Photo: Lauren Edith Anderson © 2016 Houzz
Photo of a traditional landscaping in San Francisco.

Mediterranean exterior home idea in San Francisco

This home addition didn't go according to plan... and that's a good thing. Here's why. Family is really important to the Nelson's. But the small kitchen and living room in their 30 plus-year-old house meant crowded holidays for all the children and grandchildren. It was easy to see that a major home remodel was needed. The problem was the Nelson's didn't know anyone who had a great experience with a builder. The Nelson's connected with ALL Renovation & Design at a home show in York, PA, but it wasn't until after sitting down with several builders and going over preliminary designs that it became clear that Amos listened and cared enough to guide them through the project in a way that would achieve their goals perfectly. So work began on a new addition with a “great room” and a master bedroom with a master bathroom. That's how it started. But the project didn't go according to plan. Why? Because Amos was constantly asking, “What would make you 100% satisfied.” And he meant it. For example, when Mrs. Nelson realized how much she liked the character of the existing brick chimney, she didn't want to see it get covered up. So plans changed mid-stride. But we also realized that the brick wouldn't fit with the plan for a stone fireplace in the new family room. So plans changed there as well, and brick was ordered to match the chimney. It was truly a team effort that produced a beautiful addition that is exactly what the Nelson's wanted... or as Mrs. Nelson said, “...even better, more beautiful than we envisioned.” For Christmas, the Nelson's were able to have the entire family over with plenty of room for everyone. Just what they wanted. The outside of the addition features GAF architectural shingles in Pewter, Certainteed Mainstreet D4 Shiplap in light maple, and color-matching bricks. Inside the great room features the Armstrong Prime Harvest Oak engineered hardwood in a natural finish, Masonite 6-panel pocket doors, a custom sliding pine barn door, and Simonton 5500 series windows. The master bathroom cabinetry was made to match the bedroom furniture set, with a cultured marble countertop from Countertec, and tile flooring.

The architectural form of Juncus Patens `Elk Blue' makes it a favorite in modern and contemporary LA gardens. Its deep, dark blue-green provides a lovely contrast with the true green IdealMow lawn behind it, as well as the limpet shell blues and silvers of other natives in the garden.

Manolo Langis
Inspiration for a timeless home design remodel in Los Angeles

This home addition didn't go according to plan... and that's a good thing. Here's why. Family is really important to the Nelson's. But the small kitchen and living room in their 30 plus-year-old house meant crowded holidays for all the children and grandchildren. It was easy to see that a major home remodel was needed. The problem was the Nelson's didn't know anyone who had a great experience with a builder. The Nelson's connected with ALL Renovation & Design at a home show in York, PA, but it wasn't until after sitting down with several builders and going over preliminary designs that it became clear that Amos listened and cared enough to guide them through the project in a way that would achieve their goals perfectly. So work began on a new addition with a “great room” and a master bedroom with a master bathroom. That's how it started. But the project didn't go according to plan. Why? Because Amos was constantly asking, “What would make you 100% satisfied.” And he meant it. For example, when Mrs. Nelson realized how much she liked the character of the existing brick chimney, she didn't want to see it get covered up. So plans changed mid-stride. But we also realized that the brick wouldn't fit with the plan for a stone fireplace in the new family room. So plans changed there as well, and brick was ordered to match the chimney. It was truly a team effort that produced a beautiful addition that is exactly what the Nelson's wanted... or as Mrs. Nelson said, “...even better, more beautiful than we envisioned.” For Christmas, the Nelson's were able to have the entire family over with plenty of room for everyone. Just what they wanted. The outside of the addition features GAF architectural shingles in Pewter, Certainteed Mainstreet D4 Shiplap in light maple, and color-matching bricks. Inside the great room features the Armstrong Prime Harvest Oak engineered hardwood in a natural finish, Masonite 6-panel pocket doors, a custom sliding pine barn door, and Simonton 5500 series windows. The master bathroom cabinetry was made to match the bedroom furniture set, with a cultured marble countertop from Countertec, and tile flooring.

