This proposal is for a new two-story home on the vacant heavily wooded lot with an existing 150-foot-long driveway lined by several beautiful oak trees culminating in a behemoth 43-inch oak tree where the driveway meets the main lot. The far end of the driveway terminates in a grove of three 43/40/43-inch redwoods and at the very center of the vacant lot stands a gargantuan V-twin 59-inch redwood tree paired with a “small” 29-inch redwood tree. The owners want to build a beautiful contemporary-styled home for their family that fully enjoys and embraces the mature trees on their cozy 65-foot by 100-foot lot. As with all small, constrained lots, this project’s site design started first with meeting the relatively large parking and car maneuvering requirements. Menlo Park’s Department of Transportation typically requires side-facing garages to have 24-feet of backup space. So that they could give the largest feature redwood tree on site an added four feet (50%) of clearance outside of its critical root zone, the owners agreed to install a vehicle turntable at the end of their driveway to eliminate the extra four feet of space needed to back up and turnaround. This allowed them to pull their garage forward an additional four feet towards the front property line on the panhandle side, drastically reducing the rest of the home’s impact on the gargantuan V-Twin paired redwood tree at the center of the lot. One of the owners has mobility issues, and accordingly, they first sought to design a one-story floor plan that incorporated all their family’s needs including plenty of covered patio and deck space to enjoy our fantastic California weather. But that single-story footprint spread too far into the critical root zones of several of the redwood trees on site, even despite the use of the vehicle turntable. During my interview process with the owners, they made it clear to me that one of their primary concerns is ensuring that the largest trees on site would thrive and become features of their new home after construction is complete. The single-story designs that removed the grove of three huge redwood trees were non-starters, as was the skimpy 5x10 master bath I designed when trying to squeeze the whole house program into an overly compromised single-story design. It was therefore deemed necessary to go with a two-story design despite the owner’s mobility issues. This two-story design has a much more compact ground floor footprint and has no bedrooms downstairs, other than the detached ADU. The owners must give up the floor area and incur the costs to install a residential elevator to access their upstairs master suite. Our ground floor footprint is smaller due to the two-story design decision, and our foundation is pulled away from the trees thanks to the vehicle turntable. Yet, a tiny portion of the home’s ground floor footprint still encroaches into the critical root zones of the largest 59” redwood tree. Therefore, as outlined in the Arborist Report prepared by Aesculus Arboricultural Consulting, the structural engineers are incorporating an array of drilled piers and shallow-grade beams for the main home’s foundation and deck area nearest the redwood’s critical root zone. This drilled piers and grade beam foundation is a type of “bridging” foundation as outlined in Aesculus’ report to preserve the health of these trees that the property was designed around. The rest of the foundation will be constructed as an insulated slab-on-grade foundation to minimize the number of steps and ramps needed for the owners to enjoy their home and patio areas. Despite the owner’s desire to keep as many trees as possible on site, and despite the smaller ground floor footprint and the advantage of the vehicle turntable, the need for a 20x20-foot garage and 20x20/25-foot guest parking space on our panhandle lot requires the removal of two heritage trees in the required driveway, a 16” coast redwood, and a 17” coast redwood. An alternate design, such as swapping the garage and guest parking locations north-to-south, still requires the removal of these two trees for vehicle maneuvering but has the added disadvantage of cutting off the home’s sightlines to the behemoth 43” oak tree just outside the currently proposed front patio space and living room. Jim Redman of Elements Landscape is proposing 13 new trees be planted on site to replace the lost value of these two heritage coast redwood trees. This contemporary architectural design features clean lines, and an abundance of full-height windows and large skylights to best take in the immense trees on site. To blend in with the forest-like setting, the home boasts a mix of rich textures and features a color palette of natural wood tones contrasted with dark blue and black. Once through the new steel gate at the street and down the 150-foot tree-lined driveway, a large covered front patio becomes visible past the neighbor’s detached accessory structure. The covered patio is just across the driveway from the beautiful 43” behemoth coast live oak. The single plane of the covered patio roof is delicately supported by a pair of steel posts in a “V-twin” configuration much like the largest redwood trees that tower over the center of the lot and will still be visible above the new two-story home, even from the front yard. The patio is covered in a dark-colored standing seam roof, with steel C-channel fascias, and tongue-and-groove wood ceiling planks on the underside. Generously sized skylights on the patio roof and inside the living area allow for impressive views of the amazing oak canopy as well as precious natural light. Supporting the sloped covered patio on the other side is the two-car garage with a secondary bedroom suite stacked above the garage. This two-story volume is to be clad in vertical clear-coated redwood siding, to tie in with the grove of three 43-inch redwood trees just beyond. The garage door, and the bank of windows for Bedroom#2 above feature a steel fascia eyebrow header feature to provide shade and overhang protection, as we are not proposing a large overhang at this “redwood trunk”. The garage and bedroom volume are pulled 16 feet away from the side property line, instead of the minimum required setback of 6’-6”, thus leaving plenty of room for the redwood grove and existing mature pear tree to continue to thrive. This existing mature green screen in this 16-foot-wide side yard is a feature worth soaking in, which is why tall windows with low sill heights are proposed for both the stairs and the upstairs hallway. Though it may be infrequent to approve side-facing 2nd floor windows with sill heights as low as what we’re proposing, we are confident that the mature green screen and the over 16-foot-wide side yard are sufficient to provide for the continued privacy of our neighbor’s rear yard space, especially considering theses windows are in walkway zones. The covered patio at the front entry is also bound by the 10-foot-tall living room. The great room is clad in a dark blue brick veneer, which wraps around all three sides of the living room. Upon entering the home from the covered patio, you are immediately greeted with one of the most impressive features of the home’s design: a 10-foot-tall by 24-foot-wide set of sliding glass doors. From the entry, this huge opening gives merely an initial glimpse of the massive trunks of the gargantuan V-twin redwoods sitting at the center of the lot. All three sliding glass panels open directly out into the smaller partially covered deck in the rear. This roof overhang element matches the design of the front patio with a steel C-channel fascia and a large skylight. But the rear deck’s roof element is set flat at a ten-foot ceiling height so that the living room’s ceiling seems to float above and out beyond the expanse of full-height sliding doors, thus creating an indoor-outdoor living space that will feel much larger than the home’s actual footprint. This rear covered deck is smaller than the patio in the front and also has a mix of solid and open-slatted roofing to allow for more solar access for the relatively small amount of open sky available. The downstairs living room is open to the dining and kitchen areas, as well as the stair-and-elevator tower beyond. The stair tower is very open and glassy, and the stairs wind up and around the redwood-clad elevator tower. From certain perspectives in the 16-foot-wide side yard, it will almost seem as if the grove of three redwoods has a fourth tree that the house and the stairs were carefully built around. Other than the 3-foot-wide windows, the exterior walls of the stair tower, downstairs utility spaces, and Bedroom#3 above are finished in cement plaster, painted dark blue and black. The sloped roof over the stair-and-elevator tower continues cleanly over the area of upstairs Bedroom#3. This roof level is set by the side daylight plane and only yields an inside wall height of just under 6 feet in height. The owners are satisfied that the rest of this upstairs room has a nice vaulted ceiling to make up for the one short wall under the daylight plane. The rest of the ground floor adjacent to the stair tower consists of a small utility wing containing a half-bath, laundry, storage area, and an exterior alcove for the electric heat pump HVAC unit. This short wing also gives more accessible access to the rear yard deck, as well as a backdrop for an outdoor kitchen. The bright white stone backsplash for the outdoor kitchen provides contrast to the otherwise consistent use of cement plaster painted dark blue and black for the two-story wing closest to the detached ADU. Though Bedroom#3 is stacked directly above this small wing, it is relatively short to comply with the side daylight plane of this narrow lot. Still, to further help break up the scale of this wall, another steel fascia eyebrow element is set about 8 feet above the rear deck. The master suite sits centered above the ten-foot-tall great room. The master bedroom and its balcony, as well as the master bathtub area, have a commanding view of the central redwood trees and their impressive canopy, though the balcony is mostly recessed and should pose no privacy concerns to the neighbor’s rear yards. The master balcony parapet is clad in the same brick veneer continuing up from the living room below. A dark-painted metal rail makes up the rest of the open guardrail height. The entire length of the master balcony is comprised of 9-foot-tall sliding glass doors, but the area above the doors, as well as the area below the master bathroom windows, is accented with more redwood siding. The remainder of the master suite bathroom and walk-in closet is finished in cement plaster painted dark blue. The master bathroom has one side yard-facing window but will be frosted glass for both the owner’s and the neighbor’s privacy. The 2nd floor is capped under a simple gable roof design with one roof ridge and varying eave and rake overhangs depending on the 2nd-floor layout and solar orientation. Since these roof planes are quite difficult to see in the middle of the heavily wooded panhandle lot, we are proposing a white TPO roofing for these two upper roof planes as a more sustainable choice compared to more dark-colored roofing like the covered patios and detached ADU. The owners also wish to build a detached 292-square-foot Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) as an office and guest suite. For the ADU foundation to be situated outside the central redwood tree’s critical root zone, this relatively tiny structure takes advantage of the narrower 4-foot side and rear setbacks allowed for ADUs smaller than 800 square feet. The small L-shaped detached ADU frames a wonderful quasi-courtyard around the gargantuan V-twin redwoods at the center of the lot. The ADU shares a matching material palette consisting of cement plaster painted blue and black, vertical redwood siding and soffits, and thin brick veneer. The ADU also features large full-height windows. The only difference between the main home and the ADU material palette is that the roofing will be a dark composition shingle roofing since it will be quite visible from the master balcony.

