Riad Zasha: Middle Eastern Beauty at the Beach Private Residence / Alys Beach, Florida Architect: Khoury & Vogt Architects Builder: Alys Beach Construction --- “Riad Zasha resides in Alys Beach, a New Urbanist community along Scenic Highway 30-A in the Florida Panhandle,” says the design team at Khoury & Vogt Architects (KVA), the town architects of Alys Beach. “So named by the homeowner, who came with an explicit preference for something more exotic and Middle Eastern, the house evokes Moroccan and Egyptian influences spatially and decoratively while maintaining continuity with its surrounding architecture, all of which is tightly coded.” E. F. San Juan furnished Weather Shield impact-rated windows and doors, a mahogany impact-rated front door, and all of the custom exterior millwork, including shutters, screens, trim, handrails, and gates. The distinctive tower boasts indoor-outdoor “Florida room” living spaces caged in beautiful wooden mashrabiya grilles created by our team. The execution of this incredible home by the professionals at Alys Beach Construction and KVA resulted in a landmark residence for the town. Challenges: “Part of [the Alys Beach] coding, along with the master plan itself, dictated that a tower mark the corner of the lot,” says KVA. “Aligning this with the adjoining park to the south reinforces the axiality of each and locks the house into a greater urban whole.” The sheer amount of custom millwork created for this house made it a challenge, but a welcome one. The unique exterior called for wooden details everywhere, from the shutters to the handrails, mouldings and trim, roof decking, courtyard gates, ceiling panels for the Florida rooms, loggia screen panels, and more—but the tower was the standout element. The homeowners’ desire for Middle Eastern influences was met through the wooden mashrabiya (or moucharaby) oriel-style wooden latticework enclosing the third-story tower living space. Creating this focal point was some of our team’s most unique work to date, requiring the ultimate attention to detail, precision, and planning. The location close to the Gulf of Mexico also dictated that we partner with our friends at Weather Shield on the impact-rated exterior windows and doors, and their Lifeguard line was perfect for the job. The mahogany impact-rated front door also combines safety and security with beauty and style. Solution: Working closely with KVA and Alys Beach Construction on the timeline and planning for our custom wood products, windows, and doors was monumental to the success of this build. The amount of millwork produced meant our team had to carefully manage their time while ensuring we provided the highest quality of detail and work. The location south of Scenic Highway 30-A, steps from the beach, also meant deciding with KVA and Alys Beach Construction what materials should be used for the best possible production quality and looks while adhering to coding and standing the test of time in the harsh Gulfside elements such as high winds, humidity, and salt. The tower elements alone required the utmost care for building and installation. It was truly a test of skill for our team and Alys Beach Construction to create the corbels and other support pieces that would hold up the wooden oriel windows and latticework screens. We couldn’t be happier with the result and are genuinely honored to have been part of the talented team on such a cornerstone residence in the Alys Beach townscape. --- Photography courtesy of Alys Beach

