This LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood. INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site. EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot. THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place. HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde. YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting. ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements. RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage. OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet. ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings Eric Roth Photography - Photography

This home features concrete interior and exterior walls, giving it a chic modern look. The Interior concrete walls were given a wood texture giving it a one of a kind look. We are responsible for all concrete work seen. This includes the entire concrete structure of the home, including the interior walls, stairs and fire places. We are also responsible for the structural concrete and the installation of custom concrete caissons into bed rock to ensure a solid foundation as this home sits over the water. All interior furnishing was done by a professional after we completed the construction of the home.

The Sater Design Collection's Luxury Farmhouse Home Plan - "Oak Island" (Plan #7062). www.saterdesign.com
Large cottage two-story wood exterior home photo in Miami

Don't let Hudson's delicate design fool you - it's built to be rock solid. This modern bed is handcrafted in West Virginia by skilled artisans. The natural grain patterns of U.S.-sourced solid wood is the perfect backdrop for the sleek, timeless design of this modern bed. From a distance you'll appreciate how seamlessly this minimalist design incorporates into any home. Up close, you'll love the smooth feel of the hand-sanded wood and the durability that comes from exceptional attention to every detail. This bed features a mattress platform made of wood slats, eliminating the need for a box spring or foundation. We recommend a mattress height of 13 inches or shorter to achieve the ideal bed proportions. Shop our mattresses for a perfect fit.

Eat-in kitchen - large transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen idea in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, marble backsplash, black appliances, a peninsula and beige countertops

AFTER: Flagstone pathway edged with a small landscape wall. The mortar is mostly hidden from view but is there, securely holding a solid wall built on a foundation of compacted ABC crush and run. The new gravel is a colorful blend of river gravel from Delaware/Pennsylvania rivers.

Pale and weathered driftwood. Coastal morning fog. A cool spot of sand – The essence of a Hamptons beach scene captured in a light and inviting Bakes & Kropp kitchen. The foundation for this space is our custom cabinetry, Meridian style, in a hand-painted white finish with Smoke Walnut accents. The expansive waterfall island features the same Smoke Walnut signature finish, as does the custom Bakes & Kropp range hood, which is beautifully banded in stainless steel. Chic orb chandeliers and Bakes hardware in polished nickel bring some jewelry-like radiance to the room, juxtaposing the Walnut’s soft matte finish. From every view and angle, the composition reflects this home’s serene coastal vibe.

Putting together an exceptional dining space is like planning the perfect party – the key to success is to make it feel inviting and relaxed. Displaying streamlined, straightforward design, the Dean table can serve as a future foundation for stellar celebrations. Exposed dovetail joinery translates into transparent function and beauty on the solid oak stunner, which is accompanied by our equally sleek Oliver side chairs. Airy and contemporary in appeal, they boast dapper grey fabric and frames of stainless steel.

AFTER: Flagstone pathway edged with a small landscape wall. The mortar is mostly hidden from view but is there, securely holding a solid wall built on a foundation of compacted ABC crush and run. The new gravel is a colorful blend of river gravel from Delaware/Pennsylvania rivers.

This 1960 house was in need of updating from both design and performance standpoints, and the project turned into a comprehensive deep energy retrofit, with thorough airtightness and insulation, new space conditioning and energy-recovery-ventilation, triple glazed windows, and an interior of incredible elegance. While we maintained the foundation and overall massing, this is essentially a new house, well equipped for a new generation of use and enjoyment.