Design by Blue Heron in Partnership with Cantoni. Photos By: Stephen Morgan For many, Las Vegas is a destination that transports you away from reality. The same can be said of the thirty-nine modern homes built in The Bluffs Community by luxury design/build firm, Blue Heron. Perched on a hillside in Southern Highlands, The Bluffs is a private gated community overlooking the Las Vegas Valley with unparalleled views of the mountains and the Las Vegas Strip. Indoor-outdoor living concepts, sustainable designs and distinctive floorplans create a modern lifestyle that makes coming home feel like a getaway. To give potential residents a sense for what their custom home could look like at The Bluffs, Blue Heron partnered with Cantoni to furnish a model home and create interiors that would complement the Vegas Modern™ architectural style. “We were really trying to introduce something that hadn’t been seen before in our area. Our homes are so innovative, so personal and unique that it takes truly spectacular furnishings to complete their stories as well as speak to the emotions of everyone who visits our homes,” shares Kathy May, director of interior design at Blue Heron. “Cantoni has been the perfect partner in this endeavor in that, like Blue Heron, Cantoni is innovative and pushes boundaries.” Utilizing Cantoni’s extensive portfolio, the Blue Heron Interior Design team was able to customize nearly every piece in the home to create a thoughtful and curated look for each space. “Having access to so many high-quality and diverse furnishing lines enables us to think outside the box and create unique turnkey designs for our clients with confidence,” says Kathy May, adding that the quality and one-of-a-kind feel of the pieces are unmatched. rom the perfectly situated sectional in the downstairs family room to the unique blue velvet dining chairs, the home breathes modern elegance. “I particularly love the master bed,” says Kathy. “We had created a concept design of what we wanted it to be and worked with one of Cantoni’s longtime partners, to bring it to life. It turned out amazing and really speaks to the character of the room.” The combination of Cantoni’s soft contemporary touch and Blue Heron’s distinctive designs are what made this project a unified experience. “The partnership really showcases Cantoni’s capabilities to manage projects like this from presentation to execution,” shares Luca Mazzolani, vice president of sales at Cantoni. “We work directly with the client to produce custom pieces like you see in this home and ensure a seamless and successful result.” And what a stunning result it is. There was no Las Vegas luck involved in this project, just a sureness of style and service that brought together Blue Heron and Cantoni to create one well-designed home. To learn more about Blue Heron Design Build, visit www.blueheron.com.

