These Buncombe County homeowners were looking for a fun, postmodern space to host friends and family on their restful 40-acre mountain retreat, which includes their main home, a studio, and a cottage. With the assignment of two complete exterior and interior renovations for the ancillary quarters, The Hands of Sean Perry Co. got to work transforming the studio and cottage spaces into the getaway of this owner’s dreams. Both structures received major upgrades, including refinishing the existing textured stucco for a smoother, clean aesthetic and also installing Americana thermally modified ash siding, custom built-in furniture, storage solutions and zinc roofing throughout. Built into a hillside, the studio needed additional drainage support to prevent water from collecting against the foundation. To ensure its structural integrity for years to come, the team built a J drain mat into the walls and tied it into the floor system under the concrete slab. In the cottage, the crew completed extensive renovations, including a new ladder and rail loft area — the perfect nook for cozying up to read on a rainy afternoon.

PHOTOS: Mountain Home Photo CONTRACTOR: 3C Construction Main level living: 1455 sq ft Upper level Living: 1015 sq ft Guest Wing / Office: 520 sq ft Total Living: 2990 sq ft Studio Space: 1520 sq ft 2 Car Garage : 575 sq ft ​ General Contractor: 3C Construction: Steve Lee The client, a sculpture artist, and his wife came to J.P.A. only wanting a studio next to their home. During the design process it grew to having a living space above the studio, which grew to having a small house attached to the studio forming a compound. At this point it became clear to the client; the project was outgrowing the neighborhood. After re-evaluating the project, the live / work compound is currently sited in a natural protected nest with post card views of Mount Sopris & the Roaring Fork Valley. The courtyard compound consist of the central south facing piece being the studio flanked by a simple 2500 sq ft 2 bedroom, 2 story house one the west side, and a multi purpose guest wing /studio on the east side. The evolution of this compound came to include the desire to have the building blend into the surrounding landscape, and at the same time become the backdrop to create and display his sculpture. “Jess has been our architect on several projects over the past ten years. He is easy to work with, and his designs are interesting and thoughtful. He always carefully listens to our ideas and is able to create a plan that meets our needs both as individuals and as a family. We highly recommend Jess Pedersen Architecture”. - Client “As a general contractor, I can highly recommend Jess. His designs are very pleasing with a lot of thought put in to how they are lived in. He is a real team player, adding greatly to collaborative efforts and making the process smoother for all involved. Further, he gets information out on or ahead of schedule. Really been a pleasure working with Jess and hope to do more together in the future!” Steve Lee - 3C Construction

This homeowner had a design challenge for our team. They were looking for something completely unique and special for their back yard. In a neighborhood with "nice" pools they didn't want something ordinary. Our designer/builder, Al Curtis, proposed something completely new. He proposed a swimming pool, built freeform, gunite, with a raised waterfall spilling, finished with the same quartzite coping as the pool, over into the pool, with a swim in grotto and a boat as a seating area at the deep end of the pool. His original idea had him taking an actual boat, reclaiming and reusing it to create this custom feature. The homeowners had other ideas once they heard his crazy cool idea, and asked if he could build it out of concrete. Of course, Al and our entire team was thrilled with the challenge, and hand crafted the boat you see entirely out of concrete, hand shaped, sculpted and molded the cement to form with such attention to detail that you can't tell from a distance that it is not a real boat hovering at the deep end of this pool! The boat was finished with a few reclaimed details from the actual boat it was modeled after...since details are just a part of the surprise and delight in a Legendary Escape, they add just the right elements to make this a very real experience. The homeowner also asked for a different type of coping next to the raised spillover gunite spa, to create the illusion of a swim up bar on the edge of the pool. The pool guy took this idea, raised the pool wall, added a custom poured concrete bar, and added a swim up ledge and in-pool bar stools with seats created out of concrete and stainless steel stands. The perfect custom features, finished with the thermoplastic of ecoFinish, the newest and best trend for a smoother more comfortable swimming surface for gunite pools, spas, sun ledges and seats that we use on our Michigan custom swimming pools, whether hybrid (vinyl liner/gunite combo) or all gunite swimming pools and spas. With the boat in place, it only made sense to create the outside of the grotto as if it were the boat house, for this one of a kind speedboat. The waterfall coming over the face of the grotto has two speeds, fast and warp speed...so jumping off, swimming through the waterfall, or heading down the slide from the dock/wharf patio area adjacent to the boat is a terrific way for kids and adults to enjoy this pool! Swim into the grotto and you are immersed in a 3-dimensional cave, with carvings of fish in vibrant color hand sculpted and painted by Karen, one of our on the job artisans who is instrumental in helping bring our sculptures and always surprising elements to life. Karen has an artistic whimsy, though she is also precise and accurate as she specializes in placing the coping just right and always making sure the tile is just right on every project. To complete this project landscaping, the homeowners looked to Jodi Cook, of Naturally Jodi to create a landscape that blended with the pool area to create a unique feel for the space. She used a variety of plants, ornamental trees, and even created pillars like you would see at a marina to complete the look. Once her landscaping was in, Al added a surprise element at the end of the dock - a lifesize alligator with a fishing rod catching a fish - as just one more detail to this project. Al, and his entire team aim to create a magical environment, where around every corner is just one more surprise that completes the awe and inspiring joy when visiting on of our Legendary Escapes! To say the homeowners are delighted just may be an understatement. Their kick off party included visits from superheros and Disney characters - enjoying all the elements of this backyard retreat in Rochester, Michigan.

