Search results for "Strong foundation" in Home Design Ideas
ZeroEnergy DesignThis LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood.
INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site.
EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot.
THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place.
HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde.
YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting.
ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements.
RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage.
OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet.
ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer
Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor
Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering
Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design
Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings
Eric Roth Photography - Photography
Wood and Hearts● The Climbing furniture is made from high-class polished birch plywood. Birchwood is very strong and flexible. The products are tested at a load of 100 kg, but the maximum load for use is 60 kg. We make sure that everything is brought to perfect condition.
● It is absolutely safe for children: for painting, we use only high-quality, sustainable water-based paints, environmentally friendly varnish. And that’s why our products do not cause any allergic reactions, do not emit harmful substances.
● Climbing set like one of the foundations of Montessori teachings helps developing independence. Children independently work on the improvement of their motor skills (explore their body limits in a safe manner) and encourage children's imagination.
● Climbing ramp
Small size (with sidewalls and a ladder):
Height: 100 cm / 39.4 inches
Width: 34 cm/ 13.4 inches
● Climbing Arch
Small size:
Height: 37 cm / 14.6 inches
Width: 73 cm / 28.7 inches
Length steps : 52 cm / 20,5 inches
● Climbing Triangle
Small size:
Height: 65 cm / 25.6 inches
Width: 65 cm/ 25.6 inches
Length steps 73 cm / 28.7 inches
ATTENTION
•━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━•
⚠️ This set DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY DANGEROUS CHEMICAL ELEMENTS AND IS SAFE FOR YOUR BABY!!!
⚠️ Watch your children during games on children's furniture!!! Always be vigilant during children's games!!!
⚠️ The color of the product may be slightly different (lighter / darker) because it is made of natural wood.
Wood and Hearts● The Climbing furniture is made from high-class polished birch plywood. Birchwood is very strong and flexible. The products are tested at a load of 100 kg, but the maximum load for use is 60 kg. We make sure that everything is brought to perfect condition.
● It is absolutely safe for children: for painting, we use only high-quality, sustainable water-based paints, environmentally friendly varnish. And that’s why our products do not cause any allergic reactions, do not emit harmful substances.
● Climbing set like one of the foundations of Montessori teachings helps developing independence. Children independently work on the improvement of their motor skills (explore their body limits in a safe manner) and encourage children's imagination.
● Climbing ramp
Small size (with sidewalls and a ladder):
Height: 100 cm / 39.4 inches
Width: 34 cm/ 13.4 inches
● Climbing Arch
Small size:
Height: 37 cm / 14.6 inches
Width: 73 cm / 28.7 inches
Length steps : 52 cm / 20,5 inches
● Climbing Triangle
Small size:
Height: 65 cm / 25.6 inches
Width: 65 cm/ 25.6 inches
Length steps 73 cm / 28.7 inches
ATTENTION
•━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━•
⚠️ This set DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY DANGEROUS CHEMICAL ELEMENTS AND IS SAFE FOR YOUR BABY!!!
⚠️ Watch your children during games on children's furniture!!! Always be vigilant during children's games!!!
⚠️ The color of the product may be slightly different (lighter / darker) because it is made of natural wood.