Russell Hart - Orlando Interior Photography

Sea Arches is a stunning modern architectural masterpiece, perched atop an eleven-acre peninsular promontory rising 160 feet above the Pacific Ocean on northern California’s spectacular Mendocino coast. Surrounded by the ocean on 3 sides and presiding over unparalleled vistas of sea and surf, Sea Arches includes 2,000 feet of ocean frontage, as well as beaches that extend some 1,300 feet. This one-of-a-kind property also includes one of the famous Elk Sea Stacks, a grouping of remarkable ancient rock outcroppings that tower above the Pacific, and add a powerful and dramatic element to the coastal scenery. Integrated gracefully into its spectacular setting, Sea Arches is set back 500 feet from the Pacific Coast Hwy and is completely screened from public view by more than 400 Monterey cypress trees. Approached by a winding, tree-lined drive, the main house and guesthouse include over 4,200 square feet of modern living space with four bedrooms, two mezzanines, two mini-lofts, and five full bathrooms. All rooms are spacious and the hallways are extra-wide. A cantilevered, raised deck off the living-room mezzanine provides a stunningly close approach to the ocean. Walls of glass invite views of the enchanting scenery in every direction: north to the Elk Sea Stacks, south to Point Arena and its historic lighthouse, west beyond the property’s captive sea stack to the horizon, and east to lofty wooded mountains. All of these vistas are enjoyed from Sea Arches and from the property’s mile-long groomed trails that extend along the oceanfront bluff tops overlooking the beautiful beaches on the north and south side of the home. While completely private and secluded, Sea Arches is just a two-minute drive from the charming village of Elk offering quaint and cozy restaurants and inns. A scenic seventeen-mile coastal drive north will bring you to the picturesque and historic seaside village of Mendocino which attracts tourists from near and far. One can also find many world-class wineries in nearby Anderson Valley. All of this just a three-hour drive from San Francisco or if you choose to fly, Little River Airport, with its mile long runway, is only 16 miles north of Sea Arches. Truly a special and unique property, Sea Arches commands some of the most dramatic coastal views in the world, and offers superb design, construction, and high-end finishes throughout, along with unparalleled beauty, tranquility, and privacy. Property Highlights: • Idyllically situated on a one-of-a-kind eleven-acre oceanfront parcel • Dwelling is completely screened from public view by over 400 trees • Includes 2,000 feet of ocean frontage plus over 1,300 feet of beaches • Includes one of the famous Elk Sea Stacks connected to the property by an isthmus • Main house plus private guest house totaling over 4300 sq ft of superb living space • 4 bedrooms and 5 full bathrooms • Separate His and Hers master baths • Open floor plan featuring Single Level Living (with the exception of mezzanines and lofts) • Spacious common rooms with extra wide hallways • Ample opportunities throughout the home for displaying art • Radiant heated slate floors throughout • Soaring 18 foot high ceilings in main living room with walls of glass • Cantilevered viewing deck off the mezzanine for up close ocean views • Gourmet kitchen with top of the line stainless appliances, custom cabinetry and granite counter tops • Granite window sills throughout the home • Spacious guest house including a living room, wet bar, large bedroom, an office/second bedroom, two spacious baths, sleeping loft and two mini lofts • Spectacular ocean and sunset views from most every room in the house • Gracious winding driveway offering ample parking • Large 2 car-garage with workshop • Extensive low-maintenance landscaping offering a profusion of Spring and Summer blooms • Approx. 1 mile of groomed trails • Equipped with a generator • Copper roof • Anchored in bedrock by 42 reinforced concrete piers and framed with steel girders. 2 Fireplaces Deck Granite Countertops Guest House Patio Security System Storage Gardens

Before this full kitchen expansion/remodel our clients had a very tight, roughly 92 sq./ft. galley kitchen with a standard size door opening at the far left and a single window in the facing wall. The kitchen couldn’t accommodate more than one person comfortably and felt a little dated and dark, even with a large overhead fluorescent fixture. To begin, we doubled the size of the entry into the whole dining room/kitchen area by taking out 3’ of the entryway wall, opening up the space to the rest of the house. We (SWD) knocked out the wall facing the dining room and expanded the kitchen by about 30 sq./ft by moving the stairs to the living room to the right and adding a 2-sided functional peninsula (complete with a range and wine racks) in place of the wall. One end of the peninsula T’s into a counter facing the gorgeous living room view of the surrounding woods. We stretched our design skills to the max to create a design with a significant amount of additional storage cabinets and more conveniently placed all-new appliances, while keeping a very open feel. The natural shaker vertical and stacked horizontal cabinets are contrasted with the dark Verde Peacock granite countertops creating a modern and clean, yet timeless look. The continuous backsplash of khaki glass subway tiles tie the soft and hard elements together. We replaced the dated fluorescent overhead light with an energy efficient LED whose curved glass and stainless steel elements mimic the range hood, and added super-slim dimmable under counter LED lighting. This kitchen now provides our clients with maximum function and style from a size-challenged space.

