Gary Duff Designs transformed this tiny hilltop spot into a spacious, state-of-the-art aquatic retreat. A new swimming pool was installed with an adjacent hot tub – the two connected by a sheer descent waterfall. In order to address concerns over erosion and drainage, the team built a secure boulder retaining wall on the back-end of the property to help sure up the ground. Calming, chic gray tones were used on the pool patios and walkways in order to match the blue siding of the home.

Stephen Karlisch // This lakeside home was completely refurbished inside and out to accommodate 16 guests in a stylish, hotel-like setting. Owned by a long-time client of Pulp, this home reflects the owner's personal style -- well-traveled and eclectic -- while also serving as a landing pad for her large family. With spa-like guest bathrooms equipped with robes and lotions, guest bedrooms with multiple beds and high-quality comforters, and a party deck with a bar/entertaining area, this is the ultimate getaway.

Wing Wong, Memories TTL
Example of an arts and crafts green tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile bathroom design in New York with green walls

Glass tile backsplash, slide in stove, granite counters, white cabinets, stainless range hood.
Mid-sized arts and crafts home design photo in Atlanta

Bel Air - Serene Elegance. This collection was designed with cool tones and spa-like qualities to create a space that is timeless and forever elegant.

This home is dedicated to the idea that beauty can be found in the artistic expression of hand-made processes. The project included rigorous material research and close partnership with local craftspeople in order to realize the final architecture. The timeless quality of this collaboration is most visible in the ribbon stair and the raked stucco walls on the exterior facade. Working hand in hand with local artisans, layers of wood and plaster were stapled, raked, sanded, bent, and laminated in order to realize the curve of the stair and the precise lines of the facade. In contrast to the manipulation of materials, a garden courtyard and spa add an intimate experience of nature within the heart of the home. The concealed space is a case study in contrast from the lush vegetation against the stark steel, to the shallow hot plunge and six-foot deep cold plunge. The result is a home that elevates the integrity of local craft and the refreshment of nature’s touch to augment a lifestyle dedicated to health, artistry, and authenticity.

The somewhat modest size of this beautiful back garden does not keep it from fulfilling numerous duties for this active family. Closest to the house itself are a screened sitting porch and a large outdoor dining area. One passes through antique wrought-iron gates to transition from the upper patios to the lawn area, separating the house from the pool. Slabs of Pennsylvania flagstone create a walkway through the lawn and around the swimming pool. Synthetic turf was selected for this project, in order to minimize maintenance issues and to ensure perfect grass at all times. The covered, open-air pavilion directly adjacent the pool is constructed with hand-carved posts and beams. The concrete floor of the pavilion is stained to coordinate with the Pennsylvania flagstone decks. Housing the outdoor kitchen and bar area, as well as a TV sitting area, this poolside pavilion has become the favorite hang-out for the client's teenagers and their friends. Although our client wanted a curved line, natural pool, they wanted a bit of a modernized version, and something a bit more refined. One way we achieved this was by using long, sweeping curves around the perimeter of the pool, with hand-cut, and slightly chiseled, Oklahoma flagstone coping. Next, rather than using the typical boulders for the retaining wall, we set Oklahoma stone in an irregular flagstone pattern with butt-joints so that no mortar shows. The walls are capped with the same Oklahoma flagstone as is used on the coping. The spa is tucked in the back corner of the garden, and raised 20" above the pool. The spillway from the spa is created using a combination of long slab boulders along with smaller boulders, to create a gentle, natural waterfall to the pool. Further refinement is shown in neatly trimmed appearance of the synthetic turf between the large slabs of Pennsylvania stone that create the pool deck.

Bathroom - small modern master beige tile and stone slab single-sink bathroom idea in New York with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a wall-mount toilet, black walls, a trough sink, soapstone countertops, beige countertops and a freestanding vanity

The clients wanted a spa-like master bathroom for their Traditional Bernardsville home with a modern interior. The bathroom is extremely large, so in order to give them the bathroom of their dreams we created a large, two-person shower with a stone bench, tile feature wall and double niches. Across from the shower sits two walls which house his and hers vanity. The floating vanities were custom crafted from White Oak with a custom veneer finish. The fixtures all all simple, sleek and chrome in order to not take away from the textures and organic feel of the bathroom. In the left back corner we added the water closet behind a mirrored pocket door. The crystal infinity chandelier adds a final feminine touch to the beautiful space.

