Kitchen in Minton Circle | Room Type: Full Home Design & Furnishing – Approximately 5,300 sq ft | 5 Bed | 5 ½ Bath (including office, primary bedroom/bath, dining room, family room, breakfast nook and wine wall). Project Name: Minton Circle | Key Feature: A Transitional/Modern home designed for multigenerational living, highlighted by a custom wine feature wall with built-in cabinetry, a fully custom arched pantry door, and layered lighting and furnishings that elevated the builder-grade finishes. Challenge: Designing a full dining room wine wall that would serve as a striking focal point without overwhelming the space or feeling heavy against the clean, modern architecture. Solution: We recessed the wine wall within the architectural niche to create depth and intentional framing. Slim, vertical metal racks were installed in a symmetrical layout, allowing the bottles themselves to become sculptural elements against the crisp white backdrop. By pairing the open wine display with low, dark cabinetry below, we grounded the feature and added concealed storage to balance form and function. The minimal metal detailing and negative space keep the installation feeling light and modern, while still delivering impact the moment you enter the room. Materials: Lighting: Circa Lighting, Regina Andrew. Rugs: Loloi, JLeigh Carpets, Momeni. Wallpaper: Phillip Jeffries. Furnishings: Moss Studio, Bernhardt, Four Hands. Art: Leftbank. Timeline: Completed March 2022.

©2014 Maxine Schnitzer Photography
Mid-sized danish light wood floor dining room photo in DC Metro with white walls

Front-on view of the symmetrical cube-like structure, highlighting its geometric form and minimalist footprint among trees—like a still from a Kubrick film.

As dusk sets in, soft uplighting and warm interior glow transform this one-story pool house into a serene nighttime retreat. The rectangular pool anchors the backyard layout, surrounded by smooth pavers and illuminated from within by LED lighting that casts a cool blue reflection against the minimalist stucco façade. Symmetrical glass doors and windows form a balanced rear elevation, offering unobstructed views into multiple lounge, dining, and living zones. At the center, a recessed patio with ceiling fans provides a covered outdoor lounge area ideal for al fresco evenings. The seamless transition between indoor and outdoor environments supports true resort-style living. Perimeter landscaping is kept low and open, allowing the architectural lines and poolside symmetry to dominate the visual field. This modern pool house design blends functionality with aesthetic clarity—perfect for entertaining, relaxing, or vacation-style living year-round.

Mark Hoyle 2008 SC HBA Pinnacle Award Winner. home features a main and lower level symmetrical plan featuring outdoor living area with desires of capturing lake views. Upon entering this 6800 square foot residence a wall of glass shelves displaying pottery and sculpture greets guests as it visually separates the foyer from the dining room. Beyond you will notice the dual sided stone fireplace that extends 22 feet to the ceiling. It is intended to be the centerpiece to the home’s symmetrical form as it draws your eye to the clerestory windows that allow natural light to flood the grand living and dining space. The home also features a large screened porch that extends across the lakeside of the home. This porch is utilized for entertaining as well as acting as exterior connector for the interior spaces. The lower level, although spacious, creates a cozy atmosphere with stacked stone archways, stained concrete flooring, and a sunken media room. The views of the lake are captured from almost every room in the home with its unique form and layout.

This outdoor kitchen is the perfect compliment for those that lean towards a more classic, upscale pool design, Van Kirk & Sons offers our Roman or Geometric style pools. The overarching elegance and practicality of this timeless style makes it the perfect choice for a customer looking for a pool that is more symmetrical in form.

Mark Hoyle 2008 SC HBA Pinnacle Award Winner. home features a main and lower level symmetrical plan featuring outdoor living area with desires of capturing lake views. Upon entering this 6800 square foot residence a wall of glass shelves displaying pottery and sculpture greets guests as it visually separates the foyer from the dining room. Beyond you will notice the dual sided stone fireplace that extends 22 feet to the ceiling. It is intended to be the centerpiece to the home’s symmetrical form as it draws your eye to the clerestory windows that allow natural light to flood the grand living and dining space. The home also features a large screened porch that extends across the lakeside of the home. This porch is utilized for entertaining as well as acting as exterior connector for the interior spaces. The lower level, although spacious, creates a cozy atmosphere with stacked stone archways, stained concrete flooring, and a sunken media room. The views of the lake are captured from almost every room in the home with its unique form and layout.

