Cesar Arrais Photos by: Cesar Henrique Arrais Before & After: Orleans Living Room Here is a great example of how our in-home designers can work with furniture and accessories you already have and add to them to create a functional and beautiful space. Designer Dea Attar accomplished this with her Orleans living room project. The Before: This client had already begun the project and needed a designer to help finish the room. She wanted to keep the sofa, new rug and artwork and work around them to complete the look. The room is used occasionally for socializing purposes. As it is the first room you see when you come in to the house, the goal was to give it the WOW factor! The designer’s concept and vision: Inspired by the vibrant colours in the artwork, Dea planned to use the blues and greens as accents. She wanted the bigger pieces such as the furniture to remain neutral in order to make the accents pop. Dea selected a chair-and-a-half that had similar arms to the sofa and mixed the two styles together. Since the room was to be used occasionally, the chair-and-a-half could fit 2 people in a pinch but wouldn’t overwhelm the space. A small armless chair was introduced in the opposite corner of the room to create a circle of seating and accommodate socializing and conversations. She selected a fresh paisley pattern that combines the greens and blues together. The after: The result, a happy room with bright colours and strong accents that express exactly what the client had requested. Dea played with patterns of different scales and proportions to create a nice balance in the room. The multiple pillows used tied the mixed pieces together to complement the design and the accent colours. The introduction of mirrors created elegant reflections and made the room brighter. The chest and photo combo are a statement and a conversation starter that catch the eye of anyone entering the home.

Perkins Eastman designed a new 55,000 sf dining destination that serves as the focal point for uniting and reinvigorating the South Village neighborhood of the UNC Charlotte campus. The new building serves as a dynamic gathering space for students to eat and socialize. The Lower Level is a full Market Place Dining Facility while the Upper Level incorporates Neighborhood Lounges for students to gather, socialize, study and enjoy the views of Davis Lake. The Spark Modern Fire 3 Sided Vu-Thru Fire Ribbons were used to divide the upper level into neighborhoods to create more intimate spaces. The fireplaces have wide \"hearths\" that can also be used for seating. The surrounds use contemporary earth tone horizontally banded tiles with gypsum board surrounds in bright energizing colors. The fireplaces added warmth (both literally and figuratively) to a dynamic space with direct connections to the beautiful wooded site. The project was awarded three out of four Green Globes by the U.S. Green Building Initiative's Green Globe Rating system demonstrating excellent progress in achieving eco-efficiency results through current best practices in energy and environmental design. Model: Fire Ribbon Vent Free 3 ft Architect: Brad Crotts - Perkins Eastman Architect Website: www.perkinseastman.com Designer: Katherine Darling - Perkins Eastman Designer Website: www.perkinseastman.com Photographer: Sarah Mechling - Perkins Eastman Photographer Website: www.perkinseastman.com

After more than a decade in their new Alexandria home, our clients decided their kitchen was ready for a major refresh, both in form and function. The original stained wood cabinets and granite countertops had served them well, but the traditional design no longer fit with their evolving style which had become less formal and more transitional. The homeowners liked the idea of two-toned kitchen cabinets, so we opted for a combination of pure white and charcoal gray for dramatic contrast. Brushed gold fixtures and statement brass pulls add warmth and sophistication. The distinctive marble counters are a showstopper, with unique veining and striking color variation, from blue to gray to ochre. The shimmering blue-gray backsplash unites the entire space. The overall goal was to create an expansive entertaining kitchen that could accommodate our clients’ large gatherings of family and friends, and provide them with several zones for prepping, serving, seating, and socializing. Also high on the clients’ wish list: a more generous island, professional appliances, and better storage. We expanded the island in two directions to allow for comfortable seating at the counter with plenty of room for a table in the breakfast nook. An expandable bar height table in the adjacent dining area offers even more flexibility for eating and socializing. We designed a custom hutch which has a multitude of storage options and functionality – open display shelves, roll-outs, drawers, extra counter/serving space, as well as a beverage fridge and appliance garage/coffee center. On the opposite side of the kitchen, we replaced a small pantry closet with a furniture style built-in that took advantage of underutilized space. Anticipating issues with supply chain, we opted to use a local cabinet maker on this project which allowed us to fully customize the cabinets for optimal functionality. Other stand-out features include a Thermador appliance package, workstation farmhouse sink, ‘touch’ faucet, hot+cold water dispenser, and hidden toe-kick storage. Our clients now have a beautiful, cohesive space that reflects their personal style and fulfills their dream of a having an expansive kitchen where they can cook and entertain for years to come.