This home is dedicated to the idea that beauty can be found in the artistic expression of hand-made processes. The project included rigorous material research and close partnership with local craftspeople in order to realize the final architecture. The timeless quality of this collaboration is most visible in the ribbon stair and the raked stucco walls on the exterior facade. Working hand in hand with local artisans, layers of wood and plaster were stapled, raked, sanded, bent, and laminated in order to realize the curve of the stair and the precise lines of the facade. In contrast to the manipulation of materials, a garden courtyard and spa add an intimate experience of nature within the heart of the home. The concealed space is a case study in contrast from the lush vegetation against the stark steel, to the shallow hot plunge and six-foot deep cold plunge. The result is a home that elevates the integrity of local craft and the refreshment of nature’s touch to augment a lifestyle dedicated to health, artistry, and authenticity.

The clients wanted a spa-like master bathroom for their Traditional Bernardsville home with a modern interior. The bathroom is extremely large, so in order to give them the bathroom of their dreams we created a large, two-person shower with a stone bench, tile feature wall and double niches. Across from the shower sits two walls which house his and hers vanity. The floating vanities were custom crafted from White Oak with a custom veneer finish. The fixtures all all simple, sleek and chrome in order to not take away from the textures and organic feel of the bathroom. In the left back corner we added the water closet behind a mirrored pocket door. The crystal infinity chandelier adds a final feminine touch to the beautiful space.

This home is dedicated to the idea that beauty can be found in the artistic expression of hand-made processes. The project included rigorous material research and close partnership with local craftspeople in order to realize the final architecture. The timeless quality of this collaboration is most visible in the ribbon stair and the raked stucco walls on the exterior facade. Working hand in hand with local artisans, layers of wood and plaster were stapled, raked, sanded, bent, and laminated in order to realize the curve of the stair and the precise lines of the facade. In contrast to the manipulation of materials, a garden courtyard and spa add an intimate experience of nature within the heart of the home. The concealed space is a case study in contrast from the lush vegetation against the stark steel, to the shallow hot plunge and six-foot deep cold plunge. The result is a home that elevates the integrity of local craft and the refreshment of nature’s touch to augment a lifestyle dedicated to health, artistry, and authenticity.

Cliff Finley
Patio kitchen - mid-sized contemporary backyard stone patio kitchen idea in Atlanta with a gazebo

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW This master bath remodel is the cat's meow for more than one reason! The materials in the room are soothing and give a nice vintage vibe in keeping with the rest of the home. We completed a kitchen remodel for this client a few years’ ago and were delighted when she contacted us for help with her master bath! The bathroom was fine but was lacking in interesting design elements, and the shower was very small. We started by eliminating the shower curb which allowed us to enlarge the footprint of the shower all the way to the edge of the bathtub, creating a modified wet room. The shower is pitched toward a linear drain so the water stays in the shower. A glass divider allows for the light from the window to expand into the room, while a freestanding tub adds a spa like feel. The radiator was removed and both heated flooring and a towel warmer were added to provide heat. Since the unit is on the top floor in a multi-unit building it shares some of the heat from the floors below, so this was a great solution for the space. The custom vanity includes a spot for storing styling tools and a new built in linen cabinet provides plenty of the storage. The doors at the top of the linen cabinet open to stow away towels and other personal care products, and are lighted to ensure everything is easy to find. The doors below are false doors that disguise a hidden storage area. The hidden storage area features a custom litterbox pull out for the homeowner’s cat! Her kitty enters through the cutout, and the pull out drawer allows for easy clean ups. The materials in the room – white and gray marble, charcoal blue cabinetry and gold accents – have a vintage vibe in keeping with the rest of the home. Polished nickel fixtures and hardware add sparkle, while colorful artwork adds some life to the space.

This partially wooded, acre and a half lot in West Dundee presented many challenges. The clients began working with a Landscape Architect in the early spring, but after not getting the innovative ideas they were seeking, the home builder and Architect suggested the client contact our landscape design/build firm. We immediately hit it off with the charismatic clients. They had a tall order for us: complete the design and implement the construction within a three month period. For many projects this would be a reasonable time frame. However construction delays and the coordination of multiple trades left a very short window to complete the work. Beyond the tight time frame the site required specific care in preserving the many mature surrounding trees, as well as addressing a vast grade change. Over fifteen feet of grade change occurs from one end of this woodland property to the other. All of these constraints proved to be an enormous challenge as we worked to include and coordinate the following elements: the drive layout, a dramatic front entry, various gardens, landscape lighting, irrigation, and a plan for a backyard pool and entertainment space that already had been started without a clear plan. Fortunately, the client loved our design ideas and attention to detail and we were able to mobilize and begin construction. With the seamless coordination between our firm and the builder we implemented all the elements of this grand project. In total eight different crews and five separate trades worked together to complete the landscape. The completed project resulted in a rewarding experience for our firm, the builder and architect, as well as the client. Together we were able to create and construct a perfect oasis for the client that suited the beautiful property and the architecture of this dream home.

