Whon Photography
Large urban underground carpeted staircase photo in Indianapolis with gray walls and no fireplace

Impluvium Architecture Location: Murphys, CA, USA See a full video tour here > https://vimeo.com/297813382 This is my Parents 2nd Custom House (see Haley #1 for their first house I designed). I was the Architect with my mother the Interior Designer and my Father the Builder This is a special (2nd house) project designed to house us (the kids and my sister's family) in the detached bungalows that are connected via breezeway to the main house. It is a true resort house with a great deal of love and craftsmanship!

This truly magnificent King City Project is the ultra-luxurious family home you’ve been dreaming of! This immaculate 5 bedroom residence has stunning curb appeal, with a beautifully designed white Cape Cod wood siding, professionally landscaped gardens, precisely positioned home on 3 acre lot and a private driveway leading up to the 4 car garage including workshop. This beautiful 8200 square foot Georgian style home is every homeowners dream plus a beautiful 5800 square foot walkout basement. The English inspired exterior cladding and landscaping has an endless array of attention and detail. The handpicked materials of the interior has endless exceptional unfinished oak hardwood throughout, varying 9” to 12” plaster crown mouldings throughout and see each room accented with upscale interior light fixtures. Spend the end of your hard worked days in our beautiful Conservatory walking out of the kitchen/family room, this open concept room his met with high ceilings and 60 linear feet of glass looking out onto 3 acres of land. Our exquisite Bloomsbury Kitchen designed kitchen is a hand painted work of art. Simple but stunning craftsmanship for this gourmet kitchen with a 10ft calacatta island and countertops. 2 apron sinks incorporated into counter and islands with 2-Georgian Bridge polished nickel faucets. Our 60” range will help every meal taste better than the last. 3 stainless steel fridges. The bright breakfast area is ideal for enjoying morning meals and conversation while overlooking the verdant backyard, or step out to the conservatory to savor your meals under the stars. All accented with Carrara backsplash. Also, on the main level is the expansive Master Suite with stunning views of the countryside, and a magnificent ensuite washroom, featuring built-in cabinetry, a makeup counter, an oversized glass shower, and a separate free standing tub. All is sitting on a beautifully layout of carrara floor tiles. All bedrooms have abundant walk-in closet space, large windows and full ensuites with heated floor in all tiled areas. Hardwood floors throughout have been such an important detail in this home. We take a lot of pride in the finish as well as the planning that went into designing the floors. We have a wide variety of French parque flooring, herringbone in main areas as well as chevron in our dining room and eating areas. Feel the texture on your feet as this oak hardwood comes to life with its beautiful stained finished. 75% of the home is a paneling heaven. The entire first floor leading up to the second floor has extensive recessed panels, archways and bead board from floor to ceiling to give it that country feel. Our main floor spiral staircase is nothing but luxury with its simple handrails and beautifully stained steps. Walk out onto two Garden Walkways, one off of the kitchen and the other off of the master bedroom hallway. BBQ area or just relaxing in front of a wood burning fireplace looking off of a porch with clean cut glass railings. Our wood burning fireplace can be seen in the basement, first floor and exterior of the garden walkway terrace. These fireplaces are cladded with Owen Sound limestone and having a herringbone designed box. To help enjoy these fireplaces, take full advantage of the two storey electronic dumbwaiter elevator for the firewood. Get work done in our 600 square foot office, that is surrounded by oak recessed paneling, custom crafted built ins and hand carved oak desk, all looking onto 3 acres of country side. Enjoy wine? See our beautifully designed wine cellar finished with marble border and pebble stone floor to give you that authentic feel of a real winery. This handcrafted room holds up to 3000 bottles of wine and is a beautiful feature every home should have. Wine enthusiasts will love the climatized wine room for displaying and preserving your extensive collection. This wine room has floor to ceiling glass looking onto the family room of the basement with a wood burning fireplace. After your long meal and couple glasses of wine, see our 1500 square foot gym with all the latest equipment and rubber floor and surrounded in floor to ceiling mirrors. Once you’re done with your workout, you have the option of using our traditional sauna, infrared sauna or taking a dip in the hot tub. Extras include a side entrance to the mudroom, two spacious cold rooms, a CVAC system throughout, 400 AMP Electrical service with generator for entire home, a security system, built-in speakers throughout and Control4 Home automation system that includes lighting, audio & video and so much more. A true pride of ownership and masterpiece built and managed by Dellfina Homes Inc.