Mark Hoyle 2008 SC HBA Pinnacle Award Winner. home features a main and lower level symmetrical plan featuring outdoor living area with desires of capturing lake views. Upon entering this 6800 square foot residence a wall of glass shelves displaying pottery and sculpture greets guests as it visually separates the foyer from the dining room. Beyond you will notice the dual sided stone fireplace that extends 22 feet to the ceiling. It is intended to be the centerpiece to the home’s symmetrical form as it draws your eye to the clerestory windows that allow natural light to flood the grand living and dining space. The home also features a large screened porch that extends across the lakeside of the home. This porch is utilized for entertaining as well as acting as exterior connector for the interior spaces. The lower level, although spacious, creates a cozy atmosphere with stacked stone archways, stained concrete flooring, and a sunken media room. The views of the lake are captured from almost every room in the home with its unique form and layout.

Mark Hoyle 2008 SC HBA Pinnacle Award Winner. home features a main and lower level symmetrical plan featuring outdoor living area with desires of capturing lake views. Upon entering this 6800 square foot residence a wall of glass shelves displaying pottery and sculpture greets guests as it visually separates the foyer from the dining room. Beyond you will notice the dual sided stone fireplace that extends 22 feet to the ceiling. It is intended to be the centerpiece to the home’s symmetrical form as it draws your eye to the clerestory windows that allow natural light to flood the grand living and dining space. The home also features a large screened porch that extends across the lakeside of the home. This porch is utilized for entertaining as well as acting as exterior connector for the interior spaces. The lower level, although spacious, creates a cozy atmosphere with stacked stone archways, stained concrete flooring, and a sunken media room. The views of the lake are captured from almost every room in the home with its unique form and layout.

Mark Hoyle 2008 SC HBA Pinnacle Award Winner. home features a main and lower level symmetrical plan featuring outdoor living area with desires of capturing lake views. Upon entering this 6800 square foot residence a wall of glass shelves displaying pottery and sculpture greets guests as it visually separates the foyer from the dining room. Beyond you will notice the dual sided stone fireplace that extends 22 feet to the ceiling. It is intended to be the centerpiece to the home’s symmetrical form as it draws your eye to the clerestory windows that allow natural light to flood the grand living and dining space. The home also features a large screened porch that extends across the lakeside of the home. This porch is utilized for entertaining as well as acting as exterior connector for the interior spaces. The lower level, although spacious, creates a cozy atmosphere with stacked stone archways, stained concrete flooring, and a sunken media room. The views of the lake are captured from almost every room in the home with its unique form and layout.

Mark Hoyle 2008 SC HBA Pinnacle Award Winner. home features a main and lower level symmetrical plan featuring outdoor living area with desires of capturing lake views. Upon entering this 6800 square foot residence a wall of glass shelves displaying pottery and sculpture greets guests as it visually separates the foyer from the dining room. Beyond you will notice the dual sided stone fireplace that extends 22 feet to the ceiling. It is intended to be the centerpiece to the home’s symmetrical form as it draws your eye to the clerestory windows that allow natural light to flood the grand living and dining space. The home also features a large screened porch that extends across the lakeside of the home. This porch is utilized for entertaining as well as acting as exterior connector for the interior spaces. The lower level, although spacious, creates a cozy atmosphere with stacked stone archways, stained concrete flooring, and a sunken media room. The views of the lake are captured from almost every room in the home with its unique form and layout.

The Santa Lucia Estate is located on a private reserve in Upper Carmel Valley situated on a gentle grassland ridge with dramatic views of the surrounding valleys and coastal range. The house is not immediately visible and is approached from below by a winding drive and the initial view of the house is revealed through a masonry gateway surrounded by curvilinear walls made from local stone that enclose a protected forecourt. The forms of the house are expressed in two materials, stucco and dry stack stone veneer to differentiate the elements, to reflect the vernacular of the Monterey regional style, and to give the house the appearance of having various elements that have been added over time. The entry façade and the arched arcade of the entry court are symmetrical, and that formality gives way to asymmetrical enclosing wings. The building elements are placed to reflect both the Owner’s program and to fit in the topography of the site. A dominant gabled roof centers the composition of the front façade and creates space and light for the Entry Foyer and to the Dining and Living areas that open to the views on the opposite side. The Garage is located on the right of the forecourt, and the three arched openings reiterate the arches of the French doors in the main arcade. This wing contains a second story floor and traditional decorative timber balcony with views of the surrounding landscape. The main hallway that runs the length of the house is located at the entry court, forming and enfilade from which the formal living spaces and outdoor terraces are located on the opposite southeast side. The placement of these rooms allows a transition from indoor to outdoor terraces that takes advantage of protection from the prevailing wind, provides optimal solar exposure, and orients the living spaces toward the dramatic view corridor down the Potrero Valley. Two roof towers at either end of the longitudinal ridge anchor the building and provide space, focal point and daylight to the interior. A stone Caretaker’s Cottage is located down slope from the main residence.

