Search results for "Solid focus" in Home Design Ideas

In great shape, the kitchen didn't need much once the client moved in, except to put some personal touches to warm the space. The light fixtures needed updating throughout the home, so that's where the focus was here. Charming murals grace the soaring walls, which we wanted to maintain. A coordinating color was selected to tone down the sponging effect on the walls, and they were painted in a solid eggshell finish to appeal to the client's more modern aesthetic. Classic lanterns and pendants were added to update this farmhouse kitchen. It's in the details.

Custom Curved Wooden Slides by Top Tread Stairways ~
Transform Your Home Into Something Extraordinary
Custom Curved Wooden Slides
When was the Last Time Someone Walked Into Your Home and Their Jaw Literally Dropped?
When was the last time someone walked into your home and their jaw literally dropped?
Picture this: Your guests arrive for dinner. They step into your foyer, and suddenly—silence. Wide eyes. A moment of pure disbelief. Then, inevitably, the question: “Is that really what I think it is?”
Welcome to the world of custom curved wooden slides, where Top Tread Stairways turns childhood dreams into sophisticated architectural statements.
The Secret is Out
For years, Clyde Martin and his team at Top Tread Stairways in Sierra Vista, Arizona, have been quietly building something extraordinary. While most stair companies focus on traditional projects, TopTread Stairways has been perfecting the art of custom hardwood slides—creating installations so remarkable that we joke about renaming the business “Chutes and Ladders.”
The truth? These aren’t just slides. They’re conversation pieces. Works of functional art. The kind of architectural element that sets your home apart from every other one on the planet.
And we build so many of them that we’ve shipped custom slides all over North America and beyond.
Four Ways to Make Your Home Unforgettable
Every slide project we undertake is unique, but they generally fall into four categories:
1. Curved Stair-Slide Combinations – The ultimate space-efficient solution, where stairs and slide spiral together in a stunning combination of form and function.
2. Curved Slides Separate from Stairways – For those who want the drama of a standalone curved slide that makes its own architectural statement.
3. Straight Stair-Slide Combinations – Perfect for modern, linear spaces where clean lines meet playful innovation.
4. Straight Slides Separate from Stairways – Sometimes simplicity creates the most powerful impact.
But here’s where it gets interesting: Some slides feature flat seat areas with vertical sides. Others embrace a barrel shape for enhanced comfort. We’ve built slides wide enough for several people to descend shoulder-to-shoulder, laughing all the way down. And we’ve crafted intimate slides designed for solo adventures, regardless of age or size.
Our clients? They absolutely love them.
Stories That Will Make You Rethink What’s Possible
Take the 11,000-square-foot home in Beverly Hills, overlooking the famous Sunset Strip. In one child’s bedroom, we installed a 12-foot curved slide crafted from white oak. Understated location, extraordinary feature.
Or consider the 35-foot-high round tower room in an 8,500-square-foot custom home bordering the Sacramento River in Northern California. This project has become our most famous installation—a stunning 33-foot curved stair-slide combination built entirely from solid black walnut, featuring 445 layers of cross-laminated hardwood and a spiral newel post that took eight months to construct in our shop.
The homeowners had searched for eight years to find someone “crazy enough” to build their dream. When we completed it, one of Clyde’s trusted business partners—someone who’d seen him tackle countless unique projects—admitted he thought Clyde had lost his mind taking this one on. He genuinely didn’t believe we could pull it off.
We did. And the homeowners? Still thrilled years later.
Where Imagination Meets Reality
But these slides aren’t just for private estates. We’ve installed a 24-foot hickory slide in an elementary school library just east of Dallas, where kids absolutely love it. And here’s something that will make you smile: We built the longest wood slide ever for a children’s hospital in Springfield, Illinois.
Have you ever heard a child beg to go to the doctor?
We’re pretty sure it happens in Springfield. That walnut slide stretches 45 feet long and 3 feet wide—spacious enough for three children to sit side-by-side or for an adult and child to slide together comfortably. We built it in one piece, filling an entire semi-trailer for transport. It lives in the hospital lobby, and no appointment is needed to experience it yourself.
In Raleigh, North Carolina, we installed a 36-foot white oak slide in a custom home. The client loved it so much they ordered a second one—literally 15 minutes after we finished the installation. When Clyde returned to the office, there was already a check in the mailbox for slide number two. This 14,000-square-foot home now features 72 linear feet of curved white oak slide: one connecting the second floor to the main level, another linking the main floor to the finished basement.
What a ride, indeed.
Then there’s the curved stair-slide combination in Visalia, California—32 feet of knotty alder complemented by a hanging netted loft and climbing wall. Creative? Absolutely. Fun? Beyond measure.
The People Behind the Dreams
What inspires us most isn’t the technical challenge of building these slides—though engineering a 33-foot curved slide from 445 layers of cross-laminated hardwood certainly keeps us engaged. It’s working with clients who refuse to think inside the box.
These are creative individuals willing to explore ideas that set their homes and businesses apart. They dream of installations that make people stop and stare. They understand that architecture can—and should—inspire joy.
Listening to them describe their visions, explaining their dreams of a slide design unlike anything else on earth? That’s a privilege. And bringing those dreams to life? That’s what we live for.
My team and I have as much fun designing and building these slides as our clients have riding them. We’d love nothing better than to hear from you!
Custom Curved Wooden Slides
What Sets Top Tread Stairways Apart
Since 2006, Clyde Martin has built Top Tread Stairways on a simple premise: there’s a better way to build stairs. With roots in eastern Pennsylvania and years of experience installing hundreds of pre-built stairways, Clyde brought that expertise west and founded a company dedicated to exceptional craftsmanship.
We stock thousands of stair parts in more than ten wood species—hickory, jatoba, maple, cherry, mahogany, alder, red oak, white oak, poplar, Douglas fir, and walnut. Quality levels are high. Lead times are short. We understand the urgency of your project schedule and deliver accordingly.
But here’s what really matters: When it comes to custom wooden slides, Top Tread Stairways is one of—if not the—premier builders of indoor wooden slides in the United States. This isn’t a side project for us. It’s a specialty we’ve refined through years of experience, countless installations, and an unwavering commitment to turning impossible dreams into breathtaking reality.
Your Home, Reimagined
Whether you’re envisioning a straight wooden stand-alone slide for your office or a jaw-dropping curved wooden slide/stairway combination that will become your home’s signature feature, we’d love to hear from you.
We’re not here to build ordinary. We’re here to build extraordinary.
Ready to set your home apart?
~ Custom Curved Wooden Slides ~ ART YOU RIDE!

