Our clients, a vibrant young family with two energetic kids and a playful dog, were feeling the constraints of their outdated, cramped house. The Main Floor was divided by walls, fragmenting the Kitchen, Dining Room, and living areas, making family time and entertaining a bit of a struggle. The Kitchen was small and dim, lacking counter space and storage. The kids' study/play table was squeezed into a tight corner, emphasizing the lack of space. The dark hardwood floors were scratched and worn, and the foyer felt cramped and uninviting. The powder room was also The idea of a major renovation brought both excitement and a bit of anxiety. The couple was unsure about design decisions and worried about the challenges of dealing with structural columns and beams. Collaborating with Sosna designer Camila, the family embarked on a journey to transform their outdated house into a bright, functional home. To open up the space, walls were removed, creating a seamless flow between the foyer, living room, dining room, and kitchen. The kitchen was relocated and expanded to include generous counter space and a large island, providing the ideal spot for the kids to help prepare meals—a task they’ve come to enjoy since the renovation—or work on their homework. Additionally, the addition of a cozy window bench offers extra seating for hanging out with the family. It’s also the perfect place to curl up with a good book. The once dark and gloomy powder room was completely refreshed with new fixtures, a white oak vanity, and beautiful floor tiles, which significantly brightened it up. Additionally, the dark hardwood floors were replaced with a lighter, more modern option, brightening the entire main floor. The renovation wasn't without its hiccups. A mix-up with the hardwood flooring led to a last-minute scramble for a replacement. But in the end, the family fell in love with the new flooring, proving that sometimes unexpected changes can lead to even better outcomes. The renovation completely transformed the home. What was once a cramped and segmented main floor is now a bright, open space perfectly suited to the family's lifestyle. The new kitchen island became the heart of the home, providing a place for the kids to do homework while their parents cooked, fostering a sense of togetherness. The open layout also made hosting gatherings effortless. Throughout the renovation, the kids and their dog brought a playful energy to the construction site, forming a special bond with the crew. Despite the challenges of living through a renovation, the family managed to maintain a sense of normalcy, working from home when possible and appreciating the crew's efforts to keep things tidy. What started as a simple update turned into a full-scale transformation that reflects the family’s needs and personal style. Their willingness to embrace bold design choices, such as blush pink tiles and bright floral patterns, adds a unique touch to the space. And that hardwood flooring mix-up? It turned out to be a happy accident, resulting in a floor they love even more. In the end, this renovation was more than just a home makeover; it was about creating a space that truly feels like home, nurturing family connections, and bringing joy to everyday life.

The concept of the garden was based on, “Brazilian Hummingbirds II”, a painting the MFAH has in its collection by the artist, Martin Johnson Heade. Heade travelled to the rainforest in Brazil between 1863 and 1864 and painted a series of small paintings depicting hummingbirds in the lush foliage of the Brazilian rainforests. His painting, Brazilian Hummingbirds, II, evokes the sultry atmosphere of the Brazilian rainforest with its misty quality and subtle lighting. His interest in ornithology can be seen in his detailed depictions of the hummingbirds. The garden location is adjacent to one of Buffalo Bayou’s steep, wooded ravines. The ravine, with its native plant communities and topography, is a perfect back- drop for a garden with a rainforest theme. Because the date for the garden opening coincides with the spring migration of hummingbirds into our region, the hummingbird theme seemed appropriate for this garden competition. The garden will include a variety of tropical plants native to the rainforests such as bromeliads, orchids, heliconia, and passion fruit flowers. In addition, native plants to our region such as the Sabal Minor and Southern Wood Fern will be included to integrate plants that are found nearby in the ravine. The Heliconia flowers produce considerable amounts of nectar, a high energy food essential for hummingbirds who are known to consume three times their bodyweight in a single day. In addition to nectar producing plants, there will be hummingbird nest materials dispersed throughout the garden. A misty quality to the garden will be provided by a misting system, and tropical colored lights will be lit at night for special events. Visitors to the garden will have a unique sensory experience reminiscent to that of Heade’s travels to Brazil’s rainforests.

