This beautiful outdoor space in Atlanta's Virginia Highland neighborhood was designed by Land Plus Associates and constructed by Okun Tech. Outdoor kitchen featuring Kingsley-Bate Valhalla table and Sag Harbor chairs. Appliances by Lynx.

Written by Mary Kate Hogan for Westchester Home Magazine. "The Goal: The family that cooks together has the most fun — especially when their kitchen is equipped with four ovens and tons of workspace. After a first-floor renovation of a home for a couple with four grown children, the new kitchen features high-tech appliances purchased through Royal Green and a custom island with a connected table to seat family, friends, and cooking spectators. An old dining room was eliminated, and the whole area was transformed into one open, L-shaped space with a bar and family room. “They wanted to expand the kitchen and have more of an entertaining room for their family gatherings,” says designer Danielle Florie. She designed the kitchen so that two or three people can work at the same time, with a full sink in the island that’s big enough for cleaning vegetables or washing pots and pans. Key Features: Well-Stocked Bar: The bar area adjacent to the kitchen doubles as a coffee center. Topped with a leathered brown marble, the bar houses the coffee maker as well as a wine refrigerator, beverage fridge, and built-in ice maker. Upholstered swivel chairs encourage people to gather and stay awhile. Finishing Touches: Counters around the kitchen and the island are covered with a Cambria quartz that has the light, airy look the homeowners wanted and resists stains and scratches. A geometric marble tile backsplash is an eye-catching decorative element. Into the Wood: The larger table in the kitchen was handmade for the family and matches the island base. On the floor, wood planks with a warm gray tone run diagonally for added interest." Bilotta Designer: Danielle Florie Photographer: Phillip Ennis

Barry Grossman Photography
Trendy marble floor kitchen/dining room combo photo in Miami

3,800sf, 4 bdrm, 3.5 bath with oversized 4 car garage and over 270sf Loggia; climate controlled wine room and bar, Tech Room, landscaping and pool. Solar, high efficiency HVAC and insulation was used which resulted in huge rebates from utility companies, enhancing the ROI. The challenge with this property was the downslope lot, sewer system was lower than main line at the street thus requiring a special pump system. Retaining walls to create a flat usable back yard. ESI Builders is a subsidiary of EnergyWise Solutions, Inc. and was formed by Allan, Bob and Dave to fulfill an important need for quality home builders and remodeling services in the Sacramento region. With a strong and growing referral base, we decided to provide a convenient one-stop option for our clients and focus on combining our key services: quality custom homes and remodels, turnkey client partnering and communication, and energy efficient and environmentally sustainable measures in all we do. Through energy efficient appliances and fixtures, solar power, high efficiency heating and cooling systems, enhanced insulation and sealing, and other construction elements – we go beyond simple code compliance and give you immediate savings and greater sustainability for your new or remodeled home. All of the design work and construction tasks for our clients are done by or supervised by our highly trained, professional staff. This not only saves you money, it provides a peace of mind that all of the details are taken care of and the job is being done right – to Perfection. Our service does not stop after we clean up and drive off. We continue to provide support for any warranty issues that arise and give you administrative support as needed in order to assure you obtain any energy-related tax incentives or rebates. This ‘One call does it all’ philosophy assures that your experience in remodeling or upgrading your home is an enjoyable one. ESI Builders was formed by professionals with varying backgrounds and a common interest to provide you, our clients, with options to live more comfortably, save money, and enjoy quality homes for many years to come. As our company continues to grow and evolve, the expertise has been quickly growing to include several job foreman, tradesmen, and support staff. In response to our growth, we will continue to hire well-qualified staff and we will remain committed to maintaining a level of quality, attention to detail, and pursuit of perfection.

A stenciled wood floor complements this desk in the kitchen. A charging station for tech devices, and a decorative twisted wood post accent next to the tall pantry helps with extra storage in this kitchen.

  Morning routines shouldn’t involve a traffic jam at the sink. The 2025 Houzz Bathroom Trends Study found that 65 percent of U.S. renovators now choose a double-sink vanity to skip the wait. Designers agree: Titan Builders dubbed 2025 “the year of bigger, storage-packed double vanities,” forecasting dual-basin setups in family, guest, and even powder baths. As KBIS 2025 launches land, prototypes for 2026 layer in spa-grade wood, built-in outlets, and planet-friendly finishes. In this guide, we rank six standout models and show you how to size, install, and enjoy a clutter-free, two-sink future.   Methodology and selection criteria   A well-planned double-sink vanity keeps busy morning routines calm and clutter-free.   Before we crowned any winners, we mapped the entire 2024–2026 double-sink (dual-basin) market. That meant parsing KBIS exhibitor releases, scraping bestseller lists from Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Wayfair, and reviewing designer short lists in trade magazines. The sweep produced 110 candidate vanities, giving us visibility into every style, price tier, and material in play.   We then scored each model against six weighted factors that continue to matter long after installers leave:  