Mark Hoyle 2008 SC HBA Pinnacle Award Winner. home features a main and lower level symmetrical plan featuring outdoor living area with desires of capturing lake views. Upon entering this 6800 square foot residence a wall of glass shelves displaying pottery and sculpture greets guests as it visually separates the foyer from the dining room. Beyond you will notice the dual sided stone fireplace that extends 22 feet to the ceiling. It is intended to be the centerpiece to the home’s symmetrical form as it draws your eye to the clerestory windows that allow natural light to flood the grand living and dining space. The home also features a large screened porch that extends across the lakeside of the home. This porch is utilized for entertaining as well as acting as exterior connector for the interior spaces. The lower level, although spacious, creates a cozy atmosphere with stacked stone archways, stained concrete flooring, and a sunken media room. The views of the lake are captured from almost every room in the home with its unique form and layout.

Mark Hoyle 2008 SC HBA Pinnacle Award Winner. home features a main and lower level symmetrical plan featuring outdoor living area with desires of capturing lake views. Upon entering this 6800 square foot residence a wall of glass shelves displaying pottery and sculpture greets guests as it visually separates the foyer from the dining room. Beyond you will notice the dual sided stone fireplace that extends 22 feet to the ceiling. It is intended to be the centerpiece to the home’s symmetrical form as it draws your eye to the clerestory windows that allow natural light to flood the grand living and dining space. The home also features a large screened porch that extends across the lakeside of the home. This porch is utilized for entertaining as well as acting as exterior connector for the interior spaces. The lower level, although spacious, creates a cozy atmosphere with stacked stone archways, stained concrete flooring, and a sunken media room. The views of the lake are captured from almost every room in the home with its unique form and layout.

The Santa Lucia Estate is located on a private reserve in Upper Carmel Valley situated on a gentle grassland ridge with dramatic views of the surrounding valleys and coastal range. The house is not immediately visible and is approached from below by a winding drive and the initial view of the house is revealed through a masonry gateway surrounded by curvilinear walls made from local stone that enclose a protected forecourt. The forms of the house are expressed in two materials, stucco and dry stack stone veneer to differentiate the elements, to reflect the vernacular of the Monterey regional style, and to give the house the appearance of having various elements that have been added over time. The entry façade and the arched arcade of the entry court are symmetrical, and that formality gives way to asymmetrical enclosing wings. The building elements are placed to reflect both the Owner’s program and to fit in the topography of the site. A dominant gabled roof centers the composition of the front façade and creates space and light for the Entry Foyer and to the Dining and Living areas that open to the views on the opposite side. The Garage is located on the right of the forecourt, and the three arched openings reiterate the arches of the French doors in the main arcade. This wing contains a second story floor and traditional decorative timber balcony with views of the surrounding landscape. The main hallway that runs the length of the house is located at the entry court, forming and enfilade from which the formal living spaces and outdoor terraces are located on the opposite southeast side. The placement of these rooms allows a transition from indoor to outdoor terraces that takes advantage of protection from the prevailing wind, provides optimal solar exposure, and orients the living spaces toward the dramatic view corridor down the Potrero Valley. Two roof towers at either end of the longitudinal ridge anchor the building and provide space, focal point and daylight to the interior. A stone Caretaker’s Cottage is located down slope from the main residence.