Find the right local pro for your project
Wiler Fence CompanyBuilding a Shadowbox Wood Privacy Fence in Avon Lake, Ohio | Step-by-Step Installation | Wiler Fence CompanyWatch us build a classic shadowbox style wood privacy fence from start to finish in beautiful Avon Lake, Ohio (Lorain County).This 6-foot tall privacy fence provides excellent screening while allowing gentle airflow, making it a perfect choice for Northeast Ohio backyards. In this time-lapse and step-by-step video, you’ll see the entire professional installation process: Phase 1: Installing the 4x4 Posts
We begin by carefully laying out the fence line, digging precise post holes, and setting heavy-duty 4x4 pressure-treated posts in concrete. Each post is plumbed and braced to ensure a rock-solid foundation that will stand up to Ohio’s freeze-thaw cycles for years to come. Phase 2: Installing the 2x4 Framing
Once the posts are set and cured, we attach the top and bottom 2x4 rails, followed by the middle rail. This strong framing system creates the backbone of the fence and ensures the structure stays straight and sturdy. Phase 3: Installing the Shadowbox Pickets
The final step is attaching the privacy pickets in the classic shadowbox pattern — alternating boards on the front and back sides of the rails. This design gives you near-complete privacy from both sides while still allowing air circulation to reduce wind load and prevent warping.The result is a beautiful, durable wood privacy fence that blends naturally with the neighborhood and gives the homeowners the private backyard they’ve been wanting.Project Location: Avon Lake, Ohio – Lorain County
Fence Style: 6ft Shadowbox Wood Privacy Fence
Materials: Pressure-treated pine with protective stainAt Wiler Fence Company, we take pride in every detail — from proper post depth and concrete setting to clean, professional picket installation.Ready for your own wood privacy fence in Avon Lake, Lorain County, or anywhere in Northeast Ohio?
Call us for a free estimate: (216) 714-3337
wiler.org
Wiler Fence CompanyBuilding a Shadowbox Wood Privacy Fence in Avon Lake, Ohio | Step-by-Step Installation | Wiler Fence CompanyWatch us build a classic shadowbox style wood privacy fence from start to finish in beautiful Avon Lake, Ohio (Lorain County).This 6-foot tall privacy fence provides excellent screening while allowing gentle airflow, making it a perfect choice for Northeast Ohio backyards. In this time-lapse and step-by-step video, you’ll see the entire professional installation process: Phase 1: Installing the 4x4 Posts
We begin by carefully laying out the fence line, digging precise post holes, and setting heavy-duty 4x4 pressure-treated posts in concrete. Each post is plumbed and braced to ensure a rock-solid foundation that will stand up to Ohio’s freeze-thaw cycles for years to come. Phase 2: Installing the 2x4 Framing
Once the posts are set and cured, we attach the top and bottom 2x4 rails, followed by the middle rail. This strong framing system creates the backbone of the fence and ensures the structure stays straight and sturdy. Phase 3: Installing the Shadowbox Pickets
The final step is attaching the privacy pickets in the classic shadowbox pattern — alternating boards on the front and back sides of the rails. This design gives you near-complete privacy from both sides while still allowing air circulation to reduce wind load and prevent warping.The result is a beautiful, durable wood privacy fence that blends naturally with the neighborhood and gives the homeowners the private backyard they’ve been wanting.Project Location: Avon Lake, Ohio – Lorain County
Fence Style: 6ft Shadowbox Wood Privacy Fence
Materials: Pressure-treated pine with protective stainAt Wiler Fence Company, we take pride in every detail — from proper post depth and concrete setting to clean, professional picket installation.Ready for your own wood privacy fence in Avon Lake, Lorain County, or anywhere in Northeast Ohio?
Call us for a free estimate: (216) 714-3337
wiler.org
Wiler Fence CompanyBuilding a Shadowbox Wood Privacy Fence in Avon Lake, Ohio | Step-by-Step Installation | Wiler Fence CompanyWatch us build a classic shadowbox style wood privacy fence from start to finish in beautiful Avon Lake, Ohio (Lorain County).This 6-foot tall privacy fence provides excellent screening while allowing gentle airflow, making it a perfect choice for Northeast Ohio backyards. In this time-lapse and step-by-step video, you’ll see the entire professional installation process: Phase 1: Installing the 4x4 Posts
We begin by carefully laying out the fence line, digging precise post holes, and setting heavy-duty 4x4 pressure-treated posts in concrete. Each post is plumbed and braced to ensure a rock-solid foundation that will stand up to Ohio’s freeze-thaw cycles for years to come. Phase 2: Installing the 2x4 Framing
Once the posts are set and cured, we attach the top and bottom 2x4 rails, followed by the middle rail. This strong framing system creates the backbone of the fence and ensures the structure stays straight and sturdy. Phase 3: Installing the Shadowbox Pickets
The final step is attaching the privacy pickets in the classic shadowbox pattern — alternating boards on the front and back sides of the rails. This design gives you near-complete privacy from both sides while still allowing air circulation to reduce wind load and prevent warping.The result is a beautiful, durable wood privacy fence that blends naturally with the neighborhood and gives the homeowners the private backyard they’ve been wanting.Project Location: Avon Lake, Ohio – Lorain County
Fence Style: 6ft Shadowbox Wood Privacy Fence
Materials: Pressure-treated pine with protective stainAt Wiler Fence Company, we take pride in every detail — from proper post depth and concrete setting to clean, professional picket installation.Ready for your own wood privacy fence in Avon Lake, Lorain County, or anywhere in Northeast Ohio?