1. Build quality – 25 percent.Solid hardwood frames, dovetail drawers, and furniture-grade plywood backs, never particleboard in disguise.  
2. Design versatility – 20 percent.Lines and finishes that suit modern, classic, or farmhouse baths without dating quickly.  
3. Sustainability – 15 percent.FSC-certified wood, CARB 2 compliance, and low-VOC finishes for healthier air.  
4. Storage efficiency – 15 percent.Deep drawers, tilt-outs, or power cubbies that corral countertop clutter.  
5. Value for money – 15 percent.Fair street price for the materials, stone tops, sinks, and soft-close hardware included.  
6. Brand reputation and warranty – 10 percent.Manufacturers with responsive support and at least a one-year parts guarantee.

  Three hard gates kept the field honest: each finalist had to ship in North America by early 2026, include a countertop plus two sinks, and hold a minimum four-star user rating. We also filtered out mass-produced MDF boxes and pay-to-play “editor’s picks” in favor of furniture-grade builds with transparent spec sheets. Double-sink listings on Willowbathandvanity.com spell out hardwood or birch-and-plywood construction, specify when MDF and pressboard are not used, and list dovetail drawer boxes, soft-close hardware, and downloadable spec drawings, the kind of detail that made it easier to confirm build quality and layout before shortlisting a model.   After the cuts, six vanities remained, each leading a different use case: luxury showpiece, budget hero, small-bath savior, tech lover’s pick, farmhouse favorite, or bold-color newcomer. The following sections explain why each model earned its spot and where it may have trade-offs, helping you buy with confidence.   Best overall: Willow “Charlotte” 72-inch solid-teak double vanity   The Willow “Charlotte” 72-inch solid-teak double vanity blends heirloom warmth with a durable marble top and deep storage.   Imagine yacht-grade teak refashioned into bathroom furniture; that is Willow’s Charlotte. Stretching 72 × 22 inches (183 × 56 cm), the cabinet feels built-in yet warms the room with genuine wood grain. Every panel and drawer front is solid teak, not veneer, so the wood’s natural oils resist humidity while MDF competitors swell and peel. Willow sources its teak from FSC-certified plantations and finishes it with low-VOC sealers, earning points for durability and indoor-air health.   Open a drawer and you notice commercial-grade heft: dovetail joinery, full-extension soft-close glides, and storage tall enough for a 10-inch (25 cm) hairspray can. Two under-sink bays flank four center drawers, and the factory-installed 1-inch Carrara marble top arrives pre-drilled for 8-inch widespread faucets, eliminating stone-shop delays. Need plumbing diagrams or alternative countertop choices? Check out Willow Bath and Vanity for downloadable spec drawings, finish upgrades, and matching teak mirrors before you order.   Key specs

• Footprint: 72 W × 22 D × 36 H in. (183 × 56 × 91 cm)
• Crated weight: 506 lb / 230 kg
• Street price: about $2,575 with marble top and basins, Q4 2025  

  Reality check: at a quarter ton, Charlotte requires a two-person lift or pro delivery, and marble benefits from yearly sealing. Treat it well and expect decades of service. For a dual-basin centerpiece that blends heirloom character with commercial-grade build, Charlotte sets the benchmark.   Best budget buy: Spring Mill “Emlyn” 60-inch double vanity   Spring Mill’s Emlyn vanity delivers double-sink convenience, a shallow profile and turnkey under-$800 pricing for tight hall baths.   When you want dual-basin convenience without draining the budget, Emlyn delivers. The 60.5 × 18.75 × 32.9 in. cabinet (154 × 48 × 84 cm) arrives fully assembled with its top attached and usually lists between $700 and $800 online. That price is roughly one-third of most mid-tier doubles, a welcome break when tile, plumbing, and lighting costs stack up.   Spring Mill controls costs with painted MDF sides and a laminate backer, yet the finish still feels designer: Admiral Blue or Pearl Gray over Shaker doors, finished with a seamless cultured-marble top. One integrated slab means no grout lines and no undermount rims to caulk.   The trim 18.75-in. (48-cm) depth fits hall baths where standard 22-in. units block door swings. Storage stays simple but useful: two under-sink cabinets plus a pair of full-extension drawers for brushes, toothpaste, and floss.   Treat Emlyn gently and expect five to seven years of service, perfect for rentals, flips, or a stopgap remodel. A quick silicone bead along the back edge stops splash creep, and felt pads prevent metal bins from scratching the resin surface.   Installation suits a single Saturday. Level the feet, connect two 4-in. centerset faucets, and move on to paint touch-ups; no stone-shop scheduling or custom templates required. Dollar for dollar, Emlyn delivers more visual impact than any budget vanity in our test group.   Best for small spaces: Allen + Roth “Haverhill” 48-inch weathered-oak double vanity   Allen + Roth’s Haverhill vanity squeezes dual sinks and barn-door storage into a space-friendly 48-inch footprint.   Small bathroom, big wish list? Haverhill packs dual-basin convenience into a 48 × 22 × 34.8 in. frame (122 × 56 × 88 cm) without feeling cramped. Its signature move is a sliding barn-style center door that glides sideways, preserving clearance in tight rooms.   The cabinet uses a plywood core wrapped in hand-distressed oak veneer, finished in a soft weathered gray that pairs with matte-black or brushed-nickel fixtures. A pre-sealed black engineered-stone top shrugs off splash marks; a quick wipe keeps it spotless.   Storage surprises: two under-sink bays plus three full-extension drawers provide soft-close hardware and a rock-solid feel.   Trade-offs: basins sit close, so elbows can bump, and the dark top highlights toothpaste specks; keep a microfiber cloth handy. For condos, kids’ Jack-and-Jill baths, or any remodel where walls refuse to move, Haverhill delivers two sinks in the footprint of one.   Quick specs

