This was a very cool outdoor project. This house originally did not have a deck, but the homeowners didn’t want to keep going through the basement to go outside to the backyard. We designed a deck with an upcoming patio in mind. I designed the deck and a proposed patio idea, then we hooked up with my landscaper Pat with Earthly Possibilities to create the below the deck living. We used Timbertech Decking Terrain Series (Sandy Birch for the main color then accented it with Rustic Elm for the Picture Frame). To make below more useable, we installed Trex’s Rain Escape System then installed a ceiling with Azek’s PVC Ceiling. In the ceiling we had a few LED lights installed along with a ceiling fan. Pat then installed the patio pavers and custom firepit. This complete project turned out great so the homeowner can entertain and enjoy their new backyard this year!

Open, odd shaped concept small condo with no real useable wall space and vaulted ceilings needing help with interior decor flow and placement
Small beach style vaulted ceiling living room photo in Denver with a corner fireplace

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).

Gabe Ortiz This Trilogy Fiberglass Columbia Model, flat back kidney shaped swimming pool, in river rock color, is 14.5’ x 28’. The shallow depth is 5’ and 10” depth at deep end. The deck is a Smooth Finished Concrete with a Rock Salt Finish and Cantilever Coping Project also had a 3 ft retaining wall built to combat slope and keep whole yard as useable space. All Pentair equipment used and a Color Changing LED Light is in the pool as well.

This was a little used living room that was turn into the favorite room in the house. The room was designed to be a music/wine lounge. We used four comfortable chairs facing each other for great conversation. The chairs have quilted leather seats and down silk velvet pillows. The artsy fireplace screen appears to be floating on their black granite hearth. The beautiful spot tables have petrified wood tops. This client wanted to update their home to light and Modern from dark and Old World. The whole house was painted in a light color and the wood floor and stair railing were refinished in a brown/grey stain.. We also made the rooms more useable. We changed the unused living room into a music/wine lounge. The kitchen cabinets were painted off white and we put in new counter tops, backsplash, lighting, bar stools and hardware. The rest of the home was also updated.

View looking through to family room and new peninsula where wall used to be closing off the room. Much more light and useability.
Example of a transitional kitchen design in Charleston

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

New construction and original landscaping completed in 2010. Original design had boulders between the driveway and home to minimize the stop and create curb appeal. An assortment of unusual trees (lions head maple, moon rise maple, hinokie cypress, twisted baby locus, and paper bark maple and others) were installed to compliment the home on the naturally wooded lot. Many different perennials and flowering shrubs were installed between these unique specimen trees to provide interest throughout the year. Phase 2 was initiated by the homeowner in 2016 were we landscaped the backyard, which was overgrown with wild trees. It was cleared to create a more useable space and play area for children. Our design team created a master landscape plan and was an integral part with the approval process with the municipality. We worked in tandem with an engineering firm to design and install a bio-retention pond. The pond was designed to take all of the runoff from the newly landscaped backyard. Wet loving plants were incorporated into the pond to beautify the area and absorb the water. A custom, multi-level play set was installed over artificial turf to blend with the newly expanded lawn area. An assortment of trees, shrubs and perennial were installed on the hillside separating the upper yard and newly expanded lower area. Low voltage landscape lighting was expanded to highlight the new plantings and provide light for the children to play in the evening. Our landscape design complimented he newly installed covered outdoor living space.

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

A family in Kirkland needed a useable and much more private space in front of their home. SCJ envisioned low steel walls with a back-drop of magnolias and other evergreen plants for privacy, with perennials providing contrast and texture. A new composite bamboo deck provides a gathering space for sitting and outdoor dining. Now enclosed with lush planting, carefully placed lighting, plenty of seating and container planting, the space is truly a secluded and serene extension of the home. Photos by Mark Garff

This kitchen renovation involved increasing the useability of the space by opening the support wall between the kitchen and the dining room, which the customer thought was a great idea. The result is nothing short of amazing, with much more light able to get into the dining area, and the increased convenience of the kitchen and dining areas being more closely connected. wow!!!

