This was an Addition/Renovation for a young couple and their two children, to an existing house that was originally designed and built in 1939. Like many homes of this era, the Kitchen was not developed as a place of family gathering and social interaction, like modern kitchens and life-styles of today, and this was the seed for the desire, by the home owners, when they asked me to help them to ‘Update’ their home.

Architecture and Interior Designing has evolved significantly over the years in response to changing lifestyles, rapid urbanisation, and technological advancements. Today, the focus is no longer just on creating visually appealing spaces, but on designing environments that are intelligent, adaptable, sustainable, and deeply human-centric. Elite 18 reflects this evolution through a modern residential narrative that balances functionality, comfort, and emotional well-being. Designed by Sandeep & Shreya Sahani, the project responds thoughtfully to the demands of contemporary urban living. As cities continue to grow denser, architecture is increasingly shifting towards smarter planning and efficient use of space. Compact yet breathable layouts, multifunctional areas, and vertical living concepts are becoming essential in modern residential developments. At Elite 18, the design approach embraces openness, fluidity, and practicality, ensuring that spaces remain functional while maintaining a sense of luxury and calm. Changing lifestyles have also transformed the way homes are designed. With remote work and flexible routines becoming part of everyday life, modern residences now require adaptable spaces that can seamlessly support work, leisure, and social interaction. The interiors at Elite 18 are curated with clean lines, soothing tones, and uncluttered layouts that enhance comfort while supporting modern living patterns. Technology has further reshaped architecture by introducing smarter and more responsive environments. Contemporary buildings increasingly integrate smart lighting, climate control systems, touchless features, and digital planning tools to improve convenience and efficiency. This shift towards intelligent architecture allows spaces to become more personalised and responsive to user behaviour. Sustainability has also become a defining aspect of modern architectural thinking. With growing environmental awareness and climate concerns, architects are prioritising energy efficiency, natural ventilation, climate-responsive materials, and sustainable construction practices. At Elite 18, strategic placement of openings, balanced natural light, and thoughtful material selection contribute to a more energy-efficient and comfortable indoor environment. Overall, architecture today is evolving beyond aesthetics to create spaces that are adaptive, environmentally responsible, and emotionally enriching. Elite 18 stands as a reflection of this transformation, where thoughtful design, sustainability, technology, and modern lifestyles come together to shape the future of urban living.

Architecture and Interior Designing has evolved significantly over the years in response to changing lifestyles, rapid urbanisation, and technological advancements. Today, the focus is no longer just on creating visually appealing spaces, but on designing environments that are intelligent, adaptable, sustainable, and deeply human-centric. Elite 18 reflects this evolution through a modern residential narrative that balances functionality, comfort, and emotional well-being. Designed by Sandeep & Shreya Sahani, the project responds thoughtfully to the demands of contemporary urban living. As cities continue to grow denser, architecture is increasingly shifting towards smarter planning and efficient use of space. Compact yet breathable layouts, multifunctional areas, and vertical living concepts are becoming essential in modern residential developments. At Elite 18, the design approach embraces openness, fluidity, and practicality, ensuring that spaces remain functional while maintaining a sense of luxury and calm. Changing lifestyles have also transformed the way homes are designed. With remote work and flexible routines becoming part of everyday life, modern residences now require adaptable spaces that can seamlessly support work, leisure, and social interaction. The interiors at Elite 18 are curated with clean lines, soothing tones, and uncluttered layouts that enhance comfort while supporting modern living patterns. Technology has further reshaped architecture by introducing smarter and more responsive environments. Contemporary buildings increasingly integrate smart lighting, climate control systems, touchless features, and digital planning tools to improve convenience and efficiency. This shift towards intelligent architecture allows spaces to become more personalised and responsive to user behaviour. Sustainability has also become a defining aspect of modern architectural thinking. With growing environmental awareness and climate concerns, architects are prioritising energy efficiency, natural ventilation, climate-responsive materials, and sustainable construction practices. At Elite 18, strategic placement of openings, balanced natural light, and thoughtful material selection contribute to a more energy-efficient and comfortable indoor environment. Overall, architecture today is evolving beyond aesthetics to create spaces that are adaptive, environmentally responsible, and emotionally enriching. Elite 18 stands as a reflection of this transformation, where thoughtful design, sustainability, technology, and modern lifestyles come together to shape the future of urban living.