• Footprint: 48 W × 22 D in. (122 × 56 cm)
• Height: 34.8 in. (88 cm) with backsplash
• Sliding barn door plus 3 drawers
• Pre-drilled 8-in. faucet spacing, sinks included

  Best smart vanity: OVE Decors “Tahoe III” 60-inch midnight-blue double vanity Tired of cord clutter? Tahoe III fixes it. Each top drawer holds a UL-listed power bar with four outlets and two USB ports, so razors, toothbrushes, and hair tools stay plugged in yet out of sight.     Tahoe III tucks power outlets and grooming tools into the top drawer, keeping the double-sink countertop blissfully clear.   Built with solid-wood rails and furniture-grade plywood, the cabinet wears a velvety midnight-blue lacquer and a 1.25-in. (3 cm) sealed quartz top that shrugs off spills. Interior organizers sort cotton pads and clippers, while a heat-safe holster stores a hair dryer.   An integrated junction box connects to a nearby GFCI in minutes. Soft-close drawers, adjustable shelves, and full-extension glides complete the premium feel.   Quick specs

• Footprint: 60 W × 21 D × 34 H in. (152 × 53 × 86 cm)
• Integrated power: 4 AC + 2 USB, UL-listed
• Crated weight: 300 lb / 136 kg
• Street price: about $2,349 at Home Depot, Q4 2025  

  Factor in professional delivery and install, and reviews still praise the “zero-countertop-clutter” payoff. For households running on devices, Tahoe III pairs dual-basin style with built-in smarts.   Best modern farmhouse: Water Creation “Paisley” 72-inch rustic-sienna double vanity   Water Creation’s Paisley vanity brings warm Rustic Sienna wood and apron-front basins to a modern farmhouse bath.   Farmhouse rooms often rely on painted shiplap, while Paisley flips the script with warm hardwood in a Rustic Sienna stain, topped by crisp Carrara marble and two apron-front basins for equal parts country charm and boutique-hotel polish.   Built from solid birch and oak with undermount soft-close glides, the 72 × 22 × 34 in. cabinet (183 × 56 × 86 cm) leaves space for perfume on the left, a beard trimmer on the right, and still provides breathing room. Three center drawers keep razors separate from hair ties, while each under-sink bay includes an adjustable shelf for tall bottles. Oil-rubbed bronze pulls ship standard, and the 8-32 screw pattern works with most aftermarket knobs.   Marble benefits from a yearly sealer and quick wipe-downs, and it rewards care with timeless style. The vanity arrives fully assembled; crate weight sits near 380 lb / 172 kg, so confirm doorway widths and recruit lifting help. Street price averaged $2,299 at Home Depot in late 2025.   Quick specs

• Footprint: 72 W × 22 D in. (183 × 56 cm)
• Height: 34 in. (86 cm) plus 4 in. backsplash
• Counter: 1 in. Carrara marble, apron-front sinks included
• Hardware: oil-rubbed bronze, soft-close doors and drawers  

  For remodels inspired by barn doors, patterned cement tile, or reclaimed wood accents, Paisley anchors the look and delivers long-term durability.   Best statement color: Kohler “Tone” 60-inch double vanity (2026 preview)   Kohler’s upcoming Tone vanity brings hotel-inspired color and a waterfall quartz top to double-sink baths.   After a decade of white and gray, rich color returns, and Kohler’s upcoming Tone vanity moves it into the mainstream. Slated for Spring 2026, according to product managers at the KBIS 2025 press briefing, the collection wraps a Shaker shell in hotel-inspired finishes: Forest Green, Deep Terracotta, and Midnight Teal.   Design touches match the drama. Brushed-gold pulls, a waterfall quartz top that folds over both sides, and razor-thin 3 mm door reveals create a tailored look. Beneath the lacquer, a solid-poplar frame and furniture-grade plywood mirror the proven Kohler Jute recipe, so strength keeps pace with style.   Inside, adjustable dividers, a bamboo organizer tray, and soft-close hardware rated for 50,000 cycles control clutter. Engineers also added a slim power bank behind the top drawer for charging shavers or phones. Shipped in two main pieces (base and top), Tone can navigate stairs more easily than fully assembled units.   Quick preview specs*