Laura
Inspiration for a large timeless u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and black countertops

The property is one of the original farm houses located on the main street of a small town. It has been in the family for many years and our client just inherited the property. They were trying to have balance of preserving the old while realizing modern day living has its benefits too. The house had a large addition added using mostly old style materials, but designed with function and modern day luxuries. Our goal was to carry that theme to the outside. Our first problem we had to address was how to transition between the first floor elevation changes. The lower room was the husband’s office. He stated in the future he may have clients over and it would be nice to have an area to sit outside. The wife’s main concern was to renew the four corner garden. She also felt it was very important to be able to see it from the kitchen area. Finally there was an old wishing well stuck right outside the kitchen. They both felt it would be neat to be able to incorporate this in some how. They wanted a patio area with a built in grill to accommodate there family and friends. They also wanted to keep a large play area for the kids. We were able to pull this off successfully. We addressed the first issue by having a small lower level flagstone area. This area is large enough for 1 to 2 people to sit comfortably. It also provides a transition from his office to the larger patio area. We installed a simple small gravel sitting area opposite of the main patio. This provides our client a secluded place to relax or do business. Mrs.... told me she is amazed how much her and her husband enjoys this area. It is so peaceful looking at the small creek over a glass of wine. We built a natural limestone retaining wall to create the patio terrace. The stone was chosen to extend the houses architectural elements into the landscape. Irregular broken flagstone was used to give it a more casual feel. We installed three Serviceberries into the patio terrace to replace some trees that were taken down during the remodeling. She was very concern that they would block the view of the four corner garden. We new they were crucial to nestle in the terrace, so we placed them for a couple days for her to decide. Fortunately she agreed they not only kept the view open, but helped frame the garden. The four corner garden was designed to be viewed from afar and experienced up close. We wanted the space to have some formal structure while keeping with the casual farm house feel. Another natural limestone retaining wall was created. This leveled the garden terrace and helped associate it with the rest of the property. The four corner garden is nestled into the existing woods edge. This provides three distinct experiences to entering the garden; a more formal from the driveway, an open feel from the lower lawn, and a more natural / casual experience from the wooded area. The Plymouth brown gravel was used for the center of the garden. This helped highlight the stone post that was found during construction. The gravel also brings the sense of sound into the garden space. Lamb’s ear was chosen as a fun way to get kids interest in horticulture. The balance of using the new to create the old feel is what makes this project a success. The property has already hosted a local historical society event and won an award for its preservation efforts. When Mrs.... can’t find her husband, she knows he is either reading the newspaper by the grill or resting in the hammock along the wood’s path.