Example of a small trendy galley medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Charlotte with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, brick backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

PHOTOS: Mountain Home Photo CONTRACTOR: 3C Construction Main level living: 1455 sq ft Upper level Living: 1015 sq ft Guest Wing / Office: 520 sq ft Total Living: 2990 sq ft Studio Space: 1520 sq ft 2 Car Garage : 575 sq ft ​ General Contractor: 3C Construction: Steve Lee The client, a sculpture artist, and his wife came to J.P.A. only wanting a studio next to their home. During the design process it grew to having a living space above the studio, which grew to having a small house attached to the studio forming a compound. At this point it became clear to the client; the project was outgrowing the neighborhood. After re-evaluating the project, the live / work compound is currently sited in a natural protected nest with post card views of Mount Sopris & the Roaring Fork Valley. The courtyard compound consist of the central south facing piece being the studio flanked by a simple 2500 sq ft 2 bedroom, 2 story house one the west side, and a multi purpose guest wing /studio on the east side. The evolution of this compound came to include the desire to have the building blend into the surrounding landscape, and at the same time become the backdrop to create and display his sculpture. “Jess has been our architect on several projects over the past ten years. He is easy to work with, and his designs are interesting and thoughtful. He always carefully listens to our ideas and is able to create a plan that meets our needs both as individuals and as a family. We highly recommend Jess Pedersen Architecture”. - Client “As a general contractor, I can highly recommend Jess. His designs are very pleasing with a lot of thought put in to how they are lived in. He is a real team player, adding greatly to collaborative efforts and making the process smoother for all involved. Further, he gets information out on or ahead of schedule. Really been a pleasure working with Jess and hope to do more together in the future!” Steve Lee - 3C Construction

Bullnose wall cap and pool coping is a great option for steps or rounded poolsides. The units' tighter width and tapered shape makes curves appear soft and very clean. Its rounded edge also has safety benefits, bringing a smoother texture to your pool's edge. Techo-Bloc's Bullnose Cap give steps a softer appearance. This cap is also perfect to use for outdoor accessories such as kitchens and water features.

A zoning study reveals that the building has an "as of right" extension of approximately 12 feet for all floors which enables an increase of 800 square feet of habitable floor area for the building. This zoning advantage ensures that the project can proceed without the need for special permits or variances, allowing for a smoother project timeline.

Installing the step lights took some consideration and preparation. Chris, our install crew leader, built a wood frame to hold where the fixtures would go and then placed it around the steps before they poured the concrete. It turned out great and made the installation go much smoother than waiting until after the concrete was already in place to then drill, cut, and wire it all. Go to the photo gallery: www.mckaylighting.com/classic-colonial

This downtown Rockford home carried the historic character the neighborhood is known for, but the kitchen needed refreshing to meet the needs of the family's daily routine. With two kids growing up in the house, the space needed more room without losing the charm that drew the family there in the first place. Ridgewood Home Construction reconfigured the layout for better flow and added new cabinets, countertops, and a classic tile backsplash that reflected the home's character while feeling current. Updated plumbing and lighting fixtures enhanced the room's functionality, and a fresh coat of paint tied it all together. Downstairs, custom built-in storage gave the family an organized lower level. The result is a home that runs smoother for a busy family of four, with a kitchen that feels both elevated and true to its downtown Rockford roots.