• Footprint: 60 W × 22 D × 34 H in. (152 × 56 × 86 cm)
• Construction: solid poplar and plywood, waterfall quartz top
• Integrated slim power bank, soft-close doors and drawers
• Target price: just under $2,300 with top and basins  

  *Specifications and pricing remain provisional until the official launch. Fans of bold color at a mid-market price can set a calendar alert now; early production runs often sell out quickly. Quick-glance comparison table   Model Footprint (W × D) Frame material Countertop Signature perk Street price* Willow Charlotte 72 × 22 in. (183 × 56 cm) Solid teak 1-in. Carrara marble FSC-certified hardwood $1,900 Spring Mill Emlyn 60 × 18.75 in. (152 × 48 cm) Painted MDF Seamless cultured marble Turnkey under-$800 kit $700 Allen + Roth Haverhill 48 × 21.5 in. (122 × 55 cm) Plywood and oak veneer Black engineered stone Sliding barn door $1,200 OVE Tahoe III 60 × 21 in. (152 × 53 cm) Solid wood and plywood 1.25-in. quartz Drawer-integrated power $1,999 Water Creation Paisley 72 × 22 in. (183 × 56 cm) Solid birch and oak 1-in. Carrara marble Apron-front sinks $1,900 Kohler Tone† 60 × 22 in. (152 × 56 cm) Solid poplar and plywood Waterfall quartz Saturated designer colors < $2,300   If cabinet depth limits your layout, Emlyn’s 18.75-inch body wins. Want built-in outlets? Tahoe III stands alone. Looking for heirloom durability? Charlotte’s solid teak leads the pack. Use the grid for quick elimination, then check the detailed reviews; warranty, service quality, and installation quirks often decide the final pick.   Buying guide: how to pick the right double vanity Measure first, mood-board later. A comfortable dual-basin vanity requires at least 60 in. (152 cm) of wall, plus a few extra inches so doors and drawers clear. In narrow baths, depth becomes the deal breaker. Units measuring 21 in. (53 cm) or less keep morning traffic moving.     Use at least 60 inches of wall, a shallow depth in narrow baths and 30 inches of clear floor space in front of your double-sink vanity.   Plumbing reality check. Converting a single to a double adds a second drain and tees off the hot- and cold-water lines. Floor-exit pipes favor a back panel you can notch, while wall-mounted vanities depend on in-wall supplies and solid blocking for support.   Materials equal lifespan. Solid hardwood and furniture-grade plywood shrug off steam, whereas particleboard swells. If budget points to MDF, seal every raw edge with caulk on day one; the barrier can add several extra years.   Storage style vs. plumbing clutter. Drawers keep makeup and chargers tidy but steal space where P-traps sit. Cabinets swallow tall bottles yet turn into black holes unless you add rollout trays. Many households choose a hybrid: drawers in the center, doors beneath each sink.   Top talk. Marble feels luxe but benefits from annual sealing. Quartz costs a bit more yet laughs at self-tanner and curling-iron heat. Seamless cultured-marble tops lower cost and simplify cleaning, though they scratch more easily.   Accessibility and clearance. Maintain at least 30 in. (760 mm) of clear floor space in front of the vanity to satisfy ADA guidelines and allow two people to bend without bumping hips. ADA also requires floating units to offer 27 in. (685 mm) of knee space for wheelchair users.   Last, vet the brand. A vanity proves its worth when a company can overnight replacement hinges after a move. Established manufacturers publish part numbers and answer the phone, peace of mind worth a small premium.  

Inspiration for a large timeless white two-story brick gable roof remodel in Other

Quigleydecks.com Quigley Decks is a Madison, WI-based home improvement contractor specializing in building decks, pergolas, porches, patios and carpentry projects that make the outside of your home a more pleasing place to relax. We are pleased to service much of greater Wisconsin including Cottage Grove, De Forest, Fitchburg, Janesville, Lake Mills, Madison, Middleton, Monona, Mt. Horeb, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Verona, Waunakee, Milwaukee, Oconomowoc, Pewaukee, the Dells area and more. We believe in solid workmanship and take great care in hand-selecting quality materials including Western Red Cedar, Ipe hardwoods and Trex, TimberTech and AZEK composites from select, southern Wisconsin vendors. Our goals are building quality and customer satisfaction. We ensure that no matter what the size of the job, it will be done right the first time and built to last.

