One of the hallmarks of Prairie style architecture is the integration of a home into the surrounding environment. So it is only fitting for a modern Prairie-inspired home to honor its environment through the use of sustainable materials and energy efficient systems to conserve and protect the earth on which it stands. This modern adaptation of a Prairie home in Bloomfield Hills completed in 2015 uses environmentally friendly materials and systems. Geothermal energy provides the home with a clean and sustainable source of power for the heating and cooling mechanisms, and maximizes efficiency, saving on gas and electric heating and cooling costs all year long. High R value foam insulation contributes to the energy saving and year round temperature control for superior comfort indoors. LED lighting illuminates the rooms, both in traditional light fixtures as well as in lighted shelving, display niches, and ceiling applications. Low VOC paint was used throughout the home in order to maintain the purest possible air quality for years to come. The homeowners will enjoy their beautiful home even more knowing it respects the land, because as Thoreau said, “What is the use of a house if you don’t have a decent planet to put it on?”

Inspiration for a large timeless l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen remodel in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

South Elevation of South Pavilion
Inspiration for a traditional backyard garden path in Indianapolis.

A modern light-filled space, the breakfast nook takes advantage of views and proximity to the private back garden, it is a favorite hang out spot.
Great room - large modern light wood floor great room idea in New York with beige walls

CHALLENGE: -Owners want easy to maintain (white) kitchen -Must also serve as a workspace & accommodate three laptops & separate personal files -Existing kitchen has odd, angled wall of cabinets due to configuration of stairs in foyer SOLUTION: -Expand space by removing wall between kitchen & dining room -Relocate dining room into (rarely used) study -Remove columns between kitchen & new dining -Enlarge walk-in pantry by squaring off angles in stair wall -Make pantry entry a camouflaged, surprising feature by creating doors out of cabinetry -Add natural illumination with 6’ picture window -Make ceiling one plane -Add calculated runways of recessed LED lights on dimmers -Lighting leads to dynamic marble back splash behind range on back wall -New double islands & ceiling-high cabinetry quadruple previous counter & storage space -9’ island with seating includes three workstations -Seating island offers under counter electronics charging ports & three shelves of storage per workstation in cabinets directly in front of stools -Behind stools, lower cabinetry provides one drawer & two pull-out shelves per workstation -7’ prep island services 48” paneled refrigerator & 48” gas range & includes 2nd sink, 2nd dishwasher & 2nd trash/recycling station -Wine/beverage chiller located opposite island sink -Both sink spigots are touch-less & are fed by whole-house water filtration system -Independent non-leaching faucet delivers purified, double-pass reverse osmosis drinking water -Exhaust fan for gas range is hidden inside bridge of upper cabinets -Flat, easy-to-clean, custom, stainless-steel plate frames exhaust fan -New built-in window seat in bay window increases seating for informal dining while reducing floor space needed for table and chairs -New configuration allows unobstructed windows & French doors to flood space with natural light & enhances views -Open the screened porch doors to circulate fresh air throughout the home

Example of a transitional backyard stone patio kitchen design in DC Metro with a pergola

The homeowners had a very large and beautiful meadow-like backyard, surrounded by full grown trees and unfortunately mosquitoes. To minimize mosquito exposure for them and their baby, they needed a screened porch to be able to enjoy meals and relax in the beautiful outdoors. They also wanted a large deck/patio area for outdoor family and friends entertaining. We constructed an amazing detached oasis: an enclosed screened porch structure with all stone masonry fireplace, an integrated composite deck surface, large flagstone patio, and 2 flagstone walkways, which is also outfitted with a TV, gas fireplace, ceiling fan, recessed and accent lighting.