Call us for a free estimate: (216) 714-3337
wiler.org
Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Hope Restoration & General Contracting
Columbus Design-Build, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Historic Renovations
Pizzale Design Inc.Bronte Side-Split Reimagined
This complete home renovation transformed a 1970s-era side-split in Bronte, Oakville into a warm, modern contemporary home designed for everyday comfort, entertaining, and relaxed family living.
The original home had strong bones, but the interiors needed a fresh vision. Pizzale reworked the home with a refined palette, layered textures, updated finishes, and carefully selected furnishings that bring a sense of cohesion from room to room. The result is a home that feels polished without being formal, contemporary without feeling cold, and highly functional for the way the homeowners live today.
The main living areas were designed with a calm, sophisticated approach. Soft neutral tones, dark hardwood flooring, tailored drapery, sculptural lighting, and statement artwork create a timeless foundation. In the living room, pale upholstery, glass and metal accents, and organic wall art introduce texture and visual interest while allowing natural light to remain the focal point. The adjoining dining and kitchen areas continue the same quiet elegance, with clean-lined cabinetry, marble-inspired surfaces, and warm lighting creating a seamless flow for entertaining.
The lower level was transformed into a comfortable and stylish retreat. A rich blue sectional, vibrant chartreuse lounge chairs, layered pillows, and a textured feature wall give the space personality while maintaining a contemporary feel. The home office was designed with simplicity and focus in mind, using a glass desk, bold artwork, and a clean layout to create a professional yet inviting workspace.
The bedrooms were refreshed with a softer, more restful sensibility. Neutral bedding, upholstered headboards, elegant wallcoverings, layered window treatments, and carefully considered lighting create calm, hotel-inspired spaces. Each room feels curated, but still highly livable.
One of the standout elements of the renovation is the outdoor living space. The backyard was designed as a true extension of the home, with multiple zones for lounging, dining, cooking, and relaxing. A generous sectional, fire feature, hot tub, outdoor dining area, barbecue station, umbrellas, lanterns, and lush greenery create a private resort-like setting in the heart of Bronte. The space feels intimate, layered, and highly functional — ideal for both quiet evenings and entertaining family and friends.
Throughout the home, Pizzale’s approach was to respect the character and scale of the original side-split while giving it a fresh, contemporary identity. The finished home is bright, comfortable, elegant, and practical — a complete renovation that proves a 1970s home can be beautifully reimagined for modern living.
R.S. Walsh Landscaping, Inc.This newly completed contemporary island style Florida home overlooks the Roosevelt Channel, on the Bay side of Captiva Island, and is graced with the sunrise in the mornings.
Repeat clients remind us of the success of previous landscape designs and of lasting relationships built while offering new and challenging opportunities for creative design. This client expressed a desire for a colorful tropical garden with emphasis on tropical plants, creative color palette and privacy.
A grove of coconut palms with lush bamboo and a dense clusia hedge with a small tropical garden at the entry of the property screen views to the interior of the property plant a seed of intrigue for what lies around the corner beyond the decorative tabby stucco gate columns. Upon passing under the grove of coconuts and rounding the corner of the drive, the property opens to an expansive front yard with colorful tropical garden beds and channels views to the newly completed residence. Gardens containing colorful bromeliads, bougainvillea and tropical palms with a variety of leaf shape and texture and color draw upon influences of Brazilian garden design. Manicured swaths of Empire Zoysa separates the various gardens and allows for the user to stroll and explore the different gardens.