This modern kitchen renovation redefined the heart of the home, creating a stylish and functional space that seamlessly blends form and function. With a focus on clean lines and contemporary materials, the kitchen now serves as a vibrant hub for cooking and entertaining. Key Features: Sleek Cabinetry: Custom cabinetry in a high-gloss finish offers ample storage while maintaining a minimalist aesthetic. The push-to-open mechanisms eliminate the need for handles, enhancing the clean look. Bold Backsplash: A striking geometric tile backsplash adds a dynamic focal point, combining texture and visual interest with a color palette that complements the overall design. Quartz Countertops: Durable quartz countertops in a light, neutral hue provide a sophisticated workspace that is both easy to clean and visually appealing, perfect for meal prep and gatherings. State-of-the-Art Appliances: The kitchen is equipped with top-of-the-line appliances that enhance efficiency, including a smart refrigerator, induction cooktop, and built-in oven, all seamlessly integrated into the cabinetry. Open Layout: An open-concept design connects the kitchen to the dining and living areas, fostering an inviting atmosphere ideal for entertaining family and friends. Illuminating Lighting: Modern pendant lights hang elegantly over the island, while recessed lighting throughout the space provides ambient illumination, highlighting the kitchen’s sleek features. Functional Island: The expansive island serves as both a cooking and dining area, with bar seating that encourages casual gatherings and social interaction. This modern kitchen renovation not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the home but also elevates its functionality, making it a perfect blend of style and practicality for today’s culinary enthusiasts.

A spacious island enhances both workflow and social interaction, offering additional seating and storage. Thoughtfully planned lighting highlights the natural textures of the materials and ensures comfort for everyday use.

The Aerius - Modern Craftsman in Ridgefield Washington by Cascade West Development Inc. Upon opening the 8ft tall door and entering the foyer an immediate display of light, color and energy is presented to us in the form of 13ft coffered ceilings, abundant natural lighting and an ornate glass chandelier. Beckoning across the hall an entrance to the Great Room is beset by the Master Suite, the Den, a central stairway to the Upper Level and a passageway to the 4-bay Garage and Guest Bedroom with attached bath. Advancement to the Great Room reveals massive, built-in vertical storage, a vast area for all manner of social interactions and a bountiful showcase of the forest scenery that allows the natural splendor of the outside in. The sleek corner-kitchen is composed with elevated countertops. These additional 4in create the perfect fit for our larger-than-life homeowner and make stooping and drooping a distant memory. The comfortable kitchen creates no spatial divide and easily transitions to the sun-drenched dining nook, complete with overhead coffered-beam ceiling. This trifecta of function, form and flow accommodates all shapes and sizes and allows any number of events to be hosted here. On the rare occasion more room is needed, the sliding glass doors can be opened allowing an out-pour of activity. Almost doubling the square-footage and extending the Great Room into the arboreous locale is sure to guarantee long nights out under the stars. Cascade West Facebook: https://goo.gl/MCD2U1 Cascade West Website: https://goo.gl/XHm7Un These photos, like many of ours, were taken by the good people of ExposioHDR - Portland, Or Exposio Facebook: https://goo.gl/SpSvyo Exposio Website: https://goo.gl/Cbm8Ya

In Cupertino, we recently completed an extensive remodeling project that transformed a dated home into a modern sanctuary. The project included a complete outdoor renovation with a lush lawn, spacious porch, and inviting patio. Inside, the living room was redesigned with a cozy fireplace and comfortable seating arrangements. The kitchen now features all-new wooden cabinets and countertops, providing ample storage and workspace. A vintage-style bathroom was remodeled with sleek black accessories and elegant lighting fixtures. An open kitchen layout fosters gatherings and social interaction, while a dedicated gym area promotes health and wellness. This comprehensive remodel reflects our commitment to craftsmanship and creating spaces that enhance luxury living.