Houston Interior Designer Lisha Maxey took this Museum District condo from the dated, mirrored walls of the 1980s to Mid Century Modern with a gallery look featuring the client’s art collection.
The place was covered with glued-down, floor-to-ceiling mirrors,” says Lisha Maxey, senior designer for Homescapes of Houston and principal at LGH Design Services in Houston. “When we took them off the walls, the walls came apart. We ended up taking them down to the studs."
The makeover took six months to complete, primarily because of strict condo association rules that only gave the Houston interior designers very limited access to the elevator – through which all materials and team members had to go.
“Monday through Friday, we could only be noisy from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and if we had to do something extra loud, like sawing or drilling, we had to schedule it with the management and they had to communicate that to the condo owners. So it was just a lot of coordination. But a lot of Inner City Loopers live in these kinds of buildings, so we’re used to handling that kind of thing.”
The client, a child psychiatrist in her 60s, recently moved to Houston from northeast Texas to be with friends. After being widowed three years ago, she decided it was time to let go of the traditionally styled estate that wasn’t really her style anyway. An avid diver who has traveled around the world to pursue her passion, she has amassed a large collection of art from her travels. Downsizing to 1,600 feet and wanting to go more contemporary, she wanted the display – and the look – more streamlined.
“She wanted clean lines and muted colors, with the main focus being her artwork,” says Maxey. “So we made the space a palette for that.”
Enter the white, gallery-grade paint she chose for the walls: “It’s halfway between satin and flat,” explains Maxey. “It’s not glossy and it’s not chalky – just very smooth and clean."
Adding to the gallery theme is the satin nickel track lighting with lamps aimed to highlight pieces of art. “This lighting has no wires,” notes Maxey. “It’s powered by a positive and negative conduit.”
The new flooring throughout is a blended-grey porcelain tile that looks like wood planks. “It’s gorgeous, natural-looking and combines all the beauty of wood with the durability of tile,” says Maxey. “We used it throughout the condo to unify the space.”
After Maxey started looking at the client’s bright, vibrant, colorful artwork, she felt the palette couldn’t stay as muted anymore. Hence the Mid Century Modern orange leather sofas from West Elm and bright green chairs from Joybird, plus the throw pillows in different textures, patterns and shades of gold, orange and green.
The concave lines of the Danish-inspired chairs, she notes, help them look beautiful from all the way around – a key to designing spaces for loft living.
“The table in the living room is very interesting,” notes Maxey. “It was handmade for the client in 1974 and has a signature on it from the artist. She was adamant about including the piece, which has all these hand-painted black-and-white art tiles on the top. I took one look at it and said ‘It’s not really going to go.’”
However, after cutting 6 inches off the bottom and making it look a little distressed, the table ended up being the perfect complement to the sofas.
The dining room table – from Design Within Reach – is a solid piece of mahogany, the chair upholstery a mix of grey velvet and leather and the legs a shiny brass. “The side chairs are leather and the end ones are velvet,” says Maxey. “It’s a nice textural mix that lends depth and texture.”The galley kitchen, meanwhile, has been lightened and brightened, with new, white contemporary cabinetry, quartz countertops mimicking the look of Carrara marble, stainless steel appliances and a velvet green bench seat for a punch of color.The two bathrooms have been updated with contemporary white vanities and vessel sinks and the master bath now features a walk-in shower tiled in Dolomite white marble (the floor is Bianco Carrara marble mosaic, done in a herringbone pattern).In the master bedroom, Homescapes of Houston knocked down a wall between two smaller closets with swing doors to make one large walk-in closet with pocket doors. The closet in the guest bedroom also came out 13 more inches.The client’s artwork throughout personalizes the space and tells the story of a life. There’s a huge bowl of shells from the client’s diving adventures, framed art from her child psychiatry patients and a 16th century wood carving from a monastery that’s been in her family forever.
“Her collection is quite impressive,” says Maxey. “There’s even a framed piece of autographed songs written by John Lennon.” (You can see this black-framed piece of art on the wall in the photo above of two green chairs).
“We’re extremely happy with how the project turned out, and so is the client,” says Maxey. “No expense was spared for her. It was a labor of love and we were excited to do it.”
Find the right local pro for your project

