Starry Nights Farm, an organic cattle farm in southern Wisconsin, requested a home in line with their sustainability goals: net zero energy, health-promoting, and a functional farmhouse. Durability and resilience were also priorities, so we chose Insulated Concrete Forms as the wall system, and in addition to heat-pump space conditioning, added a pellet stove for supplemental and backup heating.

Aesthetic Value: Six flights of stacked curved stairways wind up this 80’ tall stair tower. The handrail adds elegance to the overall design as it flows continuously through all floors and pitch change transitions without any interruptions. Stair Safety: The sturdy rail system provides safe guard which is especially crucial at these great heights. Quality: Pre-built stairway and balustrade prior to delivery to jobsite. Solid hardwood staircase and supplemental structural iron work for securing the freestanding stair all done in house. Curved stringer and handrail transitions at all pitch changes. Technical Challenge: Assisting with engineering freestanding floor systems and integrated stairways. Rigging and hoisting stairways up multiple floors. Designing floor areas and transitions to accommodate flights becoming narrower as they went higher. Logistics of working in Manhattan.

Photo by Mike Casey Cramped, uncomfortable, and out of date: when the owners of this home approached us about renovating their kitchen and adjoining sunroom, these were high on their list of complaints. OPENING UP THE KITCHEN Our plan kept the kitchen in the same location but took down the walls between both the dining room and the sunroom to create an expansive multi-purpose space with spectacular views to conservation land along the back of the property. We removed the powder room and in its place created a window-lined hallway to the living room—opening up direct access between these two previously disconnected spaces. We then built a new half bath between these two rooms, with a door along the back hallway. The result is a more private powder room that is easier to access than before. Significantly improved cabinetry provides ample storage for both human and canine needs. An island countertop is functional and pleasant, enabling the owners to prep for and clean up from dinner all while enjoying the view of the woods behind their house. CREATING COMFORT We also completely rebuilt the sunroom, thickening the framing to allow for extra insulation and raising the roof to accommodate a higher ceiling and tall windows that let in as much natural light as the skylights they replaced, but much less of the solar gain that had made the room so intolerable in the summer. We improved visual connections between spaces and admitted more natural light by converting the framing of the main stairway from full to half walls. We also insulated the attic and replaced an aging, inefficient central air conditioning system with ductless minisplit heat pumps, which can also be used as supplemental heat. All in all, this was our kind of project: we made the home more attractive, more comfortable, and more energy-efficient—all over the course of a single, well-integrated project.

Snowberry / Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus Photo: Hansen's Northwest Native Plant Database, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

Revamped casual Oakland garden. Supplemented existing Napa Basalt walls and stairs to reduce slope and add gravel patio, replaced traditional sod lawn with synthetic turf, added new planting and low-voltage lighting throughout.

We borrowed square footage from the bedroom to create a luxurious en suite bathroom. In order to make sure the bedroom didn't feel too small, we created a cathedral ceiling that soars all the way up to the underside of the roof. While we lost square footage on the ground, we added volume, and so the bedroom retained an airy feel. To support this airiness, we painted the entire room white. We also designed custom built-ins in lieu of dressers. These drawer/shelf combination units perfectly blend with the white walls and, when supplemented with closet storage, provide clothing storage that is visually quiet and well-composed. The comforter is white as well, but we added pops of hunter green and honey brown, which, when paired with the wood bedframe and rug, add warmth to the otherwise neutral space.

We brought in some supplemental staging to redesign and enhance and refine the space and help achieve their highest asking price. Columbus Pics
Trendy bedroom photo in Columbus

THEME Every element of this room evokes images from the Enchanted Forest. Tiny lights twinkle like fireflies; curtains swing from real tree limbs and sticker stones lay a pathway to the bed. Ceramic mushrooms and birdhouses are scattered throughout the room, creating perfect hiding spots for fairies, pixies and other magical friends. The dominant color of both bedroom and bathroom — a soft, feminine pink — creates a soothing, yet wondrous atmosphere. In the corner sits a large tree with a child-size door at the base, promising a child-size adventure on the other side. FOCUS Illuminated by two beautiful flower-shaped lamps, the six-footdiameter circular bed becomes the centerpiece of the room. Imitation bark on the bed’s exterior augments the room’s theme and makes it easy for a child to believe they have stepped out of the suburbs and into the forest. Three lily pads extending from tree bark serve as both steps to the bed and stools to sit on. Ready-made for princess parties and sleepovers, the bed easily accommodates two to three small children or an adult. Twelvefoot ceilings enhance the sense of openness, while soft lighting and comfy pillows make this a cozy reading and resting spot. STORAGE The shelves on the rear of the bed and the two compartments in the tree — one covered by a doubledoor, the other by a miniature door — supplement the storage capacity of the room’s giant closet without interrupting the theme. GROWTH The bed meets standard specifications for a baby crib, and can accommodate both children and adults. The railing is easily removed when baby girl becomes a “big girl,” and eventually, a teenager. SAFETY Rounded edges on all of the room’s furnishings help prevent nasty bumps, and lamps are positioned well out-of-reach of small children. The mattress is designed to fit snugly to meet current crib safety standards, while a 26-inch railing allows this bed to act as a safe, comfortable and fun play area.