Blending contemporary forms and lush plantings, this Garden maximizes the sensory experience of the materials and planting from inside and outside the home. The garden occupies an interior courtyard framed by four interior walls. The home, designed by Architect Cliff May was built in 1948 and the following year was featured in House Beautiful Magazine. The clients list of needs and desires was brief. They wanted a space that would complement the mid century modern home and provide visual interest from inside the home. Some form of water was also requested. They had a budget of $30,000. In order to stay within their budget the clients performed the demolition of the old garden. The designer’s intent was to create a garden that would possess a clear sculptural quality and would be as visually striking from inside the home as it would be from inside the courtyard. The strategy behind the design was to use hardscape materials characterized by simple geometric forms and a planting palette that would emphasize form over color, and then to arrange the materials to achieve an interpretation of modern aesthetic. The views from inside the homes three main living rooms present the garden as a graphic composition of space, hardscape materials and planting. Inside the courtyard the edges are defined by stone and planting. The floor is composed of rectangular slabs of Teakwood flagstone with a counterpoint of Mexican beach pebbles set within the joints and around the edges. Concrete along the edges of the Teakwood pads reduces migration of the modified stone and sand base. The contrast of the Mexican beach pebbles accentuates the pattern of the flagstone. The outside perimeter of the pebbles is contained with low profile edging. An existing catch drain was utilized for storm water runoff. A concrete block pier set on a concrete footing is covered with black stucco and provides a perch for a custom made copper bowl that circulates water into the L shaped water feature. The water features subterranean basin is constructed of pressure treated wood with a custom box liner insert. Since the Teakwood flagstone was unavailable as coping for the water feature, the designer chose Shawnee Buff stone to complement the Teakwood flagstone. The subtle sound of water spilling from the copper bowl and the reflective qualities of the water help to create an atmosphere of relaxation. The planting is composed of shades of green with white flowers in order to accentuate the graphic design. ‘Justin Brouwer’ Boxwood, ‘Sum and Substance’ Hosta, white Anemones, black bamboo and ornamental grasses contrast dramatically with the clean lines of the hardscape elements. The black bamboo is set in 30” diameter concrete containers to control the vigorous plant from spreading. The construction of the interior courtyard space challenged the building team. They set up baffles between the front door and the door to the courtyard as well as temporary protection over the floor to allow the process to move forward without too much disturbance to the client’s lives. All of the materials were shuffled through the temporary portal. The clients love the space and recently said that “the design is so well thought out and simple that they would never get tired of it.” The designs sculptural quality compliments the modern feel of the home and creates a sublime yet dramatic view from within the house or within the courtyard. The clients plan to purchase two black Bertoia Diamond chairs with red cushions which should perfectly integrate with the space.

What was once an unfinished basement is now a perfect getaway and space to entertain. The main focus is the projection screen and cozy couches for the family to gather and watch movies in surround sound. Just a few feet away, a kitchenette provides some refreshments and food. This space also allows plenty of room to throw a party and this kitchenette can store lots of food and drink. Down the hall we have a rec room with a ping pong table. Across from that is a gym so the homeowners can continue to live a healthy lifestyle. On the other side of the basement there is a playroom that can easily double as a guest room. It's a great spot for the kids to play and keep their toys all in one place. Next door is a "jack and jill" bathroom that is appropriate for all ages. Walk in the door and you'll be wowed by the mosaic tile accent that greets you from inside the shower. We're happy to hear the family is enjoying the space and have enjoyed a few parties!

Images by Nic LeHoux Designed as a home and studio for a photographer and his young family, Lightbox is located on a peninsula that extends south from British Columbia across the border to Point Roberts. The densely forested site lies beside a 180-acre park that overlooks the Strait of Georgia, the San Juan Islands and the Puget Sound. Having experienced the world from under a black focusing cloth and large format camera lens, the photographer has a special fondness for simplicity and an appreciation of unique, genuine and well-crafted details. The home was made decidedly modest, in size and means, with a building skin utilizing simple materials in a straightforward yet innovative configuration. The result is a structure crafted from affordable and common materials such as exposed wood two-bys that form the structural frame and directly support a prefabricated aluminum window system of standard glazing units uniformly sized to reduce the complexity and overall cost. Accessed from the west on a sloped boardwalk that bisects its two contrasting forms, the house sits lightly on the land above the forest floor. A south facing two-story glassy cage for living captures the sun and view as it celebrates the interplay of light and shadow in the forest. To the north, stairs are contained in a thin wooden box stained black with a traditional Finnish pine tar coating. Narrow apertures in the otherwise solid dark wooden wall sharply focus the vibrant cropped views of the old growth fir trees at the edge of the deep forest. Lightbox is an uncomplicated yet powerful gesture that enables one to view the subtlety and beauty of the site while providing comfort and pleasure in the constantly changing light of the forest.