This modern shaker bathroom remodel focuses on clean lines, built-in storage, and long-term durability.
The custom vanity layout features:
• Solid wood dovetail drawer construction
• Full extension drawer storage
• Soft-close hardware
• Deep drawer organization
• Quartz countertop with integrated backsplash
• Brushed nickel fixtures
• Frameless glass shower enclosure
• Marble-look large format wall tile
The double-sink vanity maximizes everyday functionality while maintaining a clean, clutter-free aesthetic. Deep drawers provide efficient storage organization, and precision joinery ensures structural integrity over time.
The frameless glass shower keeps the layout visually open, while the neutral color palette enhances natural light and spatial balance.
Designed and crafted by The Cabination.

As one of our final exteriors of the season, this West Simsbury home received a precision-focused refresh to restore and protect key areas of the property before winter.
Our team applied two coats of Sherwin-Williams WoodScapes Solid Exterior Stain to newly installed siding, ensuring a seamless color match and weather-resistant finish. The trim, fascia, and entry details were refinished with Benjamin Moore Regal Select Satin, while the front door was completed in Benjamin Moore Soft Gloss for a refined, elegant sheen.
Every surface was meticulously prepped—washed, sanded, caulked, and masked—to guarantee flawless lines and lasting durability. The result is a crisp, cohesive exterior that enhances both curb appeal and protection heading into the colder months.
Scope of Work:
Targeted siding refinishing and color integration
Trim and fascia repaint
Front door refinishing
Detailed surface preparation and protection
Products Used: Sherwin-Williams WoodScapes, Benjamin Moore Regal Select, Benjamin Moore Soft Gloss
Location: West Simsbury, CT
Category: Exterior Painting / Restoration

Glenview Haus Classic Collection of front doors provides solid wood doors that are elegantly styled with archetypal designs. These custom-made wooden front doors feature elaborate, raised moldings. Showcasing two-panel and one-panel door styles, clients can choose which time-honored look will better suit their home. The Classic Collection of front doors can additionally be customized with intricate and beautifully unique jointed and lead patterns to better fit the personalities of the individuals who live inside. The artisans at Glenview Haus focus on enhancing the natural elegance of the high-end wood grains by using furniture-quality stains and techniques.

