Design Consultant Jeff Doubét is the author of Creating Spanish Style Homes: Before & After – Techniques – Designs – Insights. The 240 page “Design Consultation in a Book” is now available. Please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com for more info. Jeff Doubét specializes in Santa Barbara style home and landscape designs. To learn more info about the variety of custom design services I offer, please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com Jeff Doubét is the Founder of Santa Barbara Home Design - a design studio based in Santa Barbara, California USA.

Tucker Design Awards celebrate the innovation and vision that designers bring to their projects through the specification and use of natural stone materials. For members of the Natural Stone Institute, acknowledgment as a contributor to a Tucker Design Awards winning project is a genuine tribute to their traditional values, physicality of work, and dedication to precise specifications required in the realization of such accomplished architectural design. Landscape Architect Design Workshop, Aspen, CO Landscape Contractor/ Installer Landscape Workshop, Carbondale, CO Stone Installer JD Masonry, Arvada, CO Stone Suppliers Coldspring, Cold Spring, MN Gallegos Corporation, Vail, CO Through a collective dialogue between landscape, architecture and interior design, a new vision reimagines the disturbed site into a livable landscape, emblematic of our American West. The residence – an ensemble of structures designed in a modern ranch vernacular – is effortlessly unified through layered, interconnected outdoor gathering spaces and regional materials that elaborates upon the experience of moving between structures, heightening and renewing one’s sense of place. Upon entering the courtyard, one is immediately aware of seamless and unfolding relationships between architecture and landscape through a sophisticated, regional palette of natural stone, water, and plants. Set upon architectural focal points, two perpendicular sandstone paths descend into the space and converge upon a monolithic, hand-carved granite fountain. The design of the fountain is purposefully quiet, both in its detailing and operation. The feature includes a recessed interior, allowing water to become still before it reaches the surface, with lightly cleft sides, allowing the water to delicately bounce as it descends into the geometric lower granite basin. The landscape architect’s selection of various stone material extends the tones of the home’s granite walls and contextual surroundings into the garden, but also be detailed in a manner that balances rural and modern qualities. The majority of the paving is constructed of rectilinear gray sandstone with a natural finish and snapped edges, laid in a staggered running bond organization. Throughout the garden, thoughtful attention was also given to the configuration and layout of terraces, pathways, and steps. In doing so, this ensured that the edges of the terrace and its interface to other elements were designed so that no “leftover” stone paver pieces would be found. Within the central courtyard, split-faced stone stairs descend into a rectilinear plinth of lawn, punctuated by a carved granite fire pit. Leveraging the property’s existing topographic relief, a shallow infinity-edge dipping pool abstracts the transparent and cavity-like pools found throughout the Rocky Mountains. The design purposefully achieves the illusion of a larger water feature with the distant pond and offers a refreshing recreational element. Containing the infinity edge, a designed granite escarpment emerges from the meadow, juxtaposing the geometric water feature and providing informal seating ledges. The site’s prior use required the landscape architect to incorporate a highly technical and complex sub-surface structural system. The initial geotechnical report identified the building envelopes rested on 12 feet of man-placed fill. Assuming a 1 percent settlement, the team faced concerns that the terraces would settle up to 12 inches. In response, a grid of structural micro-piles provides the necessary foundation for the construction of terraces immediately outside of the architecture, under the water features and site walls. The solution enabled the crisp detailing and design resolution of the architectural structures to seamlessly connect with the horizontal stone terraces.

Photos by Langdon Clay
Example of a mid-sized arts and crafts l-shaped slate floor eat-in kitchen design in San Francisco with white cabinets, an island, shaker cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, solid surface countertops, white backsplash and subway tile backsplash

Wise Shots
Inspiration for a mid-sized rustic l-shaped dark wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Louisville with a double-bowl sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, stone tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Photo by Becky Kimball
Family room - eclectic dark wood floor family room idea in Salt Lake City with white walls