This kitchen project is in a newer build home (2007). The family liked everything about the space except for the island layout and location. Both ends of it were pinch points which made it cumbersome for multiple people to be in the space at a time. They liked the granite countertops but the one on the island was damaged and needed to be replaced to accommodate the new island configuration. Due to this, it made sense to replace all the countertops with quartz. The perimeter cabinets were in good shape but were a dark color which made the space dark and uninviting. We solved this by painting them a bright green/blue color with a two-part water-based paint. We added a couple of other cabinets in the adjacent spaces to provide them with more needed storage which did not impact the kitchen space. We relocated the existing 3 recessed lights over the island which saved them from the landfill. We replaced the old under cabinet fluorescent light fixtures with new energy efficient LED channel fixtures that provide much better counter task lighting. We painted both the ceiling and walls to freshen up the space. As you can see, we were able to solve this family’s kitchen problems in both an environmentally and budget conscious way with creative solutions.

If you haven’t heard the term “aging in place” already, you’re going to hear it more and more in the next ten years. The term as emerged as more and more adults expressed their desire to stay in their own homes for as long as possible. Rather than moving into a community built around increased accessibility needs, home owners are looking to the kitchen and bath remodeling industry to innovate the spaces in their home where they perform the most important tasks. As most long-time home owners realize, the need for accessibility and safety first presents itself in the bathroom. If balance is becoming an issue for a homeowner, the first concern that tends to arise is an exponentially increased fall-risk in the bathroom. Each year, one-third of individuals report a fall, and two thirds of those who fall will fall again in the next six months. Finally, falls are the leading cause of death from injury for people over 65. Individuals coping with injury, recovering from surgery, arthritis and other similar health issues are at an even higher risk of falling. In other words, every day, more and more people are finding the act of bathing or showering difficult, worrisome or even painful! For those seeking to age in place, this is where acrylic tub-to-shower conversions, like Reborn Cabinets Bath Solutions, are incredibly helpful, and can dramatically improve a person’s quality of life. Highly customizable to meet anyone’s daily bathing needs, acrylic tub-to-shower conversions give home owners the option to add benches, safety rails, and even the ability to install a barrier-free design—easy entry for those who require wheelchairs or walkers. But the aging in place-crowd isn’t simply looking for strictly functional solutions to their daily routine. Since these innovations are changing their already-existing bathroom, there is a need to move these accessible spaces beyond function and keep them stylish. Again, aging in place is all about keeping your house a home—not a “facility.” Reborn Bath Solutions is a versatile product, allowing home-owners to choose from a great selection of colors and a wide array of fixtures. Sure, the “bathroom of your dreams” may look a little different these days, but you deserve it! Give us a call, and we’ll help you stay in your home and keep your daily sense of confidence!

