Downunder Roofing & Construction
Mid-sized traditional beige split-level stucco gable roof idea in Kansas City

This raised livingroom with dual watefalls and waterways is a nice touch to this mid size Chicago rooftop. Also we built a custom 55,000 BTU firetable to complete this living room. Just need some seasonal plants and we are good to go!!!!! Photos by: Tyrone Mitchell

Eric Rorer
Example of a 1960s kitchen design in San Francisco

2013 CHRYSALIS AWARD SOUTH REGION WINNER, RESIDENTIAL EXTERIOR This 1970’s split-level single-family home in an upscale Arlington neighborhood had been neglected for years. With his surrounding neighbors all doing major exterior and interior remodeling, however, the owner decided it was time to renovate his property as well. After several consultation meetings with the design team at Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, he settled on an exterior layout to create an Art & Craft design for the home. It all got started by excavating the front and left side of the house and attaching a wrap-around stone porch. Key design attributes include a black metal roof, large tapered columns, blue and grey random style flag stone, beaded stain ceiling paneling and an octagonal seating area on the left side of this porch. The front porch has a wide stairway and another set of stairs leads to the back yard. All exterior walls of homes were modified with new headers to allow much larger custom-made windows, new front doors garage doors, and French side and back doors. A custom-designed mahogany front door with leaded glass provides more light and offers a wider entrance into the home’s living area. Design challenges included removing the entire face of the home and then adding new insulation, Tyvek and Hardiplank siding. The use of high-efficiency low-e windows makes the home air tight. The Arts & Crafts design touches include the front gable over the front porch, the prairie-style grill pattern on the windows and doors, the use of tapered columns sitting over stone columns and the leaded glass front door. Decorative exterior lighting provides the finishing touches to this look.

Built for entertaining in mind for indoors & outdoors, this two storey, four bedroom, three car garage, c/w in-law suite, is an open concept floor plan, to accommodate the space for the primary family with live-in aging parents. The space flows seamlessly upon entering the home boasting contemporary styling & modern sleek finishes throughout. Expansive amount of glazing for natural lighting floods the home A two storey Entry/Foyer extends into the two storey Great room, featuring a 72"" linear fireplace with wood veneer feature wall. The mezzanine splits the space overlooking the foyer & great room, interconnected to two storey cultured stone feature wall anchoring the entire open main level together. The “U”-shaped floating open riser stairwell with sleek modern guardrails, features two storey window glazing on two walls creating a corner focal point. An in-law suite situated on the main level uniquely designed, c/w a private outdoor amenity space for independent living & entertaining. A large ultra-modern style kitchen, with massive walk-in Pantry, with a huge island & stools that flows into the covered lanai equipped with an outdoor kitchen, tying the indoor space with the outdoors. The Dining Room serves as the main eating area & formal dinner functions. Access off foyer to an open concept office with glass wall. The 2nd floor features a Master Bedroom with open concept walk-in closet & spacious master ensuite, plus three additional bedrooms, with a shared an private ensuite & a Laundry room with ample circulation space to iron & fold clothing. Outdoor amenity space include an in-ground pool & outdoor cabana c/w a sitting area with fire pit, combined in a heavily wooded forest setting, surrounded by nature, makes living in this home feel like you are on luxury holiday in a private resort like setting.

Built for entertaining in mind for indoors & outdoors, this two storey, four bedroom, three car garage, c/w in-law suite, is an open concept floor plan, to accommodate the space for the primary family with live-in aging parents. The space flows seamlessly upon entering the home boasting contemporary styling & modern sleek finishes throughout. Expansive amount of glazing for natural lighting floods the home A two storey Entry/Foyer extends into the two storey Great room, featuring a 72"" linear fireplace with wood veneer feature wall. The mezzanine splits the space overlooking the foyer & great room, interconnected to two storey cultured stone feature wall anchoring the entire open main level together. The “U”-shaped floating open riser stairwell with sleek modern guardrails, features two storey window glazing on two walls creating a corner focal point. An in-law suite situated on the main level uniquely designed, c/w a private outdoor amenity space for independent living & entertaining. A large ultra-modern style kitchen, with massive walk-in Pantry, with a huge island & stools that flows into the covered lanai equipped with an outdoor kitchen, tying the indoor space with the outdoors. The Dining Room serves as the main eating area & formal dinner functions. Access off foyer to an open concept office with glass wall. The 2nd floor features a Master Bedroom with open concept walk-in closet & spacious master ensuite, plus three additional bedrooms, with a shared an private ensuite & a Laundry room with ample circulation space to iron & fold clothing. Outdoor amenity space include an in-ground pool & outdoor cabana c/w a sitting area with fire pit, combined in a heavily wooded forest setting, surrounded by nature, makes living in this home feel like you are on luxury holiday in a private resort like setting.