Freesia is a courtyard style residence with both indoor and outdoor spaces that create a feeling of intimacy and serenity. The centrally installed swimming pool becomes a visual feature of the home and is the centerpiece for all entertaining. The kitchen, great room, and master bedroom all open onto the swimming pool and the expansive lanai spaces that flank the pool. Four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a summer kitchen, fireplace, and 2.5 car garage complete the home. 3,261 square feet of air conditioned space is wrapped in 3,907 square feet of under roof living. Awards: Parade of Homes – First Place Custom Home, Greater Orlando Builders Association Grand Aurora Award – Detached Single Family Home $1,000,000-$1,500,000 – Aurora Award – Detached Single Family Home $1,000,000-$1,500,000 – Aurora Award – Kitchen $1,000,001-$2,000,000 – Aurora Award – Bath $1,000,001-$2,000,000 – Aurora Award – Green New Construction $1,000,000 – $2,000,000 – Aurora Award – Energy Efficient Home – Aurora Award – Landscape Design/Pool Design Best in American Living Awards, NAHB – Silver Award, One-of-a-Kind Custom Home up to 4,000 sq. ft. – Silver Award, Green-Built Home American Residential Design Awards, First Place – Green Design, AIBD

With nearly 14,000 square feet of transparent planar architecture, In Plane Sight, encapsulates — by a horizontal bridge-like architectural form — 180 degree views of Paradise Valley, iconic Camelback Mountain, the city of Phoenix, and its surrounding mountain ranges. Large format wall cladding, wood ceilings, and an enviable glazing package produce an elegant, modernist hillside composition. The challenges of this 1.25 acre site were few: a site elevation change exceeding 45 feet and an existing older home which was demolished. The client program was straightforward: modern and view-capturing with equal parts indoor and outdoor living spaces. Though largely open, the architecture has a remarkable sense of spatial arrival and autonomy. A glass entry door provides a glimpse of a private bridge connecting master suite to outdoor living, highlights the vista beyond, and creates a sense of hovering above a descending landscape. Indoor living spaces enveloped by pocketing glass doors open to outdoor paradise. The raised peninsula pool, which seemingly levitates above the ground floor plane, becomes a centerpiece for the inspiring outdoor living environment and the connection point between lower level entertainment spaces (home theater and bar) and upper outdoor spaces. Project Details: In Plane Sight Architecture: Drewett Works Developer/Builder: Bedbrock Developers Interior Design: Est Est and client Photography: Werner Segarra Awards Room of the Year, Best in American Living Awards 2019 Platinum Award – Outdoor Room, Best in American Living Awards 2019 Silver Award – One-of-a-Kind Custom Home or Spec 6,001 – 8,000 sq ft, Best in American Living Awards 2019

Photo Cred: David Palermo
Deck - contemporary rooftop rooftop deck idea in Santa Barbara with a fireplace

Spring bulbs make a wonderful addition to just about any garden space. Each fall we continue to fill in more garden areas with colorful bulbs, Tulips add the pop of warm color while the Narcissus fill in with cheery yellow blooms.

Matched vein-cut travertine paving covers the floor and seamlessly continues through the living room and out onto the exterior sundeck, terminating at the swimming pool which is completely bordered by travertine coping containing slots for drainage that allow the top edge of the pool’s water to become perfectly aligned with the top edge of the adjacent travertine paving, thus creating a level surface from the kitchen to the infinity edge of the pool.

Pool fountain - small modern backyard stone and rectangular pool fountain idea in Atlanta

Aloe Ferox, Iris, Anigozanthos, Agapanthus Design- Harry Thompson, Torrey Pines Landscape Co., Inc A San Diego Home and Garden 2014 award winner Maintenance- Torrey Pines Landscape Co., Inc, A CLCA award winner Photo-Martin Mann

Example of a large transitional backyard stone patio design in Phoenix with a roof extension

J. Sinclair
Large elegant stone back porch photo in Raleigh with a roof extension

Tony Soluri
Example of a mid-sized trendy formal and open concept dark wood floor living room design in Chicago with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a media wall

Randy Angell, Designer GOLD International Award of Excellence winner - The transitional modern home was designed with large amounts of glass opening into the courtyard, creating an indoor-outdoor feel, and a visual connection among the spaces that could not be ignored. The neighboring wall, however, was not only rather imposing, but also of a style completely disconnected from our clients home. Our goal was to create a layering effect, with features of varying heights, both to add depth and dimension to the space, and to take the focus of the viewer off of the neighbor's wall.

Large trendy three-story mixed siding exterior home photo in Chicago