The Glenview Haus Classic Collection of front doors provides solid wood doors with elegant, archetypal designs. The custom-made styles range from two-panel doors with elaborate raised moldings to beautiful glass doors with leaded patterns, adding beauty and grace to the home’s entrance. The artisans at Glenview Haus focus on enhancing the natural elegance of the high-end wood grains by using furniture quality stains and techniques.
portfolio

Austin Street Buils
A Custom Urban Residence by Seven Rivers Design + Build
Highlight
The defining feature of the Austin St. Build is the use of natural plaster walls throughout the interior. Plaster brings a quiet richness—subtle texture, visual depth, and a sense of solidity that makes the home feel both timeless and grounded. This material choice reinforces Seven Rivers Design + Build’s focus on craftsmanship and tactile, human-centered design.
Detail
Efficient Two-Story Living
This 1,500-square-foot, two-story custom home is thoughtfully organized for comfort and flow. The main level includes a bedroom and full bathroom, along with an open kitchen and living area and a conveniently placed powder room. A light-filled, open stairwell leads to the second floor, which houses an additional bedroom and bathroom, creating a balanced and flexible layout well suited for urban living.
High-Performance Building Envelope
The exterior walls are constructed using Hebel Block (Autoclaved Aerated Concrete)—a high-performance building system that combines structural strength with excellent insulation. By incorporating air into the concrete matrix, Hebel Block delivers superior thermal performance while remaining lightweight and durable, contributing to the home’s overall energy efficiency.
Energy-Efficient Comfort Systems
Heating and cooling loads are intentionally minimized through envelope performance and system design. The home features in-floor radiant heating as the primary heat source, complemented by mini-split systems for supplemental heating and cooling. The result is a comfortable, efficient living environment with low operational demands.
Durable, Timeless Finishes
Windows: Andersen E-Series (aluminum-clad)
Flooring: Natural slate on the main level
Exterior Cladding: Traditional stucco
Roof: Standing-seam metal
Each material was selected for longevity, performance, and aesthetic restraint—supporting a home that will age gracefully over decades.
The Seven Rivers Design + Build Approach
The Austin St. Build exemplifies Seven Rivers Design + Build’s design/build philosophy: integrating architecture, materials, and systems into a cohesive whole. By pairing traditional finishes with modern building science, this project delivers a refined, efficient custom home that feels both contemporary and enduring.