New 2 Story 1,200-square-foot laneway house. The two-bed, two-bath unit had hardwood floors throughout, a washer and dryer; and an open concept living room, dining room and kitchen. This forward thinking secondary building is all Electric, NO natural gas. Heated with air to air heat pumps and supplemental electric baseboard heaters (if needed). Includes future Solar array rough-in and structural built to receive a soil green roof down the road.

Austin Street Buils A Custom Urban Residence by Seven Rivers Design + Build Highlight The defining feature of the Austin St. Build is the use of natural plaster walls throughout the interior. Plaster brings a quiet richness—subtle texture, visual depth, and a sense of solidity that makes the home feel both timeless and grounded. This material choice reinforces Seven Rivers Design + Build’s focus on craftsmanship and tactile, human-centered design. Detail Efficient Two-Story Living This 1,500-square-foot, two-story custom home is thoughtfully organized for comfort and flow. The main level includes a bedroom and full bathroom, along with an open kitchen and living area and a conveniently placed powder room. A light-filled, open stairwell leads to the second floor, which houses an additional bedroom and bathroom, creating a balanced and flexible layout well suited for urban living. High-Performance Building Envelope The exterior walls are constructed using Hebel Block (Autoclaved Aerated Concrete)—a high-performance building system that combines structural strength with excellent insulation. By incorporating air into the concrete matrix, Hebel Block delivers superior thermal performance while remaining lightweight and durable, contributing to the home’s overall energy efficiency. Energy-Efficient Comfort Systems Heating and cooling loads are intentionally minimized through envelope performance and system design. The home features in-floor radiant heating as the primary heat source, complemented by mini-split systems for supplemental heating and cooling. The result is a comfortable, efficient living environment with low operational demands. Durable, Timeless Finishes Windows: Andersen E-Series (aluminum-clad) Flooring: Natural slate on the main level Exterior Cladding: Traditional stucco Roof: Standing-seam metal Each material was selected for longevity, performance, and aesthetic restraint—supporting a home that will age gracefully over decades. The Seven Rivers Design + Build Approach The Austin St. Build exemplifies Seven Rivers Design + Build’s design/build philosophy: integrating architecture, materials, and systems into a cohesive whole. By pairing traditional finishes with modern building science, this project delivers a refined, efficient custom home that feels both contemporary and enduring.

Brunch is served! An oversize pendant provides interest and pleasant lighting for dining. The vintage tesselated marble table and bar cart have been supplemented with contemporary chairs with custom upholstery and new draperies.

This home office space is a multi-purpose room. It is also used as a sewing and ironing room as well it has a large pantry to supplement the kitchen storage. The colours are kept neutral to expand the space and make a restful area in the home.

This 4 bedroom (2 en suite), 4.5 bath home features vertical board–formed concrete expressed both outside and inside, complemented by exposed structural steel, Western Red Cedar siding, gray stucco, and hot rolled steel soffits. An outdoor patio features a covered dining area and fire pit. Hydronically heated with a supplemental forced air system; a see-through fireplace between dining and great room; Henrybuilt cabinetry throughout; and, a beautiful staircase by MILK Design (Chicago). The owner contributed to many interior design details, including tile selection and layout.

This transitional dinning room is a combination of both classic, homey textures and colors, like the brick fireplace and dining table set, and more contemporary elements such as the white walls and the wooden light piece above the table. The beautiful brick fireplace works well with the style of the chairs and adds to the room by creating a homey feel. The large dining table is great for guests and family dinners and the simplicity of the table is complemented by the design of the chairs. The area rug works to section of the room to give it a tailored look and make the room well edited. The overhead hanging lighting creates a focal point at the table and also provides most of the light, supplemented by flush-mount ceiling lights over the fireplace.