Revamp Your Outdoor Oasis: Introducing Comprehensive Yard Design Services! Elevate your outdoor living space with our all-inclusive Yard Design Services. Whether you're dreaming of a serene garden retreat, a cozy patio oasis, or a functional outdoor entertainment area, we've got you covered. Our team of experienced designers will work closely with you to bring your vision to life, from concept to completion. But that's not all – we also specialize in room additions and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), seamlessly integrating them into your existing space to maximize both functionality and aesthetic appeal. And to make the process even smoother, we handle all the necessary permits and approvals, ensuring compliance with local regulations every step of the way. With our expertise in both exterior and interior design, we'll create a cohesive and harmonious living environment that reflects your unique style and enhances the beauty of your home. Say goodbye to cookie-cutter designs and hello to a personalized outdoor haven that you'll love coming home to. Ready to transform your home into the ultimate sanctuary? Contact us today to schedule your consultation and take the first step towards realizing your dream outdoor space! Contact us at (949) 401-3370 info@yarddes.com www.yarddes.com . . . . #BackyardBliss #EleganceInNature #BackyardRevamp #OutdoorEscape #DesignElevated #deckdesign #backyarddesign #landscapdesign #yarddesign #ipedeck #ipe #compositedeck #timbertech #designprocess #outdoordesign #TimelessElegance #3ddesign #3dvisualization #designprocess #BackyardMakeover #TransformationInProgress #backYardMakeover #roomaddition #permitsforconstruction #permits #hillsidedeck #interiordesign #adudesign #adupermit #roomaddition

Tartan Homes
Example of a mid-sized trendy enclosed dark wood floor living room design in Ottawa with white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Elegant patio photo in DC Metro

Entryway - transitional entryway idea in Houston

This thoughtfully renovated flip was designed with both beauty and longevity in mind, featuring an ADA-accessible private suite tailored for aging in place. The layout was fully re-imagined to improve flow and daily functionality—most notably by opening up the main living areas and removing an outdated corner brick fireplace, allowing for smoother circulation and a brighter, more connected home. The primary suite was significantly expanded to create a spacious bedroom, an oversized walk-in closet, and a serene master bathroom, transforming it into a true retreat. A new patio door was added to enhance indoor-outdoor connection and bring in natural light. The kitchen was refreshed with a timeless black-and-white palette, elevated by champagne bronze hardware, updated lighting, and charming shiplap accents. A dedicated coffee bar adds both function and personality, making the space perfect for everyday living and entertaining. Bathrooms were finished with extra-large format porcelain tile on both floors and walls, creating a clean, seamless, and spa-like feel while ensuring durability and easy maintenance. Throughout the main living areas, we installed rustic waterproof wood-look flooring in a mid-tone oak, offering warmth, texture, and long-term performance—ideal for multi-generational living. This renovation balances accessibility, comfort, and modern elegance, proving that a well-designed home can be both future-ready and beautifully timeless.

