Two level deck with upper and lower wood-burning fireplaces, built-in ceiling heaters and numerous skylights for lots of sun.
Mountain style patio photo in Seattle with a fire pit

This Wicker Park property consists of two buildings, an Italianate mansion (1879) and a Second Empire coach house (1893). Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the property has been carefully restored as a single family residence. Exterior work includes new roofs, windows, doors, and porches to complement the historic masonry walls and metal cornices. Inside, historic spaces such as the entry hall and living room were restored while back-of-the house spaces were treated in a more contemporary manner. A new white-painted steel stair connects all four levels of the building, while a new flight of stainless steel extends the historic front stair up to attic level, which now includes sky lit bedrooms and play spaces. The Coach House features parking for three cars on the ground level and a live-work space above, connected by a new spiral stair enclosed in a glass-and-brick addition. Sustainable design strategies include high R-value spray foam insulation, geothermal HVAC systems, and provisions for future solar panels. Photos (c) Eric Hausman

This timber column porch replaced a small portico. It features a 7.5' x 24' premium quality pressure treated porch floor. Porch beam wraps, fascia, trim are all cedar. A shed-style, standing seam metal roof is featured in a burnished slate color. The porch also includes a ceiling fan and recessed lighting.

A two level pressure treated deck.
Traditional exterior home idea in Richmond

3 level deck with two ground levels and stairs. rain proof ceiling below with ceiling fan and lighting. structure wrapped in white pvc with vinyl rails and aluminum balusters. The bar top along the side adds space with minimal cost.

This expansive 2 level, pressure treated deck enjoys several different entertainment and relaxing areas. Designed and built by Atlanta Decking (family owned with over 35 years of experience).

A screened porch added to the house and attached to a two level deck.
Example of a classic exterior home design in Richmond

Unfinishes lower level gets an amazing face lift to a Prairie style inspired meca Photos by Stuart Lorenz Photograpghy
Example of a mid-sized arts and crafts u-shaped ceramic tile and multicolored floor seated home bar design in Minneapolis with glass-front cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, wood countertops and brown countertops

Our clients were living in a Northwood Hills home in Dallas that was built in 1968. Some updates had been done but none really to the main living areas in the front of the house. They love to entertain and do so frequently but the layout of their house wasn’t very functional. There was a galley kitchen, which was mostly shut off to the rest of the home. They were not using the formal living and dining room in front of your house, so they wanted to see how this space could be better utilized. They wanted to create a more open and updated kitchen space that fits their lifestyle. One idea was to turn part of this space into an office, utilizing the bay window with the view out of the front of the house. Storage was also a necessity, as they entertain often and need space for storing those items they use for entertaining. They would also like to incorporate a wet bar somewhere! We demoed the brick and paneling from all of the existing walls and put up drywall. The openings on either side of the fireplace and through the entryway were widened and the kitchen was completely opened up. The fireplace surround is changed to a modern Emser Esplanade Trail tile, versus the chunky rock it was previously. The ceiling was raised and leveled out and the beams were removed throughout the entire area. Beautiful Olympus quartzite countertops were installed throughout the kitchen and butler’s pantry with white Chandler cabinets and Grace 4”x12” Bianco tile backsplash. A large two level island with bar seating for guests was built to create a little separation between the kitchen and dining room. Contrasting black Chandler cabinets were used for the island, as well as for the bar area, all with the same 6” Emtek Alexander pulls. A Blanco low divide metallic gray kitchen sink was placed in the center of the island with a Kohler Bellera kitchen faucet in vibrant stainless. To finish off the look three Iconic Classic Globe Small Pendants in Antiqued Nickel pendant lights were hung above the island. Black Supreme granite countertops with a cool leathered finish were installed in the wet bar, The backsplash is Choice Fawn gloss 4x12” tile, which created a little different look than in the kitchen. A hammered copper Hayden square sink was installed in the bar, giving it that cool bar feel with the black Chandler cabinets. Off the kitchen was a laundry room and powder bath that were also updated. They wanted to have a little fun with these spaces, so the clients chose a geometric black and white Bella Mori 9x9” porcelain tile. Coordinating black and white polka dot wallpaper was installed in the laundry room and a fun floral black and white wallpaper in the powder bath. A dark bronze Metal Mirror with a shelf was installed above the porcelain pedestal sink with simple floating black shelves for storage. Their butlers pantry, the added storage space, and the overall functionality has made entertaining so much easier and keeps unwanted things out of sight, whether the guests are sitting at the island or at the wet bar! The clients absolutely love their new space and the way in which has transformed their lives and really love entertaining even more now!

This two-tiered space offers lower level seating near the swimming pool and upper level seating for a view of the Illinois River. Planter boxes with annuals, perennials and container plantings warm the space. The retaining walls add additional seating space and a small grill enclosure is tucked away in the corner.

The multi-level concrete and steel planters create lots of depth and interest out front.
Trendy white split-level exterior home photo in Austin with a shed roof

Large beautiful pressure treated deck designed and built by Atlanta Decking & Fence. This project features multi-levels for optimal entertainment.
Inspiration for a huge transitional backyard second story metal railing deck remodel in Atlanta

This Wicker Park property consists of two buildings, an Italianate mansion (1879) and a Second Empire coach house (1893). Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the property has been carefully restored as a single family residence. Exterior work includes new roofs, windows, doors, and porches to complement the historic masonry walls and metal cornices. Inside, historic spaces such as the entry hall and living room were restored while back-of-the house spaces were treated in a more contemporary manner. A new white-painted steel stair connects all four levels of the building, while a new flight of stainless steel extends the historic front stair up to attic level, which now includes sky lit bedrooms and play spaces. The Coach House features parking for three cars on the ground level and a live-work space above, connected by a new spiral stair enclosed in a glass-and-brick addition. Sustainable design strategies include high R-value spray foam insulation, geothermal HVAC systems, and provisions for future solar panels. Photos (c) Eric Hausman.