The homeowers' home is in the Napa Valley area of California where style is everything. The area has a rich history and the home has a magnificent view of Mt. Diablo. The clients wanted to upgrade from the 80s tract look to early California Colonial look. They wanted attention to detail, and they wanted an indoor and outdoor "living" home because they wanted to spend as much time outdoors as indoors. They also wanted to construct an open, outside cabana style living room with a classic fireplace. The home was completely remodeled. Every room and every surface, inside and out, to some extent, got a makeover. The existing "typical" California patio was made part of the structure with a 20x20, 400 square foot cabana style addition, with 14' ceilings under a new roof system. In an effort to bring the outside in, a two-tiered pre-cast concrete fountain was installed, providing just the right touch of ambiance. A pre-cast concrete fireplace with a double corbel Mediterranean mantle was then set and surrounded with tile. The floor was set with travertine and the walls were finished with a smooth finish plaster. To create a more formal atmosphere, the cabana patio has Mediterranean archways with fabric curtains for inclement weather. The cabana patio is divided into two separate areas, one for enjoying a meal with friends, and the other for merely sitting and enjoying the beautiful Northern California weather. Each of the areas received Mission-style chandeliers; task lighting was provided by recessed can lights. Hacienda blend cap and pan roof tiles were applied to the entire roof and then finished with a copper Conestoga chimney top. Smooth stucco was applied and painted in a Fallbrook color. A new, stamped concrete driveway accents and welcomes visitors The new front door is a custom round top plank door from Antigua Door with a round transom system, 2-1/4" thick Spanish cedar planks, round transom-lights, and a speakeasy opening with an inset diamond grill; it received a light glaze and was manually distressed. The kitchen ceiling became a vaulted ceiling. The floor was covered with travertine set in a basket weave pattern and the back splash as set with 4x4, multi-color tiles set on a center grid pattern. The cabinet carcasses were custom manufactured Cimino doors and finished with an opaque conversion varnish with a two-art glaze. Display cabinets were inset with decorative wire grilles and then finished with a custom glaze. Bourdeux granite was used on the countertops. A new Thermodor gas range was installed with a custom built plaster range hood with a Vent-a-hood liner insert. This was particularly troublesome because structural members had to be modfied to accommodate the installation. New drywall was installed with an imperfect, smooth finish. The family room also received a vaulted ceiling and ten-lite exterior, out-swing, wooden doors with a walnut finish and dark glaze. A flat screen TV was placed over the mantle with three surrounding speakers. The mantle is of hand-hewn alder, distressed, and finished with a dark glaze. The cabinetry matches that of the kitchen with Juliano upper doors, shaker lower doors with lattice inset to allow air cooling for the electronics, and a rope detail flanking either end. These were finished with a pigmented glaze. The inside fireplace mantle was constructed from a single, hand-hewn, irregular planed, 8" alder timber. The tile on the fireplace consisted of 4x8 Gamelan Border, 6x6 W.Z. Lambok, and 6x24 W.Z. Buyan in burnt umber from Walker Zanger. The entry powder room received custom cabinets with custom furniture finish of opaque conversion varnish with glaze top coats. The floor received the same tile as the kitchen. The great room has a 14' ceiling, three 5-foot by 7-foot wood outswing doors with arched tops, and the tile used was the same as that used in the kitchen. The custom front door has an arch and is made of knotty alder. The master bathroom was finished with custom furniture style cabinetry using opaque conversion varnish with glaze top coats. Countertops were Onyx. Inset into the ceiling is a custom, plaster dome with rope lighting and a central, Mission-style chandelier. The shower is appointed with travertine tile and edging, and enclosed with custom frameless glass front panels and door. Then this well-appointed room was finished with a slipper style tub. In an effort to bring sound throughout the house, an RA, wireless radio system was installed with separate controls in each room. This was an afterthought of the clients, thus the use of wireless technology. Two spaces originally dedicated to smaller bedrooms, were converted into a state-of-the-art workout room replete with mirrors surrounding the walls. And a custom office was constructed in the other. The office, build in a "L" shape received the same cabinetry with places for computer, fax, etc., as the rest of the house and the closet received custom storage units. California living at its best.

My client called me in for a "Design Perspective". She hated her floors and wanted my professional opinion. I questioned whether I should be brutally honest, and her response was "absolutely". Then truth be told, "your countertops bother me more than your floors". My client has a stunningly beautiful home and her countertops were not in "the same league". So the project scope expanded from new floors to include countertops, backsplash, plumbing fixtures and hardware. While we were at it, her overly froufrou corbels were updated along with dishwashers that "drove her crazy". Since there was plenty of "demo" in store, she elected to lower her breakfast bar to counter height at the same time to connect her nook more seamlessly with her kitchen. The process: at our first slab warehouse stop, within ten minutes, we uncovered the most beautiful slabs of Taj Mahal ever. No need to keep looking. The slabs had perfect coloration and veining. So different from any other slab of Taj Mahal, it really ought to have its own name. Countertop selection was easy as was the subway and Arabesque backsplash tile. Polished chrome, with its blend of warm and cool tones, was the obvious choice for her plumbing fixture and hardware finish. Finding the right floor tile was what proved to be most challenging, but my client was up to the task. Several weeks of shopping and numerous samples hauled home led us to the perfect limestone. Once her room was complete, better barstools were in order. Hancock and Moore with their huge assortment of leather colors and textures was our clear choice. The Ellie barstools selected embody the perfect blend of form and comfort. Her new limestone flooring extends into her Butler's pantry, pool bath, powder bath and sewing room, so wait, there is still more to do.

We plan for every single detail and then we use the best techniques to complete the entire home remodeling Hayward task within the stipulated time. This is how we make things easier for you. Contact us today and discover how it is done in the most effective way. Done Right Home Remodeling - Hayward Home Remodeling Contractors https://www.donerighthomeremodelingca.com/hayward/

"We love having a large island where we can sit around and talk, eat, and spend time with our family and friends." - The Pasquarello Family
Example of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in New York with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and beige countertops

This wonderful client was keeping their New Hampshire home, but was relocating for 2 years to Texas for work. Before the family arrived, I was tasked with furnishing the whole house so the children feel "at home" when they arrived. Using a unified color scheme, I procured and coordinated the essentials for an on time, and on budget, and on trend delivery! Photo Credit: Boldly Beige