Transport yourself to the rolling hills of Italy with this handcrafted "Tuscan Vineyard" marble mosaic. This scenic masterpiece captures the essence of a Mediterranean countryside, featuring sun-drenched vineyards, rustic villas, and a serene cloudy sky. Meticulously assembled from thousands of hand-cut natural stone tiles, this piece offers an incredible depth and texture that brings the landscape to life. Its flexible mesh backing allows for installation on various surfaces, including curved walls, making it a spectacular focal point for dining rooms, wine cellars, or entryways.

Within the lush embrace of Palmetto Bluff, where the Lowcountry's natural splendor meets refined living, stands an architectural masterpiece in the making. Step inside, and be transported to a realm of refined living spaces adorned with bespoke finishes and thoughtful details. Sunlight pours through expansive windows, casting a warm glow upon hardwood floors and soaring ceilings. The heart of the home is the gourmet kitchen, where culinary aspirations take flight amidst top-of-the-line appliances and custom cabinetry. With five bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms, including a lavish master suite retreat, this residence offers ample space for relaxation and rejuvenation. But perhaps the crowning jewel of this estate is the fully equipped apartment nestled above the garage—a private sanctuary for guests or extended family, complete with a living room, bedroom, full bathroom, kitchenette, and even its own washer and dryer. Outdoor living is elevated to an art form in the expansive backyard oasis, where an outdoor kitchen invites culinary adventures, and evenings are spent gathered around the crackling warmth of the outdoor firepit.

