This fresh patio was updated with a new patio with pavers, creating a useable outdoor living space. Plantings, lighting and a grean teal pathway all help circle the patio in tranquility. High five coated fencing creates a backdrop against the fencing, as well as providing a trellis in front of the spa, providing privacy as the new landscaping grows.

LEED Certification Level: Platinum. Builder: R & S Engineering & Construction. The Cavanaugh Residence is a contemporary split level with a split personality. Totally designed from the ground up to minimize impact and maximize energy and water efficiency, its beautiful facade belies its hard-working, high-producing systems, earning it a LEED Platinum score of 116.5, and a HERS rating of minus 22. The 2774 square foot home produces over 100 per cent of its power with a 10.8 kw pv system, and captures 100 per cent of its freshwater needs from the curved metal roofs through an engineered collection and purification system, stored in an integrated concrete cistern. Constructed of locally made SIP panels on an infill waterfront lot, the home is oriented to maximize the production of the pv panels. Six inch SIP panels work together with a highly reflective, highly emmisive cool standing seam roof, icynene insulation in ceiling and floors, and carefully placed high efficiency windows and doors to create a tightly sealed environment. The 17-seer Trane heat pump variable speed compressors and TAM 7 air handlers, along with a whole house dehumidifier and fresh air intake provide a comfortable, clean indoor environment while using little energy. In the shoulder seasons, natural ventilation cools the home with fresh breezes drawn from lower windows in each room flowing through the curved ceilings to clerestory windows at the top of the house. Natural daylighting, with windows placed in corners and high clerestories, bounce the abundant natural light so that the owners use the interior LED lighting primarily at night. Windows were sited to frame views of the neighboring park and water, and capture the light, but represent a very low percentage of glazing to wall to conserve energy. Primarily native, xeriscaped turfless landscaping sips reclaimed water from its drip and bubbler irrigiation system, and requires little trimming or chemicals. Established trees, protected during construction, shade the home, FSC certified decks, and yard, providing a cool place to enjoy the outdoors at any time of the day, even in Florida's summer heat. Rainwater is diverted from the bay through the engineered collection and filtration system to an integrated concrete cistern hidden beneath the decks. Abundant Florida rainwater supplies 100 per cent of the home's needs, including drinking, bathing, and cleaning. Naturally soft, the highly filtered and UV purified water requires no chemical treatment or water softener. Coupled with minimal hardscape and permeable drive and walkways, almost all ground water remains on the lot, and out of storm sewers and bay runoffs. Designed as a forever home for this active retired couple, an open floor plan provides diagonal interior views along with great circulation space. Wide hallways and doors, curbless showers, an elevator, and extra blocking in the walls for grab rails insures the couple of being able to use their home even if physical disabilities arise. The home's footprint is minimized by building over the conditioned crawlspace and over-sized garage, and the finished floor height, at least two feet above flood code requirements, significantly reduces insurance costs while maximizing storage space for camping and water sports equipment. Materials, fixtures and appliances were carefully selected for energy and water efficiency, local production where possible, recycled content/recyclability, durability, and cost-effectiveness. The owners were very involved in vetting and materials selections, and assisted in just-in-time purchasing to minimize waste. Scrap materials were sorted daily for re-use elsewhere in the project (blocking, concrete forms, drywall scraps as acoustical insulation in interior walls, etc.), resulting in a tiny waste pile at the end of a dumpster-free project. Concrete waste was hauled to a local recycler to become road base, and extra useable materials were returned to the vendor or donated to Habitat Restore. Cost-effective choices, and careful planning, saved significant dollars in construction cost as well as landfill space. One of the biggest challenges was finding qualified subcontractors who would work within the guidelines. With the help of our LEED consultant and meetings and explanations, most subcontractors not only bought into the ideas readily, but offered up new ideas. Highly skilled and professional, the team of subs, LEED consultant, and contractor proved that LEED construction is excellent construction. The team, the owners, and I also found that LEED construction makes great economic sense. Most materials (other than increased insulation and photovoltaic panels) cost no more, and sometimes less, than those employed in construction of a lesser standard. The owners have been living in the home for a year now, and are thrilled with the results. No power bill. No water bill. Extremely low insurance bill. Minimal ground maintenance. No fabric softener. Reduced use of soap, detergents, and shampoos and cleaning supplies. Less time cleaning with spot-free rainwater. Careful planning and materials selection brought the project in under budget, and the home operates at an extremely low cost, both to the homeowners, and the environment. Who wouldn't be thrilled?