Getting your homeowner's association board to approve your new custom garage doors can seem daunting. Dynamic Garage Door as a custom design and manufacturing firm has come across this situation quite frequently with a phenomenal success approval rate! In order to get approval for your custom garage door approval there are a few basic points you must understand. First off, your HOA is committed to preserving the neighborhood's curb appeal integrity by focusing on the impact your new custom garage doors might have on your house and the houses of your neighbors. It is important to understand that your curb appeal decisions will impact your home and neighborhood alike. Too many companies offer semi-custom wood doors without the true understanding of the client's need and the essence of their home's architectural style. The garage door design you choose needs to comply with neighborhood regulations while complement your home's architecture. At Dynamic Garage Door, our designers are well-rounded in the garage door industry and so we can suggest or develop designs that will reinforce the natural appearance of your home's style. If you can prove to your HOA that you've done your homework and that the garage door design you chose will complement not only your home but the neighborhood you'll be surprised when your proposal is marked with the approval stamp! This garage door is actually a single double-car door not two as it appears. The reason is that this garage used to have two separate doors with a post in the middle. The post in the middle made it difficult to use the garage on a daily basis so the post was removed to facilitate the use of the garage. The HOA wasn't too happy about the removal of the post as it was an essential part of the arches located right above the garage doors. You can clearly see how that would have been disruptive if the homeowner went with a regular wood door and not one custom designed and manufactured by Dynamic Garage Door. This garage door was specifically designed to address the HOA's concern about the center post removal and the effect it would have on the curb appeal of the home with the incomplete double arch look. So we addressed this by crafting the door with a false center post in the middle that was textured and painted the same color of the house to give off that illusion that the post is still there. Overall, it gives the home a complete finished appearance with two independent-looking doors and original post. The homeowner got the entire width of the opening to use at the push of a button so having a larger car won't be a problem anymore. The neighbors are all happy and no one seems to notice the center post is actually fake! Got an interesting garage door project you want our designers to review and price out for you? Give us a call at (855) 343-DOOR

Scott Sandler
Pool fountain - large contemporary backyard custom-shaped and concrete paver infinity pool fountain idea in Phoenix

With a sizeable backyard and a love for entertaining, these clients wanted to build a covered outdoor kitchen/bar and seating area. They had one specific area by the side of their pool, with limited space, to build the outdoor kitchen. There were immediate concerns about how to incorporate the two steps in the middle of the patio area; and they really wanted a bar that could seat at least eight people (to include an additional seating area with couches and chairs). This couple also wanted to use their outdoor living space year round. The kitchen needed ample storage and had to be easy to maintain. And last, but not least, they wanted it to look beautiful! This 16 x 26 ft clear span pavilion was a great fit for the area we had to work with. By using wrapped steel columns in the corners in 6-foot piers, carpenter-built trusses, and no ridge beams, we created good space usage underneath the pavilion. The steps were incorporated into the space to make the transition between the kitchen area and seating area, which looked like they were meant to be there. With a little additional flagstone work, we brought the curve of the step to meet the back island, which also created more floor space in the seating area. Two separate islands were created for the outdoor kitchen/bar area, built with galvanized metal studs to allow for more room inside the islands (for appliances and cabinets). We also used backer board and covered the islands with smooth finish stucco. The back island housed the BBQ, a 2-burner cooktop and sink, along with four cabinets, one of which was a pantry style cabinet with pull out shelves (air tight, dust proof and spider proof—also very important to the client). The front island housed the refrigerator, ice maker, and counter top cooler, with another set of pantry style, air tight cabinets. By curving the outside edge of the countertop we maximized the bar area and created seating for eight. In addition, we filled in the curve on the inside of the island with counter top and created two additional seats. In total, there was seating for ten people. Infrared heaters, ceiling fans and shades were added for climate control, so the outdoor living space could be used year round. A TV for sporting events and SONOS for music, were added for entertaining enjoyment. Track lighting, as well as LED tape lights under the backsplash, provided ideal lighting for after dark usage. The clients selected honed, Fantasy Brown Satin Quartzite, with a chipped edge detail for their countertop. This beautiful, linear design marble is very easy to maintain. The base of the islands were completed in stucco and painted satin gray to complement their house color. The posts were painted with Monterey Cliffs, which matched the color of the house shutter trim. The pavilion ceiling consisted of 2 x 6-T & G pine and was stained platinum gray. In the few months since the outdoor living space was built, the clients said they have used it for more than eight parties and can’t wait to use it for the holidays! They also made sure to tell us that the look, feel and maintenance of the area all are perfect!

