Atherton has many large substantial homes - our clients purchased an existing home on a one acre flag-shaped lot and asked us to design a new dream home for them. The result is a new 7,000 square foot four-building complex consisting of the main house, six-car garage with two car lifts, pool house with a full one bedroom residence inside, and a separate home office /work out gym studio building. A fifty-foot swimming pool was also created with fully landscaped yards. Given the rectangular shape of the lot, it was decided to angle the house to incoming visitors slightly so as to more dramatically present itself. The house became a classic u-shaped home but Feng Shui design principals were employed directing the placement of the pool house to better contain the energy flow on the site. The main house entry door is then aligned with a special Japanese red maple at the end of a long visual axis at the rear of the site. These angles and alignments set up everything else about the house design and layout, and views from various rooms allow you to see into virtually every space tracking movements of others in the home. The residence is simply divided into two wings of public use, kitchen and family room, and the other wing of bedrooms, connected by the living and dining great room. Function drove the exterior form of windows and solid walls with a line of clerestory windows which bring light into the middle of the large home. Extensive sun shadow studies with 3D tree modeling led to the unorthodox placement of the pool to the north of the home, but tree shadow tracking showed this to be the sunniest area during the entire year. Sustainable measures included a full 7.1kW solar photovoltaic array technically making the house off the grid, and arranged so that no panels are visible from the property. A large 16,000 gallon rainwater catchment system consisting of tanks buried below grade was installed. The home is California GreenPoint rated and also features sealed roof soffits and a sealed crawlspace without the usual venting. A whole house computer automation system with server room was installed as well. Heating and cooling utilize hot water radiant heated concrete and wood floors supplemented by heat pump generated heating and cooling. A compound of buildings created to form balanced relationships between each other, this home is about circulation, light and a balance of form and function. Photo by John Sutton Photography.

We reimagined the former bedroom near the garage as a highly functional mudroom, giving the kids a convenient drop zone for backpacks, shoes, and gear. This mudroom now flows seamlessly into a spacious, full-service laundry room with generous storage and ample countertop space for folding and organization.

This Frisco project by Alterra redefines modern outdoor living through high-end landscape architecture. An aerial view highlights a precise, geometric layout featuring lush synthetic turf, a luxury louvered pergola, and clean stone borders. Vibrant cobalt planters add a bold pop of color against the neutral hardscape, while structured privacy plantings and river rock beds create a clean, maintenance-free sanctuary. Every element is expertly balanced to maximize style and utility in a sophisticated suburban setting.

Select Premium hardware
Trendy family room photo in San Diego

Proving that a laundry space doesn't have to be boring and drab, this space utilizes smaller appliances suited to a one or two person household and features lots of storage and a secret. Heated countertops, yes you read that right, for hanging delicates above and never, ever having a wet counter again.

Mosaic Floor MARBLE DOL-D & GST NEW BASKET WEAVE & GREY STRIPS
Inspiration for a large transitional master gray tile and mosaic tile marble floor drop-in bathtub remodel in Toronto with gray cabinets, a two-piece toilet, gray walls, a vessel sink and marble countertops

Emily Kolaczek
Large elegant walk-out medium tone wood floor home design photo in Calgary with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a metal fireplace

CLOSE-UP VIEW This master bath makeover starts with bare walls that have been floated out smooth over the sheetrock. Then we hand applied a beautiful custom tinted, soft grey Venetian plaster. After two coats of plaster, the walls were waxed and buffed. This process seals the plaster, leaving a long-lasting finish. The finished product is subtle and undeniably beautiful! I’ve included a close-up view of the finish below.

Design ideas for a mid-sized rustic partial sun backyard stone water fountain landscape in Denver for summer.

The "Miss Hudson" project, completed in June 2025, involved the comprehensive interior design and styling of a two-story condo on Providence's historic West Side. The client’s design brief requested a feminine, chic, and highly livable space that harmoniously blended their South Asian heritage with their time living in New York City. The design maximized natural light, utilizing a palette of soft blushes, warm neutrals, and jewel tones. Light-reflective materials and varied textures were employed to amplify brightness and depth, successfully merging the client's heritage with a feminine sensibility. The kitchen and primary bathroom underwent full renovations (Contractor: Victor Duarte). The guest bathroom received a playful update with Schumacher wallpaper. The space was furnished with a curated mix of new custom pieces, cherished antiques, and the client's existing items. The meticulous attention to detail resulted in inviting, highly functional, and approachable environments.

There is a big difference between buying a house and buying a house with acreage. When you are searching for Magnolia TX homes for sale with acreage, the property itself becomes part of the lifestyle. You are not just evaluating the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, and floor plan. You are also buying the land, trees, driveway, fencing, drainage, utilities, and everything else that comes with having more space. For many buyers, that is exactly the appeal. Magnolia offers opportunities to enjoy a little more room to spread out while remaining within reach of the amenities and communities of the greater Houston area. But acreage properties can also come with considerations that do not apply to a typical suburban home.

Pool - traditional pool idea in New York

Design ideas for a traditional landscaping in New York.

Need a reason for a staycation??? Here's one! This outdoor living space has it all - Lagoon shaped vinyl liner pool with custom bench, steps, tanning ledge, basketball hoop, deck jets and much more. We can forget about the outdoor kitchen, large seating area, designated seating around the fire pit and room leftover for the kids pay set. This backyard has it all!

Example of a large farmhouse mosaic tile floor and white floor drop-in bathtub design in Burlington with furniture-like cabinets, light wood cabinets, blue walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops and white countertops

Alcove bathtub - mid-sized modern 3/4 ceramic tile porcelain tile and multicolored floor alcove bathtub idea in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, beige walls, an undermount sink, solid surface countertops, a hinged shower door and beige countertops

Photo of a small asian partial sun hillside formal garden in Boston for summer.

Thomas Kuoh
Elegant home design photo in San Francisco

design by maggie yackel for lucy and company, photo by mekenzie france
Example of a transitional bedroom design in Charlotte