The winding drive terminates at the front entry in a large tear drop shape turn around with massive coconuts in the center island surrounded by seven Sylvester Date palms around the outside of the drive. The entire perimeter of the turn around is surrounded with tropical gardens and intimate tropical gardens flank each side of the main entrance stairs. The hardscape pattern and color was selected to compliment the coquina tabby shell stucco finish on the foundation walls. The completed hardscape design including retaining walls, driveway, golf cart paths and private walks, is the result of collaborating closely with the owner over multiple revisions.
The back of the residence overlooks an expansive resort-like pool and spa and a pool deck that terminates just feet from the seawall of the Roosevelt Channel. Tropical vegetation at each side of the property offers privacy to the pool area but is manicured to preserve views to the bay beyond. This truly is an island paradise.
SM DesignYork Mills Residence | Layered Contemporary Elegance
This York Mills residence was designed around the idea of quiet luxury expressed through architectural detail rather than excess. The interior combines classical residential proportions with contemporary forms, creating a sophisticated environment that feels highly curated while remaining comfortable and inviting for everyday living.
A key design strategy was to establish a continuous architectural language across the connected living, dining, and circulation spaces. Rather than designing each zone independently, the spaces are visually tied together through consistent wall paneling, warm oak flooring, carefully controlled neutral tones, and a coordinated lighting strategy. This creates a strong sense of continuity and allows the eye to move naturally through the home.
The ceiling design plays an important role in defining the character of the interior. Elaborate geometric and curved coffering introduces a sculptural element overhead, transforming the ceiling into a fifth architectural surface. The integrated perimeter illumination emphasizes these forms after dark, while recessed lighting provides functional illumination without competing with the decorative architecture.
The black stone fireplace provides a deliberate counterpoint to the predominantly light interior. Its strong visual weight anchors the living area and establishes a dramatic focal point, while the softer curved seating and neutral upholstery balance its intensity. This contrast between monumental architectural elements and tactile, rounded furnishings gives the room a contemporary character without losing its residential warmth.
Furniture planning was approached as an exercise in conversation, proportion, and movement. The seating arrangement creates an intimate conversational zone while maintaining a clear visual and physical connection to the dining area. The curved forms soften the geometry of the architecture and introduce a more relaxed human scale within the larger room.
The dining area extends the social function of the space and is visually framed by the architectural detailing and artwork. A sculptural chandelier establishes a focal point above the dining table, while the large-scale artwork introduces color, energy, and individuality into the otherwise restrained palette. This balance between a controlled architectural background and expressive art allows the homeowner's personality to become part of the design.
The flooring contributes another layer of craftsmanship. The warm wood surface establishes continuity throughout the open interior, while geometric floor detailing and directional patterns subtly define zones without relying on physical partitions. This allows the architecture to remain open while still providing a sense of hierarchy and spatial organization.
Artwork, decorative objects, greenery, and furnishings were intentionally selected to introduce moments of color, texture, softness, and visual contrast. The result is not a purely minimalist interior; instead, it is a layered composition in which restraint provides the foundation for carefully selected moments of expression.
Overall, the project reflects a contemporary approach to traditional luxury, architectural, highly detailed, and timeless, but never overly formal. The design prioritizes proportion, craftsmanship, material relationships, natural light, and the experience of moving through the home, creating an interior that functions as both an elegant entertaining environment and a comfortable everyday living space.
SM DesignBridle Path Residence — Formal Living & Music Room
This Bridle Path Residence living room is conceived as an elegant, light-filled entertaining space where classical architectural structure meets contemporary glamour and collected residential comfort. Rather than relying on ornament alone, the design uses proportion, symmetry, material contrast, and carefully selected furniture to create a room that feels sophisticated yet genuinely livable.
The architecture establishes a strong sense of permanence. Extensive wall panelling, substantial crown moulding, layered ceiling details, and classical fireplace architecture give the room an established character reminiscent of a refined estate interior. At the same time, the clean white envelope keeps the architecture fresh and allows the furnishings and artwork to provide the personality.