This wonderful client was keeping their New Hampshire home, but was relocating for 2 years to Texas for work. Before the family arrived, I was tasked with furnishing the whole house so the children feel "at home" when they arrived. Using a unified color scheme, I procured and coordinated the essentials for an on time, and on budget, and on trend delivery! Photo Credit: Boldly Beige

The family purchased the 1950s ranch on Mullet Lake because their daughter dreamed of being married on its shores. The home would be used for the wedding venue and then as a wedding gift to the young couple. We were originally hired in August 2014 to help with a simple renovation of the home that was to be completed well in advance of the August 2015 wedding date. However, thorough investigation revealed significant issues with the original foundation, floor framing and other critical elements of the home’s structure that made that impossible. Based on this information, the family decided to tear down and build again. So now we were tasked with designing a new home that would embody their daughter’s vision of a storybook home – a vision inspired by another one of our projects that she had toured. To capture this aesthetic, traditional cottage materials such as stone and cedar shakes are accentuated by more materials such as reclaimed barn wood siding and corrugated CORTEN steel accent roofs. Inside, interior finishes include hand-hewn timber accents that frame openings and highlight features like the entrance reading nook. Natural materials shine against white walls and simply furnished rooms. While the house has nods to vintage style throughout, the open-plan kitchen and living area allows for both contemporary living and entertaining. We were able to capture their daughter’s vision and the home was completed on time for her big day. - Jacqueline Southby Photography

The word "basement" can conjur thoughts of dark, damp, unfriendly spaces. We were tasked with transforming one of those basements into a space kids couldn't wait to spend time. A trundle daybed anchors a cozy reading nook built for two, with enough bookshelves to keep any bookworm entertained. Dad's childhood kitchen invites culinary creativity, and a playful craft table does double duty as a snack station when friends come to play. The space caters to adults, as well, with a comfortable sectional to lounge on while the kids play, and plenty of storage in the "mud room" and wall of built-in cabinetry. Throw open the custom barn doors and the treadmill is perfectly positioned to catch your favorite show on the flat screen TV. It's a comfortable, casual family space where kids can be kids and the adults can play along.

We get asked all the time if a customer's pots and pans will really fit in drawers... the answer is YES!
Example of a large transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and beige countertops

When your kitchen has no flow or functionality - time to change. This homeowner needed a design that opened open her kitchen into her family room and created functionality. We moved the stove and fridge to create flow and cut back a wall 4 feet. Added some soffits and the homeowner was bold and picked some amazing colors. Kudos to her and what she imagined.

Effectively maintaining your landscape and trees take a good amount of time and effort. Often, homeowners will delay trimming or pruning their trees out of laziness or simply because they don’t know how to correctly care of their trees. But, you should know that tree trimming should be at the top of your to-do list for many reasons. Pruning, proper maintenance, and fertilization are all critical if you want the trees in your yard to thrive to grow strong. For homeowners that are unable to handle the tasks on their own, our professional tree trimming service can help. Five Star Tree Services has put together a list of the top three reasons why you need to trim your trees on a regular basis. Healthier Trees Regular tree trimming will keep your trees in their best health while also promoting growth. Sometimes trees may have dead or broken branches, removing them prevents decay and can even prevent an infection from spreading. If you leave damaged or rotting branches on your tree, it can spread the condition to other parts of the tree or even to other trees in the area. When you prune your tree on a regular basis, it also promotes the growth of new leaves and branches. Reducing the thickness of the leaves and branches also opens up the inner part of the tree to the sun. Furthermore, air circulation is critical for a healthy tree and regular trimming ensures that your tree always has access to the fresh oxygen it needs to thrive. The healthier your tree is the better quality oxygen it will produce for the surrounding area. Improve Property Value Well-kept trees greatly improve the aesthetics of your home. Decaying branches or trees that are overgrown are not only unsightly and dangerous, but they can also have a negative impact on the curb appeal of your house. If your house is on the market, seeing an unkempt yard with untrimmed trees can leave potential buyers with a negative perception of your property. Keeping your trees trimmed and neat show that you care about your home and how it looks. Work hard for your property and it will turn the best profit when you finally sell. Prevent Environmental Damage Tree branches that are rotting or weak pose a safety hazard to your home and your family. Dead limbs or even overburdened are more likely to fall off of the tree and strike your home. There have been plenty of reports of dead or overly heavy branches suddenly falling on people as well. Trees that grow close to power lines also pose a threat if they are not trimmed on a regular basis. Limbs can grow too high or too long causing them to brush against the power lines. This may trigger a fire or even a power outage. Sick trees with limbs that are diseased are more likely to cause the entire tree to tip over. This can cause damage to your home, vehicles, or even a person if they are unlucky. How Five Star Tree Services Can Help If you are not sure about how or when to trim your trees, Five Star Tree Services is here to help. We offer a wide range of Toronto Tree Trim Services and pruning services for both commercial and residential locations. Our passionate team of tree care experts will keep your property safe and ensure that your trees are beautiful and can continue to grow in a healthy state. Give us a call at (416) 990-3355 to find out more information about the services we offer.