Our clients had just recently closed on their new house in Stapleton and were excited to transform it into their perfect forever home. They wanted to remodel the entire first floor to create a more open floor plan and develop a smoother flow through the house that better fit the needs of their family. The original layout consisted of several small rooms that just weren’t very functional, so we decided to remove the walls that were breaking up the space and restructure the first floor to create a wonderfully open feel. After removing the existing walls, we rearranged their spaces to give them an office at the front of the house, a large living room, and a large dining room that connects seamlessly with the kitchen. We also wanted to center the foyer in the home and allow more light to travel through the first floor, so we replaced their existing doors with beautiful custom sliding doors to the back yard and a gorgeous walnut door with side lights to greet guests at the front of their home. Living Room Our clients wanted a living room that could accommodate an inviting sectional, a baby grand piano, and plenty of space for family game nights. So, we transformed what had been a small office and sitting room into a large open living room with custom wood columns. We wanted to avoid making the home feel too vast and monumental, so we designed custom beams and columns to define spaces and to make the house feel like a home. Aesthetically we wanted their home to be soft and inviting, so we utilized a neutral color palette with occasional accents of muted blues and greens. Dining Room Our clients were also looking for a large dining room that was open to the rest of the home and perfect for big family gatherings. So, we removed what had been a small family room and eat-in dining area to create a spacious dining room with a fireplace and bar. We added custom cabinetry to the bar area with open shelving for displaying and designed a custom surround for their fireplace that ties in with the wood work we designed for their living room. We brought in the tones and materiality from the kitchen to unite the spaces and added a mixed metal light fixture to bring the space together Kitchen We wanted the kitchen to be a real show stopper and carry through the calm muted tones we were utilizing throughout their home. We reoriented the kitchen to allow for a big beautiful custom island and to give us the opportunity for a focal wall with cooktop and range hood. Their custom island was perfectly complimented with a dramatic quartz counter top and oversized pendants making it the real center of their home. Since they enter the kitchen first when coming from their detached garage, we included a small mud-room area right by the back door to catch everyone’s coats and shoes as they come in. We also created a new walk-in pantry with plenty of open storage and a fun chalkboard door for writing notes, recipes, and grocery lists. Office We transformed the original dining room into a handsome office at the front of the house. We designed custom walnut built-ins to house all of their books, and added glass french doors to give them a bit of privacy without making the space too closed off. We painted the room a deep muted blue to create a glimpse of rich color through the french doors Powder Room The powder room is a wonderful play on textures. We used a neutral palette with contrasting tones to create dramatic moments in this little space with accents of brushed gold. Master Bathroom The existing master bathroom had an awkward layout and outdated finishes, so we redesigned the space to create a clean layout with a dream worthy shower. We continued to use neutral tones that tie in with the rest of the home, but had fun playing with tile textures and patterns to create an eye-catching vanity. The wood-look tile planks along the floor provide a soft backdrop for their new free-standing bathtub and contrast beautifully with the deep ash finish on the cabinetry.

Giving back to the community project. Joseph & Berry remodeled this bathroom for a little girl name Kelly who's battling cancer at the age of 12. The tub has been taken out and standing shower has been tremendously enlarged in order to create a smoother entrance and easier access while using a wheel chair. Walking closet was remodeled as well, the room has new paint,new vanities, his & hers sinks and new countertop.

PHOTOS: Mountain Home Photo CONTRACTOR: 3C Construction Main level living: 1455 sq ft Upper level Living: 1015 sq ft Guest Wing / Office: 520 sq ft Total Living: 2990 sq ft Studio Space: 1520 sq ft 2 Car Garage : 575 sq ft ​ General Contractor: 3C Construction: Steve Lee The client, a sculpture artist, and his wife came to J.P.A. only wanting a studio next to their home. During the design process it grew to having a living space above the studio, which grew to having a small house attached to the studio forming a compound. At this point it became clear to the client; the project was outgrowing the neighborhood. After re-evaluating the project, the live / work compound is currently sited in a natural protected nest with post card views of Mount Sopris & the Roaring Fork Valley. The courtyard compound consist of the central south facing piece being the studio flanked by a simple 2500 sq ft 2 bedroom, 2 story house one the west side, and a multi purpose guest wing /studio on the east side. The evolution of this compound came to include the desire to have the building blend into the surrounding landscape, and at the same time become the backdrop to create and display his sculpture. “Jess has been our architect on several projects over the past ten years. He is easy to work with, and his designs are interesting and thoughtful. He always carefully listens to our ideas and is able to create a plan that meets our needs both as individuals and as a family. We highly recommend Jess Pedersen Architecture”. - Client “As a general contractor, I can highly recommend Jess. His designs are very pleasing with a lot of thought put in to how they are lived in. He is a real team player, adding greatly to collaborative efforts and making the process smoother for all involved. Further, he gets information out on or ahead of schedule. Really been a pleasure working with Jess and hope to do more together in the future!” Steve Lee - 3C Construction

The clients' home backed up to deep woods and they wanted a room with floor to ceiling screens to allow cooling breezes to blow through. However, they had two young children and they wanted to protect the screens so we installed a clear glass railing system with white metal vertical posts hold the glass panels and solved the challenge. The floor is 12 x 24 porcelain tile. The ceiling is knotty pine and has 4 recessed ceiling lights and a ceiling fan for hot days. White trim provides a clean finished look. The comfy durable aluminum frame powder coated furniture is from Yardbird Outdoor Furniture in St. Louis Park, MN.

Mid-sized trendy master mosaic tile floor and white floor alcove shower photo in Los Angeles with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, solid surface countertops and a hinged shower door