Cast stone residence, showing midline banding, balusters, ornaments, and finials. John Higby Photography
Tuscan exterior home photo in Dallas

When Maria Bilotta Distefano and her husband, George Distefano—each owners of their own home design/renovation businesses—purchased their home in North Salem, they knew they would have to make some pretty radical changes, starting with the kitchen. “It was horrific,” Bilotta says. “A bathroom opened up right into the eating area. The space was small, the cooking area crammed. Cabinets were an inexpensive stock—pickled oak—and were falling apart. And the appliances were completely out of date. It was a kitchen-company owner’s worst nightmare.” She should know. Along with siblings Regina Bilotta and Jim Bilotta, Maria owns and runs Bilotta Kitchens, a full-service kitchen and bath company that specializes in cabinetry design. Maria Bilotta's 400-square-foot kitchen boasts a large hearth area with a stainless-steel dual-fuel range surrounded by crackled rectangular tiles, sconces, and an antique glass mirror. Over the range is a handy pot filler, an item frequently recommended by Bilotta for its ease of use. On the far wall next to the hearth stands a 48-inch side-by-side Sub-Zero refrigerator paneled in the same cherry as the cabinets. The generous island is equipped with an undermount Franke stainless-steel sink with a bronze oil-rubbed faucet by Rohl, a built-in ASKO dishwasher, and a double trash pull-out. The dining table’s unique copper top, along with the copper trim on the ledge leading into the family room and along the edge of the pizza oven, are all custom made and finished by George Distefano at his custom-metal shop, Ornametal, based in Newburgh, New York. Bilotta wanted a kitchen that would not only accommodate her family’s lifestyle but embrace the best of the products and designs out there. To achieve this, she asked Mel Elion, a top designer in Bilotta’s Mamaroneck showroom, to work with architect Terry Lennon of Somers and general contractor Fred Boehmer of Boehmer Homes of La Grangeville, New York, to bring her dream kitchen to life. Bilotta looked to her past to hone her vision, recalling boisterous family gatherings where everyone pitched in to make the meal. Thus, Elion included in her design a large banquette area for casual sit-down meals and a wide multi-purpose island with three stools, designed for both food preparation and light dining. In terms of style, Bilotta favors a rustic aesthetic, complete with state-of-the-art appliances and top-of-the-line amenities. And number-one on her wish list: a pizza oven. The Old World “appliance” brings back special memories of pizza-making with her siblings, cousins, and grandfather, an Italian immigrant who brought a love of cooking with him from Arpino. To accommodate Bilotta’s request for a sophisticated country look, Elion recommended cherry cabinets from Bilotta Kitchens’ private cabinet collection, with perimeter cabinets sporting custom inset doors of rustic cherry wood and an island of antique cherry. Green Verde Vecchio granite countertops and a soft moss shade for the walls complement the warm wood. Sixteen-by-sixteen-inch honed limestone tiles used for the floors have decorative metal inserts that match the copper tabletop in the banquette area (hand-made and finished by George Distefano) and other copper accents, such as the pizza oven’s ledge. A magnificent ivory-colored cherry hearth was designed to surround the 48-inch professional Wolf range. Behind the range, framed by the crackled tile backsplash from Waterworks, hangs an antique glass mirror with metal trim from Distefano’s shop, GlasSolutions, a New York-based architectural glass and metal company. Besides providing an interesting focal point, installing a mirror behind the range has a practical purpose, allowing the chef to keep an eye on the often boisterous and energetic activities while cooking.

A nice row of tree form Eagleston Hollies. Planted and provided by Treeland Nursery.
Photo of a traditional landscaping in Dallas.

A unique combination of materials and design details blend to form an originally rustic kitchen with a European flair. The centerpiece of the design is the over mantle hood with surrounding reclaimed beams. A La Cornue range is a fitting complementary piece. An artisan rich space, the sink is hand hammered in pewter and table island base custom fabricated in hammered iron. The pantry doors are repurposed with the grill work made from a vintage fence! Cabinets in custom green, alder wood on island, Sub Zero integrated refrigerator, Miele Coffee maker and single wall oven, La Cornue 36” Cornue Fe range. Photographer - Bruce Van Inwegen

Izumi Tanaka
1960s open concept light wood floor living room photo in Los Angeles with white walls and a standard fireplace

Three generous benchtops deliver ample useable space. The custom-laminated bamboo tops provides warmth and a distinctive grain, while the triple-panel rhythm and furniture-style island and dresser add a subtle French flavour. Photographer: Tony Gatman Auckland, New Zealand.