Historical Renovation Objective: The homeowners asked us to join the project after partial demo and construction was in full swing. Their desire was to significantly enlarge and update the charming mid-century modern home to meet the needs of their joined families and frequent social gatherings. It was critical though that the expansion be seamless between old and new, where one feels as if the home “has always been this way”. Solution: We created spaces within rooms that allowed family to gather and socialize freely or allow for private conversations. As constant entertainers, the couple wanted easier access to their favorite wines than having to go to the basement cellar. A custom glass and stainless steel wine cellar was created where bottles seem to float in the space between the dining room and kitchen area. A nineteen foot long island dominates the great room as well as any social gathering where it is generally spread from end to end with food and surrounded by friends and family. Aside of the master suite, three oversized bedrooms each with a large en suite bath provide plenty of space for kids returning from college and frequent visits from friends and family. A neutral color palette was chosen throughout to bring warmth into the space but not fight with the clients’ collections of art, antique rugs and furnishings. Soaring ceiling, windows and huge sliding doors bring the naturalness of the large wooded lot inside while lots of natural wood and stone was used to further complement the outdoors and their love of nature. Outside, a large ground level fire-pit surrounded by comfortable chairs is another favorite gathering spot.

Cesar ArraisPhotos by: Cesar Henrique Arrais Before & After: Orleans Living Room Here is a great example of how our in-home designers can work with furniture and accessories you already have and add to them to create a functional and beautiful space. Designer Dea Attar accomplished this with her Orleans living room project. The Before: This client had already begun the project and needed a designer to help finish the room. She wanted to keep the sofa, new rug and artwork and work around them to complete the look. The room is used occasionally for socializing purposes. As it is the first room you see when you come in to the house, the goal was to give it the WOW factor! The designer’s concept and vision: Inspired by the vibrant colours in the artwork, Dea planned to use the blues and greens as accents. She wanted the bigger pieces such as the furniture to remain neutral in order to make the accents pop. Dea selected a chair-and-a-half that had similar arms to the sofa and mixed the two styles together. Since the room was to be used occasionally, the chair-and-a-half could fit 2 people in a pinch but wouldn’t overwhelm the space. A small armless chair was introduced in the opposite corner of the room to create a circle of seating and accommodate socializing and conversations. She selected a fresh paisley pattern that combines the greens and blues together. The after: The result, a happy room with bright colours and strong accents that express exactly what the client had requested. Dea played with patterns of different scales and proportions to create a nice balance in the room. The multiple pillows used tied the mixed pieces together to complement the design and the accent colours. The introduction of mirrors created elegant reflections and made the room brighter. The chest and photo combo are a statement and a conversation starter that catch the eye of anyone entering the home.

Inspiration for a contemporary living room remodel in New York

M2 Social Media Productions Welcome to the M2 Family! Michael Molthan - Owner | Founder | CEO - of Michael Molthan Luxury Homes and M2 Social Media Productions is the Most Followed, LIKED, Entertaining Luxury Homebuilder in the country today with over 5 million followers. His basement education and in the field videos are a must see. Michael Molthan wants to invite you to join us and enjoy watching Michael Molthan execute Social Media Networking not Social Media Marketing. If you are need of Michael Molthan's services please email him at Michael@MichaelMolthanLuxuryHomes.com. Michael actually performs all the communications himself 4 times per day with his followers. M2 is Creating Relationships For Life. https://www.facebook.com/MichaelMolthanHomes https://www.facebook.com/M2SocialMediaProductions

Named for the gentle waves of the ocean, the Stressless Wave sofa represents a true innovation in comfort technology. The Wave automatically adjusts to each person the moment they take a seat on this amazing sofa. The patented Plus and Glide systems provide the perfect seating angle for truly customized support and the ultimate in individual comfort. Available in a three seat sofa, two seat loveseat, and chair model, the Wave collection also comes with a choice of high or low back.

The client, a single man in his thirties, was unhappy with his dark, closed-off home. He wanted a space for entertaining but lacked a functional kitchen and dining area. The master bathroom also felt cramped and outdated. To address these issues, we focused on creating an open-concept kitchen with a dedicated entertainment zone and a multifunctional island. We also updated the master bathroom with a walk-in shower and floating vanity. Additionally, we modernized the front entrance and mudroom with improved storage solutions. Key features of the renovation include: Open-concept kitchen: Removed the wall between the kitchen and dining room to create a more spacious and inviting area. Entertainment zone: Added a stylish bar area and a space for a large TV to create a dedicated space for socializing and watching TV. Multifunctional island: Designed a large island that can be used for food preparation, casual dining, and socializing. Ample storage: Incorporated custom cabinets and drawers to keep the kitchen organized and clutter-free. Master bathroom renovation: Installed a spacious walk-in shower and a floating vanity to create a more modern and spa-like feel. Front entrance and mudroom update: Modernized the entrance with updated fixtures and added clever storage solutions. The final result is a stylish and functional home that perfectly reflects the client's personality and lifestyle.