Freestanding bathtub - large cottage master porcelain tile and multicolored floor freestanding bathtub idea with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white walls, a vessel sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

This home addition didn't go according to plan... and that's a good thing. Here's why. Family is really important to the Nelson's. But the small kitchen and living room in their 30 plus-year-old house meant crowded holidays for all the children and grandchildren. It was easy to see that a major home remodel was needed. The problem was the Nelson's didn't know anyone who had a great experience with a builder. The Nelson's connected with ALL Renovation & Design at a home show in York, PA, but it wasn't until after sitting down with several builders and going over preliminary designs that it became clear that Amos listened and cared enough to guide them through the project in a way that would achieve their goals perfectly. So work began on a new addition with a “great room” and a master bedroom with a master bathroom. That's how it started. But the project didn't go according to plan. Why? Because Amos was constantly asking, “What would make you 100% satisfied.” And he meant it. For example, when Mrs. Nelson realized how much she liked the character of the existing brick chimney, she didn't want to see it get covered up. So plans changed mid-stride. But we also realized that the brick wouldn't fit with the plan for a stone fireplace in the new family room. So plans changed there as well, and brick was ordered to match the chimney. It was truly a team effort that produced a beautiful addition that is exactly what the Nelson's wanted... or as Mrs. Nelson said, “...even better, more beautiful than we envisioned.” For Christmas, the Nelson's were able to have the entire family over with plenty of room for everyone. Just what they wanted. The outside of the addition features GAF architectural shingles in Pewter, Certainteed Mainstreet D4 Shiplap in light maple, and color-matching bricks. Inside the great room features the Armstrong Prime Harvest Oak engineered hardwood in a natural finish, Masonite 6-panel pocket doors, a custom sliding pine barn door, and Simonton 5500 series windows. The master bathroom cabinetry was made to match the bedroom furniture set, with a cultured marble countertop from Countertec, and tile flooring.

This home addition didn't go according to plan... and that's a good thing. Here's why. Family is really important to the Nelson's. But the small kitchen and living room in their 30 plus-year-old house meant crowded holidays for all the children and grandchildren. It was easy to see that a major home remodel was needed. The problem was the Nelson's didn't know anyone who had a great experience with a builder. The Nelson's connected with ALL Renovation & Design at a home show in York, PA, but it wasn't until after sitting down with several builders and going over preliminary designs that it became clear that Amos listened and cared enough to guide them through the project in a way that would achieve their goals perfectly. So work began on a new addition with a “great room” and a master bedroom with a master bathroom. That's how it started. But the project didn't go according to plan. Why? Because Amos was constantly asking, “What would make you 100% satisfied.” And he meant it. For example, when Mrs. Nelson realized how much she liked the character of the existing brick chimney, she didn't want to see it get covered up. So plans changed mid-stride. But we also realized that the brick wouldn't fit with the plan for a stone fireplace in the new family room. So plans changed there as well, and brick was ordered to match the chimney. It was truly a team effort that produced a beautiful addition that is exactly what the Nelson's wanted... or as Mrs. Nelson said, “...even better, more beautiful than we envisioned.” For Christmas, the Nelson's were able to have the entire family over with plenty of room for everyone. Just what they wanted. The outside of the addition features GAF architectural shingles in Pewter, Certainteed Mainstreet D4 Shiplap in light maple, and color-matching bricks. Inside the great room features the Armstrong Prime Harvest Oak engineered hardwood in a natural finish, Masonite 6-panel pocket doors, a custom sliding pine barn door, and Simonton 5500 series windows. The master bathroom cabinetry was made to match the bedroom furniture set, with a cultured marble countertop from Countertec, and tile flooring.

In LA, we need to do more than save water, it is critical for us to we sink it. The varied topography and bioswales in the front garden direct water into the ground to fuel the garden's beauty and LA's water independence. Can you believe something so practical can be so pretty?

Large country u-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen photo in Milwaukee with white cabinets and a peninsula

This home addition didn't go according to plan... and that's a good thing. Here's why. Family is really important to the Nelson's. But the small kitchen and living room in their 30 plus-year-old house meant crowded holidays for all the children and grandchildren. It was easy to see that a major home remodel was needed. The problem was the Nelson's didn't know anyone who had a great experience with a builder. The Nelson's connected with ALL Renovation & Design at a home show in York, PA, but it wasn't until after sitting down with several builders and going over preliminary designs that it became clear that Amos listened and cared enough to guide them through the project in a way that would achieve their goals perfectly. So work began on a new addition with a “great room” and a master bedroom with a master bathroom. That's how it started. But the project didn't go according to plan. Why? Because Amos was constantly asking, “What would make you 100% satisfied.” And he meant it. For example, when Mrs. Nelson realized how much she liked the character of the existing brick chimney, she didn't want to see it get covered up. So plans changed mid-stride. But we also realized that the brick wouldn't fit with the plan for a stone fireplace in the new family room. So plans changed there as well, and brick was ordered to match the chimney. It was truly a team effort that produced a beautiful addition that is exactly what the Nelson's wanted... or as Mrs. Nelson said, “...even better, more beautiful than we envisioned.” For Christmas, the Nelson's were able to have the entire family over with plenty of room for everyone. Just what they wanted. The outside of the addition features GAF architectural shingles in Pewter, Certainteed Mainstreet D4 Shiplap in light maple, and color-matching bricks. Inside the great room features the Armstrong Prime Harvest Oak engineered hardwood in a natural finish, Masonite 6-panel pocket doors, a custom sliding pine barn door, and Simonton 5500 series windows. The master bathroom cabinetry was made to match the bedroom furniture set, with a cultured marble countertop from Countertec, and tile flooring.