After many years of having no outdoor living space and dealing with overgrown plants and trees the owner’s decided it was time to revitalize their backyard. They knew they wanted a large sitting area with a wood burning fireplace, room for outdoor dining and a place for the grill. A connecting walk would be needed to get guests from the driveway to the outdoor space. Last but not least, the owners wanted the ability to and a reason for stepping out of their unusable patio doors. The designers decided from the start the fireplace would be the prominent feature and focal point for the entire project. A large fireplace accented with sitting walls and arbors was positioned to anchor the corner of the patio. Stone was chosen to set the fireplace apart as its own element. Brick was used for the sitting walls and brick accents were added to the fireplace to tie into the house. An inlaid herringbone brick detail was incorporated above the stone mantle to simulate artwork which is typically found above indoor fireplaces. Flagstone was used for the wall caps and hearth to match the patio and thicker flagstone tread stock was used for the mantle and top. The arbors were added to visually balance the pergolas at the opposite side of the patio. For the patio the designers created a series of offset spaces to help subtly divide the space into two areas, sitting and dining. Two large existing trees also help dictate the shape of the patio. Cut flagstone was chosen for the surface bordered by a double soldier edge of brick. The brick edging also surrounds a decorative gravel area topped with an urn fountain which provides a secondary focal point and the sound of water. Large flagstone treads were used for the steps leading to the previously unused patio doors. Opposite the fireplace a short walk leads to a square transition area with a statue chosen by the owner. The statue provides a strong focal point when entering from the driveway. A longer walk leads from this space along the house to the driveway. The pergolas and arbors were designed by the landscape designer as part of this project but were ultimately contracted separately by the owner. The larger square pergola was intended as an area for a bench or two separate from the main patio. The longer pergola was added later in the design phase to help provide shade to the interior of the house. The arbors at the fireplace were added to balance out the wood elements at the opposite side while adding additional architectural interest to the fireplace. While this project was predominantly hardscaping, planting and lighting were also incorporated into the design. Several large existing trees were retained and serious of smaller understory trees were added to help enclose the space. The designer’s took advantage of the large trees to place down lights on the branches to achieve a moonlight effect at night. Additional lighting was used on the pergola, to accent focal points, to up light the smaller trees and around the patio. Massed planting of Japanese forest grass provides bold foliage color for the shady garden. A mulch path leads off behind the fireplace to another garden and a secluded area ideal for a bench or small table and chairs. Additional plantings were added along the rear property line to screen and unsightly fence. This project has obviously completely changed the way the owners use their backyard. They now have a seamless transition from indoors to outdoors with the use of the patio doors. The large patio allows for entertaining small gatherings outdoors for the first time. The fireplace has definitely become the primary gathering place for family and friends.

The client’s request was quite common - a typical 2800 sf builder home with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, living space, and den. However, their desire was for this to be “anything but common.” The result is an innovative update on the production home for the modern era, and serves as a direct counterpoint to the neighborhood and its more conventional suburban housing stock, which focus views to the backyard and seeks to nullify the unique qualities and challenges of topography and the natural environment. The Terraced House cautiously steps down the site’s steep topography, resulting in a more nuanced approach to site development than cutting and filling that is so common in the builder homes of the area. The compact house opens up in very focused views that capture the natural wooded setting, while masking the sounds and views of the directly adjacent roadway. The main living spaces face this major roadway, effectively flipping the typical orientation of a suburban home, and the main entrance pulls visitors up to the second floor and halfway through the site, providing a sense of procession and privacy absent in the typical suburban home. Clad in a custom rain screen that reflects the wood of the surrounding landscape - while providing a glimpse into the interior tones that are used. The stepping “wood boxes” rest on a series of concrete walls that organize the site, retain the earth, and - in conjunction with the wood veneer panels - provide a subtle organic texture to the composition. The interior spaces wrap around an interior knuckle that houses public zones and vertical circulation - allowing more private spaces to exist at the edges of the building. The windows get larger and more frequent as they ascend the building, culminating in the upstairs bedrooms that occupy the site like a tree house - giving views in all directions. The Terraced House imports urban qualities to the suburban neighborhood and seeks to elevate the typical approach to production home construction, while being more in tune with modern family living patterns. Overview: Elm Grove Size: 2,800 sf, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms Completion Date: September 2014 Services: Architecture, Landscape Architecture Interior Consultants: Amy Carman Design