The client, a single man in his thirties, was unhappy with his dark, closed-off home. He wanted a space for entertaining but lacked a functional kitchen and dining area. The master bathroom also felt cramped and outdated. To address these issues, we focused on creating an open-concept kitchen with a dedicated entertainment zone and a multifunctional island. We also updated the master bathroom with a walk-in shower and floating vanity. Additionally, we modernized the front entrance and mudroom with improved storage solutions. Key features of the renovation include: Open-concept kitchen: Removed the wall between the kitchen and dining room to create a more spacious and inviting area. Entertainment zone: Added a stylish bar area and a space for a large TV to create a dedicated space for socializing and watching TV. Multifunctional island: Designed a large island that can be used for food preparation, casual dining, and socializing. Ample storage: Incorporated custom cabinets and drawers to keep the kitchen organized and clutter-free. Master bathroom renovation: Installed a spacious walk-in shower and a floating vanity to create a more modern and spa-like feel. Front entrance and mudroom update: Modernized the entrance with updated fixtures and added clever storage solutions. The final result is a stylish and functional home that perfectly reflects the client's personality and lifestyle.

The client, a single man in his thirties, was unhappy with his dark, closed-off home. He wanted a space for entertaining but lacked a functional kitchen and dining area. The master bathroom also felt cramped and outdated. To address these issues, we focused on creating an open-concept kitchen with a dedicated entertainment zone and a multifunctional island. We also updated the master bathroom with a walk-in shower and floating vanity. Additionally, we modernized the front entrance and mudroom with improved storage solutions. Key features of the renovation include: Open-concept kitchen: Removed the wall between the kitchen and dining room to create a more spacious and inviting area. Entertainment zone: Added a stylish bar area and a space for a large TV to create a dedicated space for socializing and watching TV. Multifunctional island: Designed a large island that can be used for food preparation, casual dining, and socializing. Ample storage: Incorporated custom cabinets and drawers to keep the kitchen organized and clutter-free. Master bathroom renovation: Installed a spacious walk-in shower and a floating vanity to create a more modern and spa-like feel. Front entrance and mudroom update: Modernized the entrance with updated fixtures and added clever storage solutions. The final result is a stylish and functional home that perfectly reflects the client's personality and lifestyle.

2010 NATIONAL NARI REGIONAL AWARD WINNER Project Scope The owners of this 7,000 square foot colonial in Oakton, Virginia, were seeking a multi-level Mediterranean-style indoor/outdoor living space off the back of their home. They turned to Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes for a design solution that would include a stone patio, a second-story deck, a screened-in porch and linking staircases. While the structure was designed primarily for family dining and entertaining, it also had to accommodate periodic social gatherings of one hundred guests or more. To meet these needs, the project would include a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen, several serving counters with permanent refrigeration, and well-delineated socializing and dining zones. The existing home’s setting offered several impressive assets the new outdoor living area was designed to exploit. The sprawling acreage features old stand trees, wooded paths and a private lake. Beautifully landscaped, it unfolds as an idyllic panorama that naturally draws people to the outdoors. Challenges Since the rear elevation was situated on a slope that drops away from the house, the Michael Nash team had to raise the grade two feet within in a 2,000 square foot area extending out from the back of the house. Infrastructure plans also called for a sophisticated drainage system that had to accommodate a whole series of water “runoff” considerations to be integrated into the decking itself. Excavation included constructing retaining walls to bolster the elevated grade—which also had to support a concrete slab, the primary foundation for the entire complex. Solutions The ground level decking consists of a 2,000 square foot flagstone patio level with the home’s lower level doors. There is a decorative water fountain mid-patio—an ornate collectible acquired in Florida. Food preparation is concentrated within a specially designed semi-circular wall that creates an “outdoor kitchen” equipped with a 60” Viking barbecue grill, a prep sink, a warming drawer, refrigerator and appropriate storage. There is a granite surfaced dining counter with seating for eight. Wrought iron railing and approximately 20 decorative columns (some encasing steel vertical supports) are incorporated into the design scheme. Many of the columns house accent lights. The top level—supported by horizontal steel beams– is a 2,500 square foot deck constructed entirely of Trex decking. The open air decking is, again, directly accessible from rooms on the second level of the house including the kitchen, sunroom and family room. The platform’s most prominent feature is a U-shaped “kitchenette” with cedar shake shingle roofing. Like its counterpart one level below, the facility is equipped with grill, refrigerator and stainless steel cabinetry. One portion of the deck has been allocated for a 16’ x 16’ octagonal screened-in porch crowned by a pair of 2’ x 4’ skylights. The porch can be accessed from the home’s conservatory via a set of French doors. With its mosaic tile flooring, stained cedar panel ceiling and honed granite counters, the interior is elegant and calming. Hand-painted stenciling and a wall-mounted water feature provide distinctive detailing. Finally, the design introduced elements to highlight and reinforce an awareness of the lovely bucolic setting. Fountains and water features combined with textured surfaces and mosaic tiling and backsplashes to present a villa-like ambiance well-suited to the Virginia countryside.