Custom Curved Wooden Slides by Top Tread Stairways ~
Transform Your Home Into Something Extraordinary
Custom Curved Wooden Slides
When was the Last Time Someone Walked Into Your Home and Their Jaw Literally Dropped?
When was the last time someone walked into your home and their jaw literally dropped?
Picture this: Your guests arrive for dinner. They step into your foyer, and suddenly—silence. Wide eyes. A moment of pure disbelief. Then, inevitably, the question: “Is that really what I think it is?”
Welcome to the world of custom curved wooden slides, where Top Tread Stairways turns childhood dreams into sophisticated architectural statements.
The Secret is Out
For years, Clyde Martin and his team at Top Tread Stairways in Sierra Vista, Arizona, have been quietly building something extraordinary. While most stair companies focus on traditional projects, TopTread Stairways has been perfecting the art of custom hardwood slides—creating installations so remarkable that we joke about renaming the business “Chutes and Ladders.”
The truth? These aren’t just slides. They’re conversation pieces. Works of functional art. The kind of architectural element that sets your home apart from every other one on the planet.
And we build so many of them that we’ve shipped custom slides all over North America and beyond.
Four Ways to Make Your Home Unforgettable
Every slide project we undertake is unique, but they generally fall into four categories:
1. Curved Stair-Slide Combinations – The ultimate space-efficient solution, where stairs and slide spiral together in a stunning combination of form and function.
2. Curved Slides Separate from Stairways – For those who want the drama of a standalone curved slide that makes its own architectural statement.
3. Straight Stair-Slide Combinations – Perfect for modern, linear spaces where clean lines meet playful innovation.
4. Straight Slides Separate from Stairways – Sometimes simplicity creates the most powerful impact.
But here’s where it gets interesting: Some slides feature flat seat areas with vertical sides. Others embrace a barrel shape for enhanced comfort. We’ve built slides wide enough for several people to descend shoulder-to-shoulder, laughing all the way down. And we’ve crafted intimate slides designed for solo adventures, regardless of age or size.
Our clients? They absolutely love them.
Stories That Will Make You Rethink What’s Possible
Take the 11,000-square-foot home in Beverly Hills, overlooking the famous Sunset Strip. In one child’s bedroom, we installed a 12-foot curved slide crafted from white oak. Understated location, extraordinary feature.
Or consider the 35-foot-high round tower room in an 8,500-square-foot custom home bordering the Sacramento River in Northern California. This project has become our most famous installation—a stunning 33-foot curved stair-slide combination built entirely from solid black walnut, featuring 445 layers of cross-laminated hardwood and a spiral newel post that took eight months to construct in our shop.
The homeowners had searched for eight years to find someone “crazy enough” to build their dream. When we completed it, one of Clyde’s trusted business partners—someone who’d seen him tackle countless unique projects—admitted he thought Clyde had lost his mind taking this one on. He genuinely didn’t believe we could pull it off.
We did. And the homeowners? Still thrilled years later.
Where Imagination Meets Reality
But these slides aren’t just for private estates. We’ve installed a 24-foot hickory slide in an elementary school library just east of Dallas, where kids absolutely love it. And here’s something that will make you smile: We built the longest wood slide ever for a children’s hospital in Springfield, Illinois.
Have you ever heard a child beg to go to the doctor?
We’re pretty sure it happens in Springfield. That walnut slide stretches 45 feet long and 3 feet wide—spacious enough for three children to sit side-by-side or for an adult and child to slide together comfortably. We built it in one piece, filling an entire semi-trailer for transport. It lives in the hospital lobby, and no appointment is needed to experience it yourself.
In Raleigh, North Carolina, we installed a 36-foot white oak slide in a custom home. The client loved it so much they ordered a second one—literally 15 minutes after we finished the installation. When Clyde returned to the office, there was already a check in the mailbox for slide number two. This 14,000-square-foot home now features 72 linear feet of curved white oak slide: one connecting the second floor to the main level, another linking the main floor to the finished basement.
What a ride, indeed.
Then there’s the curved stair-slide combination in Visalia, California—32 feet of knotty alder complemented by a hanging netted loft and climbing wall. Creative? Absolutely. Fun? Beyond measure.
The People Behind the Dreams
What inspires us most isn’t the technical challenge of building these slides—though engineering a 33-foot curved slide from 445 layers of cross-laminated hardwood certainly keeps us engaged. It’s working with clients who refuse to think inside the box.
These are creative individuals willing to explore ideas that set their homes and businesses apart. They dream of installations that make people stop and stare. They understand that architecture can—and should—inspire joy.
Listening to them describe their visions, explaining their dreams of a slide design unlike anything else on earth? That’s a privilege. And bringing those dreams to life? That’s what we live for.
My team and I have as much fun designing and building these slides as our clients have riding them. We’d love nothing better than to hear from you!
Custom Curved Wooden Slides
What Sets Top Tread Stairways Apart
Since 2006, Clyde Martin has built Top Tread Stairways on a simple premise: there’s a better way to build stairs. With roots in eastern Pennsylvania and years of experience installing hundreds of pre-built stairways, Clyde brought that expertise west and founded a company dedicated to exceptional craftsmanship.
We stock thousands of stair parts in more than ten wood species—hickory, jatoba, maple, cherry, mahogany, alder, red oak, white oak, poplar, Douglas fir, and walnut. Quality levels are high. Lead times are short. We understand the urgency of your project schedule and deliver accordingly.
But here’s what really matters: When it comes to custom wooden slides, Top Tread Stairways is one of—if not the—premier builders of indoor wooden slides in the United States. This isn’t a side project for us. It’s a specialty we’ve refined through years of experience, countless installations, and an unwavering commitment to turning impossible dreams into breathtaking reality.
Your Home, Reimagined
Whether you’re envisioning a straight wooden stand-alone slide for your office or a jaw-dropping curved wooden slide/stairway combination that will become your home’s signature feature, we’d love to hear from you.
We’re not here to build ordinary. We’re here to build extraordinary.
Ready to set your home apart?
~ Custom Curved Wooden Slides ~ ART YOU RIDE!

Glenview Haus Classic Collection of front doors provides solid wood doors that are elegantly styled with archetypal designs. These custom-made wooden front doors feature elaborate, raised moldings. Showcasing two-panel and one-panel door styles, clients can choose which time-honored look will better suit their home. The Classic Collection of front doors can additionally be customized with intricate and beautifully unique jointed and lead patterns to better fit the personalities of the individuals who live inside. The artisans at Glenview Haus focus on enhancing the natural elegance of the high-end wood grains by using furniture-quality stains and techniques.