Barry Grossman Photography
Trendy dining room photo in Miami

The family room has large windows and patio doors that admit natural light into the space. Built-ins flank the gas fired fireplace. The exterior deck leads down to the yard. http://www.kipnisarch.com Cable Photo/Wayne Cable http://selfmadephoto.com

Getting your homeowner's association board to approve your new custom garage doors can seem daunting. Dynamic Garage Door as a custom design and manufacturing firm has come across this situation quite frequently with a phenomenal success approval rate! In order to get approval for your custom garage door approval there are a few basic points you must understand. First off, your HOA is committed to preserving the neighborhood's curb appeal integrity by focusing on the impact your new custom garage doors might have on your house and the houses of your neighbors. It is important to understand that your curb appeal decisions will impact your home and neighborhood alike. Too many companies offer semi-custom wood doors without the true understanding of the client's need and the essence of their home's architectural style. The garage door design you choose needs to comply with neighborhood regulations while complement your home's architecture. At Dynamic Garage Door, our designers are well-rounded in the garage door industry and so we can suggest or develop designs that will reinforce the natural appearance of your home's style. If you can prove to your HOA that you've done your homework and that the garage door design you chose will complement not only your home but the neighborhood you'll be surprised when your proposal is marked with the approval stamp! This garage door is actually a single double-car door not two as it appears. The reason is that this garage used to have two separate doors with a post in the middle. The post in the middle made it difficult to use the garage on a daily basis so the post was removed to facilitate the use of the garage. The HOA wasn't too happy about the removal of the post as it was an essential part of the arches located right above the garage doors. You can clearly see how that would have been disruptive if the homeowner went with a regular wood door and not one custom designed and manufactured by Dynamic Garage Door. This garage door was specifically designed to address the HOA's concern about the center post removal and the effect it would have on the curb appeal of the home with the incomplete double arch look. So we addressed this by crafting the door with a false center post in the middle that was textured and painted the same color of the house to give off that illusion that the post is still there. Overall, it gives the home a complete finished appearance with two independent-looking doors and original post. The homeowner got the entire width of the opening to use at the push of a button so having a larger car won't be a problem anymore. The neighbors are all happy and no one seems to notice the center post is actually fake! Got an interesting garage door project you want our designers to review and price out for you? Give us a call at (855) 343-DOOR

Kitchen cabinetry design in Wood-Mode inset custom cabinetry. Kitchen perimeter and islands in maple wood with white opaque finish. The majority of the kitchen countertops in Imperial Danby honed marble. Wood countertop in walnut wood.

Example of a country home design design in Santa Barbara

Open concept kitchen - large modern galley concrete floor and gray floor open concept kitchen idea in Toronto with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, a peninsula, a double-bowl sink, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and white countertops

Tucker Design Awards celebrate the innovation and vision that designers bring to their projects through the specification and use of natural stone materials. For members of the Natural Stone Institute, acknowledgment as a contributor to a Tucker Design Awards winning project is a genuine tribute to their traditional values, physicality of work, and dedication to precise specifications required in the realization of such accomplished architectural design. Landscape Architect Design Workshop, Aspen, CO Landscape Contractor/ Installer Landscape Workshop, Carbondale, CO Stone Installer JD Masonry, Arvada, CO Stone Suppliers Coldspring, Cold Spring, MN Gallegos Corporation, Vail, CO Through a collective dialogue between landscape, architecture and interior design, a new vision reimagines the disturbed site into a livable landscape, emblematic of our American West. The residence – an ensemble of structures designed in a modern ranch vernacular – is effortlessly unified through layered, interconnected outdoor gathering spaces and regional materials that elaborates upon the experience of moving between structures, heightening and renewing one’s sense of place. Upon entering the courtyard, one is immediately aware of seamless and unfolding relationships between architecture and landscape through a sophisticated, regional palette of natural stone, water, and plants. Set upon architectural focal points, two perpendicular sandstone paths descend into the space and converge upon a monolithic, hand-carved granite fountain. The design of the fountain is purposefully quiet, both in its detailing and operation. The feature includes a recessed interior, allowing water to become still before it reaches the surface, with lightly cleft sides, allowing the water to delicately bounce as it descends into the geometric lower granite basin. The landscape architect’s selection of various stone material extends the tones of the home’s granite walls and contextual surroundings into the garden, but also be detailed in a manner that balances rural and modern qualities. The majority of the paving is constructed of rectilinear gray sandstone with a natural finish and snapped edges, laid in a staggered running bond organization. Throughout the garden, thoughtful attention was also given to the configuration and layout of terraces, pathways, and steps. In doing so, this ensured that the edges of the terrace and its interface to other elements were designed so that no “leftover” stone paver pieces would be found. Within the central courtyard, split-faced stone stairs descend into a rectilinear plinth of lawn, punctuated by a carved granite fire pit. Leveraging the property’s existing topographic relief, a shallow infinity-edge dipping pool abstracts the transparent and cavity-like pools found throughout the Rocky Mountains. The design purposefully achieves the illusion of a larger water feature with the distant pond and offers a refreshing recreational element. Containing the infinity edge, a designed granite escarpment emerges from the meadow, juxtaposing the geometric water feature and providing informal seating ledges. The site’s prior use required the landscape architect to incorporate a highly technical and complex sub-surface structural system. The initial geotechnical report identified the building envelopes rested on 12 feet of man-placed fill. Assuming a 1 percent settlement, the team faced concerns that the terraces would settle up to 12 inches. In response, a grid of structural micro-piles provides the necessary foundation for the construction of terraces immediately outside of the architecture, under the water features and site walls. The solution enabled the crisp detailing and design resolution of the architectural structures to seamlessly connect with the horizontal stone terraces.