Mark Hoyle 2008 SC HBA Pinnacle Award Winner. home features a main and lower level symmetrical plan featuring outdoor living area with desires of capturing lake views. Upon entering this 6800 square foot residence a wall of glass shelves displaying pottery and sculpture greets guests as it visually separates the foyer from the dining room. Beyond you will notice the dual sided stone fireplace that extends 22 feet to the ceiling. It is intended to be the centerpiece to the home’s symmetrical form as it draws your eye to the clerestory windows that allow natural light to flood the grand living and dining space. The home also features a large screened porch that extends across the lakeside of the home. This porch is utilized for entertaining as well as acting as exterior connector for the interior spaces. The lower level, although spacious, creates a cozy atmosphere with stacked stone archways, stained concrete flooring, and a sunken media room. The views of the lake are captured from almost every room in the home with its unique form and layout.

The Santa Lucia Estate is located on a private reserve in Upper Carmel Valley situated on a gentle grassland ridge with dramatic views of the surrounding valleys and coastal range. The house is not immediately visible and is approached from below by a winding drive and the initial view of the house is revealed through a masonry gateway surrounded by curvilinear walls made from local stone that enclose a protected forecourt. The forms of the house are expressed in two materials, stucco and dry stack stone veneer to differentiate the elements, to reflect the vernacular of the Monterey regional style, and to give the house the appearance of having various elements that have been added over time. The entry façade and the arched arcade of the entry court are symmetrical, and that formality gives way to asymmetrical enclosing wings. The building elements are placed to reflect both the Owner’s program and to fit in the topography of the site. A dominant gabled roof centers the composition of the front façade and creates space and light for the Entry Foyer and to the Dining and Living areas that open to the views on the opposite side. The Garage is located on the right of the forecourt, and the three arched openings reiterate the arches of the French doors in the main arcade. This wing contains a second story floor and traditional decorative timber balcony with views of the surrounding landscape. The main hallway that runs the length of the house is located at the entry court, forming and enfilade from which the formal living spaces and outdoor terraces are located on the opposite southeast side. The placement of these rooms allows a transition from indoor to outdoor terraces that takes advantage of protection from the prevailing wind, provides optimal solar exposure, and orients the living spaces toward the dramatic view corridor down the Potrero Valley. Two roof towers at either end of the longitudinal ridge anchor the building and provide space, focal point and daylight to the interior. A stone Caretaker’s Cottage is located down slope from the main residence.

Mark Hoyle 2008 SC HBA Pinnacle Award Winner. home features a main and lower level symmetrical plan featuring outdoor living area with desires of capturing lake views. Upon entering this 6800 square foot residence a wall of glass shelves displaying pottery and sculpture greets guests as it visually separates the foyer from the dining room. Beyond you will notice the dual sided stone fireplace that extends 22 feet to the ceiling. It is intended to be the centerpiece to the home’s symmetrical form as it draws your eye to the clerestory windows that allow natural light to flood the grand living and dining space. The home also features a large screened porch that extends across the lakeside of the home. This porch is utilized for entertaining as well as acting as exterior connector for the interior spaces. The lower level, although spacious, creates a cozy atmosphere with stacked stone archways, stained concrete flooring, and a sunken media room. The views of the lake are captured from almost every room in the home with its unique form and layout.

Awarded by the Classical institute of art and architecture , the linnean house has a restrained and simple elevation of doors and windows. Nestled in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Washington, D.C., the Linnean House is classical in both plan and elevation throughout its award-winning house plans. The main mass, comprising of the most formal and public spaces, is a spatial triptych along a symmetrical main axis. Inside the luxury home, the limestone façade, simple but well-proportioned with classical elements, extends itself into both the entry portico and main foyer with consistent proportions and materiality. This introduction allows the flanking living and dining rooms to be perceived as separate pavilions, each equipped with eight equal-proportioned French doors symmetrical of the main axis. Beyond the classical spaces are two wings which lead to the master suite and a kitchen/family space, respectively. Both of which are situated to queue from the French door axis, a focal feature in the repeatedly published home design. At the entry foyer, the stark stone luxury architecture is warmed by two symmetrical wood armoire-like freestanding sculptural objects, a persistent theme throughout the luxury house. In the kitchen, for instance, stand four similar wood armoire objects at opposite corners that act as columns and help give this space a sense of boundary and enclosure. The master bath vanity, in similar fashion, is introduced as a central free-standing form anchoring itself as a notable presence in the space. Lastly, the wine room is designed as a series of free-standing heavy wood cavity walls spanned only by a hint of glass.