Houston Interior Designer Lisha Maxey took this Museum District condo from the dated, mirrored walls of the 1980s to Mid Century Modern with a gallery look featuring the client’s art collection.
The place was covered with glued-down, floor-to-ceiling mirrors,” says Lisha Maxey, senior designer for Homescapes of Houston and principal at LGH Design Services in Houston. “When we took them off the walls, the walls came apart. We ended up taking them down to the studs."
The makeover took six months to complete, primarily because of strict condo association rules that only gave the Houston interior designers very limited access to the elevator – through which all materials and team members had to go.
“Monday through Friday, we could only be noisy from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and if we had to do something extra loud, like sawing or drilling, we had to schedule it with the management and they had to communicate that to the condo owners. So it was just a lot of coordination. But a lot of Inner City Loopers live in these kinds of buildings, so we’re used to handling that kind of thing.”
The client, a child psychiatrist in her 60s, recently moved to Houston from northeast Texas to be with friends. After being widowed three years ago, she decided it was time to let go of the traditionally styled estate that wasn’t really her style anyway. An avid diver who has traveled around the world to pursue her passion, she has amassed a large collection of art from her travels. Downsizing to 1,600 feet and wanting to go more contemporary, she wanted the display – and the look – more streamlined.
“She wanted clean lines and muted colors, with the main focus being her artwork,” says Maxey. “So we made the space a palette for that.”
Enter the white, gallery-grade paint she chose for the walls: “It’s halfway between satin and flat,” explains Maxey. “It’s not glossy and it’s not chalky – just very smooth and clean."
Adding to the gallery theme is the satin nickel track lighting with lamps aimed to highlight pieces of art. “This lighting has no wires,” notes Maxey. “It’s powered by a positive and negative conduit.”
The new flooring throughout is a blended-grey porcelain tile that looks like wood planks. “It’s gorgeous, natural-looking and combines all the beauty of wood with the durability of tile,” says Maxey. “We used it throughout the condo to unify the space.”
After Maxey started looking at the client’s bright, vibrant, colorful artwork, she felt the palette couldn’t stay as muted anymore. Hence the Mid Century Modern orange leather sofas from West Elm and bright green chairs from Joybird, plus the throw pillows in different textures, patterns and shades of gold, orange and green.
The concave lines of the Danish-inspired chairs, she notes, help them look beautiful from all the way around – a key to designing spaces for loft living.
“The table in the living room is very interesting,” notes Maxey. “It was handmade for the client in 1974 and has a signature on it from the artist. She was adamant about including the piece, which has all these hand-painted black-and-white art tiles on the top. I took one look at it and said ‘It’s not really going to go.’”
However, after cutting 6 inches off the bottom and making it look a little distressed, the table ended up being the perfect complement to the sofas.
The dining room table – from Design Within Reach – is a solid piece of mahogany, the chair upholstery a mix of grey velvet and leather and the legs a shiny brass. “The side chairs are leather and the end ones are velvet,” says Maxey. “It’s a nice textural mix that lends depth and texture.”The galley kitchen, meanwhile, has been lightened and brightened, with new, white contemporary cabinetry, quartz countertops mimicking the look of Carrara marble, stainless steel appliances and a velvet green bench seat for a punch of color.The two bathrooms have been updated with contemporary white vanities and vessel sinks and the master bath now features a walk-in shower tiled in Dolomite white marble (the floor is Bianco Carrara marble mosaic, done in a herringbone pattern).In the master bedroom, Homescapes of Houston knocked down a wall between two smaller closets with swing doors to make one large walk-in closet with pocket doors. The closet in the guest bedroom also came out 13 more inches.The client’s artwork throughout personalizes the space and tells the story of a life. There’s a huge bowl of shells from the client’s diving adventures, framed art from her child psychiatry patients and a 16th century wood carving from a monastery that’s been in her family forever.
“Her collection is quite impressive,” says Maxey. “There’s even a framed piece of autographed songs written by John Lennon.” (You can see this black-framed piece of art on the wall in the photo above of two green chairs).
“We’re extremely happy with how the project turned out, and so is the client,” says Maxey. “No expense was spared for her. It was a labor of love and we were excited to do it.”

The Glenview Haus Classic Collection of front doors provides solid wood doors with elegant, archetypal designs. The custom-made styles range from two-panel doors with elaborate raised moldings to beautiful glass doors with leaded patterns, adding beauty and grace to the home’s entrance. The artisans at Glenview Haus focus on enhancing the natural elegance of the high-end wood grains by using furniture quality stains and techniques.