(After Shot) Vaulted living room and kitchen ceiling with exposed beams, and Tongue and Groove (t&g) ceiling planks. Brand new, white shaker kitchen cabinets, butcher block island and countertops, and exposed hardwood floors. Huge windows to bring in the natural light and to feel the open space. Brand new recessed lightings to give the room a much better ambiance and a set of stainless steel pendant lights for that clean finish.

Relationship: Client Project Date: March 2014 Project Price Range: more than $100,000 Having purchased our first house in Valley Glen, North Hollywood, we were aware it was in need of serious remodeling. A 1950s Ranch-style home, it came complete with peeling wallpaper, musty carpeting, and even some dilapidated walls. As first-time homeowners we were prepared to spend more money to improve it, but weary when we began meeting contractors. Buyer’s remorse already set in when we interviewed several contractors who were either aloof or unscrupulous. Then we were fortunate enough to find Mike Ross. He immediately allayed our stress with his professional and forthright demeanor and his integrity was as rock solid from the day we met him through the several months it took to complete our large renovation. While we had some specific things we wanted in our house, Mike and his team took our wish list and far exceeded our expectations to help truly realize the vision of our dream. Originally a three-bedroom, fourteen-hundred square foot home, our remodel brought an addition of a thousand square feet as well as an overhaul of the landscape; this prospect was particularly daunting for uninitiated owners such as us, but Mike’s consummate professionalism shone through and made the task exponentially less stressful for us. As well as a new 850 sf Master Bedroom, including a fireplace, and a steam unit in the bath, we added a cozy home theater room, laundry room, and the once forgotten backyard brought a new deck and patio with a trellis. Furthermore, because we went green and made it a smart home, we’re already more energy efficient. In several rooms, as well as the main hallway, for example, Mike installed solar tubes and the amount of natural light that bathes the house is amazing. Even my mom, when she came to visit, was always looking for a light-switch. As our contractor, Mike Ross took the reins to steer the project and keep it on course and he did so exceptionally. Mike and his team were as attentive to the quality of every nook and corner and he always sought our approval and happiness. Consistently communicative, he always kept us in the loop about progress and was always there to answer any questions and concerns. When an unforeseen contingency did arise, Mike assuaged our concerns by taking action ASAP to rectify the problem. Mike’s team, too, all take pleasure in their efforts. An eclectic group of skilled artisans and craftsmen, they are all polite, punctual, and proud of their work. Thank you, Mike Ross, for your outstanding leadership, your impeccable standards, and your commitment to our happiness. Dale & Helen Keis