Kitchen remodel which included carefully transporting over-sized granite carefully and handcrafting it for the new counter tops. Because the island is a major focal point of the kitchen, selecting the right type of stone and style is imperative. We worked with the client to find something that fits the kitchen's traditional style, and the client couldn't be more pleased!

Stepping into this space is like stepping into a slice of Portugal, thanks to the incredible vision of our client. The deep green handmade wall tiles exude richness and depth, reminiscent of Portugal's lush landscapes. And oh, the floor tiles! Each one a masterpiece, weaving together in a mesmerizing pattern that transports you to the vibrant streets of Lisbon. Can we just take a moment to admire the sheer visual delight of this space? ? From the elegant wood fluted vanity to the captivating chevron mirror, every detail is a testament to refined taste and thoughtful design. What we adore most about this primary bathroom is how it effortlessly balances visual interest with a sense of tranquility. It's the perfect oasis for those moments of relaxation and rejuvenation.

Exceptional 2 bedroom 2 bath in the Metropolitan Grand - a fantastic elevator building with an elegant lobby. This 1,375 square foot home offers 2 large private decks, on–site garage parking and a fabulous floor plan with distinctive columns separating the spacious living and dining rooms. Gourmet kitchen with brand new stainless steel appliances, streamlined maple cabinetry, granite counters and breakfast bar. Master suite features his and her custom walk-in closets and stunning marble bath with oversized shower, separate soaking tub and double sinks. Other features include: hardwood floors with cherry inlay, surround sound speakers, central air conditioning and in-home laundry. Close to all transportation, PATH, ferry & shopping.

This designer’s ideal is homeowners with a clear vision, set priorities, and values that align seamlessly with ours. These clients, an accomplished artist and the owner of a generational hops growing farm, were collaborative and trusting from the start. They conscientiously selected a team of Architect (Green Hammer), General Contractor (Cellar Ridge) and ATIID for furnishings and finishing touches. Each firm was able to meticulously manage their leg of the project, while collaborating wholistically with each other and the homeowners. The family farmhouse, lovingly named “Westwood,” was showing the wear one expects after serving a growing family for decades. The owner’s dream was to revive, open up, and breathe modern life into each space, while respecting the home’s heritage. One of our first collaborations was the light fixture that would grace the main two-story entry hall. HiiH Lights in Astoria, Oregon, was commissioned to bring “the function of light, the craft of paper, and the art of sculpture” to the home. Visiting the maker’s space – a massive barn on his coastal property – was such an inspiring adventure! Original work by the resident artist sets an ethereal tone in the space, and an antique bench handsomely blends the old with the new. A wall that divided the home’s living room and kitchen was removed, and the breezy and bright gathering room was born. Light walls, warm wood tones, cozy upholstery, clean lines and heritage elements create a welcoming atmosphere and invite lounging and conversation. The sun-drenched nook is the home’s main indoor dining area, with an extension table and sculpted chairs that are just right for family gatherings or morning rituals with the Sunday paper. The kitchen is a chef’s dream with every modern amenity, but its casual attitude is “let’s make a mess and eat!” The owner’s artwork graces the mantel over the new fireplace that was carved from a tree felled on the property, illustrating the thoughtful consideration of each element. The muted wool area rugs in the entryways and great room are hard-wearing for farm life, and the furniture’s classic lines, bold contrasting colors, deep seating and soft textures encourage cozy conversations or large group gatherings. The library is undoubtedly our favorite space in this home. Tucked in “speakeasy style” behind a hidden (wallpapered!) door in the moody wet bar, and drenched in deep green, the room offers a quiet retreat that hugs you in an embrace of books and family photos. The cozy settee nestled between the bookcases sits opposite a custom pair of modern cognac leather wing chairs. The area rug continues the storied look without the antique price tag with a piece from Loloi’s “Heritage Collection.” A little va-va-voom was requested for the powder bath and boy did we deliver! Custom wallpaper plays over original wainscotting and ceilings wrapped in more glorious green. The space evokes joy every time you open the door! A primary suite that would “transport us to another world” and be “classic yet modern, peaceful, collected and uncluttered” was a tall order. Our new furniture layout takes full advantage of the view of wine country hills and the Willamette River, welcomes fireside lounging, and serves as a calm respite for the lovely owners. Westwood Farmhouse truly was inspired by family, genuine love for home and graciousness for all who enter. Finishing the job was emotional for all involved because we were truly made to feel like part of the family. Photography by George Barberis

