Located in the heart of Menlo Park, in one of the most prestigious neighborhoods, this residence is a true eye candy. The couple purchased this home and wanted to renovate before moving in. That is how they came to TBS. The idea was to create warm and cozy yet very specious and functional kitchen/dining and family room area, renovate and upgrade master bathroom with another powder room and finish with whole house repainting. TBS designers were inspired with family’s way of spending time together and entertaining. Taking their vision and desires into consideration house was transformed the way homeowners have imagined it would be. Bringing in high quality custom materials., tailoring every single corner to everyone we are sure this Menlo Park home will create many wonderful memories for family and friends.

Location: Bethesda, MD, USA This total revamp turned out better than anticipated leaving the clients thrilled with the outcome. Finecraft Contractors, Inc. Interior Designer: Anna Cave Susie Soleimani Photography Blog: http://graciousinteriors.blogspot.com/2016/07/from-cellar-to-stellar-lower-level.html

Serving as a weekend getaway dwelling, these clients opted for a comfortable contemporary aesthetic. “Citified with a bit of glamour” was our mantra. To contrast the linear aspects of the great room and to provide both internal and external views, a large irregularly-shaped sectional was employed. It was paired with two iconic Mario Bellini lounge chairs that provide an elegant air to the space, all anchored by a 20’ round wool rug. A hint of European sensibility is revealed with the use of bespoke lighting. Multi-globe ceiling fixtures crown the great room, while individual pendants adorn the split dining table. The custom dining table top became a true piece of art: a laser-cut brass panel with a map of the client’s Northern California hometown speaks to his passion for maps and adds dimension and interest to this table. The entryway features a bronze, stainless steel, and wood console against a backdrop of precious stone. A bold bronze sculpture in the great room draws the eye to the glass and beyond. The walls and ceilings were given a faux finish of metallic woven, grass-cloth type texture, bringing an element of glamour and drama. In the master bedroom an art piece was commissioned to hang above the bed, blending a lifetime of poems, photographs, and song lyrics into a visual representation of a classic love story. Adjacent to this art piece is a full-size print of the client’s own photography work, backlit and custom-framed to add personality to a room full of exquisite art. A collection of outstanding pieces, that would make any art collector proud, complete this couple’s favorite weekend getaway with stunning city views. Photo Credit: David Duncan Livingston

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

We were asked to stage this home which had been in the care of house sitters for a couple of years. Some items had already been removed to a town house in Russian Hill, San Francisco, and this ample house which had been home to a family of seven, was now going on the market. It needed some repairs, some repainting, and some replacement and rearranging of furniture. The dining room was the one of first rooms seen upon entering from the front door and foyer. The antique English dining table was purchased by us for the client at auction, and was eventually moved to the new San Francisco residence. The heavy gold silk curtains were custom made in London when the family lived there for their English residence, but didn't suit the SF home, and so we sold them in an estate sale after the home was sold. The same was true for the chandelier, which came into our store for sale, and then moved into the dining room of another client the following year.

MIchael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE by PREFERRED PROPERTIES.Michael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE by PREFERRED PROPERTIES. MIchael Gotowala Outdoor kitchens. Remote outdoor fire pit stone and marble top by outdoor living fabulously designer Michael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE BY PREFERRED PROPERTIES.Outdoor kitchen designer Michael Gotowala Founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN Store by Preferred Properties. OUTDOOR LIVING Fabulously designer Michael Gotowala called on his vast experience for this complete renovation, designing and installing the hardscaping, fire pit, landscaping, lighting, and outdoor kitchen. He enlarged the patio area by adding stone sitting walls to surround an incredible stone and marble gas fire pit. The open-air kitchen’s island features a T-shaped bar and beverage counter, and its position allows the couple and their guests to capture breathtaking views of the lake in a private setting. The original brick pavers were replaced with a luxurious blue marble patio floor, which is banded with antiqued and sand-blasted marble to accent the true grandeur of this outstanding home. There is also extensive marble coping on the stone sitting walls and bullnose marble coping on stairs. Stunning surfaces complete, Gotowala then equipped the kitchen with all the high-end al fresco appliances needed for true lakeside living! For more great outdoor kitchen ideas go to THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE by PREFERRED PROPERTIES. www.OUTDOORKITCHENDESIGNER.com Looking for that fabulous outdoor living design? call 1-855- GET OUTDOORS