To that end, the space features IKEA SEKTION cabinetry framework and light gray custom fronts from Semihandmade along the perimeter base and upper cabinetry. This provides ample storage options and also complements the Carrara marble countertops. “I had a custom piece of glass put on top of the marble, because I knew our boys would be using the table to draw and I thought it would get trashed!” she adds. This look is enhanced even more by engineered wood flooring as well as a custom vent hood that features subway tile to give the impression of brick. And, she adds, this was all accomplished for a budget around $10,000. However, the project wasn’t without its design challenges; namely, designing around the unique footprint of the space and storage concerns as the family keeps kosher. “We were confined to the amount of square footage, so the layout had to remain long and narrow. We couldn’t make the space any wider, for instance. But we were able to fit everything that we wanted,” she says. In fact, they also added a custom pantry pullout from Rev-A-Shelf. “I really wanted this kitchen to be beautiful because it was the center of our home. It’s on the main floor when you walk in, right between the family room and the dining room. I can imagine lots of family gatherings,” she concludes. Although Elisia researched examples of kitchen designs on HOUZZ and Pinterest she was also a first-time remodeler and — admittedly — a bit overwhelmed by IKEA’s Home Planner. She explains: “We had never done this before but I had read lots of blogs and seen some amazing kitchens that looked custom using IKEA. But I also found the IKEA software a bit daunting. I wanted help to make it easier and to make sure I got it right in terms of measurements and what we needed.” Enter IKD’s design team, which guided her through the design process and product selection, and also honored that the family keeps kosher. “Storage was a big concern. We keep kosher so we have two sets of dishes – for milk and meat – and we wanted to make sure we had lots of storage. Previously we had been living in small NYC apartments and storage was limited,” she notes. She adds: “I actually had a custom cabinet maker come see our raw space and told him what I wanted to do and the quote he gave me was 10 times more than I ended up paying with IKEA — so it was a no-brainer.” Specifically, the kitchen features a variety of high-end appliances, including a built-in Sub-Zero refrigerator; a Bertazzoni six-burner range with an oven and griddle; a KitchenAid panel-ready dishwasher, and a Sharp microwave drawer. “We chose custom Semihandmade doors because it was a panel-ready fridge and it turned out really beautifully. The Sharp microwave drawer is hidden in the island because I wanted to preserve the traditional Brownstone feel.The microwave is hidden in the drawer to the right of the sink and we had pull-out trash bins to the right of the sink as well. We also incorporated a custom table at the end of the island, which was basically a marble slab that could seat up to five people,” she explains.Adding to the look are Thomas O’Brien Hicks Bronze pendant lights with antique brass as well as IKEA’s cabinet lighting system — and plenty of natural lighting too.

Tucker Design Awards celebrate the innovation and vision that designers bring to their projects through the specification and use of natural stone materials. For members of the Natural Stone Institute, acknowledgment as a contributor to a Tucker Design Awards winning project is a genuine tribute to their traditional values, physicality of work, and dedication to precise specifications required in the realization of such accomplished architectural design. Landscape Architect Design Workshop, Aspen, CO Landscape Contractor/ Installer Landscape Workshop, Carbondale, CO Stone Installer JD Masonry, Arvada, CO Stone Suppliers Coldspring, Cold Spring, MN Gallegos Corporation, Vail, CO Through a collective dialogue between landscape, architecture and interior design, a new vision reimagines the disturbed site into a livable landscape, emblematic of our American West. The residence – an ensemble of structures designed in a modern ranch vernacular – is effortlessly unified through layered, interconnected outdoor gathering spaces and regional materials that elaborates upon the experience of moving between structures, heightening and renewing one’s sense of place. Upon entering the courtyard, one is immediately aware of seamless and unfolding relationships between architecture and landscape through a sophisticated, regional palette of natural stone, water, and plants. Set upon architectural focal points, two perpendicular sandstone paths descend into the space and converge upon a monolithic, hand-carved granite fountain. The design of the fountain is purposefully quiet, both in its detailing and operation. The feature includes a recessed interior, allowing water to become still before it reaches the surface, with lightly cleft sides, allowing the water to delicately bounce as it descends into the geometric lower granite basin. The landscape architect’s selection of various stone material extends the tones of the home’s granite walls and contextual surroundings into the garden, but also be detailed in a manner that balances rural and modern qualities. The majority of the paving is constructed of rectilinear gray sandstone with a natural finish and snapped edges, laid in a staggered running bond organization. Throughout the garden, thoughtful attention was also given to the configuration and layout of terraces, pathways, and steps. In doing so, this ensured that the edges of the terrace and its interface to other elements were designed so that no “leftover” stone paver pieces would be found. Within the central courtyard, split-faced stone stairs descend into a rectilinear plinth of lawn, punctuated by a carved granite fire pit. Leveraging the property’s existing topographic relief, a shallow infinity-edge dipping pool abstracts the transparent and cavity-like pools found throughout the Rocky Mountains. The design purposefully achieves the illusion of a larger water feature with the distant pond and offers a refreshing recreational element. Containing the infinity edge, a designed granite escarpment emerges from the meadow, juxtaposing the geometric water feature and providing informal seating ledges. The site’s prior use required the landscape architect to incorporate a highly technical and complex sub-surface structural system. The initial geotechnical report identified the building envelopes rested on 12 feet of man-placed fill. Assuming a 1 percent settlement, the team faced concerns that the terraces would settle up to 12 inches. In response, a grid of structural micro-piles provides the necessary foundation for the construction of terraces immediately outside of the architecture, under the water features and site walls. The solution enabled the crisp detailing and design resolution of the architectural structures to seamlessly connect with the horizontal stone terraces.