Before this full kitchen expansion/remodel our clients had a very tight, roughly 92 sq./ft. galley kitchen with a standard size door opening at the far left and a single window in the facing wall. The kitchen couldn’t accommodate more than one person comfortably and felt a little dated and dark, even with a large overhead fluorescent fixture. To begin, we doubled the size of the entry into the whole dining room/kitchen area by taking out 3’ of the entryway wall, opening up the space to the rest of the house. We (SWD) knocked out the wall facing the dining room and expanded the kitchen by about 30 sq./ft by moving the stairs to the living room to the right and adding a 2-sided functional peninsula (complete with a range and wine racks) in place of the wall. One end of the peninsula T’s into a counter facing the gorgeous living room view of the surrounding woods. We stretched our design skills to the max to create a design with a significant amount of additional storage cabinets and more conveniently placed all-new appliances, while keeping a very open feel. The natural shaker vertical and stacked horizontal cabinets are contrasted with the dark Verde Peacock granite countertops creating a modern and clean, yet timeless look. The continuous backsplash of khaki glass subway tiles tie the soft and hard elements together. We replaced the dated fluorescent overhead light with an energy efficient LED whose curved glass and stainless steel elements mimic the range hood, and added super-slim dimmable under counter LED lighting. This kitchen now provides our clients with maximum function and style from a size-challenged space.

The challenge with this project was to add a new era-sensitive upstairs bathroom and transform the downstairs double bath in an early 20th century NC farmhouse. We updated the baths with 21st century style and materials with keeping the farmhouse aesthetic in the details. Downstairs Double-bath Remodel: While the farmhouse inspired the room’s bead board chair rail, farmhouse utility inspired making its trim a continuous useable shelf throughout the room. The idea of utility came into play again in the custom moveable shelving system we created to hide the water heater while still allowing access when necessary. We designed a roomy shower space, tiled floor to ceiling in vintage penny tile with a Grohe rainshower system, a rain glass panel wall and a rain glass shower window to maximize the benefits of the natural light through single bathroom window. True to the house’s heritage we also installed a claw foot soaking tub (made with modern light weight resin) and 20th C. farmhouse inspired faucets and vanity light, and a pedestal sink. Above the soaking tub and it’s tiled roman faucet half wall we designed built in cubbies for towels etc. and a custom shelf reachable while in the bath tub. We took space from a closet on the other side of the original bath wall to fit in the soaking tub area. Utilizing the space to the maximum degree, we also made the space between the shower and bath tub a built-in linen closet. The vintage floor tile (patterned in the 1920’s) is our age-appropriate statement piece. We also sourced vintage half light solid wood doors. In one, to again utilize the natural light coming from the exterior bedroom windows and the bathroom window, we created the half light by cutting out a solid door and installing satin finished glass. In the other we sourced vintage “crackle glass” film and placed it on both sides of the existing glass panels.

Before this full kitchen expansion/remodel our clients had a very tight, roughly 92 sq./ft. galley kitchen with a standard size door opening at the far left and a single window in the facing wall. The kitchen couldn’t accommodate more than one person comfortably and felt a little dated and dark, even with a large overhead fluorescent fixture. To begin, we doubled the size of the entry into the whole dining room/kitchen area by taking out 3’ of the entryway wall, opening up the space to the rest of the house. We (SWD) knocked out the wall facing the dining room and expanded the kitchen by about 30 sq./ft by moving the stairs to the living room to the right and adding a 2-sided functional peninsula (complete with a range and wine racks) in place of the wall. One end of the peninsula T’s into a counter facing the gorgeous living room view of the surrounding woods. We stretched our design skills to the max to create a design with a significant amount of additional storage cabinets and more conveniently placed all-new appliances, while keeping a very open feel. The natural shaker vertical and stacked horizontal cabinets are contrasted with the dark Verde Peacock granite countertops creating a modern and clean, yet timeless look. The continuous backsplash of khaki glass subway tiles tie the soft and hard elements together. We replaced the dated fluorescent overhead light with an energy efficient LED whose curved glass and stainless steel elements mimic the range hood, and added super-slim dimmable under counter LED lighting. This kitchen now provides our clients with maximum function and style from a size-challenged space.