This loft is situated in the former International Tailoring Company Building in New York’s East Village. The clients bought a top-floor loft and an abandoned mechanical room directly above it. Our task was to combine the rooftop space with the loft to create a cohesive triplex apartment. We achieved this by carefully opening up the roof’s 100-year-old structural members to install a staircase connecting the existing loft to the additional upper two levels. On the main floor, the first run of the staircase is located in the apartment's entry and is made of a sculptural form of dark oak. The second run of the staircase is more open, allowing light from the top level's many windows to filter into the spaces below. The existing main loft was gut-renovated to create a more open space. The open kitchen/living space was strategically positioned to be surrounded by the building’s huge industrial steel windows, taking advantage of the apartment's high vantage over Union Square. Opposite the windows, custom woodwork serves to unify the kitchen with the living room. The built-in spans the full width of the apartment with dark textured oak panels concealing the appliances, the TV, and creating ample storage. The blackened steel paneled backsplash and chunky black granite countertops complete the dark color palette used in the kitchen. Throughout the apartment, a play of dark and light elements creates a distinctive atmosphere. In the open living areas, the light pouring in from the large windows contrasts with the dark colors selected for the built environment. The more private spaces, such as the bedroom, have a darker feel, with walls and ceilings painted in a deep purple that borders on black alongside more dark oak custom built-ins. The dining room functions as a bridge between the public and private spaces, with walls and ceiling painted in the same moody purple and a vintage mirrored tile accent wall reflecting natural light from the adjacent room’s windows. The middle floor, which has fewer windows, is painted bright white to enhance light in the home office located there.. On the penthouse level, panoramic views were achieved by installing new floor-to-ceiling sliding glass panels, supplementing the existing industrial steel windows, and opening onto an adjacent roof terrace. The top floor functions as a lounge overlooking the city and includes unique custom features, such as a steel multi-drop lighting fixture above the stairs, hanging glass and steel shelving, and a built-in wet bar. Here again, dark-colored finishes and materials are used as a counterpoint to the abundant light entering the space. A future plan for the apartment is to create a private roof garden on top of the penthouse with an outdoor stair connecting it to the roof terrace below.

A brand-new two bedroom laneway suite with a large balcony, perfect for aging-in-place or supplemental income, complements the renovated exterior on this charming bungalow. A new private porch complete with outdoor heater, ceiling fan and hidden storage completes the transformation. This is a thoughtful alternative to typical inner-city redevelopment, which allows for preservation of the existing home.

The Nikos Sofa designed by Sergio Bicego The Nikos family of seats has been supplemented with a low armchair, Nikos low, a quilted version, Nikos ego, and a settee, Nikos Sofa, distinguished by soft and attractive silhouettes. Cozy and comfortable, the new entries in the Nikos collection are especially comfortable thanks to the soft down padding and ergonomically-designed lower back cushion which supports the lower back area.

Blau-Thompson Residence This Civil War era, 1680-square-foot three-story row house is located in the Italian Market section of Philadelphia. The BluPath Design principals and their young child were the clients. The project goal was to upgrade a traditional housing type to meet a contemporary lifestyle, applying both sustainable criteria and clean, modern yet sensual aesthetics. The challenge of the property (only 830 square feet in lot size) was to create a design that was small, but smart. The structure formerly housed a luncheonette with two apartments above. The interior was gutted and renovated into a single family home. The construction of a small rear addition added a new kitchen on the first floor and new bathrooms on the second and third levels. The east-west orientation of the home was ideal for the roof-mounted solar collectors, which were installed to provide domestic hot water and supplement the new radiant floor heating system. Exterior sensors improve the efficiency of the heating system's response to fluctuations in outside temperature. A new white-coated, rubber membrane roof reduced the structure's heat gain by 20 percent. A water catch system collects rainwater and air conditioner condensation to water the home's small rear garden. Large windows and skylights bring light deep into the row house and reduce the use of light fixtures. The rear yard garden features ipe decking (a dense, water-repellent hardwood) on permeable compacted gravel to minimize storm water runoff. BluPath Design’s principals used the project to demonstrate how sustainability can be integrated with beauty and function, with sensual materials and colors, well-proportioned and light-filled rooms, economic use of space, and thoughtful details. Cherry flooring and custom stairs complement the Indian slate tile in the kitchen and bathrooms. The kitchen features custom walnut cabinets with blue granite counters and backsplashes. The first floor dining area is illuminated by a BluPath-designed fiber-optic chandelier. Ipe hardwood is also used for the master bath tub-surround and shower floor. Sliding frosted glass panels separating the master bath from other living areas allows light from the corner windows to naturally illuminate the adjacent room. Awards Honorable Mention for Sustainability and Energy Efficiency IIDA Philadelphia City Center Chapter 3rd Annual Interior Design Awards, June 2007 Bronze 2006 Commonwealth Design Award 10,000 Friends of PA, May 2006 Media HGTV ‘What You Get for the Money’ February 2007 Philadelphia Style Magazine March/April 2007 Philadelphia Inquirer June 11, 2006 Philadelphia CityPaper September 25-October 2, 2003 Photography by Barry Halkin

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.