The upper level features an interior balcony leading to a family room and bedrooms. Photos by Gibeon Photography
Example of a minimalist dark wood floor and brown floor hallway design with beige walls

The owners requested that their home harmonize with the spirit of the surrounding Colorado mountain setting and enhance their outdoor recreational lifestyle - while reflecting their contemporary architectural tastes. The site was burdened with a myriad of strict design criteria enforced by the neighborhood covenants and architectural review board. Creating a distinct design challenge, the covenants included a narrow interpretation of a “mountain style” home which established predetermined roof pitches, glazing percentages and material palettes - at direct odds with the client‘s vision of a flat-roofed, glass, “contemporary” home. Our solution finds inspiration and opportunities within the site covenant’s strict definitions. It promotes and celebrates the client’s outdoor lifestyle and resolves the definition of a contemporary “mountain style” home by reducing the architecture to its most basic vernacular forms and relying upon local materials. The home utilizes a simple base, middle and top that echoes the surrounding mountains and vegetation. The massing takes its cues from the prevalent lodgepole pine trees that grow at the mountain’s high altitudes. These pine trees have a distinct growth pattern, highlighted by a single vertical trunk and a peaked, densely foliated growth zone above a sparse base. This growth pattern is referenced by placing the wood-clad body of the home at the second story above an open base composed of wood posts and glass. A simple peaked roof rests lightly atop the home - visually floating above a triangular glass transom. The home itself is neatly inserted amongst an existing grove of lodgepole pines and oriented to take advantage of panoramic views of the adjacent meadow and Continental Divide beyond. The main functions of the house are arranged into public and private areas and this division is made apparent on the home’s exterior. Two large roof forms, clad in pre-patinated zinc, are separated by a sheltering central deck - which signals the main entry to the home. At this connection, the roof deck is opened to allow a cluster of aspen trees to grow – further reinforcing nature as an integral part of arrival. Outdoor living spaces are provided on all levels of the house and are positioned to take advantage of sunrise and sunset moments. The distinction between interior and exterior space is blurred via the use of large expanses of glass. The dry stacked stone base and natural cedar cladding both reappear within the home’s interior spaces. This home offers a unique solution to the client’s requests while satisfying the design requirements of the neighborhood covenants. The house provides a variety of indoor and outdoor living spaces that can be utilized in all seasons. Most importantly, the house takes its cues directly from its natural surroundings and local building traditions to become a prototype solution for the “modern mountain house”. Overview Ranch Creek Ranch Winter Park, Colorado Completion Date October, 2007 Services Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard patio remodel in Phoenix with decking and a roof extension

Example of a large trendy wooden straight open and mixed material railing staircase design in Vancouver

A dynamic wood trellis and exposed rafter tails link the home to the outdoor living space and pool beyond.
Inspiration for a huge victorian backyard stone patio remodel in New York with no cover

After Picture; Wall placement was critical because of the septic drainfield lines. The woodchip pathways were installed from both ends of yard and provided ground level access to raised garden peninsulas from above, while homeowners could stand at lower level and work in raised garden beds. Drip system was designed for beds and garden separate. The neat thing with the Allan Block is the tab is on top, so we can use it for a border "edge" and not require a cap. A cap was installed on the 2' high seat wall in curved section next to paver patio. The mixed pattern wall is Allan Block in Europa tumbled series shown in Rocky Mountain color blend.

TK Images
Patio kitchen - traditional backyard patio kitchen idea in Austin with a roof extension

Living room with Savant automated control system and Sonance sound system throughout home. Photo by Darren Edwards
Inspiration for a large rustic formal and open concept living room remodel in Denver with beige walls and a tv stand

Benjamin Benschneider
Study room - mid-sized contemporary built-in desk carpeted study room idea in Seattle

New construction opens a wide array of options when it comes to selecting finishes. For this particular client, they wanted a durable floor that was also aesthetically pleasing to complete their basement. Since there was no topical sealer on the new concrete, a polished flooring system was selected. The basement itself was a little over 1200 square feet and featured a game room, main living area, bedrooms, bathrooms and a kitchen. All of the flooring was to be polished to a level 400 shine and finished with a densifier and stain guarding product. Polished concrete is the most durable flooring choice. It allows the concrete to breathe below grade, creates movement and character throughout the space and is very easy to maintain. With a pond out back, a polished concrete floor is easy to clean and will be able to withstand high traffic.

Large trendy light wood floor, beige floor, vaulted ceiling and wood wall family room photo with white walls, a corner fireplace, a concrete fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Modern home front entry features a voice over Internet Protocol Intercom Device to interface with the home's Crestron control system for voice communication at both the front door and gate. Signature Estate featuring modern, warm, and clean-line design, with total custom details and finishes. The front includes a serene and impressive atrium foyer with two-story floor to ceiling glass walls and multi-level fire/water fountains on either side of the grand bronze aluminum pivot entry door. Elegant extra-large 47'' imported white porcelain tile runs seamlessly to the rear exterior pool deck, and a dark stained oak wood is found on the stairway treads and second floor. The great room has an incredible Neolith onyx wall and see-through linear gas fireplace and is appointed perfectly for views of the zero edge pool and waterway. The center spine stainless steel staircase has a smoked glass railing and wood handrail. Photo courtesy Royal Palm Properties

Voila!! Beautiful wood look floor that is impervious to water, scratching and denting.
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Exterior view of a an ADU inspired by japanese and scandinavian design. The covered back patio overlooks a japanese rock garden.
Small trendy one-story and detached wood brown shed photo in Portland

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless gender-neutral medium tone wood floor and brown floor home design remodel in Nashville with open cabinets and white cabinets

Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal light wood floor and beige floor family room remodel in Salt Lake City with white walls and a media wall

Inspiration for a timeless backyard concrete patio remodel in Richmond with a fire pit

Squared Away - Designed Space & Organized Photography by Karen Sachar & Co.
Garage - mid-sized traditional attached garage idea in Houston

Large transitional l-shaped light wood floor open concept kitchen photo in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances