This gracious property in the award-winning Blaine school district - and just off the Southport Corridor - marries an old world European design sensibility with contemporary technologies and unique artisan details. With more than 5,200 square feet, the home has four bedrooms and three bathrooms on the second floor, including a luxurious master suite with a private terrace. The house also boasts a distinct foyer; formal living and dining rooms designed in an open-plan concept; an expansive, eat-in, gourmet kitchen which is open to the first floor great room; lower-level family room; an attached, heated, 2-½ car garage with roof deck; a penthouse den and roof deck; and two additional rooms on the lower level which could be used as bedrooms, home offices or exercise rooms. The home, designed with an extra-wide floorplan, achieved through side yard relief, also has considerable, professionally-landscaped outdoor living spaces. This brick and limestone residence has been designed with family-functional experiences and classically proportioned spaces in mind. Highly-efficient environmental technologies have been integrated into the design and construction and the plan also takes into consideration the incorporation of all types of advanced communications systems. The home went under contract in less than 45 days in 2011. Jim Yochum

[Our Clients] We were so excited to help these new homeowners re-envision their split-level diamond in the rough. There was so much potential in those walls, and we couldn’t wait to delve in and start transforming spaces. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. So, we started by converting the existing single car garage into their living room (complete with a new fireplace) and opening up the kitchen to the rest of the level. [Kitchen] The original kitchen had been on the small side and cut-off from the rest of the home, but after we removed the coat closet, this kitchen opened up beautifully. Our plan was to create an open and light filled kitchen with a design that translated well to the other spaces in this home, and a layout that offered plenty of space for multiple cooks. We utilized clean white cabinets around the perimeter of the kitchen and popped the island with a spunky shade of blue. To add a real element of fun, we jazzed it up with the colorful escher tile at the backsplash and brought in accents of brass in the hardware and light fixtures to tie it all together. Through out this home we brought in warm wood accents and the kitchen was no exception, with its custom floating shelves and graceful waterfall butcher block counter at the island. [Dining Room] The dining room had once been the home’s living room, but we had other plans in mind. With its dramatic vaulted ceiling and new custom steel railing, this room was just screaming for a dramatic light fixture and a large table to welcome one-and-all. [Living Room] We converted the original garage into a lovely little living room with a cozy fireplace. There is plenty of new storage in this space (that ties in with the kitchen finishes), but the real gem is the reading nook with two of the most comfortable armchairs you’ve ever sat in. [Master Suite] This home didn’t originally have a master suite, so we decided to convert one of the bedrooms and create a charming suite that you’d never want to leave. The master bathroom aesthetic quickly became all about the textures. With a sultry black hex on the floor and a dimensional geometric tile on the walls we set the stage for a calm space. The warm walnut vanity and touches of brass cozy up the space and relate with the feel of the rest of the home. We continued the warm wood touches into the master bedroom, but went for a rich accent wall that elevated the sophistication level and sets this space apart. [Hall Bathroom] The floor tile in this bathroom still makes our hearts skip a beat. We designed the rest of the space to be a clean and bright white, and really let the lovely blue of the floor tile pop. The walnut vanity cabinet (complete with hairpin legs) adds a lovely level of warmth to this bathroom, and the black and brass accents add the sophisticated touch we were looking for. [Office] We loved the original built-ins in this space, and knew they needed to always be a part of this house, but these 60-year-old beauties definitely needed a little help. We cleaned up the cabinets and brass hardware, switched out the formica counter for a new quartz top, and painted wall a cheery accent color to liven it up a bit. And voila! We have an office that is the envy of the neighborhood.

Dining area
Mid-sized elegant backyard deck photo in Philadelphia with no cover

Resurfaced entry porch and steps using Trex Transcends in Tiki Torch with matching fascia. Handrails made for PEAK aluminum railing.
Inspiration for a deck remodel in Seattle

New Deck using Trex Transcends in Gravel Path gray. Installed with hidden fasteners and matching fascia. Deck was built over an old driveway that went into a remodeled basement garage. We installed new wrapped cedar handrails on existing staircase.