3,800sf, 4 bdrm, 3.5 bath with oversized 4 car garage and over 270sf Loggia; climate controlled wine room and bar, Tech Room, landscaping and pool. Solar, high efficiency HVAC and insulation was used which resulted in huge rebates from utility companies, enhancing the ROI. The challenge with this property was the downslope lot, sewer system was lower than main line at the street thus requiring a special pump system. Retaining walls to create a flat usable back yard. ESI Builders is a subsidiary of EnergyWise Solutions, Inc. and was formed by Allan, Bob and Dave to fulfill an important need for quality home builders and remodeling services in the Sacramento region. With a strong and growing referral base, we decided to provide a convenient one-stop option for our clients and focus on combining our key services: quality custom homes and remodels, turnkey client partnering and communication, and energy efficient and environmentally sustainable measures in all we do. Through energy efficient appliances and fixtures, solar power, high efficiency heating and cooling systems, enhanced insulation and sealing, and other construction elements – we go beyond simple code compliance and give you immediate savings and greater sustainability for your new or remodeled home. All of the design work and construction tasks for our clients are done by or supervised by our highly trained, professional staff. This not only saves you money, it provides a peace of mind that all of the details are taken care of and the job is being done right – to Perfection. Our service does not stop after we clean up and drive off. We continue to provide support for any warranty issues that arise and give you administrative support as needed in order to assure you obtain any energy-related tax incentives or rebates. This ‘One call does it all’ philosophy assures that your experience in remodeling or upgrading your home is an enjoyable one. ESI Builders was formed by professionals with varying backgrounds and a common interest to provide you, our clients, with options to live more comfortably, save money, and enjoy quality homes for many years to come. As our company continues to grow and evolve, the expertise has been quickly growing to include several job foreman, tradesmen, and support staff. In response to our growth, we will continue to hire well-qualified staff and we will remain committed to maintaining a level of quality, attention to detail, and pursuit of perfection.

Written by Mary Kate Hogan for Westchester Home Magazine. "The Goal: The family that cooks together has the most fun — especially when their kitchen is equipped with four ovens and tons of workspace. After a first-floor renovation of a home for a couple with four grown children, the new kitchen features high-tech appliances purchased through Royal Green and a custom island with a connected table to seat family, friends, and cooking spectators. An old dining room was eliminated, and the whole area was transformed into one open, L-shaped space with a bar and family room. “They wanted to expand the kitchen and have more of an entertaining room for their family gatherings,” says designer Danielle Florie. She designed the kitchen so that two or three people can work at the same time, with a full sink in the island that’s big enough for cleaning vegetables or washing pots and pans. Key Features: Well-Stocked Bar: The bar area adjacent to the kitchen doubles as a coffee center. Topped with a leathered brown marble, the bar houses the coffee maker as well as a wine refrigerator, beverage fridge, and built-in ice maker. Upholstered swivel chairs encourage people to gather and stay awhile. Finishing Touches: Counters around the kitchen and the island are covered with a Cambria quartz that has the light, airy look the homeowners wanted and resists stains and scratches. A geometric marble tile backsplash is an eye-catching decorative element. Into the Wood: The larger table in the kitchen was handmade for the family and matches the island base. On the floor, wood planks with a warm gray tone run diagonally for added interest." Bilotta Designer: Danielle Florie Photographer: Phillip Ennis

3,800sf, 4 bdrm, 3.5 bath with oversized 4 car garage and over 270sf Loggia; climate controlled wine room and bar, Tech Room, landscaping and pool. Solar, high efficiency HVAC and insulation was used which resulted in huge rebates from utility companies, enhancing the ROI. The challenge with this property was the downslope lot, sewer system was lower than main line at the street thus requiring a special pump system. Retaining walls to create a flat usable back yard. ESI Builders is a subsidiary of EnergyWise Solutions, Inc. and was formed by Allan, Bob and Dave to fulfill an important need for quality home builders and remodeling services in the Sacramento region. With a strong and growing referral base, we decided to provide a convenient one-stop option for our clients and focus on combining our key services: quality custom homes and remodels, turnkey client partnering and communication, and energy efficient and environmentally sustainable measures in all we do. Through energy efficient appliances and fixtures, solar power, high efficiency heating and cooling systems, enhanced insulation and sealing, and other construction elements – we go beyond simple code compliance and give you immediate savings and greater sustainability for your new or remodeled home. All of the design work and construction tasks for our clients are done by or supervised by our highly trained, professional staff. This not only saves you money, it provides a peace of mind that all of the details are taken care of and the job is being done right – to Perfection. Our service does not stop after we clean up and drive off. We continue to provide support for any warranty issues that arise and give you administrative support as needed in order to assure you obtain any energy-related tax incentives or rebates. This ‘One call does it all’ philosophy assures that your experience in remodeling or upgrading your home is an enjoyable one. ESI Builders was formed by professionals with varying backgrounds and a common interest to provide you, our clients, with options to live more comfortably, save money, and enjoy quality homes for many years to come. As our company continues to grow and evolve, the expertise has been quickly growing to include several job foreman, tradesmen, and support staff. In response to our growth, we will continue to hire well-qualified staff and we will remain committed to maintaining a level of quality, attention to detail, and pursuit of perfection.