Part of a major renovation that touched all corners of a 120-year-old Bloomfield home, this project is full of style and charming Victorian details. As an avid home cook, one of our client’s top priorities was maximizing storage throughout the space. To make the compact kitchen more functional, we removed a small peninsula containing the sink and dishwasher which was splitting the space in half. We also adjusted the size of the windows, bringing them above countertop height which allowed for a new “U-shaped” layout. What this room lacked in useable wall space was made up for in height — we took advantage of the generous 9-foot tall space, bringing the custom cabinetry all the way to the ceiling. Our client also opted for a slightly smaller Euro-style refrigerator, allowing for even more storage along that wall. Central to the refrigerator, eco-friendly induction range, and farmhouse style sink, a hand carved antique Spanish work table provides the perfect prep zone, complete with an adjustable high-low fluted ceramic pendant above. A few other places where form meets function: a brass hanging rail along the range wall, a custom integral drainboard in the soapstone countertop, under cabinet lighting and hidden outlets, cushioned anti-fatigue Marmoleum sheet flooring, and a show-stopping gantry style faucet in a living unlacquered brass finish.

This beautiful 1950's craftsman needed a redo, inside and out. After gutting it down to it's studs, the main floor and basement were redesigned for much more useable space. Three tiny bedrooms upstairs became a large master with a double sink on suite and a guest bedroom with a beautiful new bathroom. The stairway that was in the kitchen was relocated so the kitchen became larger and much more usable. The basement went from a red and orange monstrosity to a soothing family room, bedroom and new bathroom as well as an updated laundry room and storage closet. New windows and doors, as well as an egress window was added to make it code compliant. A new roof and fireplace finished off the remodel of this cozy, colorful craftsman cottage. Photos were taken by Moore House Photos by Jett (Jett Moore Photographer).

This bright and light kitchen project required us extending the kitchen into the dinette area and removing a window to get a better flow. Luckily there were 3 large windows, so we decided removing one wouldn't significantly decrease the amount of natural light. It was a good trade for form and function. We were able to increase the work surfaces to create a much more useable kitchen that fit all the necessities and even had room for extra. We added pull outs and functional accessories to make it an easy to use space. We supplemented the natural light with a solar tube and plenty of installed light with 2 sizes of adjustable output and temperature LED ceiling cans for layers of light.

Award winning hillside renovation with concrete walls and informal 'bocce court' Design constraints: Full sun and steep hillside Planting design: This yard started as a blank hillside that had a steep slope. BKLD provided consultation and design work to develop the hillside with a series of terraced walls to create a bocce court. The bocce court was done in an informal fashion with artificial turf so the client could entertain with the space and have the 'look' of green. This turned out to be a great low maintenance and drought tolerant way to add useable space as well as a softer view from the upper deck. Existing Oaks were all kept and designed around carefully with composite decking. The Oaks make for some great shadow play and is quite the dynamic space as the sun angles move thru out the day.

Nicely landscaped back yard with xeric plants and crusher fines. Replaced with turf for a more useable area.
Mid-sized southwest home design photo in Austin

This kitchen addition tripled the amount of useable space. Glass foil backsplash from Beaver Tile adds light and shimmer. A custom butcher block island top is both functional and beautiful. Copper accents contrast nicely with the cooler tones of the tile and walls.

Ashley Farrell Landscape Design Photograph. We extended the useable space off of this existing brick patio by installing an Arizona Flagstone patio with another extention of decomposed granite.

Inspiration for a mediterranean landscaping in Santa Barbara.