The expansive bay windows are one of the defining features of the room. Their repeated vertical proportions bring abundant natural light deep into the space while creating a strong relationship with the surrounding landscape. The windows also soften the formal architecture, giving the room an open, airy quality rather than the heaviness often associated with traditional interiors.
The furniture introduces a deliberately more contemporary language. A blush-toned sofa and upholstered accent chairs bring softness and warmth, while deep navy seating adds contrast and visual depth. Slim brass frames on the chairs and occasional tables introduce a subtle metallic thread throughout the room, connecting the individual seating pieces into a cohesive composition.
The central seating arrangement is intentionally conversational. Rather than orienting every piece toward the fireplace, the furniture creates an intimate social zone within the much larger room. The mix of rounded forms, sculptural silhouettes, and geometric metal bases prevents the formal architecture from feeling rigid.
A sculptural gold-toned coffee table becomes an important visual anchor. Its organic texture contrasts with the linear architectural detailing and polished hardwood floor, adding a layer of tactile richness. Smaller glass and metal tables maintain visual openness and allow the expansive room to remain uncluttered.
The fireplace provides a secondary focal point at the far end of the room, framed by symmetrical architectural detailing and flanking sconces. Its position establishes a visual axis through the space, while the artwork above introduces a curated, contemporary note within the traditional setting.
The piano adds an important dimension to the room's identity. Rather than being treated as a separate musical installation, it is integrated naturally into the overall composition, reinforcing the idea of the room as a space for music, entertaining, conversation, and everyday enjoyment. It also adds a rich dark element that balances the lighter furnishings and architectural envelope.
The warm hardwood flooring provides continuity and grounds the predominantly white palette. Against it, the combination of blush, navy, muted green, brass, glass, and natural textures creates a sophisticated but approachable colour story.
Overall, the room demonstrates a modern interpretation of classic luxury. Traditional architectural detailing provides the foundation, while contemporary furniture, sculptural lighting, metallic accents, art, and layered upholstery bring freshness and personality. The result is an elegant Bridle Path living space that feels tailored, highly finished, and timeless without becoming overly formal.
ZeroEnergy DesignThis LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood.
INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site.
EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot.
THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place.
HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde.
YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting.
ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements.
RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage.
OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet.
ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer
Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor
Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering
Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design
Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings
Eric Roth Photography - Photography
SM DesignSt. Andrews Project — Custom Kitchen & Sculptural Island
This York Mills kitchen is conceived as a highly tailored architectural composition where traditional cabinetry is reinterpreted through contemporary detailing, creating a space that feels refined, functional, and distinctly custom.
The design is built around a restrained palette of warm white, natural oak, charcoal, and aged-brass accents. The cabinetry establishes a calm architectural envelope, while finely fluted detailing introduces texture and repetition across the island, upper cabinetry, and selected architectural surfaces. This creates a cohesive visual rhythm without relying on excessive ornament.
The island is the defining element of the kitchen. Its generous sculptural curve softens the strong linear geometry of the surrounding cabinetry and creates a more fluid transition through the space. The deep charcoal finish gives the island visual weight, while the slender brass accent beneath the countertop introduces a precise, jewelry-like detail that elevates the composition. The fluted surface catches light subtly, adding depth and movement as the viewer moves through the room.
The range wall is intentionally quieter, allowing the architectural detailing to frame the cooking zone rather than compete with it. Integrated cabinetry, concealed appliances, tailored hardware, and a softly illuminated backsplash maintain a sense of visual order. The combination of panelled doors and vertical fluting creates a sophisticated dialogue between classic cabinetry proportions and contemporary surface treatment.
Natural oak flooring introduces warmth and grounds the predominantly light palette. Its honeyed tone provides an important counterbalance to the cooler whites and dark island, while visually connecting the kitchen to the home's other warm wood elements.