Create a sophisticated kitchen look with our AZUNI Sinks. Featuring this 25" x 19" x 10” Undermount Kitchen Sink. This workstation kitchen sink combines the best of both world: a bold stainless-steel single bowl sink with a functional workstation: built-in accessories that slide on the integrated tracks in the sink. This stainless-steel kitchen sink includes one luxury basket strainer, one drying rack, one bamboo cutting board and one bottom grid made of 100% stainless steel which will really help to protect your sink from dents or scratches. Handcrafted using premium 304 stainless steel with 16 gauge and 18/10 chrome/nickel content and featuring a refined brushed finished. This undermount kitchen sink has the drain towards the side for the best utilization of the space under the sink cabinet and centered allowing you install the sink with the drain to the left or to the right. Also, the stainless-steel kitchen sink basin has drain grooves for optimal drainage. This handmade stainless-steel sink combines functionality, quality, and affordability. The tight 10mm radius corners are perfectly blended through an automated machine buffing system, and careful hand polished, for a luxurious finish. This undermount kitchen sink is equipped with top-level soundproofing, including thick rubber dampening pads. Each sink is additionally treated with protective coating, which reduces condensation and further dampens sound. The corrosion-resistant surface is further protected from rust and oxidation by a meticulous finishing process. Commercial-grade satin finish and gently rounded corners make maintenance as simple as wiping the surface with a damp cloth. For easy installation, all mounting hardware is provided. Our sinks are Canadian designed and meet the highest plumbing standards of North America. AZUNI sinks are trusted by architects and builders for upscale projects and modern makeovers.

The clean lines and apron front design of this 33” x 21” Double Basin Farmhouse/Apron Undermount Kitchen Sink complement any décor, from traditional to modern. This Handmade Farmhouse/Apron Kitchen Sink with basket strainers and bottom grids has classic styling and is made of surgical grade SUS 304 16G stainless steel, a sleek and luxurious kitchen sink with a brushed satin finish. The apron undermount sink fits nicely into homes with traditional styling. This double bowl undermount apron sink is equipped with soundproofing system including a protective stone guard coating and extra thick rubber pads to keep vibrations and loud sounds at bay for a better experience. This coat is sprayed underneath the sink to prevent water condensation as well. Included with the stainless steel apron kitchen sink comes a stainless steel basket drain strainer, which is deeper and much more functional for catching food scraps than the regular strainers. This stunning stainless steel undermount apron kitchen sink is Canadian designed and meets the highest plumbing standards for North America. For added functionality, the stainless steel double bowl kitchen sink has the drains towards the rear, for better utilization of the space under the sink cabinet. The extra deep basins of this double undermount apron kitchen sink can fit large pots and pans easily. The 10-inch depth is also great because it can hide the dirty dishes under the countertop line until you have the time to wash them. Also, sink basins have drain grooves for optimal drainage. The tight 10mm radius corners of this apron sink are perfectly blended through an automated machine buffing system, and carefully hand polished, for a luxurious finish. Rounded corners make maintenance as simple as wiping the surface with a damp cloth. Very easy to install, this kitchen sink come with a template and mounting brackets as well. Excellent choice for your new renovation project, or just upgrading to a more stylish kitchen sink.

This full basement renovation included adding a mudroom area, media room, a bedroom, a full bathroom, a game room, a kitchen, a gym and a beautiful custom wine cellar. Our clients are a family that is growing, and with a new baby, they wanted a comfortable place for family to stay when they visited, as well as space to spend time themselves. They also wanted an area that was easy to access from the pool for entertaining, grabbing snacks and using a new full pool bath.We never treat a basement as a second-class area of the house. Wood beams, customized details, moldings, built-ins, beadboard and wainscoting give the lower level main-floor style. There’s just as much custom millwork as you’d see in the formal spaces upstairs. We’re especially proud of the wine cellar, the media built-ins, the customized details on the island, the custom cubbies in the mudroom and the relaxing flow throughout the entire space.