This 1500SC pocket door frame with Soft Close/Soft Open by Johnson Hardware smoothly glides 200 pound doors. The precision extruded jump proof track and quick release locking tab make installation easy and dependable. The All Steel Split Stud includes self-tapping dry wall and trim screws. Johnson has manufactured in the USA for over 60 years with wonderful product reviews from the trade and consumers. This hardware provides a great way to have more useable space in your home.

A new lazy susan with a modern door setup made this space a bit more useable.
Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in Boston

A pool oasis merging the natural look of boulders, a stream, waterfalls, and ample plantings with a comfortable, resort-like feel. Transformed a sloped back yard into a useable, enjoyable space.

Nestled in the quiet hills of La Habra Heights is this 3 bedroom, 3 bath home with beautiful views. Features include remodeled chef's kitchen with solid cherry cabinets, granite counter tops and over $20,000 in top of the line appliances. Newer Pella triple pane windows with built in mini blinds. Newly remodeled master bath with huge walk in shower. 2 master suites upstairs and 1 bedroom and full bath downstairs. The downstairs bedroom has been converted to an office but can be easily switched back. Large decks all around the house with a built in hot tub and sitting area right off of the family room. This property has too many fruit trees to list and a concrete walk way that takes you all the way up to the top of the hill making your backyard very useable.

La Habra Heights at its finest. This home has everything you can ask for in a Heights property. Useable land, pool, views and has been tastefully upgraded. This home has been completely remodeled within the last 10 years. Newer kitchen, windows, bathrooms, driveway and patio. Entertainers dream with large living areas that all flow seamlessly to the outdoor oasis. Fire pit, built in BBQ, fenced in pool with slide and lots of space for lounging around on those lazy summer days. There is also a bonus room that is not connected to the house that can be used for a game room or man cave. Easy access from Hacienda Rd. Come see this one before it's too late.

Installing a terraced natural stone wall create a flat area for useable space
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional backyard landscaping in Denver for summer.

We started with a step off the porch and onto a sloping backyard that was unusable and we transformed it into a larger, useable outdoor living space by adding a circular seat wall with built in LED low voltage lighting, a natural gas burning fire pit, 790 sq feet of Tremron pavers, custom build walls that were sunken to add a cozy atmosphere. We build a veranda style step down allowing access all across to the patio from the existing porch. we installed Low Voltage LED lighting to the steps to allow visibility at night. We graded the entire back yard to allow the kids a great spot to play football and soccer, while maintaining a proper drainage system for storm water runoff. We also fixed all of the disrupted sod areas with 8000 sq ft of Bermuda sod and built natural areas full of plant material for privacy and aesthetics.

The homeowners of this Mukilteo residence partnered with H2D Architecture + Design to transform their underutilized rear deck into a highly functional outdoor living environment. The existing deck was refinished and reconfigured to create a more useable area for gathering, seamlessly extending the interior living space to the outdoors. A Struxure pergola was introduced to provide adjustable shade and light filtration, allowing the space to adapt to changing weather and seasons. Beyond the deck, the design steps down to a thoughtfully composed concrete paver patio anchored by a custom round wood hot tub, creating a warm and tactile focal point. Surrounding this feature, a built-in bench establishes a zone for relaxation and socializing, while a fire pit adds both ambiance and year-round usability. A custom screen wall was integrated to provide privacy and subtle enclosure without sacrificing openness, helping to define the space while maintaining visual connections to the landscape. The combination of multi-level seating, integrated elements, and carefully considered materials results in a cohesive outdoor retreat that supports a variety of uses. + Architecture + Design: H2D Architecture + Design + Builder: Bradley J. Rodgers Remodelling + Photography: Thomas Vincent

ollowing a total house remodel, Terrain collaborated with the landscape designer to create an urban oasis comprised of rockery stairs and walls combined with contemporary lines of steel retaining walls. A mixture of cast-in-place concrete patios and softscape make this a useable space for the whole family while maintaining privacy from neighbors. Designed by Barbara Lycett Landscape Designers