For this three-bedroom house in the Southdowns Estate, ARCA Unlimited was appointed to design a home with bedrooms that boast private outdoor spaces and living areas that live out onto the adjacent farm fields. The design incorporates a courtyard concept to maximise privacy and use of available erf capacity. The house is expressed as three linear, north-facing, solid masses linked by a central, transparent passageway, which forms a visual focus point onto the pool and the farm fields beyond. Rooms, with outdoor extensions that facilitate both northern sunlight and natural ventilation, live out onto two secure and private courtyards. Central courtyards are connected to the living and entertainment areas, which spill out onto the farm fields. The free flow of spaces into one another and in and out of nature is a highlight of the house. Photographs by Malan Kotze Photography

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Hope Restoration & General Contracting
Columbus Design-Build, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Historic Renovations

The Glenview Haus Classic Collection of front doors provides solid wood doors with elegant, archetypal designs. The custom-made styles range from two-panel doors with elaborate raised moldings to beautiful glass doors with leaded patterns, adding beauty and grace to the home’s entrance. The artisans at Glenview Haus focus on enhancing the natural elegance of the high-end wood grains by using furniture quality stains and techniques.

Photographed by Tre Dunham of Fine Focus Photography
Kitchen - transitional kitchen idea in Austin
Kitchen - transitional kitchen idea in Austin

Quality Focused & St Barts Inspired.
| master bed/bath renovation |
We set out to create a bright space that feels organized and clutter free, layered with organic textural materials for a sense of casual livability. The kind of space that is both casual and luxurious.
Accomplished by maximizing a small footprint with a reconfigured layout that includes custom build his and hers wardrobes, contemporary finishes, high impact art, designer wallcoverings, custom fabricated vanity.

The Glenview Haus Classic Collection of front doors provides solid wood doors with elegant, archetypal designs. The custom-made styles range from two-panel doors with elaborate raised moldings to beautiful glass doors with leaded patterns, adding beauty and grace to the home’s entrance. The artisans at Glenview Haus focus on enhancing the natural elegance of the high-end wood grains by using furniture quality stains and techniques.

Houston Interior Designer Lisha Maxey took this Museum District condo from the dated, mirrored walls of the 1980s to Mid Century Modern with a gallery look featuring the client's art collection.
"The place was covered with glued-down, floor-to-ceiling mirrors," says Lisha Maxey, senior designer for Homescapes of Houston and principal at LGH Design Services in Houston. "When we took them off the walls, the walls came apart. We ended up taking them down to the studs."
The makeover took six months to complete, primarily because of strict condo association rules that only gave the Houston interior designers very limited access to the elevator - through which all materials and team members had to go.
"Monday through Friday, we could only be noisy from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and if we had to do something extra loud, like sawing or drilling, we had to schedule it with the management and they had to communicate that to the condo owners. So it was just a lot of coordination. But a lot of Inner City Loopers live in these kinds of buildings, so we're used to handling that kind of thing."
The client, a child psychiatrist in her 60s, recently moved to Houston from northeast Texas to be with friends. After being widowed three years ago, she decided it was time to let go of the traditionally styled estate that wasn't really her style anyway. An avid diver who has traveled around the world to pursue her passion, she has amassed a large collection of art from her travels. Downsizing to 1,600 feet and wanting to go more contemporary, she wanted the display - and the look - more streamlined.
"She wanted clean lines and muted colors, with the main focus being her artwork," says Maxey. "So we made the space a palette for that."
Enter the white, gallery-grade paint she chose for the walls: "It's halfway between satin and flat," explains Maxey. "It's not glossy and it's not chalky - just very smooth and clean."
Adding to the gallery theme is the satin nickel track lighting with lamps aimed to highlight pieces of art. "This lighting has no wires," notes Maxey. "It's powered by a positive and negative conduit."
The new flooring throughout is a blended-grey porcelain tile that looks like wood planks. "It's gorgeous, natural-looking and combines all the beauty of wood with the durability of tile," says Maxey. "We used it throughout the condo to unify the space."
After Maxey started looking at the client's bright, vibrant, colorful artwork, she felt the palette couldn't stay as muted anymore. Hence the Mid Century Modern orange leather sofas from West Elm and bright green chairs from Joybird, plus the throw pillows in different textures, patterns and shades of gold, orange and green.
The concave lines of the Danish-inspired chairs, she notes, help them look beautiful from all the way around - a key to designing spaces for loft living.
"The table in the living room is very interesting," notes Maxey. "It was handmade for the client in 1974 and has a signature on it from the artist. She was adamant about including the piece, which has all these hand-painted black-and-white art tiles on the top. I took one look at it and said 'It's not really going to go.'"
However, after cutting 6 inches off the bottom and making it look a little distressed, the table ended up being the perfect complement to the sofas.
The dining room table - from Design Within Reach - is a solid piece of mahogany, the chair upholstery a mix of grey velvet and leather and the legs a shiny brass. "The side chairs are leather and the end ones are velvet," says Maxey. "It's a nice textural mix that lends depth and texture."
The galley kitchen, meanwhile, has been lightened and brightened, with white quartz countertops and backsplashes mimicking the look of Carrara marble, stainless steel appliances and a velvet green bench seat for a punch of color. The cabinets are painted a cool grey color called "Silverplate."
The two bathrooms have been updated with contemporary white vanities and vessel sinks and the master bath now features a walk-in shower tiled in Dolomite white marble (the floor is Bianco Carrara marble mosaic, done in a herringbone pattern.
In the master bedroom, Homescapes of Houston knocked down a wall between two smaller closets with swing doors to make one large walk-in closet with pocket doors. The closet in the guest bedroom also came out 13 more inches.
The client's artwork throughout personalizes the space and tells the story of a life. There's a huge bowl of shells from the client's diving adventures, framed art from her child psychiatry patients and a 16th century wood carving from a monastery that's been in her family forever.
"Her collection is quite impressive," says Maxey. "There's even a framed piece of autographed songs written by John Lennon." (You can see this black-framed piece of art on the wall in the photo above of two green chairs).
"We're extremely happy with how the project turned out, and so is the client," says Maxey. "No expense was spared for her. It was a labor of love and we were excited to do it."