Architect: Michelle Penn, AIA This barn home is modeled after an existing Nebraska barn in Lancaster County. Heating is by passive solar design, supplemented by a geothermal radiant floor system. Cooling will rely on a whole house fan and a passive air flow system. The passive system is created with the cupola, windows, transoms and passive venting for cooling, rather than a forced air system. Here you can see the underside of the gambrel roof and the stairs & ladder leading up to the cupola. The stair railing was created using goat fencing. Photo Credits: Jackson Studios

Photo by Jay Sifford.
Home design - eclectic home design idea in Charlotte

Example of a mid-sized classic brown tile and porcelain tile travertine floor bathroom design in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet and brown walls

The theater scope included both a projection system and a multi-TV video wall. The projection system is an Epson 1080p projector on a Stewart Cima motorized screen. To achieve the homeowner’s requirement to switch between one large video program and five smaller displays for sports viewing. The smaller displays are comprised of a 75” Samsung 4K smart TV flanked by two 50” Samsung 4K displays on each side for a total of 5 possible independent video programs. These smart TVs and the projection system video are managed through a Control4 touchscreen and video routing is achieved through an Atlona 4K HDMI switching system. Unlike the client’s 7.1 theater at his primary residence, the hunting lodge theater was to be a Dolby Atmos 7.1.2 system. The speaker system was to be a Bowers & Wilkins CT7 system for the main speakers and use CI600 series for surround and Atmos speakers. CT7 15” subwoofers with matched amplifier were selected to bring a level of bass response to the room that the client had not experienced in his primary residence. The CT speaker system and subwoofers were concealed with a false front wall and concealed behind acoustically transparent cloth. Some degree of wall treatment was required but the budget would not allow for a typical snap-track track installation or acoustical analysis. A one-inch absorption panel system was designed for the room and custom trim and room design allowed for stock size panels to be used with minimum custom cuts, allowing for a room to get some treatment in a budget that would normally afford none. Both the equipment rack and the projector are concealed in a storage room at the back of the theater. The projector is installed into a custom enclosure with a CAV designed and built port-glass window into the theater.

This newly built modern farmhouse was decorated in earthy greens, rusts and creams to reflect the surrounding forest in which its nestled. Clean and simple, the artwork reflects the clients' personality, while touches of black give the space some edge. For the holidays, we created a classic, rustic vibe, using gold dusted hydrangea and pampas grasses from the garden, preserved cedar and magnolia, and the twinkle of stardust to give it some holiday glow. The clients' personal stockings were incorporated for some homespun charm.

Made in Spain If you’re looking to elevate your home decor, our new Amira encaustic tile collection is a fantastic addition. Whether you want to add a stunning accent to your living room, enhance your kitchen aesthetic with a dose of drama, or create striking charm in the bedroom, Amira Regal Taupe and Gold tile is sure to transform the look and feel of any interior and exterior space with ease. In addition to their rich neutral pattern, Amira Regal Taupe and Gold tiles have genuine gold paint to give them a beautiful luster. Our encaustic patterned tiles work beautifully as an accent wall, fireplace surround, or a distinctive floor design in residential spaces. Create an eye-catching floor-to-ceiling feature wall in your walk-in shower enclosure, a stunning vanity backdrop, or a gorgeous bathtub surround with these taupe and gold patterned tiles. Team them with plain bathroom flooring to create a stylish space in which to relax and unwind. For a scheme that's bold and proud, going wall to wall with a decorative kitchen tile is the answer to a maximalist aesthetic and pair with neutral cabinets to give the eye a place to rest. Alternatively, you can go for a subtle accent look that still packs a punch with a backsplash behind the range or the area between the countertops and upper cabinets. Our Amira Regal Taupe and Gold tiles are a great way to add character to the appearance of your home exterior. These tiles can be laid on exterior walls only and deliver timeless beauty for years thanks to porcelain’s high performance. Our encaustic porcelain tiles are made in Spain and stocked in our California warehouse for a quick turnaround time to the United States! All Amira tiles ship free for qualifying orders.