images by: Travis Rhoads Photography
This is an example of a small modern drought-tolerant and full sun backyard concrete paver landscaping in San Francisco with a fire pit.

2010 NATIONAL NARI REGIONAL AWARD WINNER Project Scope The owners of this 7,000 square foot colonial in Oakton, Virginia, were seeking a multi-level Mediterranean-style indoor/outdoor living space off the back of their home. They turned to Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes for a design solution that would include a stone patio, a second-story deck, a screened-in porch and linking staircases. While the structure was designed primarily for family dining and entertaining, it also had to accommodate periodic social gatherings of one hundred guests or more. To meet these needs, the project would include a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen, several serving counters with permanent refrigeration, and well-delineated socializing and dining zones. The existing home’s setting offered several impressive assets the new outdoor living area was designed to exploit. The sprawling acreage features old stand trees, wooded paths and a private lake. Beautifully landscaped, it unfolds as an idyllic panorama that naturally draws people to the outdoors. Challenges Since the rear elevation was situated on a slope that drops away from the house, the Michael Nash team had to raise the grade two feet within in a 2,000 square foot area extending out from the back of the house. Infrastructure plans also called for a sophisticated drainage system that had to accommodate a whole series of water “runoff” considerations to be integrated into the decking itself. Excavation included constructing retaining walls to bolster the elevated grade—which also had to support a concrete slab, the primary foundation for the entire complex. Solutions The ground level decking consists of a 2,000 square foot flagstone patio level with the home’s lower level doors. There is a decorative water fountain mid-patio—an ornate collectible acquired in Florida. Food preparation is concentrated within a specially designed semi-circular wall that creates an “outdoor kitchen” equipped with a 60” Viking barbecue grill, a prep sink, a warming drawer, refrigerator and appropriate storage. There is a granite surfaced dining counter with seating for eight. Wrought iron railing and approximately 20 decorative columns (some encasing steel vertical supports) are incorporated into the design scheme. Many of the columns house accent lights. The top level—supported by horizontal steel beams– is a 2,500 square foot deck constructed entirely of Trex decking. The open air decking is, again, directly accessible from rooms on the second level of the house including the kitchen, sunroom and family room. The platform’s most prominent feature is a U-shaped “kitchenette” with cedar shake shingle roofing. Like its counterpart one level below, the facility is equipped with grill, refrigerator and stainless steel cabinetry. One portion of the deck has been allocated for a 16’ x 16’ octagonal screened-in porch crowned by a pair of 2’ x 4’ skylights. The porch can be accessed from the home’s conservatory via a set of French doors. With its mosaic tile flooring, stained cedar panel ceiling and honed granite counters, the interior is elegant and calming. Hand-painted stenciling and a wall-mounted water feature provide distinctive detailing. Finally, the design introduced elements to highlight and reinforce an awareness of the lovely bucolic setting. Fountains and water features combined with textured surfaces and mosaic tiling and backsplashes to present a villa-like ambiance well-suited to the Virginia countryside.

Our client wanted a unique, modern space that would pay tribute to the industrial history of the original factory building, yet remain an inviting space for entertaining, socialising and cooking. This project focused on designing an aesthetically pleasing, functional kitchen that complemented the industrial style of the building. The kitchen space needed to be impressive in its own right, without taking away from the main features of the open-plan living area. Every facet of the kitchen, from the smallest tile to the largest appliance was carefully considered. A combination of creative design and flawless joinery made it possible to use diverse materials such as stainless steel, reclaimed timbers, marble and reflective surfaces alongside integrated state-of-the-art appliances created an urbane, inner-city space suitable for large-scale entertaining or relaxing.

This project, by Houston based pool builder and authorized Ledge Lounger Dealer, Custom Design Pools, features multiple seating areas, both in pool and out of pool, making it ideal for entertaining and socializing.

Caleb Vandermeer Photography
Inspiration for a large cottage galley vinyl floor and brown floor open concept kitchen remodel in Portland with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, wood backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Example of a mid-sized country open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor family room design in Other with white walls and no fireplace

Patio - traditional patio idea in Portland