Large black-framed windows bring natural light deep into the kitchen and establish a direct relationship with the exterior. The contrast of the dark window frames against the white architectural envelope reinforces the home's broader black-and-white design language.
Overall, the kitchen is designed around contrast, repetition, and proportion. Traditional cabinetry gives the space its timeless foundation, while sculptural geometry, fluted textures, dark finishes, and restrained brass detailing bring a contemporary edge. The result is a sophisticated luxury kitchen that feels designed as part of the architecture rather than inserted into it.
Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Hope Restoration & General Contracting
Columbus Design-Build, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Historic Renovations
Action Home Services Inc.Located in the prestigious Waterstone Court neighborhood, this completed backyard transformation at 130 Waterstone Ct seamlessly blends timeless architecture with modern outdoor living design. Created as a private extension of the home, the project delivers a refined, resort-inspired atmosphere tailored for entertaining, relaxation, and year-round enjoyment.
The design centers around a custom covered pavilion that complements the home’s elegant stucco exterior and traditional detailing while introducing a clean, contemporary aesthetic. Strong architectural columns, integrated lighting, and warm soffit accents create a welcoming ambiance that transitions beautifully from day to evening.
Large-format premium stone pavers in soft grey tones were selected to establish a sophisticated, low-maintenance foundation throughout the outdoor living space. Multi-level terraces and wide illuminated steps enhance both accessibility and visual flow, while adding subtle architectural drama after sunset. Custom masonry seat walls and built-in planters frame the entertaining areas with a polished, cohesive finish.
A fully integrated outdoor kitchen and grilling station provides the ultimate convenience for hosting family gatherings and summer entertaining. Adjacent dining and lounge areas create distinct outdoor “rooms,” allowing the homeowners to comfortably cook, dine, and unwind within a single connected space. Contemporary outdoor furnishings and minimalist detailing maintain an elegant balance between comfort and modern luxury.
The landscape design softens the hardscape with lush hydrangeas, mature trees, and layered greenery, creating privacy and a tranquil garden setting. Every material and finish was carefully selected for durability, weather resistance, and timeless curb appeal suited to upscale Oakville living.
This luxury backyard renovation showcases expert craftsmanship, thoughtful spatial planning, and premium outdoor construction techniques. The result is a functional yet highly refined outdoor retreat that enhances property value while giving the homeowners a sophisticated space to enjoy throughout every season.
Project Highlights:
Custom covered outdoor pavilion
Premium stone patio and illuminated steps
Built-in outdoor kitchen and BBQ area
Multi-level entertaining and lounge spaces
Contemporary landscape and privacy features
Integrated outdoor lighting design
Luxury outdoor living design in Oakville
Perfectly balancing comfort, elegance, and functionality, this Waterstone Court project exemplifies modern luxury landscaping and outdoor living at its finest.
Action Home Services Inc.Located in the prestigious Waterstone Court neighborhood, this completed backyard transformation at 130 Waterstone Ct seamlessly blends timeless architecture with modern outdoor living design. Created as a private extension of the home, the project delivers a refined, resort-inspired atmosphere tailored for entertaining, relaxation, and year-round enjoyment.
The design centers around a custom covered pavilion that complements the home’s elegant stucco exterior and traditional detailing while introducing a clean, contemporary aesthetic. Strong architectural columns, integrated lighting, and warm soffit accents create a welcoming ambiance that transitions beautifully from day to evening.
Large-format premium stone pavers in soft grey tones were selected to establish a sophisticated, low-maintenance foundation throughout the outdoor living space. Multi-level terraces and wide illuminated steps enhance both accessibility and visual flow, while adding subtle architectural drama after sunset. Custom masonry seat walls and built-in planters frame the entertaining areas with a polished, cohesive finish.
A fully integrated outdoor kitchen and grilling station provides the ultimate convenience for hosting family gatherings and summer entertaining. Adjacent dining and lounge areas create distinct outdoor “rooms,” allowing the homeowners to comfortably cook, dine, and unwind within a single connected space. Contemporary outdoor furnishings and minimalist detailing maintain an elegant balance between comfort and modern luxury.