Serving as a weekend getaway dwelling, these clients opted for a comfortable contemporary aesthetic. “Citified with a bit of glamour” was our mantra. To contrast the linear aspects of the great room and to provide both internal and external views, a large irregularly-shaped sectional was employed. It was paired with two iconic Mario Bellini lounge chairs that provide an elegant air to the space, all anchored by a 20’ round wool rug. A hint of European sensibility is revealed with the use of bespoke lighting. Multi-globe ceiling fixtures crown the great room, while individual pendants adorn the split dining table. The custom dining table top became a true piece of art: a laser-cut brass panel with a map of the client’s Northern California hometown speaks to his passion for maps and adds dimension and interest to this table. The entryway features a bronze, stainless steel, and wood console against a backdrop of precious stone. A bold bronze sculpture in the great room draws the eye to the glass and beyond. The walls and ceilings were given a faux finish of metallic woven, grass-cloth type texture, bringing an element of glamour and drama. In the master bedroom an art piece was commissioned to hang above the bed, blending a lifetime of poems, photographs, and song lyrics into a visual representation of a classic love story. Adjacent to this art piece is a full-size print of the client’s own photography work, backlit and custom-framed to add personality to a room full of exquisite art. A collection of outstanding pieces, that would make any art collector proud, complete this couple’s favorite weekend getaway with stunning city views. Photo Credit: David Duncan Livingston

"Let There Be Light" is a complete re-imagining of a 1920's Tudor-style mansion, that garnered multiple Georgie and Ovation awards, and earned Versa Homes a trophy for Best Renovated Room of 2017. The existing estate had a dark and sombre feel. The young couple and their three children wanted a bright, liveable, kid-friendly home with modern amenities, while preserving the traditional beauty and grandeur of the house. A 3,000 square-foot unfinished basement was transformed into a wonderland of home entertainment, with a home theatre, indoor hockey rink, gymnasium, arts and crafts room, billiards room, bar and seating for dozens of guests. Felipe and the Versa team worked closely with the family to select finishes and materials that were "just right". Every room is endowed with a unique motif. The finished renovation combines classic stylings with modern chic, and rustic "New York Loft" elements, in a playful ensemble that is a true expression of the personalities in the household.

Dining room - dining room idea in New York

Design ideas for a mediterranean drought-tolerant landscaping in Los Angeles with a pergola.

Custom Home Built for Real Life Our clients came to us with a clear vision: a home that could adapt to their lifestyle and growing family. They needed a home built with intention, designed with the future in mind, and built around the routines they loved and the people they loved more. Open-Concept Living With Hosting in Mind Our clients hosted often and lived actively, so the main level had to be flexible for all of life’s moments. The goal was a space that felt grand without losing its warmth. Cooking together as a family mattered to our clients – the Wolf range, farmhouse sink, integrated appliances, and large island gave them a kitchen that flowed effortlessly while looking beautiful. This space also served as the bridge between other parts of the main level so that they would stay in view of the next. This created the perfect environment for gathering where everyone had their own spot without ever feeling apart from the whole group. For the living room, our clients wanted space that felt open without losing its warmth. Soaring ceilings created that sense of scale, while warm tones and materials, like the wood coffered ceiling and fireplace wall, kept it grounded. That same warmth carried outside, where an outdoor lounge with a fireplace and dining area made sure guests felt welcomed the moment they stepped out. A Backyard Built for Real Rest Every corner of the backyard was designed with one goal: to be the ultimate outdoor retreat. The elevated, white-brick-framed pool and integrated spa hot tub gave them a place to truly exhale. As the sun set, the fire pit lounge next to the pool became the hangout spot when they hosted their youth groups and family gatherings. Room to Grow With kids in the house, “custom” had to also mean flexible. Our clients had 2 young sons and needed their rooms to grow with them through the years. The two bedrooms and a full bath sat beside a loft that served as both their hangout-and-homework spot. The guest suite sat on the same level where a four-poster bed, floor-to-ceiling wood-look tile, and a frameless glass shower welcomed their guests from day one. A Retreat That’s Actually Theirs Between hosting and raising kids, this couple needed a suite that felt like a true escape. The wood-planked tray ceiling and French doors grounded the room in warmth the moment you walked in, while the ensuite bathroom carried a spa-like feeling with a freestanding soaking tub, custom double vanity, and a glass-enclosed shower. This Is What Approachable Luxury Looks Like The approachable luxury experience meant starting with conversations about how they wanted their space to live with them – how they hosted, how their kids played, how they wanted to feel walking through their own front door, and how we took their goals and experience and used it as the foundation of every decision that was made from start to finish. We wanted our clients to feel taken care of through the process and, most importantly, feel heard.