Constructed in two phases, this renovation, with a few small additions, touched nearly every room in this late ‘50’s ranch house. The owners raised their family within the original walls and love the house’s location, which is not far from town and also borders conservation land. But they didn’t love how chopped up the house was and the lack of exposure to natural daylight and views of the lush rear woods. Plus, they were ready to de-clutter for a more stream-lined look. As a result, KHS collaborated with them to create a quiet, clean design to support the lifestyle they aspire to in retirement. To transform the original ranch house, KHS proposed several significant changes that would make way for a number of related improvements. Proposed changes included the removal of the attached enclosed breezeway (which had included a stair to the basement living space) and the two-car garage it partially wrapped, which had blocked vital eastern daylight from accessing the interior. Together the breezeway and garage had also contributed to a long, flush front façade. In its stead, KHS proposed a new two-car carport, attached storage shed, and exterior basement stair in a new location. The carport is bumped closer to the street to relieve the flush front facade and to allow access behind it to eastern daylight in a relocated rear kitchen. KHS also proposed a new, single, more prominent front entry, closer to the driveway to replace the former secondary entrance into the dark breezeway and a more formal main entrance that had been located much farther down the facade and curiously bordered the bedroom wing. Inside, low ceilings and soffits in the primary family common areas were removed to create a cathedral ceiling (with rod ties) over a reconfigured semi-open living, dining, and kitchen space. A new gas fireplace serving the relocated dining area -- defined by a new built-in banquette in a new bay window -- was designed to back up on the existing wood-burning fireplace that continues to serve the living area. A shared full bath, serving two guest bedrooms on the main level, was reconfigured, and additional square footage was captured for a reconfigured master bathroom off the existing master bedroom. A new whole-house color palette, including new finishes and new cabinetry, complete the transformation. Today, the owners enjoy a fresh and airy re-imagining of their familiar ranch house. Photos by Katie Hutchison

[Our Clients] We were so excited to help these new homeowners re-envision their split-level diamond in the rough. There was so much potential in those walls, and we couldn’t wait to delve in and start transforming spaces. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. So, we started by converting the existing single car garage into their living room (complete with a new fireplace) and opening up the kitchen to the rest of the level. [Kitchen] The original kitchen had been on the small side and cut-off from the rest of the home, but after we removed the coat closet, this kitchen opened up beautifully. Our plan was to create an open and light filled kitchen with a design that translated well to the other spaces in this home, and a layout that offered plenty of space for multiple cooks. We utilized clean white cabinets around the perimeter of the kitchen and popped the island with a spunky shade of blue. To add a real element of fun, we jazzed it up with the colorful escher tile at the backsplash and brought in accents of brass in the hardware and light fixtures to tie it all together. Through out this home we brought in warm wood accents and the kitchen was no exception, with its custom floating shelves and graceful waterfall butcher block counter at the island. [Dining Room] The dining room had once been the home’s living room, but we had other plans in mind. With its dramatic vaulted ceiling and new custom steel railing, this room was just screaming for a dramatic light fixture and a large table to welcome one-and-all. [Living Room] We converted the original garage into a lovely little living room with a cozy fireplace. There is plenty of new storage in this space (that ties in with the kitchen finishes), but the real gem is the reading nook with two of the most comfortable armchairs you’ve ever sat in. [Master Suite] This home didn’t originally have a master suite, so we decided to convert one of the bedrooms and create a charming suite that you’d never want to leave. The master bathroom aesthetic quickly became all about the textures. With a sultry black hex on the floor and a dimensional geometric tile on the walls we set the stage for a calm space. The warm walnut vanity and touches of brass cozy up the space and relate with the feel of the rest of the home. We continued the warm wood touches into the master bedroom, but went for a rich accent wall that elevated the sophistication level and sets this space apart. [Hall Bathroom] The floor tile in this bathroom still makes our hearts skip a beat. We designed the rest of the space to be a clean and bright white, and really let the lovely blue of the floor tile pop. The walnut vanity cabinet (complete with hairpin legs) adds a lovely level of warmth to this bathroom, and the black and brass accents add the sophisticated touch we were looking for. [Office] We loved the original built-ins in this space, and knew they needed to always be a part of this house, but these 60-year-old beauties definitely needed a little help. We cleaned up the cabinets and brass hardware, switched out the formica counter for a new quartz top, and painted wall a cheery accent color to liven it up a bit. And voila! We have an office that is the envy of the neighborhood.