Jeremy Shank
Example of a large arts and crafts backyard deck design in Richmond with a fire pit and no cover

Written by Mary Kate Hogan for Westchester Home Magazine. "The Goal: The family that cooks together has the most fun — especially when their kitchen is equipped with four ovens and tons of workspace. After a first-floor renovation of a home for a couple with four grown children, the new kitchen features high-tech appliances purchased through Royal Green and a custom island with a connected table to seat family, friends, and cooking spectators. An old dining room was eliminated, and the whole area was transformed into one open, L-shaped space with a bar and family room. “They wanted to expand the kitchen and have more of an entertaining room for their family gatherings,” says designer Danielle Florie. She designed the kitchen so that two or three people can work at the same time, with a full sink in the island that’s big enough for cleaning vegetables or washing pots and pans. Key Features: Well-Stocked Bar: The bar area adjacent to the kitchen doubles as a coffee center. Topped with a leathered brown marble, the bar houses the coffee maker as well as a wine refrigerator, beverage fridge, and built-in ice maker. Upholstered swivel chairs encourage people to gather and stay awhile. Finishing Touches: Counters around the kitchen and the island are covered with a Cambria quartz that has the light, airy look the homeowners wanted and resists stains and scratches. A geometric marble tile backsplash is an eye-catching decorative element. Into the Wood: The larger table in the kitchen was handmade for the family and matches the island base. On the floor, wood planks with a warm gray tone run diagonally for added interest." Bilotta Designer: Danielle Florie Photographer: Phillip Ennis

3,800sf, 4 bdrm, 3.5 bath with oversized 4 car garage and over 270sf Loggia; climate controlled wine room and bar, Tech Room, landscaping and pool. Solar, high efficiency HVAC and insulation was used which resulted in huge rebates from utility companies, enhancing the ROI. The challenge with this property was the downslope lot, sewer system was lower than main line at the street thus requiring a special pump system. Retaining walls to create a flat usable back yard. ESI Builders is a subsidiary of EnergyWise Solutions, Inc. and was formed by Allan, Bob and Dave to fulfill an important need for quality home builders and remodeling services in the Sacramento region. With a strong and growing referral base, we decided to provide a convenient one-stop option for our clients and focus on combining our key services: quality custom homes and remodels, turnkey client partnering and communication, and energy efficient and environmentally sustainable measures in all we do. Through energy efficient appliances and fixtures, solar power, high efficiency heating and cooling systems, enhanced insulation and sealing, and other construction elements – we go beyond simple code compliance and give you immediate savings and greater sustainability for your new or remodeled home. All of the design work and construction tasks for our clients are done by or supervised by our highly trained, professional staff. This not only saves you money, it provides a peace of mind that all of the details are taken care of and the job is being done right – to Perfection. Our service does not stop after we clean up and drive off. We continue to provide support for any warranty issues that arise and give you administrative support as needed in order to assure you obtain any energy-related tax incentives or rebates. This ‘One call does it all’ philosophy assures that your experience in remodeling or upgrading your home is an enjoyable one. ESI Builders was formed by professionals with varying backgrounds and a common interest to provide you, our clients, with options to live more comfortably, save money, and enjoy quality homes for many years to come. As our company continues to grow and evolve, the expertise has been quickly growing to include several job foreman, tradesmen, and support staff. In response to our growth, we will continue to hire well-qualified staff and we will remain committed to maintaining a level of quality, attention to detail, and pursuit of perfection.

We upgraded this 380 sq. Koreatown condo with a modern style and features. To begin with, the kitchen has new semi-glossy beige/green flat panel cabinets. We installed premium quality Bosch appliances including an electric stovetop, range hood, microwave, and dishwasher. The kitchen has a beautiful stone countertop, deep stainless steel sink, matte black faucet, and bar countertop. The bedroom/living room space of the condo received a new fresh coat of paint, base modeling, a new rectangular Milgard window, and a new ductless A/C. The gorgeous bathroom received a major upgrade with a large LED mirror vanity, a floating wood vanity, stone countertop with a deep drop-in sink. For the bathroom, we installed a high-tech one-piece toilet, a new shower enclosure with 3/8 tempered glass, a dual shower head system with a waterfall head and handheld sprayer, a custom shower niche, and beautiful stone tiles. We installed 15 recessed lights, replaced the 100 AMP sub panel, new circuits, 20 outlets, and new exhaust vents.