Serving as a weekend getaway dwelling, these clients opted for a comfortable contemporary aesthetic. “Citified with a bit of glamour” was our mantra. To contrast the linear aspects of the great room and to provide both internal and external views, a large irregularly-shaped sectional was employed. It was paired with two iconic Mario Bellini lounge chairs that provide an elegant air to the space, all anchored by a 20’ round wool rug. A hint of European sensibility is revealed with the use of bespoke lighting. Multi-globe ceiling fixtures crown the great room, while individual pendants adorn the split dining table. The custom dining table top became a true piece of art: a laser-cut brass panel with a map of the client’s Northern California hometown speaks to his passion for maps and adds dimension and interest to this table. The entryway features a bronze, stainless steel, and wood console against a backdrop of precious stone. A bold bronze sculpture in the great room draws the eye to the glass and beyond. The walls and ceilings were given a faux finish of metallic woven, grass-cloth type texture, bringing an element of glamour and drama. In the master bedroom an art piece was commissioned to hang above the bed, blending a lifetime of poems, photographs, and song lyrics into a visual representation of a classic love story. Adjacent to this art piece is a full-size print of the client’s own photography work, backlit and custom-framed to add personality to a room full of exquisite art. A collection of outstanding pieces, that would make any art collector proud, complete this couple’s favorite weekend getaway with stunning city views. Photo Credit: David Duncan Livingston

Located in the heart of Menlo Park, in one of the most prestigious neighborhoods, this residence is a true eye candy. The couple purchased this home and wanted to renovate before moving in. That is how they came to TBS. The idea was to create warm and cozy yet very specious and functional kitchen/dining and family room area, renovate and upgrade master bathroom with another powder room and finish with whole house repainting. TBS designers were inspired with family’s way of spending time together and entertaining. Taking their vision and desires into consideration house was transformed the way homeowners have imagined it would be. Bringing in high quality custom materials., tailoring every single corner to everyone we are sure this Menlo Park home will create many wonderful memories for family and friends.

"Let There Be Light" is a complete re-imagining of a 1920's Tudor-style mansion, that garnered multiple Georgie and Ovation awards, and earned Versa Homes a trophy for Best Renovated Room of 2017. The existing estate had a dark and sombre feel. The young couple and their three children wanted a bright, liveable, kid-friendly home with modern amenities, while preserving the traditional beauty and grandeur of the house. A 3,000 square-foot unfinished basement was transformed into a wonderland of home entertainment, with a home theatre, indoor hockey rink, gymnasium, arts and crafts room, billiards room, bar and seating for dozens of guests. Felipe and the Versa team worked closely with the family to select finishes and materials that were "just right". Every room is endowed with a unique motif. The finished renovation combines classic stylings with modern chic, and rustic "New York Loft" elements, in a playful ensemble that is a true expression of the personalities in the household.

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

"Let There Be Light" is a complete re-imagining of a 1920's Tudor-style mansion, that garnered multiple Georgie and Ovation awards, and earned Versa Homes a trophy for Best Renovated Room of 2017. The existing estate had a dark and sombre feel. The young couple and their three children wanted a bright, liveable, kid-friendly home with modern amenities, while preserving the traditional beauty and grandeur of the house. A 3,000 square-foot unfinished basement was transformed into a wonderland of home entertainment, with a home theatre, indoor hockey rink, gymnasium, arts and crafts room, billiards room, bar and seating for dozens of guests. Felipe and the Versa team worked closely with the family to select finishes and materials that were "just right". Every room is endowed with a unique motif. The finished renovation combines classic stylings with modern chic, and rustic "New York Loft" elements, in a playful ensemble that is a true expression of the personalities in the household.

