Living room on the first level of a multi-level condo. We renovated the closet to the left of the sofa for more efficient use. We replaced the two separate doors for sliding doors and raised the height of the closet when we renovated the eat-in area above and added a channel to hold large plants. HDBros

For our client, who had previous experience working with architects, we enlarged, completely gutted and remodeled this Twin Peaks diamond in the rough. The top floor had a rear-sloping ceiling that cut off the amazing view, so our first task was to raise the roof so the great room had a uniformly high ceiling. Clerestory windows bring in light from all directions. In addition, we removed walls, combined rooms, and installed floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall sliding doors in sleek black aluminum at each floor to create generous rooms with expansive views. At the basement, we created a full-floor art studio flooded with light and with an en-suite bathroom for the artist-owner. New exterior decks, stairs and glass railings create outdoor living opportunities at three of the four levels. We designed modern open-riser stairs with glass railings to replace the existing cramped interior stairs. The kitchen features a 16 foot long island which also functions as a dining table. We designed a custom wall-to-wall bookcase in the family room as well as three sleek tiled fireplaces with integrated bookcases. The bathrooms are entirely new and feature floating vanities and a modern freestanding tub in the master. Clean detailing and luxurious, contemporary finishes complete the look.

This multi-level deck in WOLF Rosewood PVC decking. The unobstructed dining level with its wrap around stairs flows into the lower lounge area providing an open feel and additional seating. The African Bluestone landing and wrap-a-round cascading steps and walkway add to the texture and variety of color. The semi-sunken hot tub is fully accessible from one side and almost hidden from the deck perspective. The duel sets of stairs give access to the driveway as well as the yard itself. The custom rails are black powder coated aluminum. Black PVC skirting, finishes the base of the deck. a nearly 5ft wide rolling barn door gives access to the excavated dry space below which serves as storage and with 6 foot of headroom is a fully functional 450sf of storage space - Large enough to drive into with a ride-on mower . The door had to be hung using powder coated steel hardware to carry the size and weight of the door The design detail of the hardware itself adds to the architectural interest of the overall project.

Deck - traditional second story deck idea in Chicago with no cover

Back Trex deck with diagonal decking and picture framing. View from the front/side yard.
Deck - mid-sized craftsman deck idea in Other

This awesome three level deck comes complete with it's own bluestone turret and gas fire feature. The elevated bluestone decking adds an unexpected natural texture; the mood of the setting is open air. The circular seating around the fire allows for conversation or quiet reflection. The outdoor kitchen was added to streamline entertaining, while answering the need for everyday convenience. EP Henry stone veneer topped with black granite countertops craft a rich kitchen setting likened to an upscale indoor design. The kitchen is complete with a Viking Grille, sink with a built in cutting board and built in storage. The island bar is built to party.

This awesome three level deck comes complete with it's own bluestone turret and gas fire feature. The elevated bluestone decking adds an unexpected natural texture; the mood of the setting is open air. The circular seating around the fire allows for conversation or quiet reflection. The outdoor kitchen was added to streamline entertaining, while answering the need for everyday convenience. EP Henry stone veneer topped with black granite countertops craft a rich kitchen setting likened to an upscale indoor design. The kitchen is complete with a Viking Grille, sink with a built in cutting board and built in storage. The island bar is built to party.

Example of a mid-sized minimalist backyard deck design in Toronto

In a wooded area of Lafayette, a mid-century home was re-imagined for a graphic designer and kindergarten teacher couple and their three children. A major new design feature is a high ceiling great room that wraps from the front to the back yard, turning a corner at the kitchen and ending at the family room fireplace. This room was designed with a high flat roof to work in conjunction with existing roof forms to create a unified whole, and raise interior ceiling heights from eight to over ten feet. All new lighting and large floor to ceiling Fleetwood aluminum windows expand views of the trees beyond. The existing home was enlarged by 700 square feet with a small exterior addition enlarging the kitchen over an existing deck, and a larger amount by excavating out crawlspace at the garage level to create a new home office with full bath, and separate laundry utility room. The remodeled residence became 3,847 square feet in total area including the garage. Exterior curb appeal was improved with all new Fleetwood windows, stained wood siding and stucco. New steel railing and concrete steps lead up to the front entry. Front and rear yard new landscape design by Huettl Landscape Architecture dramatically alters the site. New planting was added at the front yard with landscape lighting and modern concrete pavers and the rear yard has multiple decks for family gatherings with the focal point a concrete conversation circle with central fire feature. Everything revolves around the corner kitchen, large windows to the backyard, quartz countertops and cabinetry in painted and walnut finishes. The homeowners enjoyed the process of selecting Heath Tile for the kitchen backsplash and white oval tiles at the family room fireplace. Black brick tiles by Fireclay were used on the living room hearth. The kitchen flows into the family room all with views to the beautifully landscaped yards. The primary suite has a built-in window seat with large windows overlooking the garden, walnut cabinetry in a skylit walk-in closet, and a large dramatic skylight bouncing light into the shower. The kid’s bath also has a skylight slot with light angling downward over double sinks. More colorful tile shows up in these spaces, as does a geometric patterned tile in the downstairs office bath shower. The large yard is taken full advantage of with concrete paved walkways, stairs and firepit circle. New retaining walls in the rear yard helped to add more level usable outdoor space, with wood slats to visually blend them into the overall design. The end result is a beautiful transformation of a mid-century home, that both captures the client’s personalities and elevates the house into the modern age.