This luxury finished basement showcases a refined modern-contemporary design with warm natural materials, clean architectural lines, and intentional craftsmanship throughout, blending high-end residential construction with upscale hospitality and performance-driven spaces. The custom basement bar features solid wood cabinetry in a natural oak or white oak finish, paired with sleek matte black stone countertops that provide durability, contrast, and a timeless modern aesthetic. Vertical slat wall paneling runs behind the bar and shelving, adding texture, rhythm, and architectural depth while reinforcing a Scandinavian-inspired modern warmth that elevates the space beyond a traditional basement remodel. Floating wood shelves with integrated stemware racks create an open, airy feel while displaying glassware, bar accessories, and decorative objects in brushed brass, smoked glass, and neutral ceramics, tying together modern organic and mid-century influences. Dual glass-front beverage refrigerators with stainless steel trim anchor the wet bar, offering functional cold storage while reinforcing a high-end entertaining environment ideal for hosting, relaxing, or daily use. The black backsplash and counter surfaces ground the lighter wood tones, creating balance, contrast, and visual sophistication consistent with luxury interior design trends. Recessed ceiling lighting and flush-mount fixtures provide soft, even illumination, while accent lighting highlights textures, shelving, and materials without overpowering the space. The basement flooring appears to be wide-plank engineered hardwood or luxury vinyl plank in a light natural wood tone, delivering warmth, durability, and moisture resistance ideal for below-grade construction. Adjacent to the bar, the custom home gym is designed with a sleek, performance-focused aesthetic featuring rubber flooring with integrated turf training lanes, high-contrast white line markings, and commercial-grade fitness equipment. Matte black walls and ceilings create a bold, immersive workout environment, enhanced by linear LED strip lighting that adds a modern, architectural edge while providing functional task lighting. The gym includes power racks, cable machines, free weights, storage hooks, and wall-mounted accessories, emphasizing organization, efficiency, and intentional layout planning. Dark finishes, industrial textures, and minimalist detailing create a cohesive modern luxury feel that mirrors high-end boutique fitness studios while remaining integrated into the residential design language of the home. Throughout the basement, clean drywall finishes, crisp trim work, and concealed mechanical systems reflect thoughtful construction planning and attention to detail from a skilled general contractor. This basement remodel exemplifies custom home building excellence, combining entertainment, wellness, and design-forward living into a cohesive lower-level retreat. The overall style blends modern, contemporary, organic modern, Scandinavian, and subtle industrial influences, resulting in a timeless yet bold space that adds significant lifestyle value and resale appeal. Premium materials, intentional lighting, custom millwork, and durable finishes make this basement ideal for homeowners seeking elevated design, luxury construction, functional entertaining spaces, and a seamless extension of the main living areas. Designed and built with craftsmanship, precision, and modern aesthetics in mind, this basement reflects the highest standards of interior design, home renovation, custom construction, and luxury residential building.

Glenview Haus Classic Collection of front doors provides solid wood doors that are elegantly styled with archetypal designs. These custom-made wooden front doors feature elaborate, raised moldings. Showcasing two-panel and one-panel door styles, clients can choose which time-honored look will better suit their home. The Classic Collection of front doors can additionally be customized with intricate and beautifully unique jointed and lead patterns to better fit the personalities of the individuals who live inside. The artisans at Glenview Haus focus on enhancing the natural elegance of the high-end wood grains by using furniture-quality stains and techniques.
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