Our clients wanted their home to be host to charity functions, community events, and their family and friends, as well as a showcase for their eclectic and colorful art collection featuring works by local Oakland artists. Oh, and when they moved in, they did the work to register the house as an Oakland Historical Landmark. The fact that the couple was looking to upgrade their living room in the Hollywood Regency style (which is known for bold colors, shiny metallics, luxe fabrics, and an eye to mixing opulence with comfort while holding true to the glamor of 1930s Hollywood) made this project all the more inspiring and fun for me and my team. John recalls, “We wanted a place that was glamorous, and compelling, so that people who visit would be excited and inspired by it!” Our mission was to bring the very grand living room with its high ceilings and leaded glass bay windows to the next level for the family (including grown children Tom and Mandela) and their guests — ranging in number from 6 to 60 or more, on any given day or night. The Hollywood Regency aesthetic was a perfect canvas for mixing and matching with the couple’s significant and hyper-local pop art collection, including pieces by famed Oakland artists Mel Ramos and K-Dub. Kim and John’s personal views and aesthetics, together with their vibrant art collection, called for a bold design that is more funky and eclectic overall than many owners of historic homes like this tend to prefer. I mean, don’t get me wrong; many of our clients like to do something a little daring, and often they opt for elements of glam. However, John and Kim agreeing to our specification of a pair of peacock blue sofas — that is no small commitment to audacious color! Another furnishing element I love from this project is the custom-designed birds-eye-maple and antique glass inset bar — on wheels, which allows flexibility: a bartender can serve a large party from behind it or it can be turned around for use as self-service for a more intimate gathering. My team and I couldn’t be more proud to have created a design that inspires and supports this family so that they may continue to make significant contributions to their causes and community.

Serving as a weekend getaway dwelling, these clients opted for a comfortable contemporary aesthetic. “Citified with a bit of glamour” was our mantra. To contrast the linear aspects of the great room and to provide both internal and external views, a large irregularly-shaped sectional was employed. It was paired with two iconic Mario Bellini lounge chairs that provide an elegant air to the space, all anchored by a 20’ round wool rug. A hint of European sensibility is revealed with the use of bespoke lighting. Multi-globe ceiling fixtures crown the great room, while individual pendants adorn the split dining table. The custom dining table top became a true piece of art: a laser-cut brass panel with a map of the client’s Northern California hometown speaks to his passion for maps and adds dimension and interest to this table. The entryway features a bronze, stainless steel, and wood console against a backdrop of precious stone. A bold bronze sculpture in the great room draws the eye to the glass and beyond. The walls and ceilings were given a faux finish of metallic woven, grass-cloth type texture, bringing an element of glamour and drama. In the master bedroom an art piece was commissioned to hang above the bed, blending a lifetime of poems, photographs, and song lyrics into a visual representation of a classic love story. Adjacent to this art piece is a full-size print of the client’s own photography work, backlit and custom-framed to add personality to a room full of exquisite art. A collection of outstanding pieces, that would make any art collector proud, complete this couple’s favorite weekend getaway with stunning city views. Photo Credit: David Duncan Livingston

Texturizing this towering outdoor fireplace with stacked stone and square and rectangular cut stone inserts that match the courtyard walls. Note the Stacked stone raised sundeck with waterfalls spilling into the pool. Pool patio is BLU MARBLE antiqued finish with patterns of sandblasted marble to mix and match. Lots going on with this outdoor living fabulous design by Michael Gotowala Outdoor stone fireplace anchors this marble patio floor and Leisure fiberglass pool with waterfalls by Outdoor living fabulous designer And founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE by Preferred Properties. ENTERTAINING FABULOUSLY BEYOND THE WALLS OF YOUR HOME OUTDOORS seems to have guests hopping to the Sound of the SNAP, CRACKLE POP of their own OUTDOOR FIREPLACE. All Outdoor Fireplaces create warmth, light, ambiance, culinary delight and conversation. The outdoor fireplace it seems true to say that the more dramatic in appearance, The more dramatic the outdoor space becomes. With many choices of Stone types, natural stone veneer in a sleuce of colors, It so happens to become a designers Outdoor Living DREAM come true. Not only looking handsome and stone tall in the corner of the backyard, The work house of the OUTDOOR KITCHEN can be the same Outdoor fireplace with a slightly Different intent. These type outdoor fireplaces are usually coupled with warming drawers and Hearth ovens. More commonly referred to as Pizza Ovens. Outdoor fireplaces stand tall in the Landscape as well as the homescape. It surely comes to reason that Outdoor Fireplaces are amongst the hottest trends in outdoor Living. For more fabulous outdoor kitchen ideas go to THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE. www.OutdoorKitchenDesigner.com