In the primary bath, all of the original features had been removed, except for the low sloped MCM ceiling that was prominently interrupted by a rectangular AC soffit that was added on later. We relocated the AC ducting to vent through the floor instead, and once again revealed the bath’s iconic low sloped triangular ceiling. Then, we began re-creating the new MCM space from the floor up. We widened the original primary bath by 2’ to accommodate an enclosed toilet room, at the request of the homeowners. This was quite a feat, as it required structural engineering to relocate one vertical steel column that interfered with the new toilet room layout. The new 14’ tall steel column, which supported part of the steel roof trusses, had to be extended through the home’s bathroom floor and into a cave underground secured by a concrete pier. Oh, did I mention that this home has a cave under part of it? Haha—when I say that this home was a challenge to remodel, I do mean it was a CHALLENGE.

This 1920 English Cottage style home got an update. A 3 season screened porch addition to help our clients enjoy their English garden in the summer, an enlarged underground garage to house their cars in the winter, and an enlarged master bedroom.

Powder room - country mosaic tile floor, multicolored floor and wainscoting powder room idea in Oklahoma City with recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white walls, a vessel sink and black countertops

Photo by Brian Parks www.parkscreative.com
Inspiration for a large timeless backyard stone patio remodel in Seattle with a fire pit and no cover

The planning phase of this modern retreat was an intense collaboration that took place over the course of more than two years. While the initial design concept exceeded the clients' expectations, it also exceeded their budget beyond the point of comfort. The next several months were spent modifying the design, in attempts to lower the budget. Ultimately, the decision was made that they would hold off on the project until they could budget for the original design, rather than compromising the vision. About a year later, we repeated that same process, which resulted in the same outcome. After another year-long hiatus, we met once again. We revisited design thoughts, each of us bringing to the table new ideas and options. Each thought simply solidified the fact that the initial vision was absolutely what we all wanted to see come to fruition, and the decision was finally made to move forward. The main challenge of the site was elevation. The Southeast corner of the lot stands 5'6" above the threshold of the rear door, while the Northeast corner dropped a full 2' below the threshold of the door. The backyard was also long and narrow, sloping side-to-side and toward the house. The key to the design concept was to deftly place the project into the slope and utilize the elevation changes, without allowing them to dominate the yard, or overwhelm the senses. The unseen challenge on this project came in the form of hitting every underground issue possible. We had to relocate the sewer main, the gas line, and the electrical service; and since rock was sitting about 6" below the surface, all of these had to be chiseled through many feet of dense rock, adding to our projected timeline and budget. As you enter the space, your first stop is an outdoor living area. Smooth finished concrete, colored to match the 'Leuder' limestone coping, has a subtle saw-cut pattern aligned with the edges of the recessed fire pit. In small spaces, it is important to consider a multi-purpose approach. So, the recessed fire pit has been fitted with an aluminum cover that allows our client to set up tables and chairs for entertaining, right over the top of the fire pit. From here, it;s two steps up to the pool elevation, and the floating 'Leuder' limestone stepper pads that lead across the pool and hide the dam wall of the flush spa. The main retaining wall to the Southeast is a poured concrete wall with an integrated sheer descent waterfall into the spa. To bring in some depth and texture, a 'Brownstone' ledgestone was used to face both the dropped beam on the pool, and the raised beam of the water feature wall. The main water feature is comprised of five custom made stainless steel scuppers, supplied by a dedicated booster pump. Colored concrete stepper pads lead to the 'Ipe' wood deck at the far end of the pool. The placement of this wood deck allowed us to minimize our use of retaining walls on the Northeast end of the yard, since it drops off over three feet below the elevation of the pool beam. One of the most unique features on this project has to be the structure over the dining area. With a unique combination of steel and wood, the clean modern aesthetic of this structure creates a visual stamp in the space that standard structure could not accomplish. 4" steel posts, painted charcoal grey, are set on an angle, 4' into the bedrock, to anchor the structure. Steel I-beams painted in green-yellow color--aptly called "frolic"--act as the base to the hefty cedar rafters of the roof structure, which has a slight pitch toward the rear. A hidden gutter on the back of the roof sends water down a copper rain chain, and into the drainage system. The backdrop for both this dining area , as well as the living area, is the horizontal screen panel, created with alternating sizes of cedar planks, stained to a calm hue of dove grey.

A stunning rustic modern exterior blends organic materials and sleek design in this energy-efficient mountain retreat, showcasing sustainable construction and luxurious craftsmanship.

Photo by Samantha Robison
Small transitional backyard stone patio photo in Other with a pergola

Jim Haefner Photography
Mid-sized trendy wine cellar photo in Detroit

Huge traditional gray three-story wood and clapboard exterior home idea in Minneapolis with a shingle roof and a brown roof

Huge elegant gray three-story wood and clapboard exterior home photo in Minneapolis with a shingle roof and a brown roof

Our clients on this project were inspired by their travels to Asia and wanted to mimic this aesthetic at their DC property. We designed a water feature that effectively masks adjacent traffic noise and maintains a small footprint.

Reclaimed wood timber posts and header beams in warm gray brown weathered tones with deep checking frame this luxury basement golf simulator and man cave, bringing warmth, texture, and material character to a space that could easily feel cold and utilitarian. The reclaimed wood framing alone is enough to transform the entire feel of the room. This install shows how reclaimed wood timber framing elevates luxury recreational spaces including golf simulators, home theaters, and game rooms into high character destination spaces. At Manomin Resawn Timbers, every piece goes through a detailed process of denailing, kiln drying, and precision milling so that antique character is preserved while performing beautifully in any application. Whether you are a homebuilder, a home remodeling contractor, or a homeowner looking to bring reclaimed wood into a basement, golf simulator, or luxury recreational space, Manomin Resawn Timbers has been helping people discover the antique charm of reclaimed wood since 2002. We serve homebuilders, contractors, and designers across the country. Visit our showroom in Hugo, MN or reach out to us with a call or a message to get started. Image via Landmark Photography

~Anne ATTINGER
This is an example of a small modern drought-tolerant backyard landscaping in Los Angeles.

Margot Hartford Photography
Photo of an eclectic backyard landscaping in San Francisco.

Photo Credit: www.angleeyephotography.com
Cottage exterior home idea in Philadelphia

Architecture by Nest Architecture Photography by Bethany Nauert
Patio - contemporary backyard concrete patio idea in Los Angeles with a roof extension

Stylish Productions
Beach style exterior home photo in Baltimore

Inspiration for a contemporary home design remodel in Baltimore

Wine cellar - large rustic wine cellar idea in Nashville