The goal for this 1939 Tudor-style story-and-a-half home was to create a kitchen that offered the conveniences, storage, and performance of a modern workspace while preserving the warmth, craftsmanship, and vintage charm that made the home special. The client, an avid home cook, wanted the room to feel as though it had always belonged to the house, with thoughtful upgrades that respected the original architecture rather than competing with it. Just as important, she needed a more efficient layout with enough storage for small appliances, so everyday cooking would no longer require carrying items up from the lower level. Several existing conditions shaped the design approach. The kitchen retained original, amber-stained birch woodwork that the client wished to keep, and the compact footprint was interrupted by six doorways and two windows, none of which were to be moved, altered, or replaced. A previous flooring update had left the door casings undercut too short, creating visible gaps where the casing met the floor. The existing vintage 40-inch range also lacked proper ventilation, yet the client wished to accommodate a refrigerator, dishwasher, cooktop, double ovens, built-in microwave, and effective venting above the cooktop into the new kitchen layout. To honor the original millwork, beaded inset-style cherry cabinetry was selected in a soft, hand-rubbed finish that will deepen over time and develop a natural patina. Charcoal-gray soapstone countertops complement the cabinetry while reinforcing the historic character of the home with an organic, timeworn texture. The former breakfast nook was transformed into a butler’s pantry, adding valuable base cabinet storage and expanded work surfaces for frequently used small appliances. Also in the butler’s pantry, a single upper cabinet was paired with open shelves to give an open, airy feeling while adding character and practical storage. A classic single-bowl apron-front workstation sink contributes both period-appropriate character and practical prep and cleanup function. Because the home’s openings were such a defining feature, the design worked within the existing architecture instead of altering it. Custom plinth blocks were created for each doorway to extend the original casing gracefully down to the new natural red oak flooring, resolving the earlier construction issue while adding a detail that feels authentic to the age of the house. Despite the number of door and window openings, the new layout provides a significantly more functional, built-in kitchen with an improved work triangle for serious cooking. Appliance placement was carefully planned to deliver the requested performance without overwhelming the small room. Three cooking functions (double ovens & microwave) were consolidated into one location with a GE Café double oven featuring Advantium Technology, while the client’s compact 31-inch refrigerator was reused to preserve space. A sleek 30-inch induction cooktop provides efficient cooking, and a Vent-A-Hood ARS ductless vent hood supplies needed ventilation without requiring a duct run to the exterior. The finish palette balances richness, texture, and historical sensitivity. A deeply textured navy backsplash tile adds depth and dramatic shadow play against the soapstone, while wallpaper in the back entry echoes the tile’s geometric pattern to visually connect the adjoining spaces. Oil-rubbed bronze cabinet hardware and light fixtures enhance the warmth of the cherry cabinetry and complete the antique-inspired feel. Lighting was layered to make the compact kitchen brighter, more useful, and more inviting. Vintage-style semi-flush ceiling fixtures establish the overall tone, while dimmable puck lights highlight select areas and undercabinet task lighting keeps work surfaces well illuminated. The completed kitchen now feels both highly functional and deeply rooted in the home’s history. Rich cherry cabinetry, velvety soapstone, natural red oak flooring, navy tile, bronze accents, and carefully preserved birch trim work together to create a warm, cohesive space that celebrates timeless craftsmanship. By increasing storage, improving workflow, integrating modern appliances, and respecting the Tudor home’s original character, the design achieves the client’s vision: a kitchen that feels personal, practical, historically appropriate, and as though it has always been there.