This home addition didn't go according to plan... and that's a good thing. Here's why. Family is really important to the Nelson's. But the small kitchen and living room in their 30 plus-year-old house meant crowded holidays for all the children and grandchildren. It was easy to see that a major home remodel was needed. The problem was the Nelson's didn't know anyone who had a great experience with a builder. The Nelson's connected with ALL Renovation & Design at a home show in York, PA, but it wasn't until after sitting down with several builders and going over preliminary designs that it became clear that Amos listened and cared enough to guide them through the project in a way that would achieve their goals perfectly. So work began on a new addition with a “great room” and a master bedroom with a master bathroom. That's how it started. But the project didn't go according to plan. Why? Because Amos was constantly asking, “What would make you 100% satisfied.” And he meant it. For example, when Mrs. Nelson realized how much she liked the character of the existing brick chimney, she didn't want to see it get covered up. So plans changed mid-stride. But we also realized that the brick wouldn't fit with the plan for a stone fireplace in the new family room. So plans changed there as well, and brick was ordered to match the chimney. It was truly a team effort that produced a beautiful addition that is exactly what the Nelson's wanted... or as Mrs. Nelson said, “...even better, more beautiful than we envisioned.” For Christmas, the Nelson's were able to have the entire family over with plenty of room for everyone. Just what they wanted. The outside of the addition features GAF architectural shingles in Pewter, Certainteed Mainstreet D4 Shiplap in light maple, and color-matching bricks. Inside the great room features the Armstrong Prime Harvest Oak engineered hardwood in a natural finish, Masonite 6-panel pocket doors, a custom sliding pine barn door, and Simonton 5500 series windows. The master bathroom cabinetry was made to match the bedroom furniture set, with a cultured marble countertop from Countertec, and tile flooring.

This home addition didn't go according to plan... and that's a good thing. Here's why. Family is really important to the Nelson's. But the small kitchen and living room in their 30 plus-year-old house meant crowded holidays for all the children and grandchildren. It was easy to see that a major home remodel was needed. The problem was the Nelson's didn't know anyone who had a great experience with a builder. The Nelson's connected with ALL Renovation & Design at a home show in York, PA, but it wasn't until after sitting down with several builders and going over preliminary designs that it became clear that Amos listened and cared enough to guide them through the project in a way that would achieve their goals perfectly. So work began on a new addition with a “great room” and a master bedroom with a master bathroom. That's how it started. But the project didn't go according to plan. Why? Because Amos was constantly asking, “What would make you 100% satisfied.” And he meant it. For example, when Mrs. Nelson realized how much she liked the character of the existing brick chimney, she didn't want to see it get covered up. So plans changed mid-stride. But we also realized that the brick wouldn't fit with the plan for a stone fireplace in the new family room. So plans changed there as well, and brick was ordered to match the chimney. It was truly a team effort that produced a beautiful addition that is exactly what the Nelson's wanted... or as Mrs. Nelson said, “...even better, more beautiful than we envisioned.” For Christmas, the Nelson's were able to have the entire family over with plenty of room for everyone. Just what they wanted. The outside of the addition features GAF architectural shingles in Pewter, Certainteed Mainstreet D4 Shiplap in light maple, and color-matching bricks. Inside the great room features the Armstrong Prime Harvest Oak engineered hardwood in a natural finish, Masonite 6-panel pocket doors, a custom sliding pine barn door, and Simonton 5500 series windows. The master bathroom cabinetry was made to match the bedroom furniture set, with a cultured marble countertop from Countertec, and tile flooring.