Every inch of this exquisite Lake Michigan home was thought through in great detail. Every element has a meaning or memory associated to it. So Cottage Home was honored to build this incredible home for clients who were well educated in what they wanted, appreciated the high level of quality and detail in every element, and were simply a true joy to work with throughout the building process. High-end finishes of granite and quartz countertops, stainless appliances, custom built and finished cabinetry and paint details, quarter-sawn white oak floors, and high-end finishes. The exterior is SmartSide siding and trim details, custom built and finished cedar details, Pella windows, and maintenance free rail systems. This home was given the LEED for Homes GOLD award. Cottage Home is the premiere builder on the shore of Lake Michigan, between the Indiana border and Holland.

The initial layout of the kitchen worked well for Todd and Jennifer, with the exception of the existing adjacent dinette area (not shown). Because they have a separate dining room, the dinette was redundant and instead of being used for eating, it was an underutilized area just waiting to be loved. By stretching their existing island into the dinette, they created casual seating on the dry end of the island that activates the formerly underused space and creates an inviting place for family and friends to be in the kitchen without jamming zones dedicated for food prep. For Jennifer and Todd, minor spatial tweaking gave them exactly the added and more functional space they needed without making major layout changes. Bill Lindhout Photography

Garage. The Sater Design Collection's luxury, Craftsman home plan "Prairie Pine Court" (Plan #7083). saterdesign.com
Example of a huge arts and crafts attached three-car garage design in Miami

Built for entertaining in mind for indoors & outdoors, this two storey, four bedroom, three car garage, c/w in-law suite, is an open concept floor plan, to accommodate the space for the primary family with live-in aging parents. The space flows seamlessly upon entering the home boasting contemporary styling & modern sleek finishes throughout. Expansive amount of glazing for natural lighting floods the home A two storey Entry/Foyer extends into the two storey Great room, featuring a 72"" linear fireplace with wood veneer feature wall. The mezzanine splits the space overlooking the foyer & great room, interconnected to two storey cultured stone feature wall anchoring the entire open main level together. The “U”-shaped floating open riser stairwell with sleek modern guardrails, features two storey window glazing on two walls creating a corner focal point. An in-law suite situated on the main level uniquely designed, c/w a private outdoor amenity space for independent living & entertaining. A large ultra-modern style kitchen, with massive walk-in Pantry, with a huge island & stools that flows into the covered lanai equipped with an outdoor kitchen, tying the indoor space with the outdoors. The Dining Room serves as the main eating area & formal dinner functions. Access off foyer to an open concept office with glass wall. The 2nd floor features a Master Bedroom with open concept walk-in closet & spacious master ensuite, plus three additional bedrooms, with a shared an private ensuite & a Laundry room with ample circulation space to iron & fold clothing. Outdoor amenity space include an in-ground pool & outdoor cabana c/w a sitting area with fire pit, combined in a heavily wooded forest setting, surrounded by nature, makes living in this home feel like you are on luxury holiday in a private resort like setting.

Our client built Architectural Designs House Plan 91009GU in South Carolina with loads of modifications. He rearranged the kitchen, built a floor above the great room for a pool table room above, rearranged the great room, rearranged the master bathroom, built the porch across the entire front of the house, divided the bottom floor to put in a mother-in-law suite. And he changed the dormers on the front of the house by widening the existing ones and adding a larger dormer in the center. He also added a grand split brick stairs to the front of the house and incorporated a vacuum tube type elevator. Specs-at-a-glance 4 beds 3.5 baths 3,100+ sq. ft. Plans: https://www.architecturaldesigns.com/91009gu Ready when you are. Where do YOU want to build? #readywhenyouare #houseplan

Builder: Matarozzi Pelsinger Builders Structural: FTF Engineering Photo: Treve Johnson Photography
Huge trendy beige three-story mixed siding flat roof photo in San Francisco

This 3 BR, 3 1/2 bath home allows the owners to live on one level most of the time. The Master Suite is on the main level along with the Living Room, Kitchen, Dining, pantries, Sun Room and service areas. The upper level houses two ample bedrooms while the lower level supports a rec center, media room, wine cellar, shop and full wet bar. Conceived as a Great Room house, the main level is designed as one seamless space that flows onto an ample deck overlooking the rear yard. We also incorporated a variety of green building techniques - photo-voltaic shingles on the roof of the garage to generate a portion of the home's energy, a super insulated building envelope, rain water harvesting, high performance windows and doors, a high efficiency heat pump, low flow bath & kitchen fixtures, Energy Star appliances and LED lighting - that greatly reduced this structure's carbon footprint. All of the strategies amounted to a 30% reduction in the energy consumption in this home relative to comparable structures.