Custom Home Built for Real Life Our clients came to us with a clear vision: a home that could adapt to their lifestyle and growing family. They needed a home built with intention, designed with the future in mind, and built around the routines they loved and the people they loved more. Open-Concept Living With Hosting in Mind Our clients hosted often and lived actively, so the main level had to be flexible for all of life’s moments. The goal was a space that felt grand without losing its warmth. Cooking together as a family mattered to our clients – the Wolf range, farmhouse sink, integrated appliances, and large island gave them a kitchen that flowed effortlessly while looking beautiful. This space also served as the bridge between other parts of the main level so that they would stay in view of the next. This created the perfect environment for gathering where everyone had their own spot without ever feeling apart from the whole group. For the living room, our clients wanted space that felt open without losing its warmth. Soaring ceilings created that sense of scale, while warm tones and materials, like the wood coffered ceiling and fireplace wall, kept it grounded. That same warmth carried outside, where an outdoor lounge with a fireplace and dining area made sure guests felt welcomed the moment they stepped out. A Backyard Built for Real Rest Every corner of the backyard was designed with one goal: to be the ultimate outdoor retreat. The elevated, white-brick-framed pool and integrated spa hot tub gave them a place to truly exhale. As the sun set, the fire pit lounge next to the pool became the hangout spot when they hosted their youth groups and family gatherings. Room to Grow With kids in the house, “custom” had to also mean flexible. Our clients had 2 young sons and needed their rooms to grow with them through the years. The two bedrooms and a full bath sat beside a loft that served as both their hangout-and-homework spot. The guest suite sat on the same level where a four-poster bed, floor-to-ceiling wood-look tile, and a frameless glass shower welcomed their guests from day one. A Retreat That’s Actually Theirs Between hosting and raising kids, this couple needed a suite that felt like a true escape. The wood-planked tray ceiling and French doors grounded the room in warmth the moment you walked in, while the ensuite bathroom carried a spa-like feeling with a freestanding soaking tub, custom double vanity, and a glass-enclosed shower. This Is What Approachable Luxury Looks Like The approachable luxury experience meant starting with conversations about how they wanted their space to live with them – how they hosted, how their kids played, how they wanted to feel walking through their own front door, and how we took their goals and experience and used it as the foundation of every decision that was made from start to finish. We wanted our clients to feel taken care of through the process and, most importantly, feel heard.

This home features concrete interior and exterior walls, giving it a chic modern look. The Interior concrete walls were given a wood texture giving it a one of a kind look. We are responsible for all concrete work seen. This includes the entire concrete structure of the home, including the interior walls, stairs and fire places. We are also responsible for the structural concrete and the installation of custom concrete caissons into bed rock to ensure a solid foundation as this home sits over the water. All interior furnishing was done by a professional after we completed the construction of the home.

This home features concrete interior and exterior walls, giving it a chic modern look. The Interior concrete walls were given a wood texture giving it a one of a kind look. We are responsible for all concrete work seen. This includes the entire concrete structure of the home, including the interior walls, stairs and fire places. We are also responsible for the structural concrete and the installation of custom concrete caissons into bed rock to ensure a solid foundation as this home sits over the water. All interior furnishing was done by a professional after we completed the construction of the home.

A detailed view of the handcrafted Scandinavian platform bed showing its solid wood frame, integrated slatted support system, rounded corners, and sculpted headboard. The streamlined construction creates a clean modern foundation while the natural wood character adds warmth. Made to order with customizable dimensions, finishes, and design options.

A clear view of the handcrafted bed frame and slatted mattress support, showcasing its solid wood construction and distinctive wave-shaped headboard and footboard detailing. The open slatted base provides a practical foundation while the sculpted edges bring character. Ideal for custom organic modern, contemporary, traditional, and modern rustic bedroom projects.

The renovation / addition of this 1932 brick salt box home focused on filling the home with natural light, starting with the steel and frosted glass front door. The wall separating the entry hall from the dining was paneled with frosted glass, allowing diffused sunlight to fill the entry during the course of the day. By painting the interior walls a soft white, the sunlight bounces, filling the rooms, while high-lighting the architecture and furniture alike. The flooring received an ebony stain, establishing a solid foundation that sets off each room. (Joint collaboration with Four Square Design Group / Laura Michaelides. Built 2007)

New construction custom home in Sappington MO. This was a tear down: old house and foundation removed and the new home was constructed on the same site. This St. Louis custom home was brick & stone on all sides, Marvin wood windows, hardwood floors, tile bath floors & showers, large open kitchen dining, living room. All solid knotty alder doors & trim.

Watertight deck with arbor and flagstone patio. Features a custom kitchen with built in grill and green egg. Stone work on the bottom of the columns and kitchen.