Inspiration for a contemporary bathroom remodel in Seattle

Gary Duff Designs transformed this tiny hilltop spot into a spacious, state-of-the-art aquatic retreat. A new swimming pool was installed with an adjacent hot tub – the two connected by a sheer descent waterfall. In order to address concerns over erosion and drainage, the team built a secure boulder retaining wall on the back-end of the property to help sure up the ground. Calming, chic gray tones were used on the pool patios and walkways in order to match the blue siding of the home.

Gold Medal Design Award Winner at the 2015 Southwest Region Pool and Spa Show! This job is of a very rare scale for a residential pool and was under construction for nearly three years. This project actually began on a vacant lot, because once the house slab was in place there would have been no access. It was necessary to build a 300 foot long retaining wall then backfill behind it. Sixty truckloads of fill were compacted into place to provide the suitable base for this pool. This massive pool begins with an elevated fountain built adjacent to the windows on the back of the home. The water spills into a mid-level fountain, which surrounds a zero edge spa capped with 3” by 3” travertine tile and also features a travertine arm rest under the water. Travertine capped stepping stones in the middle fountain give access to the spa. From both the mid-level fountain and the spa, the water finally returns to the main pool. The longest part of the pool is a 75 foot by 10 foot lap lane that is 6 feet deep. A diamond pattern lane maker made of glass tiles runs the length of the of the lap lane. The pool then steps up to 4 feet to provide a large play area then finally terminates with a 450 square foot sun shelf. The pool elevation is 4 feet below the house. This accommodates the two levels of fountains dropping to the pool level. Numerous bullnose travertine capped steps and planter walls help to soften the transitions in elevation. The pool coping is 2 inch thick bullnose travertine. The matching travertine on the 3,500 sq. ft. patio is accented by a contrasting pattern. The entire pool has a tile interior. There were four different tiles used on the project totaling over 5,100 square feet. The tile was a custom blend, ordered in advance and was warehoused for over two years while the home was being constructed. As expected on a job of this magnitude, the pool features everything one might expect including cutting edge automation and equipment, 13 LED lights, and in-floor cleaning system. This magnificent swimming pool has an equally spectacular elevated lake view as a backdrop. Over 80 feet from the back of the house where the pool started is a fire pit area positioned perfectly to take full advantage of that view.

Gold Medal Design Award Winner at the 2015 Southwest Region Pool and Spa Show! This job is of a very rare scale for a residential pool and was under construction for nearly three years. This project actually began on a vacant lot, because once the house slab was in place there would have been no access. It was necessary to build a 300 foot long retaining wall then backfill behind it. Sixty truckloads of fill were compacted into place to provide the suitable base for this pool. This massive pool begins with an elevated fountain built adjacent to the windows on the back of the home. The water spills into a mid-level fountain, which surrounds a zero edge spa capped with 3” by 3” travertine tile and also features a travertine arm rest under the water. Travertine capped stepping stones in the middle fountain give access to the spa. From both the mid-level fountain and the spa, the water finally returns to the main pool. The longest part of the pool is a 75 foot by 10 foot lap lane that is 6 feet deep. A diamond pattern lane maker made of glass tiles runs the length of the of the lap lane. The pool then steps up to 4 feet to provide a large play area then finally terminates with a 450 square foot sun shelf. The pool elevation is 4 feet below the house. This accommodates the two levels of fountains dropping to the pool level. Numerous bullnose travertine capped steps and planter walls help to soften the transitions in elevation. The pool coping is 2 inch thick bullnose travertine. The matching travertine on the 3,500 sq. ft. patio is accented by a contrasting pattern. The entire pool has a tile interior. There were four different tiles used on the project totaling over 5,100 square feet. The tile was a custom blend, ordered in advance and was warehoused for over two years while the home was being constructed. As expected on a job of this magnitude, the pool features everything one might expect including cutting edge automation and equipment, 13 LED lights, and in-floor cleaning system. This magnificent swimming pool has an equally spectacular elevated lake view as a backdrop. Over 80 feet from the back of the house where the pool started is a fire pit area positioned perfectly to take full advantage of that view.