Inviting 2 bedroom 2 bath with optional office/den on tree lined Garden Street. With the ideal PATH friendly location, an open concept floor plan & boutique rowhouse setting, 137 Garden St. #2 has it all: Large living space with dedicated dining area & wood burning fireplace, custom floor to ceiling built-ins, open kitchen with SS appliances, granite counters & breakfast bar. Master suite with marble bath, Duravit vanity & glass block lit dressing room/walk-in closet. Sunny and bright with high ceilings, hardwood floors laid on the diagonal, ceiling fan, laundry, recessed lighting & great closet space. Right in the mix of downtown shopping, café society, parks & all transportation. Monthly rental parking available 2 blocks away. Easy stroller storage in hallway of parlor floor.

Exceptional 2 bedroom 2 bath in the Metropolitan Grand - a fantastic elevator building with an elegant lobby. This 1,375 square foot home offers 2 large private decks, on–site garage parking and a fabulous floor plan with distinctive columns separating the spacious living and dining rooms. Gourmet kitchen with brand new stainless steel appliances, streamlined maple cabinetry, granite counters and breakfast bar. Master suite features his and her custom walk-in closets and stunning marble bath with oversized shower, separate soaking tub and double sinks. Other features include: hardwood floors with cherry inlay, surround sound speakers, central air conditioning and in-home laundry. Close to all transportation, PATH, ferry & shopping.

Step into the Moroccan Kitchen in Ontario, where a captivating blend of cultural inspiration and modern design awaits. This space embraces the rich colors and intricate patterns of Moroccan aesthetics, transporting you to a world of beauty and warmth. Let’s set the Mood The wood panel flooring sets the stage, adding a natural and inviting foundation to the kitchen and dining area. Recessed lighting illuminates the space, casting a soft and ambient glow that highlights the thoughtful design elements. A focal point of the kitchen is the custom blue kitchen island, designed with an overhang for additional seating. The island boasts a custom quartz counter and elegant bronze fixtures, creating a harmonious balance of style and functionality. Pendant overhang lighting gracefully suspends above the island, adding a warm and inviting ambiance. Moroccan Charm Custom white kitchen cabinets with bronze handles offer ample storage while adding a touch of classic charm. A farmhouse-style kitchen sink with an apron brings rustic elegance to the space, complemented by a bronze sink faucet. The custom white cabinets continue with a quartz counter, providing a durable and beautiful surface for food preparation and display. A new stove and kitchen hood elevate the functionality of the kitchen, combining modern convenience with a tasteful design. The white, blue, and gold Moroccan-style backsplash tiles become a striking focal point, infusing the space with the allure of Moroccan craftsmanship and artistry. Personalized Coffee Station Continuing the design theme, the custom white cabinets with bronze handles extend to a personalized coffee station, tailored to the client’s preferences. A quartz counter adds a sleek touch, creating a dedicated area for indulging in coffee delights. As you bask in the kitchen, every detail enchants with its thoughtful integration of colors, textures, and cultural elements. This space seamlessly blends the allure of Moroccan aesthetics with contemporary design, offering a vibrant and inviting kitchen and dining area that captures the essence of global inspiration.

This contemporary design iteration infuses the homeowner's personal yard with a distinctive touch of urban chic. Anchored by a cozy covered dining area featuring a fireplace, the outdoor living space exudes comfort and ease. Pavers set amidst turf define the area, housing a luxurious pool and spa, outdoor kitchen, and chaise lounge section. Enclosed by a substantial privacy hedge, this transformative space expands its modest size, transporting visitors to a realm of resort-style living.

This bathroom features a double vanity with sleek gray cabinets and matching granite tops exuding modern elegance. The serene color palette continues with gray tile flooring, creating a calming ambiance. A delicate orchid adds a touch of natural beauty, while accents of stain and steel enhance the contemporary aesthetic. Above the vanities, artwork depicting the ocean transports you to coastal serenity, complemented by two inviting wicker chairs for moments of relaxation. Crisp white hotel towels provide a luxurious finishing touch, enhancing the spa-like atmosphere of this stylish sanctuary.

This was a fun project as it was installed on Wallace island which is part of the 1000 Islands, Ontario. We designed and supplied everything to renovate both the kitchen and bathroom. Every item literally had to be put on a raft type pontoon boat and carefully transported to the island. Here we created a fresh look using our RTA (Ready-to-Assemble) TSG/Forevermark cabinetry, pre-build the quartz countertop and installed. In this kitchen, we supplied the cabinetry, appliances, countertop, lighting, backsplash tile and flooring.

