The planning phase of this modern retreat was an intense collaboration that took place over the course of more than two years. While the initial design concept exceeded the clients' expectations, it also exceeded their budget beyond the point of comfort. The next several months were spent modifying the design, in attempts to lower the budget. Ultimately, the decision was made that they would hold off on the project until they could budget for the original design, rather than compromising the vision. About a year later, we repeated that same process, which resulted in the same outcome. After another year-long hiatus, we met once again. We revisited design thoughts, each of us bringing to the table new ideas and options. Each thought simply solidified the fact that the initial vision was absolutely what we all wanted to see come to fruition, and the decision was finally made to move forward. The main challenge of the site was elevation. The Southeast corner of the lot stands 5'6" above the threshold of the rear door, while the Northeast corner dropped a full 2' below the threshold of the door. The backyard was also long and narrow, sloping side-to-side and toward the house. The key to the design concept was to deftly place the project into the slope and utilize the elevation changes, without allowing them to dominate the yard, or overwhelm the senses. The unseen challenge on this project came in the form of hitting every underground issue possible. We had to relocate the sewer main, the gas line, and the electrical service; and since rock was sitting about 6" below the surface, all of these had to be chiseled through many feet of dense rock, adding to our projected timeline and budget. As you enter the space, your first stop is an outdoor living area. Smooth finished concrete, colored to match the 'Leuder' limestone coping, has a subtle saw-cut pattern aligned with the edges of the recessed fire pit. In small spaces, it is important to consider a multi-purpose approach. So, the recessed fire pit has been fitted with an aluminum cover that allows our client to set up tables and chairs for entertaining, right over the top of the fire pit. From here, it;s two steps up to the pool elevation, and the floating 'Leuder' limestone stepper pads that lead across the pool and hide the dam wall of the flush spa. The main retaining wall to the Southeast is a poured concrete wall with an integrated sheer descent waterfall into the spa. To bring in some depth and texture, a 'Brownstone' ledgestone was used to face both the dropped beam on the pool, and the raised beam of the water feature wall. The main water feature is comprised of five custom made stainless steel scuppers, supplied by a dedicated booster pump. Colored concrete stepper pads lead to the 'Ipe' wood deck at the far end of the pool. The placement of this wood deck allowed us to minimize our use of retaining walls on the Northeast end of the yard, since it drops off over three feet below the elevation of the pool beam. One of the most unique features on this project has to be the structure over the dining area. With a unique combination of steel and wood, the clean modern aesthetic of this structure creates a visual stamp in the space that standard structure could not accomplish. 4" steel posts, painted charcoal grey, are set on an angle, 4' into the bedrock, to anchor the structure. Steel I-beams painted in green-yellow color--aptly called "frolic"--act as the base to the hefty cedar rafters of the roof structure, which has a slight pitch toward the rear. A hidden gutter on the back of the roof sends water down a copper rain chain, and into the drainage system. The backdrop for both this dining area , as well as the living area, is the horizontal screen panel, created with alternating sizes of cedar planks, stained to a calm hue of dove grey.

Large modern gray two-story mixed siding flat roof idea

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional backyard deck remodel in Richmond with a fire pit

Photos by Jeff Beck Photography http://www.jeffbeckphotography.com/

Open concept kitchen - large transitional l-shaped marble floor, black floor and exposed beam open concept kitchen idea in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

Example of a country exterior home design in Dallas with a black roof and a metal roof

2014 Dennis Mayer Photography
Example of a trendy two-story mixed siding flat roof design in San Francisco

Example of a 1950s l-shaped light wood floor, exposed beam and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Portland with a drop-in sink, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, white countertops and flat-panel cabinets

US & FOREIGN PATENTS PENDING Photo credit goes to Greg Fiedorowicz
Inspiration for a small timeless gender-neutral carpeted reach-in closet remodel in New York

Shelly Harrison Photography
Trendy master red tile freestanding bathtub photo in Boston with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white walls and a vessel sink

Anice Hoachlander, Hoachlander Davis Photography
Example of a mid-sized 1960s gray one-story mixed siding gable roof design in DC Metro

Inspiration for a mediterranean master blue tile alcove bathtub remodel in Los Angeles with white walls

Tara Pearce
Example of a trendy dining room design in Geelong with white walls

The Client wanted a lot of natural light, a large family table and additional storage. Access to exterior deck allows for easy grilling.
Inspiration for a farmhouse medium tone wood floor and vaulted ceiling kitchen/dining room combo remodel in Chicago

This reverse view follows the bedroom floor toward the doorway. The side window and pale walls keep the room light around the dark ceiling fan.
Small farmhouse master laminate floor bedroom photo in Atlanta with gray walls

Living room - contemporary living room idea in Minneapolis

Deck and paving
Example of a mid-sized classic backyard deck design in San Francisco with no cover

Space Organized by Squared Away Photography by Karen Sachar & Assoc.
Example of a large minimalist men's painted wood floor walk-in closet design in Houston with brown cabinets and flat-panel cabinets

Francis Dzikowski
Mid-sized modern gray two-story wood exterior home idea in New York with a shed roof