We were approached with a request to design the furnishings for an existing ‘finished’ apartment. The intention was to move in relatively fast, and the property already had an existing marble floor, kitchen and bathrooms which had to be kept. The property also boasted a fantastic 270 degree view, seen from most of the apartment. The clients had a very important role in the completion of the project. They were very involved during the design process and through various decoration choices. The final design was kept as a rigid guideline when faced with picking out all the different elements. Once clear of all previous furniture, the space felt cold and bare; so we immediately felt the need for warmth, and raw, natural elements and textures to complement the cold marble floor while visually tying in the design of the whole apartment together. Since the existing kitchen had a touch of dark walnut stain, we felt this material was one we should add to the palette of materials to contest the stark materials. A raw cement finish was another material we felt would add an interesting contrast and could be used in a variety of ways, from cabinets to walls and ceilings, to tie up the design of various areas of the apartment. To warm up the living/dining area, keeping the existing marble floor but visually creating zones within the large living/dining area without hindering the flow, a dark timber custom-made soffit, continuous with a floor-to-ceiling drinks cabinet zones the dining area, giving it a degree of much-needed warmth. The various windows with a stupendous 270 degree view needed to be visually tied together. This was done by introducing a continuous sheer [drape] which also doubled up as a sound-absorbing material along 2 of the 4 walls of the space. A very large sofa was required to fill up the space correctly, also required for the size of the young family. Services were integrated within the units and soffits, while a customized design in the corner between the kitchen and the living room took into consideration the viewpoints from the main areas to create a pantry without hindering the flow or views. A strategically placed floor-to-ceiling mirror doubles up the space and extends the view to the inner parts of the apartment. The daughter’s bedroom was a small challenge in itself, and a fun task, where we wanted to achieve the perception of a cozy niche with its own enclosed reading nook [for reading fairy tales], behind see-through curtains and a custom-ordered wall print sporting the girl’s favorite colors. The sons’ bedroom had double the requirements in terms of space needed: more wardrobe, more homework desk space, a tv/play station area… “We combined a raised platform area between the boys’ beds to become an area with cushions where the kids can lay down and play, and face a hidden screen behind the homework desk’s sliding back panel for their play station”. The color of the homework desk was chosen in relation to the boys’ ages. A more masculine material palette was chosen for this room, in contrast to the light pastel palette of the girl’s bedroom. Again, this colour can easily be changed over time for a more mature look. PROJECT DATA: St. Paul’s Bay, Malta DESIGN TEAM: Perit Rebecca Zammit, Perit Daniel Scerri, Elyse Tonna OTHER CREDITS: Photography: Tonio Lombardi Styling : TKS

This custom kitchen remodel in Vienna, VA was designed to feel timeless, functional, and welcoming. The homeowners wanted a space that balanced clean lines with natural materials, while improving lighting, workflow, and overall comfort. A key design decision was using Taj Mahal quartzite for both the countertops and the full-height backsplash. Carrying the same stone throughout the kitchen creates a seamless look and allows the soft veining and warm tones of the natural stone to become the focal point of the space. The cabinetry was selected to complement the stone without overpowering it, offering ample storage and a classic profile that will age well over time. Updated lighting, including under-cabinet and recessed ceiling fixtures, enhances both task functionality and ambiance, while behind-the-scenes upgrades to electrical, ventilation, and HVAC ensure the kitchen performs as beautifully as it looks. The result is a refined yet livable kitchen designed for everyday use and long-term enjoyment.

Situated in a pocket of classic Oak woodlands in Portola valley, the site of this home addition had partial views of the incredible landscape below, but lacked physical access to its full splendor. Analogous to a fallen log, the addition extends out from the original home to inhabit the slope, laying host to a new and unexpected habitable micro-environment. Gently cascading down the hillside, it echoes the natural slope of the site with a long, broad flowing stair lined with panoramic windows to capture views of the valley. As it terminates, a deck is laid forth and seemingly slips under the curtain wall beyond, spilling out onto a grassy play area and forming a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living. Morning and evening light filtering through the trees create a dappled light that plays on the building and blends the house into the wooded hillside. Nature and nurture, soil and sun, is reinforced through all materials. The consistent color of the exterior panels forms a warm canvas for the light cast through the trees to create a brilliant exhibition of light and shadow that dances across the East and West façade as the sun moves throughout the day. The obscured forms of the surrounding trees dematerialize the house, which is consumed into the hillside. On the inside, faced with horizontally laid Eucalyptus, “cut-outs” in the cabinetry create small, warm apertures in the West façade where dramatic evening sun lights up the house and signals, “Its dinner time!”