This home addition didn't go according to plan... and that's a good thing. Here's why. Family is really important to the Nelson's. But the small kitchen and living room in their 30 plus-year-old house meant crowded holidays for all the children and grandchildren. It was easy to see that a major home remodel was needed. The problem was the Nelson's didn't know anyone who had a great experience with a builder. The Nelson's connected with ALL Renovation & Design at a home show in York, PA, but it wasn't until after sitting down with several builders and going over preliminary designs that it became clear that Amos listened and cared enough to guide them through the project in a way that would achieve their goals perfectly. So work began on a new addition with a “great room” and a master bedroom with a master bathroom. That's how it started. But the project didn't go according to plan. Why? Because Amos was constantly asking, “What would make you 100% satisfied.” And he meant it. For example, when Mrs. Nelson realized how much she liked the character of the existing brick chimney, she didn't want to see it get covered up. So plans changed mid-stride. But we also realized that the brick wouldn't fit with the plan for a stone fireplace in the new family room. So plans changed there as well, and brick was ordered to match the chimney. It was truly a team effort that produced a beautiful addition that is exactly what the Nelson's wanted... or as Mrs. Nelson said, “...even better, more beautiful than we envisioned.” For Christmas, the Nelson's were able to have the entire family over with plenty of room for everyone. Just what they wanted. The outside of the addition features GAF architectural shingles in Pewter, Certainteed Mainstreet D4 Shiplap in light maple, and color-matching bricks. Inside the great room features the Armstrong Prime Harvest Oak engineered hardwood in a natural finish, Masonite 6-panel pocket doors, a custom sliding pine barn door, and Simonton 5500 series windows. The master bathroom cabinetry was made to match the bedroom furniture set, with a cultured marble countertop from Countertec, and tile flooring.

Minimalist dark wood floor kitchen photo in San Francisco

This home addition didn't go according to plan... and that's a good thing. Here's why. Family is really important to the Nelson's. But the small kitchen and living room in their 30 plus-year-old house meant crowded holidays for all the children and grandchildren. It was easy to see that a major home remodel was needed. The problem was the Nelson's didn't know anyone who had a great experience with a builder. The Nelson's connected with ALL Renovation & Design at a home show in York, PA, but it wasn't until after sitting down with several builders and going over preliminary designs that it became clear that Amos listened and cared enough to guide them through the project in a way that would achieve their goals perfectly. So work began on a new addition with a “great room” and a master bedroom with a master bathroom. That's how it started. But the project didn't go according to plan. Why? Because Amos was constantly asking, “What would make you 100% satisfied.” And he meant it. For example, when Mrs. Nelson realized how much she liked the character of the existing brick chimney, she didn't want to see it get covered up. So plans changed mid-stride. But we also realized that the brick wouldn't fit with the plan for a stone fireplace in the new family room. So plans changed there as well, and brick was ordered to match the chimney. It was truly a team effort that produced a beautiful addition that is exactly what the Nelson's wanted... or as Mrs. Nelson said, “...even better, more beautiful than we envisioned.” For Christmas, the Nelson's were able to have the entire family over with plenty of room for everyone. Just what they wanted. The outside of the addition features GAF architectural shingles in Pewter, Certainteed Mainstreet D4 Shiplap in light maple, and color-matching bricks. Inside the great room features the Armstrong Prime Harvest Oak engineered hardwood in a natural finish, Masonite 6-panel pocket doors, a custom sliding pine barn door, and Simonton 5500 series windows. The master bathroom cabinetry was made to match the bedroom furniture set, with a cultured marble countertop from Countertec, and tile flooring.

This home addition didn't go according to plan... and that's a good thing. Here's why. Family is really important to the Nelson's. But the small kitchen and living room in their 30 plus-year-old house meant crowded holidays for all the children and grandchildren. It was easy to see that a major home remodel was needed. The problem was the Nelson's didn't know anyone who had a great experience with a builder. The Nelson's connected with ALL Renovation & Design at a home show in York, PA, but it wasn't until after sitting down with several builders and going over preliminary designs that it became clear that Amos listened and cared enough to guide them through the project in a way that would achieve their goals perfectly. So work began on a new addition with a “great room” and a master bedroom with a master bathroom. That's how it started. But the project didn't go according to plan. Why? Because Amos was constantly asking, “What would make you 100% satisfied.” And he meant it. For example, when Mrs. Nelson realized how much she liked the character of the existing brick chimney, she didn't want to see it get covered up. So plans changed mid-stride. But we also realized that the brick wouldn't fit with the plan for a stone fireplace in the new family room. So plans changed there as well, and brick was ordered to match the chimney. It was truly a team effort that produced a beautiful addition that is exactly what the Nelson's wanted... or as Mrs. Nelson said, “...even better, more beautiful than we envisioned.” For Christmas, the Nelson's were able to have the entire family over with plenty of room for everyone. Just what they wanted. The outside of the addition features GAF architectural shingles in Pewter, Certainteed Mainstreet D4 Shiplap in light maple, and color-matching bricks. Inside the great room features the Armstrong Prime Harvest Oak engineered hardwood in a natural finish, Masonite 6-panel pocket doors, a custom sliding pine barn door, and Simonton 5500 series windows. The master bathroom cabinetry was made to match the bedroom furniture set, with a cultured marble countertop from Countertec, and tile flooring.

This interlocking concrete permeable paver driveway is set in an ashlar pattern to create a decorative but versatile look. This driveway allows stormwater to infiltrate into the ground - instead of running off the landscape into streams and rivers where is can cause flooding and pollution.