Entry and staircase down to lower level.
Entryway - mid-sized contemporary porcelain tile, beige floor and exposed beam entryway idea in Other with white walls and a glass front door

PRIMARY COLORS The Noakeses are not afraid of color, which found an outlet in the brilliant red, orange and blue of the Tufenkian Borealis Pacific Fire rug anchoring the living room. On the following spread, the homeowners’ art hangs on a dining room wall and is the soulmate to the living room rug’s deeply saturated colors as well as to the bright oranges in the wool and silk rug under the dining table. Glamour is a driving force in the house, but it never overwhelms. As a backdrop in the dining room, golden Lori Weitzner wallpaper lines the display shelf where Perry and Suzy Noakes display treasures from their travels. In the kitchen, a grouping of seeded blown glass cylinder pendants illuminates Bright Group stools and a generously proportioned island that’s big enough to seat eight guests. The entry’s bright-red lacquered console is a place for the homeowners’ Buddha collection to get attention. Pieces from Laura Britt’s sustainable furniture line Vervano populate the bedroom, including the Noakeses use for media storage. Pieces from Laura Britt’s sustainable furniture line Vervano populate the bedroom, including the chair underneath the windows The gray theme continues in the master bath, where vein-cut travertine slabs on the floor set off the sculptural flair of the bathtub. “Homes didn’t mean anything to us,” says Perry Noakes, “except as a place to put our keys and get ready for the next journey.” The retired high-tech company executive and his wife, Suzy, are avid globe-trotters. The couple had also lived in Asia for 15 years as part of Perry’s work. Finding a place to live was a well-rehearsed exercise that figured into their system for settling in to a foreign country. But all that changed when Perry and Suzy decided to downsize to a new house in Austin. A friend told them about a spec house under construction, the project of a dream team of Austin-based design professionals that included builder Keith Husbands, architect Bob Wetmore of Cornerstone Architects, and interior designer Laura Britt and her staff. “We went to see it,” says Perry, “and loved it.” The couple quickly bought the framed-out 5,800-square-foot building. The fact that the two-story dwelling was near a golf course was a bonus for the two golfers, but the low-slung four-bedroom, four-bath house also backs up onto a nature preserve. “The land offered us great opportunity to nestle the house into the topography, giving us both privacy and stunning views,” says Wetmore, who had to negotiate his design for the native stone, stucco and metal house to fit onto the steeply sloping and oddly elongated lot. The Hill Country contemporary house stretches out just below the rim of the slope, comfortably settled into the topography courtesy of terraced landscaping that defines the front approach to the house. “We turned a negative into a positive,” says Wetmore about the difficult site. The rough-and-ready landscape accounts for the building’s quiet dynamics, which Wetmore chronicled with the roofline, a series of horizontal areas that correspond to transitional spaces inside, interrupted by a clerestory that caps the entry and living room. The process of taking a house from the framing stage to completion was a new experience for the couple. “We had never participated in the building process,” says Suzy. They threw themselves into it as if it were just another one of their adventures. “I think of it as my first project after I retired,” says Perry. The budding design enthusiast so endeared himself to Britt that she and her staff awarded him with a beret to wear to design meetings, in honor of his artistic verve. “We were able to redesign a lot of the house since we came into the process so early,” says Suzy. “The house started as a spec house,” says Britt, “but it quickly became a custom home with the Noakeses’ involvement.” Britt started the process by helping the couple select materials and lighting, opting for an earthy glamour that became the touchstone of the house. For pure wow factor, the living room’s stone and steel fireplace—sliced horizontally by three massive wood beams—is a tour de force of drama. In the kitchen, an oversize island (big enough to seat eight) is topped with a slab of dramatically veined marble; the countertops are a quieter quartzite. In the master bath, bold vein-cut travertine pavers on the floor are a counterpoint to the linear-cut mosaic tiles that back the vanity and reach all the way to the skylit ceiling. The pièce de résistance is the shimmering white pebble wall behind the free-standing tub that creates the effect of water frozen in free fall. Britt used contrast as a backdrop to all the drama, opting for a forged metal chandelier in the shape of a lotus leaf in the entry—a worthy match to the darkened-steel front door. She designed a dining room table (through Vervano, her furniture design company) topped with patinaed steel; overhead, a massive steel-framed drum pendant with mica panels casts a delicate glow over the room. The designer was careful to leave wall space for the homeowners’ art collection, as well as to add space wherever possible. The dining room’s asymmetrical built-in is a place to display Buddhas and other pieces the couple has collected in their travels. “We wanted this house to be about us and who we are,” says Suzy. That’s understandable since, after 16 previous homes that were really just places to live, the freedom of expression is obviously a thrill. Maybe even too much of a thrill—although this house is the couple’s dream home, they were completely enthralled with the design process. Could house No. 17 be the best and last? Maybe not. But if there is another house in the Noakeses’ future, one thing is certain, says Perry: “We won’t make a move without consulting Laura first.” https://modernluxury.com/interiors-texas/story/smooth-move