Push. Pour. Party. It’s that simple to live the high life and enjoy every second at home with this incredible movable outdoor TV lift cabinet with built-in bar, refrigerator storage and charging unit. Weather resistant and designed to shine in any climate, the cabinetry will protect your big screen TV from the elements effortlessly – with no need to have any disruptive, unsightly construction carried out whatsoever. NO walls, just a stunning handcrafted unit guaranteed to be the centre of attention. We’ve carefully crafted the ultimate in home entertainment using hardwearing IPE wood – also known as Brazilian teak. This is durable, robust and can stand up to whatever Mother Nature (and your bartending) has to throw at it. That means you don’t need to give a thought to mold, insects or moisture. We guarantee your TV lift cabinet and bar will remain fully functional without warping, no matter how many times a week you fire up your TV and chill the drinks on the deck, patio, poolside or rooftop. This unit just loves to be the center of attention – and rightly so. We know you’ll be the envy of your block with the all-in-one jaw dropping solid mahogany interior with lighting, stainless steel ice bin to hold up to 40lbs of ice, included fridge, walnut / cherry cutting board, upper bottle holder and condiment station. There’s also a charging station inside the stainless storage door so you can crank up your favorite play list and charge your tablet, mobile or portable speaker at the same time. Adjustable lighting inside the storage door and 2 magnetic detachable lights that go over the bar means you don’t need to worry about the time, you can relax and enjoy the vibes from sun up to sun down. Additionally, with an built-in fridge, bottle storage and space to stash your essentials like glasses, cocktail shaker and bottle opener, you’ll never have to venture too far from the action. If you want to party like a VIP all year long, add a sound bar or optional 360-degree manual swivel for perfect viewing at any angle.

There are so many wonderful elements in this contemporary farmhouse kitchen: classic, simple lines, a neutral color palette that allows for endless accessorizing, a built in hutch offering tons of storage, counter, and display space, an island with storage, seating for three, and gorgeous sculpted legs, and yummy Taj Mahal quartzite countertops and backsplash tile from Walker Zanger. My client and I had fun staging her new kitchen with a variety of color schemes and styles, which easily change with the season, holiday, or whim. Love these black metal stools!

Nestled on a hillside in Seattle’s Magnolia neighborhood, this meticulously renovated home reflects a decade-plus evolution of thoughtful design, craftsmanship, and connection to its waterfront surroundings. Originally built in 1925 as a modest beach cabin, the house underwent significant changes over the years, culminating in a recent third-floor addition and comprehensive updates to its interiors and finishes. The latest iteration was constructed by Dyna Builders in collaboration with Paul Moon Design, whose architectural and interior design infused the space with a distinct nautical sensibility. The home’s transformation began with a full rebuild by Paul Moon Design in 2010, maintaining the original footprint but completely reimagining the structure. Challenges such as the site’s steep slope and the structure’s aging infrastructure necessitated rebuilding atop the existing foundation. In 2018, this latest design phase introduced a third floor to accommodate an office, primary suite, and a deck with expansive views of Discovery Park, Bainbridge Island, and the Puget Sound. Design inspiration was drawn from the compact efficiency of a yacht’s interior, where every inch of space serves a purpose. This maritime influence extended to material choices, with teak used in the bathrooms and porthole-style windows nodding to the home's waterside location. The interiors blend natural woods, light tones, and brass accents, balancing a refined yet approachable aesthetic. White oak flooring and stained cedar shiplap bring warmth to the main living areas, accentuated by salvaged wood beams incorporated into vaulted ceilings. These cohesive elements extend from the media room on the lower level to the primary suite’s chevron-patterned flooring and bespoke wardrobe systems. Kitchen updates preserved its compact, efficient layout but was updated with brass hardware, glass- fronted cabinetry and a new steel hood fabricated by the Dyna metal shop. The dining area features custom wine storage and a dining bar that opens to the outdoors, blurring the line between indoor and outdoor spaces. With multiple intimate lounge areas, the home encourages a lifestyle of relaxation and connection to nature. Its design celebrates the challenges of its hillside site, transforming a once-simple cottage into a finely tuned retreat that captures the quintessential feeling of living on the water.