Brad
Home design - large craftsman home design idea in Baltimore

We redesigned the lower level under the stairway area so that they can use that for a sitting area. We installed metal ceiling panels under the deck area so that they have a dry space under the deck which allows them to use the space even while its raining. The existing concrete slab beneath the deck area was removed, and we installed new stamped and colored concrete under the new area. To finish it off, we also installed the same stamped and colored concrete out in the driveway as needed.

A combination of cedar, tight knot decking, galvanized steel rails with stainless steel cables and 3 large sliding glass doors punched through to create this large entertainment deck on this split level home. Dark bronze aluminum sliders and windows throughout. Custom slat lattice to obscure underneath framing, create a deck that adds mass to a home. This once vinyl sided, unattractive, split level home was brought into the new century in a bold way!

Franklin Lakes NJ. Outdoor Great room with covered structure. A granite topped wet bar under the TV on the mahogany paneled wall. This fantastic room with a tiger wood ceiling and ipe columns has two built in heaters in the ceiling to take the chill off while watching football on a crisp fall afternoon or dining at night. In the first picture you can see the gas fire feature built into the round circular blue stone area of the deck. A perfect gathering place under the stars. This is so much more than a deck it is year round outdoor living.

This gorgeous multi level custom deck build features an upper deck area with stairs leading the main deck. The main deck area offers privacy with a covered cabana with screen. Just off the cabana is the main sun bathing area with steps leading to a beautiful pool.

This gorgeous multi level custom deck build features an upper deck area with stairs leading the main deck. The main deck area offers privacy with a covered cabana with screen. Just off the cabana is the main sun bathing area with steps leading to a beautiful pool.

This gorgeous multi level custom deck build features an upper deck area with stairs leading the main deck. The main deck area offers privacy with a covered cabana with screen. Just off the cabana is the main sun bathing area with steps leading to a beautiful pool.

The homeowners had an electronic retractable screen system installed around the deck enclosure for protection from pests and the elements. They self-installed deck stair lighting. Two useful and beautiful additions!

Perched in the foothills of Edna Valley, this single family residence was designed to fulfill the clients’ desire for seamless indoor-outdoor living. Much of the program and architectural forms were driven by the picturesque views of Edna Valley vineyards, visible from every room in the house. Ample amounts of glazing brighten the interior of the home, while framing the classic Central California landscape. Large pocketing sliding doors disappear when open, to effortlessly blend the main interior living spaces with the outdoor patios. The stone spine wall runs from the exterior through the home, housing two different fireplaces that can be enjoyed indoors and out. Because the clients work from home, the plan was outfitted with two offices that provide bright and calm work spaces separate from the main living area. The interior of the home features a floating glass stair, a glass entry tower and two master decks outfitted with a hot tub and outdoor shower. Through working closely with the landscape architect, this rather contemporary home blends into the site to maximize the beauty of the surrounding rural area.

Inspiration for a large timeless backyard deck remodel in DC Metro with no cover

This inner-city garden was designed to meet the needs of a young family who like to entertain but still required solutions for storage and off street parking. Key to the design was connecting the two different areas of the lower courtyard with the upper carstand area. A solution was obtained through constructing an intermediate landing with built in seating and a new gas BBQ. An open style steel balustrade allows for safety between the two areas and visually takes full advantage of the depth of the property. All-weather protection provided by retractable awnings to both upper and lower areas ensures year round enjoyment. Sliding doors in the garage help the generous storage recede into the design. Spotted gum hardwood timber decking extends the internal areas outside and the wrap around steps further connect the spaces by providing an inviting entry to the BBQ area. A large floating timber bench seat is both practical and breaks up the large retaining wall to the upper carport. A grey and white colour palette provides a sophisticated look whilst highlighting punctuations of playful colour and contemporary styling to link the children’s play areas with the home.

This spacious Timber Tech low maintenance deck was built to give the homeowners a place to enjoy the view of their yard while giving them different areas to enjoy different activities. The round aluminum pickets on the rails open the view while creating a sleek look. This multi level deck was custom designed and built in Aurora by Archadeck of Chicagoland.

Two level deck to match the interior floor elevation changes. Robyn Lambo - Lambo Photography
Inspiration for a large timeless backyard deck remodel in New York with an awning

Outdoor living room designed by Sue Oda Landscape Architect. Photo: ilumus photography & marketing Model: The Mighty Mighty Mellow, Milo McPhee, Esq.