Situated in Houston, TX, this award winning landscape design was inspired by the nautilus shell. The owners of this property are enthusiastic hosts, and this backyard was designed to blend beauty and practicality for backyard bbq’s and cocktail hours. A cobblestone path extends out from the nautilus and enriches the space with an organic touch, adding texture and dimension. The structure of the path is intended to encourage exploration and conversation. Purpleheart flows harmoniously throughout the garden like a river, complementing the succulent garden and dwarf mondo grass that forms lush pockets between the flagstones. The focal point of this design is the custom water feature, comprised of up-cycled musical instruments, that was commissioned by the owners. A custom hammock stand and deck were crafted as a place to lounge and enjoy the Houston sunshine.

Living room - mid-sized contemporary formal and open concept marble floor and white floor living room idea in Phoenix with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

ASID Award winning Master Bath
Freestanding bathtub - large modern master porcelain tile marble floor freestanding bathtub idea in San Francisco

This award-winning and intimate cottage was rebuilt on the site of a deteriorating outbuilding. Doubling as a custom jewelry studio and guest retreat, the cottage’s timeless design was inspired by old National Parks rough-stone shelters that the owners had fallen in love with. A single living space boasts custom built-ins for jewelry work, a Murphy bed for overnight guests, and a stone fireplace for warmth and relaxation. A cozy loft nestles behind rustic timber trusses above. Expansive sliding glass doors open to an outdoor living terrace overlooking a serene wooded meadow. Photos by: Emily Minton Redfield

MULTIPLE AWARD WINNING KITCHEN. 2019 Westchester Home Design Awards Best Traditional Kitchen. KBDN magazine Award winner. Houzz Kitchen of the Week January 2019. Kitchen design and cabinetry – Studio Dearborn. This historic colonial in Edgemont NY was home in the 1930s and 40s to the world famous Walter Winchell, gossip commentator. The home underwent a 2 year gut renovation with an addition and relocation of the kitchen, along with other extensive renovations. Cabinetry by Studio Dearborn/Schrocks of Walnut Creek in Rockport Gray; Bluestar range; custom hood; Quartzmaster engineered quartz countertops; Rejuvenation Pendants; Waterstone faucet; Equipe subway tile; Foundryman hardware. Photos, Adam Kane Macchia.

Praised for its visually appealing, modern yet comfortable design, this Scottsdale residence took home the gold in the 2014 Design Awards from Professional Builder magazine. Built by Calvis Wyant Luxury Homes, the 5,877-square-foot residence features an open floor plan that includes Western Window Systems’ multi-slide pocket doors to allow for optimal inside-to-outside flow. Tropical influences such as covered patios, a pool, and reflecting ponds give the home a lush, resort-style feel.

Example of a trendy medium tone wood floor, brown floor and wall paneling dining room design in Houston with white walls

FIRST PLACE 2018 ASID DESIGN OVATION AWARD / MASTER BATH OVER $50,000. In addition to a much-needed update, the clients desired a spa-like environment for their Master Bath. Sea Pearl Quartzite slabs were used on an entire wall and around the vanity and served as this ethereal palette inspiration. Luxuries include a soaking tub, decorative lighting, heated floor, towel warmers and bidet. Michael Hunter

With the incorporation of accent lighting, custom waterfalls and cutting edge technology, we created for the homeowner not just a pool, but an entire outdoor living space. This project focused on an unusual level of creativity due to the history of the home. Build in the 1900s and located in a historical preservation neighborhood, it was essential that we incorporated the historic elegance of the area into our pool design.

Colorful outdoor dining space and firepit with Summit Teak furniture. Interior Design by Susie Hersker and Elaine Ryckman. Photo - Mark Boisclair. Contractor - Manship Builders. ARchitect Bing Hu. Project designed by Susie Hersker’s Scottsdale interior design firm Design Directives. Design Directives is active in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Carefree, Sedona, and beyond. For more about Design Directives, click here: https://susanherskerasid.com/

Please see this Award Winning project in the October 2014 issue of New York Cottages & Gardens Magazine: NYC&G http://www.cottages-gardens.com/New-York-Cottages-Gardens/October-2014/NYCG-Innovation-in-Design-Winners-Kitchen-Design/ It was also featured in a Houzz Tour: Houzz Tour: Loving the Old and New in an 1880s Brooklyn Row House http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/29691278/list/houzz-tour-loving-the-old-and-new-in-an-1880s-brooklyn-row-house Photo Credit: Hulya Kolabas

At the other end of the pergola, we built new stone columns around the pergola’s support posts. Those columns flank the new rectangular gas-burning fire pit we built for this space. Instead of building the columns and stone fire pit on the existing concrete patio, we built this structure OFF the patio. We peeled back the AstroTurf next to the patio and placed the new stone structure here to avoid losing usable patio space.

This vanishing edge pool helped achieve the home owner’s vision for what they wanted. The challenging landscape provided an opportunity for us to add features such as a cabana and a swim up bar complex. Details of this pool such as an elaborate arrangement of steps and benches and pebble interiors help maintain the pool and make it a safe space to play in.

The cedar pergola we designed for this space fulfills the functions our clients desired—and more. The family now has reliable shade over the hot tub along with breezes-on-demand over the seating area. More than that, the scale of this pergola makes a statement. It adds depth and dimension to this outdoor living area, and the message it communicates is this: “Here. This is where you want to be. Right here.”

The rectangular fire pit with glass beads cradled in stone between the pergola’s support posts has a “built-in” look. The fire pit and the coping at the bottom of the pergola’s posts are the same stone used throughout.

At the other end of the pergola, we built new stone columns around the pergola’s support posts. Those columns flank the new rectangular gas-burning fire pit we built for this space. Instead of building the columns and stone fire pit on the existing concrete patio, we built this structure OFF the patio. We peeled back the AstroTurf next to the patio and placed the new stone structure here to avoid losing usable patio space.

At the other end of the pergola, we built new stone columns around the pergola’s support posts. Those columns flank the new rectangular gas-burning fire pit we built for this space. Instead of building the columns and stone fire pit on the existing concrete patio, we built this structure OFF the patio. We peeled back the AstroTurf next to the patio and placed the new stone structure here to avoid losing usable patio space.

Photography by Chipper Hatter
Mid-sized elegant u-shaped eat-in kitchen photo in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, gray backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, colored appliances and an island

The rectangular fire pit with glass beads cradled in stone between the pergola’s support posts has a “built-in” look. The fire pit and the coping at the bottom of the pergola’s posts are the same stone used throughout.