2013 CHRYSALIS AWARD SOUTH REGION WINNER, RESIDENTIAL EXTERIOR This 1970’s split-level single-family home in an upscale Arlington neighborhood had been neglected for years. With his surrounding neighbors all doing major exterior and interior remodeling, however, the owner decided it was time to renovate his property as well. After several consultation meetings with the design team at Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, he settled on an exterior layout to create an Art & Craft design for the home. It all got started by excavating the front and left side of the house and attaching a wrap-around stone porch. Key design attributes include a black metal roof, large tapered columns, blue and grey random style flag stone, beaded stain ceiling paneling and an octagonal seating area on the left side of this porch. The front porch has a wide stairway and another set of stairs leads to the back yard. All exterior walls of homes were modified with new headers to allow much larger custom-made windows, new front doors garage doors, and French side and back doors. A custom-designed mahogany front door with leaded glass provides more light and offers a wider entrance into the home’s living area. Design challenges included removing the entire face of the home and then adding new insulation, Tyvek and Hardiplank siding. The use of high-efficiency low-e windows makes the home air tight. The Arts & Crafts design touches include the front gable over the front porch, the prairie-style grill pattern on the windows and doors, the use of tapered columns sitting over stone columns and the leaded glass front door. Decorative exterior lighting provides the finishing touches to this look.

Built for entertaining in mind for indoors & outdoors, this two storey, four bedroom, three car garage, c/w in-law suite, is an open concept floor plan, to accommodate the space for the primary family with live-in aging parents. The space flows seamlessly upon entering the home boasting contemporary styling & modern sleek finishes throughout. Expansive amount of glazing for natural lighting floods the home A two storey Entry/Foyer extends into the two storey Great room, featuring a 72"" linear fireplace with wood veneer feature wall. The mezzanine splits the space overlooking the foyer & great room, interconnected to two storey cultured stone feature wall anchoring the entire open main level together. The “U”-shaped floating open riser stairwell with sleek modern guardrails, features two storey window glazing on two walls creating a corner focal point. An in-law suite situated on the main level uniquely designed, c/w a private outdoor amenity space for independent living & entertaining. A large ultra-modern style kitchen, with massive walk-in Pantry, with a huge island & stools that flows into the covered lanai equipped with an outdoor kitchen, tying the indoor space with the outdoors. The Dining Room serves as the main eating area & formal dinner functions. Access off foyer to an open concept office with glass wall. The 2nd floor features a Master Bedroom with open concept walk-in closet & spacious master ensuite, plus three additional bedrooms, with a shared an private ensuite & a Laundry room with ample circulation space to iron & fold clothing. Outdoor amenity space include an in-ground pool & outdoor cabana c/w a sitting area with fire pit, combined in a heavily wooded forest setting, surrounded by nature, makes living in this home feel like you are on luxury holiday in a private resort like setting.

Built for entertaining in mind for indoors & outdoors, this two storey, four bedroom, three car garage, c/w in-law suite, is an open concept floor plan, to accommodate the space for the primary family with live-in aging parents. The space flows seamlessly upon entering the home boasting contemporary styling & modern sleek finishes throughout. Expansive amount of glazing for natural lighting floods the home A two storey Entry/Foyer extends into the two storey Great room, featuring a 72"" linear fireplace with wood veneer feature wall. The mezzanine splits the space overlooking the foyer & great room, interconnected to two storey cultured stone feature wall anchoring the entire open main level together. The “U”-shaped floating open riser stairwell with sleek modern guardrails, features two storey window glazing on two walls creating a corner focal point. An in-law suite situated on the main level uniquely designed, c/w a private outdoor amenity space for independent living & entertaining. A large ultra-modern style kitchen, with massive walk-in Pantry, with a huge island & stools that flows into the covered lanai equipped with an outdoor kitchen, tying the indoor space with the outdoors. The Dining Room serves as the main eating area & formal dinner functions. Access off foyer to an open concept office with glass wall. The 2nd floor features a Master Bedroom with open concept walk-in closet & spacious master ensuite, plus three additional bedrooms, with a shared an private ensuite & a Laundry room with ample circulation space to iron & fold clothing. Outdoor amenity space include an in-ground pool & outdoor cabana c/w a sitting area with fire pit, combined in a heavily wooded forest setting, surrounded by nature, makes living in this home feel like you are on luxury holiday in a private resort like setting.