In Cupertino, we recently completed an extensive remodeling project that transformed a dated home into a modern sanctuary. The project included a complete outdoor renovation with a lush lawn, spacious porch, and inviting patio. Inside, the living room was redesigned with a cozy fireplace and comfortable seating arrangements. The kitchen now features all-new wooden cabinets and countertops, providing ample storage and workspace. A vintage-style bathroom was remodeled with sleek black accessories and elegant lighting fixtures. An open kitchen layout fosters gatherings and social interaction, while a dedicated gym area promotes health and wellness. This comprehensive remodel reflects our commitment to craftsmanship and creating spaces that enhance luxury living.

In Cupertino, we recently completed an extensive remodeling project that transformed a dated home into a modern sanctuary. The project included a complete outdoor renovation with a lush lawn, spacious porch, and inviting patio. Inside, the living room was redesigned with a cozy fireplace and comfortable seating arrangements. The kitchen now features all-new wooden cabinets and countertops, providing ample storage and workspace. A vintage-style bathroom was remodeled with sleek black accessories and elegant lighting fixtures. An open kitchen layout fosters gatherings and social interaction, while a dedicated gym area promotes health and wellness. This comprehensive remodel reflects our commitment to craftsmanship and creating spaces that enhance luxury living.

In Cupertino, we recently completed an extensive remodeling project that transformed a dated home into a modern sanctuary. The project included a complete outdoor renovation with a lush lawn, spacious porch, and inviting patio. Inside, the living room was redesigned with a cozy fireplace and comfortable seating arrangements. The kitchen now features all-new wooden cabinets and countertops, providing ample storage and workspace. A vintage-style bathroom was remodeled with sleek black accessories and elegant lighting fixtures. An open kitchen layout fosters gatherings and social interaction, while a dedicated gym area promotes health and wellness. This comprehensive remodel reflects our commitment to craftsmanship and creating spaces that enhance luxury living.

This project features a modern suburban backyard design that combines an elevated wooden deck, rectangular swimming pool, and outdoor fire pit seating into a cohesive and functional outdoor living space. The elevated deck extends directly from the house, creating a comfortable upper-level outdoor lounge with clear views of the backyard. A straight staircase connects the deck to the lawn, ensuring smooth circulation between indoor and outdoor spaces. At ground level, the layout is organized around a clean-lined rectangular pool, positioned as the primary recreational element of the yard. A minimal pool deck allows easy movement while keeping the space visually open. Adjacent to the pool, a fire pit seating area forms an intimate gathering zone for evening use and social interaction.

In Cupertino, we recently completed an extensive remodeling project that transformed a dated home into a modern sanctuary. The project included a complete outdoor renovation with a lush lawn, spacious porch, and inviting patio. Inside, the living room was redesigned with a cozy fireplace and comfortable seating arrangements. The kitchen now features all-new wooden cabinets and countertops, providing ample storage and workspace. A vintage-style bathroom was remodeled with sleek black accessories and elegant lighting fixtures. An open kitchen layout fosters gatherings and social interaction, while a dedicated gym area promotes health and wellness. This comprehensive remodel reflects our commitment to craftsmanship and creating spaces that enhance luxury living.

As Brooklyn continues to reach upward, its newest denizens demand an aesthetic which marries the past with the present. For the latest buildings, rooftop spaces are not an after-thought but are carefully engineered and planned early in the design phase, often long before there is a semblance of a space to survey. The primary challenge with common spaces for residential buildings is to provide some level of individual privacy while developing an overall spatial design which will also foster social interaction between users. In order to achieve this balance, smaller conversational spaces which are defined through the rigid face of the wood-clad planters and accented by hearty plantings and provide a diverse mix of seating types from long benches attached to the face of the planters to moveable chairs and tables allowing for maximum flexibility. The smaller conversational spaces take advantage of the views from the outside edges of the roof while the larger common spaces are defined by plant-softened wood fences. The materials of the space borrow from the buildings context, reclaiming many of the materials which permeated Brooklyn’s industrial heritage. Concrete, steel, aluminum and various fabrics are some of the elements which help to unite the past with the present. Transferring the feel of the sidewalk planting bed to the rooftop is achieved through the raw steel-edged green-roof garden areas which help define the spaces.

