When the developer found this brownstone on the Upper Westside he immediately researched and found its potential for expansion. We were hired to maximize the existing brownstone and turn it from its current existence as 5 individual apartments into a large luxury single family home. The existing building was extended 16 feet into the rear yard and a new sixth story was added along with an occupied roof. The project was not a complete gut renovation, the character of the parlor floor was maintained, along with the original front facade, windows, shutters, and fireplaces throughout. A new solid oak stair was built from the garden floor to the roof in conjunction with a small supplemental passenger elevator directly adjacent to the staircase. The new brick rear facade features oversized windows; one special aspect of which is the folding window wall at the ground level that can be completely opened to the garden. The goal to keep the original character of the brownstone yet to update it with modern touches can be seen throughout the house. The large kitchen has Italian lacquer cabinetry with walnut and glass accents, white quartz counters and backsplash and a Calcutta gold arabesque mosaic accent wall. On the parlor floor a custom wetbar, large closet and powder room are housed in a new floor to ceiling wood paneled core. The master bathroom contains a large freestanding tub, a glass enclosed white marbled steam shower, and grey wood vanities accented by a white marble floral mosaic. The new forth floor front room is highlighted by a unique sloped skylight that offers wide skyline views. The house is topped off with a glass stair enclosure that contains an integrated window seat offering views of the roof and an intimate space to relax in the sun.

Water loving plants were placed closest to the house to provided needed shade and limit the amount of supplemental water due to evaporation.
Small arts and crafts blue one-story wood house exterior photo in San Francisco

Water loving plants were placed closest to the house to provided needed shade and limit the amount of supplemental water due to evaporation.
Example of a small arts and crafts blue one-story wood house exterior design in San Francisco

This space was a tad chaotic; originally hosting the husbands tapes, glues, fabric paint, vitamins and more. We re-invented this space as their vitamin, coffee and tea station with a little extra room to store their pet's vitamins and supplements too. -Brianna Celeste

Given a very limited time frame, we were asked to assist a client in downsizing their home of 40 years into a small condominium. Our challenge was to determine which items would be preserved and incorporated into the new space and how to integrate supplemental furniture and art with those well-loved retained pieces.

Circular, custom aluminium raised beds are supplemented with less expensive mail order beds to keep the project more cost effective, but still beautiful and functional.

Inside and out, this is a complete “green” house. Designed using Passive House methodology with energy consultant CTI, the house achieves 70% better energy performance than a new built-to-code house, while stylishly fitting the block. Walls and roofs were constructed from 12” Structural Insulated Panels, and triple-glazed Loewen windows completed the high-performance thermal package. Materials and fixtures were selected for efficiency, recycled content, local production, non-toxicity, and durability. Landscape design uses native plantings, a water garden, and permeable paving. As an all-electric house, it uses heat pumps for space conditioning and water heating, and features a pellet stove for supplemental space heating.

A random flagstone path requested by the owner was supplemented with round river rock to add interest and help break up the length of the path into smaller segments. Photo: Vanessa Gardner Nagel, APLD

Photo: Margot Hartford © 2018 Houzz

Through careful design and detailing, the LEED-Platinum building starts with a low energy load and supplements energy needs through a closed-loop ground source heat pump and photovoltaic array.

Water loving plants were placed closest to the house to provided needed shade and limit the amount of supplemental water due to evaporation.
Photo of a small craftsman blue one-story wood landscaping in San Francisco.

Cove lighting separates the traditional and the contemporary, and its use throughout the residence becomes a unifying element. Reading tasks are supplemented by flangeless MR16 adjustable accentlights. Photographer: Mark Heffron

Circular, custom aluminium raised beds are supplemented with less expensive mail order beds to keep the project more cost effective, but still beautiful and functional.

Chris Miller www.imagineimagery.com
Inspiration for a 1950s patio remodel in Los Angeles

Project by Wiles Design Group. Their Cedar Rapids-based design studio offers commercial interior design services, creating functional and aesthetically pleasing environments tailored to enhance brand identity and optimize workspace efficiency. They serve the entire Midwest, including Iowa City, Dubuque, Davenport, and Waterloo, as well as North Missouri and St. Louis.