We transitioned this unfinished basement to a functional space including a kitchen, workout room, lounge area, extra bathroom and music room. The homeowners opted for an exposed black ceiling and epoxy coated floor, and upgraded the stairwell with creative two-toned shiplap and a stained wood tongue and groove ceiling. This is a perfect example of using an unfinished basement to increase useable space that meets your specific needs.

From a sunken living space, leaking windows with birds living in the siding, no electrical overhead lighting, etc. We transformed this front family living room into a one-level useable space for lots of entertaining! We made everything one level, with new windows, better lighting, and a whole new stair railing system to help elevate the space with timeless neutral features.

A retired couple desired a valiant master suite in their “forever home”. After living in their mid-century house for many years, they approached our design team with a concept to add a 3rd story suite with sweeping views of Puget sound. Our team stood atop the home’s rooftop with the clients admiring the view that this structural lift would create in enjoyment and value. The only concern was how they and their dear-old dog, would get from their ground floor garage entrance in the daylight basement to this new suite in the sky? Our CAPS design team specified universal design elements throughout the home, to allow the couple and their 120lb. Pit Bull Terrier to age in place. A new residential elevator added to the westside of the home. Placing the elevator shaft on the exterior of the home minimized the need for interior structural changes. A shed roof for the addition followed the slope of the site, creating tall walls on the east side of the master suite to allow ample daylight into rooms without sacrificing useable wall space in the closet or bathroom. This kept the western walls low to reduce the amount of direct sunlight from the late afternoon sun, while maximizing the view of the Puget Sound and distant Olympic mountain range. The master suite is the crowning glory of the redesigned home. The bedroom puts the bed up close to the wide picture window. While soothing violet-colored walls and a plush upholstered headboard have created a bedroom that encourages lounging, including a plush dog bed. A private balcony provides yet another excuse for never leaving the bedroom suite, and clerestory windows between the bedroom and adjacent master bathroom help flood the entire space with natural light. The master bathroom includes an easy-access shower, his-and-her vanities with motion-sensor toe kick lights, and pops of beachy blue in the tile work and on the ceiling for a spa-like feel. Some other universal design features in this master suite include wider doorways, accessible balcony, wall mounted vanities, tile and vinyl floor surfaces to reduce transition and pocket doors for easy use. A large walk-through closet links the bedroom and bathroom, with clerestory windows at the high ceilings The third floor is finished off with a vestibule area with an indoor sauna, and an adjacent entertainment deck with an outdoor kitchen & bar.

For this Pergola in Northwest DC, we extended the existing structure and upgraded the wood to stained Western Cedar and used Azek in Mahogany. for the deck floor and steps, installed a screen system, and a new polycarbonate roof. The perks of going with this type of roofing material is its impact resistance and thermal insulation compared to glass.

Transitional backyard concrete paver patio photo in Richmond with a roof extension

This home takes advantage of heavily wooded and steep terrain with mended level changes that maximize useable outdoor spaces. The original home was stripped of its garish Mediterranean finishes revealing a flow of spaces that were reconstructed and refinished in a refined contemporary style. Outdoor spaces provide intrigue as they weave paths, stairways, landings, terraces, and gardens into a cohesive response to the home’s complex layout. At the front of the home a procession through the landscape begins with an enlarged driveway and auto court surrounded by lush plantings. From the auto court a stepped walkway descends two levels to a gated courtyard leading to the front door. Along this lushly planted route are layered gardens and terraces providing opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. After passing through the home, expansive decks and landings open to the rear yards. Here an infinity pool with spa, lounging areas, outdoor cooking, dining space and gardens have been woven between trees, existing walls, sloped hillsides, and a multitude of access points to create a world apart for family and friends.

The space on either side of the fireplace was a perfect spot for custom-built shelves and cabinets. Parz Designs spec'd the project to fill in the entire footprint with useable built-ins. Once completed, there was ample room for books, photos, display items and a TV. This clever use of space perfectly rounded out the living area, accenting the modern design.