The landscape design softens the hardscape with lush hydrangeas, mature trees, and layered greenery, creating privacy and a tranquil garden setting. Every material and finish was carefully selected for durability, weather resistance, and timeless curb appeal suited to upscale Oakville living.
This luxury backyard renovation showcases expert craftsmanship, thoughtful spatial planning, and premium outdoor construction techniques. The result is a functional yet highly refined outdoor retreat that enhances property value while giving the homeowners a sophisticated space to enjoy throughout every season.
Project Highlights:
Custom covered outdoor pavilion
Premium stone patio and illuminated steps
Built-in outdoor kitchen and BBQ area
Multi-level entertaining and lounge spaces
Contemporary landscape and privacy features
Integrated outdoor lighting design
Luxury outdoor living design in Oakville
Perfectly balancing comfort, elegance, and functionality, this Waterstone Court project exemplifies modern luxury landscaping and outdoor living at its finest.
Action Home Services Inc.Located in the prestigious Waterstone Court neighborhood, this completed backyard transformation at 130 Waterstone Ct seamlessly blends timeless architecture with modern outdoor living design. Created as a private extension of the home, the project delivers a refined, resort-inspired atmosphere tailored for entertaining, relaxation, and year-round enjoyment.
The design centers around a custom covered pavilion that complements the home’s elegant stucco exterior and traditional detailing while introducing a clean, contemporary aesthetic. Strong architectural columns, integrated lighting, and warm soffit accents create a welcoming ambiance that transitions beautifully from day to evening.
Large-format premium stone pavers in soft grey tones were selected to establish a sophisticated, low-maintenance foundation throughout the outdoor living space. Multi-level terraces and wide illuminated steps enhance both accessibility and visual flow, while adding subtle architectural drama after sunset. Custom masonry seat walls and built-in planters frame the entertaining areas with a polished, cohesive finish.
A fully integrated outdoor kitchen and grilling station provides the ultimate convenience for hosting family gatherings and summer entertaining. Adjacent dining and lounge areas create distinct outdoor “rooms,” allowing the homeowners to comfortably cook, dine, and unwind within a single connected space. Contemporary outdoor furnishings and minimalist detailing maintain an elegant balance between comfort and modern luxury.
The landscape design softens the hardscape with lush hydrangeas, mature trees, and layered greenery, creating privacy and a tranquil garden setting. Every material and finish was carefully selected for durability, weather resistance, and timeless curb appeal suited to upscale Oakville living.
This luxury backyard renovation showcases expert craftsmanship, thoughtful spatial planning, and premium outdoor construction techniques. The result is a functional yet highly refined outdoor retreat that enhances property value while giving the homeowners a sophisticated space to enjoy throughout every season.
Project Highlights:
Custom covered outdoor pavilion
Premium stone patio and illuminated steps
Built-in outdoor kitchen and BBQ area
Multi-level entertaining and lounge spaces
Contemporary landscape and privacy features
Integrated outdoor lighting design
Luxury outdoor living design in Oakville
Perfectly balancing comfort, elegance, and functionality, this Waterstone Court project exemplifies modern luxury landscaping and outdoor living at its finest.
Action Home Services Inc.Located in the prestigious Waterstone Court neighborhood, this completed backyard transformation at 130 Waterstone Ct seamlessly blends timeless architecture with modern outdoor living design. Created as a private extension of the home, the project delivers a refined, resort-inspired atmosphere tailored for entertaining, relaxation, and year-round enjoyment.
The design centers around a custom covered pavilion that complements the home’s elegant stucco exterior and traditional detailing while introducing a clean, contemporary aesthetic. Strong architectural columns, integrated lighting, and warm soffit accents create a welcoming ambiance that transitions beautifully from day to evening.
Large-format premium stone pavers in soft grey tones were selected to establish a sophisticated, low-maintenance foundation throughout the outdoor living space. Multi-level terraces and wide illuminated steps enhance both accessibility and visual flow, while adding subtle architectural drama after sunset. Custom masonry seat walls and built-in planters frame the entertaining areas with a polished, cohesive finish.