Kitchen design from a split-level home renovation in Plainview, NY.
Mid-sized transitional l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

A two-level pergola, circular firepit area and outdoor kitchen with a charcoal-gas combo grill star in this Houston patio addition designed for entertaining large crowds in style. "The client was an attorney with a passion for cooking and entertaining," says the project's principal designer, Lisha Maxey of LGH Designs. "Her main objective with this space was to create a large area for 10 to 20 guests, including seating and the prep and cooking of meals." Located in the backyard of the client's home in Spring, TX, this beautiful outdoor living and entertaining space includes a 28-by-12-foot patio with Fantastico silver travertine tile flooring, arranged in a Versailles pattern. The walkway is Oklahoma wister flagstone. Providing filtered shade for the patio is a two-level pergola of treated pine stained honey gold. The larger, higher tier is about 18 by 10 feet; the smaller, lower tier is about 10 feet square. "We covered the entire pergola with Lexan - a high-quality, clear acrylic sheet that provides protection from the sun, heat and rain," says Outdoor Homescapes of Houston owner Wayne Franks. Beneath the lower tier of the pergola sits an L-shaped, 12-by-9-foot outdoor kitchen island faced with Carmel Country ledgestone. The island houses a Fire Magic® combination charcoal-gas grill and lowered power burner, a Pacific Living countertop pizza oven and a stainless steel RCS trash drawer and sink. The countertops and raised bar are Fantastico silver travertine (18-square-inch tiles) and the backsplash is real quartz. "The most unique design item of this kitchen area is the hexagon/circular table we added to the end of the long bar," says Lisha. This enabled the client to add seating for her dining guests." Under the higher, larger tier of the pergola is a seating area, made up of a coffee table and espresso-colored rattan sofa and club chairs with spring-green-and-white cushions. "Lighting also plays an important role in this space, since the client often entertains in the evening," says Wayne. Enter the chandelier over the patio seating arrangement and - over the outdoor kitchen - pendant lamps and an industrial-modern ceiling fan with a light fixture in the center. "It's important to layer your lighting for ambiance, security and safety - from an all-over ambient light that fills the space to under-the-counter task lighting for food prep and cooking to path and retaining wall lighting." Off the patio is a transition area of crushed granite and floating flagstone pavers, leading to a circular firepit area of stamped concrete. At the center of this circle is the standalone firepit, framed at the back by a curved stone bench. The walls of the bench and column bases for the pergola, by the way, are the same ledgestone as the kitchen island. The top slab on the bench is a hearth piece of manmade stone. "I think the finish materials blend with the home really well," says Wayne. "We met her objectives of being able to entertain with 10 to 12 to 20 people at one time and being able to cook with charcoal and gas separately in one unit. And of course, the project was on time, on budget." "It is truly a paradise," says the client in her Houzz review of the project. "They listened to my vision and incorporated their expertise to create an outdoor living space just perfect for me and my family!"

This house began as a typical, low-lying split-level. You can still see the garage, main level, and upper/lower split on the right. We designed a new story above, with turned-gable roof lines to complement the main roof. The entire house was remodeled, plus we designed a screened porch and patio / fire pit for the rear yard. Photo: Robert Braddock

Beautiful French inspired home in the heart of Lincoln Park Chicago. Rising amidst the grand homes of North Howe Street, this stately house has more than 6,600 SF. In total, the home has seven bedrooms, six full bathrooms and three powder rooms. Designed with an extra-wide floor plan (21'-2"), achieved through side-yard relief, and an attached garage achieved through rear-yard relief, it is a truly unique home in a truly stunning environment. The centerpiece of the home is its dramatic, 11-foot-diameter circular stair that ascends four floors from the lower level to the roof decks where panoramic windows (and views) infuse the staircase and lower levels with natural light. Public areas include classically-proportioned living and dining rooms, designed in an open-plan concept with architectural distinction enabling them to function individually. A gourmet, eat-in kitchen opens to the home's great room and rear gardens and is connected via its own staircase to the lower level family room, mud room and attached 2-1/2 car, heated garage. The second floor is a dedicated master floor, accessed by the main stair or the home's elevator. Features include a groin-vaulted ceiling; attached sun-room; private balcony; lavishly appointed master bath; tremendous closet space, including a 120 SF walk-in closet, and; an en-suite office. Four family bedrooms and three bathrooms are located on the third floor. This home was sold early in its construction process. Nathan Kirkman

Usage of low maintenance materials, refinishing and reusing cabinets, and reallocating space instead of changing the home’s footprint kept this project green. Clients were also able to live on site during the renovation due to the low-VOC and water-based finishes, and our constant indoor air-quality monitoring. The entry and main floor, kitchen, and both baths now feel fresh, airy, and spacious, allowing for immediate relaxation in taking in natural light, water views and sunsets from this West Seattle split-level home.

Screened Porches Screened porches make up the rear of the house, but one can see the covered side porch at left (with Master Bath shower above) and the new back deck at the right. The back yard is decidedly low maintenance, with its artificial turf grass and gravel areas at the perimeter (where the dogs patrol). fiber cement siding painted Cleveland Green (7" siding), Sweet Vibrations (4" siding), and Texas Leather (11" siding)—all by Benjamin Moore • window trim and clerestory band painted Night Horizon by Benjamin Moore • soffit & fascia painted Camouflage by Benjamin Moore. Construction by CG&S Design-Build. Photography by Tre Dunham, Fine focus Photography