled burst of color, a small but confident departure from the otherwise restrained palette. Dining With a Living Backdrop Adjacent to the kitchen, the dining room opens toward a glass wall overlooking a vertical garden of climbing ivy. The greenery becomes a constantly changing backdrop—lush and shadowy during the day, atmospheric and cinematic after sunset. A dark wood table anchors the room, surrounded by pale oak chairs whose understated forms echo Scandinavian design traditions. The simplicity of the furniture allows the view and natural light to become the dominant experience. Intimate Spaces and Material Contrast Throughout the home, smaller rooms offer moments of intimacy and material experimentation. The powder room pairs textured wall coverings with a dramatic black marble vanity whose bold veining feels almost geological. A suspended mirror and slender pendant create a sculptural composition against the tactile backdrop. The primary bedroom, by contrast, feels serene and expansive. Floor-to-ceiling glazing frames sweeping views of the city, while soft textiles and warm wood paneling create a cocooning effect. Slender black columns subtly define a sitting area without interrupting the openness of the space. Bathing Above the City In the primary bathroom, a sculptural freestanding tub sits beside a panoramic window overlooking San Francisco’s hills and rooftops. The room’s palette—light oak, grey stone, and matte metals—reinforces the spa-like atmosphere. Floating cabinetry and integrated lighting maintain a sense of visual lightness despite the richness of the materials. Entertaining Above the Park Higher in the house, a lounge and bar area becomes the social heart of the home. Here, dark stone slabs with dramatic veining wrap the bar wall like a piece of monumental art. Open shelving displays glassware and spirits, while integrated wine storage hints at the home’s entertaining ambitions. A soft leather sectional and low glass table create a relaxed setting for conversation, framed by expansive views of the city skyline. Cinema and Retreat The lower level introduces yet another atmosphere: a dedicated media room designed for immersive viewing. Dark walls, plush seating, and soft lighting create a cinematic environment that contrasts intentionally with the airy upper floors. It’s a retreat within the home—intimate, quiet, and removed from the brightness above. Architecture That Balances Discipline and Warmth What makes the project particularly compelling is its balance between architectural discipline and lived warmth. Every element—from the carefully framed views to the restrained material palette—contributes to a cohesive spatial narrative. Yet the home never feels austere. Natural materials, curated art, and layered lighting create a sense of comfort and depth. The result is a house that feels both architecturally rigorous and deeply human. A Contemporary Interpretation of San Francisco Living In a neighborhood defined by historic homes and iconic park views, this transformation offers a contemporary interpretation of San Francisco living. It respects the city’s urban density while embracing openness, light, and vertical living. The home rises quietly above its surroundings, culminating in panoramic vistas that stretch across rooftops, hills, and sky. What began as a conventional structure has become something far more nuanced: a modern urban sanctuary—part gallery, part retreat, and wholly connected to the vibrant city just beyond its walls.

The 3,400 SF, 3 – bedroom, 3 ½ bath main house feels larger than it is because we pulled the kids’ bedroom wing and master suite wing out from the public spaces and connected all three with a TV Den. Convenient ranch house features include a porte cochere at the side entrance to the mud room, a utility/sewing room near the kitchen, and covered porches that wrap two sides of the pool terrace. We designed a separate icehouse to showcase the owner’s unique collection of Texas memorabilia. The building includes a guest suite and a comfortable porch overlooking the pool. The main house and icehouse utilize reclaimed wood siding, brick, stone, tie, tin, and timbers alongside appropriate new materials to add a feeling of age.

The boy’s room utilizes many durable items. An upholstered bed, metal nightstand, and simple blue linen shade with blue trim create a masculine yet approachable atmosphere. This feel is complemented by the geometry of a light fixture from Restoration Hardware. On the wall, a unique wall covering by Peel & Stick gives the added texture of reclaimed and sustainable wood planking. Photo credit: David Duncan Livingston

Peter Vanderwarker
Inspiration for a mid-sized rustic open concept and formal light wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Boston with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace and no tv

Peter Peirce
Example of a large trendy backyard rectangular aboveground pool design in Bridgeport with decking