Designed using Trex Transcend decking in Tree House – a warm, earthy brown tone that is complementary the exterior of any home, Trex Transcend decking in Vintage Lantern – a deep-burnished bronze with Old World elegance and Trex Transcend railing.

Girls bathroom remodel for two sisters from two small separate bathrooms originally to a new larger, "Jack and Jill" style bathroom for better flow. Cesarstone white counter tops, tub deck, and shower bench/curb. Wood look porcelain floor planking. White subway tile with glass bubble mosaic tile accents. Construction by JP Lindstrom, Inc. Bernard Andre Photography

This balcony deck features Envision Outdoor Living Products. The composite decking is Spiced Teak from the Distinction Collection.
Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard second story deck remodel in Other with a fire pit and no cover

We updated this 1907 two-story family home for re-sale. We added modern design elements and amenities while retaining the home’s original charm in the layout and key details. The aim was to optimize the value of the property for a prospective buyer, within a reasonable budget. New French doors from kitchen and a rear bedroom open out to a new bi-level deck that allows good sight lines, functional outdoor living space, and easy access to a garden full of mature fruit trees. French doors from an upstairs bedroom open out to a private high deck overlooking the garden. The garage has been converted to a family room that opens to the garden. The bathrooms and kitchen were remodeled the kitchen with simple, light, classic materials and contemporary lighting fixtures. New windows and skylights flood the spaces with light. Stained wood windows and doors at the kitchen pick up on the original stained wood of the other living spaces. New redwood picture molding was created for the living room where traces in the plaster suggested that picture molding has originally been. A sweet corner window seat at the living room was restored. At a downstairs bedroom we created a new plate rail and other redwood trim matching the original at the dining room. The original dining room hutch and woodwork were restored and a new mantel built for the fireplace. We built deep shelves into space carved out of the attic next to upstairs bedrooms and added other built-ins for character and usefulness. Storage was created in nooks throughout the house. A small room off the kitchen was set up for efficient laundry and pantry space. We provided the future owner of the house with plans showing design possibilities for expanding the house and creating a master suite with upstairs roof dormers and a small addition downstairs. The proposed design would optimize the house for current use while respecting the original integrity of the house. Photography: John Hayes, Open Homes Photography https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/classic-craftsman-update/

This large 2 level deck was built in Califon, NJ. The decking is Wolf Serenity PVC. Weathered Ipe is the main color. Black Walnut provides the border and accents. The railing is Westbury Riviera Ringtop Aluminum rail system. This railing offers the look of a custom made rail at a fraction of the cost. TimberTech low voltage lights are in the stair risers and between deck levels.

This large 2 level deck was built in Califon, NJ. The decking is Wolf Serenity PVC. Weathered Ipe is the main color. Black Walnut provides the border and accents. The railing is Westbury Riviera Ringtop Aluminum rail system. This railing offers the look of a custom made rail at a fraction of the cost. TimberTech low voltage lights are in the stair risers and between deck levels.

The roof above the dining room and stair was raised to make the spaces more spacious and to connect them vertically to living spaces above. The new window wall floods the lower and upper levels with controlled (via a deep roof overhang) natural light. The sliding doors connect the space to the outdoor deck and landscaping both visually and physically. Photographer: Emily Minton Redfield

This combined deck and patio space was designed to create two separate, yet cohesive spaces that flow well together. The deck features pressure treated pine decking with black round aluminum pickets, which we included to open the view to the rest of the beautiful yard. We used Belgard Cambridge Cobble pavers to build the lower level patio; this was designed with a slight curve to meet the stairs and connect the two spaces. This wood deck and Belgard paver patio were custom designed and built by Woodridge, IL deck designer, Archadeck of Chicagoland.

This combined deck and patio space was designed to create two separate, yet cohesive spaces that flow well together. The deck features pressure treated pine decking with black round aluminum pickets, which we included to open the view to the rest of the beautiful yard. We used Belgard Cambridge Cobble pavers to build the lower level patio; this was designed with a slight curve to meet the stairs and connect the two spaces. This wood deck and Belgard paver patio were custom designed and built by Woodridge, IL deck designer, Archadeck of Chicagoland.

This combined deck and patio space was designed to create two separate, yet cohesive spaces that flow well together. The deck features pressure treated pine decking with black round aluminum pickets, which we included to open the view to the rest of the beautiful yard. We used Belgard Cambridge Cobble pavers to build the lower level patio; this was designed with a slight curve to meet the stairs and connect the two spaces. This wood deck and Belgard paver patio were custom designed and built by Woodridge, IL deck designer, Archadeck of Chicagoland.