This newly built modern farmhouse was decorated in earthy greens, rusts and creams to reflect the surrounding forest in which its nestled. Clean and simple, the artwork reflects the clients' personality, while touches of black give the space some edge. For the holidays, we created a classic, rustic vibe, using gold dusted hydrangea and pampas grasses from the garden, preserved cedar and magnolia, and the twinkle of stardust to give it some holiday glow. The clients' personal stockings were incorporated for some homespun charm.

This newly built modern farmhouse was decorated in earthy greens, rusts and creams to reflect the surrounding forest in which its nestled. Clean and simple, the artwork reflects the clients' personality, while touches of black give the space some edge. For the holidays, we created a classic, rustic vibe, using gold dusted hydrangea and pampas grasses from the garden, preserved cedar and magnolia, and the twinkle of stardust to give it some holiday glow. The clients' personal stockings were incorporated for some homespun charm.

This newly built modern farmhouse was decorated in earthy greens, rusts and creams to reflect the surrounding forest in which its nestled. Clean and simple, the artwork reflects the clients' personality, while touches of black give the space some edge. For the holidays, we created a classic, rustic vibe, using gold dusted hydrangea and pampas grasses from the garden, preserved cedar and magnolia, and the twinkle of stardust to give it some holiday glow. The clients' personal stockings were incorporated for some homespun charm.

Nestled atop a wooded ridge in the Hudson Highlands, the architect-owner envisioned a reinterpretation of renowned mid-century experimental “Case Study Homes”. An authentic representation of the materials and a clear outdoor-indoor connection were priorities for the design. Heart pine on the ceiling references the forested surroundings. All cabinets are Bilotta’s private Bilotta Collection cabinetry. The island and wall cabinets are distinctive: natural walnut quarter-sawn veneer trimmed with thin strips of natural walnut solid stock. Matte black on the paneled refrigerator, tall pantry and rear base cabinets frame the area and merge into the black structural columns. Balancing the darker finishes is a single slab of Carrera marble on the backsplash, with Caesarstone in “Concrete” topping the cabinetry. Surrounded by walls of glass, the kitchen is flanked by oversized impressive roof overhangs with exposed joists. Inside, a header was placed to align with the outermost joist and delineate the prep area. Within that footprint, natural heart pine planks line the ceiling, parallel to the outdoor joists. This creates the illusion that the overhang enters the kitchen at one end and exits out the other, further obscuring the line between indoors and out. As a counterpoint to strong vertical cabinet lines and horizontal ceiling lines, a unique bronze scissor-armed light fixture creates a diamond pattern across the length of the kitchen. At the intersection of each arm is an individual half-gold exposed light bulb, resulting in pools of illumination that highlight the beautiful grain pattern and coloration of the wood ceiling – a stunning alternative to ubiquitous recessed lighting. Although it’s not large, this kitchen offers an abundance of storage and countertop space for meal prep and serving. The refrigerator and tall pantry bookend the space; making them equal in size imparts pleasing symmetry. With the sink centered along the back wall and the range centered in the island, there’s plenty of elbow room on each side of the appliances. Everything is within arms’ reach for easy use and fast cleanup. The gray hues of the “Concrete” colored quartz tops and the veining of the Carrera backsplash echo the stone outcroppings in the landscape and provide contrast to the variety of wood tones throughout the room.

Egrets were the motif chosen by our client. We created the layout and installed the tile and the handcrafted quarter sawn oak mantel complete with movable iron bar for Christmas stockings.