An outdated 3-level multi-family built in 1900 was converted into a modern two-unit condominium. The property is within walking distance of local schools, public transportation, stores, and downtown and conveniently near major routes. Both two-level condos offer a bright and spacious floor plan with three bedrooms; three full baths; a large family room; a designer kitchen; hardwood flooring; stylish finishes; two parking spots, and outdoor yard space. The gorgeous kitchen is equipped with top-of-the-line stainless steel Thermador appliances complemented by quartz counters; work station sink; and access to a deck. The primary suite creates a sense of serenity with ample natural light. The sleek primary bathroom has a tiled glass-enclosed shower, a deep soaking tub, and a brilliant quartz-topped double sink vanity. Unit 1 is 1,812 sf and was listed and sold for $870,000 in under 65 days. Unit 2 is 2,060 sf and was listed and sold for $900,000 in under 54 days.

MINIMALIST VIBE WITH OLD CHARM Crisp and clean, remodeled Old-Pdx with large inviting modern spaces, tall ceilings and bright open floor plan. Newer kitchen and baths, fully finished basement with family room and third floor bonus space. Hardwood floors, tile, fireplace and built-ins. Great location near schools, parks, shopping + restaurants and public transportation. We represented the Seller in the sale of this wonderful Irvington home. Contact us for more information about this neighborhood and a list of available properties via email at info@danagriggs.com or by visiting our website at www.DanaGriggs.com

Character and modern amenities are blended in this timeless Tudor. Period details include an arched front entry, charming stained glass window accents and gleaming hardwood floors. An elegant formal living room has a magnificent fireplace with a limestone mantel. French doors lead to a library with built-ins. A modern kitchen opens to a window-filled breakfast room and family room with fireplace. Stainless steel appliances include a new dishwasher, Sub-Zero refrigerator, and professional Dynasty range. The spacious second floor features a large hall bath, laundry, and four generous bedrooms including a master suite accented with beautiful glass mosaic tiles. The lower level includes a playroom with a stone fireplace, bathroom, and workshop. A mudroom leads to a blue stone patio, gardens, and two car garage. In close proximity to public transportation, shopping, schools and all the wonderful amenities that Newtonville has to offer. http://www.163uplandroad.com/

Yolseuiloyan: Nahuatl word that means "the place where the heart rests and strengthens." The project is a sustainable eco-tourism complex of 43 cabins, located in the Sierra Norte de Puebla, Surrounded by a misty forest ecosystem, in an area adjacent to Cuetzalan del Progreso’s downtown, a magical place with indigenous roots. The cabins integrate bio-constructive local elements in order to favor the local economy, and at the same time to reduce the negative environmental impact of new construction; for this purpose, the chosen materials were bamboo panels and structure, adobe walls made from local soil, and limestone extracted from the site. The selection of materials are also suitable for the humid climate of Cuetzalan, and help to maintain a mild temperature in the interior, thanks to the material properties and the implementation of bioclimatic design strategies. For the architectural design, a traditional house typology, with a contemporary feel was chosen to integrate with the local natural context, and at the same time to promote a unique warm natural atmosphere in connection with its surroundings, with the aim to transport the user into a calm relaxed atmosphere, full of local tradition that respects the community and the environment. The interior design process integrated accessories made by local artisans who incorporate the use of textiles and ceramics, bamboo and wooden furniture, and local clay, thus expressing a part of their culture through the use of local materials.

This typical late 20th Century home located in Fishers, IN had a somewhat open kitchen-living area.Because their extensive home-grown gardening, canning and wine making needs weren't accommodated by the small existing kitchen/dining areas, these clients hired Residential Architect LeeConstantine to improve their situation. Constantine separated the "wine making zone" from the everyday "family kitchen zone" striving to allow the zones to "flow" between the two without isolating one from the other. A small rear addition allowed the necessary expansion needed to create the different zones as well as provide for a new walk-in food pantry closet, the various prep and cooking centers, and the opportunity and space to entertain guests there to sample their delicious "creations".In addition, Constantine provided a design offering opportunities for the expression of the clients individual personalities and tastes. This was achieved by incorporating niches for artwork, arched stained glass components highlighting the "home-grown" concept and even a dumb waiter housed within a base cabinet accommodating the transport of 5 gallon "carboys" directly to the basement wine cellar.