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Built for the Bluff, A Sea Ranch Home is Remade from the Inside Out The house had always been grounded, on an ocean bluff at The Sea Ranch. It sits unencumbered, adjacent to one of the most dramatic stretches of the Sonoma coast with protected commons meadow to the east, uninterrupted Pacific views to the west, and a bluff trail running alongside. What it lacked was the feeling of home, one that could hold up its own against the natural landscape. The owners are entrepreneurs with deep involvement across tech, real estate, and development and they know how things are built. The Sea Ranch house had been in their lives for years, a second residence and a place for family to gather. Built for a different time, it felt more compromising than comfortable. Sitting in a closed off nook, the kitchen fit one cook at a time and turned its back on the rest of the house. The entry was dim and compressed, divided by a structural column that presented itself at exactly the wrong moment. The primary suite was small relative to the view outside it. A large rear bedroom sat behind a lowered ceiling with a bathroom that had never been added. The house was certainly worth the trouble of doing it right. What followed was not one project but four, each with its own design challenge, each addressed over a period of time. Where the House Meets the Ocean The most complex piece of the project, in both structural and spatial terms, was the kitchen expansion. The existing room was a single-person galley squeezed in as an afterthought with no meaningful connection to the dining room, the living space, or the deck outside. To make it useful for a family that cooks and gathers, it needed to grow outward into an existing patio and flow into the rooms around it. A big challenge was the roofline. Several planes at different pitches and angles converged directly where additional volume was needed. A new form had to join that geometry without reading as a correction. The solution found the simplest possible connection between the existing angles, a roofline that from outside the structure, appears entirely original. From the bluff trail where the addition is visible, there is no discernible seam. Inside, the kitchen is now open to the living and dining rooms without interruption. A large sliding glass door connects the space onto the rear deck. The deck itself was expanded and oriented so that the body of the house shields it from the coastal wind which is a common consideration that determines whether outdoor space at The Sea Ranch actually gets used. The result is a room that works for large family gatherings where no one feels cutoff, and one that makes the boundary between being inside and outside easy to ignore. Welcoming Light A structural column stood at the convergence of eight distinct roof planes in the entry. It was load-bearing, but it was also the reason the entry had always felt like a hallway rather than a welcoming arrival. With the structural engineer, a custom steel connector was designed to receive beams from six separate directions, redistributing the load through a single new continuous beam. The column was surgically removed. Three triangular skylights were then cut into the roof above, their shapes drawn from the existing geometry of the planes around them. The entry is now bright and open. The skylights feel native to the structure because they follow the logic already present in the roof. Two Suites, Two Views At opposite ends of the house, the two bedroom suites were each reconfigured, and each found a different way to introduce more of the landscape into the room. An addition to the primary suite extended the structure outward to create a wraparound plan with a loop from the bedroom through bath and closet that had not been possible before. The expansion opened a slot view from the tub and shower toward the ocean. The view is precise and private. The ocean view is present and deliberate. The rear bedroom absorbed an adjacent storage room to transform it into a full second suite with a vaulted ceiling, a large bathroom with a tub, a shower, and a sauna. A private fenced garden courtyard sits just beyond the glass bringing the outdoors inside. The tub was placed so that, looking past the courtyard and through the bedroom beyond, the ocean is visible at the far end. It is a long view and it makes the room feel larger and more settled than its footprint would suggest. Glass on Four Sides, Fire at the Center The main living and gathering room had always been caught between two competing facts: glass on four sides meant exceptional views but at The Sea Ranch, it also meant a cold room. A 360-degree cylindrical fireplace was added at the center on a raised stone base, providing radiant heat in every direction and giving the room a focal point around which a group naturally orients itself, whether that means two people at the end of the day or the whole family after dinner. Owners Who Picked Up the Tools The owner was not a passive client. they came with construction knowledge, specific ideas, and the desire to be an active part of the process, a dynamic that other architects may had found difficult, which Klopf Architecture accepted as an asset. They took it upon themselves to complete some of the work during construction, including the installation of a new radiant heating system beneath the floors. The radiant system added to the older and less-desirable forced-air setup. At The Sea Ranch, that change matters as the house sits close enough to the ocean and moving air competes with the sound of it, where radiant heat does not. Solar panels were added to the roof as part of the new system. Insulation was upgraded throughout the walls, roof, and crawl space. The house that had always had the right setting now holds warmth the way a house on the bluff should. They were also deeply involved in the design and selections throughout, and the finished house reflects both of them in ways that are specific rather than generic. The process took longer and moved through more iterations than a more arms-length relationship might have allowed. The result is more defined and personal because of it. The Landscape Holds Priority Every exterior decision was shaped by The Sea Ranch Design Standards, which require that buildings defer to the landscape around them rather than compete with it. Because this house sits on the bluff and is visible from the public trail, the additions faced a close review. Existing materials were matched. Geometries were resolved. The additions had to become indistinguishable from the original building. From the trail, the house reads exactly as it always has — low, cedar-clad, secondary to the meadow and the water. The setting holds priority. Inside, the house has been remade. Klopf Architecture Project Team: Geoff Campen and Trenton Jewett
Contractor: Shawn Bettega Construction
Photography: ©2025 Mariko Reed
Year Completed: 2023
Location: The Sea Ranch, CA