Photography by Caryn B. Davis Located in the Cornfield Point area of Old Saybrook along Long Island Sound, this project brought a classic, yet forgotten beach house back to life. Through a little detective work and some creative ingenuity, we restored and enhanced the exterior to it’s former glory and transformed the interior to a highly efficient and functional home all the while uplifting its quaint cottage charm. On the exterior, we recreated a wonderful, airy front porch with cozy bench seats that look out to the water. The white cedar shingle siding is pre-bleached with a subtle flair at the bottom and a delicate break at mid-elevation. The asphalt shingles are not only beautifully matched with the siding, but offer superior reflective qualities to dissipate the heat of the summer sun. On the interior, we joined the front seasonal porch with the family room to form a larger, open living and dining space with paneled walls and ceilings anchored by the original round stone fireplace. In the rear, we carefully crafted a galley kitchen and laundry space with an adjacent first floor master suite. The diminutive house and property posed multiple practical and regulatory challenges which were overcome by a strong team effort, due diligence, and a commitment to the process. John R. Schroeder, AIA is a professional design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and planning. We have over 30 years experience with projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. Because we love what we do, we approach our work with enthusiasm and dedication. We are committed to the highest level of design and service on each and every project. We engage our clients in positive and rewarding collaborations. We strive to exceed expectations through our attention to detail, our understanding of the “big picture”, and our ability to effectively manage a team of design professionals, industry representatives, and building contractors. We carefully analyze budgets and project objectives to assist clients with wise fund allocation. We continually monitor and research advances in technology, materials, and construction methods, both sustainable and otherwise, to provide a responsible, well-suited, and cost effective product. Our design solutions are highly functional using both innovative and traditional approaches. Our aesthetic style is flexible and open, blending cues from client desires, building function, site context, and material properties, making each project unique, personalized, and enduring.

Mike O'Connor LEED points were also awarded for locally sourced appliances (Ohio) Cabinets (Milwaukee) And 15,000 square feet of up-cycled gymnasium flooring from WI high schools and colleges that were reclaimed by a savager in Wausau WI

This water feature was installed especially for my clients 2 dogs to drink from.
Photo of a mid-sized modern drought-tolerant and full sun backyard concrete paver water fountain landscape in Los Angeles for spring.

Are you considering making your house smart? Good thinking! There are many advantages to having a smart home, but before you dive into buying products, make sure you do your research and have a plan. Make sure you have a clear understanding of what it is you want to achieve. The purpose of a smart home is to make your life simple and easy, but without a plan it can have the opposite effect and become over complicated. Here is a sample layout: Tip 1: First, buy a smart hub like SmartThings or Wink, from there you can go onto their website and see which devices they are compatible with. Tip 2: Brilliant allows SmartThings and Wink to control lights, locks and doors. If you are looking for a smart light switch, this is a great option because you have the option of controlling your devices from your Brilliant app, the switch itself, voice, and for lights there are motion sensors. Added bonus, Alexa is built in! Tip 3: Now that you have Brilliant, see what other devices Brilliant is compatible with. For example, you can create your sound system with Sonos or Bose. For climate you have options like Nest or Honeywell. Tip 4: Want a video doorbell? Get Ring! Right now our Ring integration displays a notification on the Brilliant screen if someone presses the button, or it will display the video feed if you prefer. If you have a smart lock connected (via a hub), you will the option to open the door directly from the notification. Tip 5: Start working room to room. To create a uniform look in the kitchen, why not get all Samsung products? Want an awesome movie room? See how the other devices you already have can integrate with your TV before you start buying new things. DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Then, if there is anything extra you need you can go out and buy it! Photo Credit: Aubrie Pick (Please contact Aubrie for info on other products) https://www.houzz.com/user/aubrie-pick

Gorgeous master bath with dramatic retro "wave" tile. Peak Photography
Example of a 1950s bathroom design in Los Angeles