Photo: Kayla Stark © 2016 Houzz
Inspiration for an eclectic exterior home remodel in New Orleans

The homeowners wanted to better use their outdoor space to feel like an extension of their home with several separate lounge and entertaining spaces. While they desired to keep the lawn for their kids, they also wanted to ensure there were enough private areas for adults. While these factors are typical for an Alderwood project, the challenges of this landscape made the final design incredibly unique. Rather quickly, our design team learned that a large septic system ran right underneath most of the backyard. Coordinating with city workers, the building architect, and the clients, our landscape architect crafted a unique design that worked around the drain constraints and accomplished each desire on the clients' list.

This traditional kitchen design is packed with features that will make it the center of this home. The white perimeter kitchen cabinets include glass front upper cabinets with in cabinet lighting. A matching mantel style hood frames the large Wolf oven and range. This is contrasted by the gray island cabinetry topped with a wood countertop. The walk in pantry includes matching cabinetry with plenty of storage space and a custom pantry door. A built in Wolf coffee station, undercounter wine refrigerator, and convection oven make this the perfect space to cook, socialize, or relax with family and friends. Photos by Susan Hagstrom

Who says a garage has to house only cars and tools? We specialize in transforming your garage into a craft room, home gym, playroom, or the ultimate man cave. Our designers will work with you to determine the best built-in shelves and cabinets for your gym equipment, pool cues and home bar for socializing. We also offer overhead storage, organizers for the walls and racks for sports equipment, not to mention a full line of flooring options that give your garage floor a sleek appearance while being slip resistant and easy to clean.

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.

Kitchen - contemporary kitchen idea in Miami

This versatile staircase doubles as stadium-style seating, creating a gathering space adjacent to the home's modern wine cellar and bar. Wide oak treads with high risers invite homeowners and guests to sit and socialize, transforming a typical vertical connection into a multi-functional social hub. Above, a riser-less staircase allows natural light to flow freely through the space, creating visual lightness and drama. The dual-staircase design proves that staircases can serve multiple purposes—connecting levels while also shaping how people use and enjoy a space. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Exterior home idea in Dallas

Photo: Caela McKeever © 2015 Houzz

Instead of bringing the outdoors in, this sun room brings the indoors out. A large sectional sofa, comfy chairs, and lots of pillows create the perfect place to lounge with a good book or play board games with friends during the warm summer days. A classic wood table and chairs add a touch of a rustic feeling while making the sun room the perfect place for family to gather for a meal. This outdoor room is now the number one spot in the house.

Instead of bringing the outdoors in, this sun room brings the indoors out. A large sectional sofa, comfy chairs, and lots of pillows create the perfect place to lounge with a good book or play board games with friends during the warm summer days. A classic wood table and chairs add a touch of a rustic feeling while making the sun room the perfect place for family to gather for a meal. This outdoor room is now the number one spot in the house.

This versatile staircase doubles as stadium-style seating, creating a gathering space adjacent to the home's modern wine cellar and bar. Wide oak treads with high risers invite homeowners and guests to sit and socialize, transforming a typical vertical connection into a multi-functional social hub. Above, a riser-less staircase allows natural light to flow freely through the space, creating visual lightness and drama. The dual-staircase design proves that staircases can serve multiple purposes—connecting levels while also shaping how people use and enjoy a space. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

David Butler
Example of a minimalist kitchen design in London

This versatile staircase doubles as stadium-style seating, creating a gathering space adjacent to the home's modern wine cellar and bar. Wide oak treads with high risers invite homeowners and guests to sit and socialize, transforming a typical vertical connection into a multi-functional social hub. Above, a riser-less staircase allows natural light to flow freely through the space, creating visual lightness and drama. The dual-staircase design proves that staircases can serve multiple purposes—connecting levels while also shaping how people use and enjoy a space. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Example of a large tuscan sunroom design in Charleston

Covered patio, sitting area with built in kitchen
Large minimalist backyard tile patio kitchen photo in Miami