This kitchen is a stunning example of modern design, featuring clean, sleek lines and a monochromatic color palette. The modern stainless-steel appliances are nestled within white cabinetry, providing a seamless look that’s both elegant and functional. A large central island doubles as a preparation area and a casual dining spot, with stylish bar stools inviting social interaction. Unique hexagonal backsplash tiles add depth and interest, while open shelving hints at a blend of sophistication and hospitality. Strategic lighting, including a striking linear suspension light above the island and recessed lights, complements the natural light pouring in from the adjacent room. The kitchen maintains a minimalist aesthetic while offering all the amenities needed for gourmet cooking and entertaining.

This kitchen is a stunning example of modern design, featuring clean, sleek lines and a monochromatic color palette. The modern stainless-steel appliances are nestled within white cabinetry, providing a seamless look that’s both elegant and functional. A large central island doubles as a preparation area and a casual dining spot, with stylish bar stools inviting social interaction. Unique hexagonal backsplash tiles add depth and interest, while open shelving hints at a blend of sophistication and hospitality. Strategic lighting, including a striking linear suspension light above the island and recessed lights, complements the natural light pouring in from the adjacent room. The kitchen maintains a minimalist aesthetic while offering all the amenities needed for gourmet cooking and entertaining.

In Cupertino, we recently completed an extensive remodeling project that transformed a dated home into a modern sanctuary. The project included a complete outdoor renovation with a lush lawn, spacious porch, and inviting patio. Inside, the living room was redesigned with a cozy fireplace and comfortable seating arrangements. The kitchen now features all-new wooden cabinets and countertops, providing ample storage and workspace. A vintage-style bathroom was remodeled with sleek black accessories and elegant lighting fixtures. An open kitchen layout fosters gatherings and social interaction, while a dedicated gym area promotes health and wellness. This comprehensive remodel reflects our commitment to craftsmanship and creating spaces that enhance luxury living.

As Brooklyn continues to reach upward, its newest denizens demand an aesthetic which marries the past with the present. For the latest buildings, rooftop spaces are not an after-thought but are carefully engineered and planned early in the design phase, often long before there is a semblance of a space to survey. The primary challenge with common spaces for residential buildings is to provide some level of individual privacy while developing an overall spatial design which will also foster social interaction between users. In order to achieve this balance, smaller conversational spaces which are defined through the rigid face of the wood-clad planters and accented by hearty plantings and provide a diverse mix of seating types from long benches attached to the face of the planters to moveable chairs and tables allowing for maximum flexibility. The smaller conversational spaces take advantage of the views from the outside edges of the roof while the larger common spaces are defined by plant-softened wood fences. The materials of the space borrow from the buildings context, reclaiming many of the materials which permeated Brooklyn’s industrial heritage. Concrete, steel, aluminum and various fabrics are some of the elements which help to unite the past with the present. Transferring the feel of the sidewalk planting bed to the rooftop is achieved through the raw steel-edged green-roof garden areas which help define the spaces.

In Cupertino, we recently completed an extensive remodeling project that transformed a dated home into a modern sanctuary. The project included a complete outdoor renovation with a lush lawn, spacious porch, and inviting patio. Inside, the living room was redesigned with a cozy fireplace and comfortable seating arrangements. The kitchen now features all-new wooden cabinets and countertops, providing ample storage and workspace. A vintage-style bathroom was remodeled with sleek black accessories and elegant lighting fixtures. An open kitchen layout fosters gatherings and social interaction, while a dedicated gym area promotes health and wellness. This comprehensive remodel reflects our commitment to craftsmanship and creating spaces that enhance luxury living.

Capturing the front view of the oversized island bench fitted with three timber-topped black metal bar stools, this area serves as a casual breakfast nook and social interaction spot for residents. Tall floor-to-ceiling white cabinets and a dedicated open niche are designed for pantry storage and fridge embedding, maximising vertical wall space utilisation. Consistent upper light wood cabinets maintain unified facade style, and the nearby glass access door links the kitchen to outdoor yards, improving indoor air circulation and space permeability for New Zealand home lifestyles.