Our project involved a full interior remodel and exterior restoration to modernize the infrastructure and to accommodate the needs of a young family, but with the important focus on preserving the history of this 1920s Georgian revival home. Our design included a single story kitchen addition, carefully designed to integrate with the existing exterior architectural detail of the structure, it being visible from public views. Conversely, to the rear private area of the house is an antithesis to traditional architecture, converting a little used north facing courtyard, surrounded on three sides by 2-story walls, and open to the north, into a modern glass enclosed double story “sunroom” which can be opened out to the patio beyond, making it now a fully functioning part of the house. General Contractor Line Construction (restoration & kitchen addition) Robert Montgomery Homes (sunroom) Interior Design By owner

Before this full kitchen expansion/remodel our clients had a very tight, roughly 92 sq./ft. galley kitchen with a standard size door opening at the far left and a single window in the facing wall. The kitchen couldn’t accommodate more than one person comfortably and felt a little dated and dark, even with a large overhead fluorescent fixture. To begin, we doubled the size of the entry into the whole dining room/kitchen area by taking out 3’ of the entryway wall, opening up the space to the rest of the house. We (SWD) knocked out the wall facing the dining room and expanded the kitchen by about 30 sq./ft by moving the stairs to the living room to the right and adding a 2-sided functional peninsula (complete with a range and wine racks) in place of the wall. One end of the peninsula T’s into a counter facing the gorgeous living room view of the surrounding woods. We stretched our design skills to the max to create a design with a significant amount of additional storage cabinets and more conveniently placed all-new appliances, while keeping a very open feel. The natural shaker vertical and stacked horizontal cabinets are contrasted with the dark Verde Peacock granite countertops creating a modern and clean, yet timeless look. The continuous backsplash of khaki glass subway tiles tie the soft and hard elements together. We replaced the dated fluorescent overhead light with an energy efficient LED whose curved glass and stainless steel elements mimic the range hood, and added super-slim dimmable under counter LED lighting. This kitchen now provides our clients with maximum function and style from a size-challenged space.

Example of a large classic galley medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Phoenix with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

These Northern Virginia residents have owned this vacation home for about ten years. With retirement imminent, they decided to give the entire home an over-haul. With it’s great bones and amazing location, this seemed like a very sound investment for their future. Paola McDonald from Olamar Interiors had been working with the clients for the past three years, helping them to renovate their Sterling, VA condominium and their Moorefield, WV weekend home. It seemed fitting that they would also hire her to help them renovate this home as well. For this project we took the home down to the studs and practically rebuilt it. The renovation includes an addition to the basement level and main floor to create a new fitness room, additional guest bedroom and larger kitchen and dining area. It also included a renovation of the facade of the home. The exterior of the home was completely re-sided and painted, and we added the tall windows at the stairs. The lower entry deck was expanded and an upper deck was added just off the kitchen in order for the homeowner to keep his grill away from the strong ocean winds. A new deck was also added off of the master bedroom. New stainless steel railings were added to all the decks. We opened the homes stairwells, adding custom glass railings and new lighting to create a much more open feel and allow for natural light to flood the entire main living area. The original, tiny kitchen was expanded substantially, adding a large custom eat in bar, wine storage area and plenty of storage. We utilized Decora’s Marquis Cabinetry in an espresso finish to give the kitchen a very clean, contemporary feel. Carrara marble countertops paired with a grey quartz, single slap marble backsplash, and stainless appliances create a clean look. In the new dining area, a simple Modloft dining table was paired with a Regina Andrew bubbles chandelier and Jessica Charles dining chairs for a sophisticated feel accentuated perfectly by beachy colors and textures that tie in the beautiful views of the Ocean. A custom chandelier from John Pomp is the highlight of the family room, particularly at night when it is reminiscent to fireflies in the sky. A new custom designed, custom made sectional, cozy newly added Spark Modern Fires gas fireplace, custom rug by Julie Dasher and Lee Industries chairs create a cozy place to lounge and watch television after a long day at the beach. Guests feel like they are in a luxurious boutique hotel complete with spectacular views, comfortable Ann Gish linens and beautiful and unique lighting fixtures. All three full baths and the powder room received complete facelifts with new glass, marble and ceramic tiles, Decora cabinetry, new lighting fixtures, quartz countertops and unique features that make unique statements in each one. Phillip Jeffries mica wallpaper are used in the entryway and family room fireplace walls to add a sandy texture to each space. Phillip Jeffries grasscloth was added to the master bedroom accent wall to create a delicate feature. New flooring throughout includes gorgeous dark stained hardwood floors, ceramic tile and Karastan carpeting in the bedrooms. The crisp white and grey walls are accentuated throughout the home by beach inspired turquoises, navies and lime greens. Perfectly appointed furnishings, artwork, accessories and custom made window treatments complete the look and feel of this gorgeous vacation home. Photography by Tinius Photography