A fully integrated outdoor kitchen and grilling station provides the ultimate convenience for hosting family gatherings and summer entertaining. Adjacent dining and lounge areas create distinct outdoor “rooms,” allowing the homeowners to comfortably cook, dine, and unwind within a single connected space. Contemporary outdoor furnishings and minimalist detailing maintain an elegant balance between comfort and modern luxury.
The landscape design softens the hardscape with lush hydrangeas, mature trees, and layered greenery, creating privacy and a tranquil garden setting. Every material and finish was carefully selected for durability, weather resistance, and timeless curb appeal suited to upscale Oakville living.
This luxury backyard renovation showcases expert craftsmanship, thoughtful spatial planning, and premium outdoor construction techniques. The result is a functional yet highly refined outdoor retreat that enhances property value while giving the homeowners a sophisticated space to enjoy throughout every season.
Project Highlights:
Custom covered outdoor pavilion
Premium stone patio and illuminated steps
Built-in outdoor kitchen and BBQ area
Multi-level entertaining and lounge spaces
Contemporary landscape and privacy features
Integrated outdoor lighting design
Luxury outdoor living design in Oakville
Perfectly balancing comfort, elegance, and functionality, this Waterstone Court project exemplifies modern luxury landscaping and outdoor living at its finest.
Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Hope Restoration & General Contracting
Columbus Design-Build, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Historic Renovations
Action Home Services Inc.Located in the prestigious Waterstone Court neighborhood, this completed backyard transformation at 130 Waterstone Ct seamlessly blends timeless architecture with modern outdoor living design. Created as a private extension of the home, the project delivers a refined, resort-inspired atmosphere tailored for entertaining, relaxation, and year-round enjoyment.
The design centers around a custom covered pavilion that complements the home’s elegant stucco exterior and traditional detailing while introducing a clean, contemporary aesthetic. Strong architectural columns, integrated lighting, and warm soffit accents create a welcoming ambiance that transitions beautifully from day to evening.
Large-format premium stone pavers in soft grey tones were selected to establish a sophisticated, low-maintenance foundation throughout the outdoor living space. Multi-level terraces and wide illuminated steps enhance both accessibility and visual flow, while adding subtle architectural drama after sunset. Custom masonry seat walls and built-in planters frame the entertaining areas with a polished, cohesive finish.
A fully integrated outdoor kitchen and grilling station provides the ultimate convenience for hosting family gatherings and summer entertaining. Adjacent dining and lounge areas create distinct outdoor “rooms,” allowing the homeowners to comfortably cook, dine, and unwind within a single connected space. Contemporary outdoor furnishings and minimalist detailing maintain an elegant balance between comfort and modern luxury.
The landscape design softens the hardscape with lush hydrangeas, mature trees, and layered greenery, creating privacy and a tranquil garden setting. Every material and finish was carefully selected for durability, weather resistance, and timeless curb appeal suited to upscale Oakville living.
This luxury backyard renovation showcases expert craftsmanship, thoughtful spatial planning, and premium outdoor construction techniques. The result is a functional yet highly refined outdoor retreat that enhances property value while giving the homeowners a sophisticated space to enjoy throughout every season.
Project Highlights:
Custom covered outdoor pavilion
Premium stone patio and illuminated steps
Built-in outdoor kitchen and BBQ area
Multi-level entertaining and lounge spaces
Contemporary landscape and privacy features
Integrated outdoor lighting design
Luxury outdoor living design in Oakville
Perfectly balancing comfort, elegance, and functionality, this Waterstone Court project exemplifies modern luxury landscaping and outdoor living at its finest.
Garden Studiowww.nicholasgingold.com
Example of a large classic white two-story brick exterior home design in Orange County
Example of a large classic white two-story brick exterior home design in Orange County
ZeroEnergy DesignThis LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood.
INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site.
EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot.
THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place.
HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde.
YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting.
ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements.
RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage.
OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet.
ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer
Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor
Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering
Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design
Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings
Eric Roth Photography - Photography
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