Our project involved a full interior remodel and exterior restoration to modernize the infrastructure and to accommodate the needs of a young family, but with the important focus on preserving the history of this 1920s Georgian revival home. Our design included a single story kitchen addition, carefully designed to integrate with the existing exterior architectural detail of the structure, it being visible from public views. Conversely, to the rear private area of the house is an antithesis to traditional architecture, converting a little used north facing courtyard, surrounded on three sides by 2-story walls, and open to the north, into a modern glass enclosed double story “sunroom” which can be opened out to the patio beyond, making it now a fully functioning part of the house. General Contractor Line Construction (restoration & kitchen addition) Robert Montgomery Homes (sunroom) Interior Design By owner

Before this full kitchen expansion/remodel our clients had a very tight, roughly 92 sq./ft. galley kitchen with a standard size door opening at the far left and a single window in the facing wall. The kitchen couldn’t accommodate more than one person comfortably and felt a little dated and dark, even with a large overhead fluorescent fixture. To begin, we doubled the size of the entry into the whole dining room/kitchen area by taking out 3’ of the entryway wall, opening up the space to the rest of the house. We (SWD) knocked out the wall facing the dining room and expanded the kitchen by about 30 sq./ft by moving the stairs to the living room to the right and adding a 2-sided functional peninsula (complete with a range and wine racks) in place of the wall. One end of the peninsula T’s into a counter facing the gorgeous living room view of the surrounding woods. We stretched our design skills to the max to create a design with a significant amount of additional storage cabinets and more conveniently placed all-new appliances, while keeping a very open feel. The natural shaker vertical and stacked horizontal cabinets are contrasted with the dark Verde Peacock granite countertops creating a modern and clean, yet timeless look. The continuous backsplash of khaki glass subway tiles tie the soft and hard elements together. We replaced the dated fluorescent overhead light with an energy efficient LED whose curved glass and stainless steel elements mimic the range hood, and added super-slim dimmable under counter LED lighting. This kitchen now provides our clients with maximum function and style from a size-challenged space.

Before this full kitchen expansion/remodel our clients had a very tight, roughly 92 sq./ft. galley kitchen with a standard size door opening at the far left and a single window in the facing wall. The kitchen couldn’t accommodate more than one person comfortably and felt a little dated and dark, even with a large overhead fluorescent fixture. To begin, we doubled the size of the entry into the whole dining room/kitchen area by taking out 3’ of the entryway wall, opening up the space to the rest of the house. We (SWD) knocked out the wall facing the dining room and expanded the kitchen by about 30 sq./ft by moving the stairs to the living room to the right and adding a 2-sided functional peninsula (complete with a range and wine racks) in place of the wall. One end of the peninsula T’s into a counter facing the gorgeous living room view of the surrounding woods. We stretched our design skills to the max to create a design with a significant amount of additional storage cabinets and more conveniently placed all-new appliances, while keeping a very open feel. The natural shaker vertical and stacked horizontal cabinets are contrasted with the dark Verde Peacock granite countertops creating a modern and clean, yet timeless look. The continuous backsplash of khaki glass subway tiles tie the soft and hard elements together. We replaced the dated fluorescent overhead light with an energy efficient LED whose curved glass and stainless steel elements mimic the range hood, and added super-slim dimmable under counter LED lighting. This kitchen now provides our clients with maximum function and style from a size-challenged space.

Inspiration for a large timeless galley medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Phoenix with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Before this full kitchen expansion/remodel our clients had a very tight, roughly 92 sq./ft. galley kitchen with a standard size door opening at the far left and a single window in the facing wall. The kitchen couldn’t accommodate more than one person comfortably and felt a little dated and dark, even with a large overhead fluorescent fixture. To begin, we doubled the size of the entry into the whole dining room/kitchen area by taking out 3’ of the entryway wall, opening up the space to the rest of the house. We (SWD) knocked out the wall facing the dining room and expanded the kitchen by about 30 sq./ft by moving the stairs to the living room to the right and adding a 2-sided functional peninsula (complete with a range and wine racks) in place of the wall. One end of the peninsula T’s into a counter facing the gorgeous living room view of the surrounding woods. We stretched our design skills to the max to create a design with a significant amount of additional storage cabinets and more conveniently placed all-new appliances, while keeping a very open feel. The natural shaker vertical and stacked horizontal cabinets are contrasted with the dark Verde Peacock granite countertops creating a modern and clean, yet timeless look. The continuous backsplash of khaki glass subway tiles tie the soft and hard elements together. We replaced the dated fluorescent overhead light with an energy efficient LED whose curved glass and stainless steel elements mimic the range hood, and added super-slim dimmable under counter LED lighting. This kitchen now provides our clients with maximum function and style from a size-challenged space.

Before this full kitchen expansion/remodel our clients had a very tight, roughly 92 sq./ft. galley kitchen with a standard size door opening at the far left and a single window in the facing wall. The kitchen couldn’t accommodate more than one person comfortably and felt a little dated and dark, even with a large overhead fluorescent fixture. To begin, we doubled the size of the entry into the whole dining room/kitchen area by taking out 3’ of the entryway wall, opening up the space to the rest of the house. We (SWD) knocked out the wall facing the dining room and expanded the kitchen by about 30 sq./ft by moving the stairs to the living room to the right and adding a 2-sided functional peninsula (complete with a range and wine racks) in place of the wall. One end of the peninsula T’s into a counter facing the gorgeous living room view of the surrounding woods. We stretched our design skills to the max to create a design with a significant amount of additional storage cabinets and more conveniently placed all-new appliances, while keeping a very open feel. The natural shaker vertical and stacked horizontal cabinets are contrasted with the dark Verde Peacock granite countertops creating a modern and clean, yet timeless look. The continuous backsplash of khaki glass subway tiles tie the soft and hard elements together. We replaced the dated fluorescent overhead light with an energy efficient LED whose curved glass and stainless steel elements mimic the range hood, and added super-slim dimmable under counter LED lighting. This kitchen now provides our clients with maximum function and style from a size-challenged space.

Before this full kitchen expansion/remodel our clients had a very tight, roughly 92 sq./ft. galley kitchen with a standard size door opening at the far left and a single window in the facing wall. The kitchen couldn’t accommodate more than one person comfortably and felt a little dated and dark, even with a large overhead fluorescent fixture. To begin, we doubled the size of the entry into the whole dining room/kitchen area by taking out 3’ of the entryway wall, opening up the space to the rest of the house. We (SWD) knocked out the wall facing the dining room and expanded the kitchen by about 30 sq./ft by moving the stairs to the living room to the right and adding a 2-sided functional peninsula (complete with a range and wine racks) in place of the wall. One end of the peninsula T’s into a counter facing the gorgeous living room view of the surrounding woods. We stretched our design skills to the max to create a design with a significant amount of additional storage cabinets and more conveniently placed all-new appliances, while keeping a very open feel. The natural shaker vertical and stacked horizontal cabinets are contrasted with the dark Verde Peacock granite countertops creating a modern and clean, yet timeless look. The continuous backsplash of khaki glass subway tiles tie the soft and hard elements together. We replaced the dated fluorescent overhead light with an energy efficient LED whose curved glass and stainless steel elements mimic the range hood, and added super-slim dimmable under counter LED lighting. This kitchen now provides our clients with maximum function and style from a size-challenged space.

Our project involved a full interior remodel and exterior restoration to modernize the infrastructure and to accommodate the needs of a young family, but with the important focus on preserving the history of this 1920s Georgian revival home. Our design included a single story kitchen addition, carefully designed to integrate with the existing exterior architectural detail of the structure, it being visible from public views. Conversely, to the rear private area of the house is an antithesis to traditional architecture, converting a little used north facing courtyard, surrounded on three sides by 2-story walls, and open to the north, into a modern glass enclosed double story “sunroom” which can be opened out to the patio beyond, making it now a fully functioning part of the house. General Contractor Line Construction (restoration & kitchen addition) Robert Montgomery Homes (sunroom) Interior Design By owner