A local homeowner partnered with VPC Builders to create the mountain retreat of his dreams. The custom-built, two-level residence stands at 3200 square feet and features three bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, a bonus room, and a two-car garage. Upon arrival, viewers are immediately captivated by a modern double front door, unique cedar trim, and bold dark colors. The exterior showcases Cypress siding and black roofing. A thin-cut, natural stone veneer placed around the covered front porch incorporates the rustic mountain setting. Inside the home, the natural lighting provides a bright and crisp space that compliments the recessed lighting and hickory engineered flooring. The living room boasts a reclaimed accent mantle, true steel beams, and a vaulted ceiling. The area provides an ideal space for entertaining on cooler evenings with a full steel gas fireplace. The kitchen and dining area are visible from the living room and were custom-designed to reflect the homeowner’s passion for cooking. The kitchen harbors a double-thick island top, stunning quartz countertops, a six-burner oven, steel hood, and a full custom quartz backsplash...perfect for an aspiring chef. The master bedroom, complete with a deck access and full bath, provides the homeowner with a private getaway. The master bathroom has a double vanity sink with a quartz countertop and a full glass steam shower. Each of the two guest rooms are fit for a queen-sized bed. They each include a full bath displaying stunning tile designs and built-in showers. Another noteworthy attribute of the home is a covered back porch deck that features a fireplace, television mount, and a built-in bar window that connects to the kitchen. Modern Rustic Lodge truly offers a stunning escape to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Every detail was tailored to complement the homeowner’s lifestyle and avocations. VPC is confident that this home will provide mountain adventures and lasting memories for years to come.

In this fantastical render the private residence embodies moderation, sophistication and modernity. The house looks stunning in the sunlight, with its imposing silhouette and reserved color scheme. Furthermore, despite the fact that this amazing private residence is only an architectural concept, the render makes the viewer believe he’s looking at a photo of a real building – and it’s only waiting for him to move in.

MALACHITE Balance & Harmony Malachite, with its beautiful, rich green color, leaves no doubt of its importance as a jewel. Its opaque strength and power demands respect, mesmerizing the viewer. Yet the movement, flow and energy in its lines, circles and designs soothe and welcome. It is spiritually inviting. Essence & Energy This stone is dense and nontransparent, absorbing energy instead of emitting it. As a stone of transformation, malachite encourages change and emotional risk-taking when placed in a space.

The gentle curve of this staircase sets the tone, preparing the viewer for artistry. Red oak treads follow the gentle arc of the staircase, their radius nosing softening what could have been a hard geometric statement into something more inviting. Vertical black metal balusters rise in clean rhythm alongside, grounding the warmth of the oak with a contemporary edge. What ties it all together is the continuous handrail, a custom profile that flows uninterrupted through the stairwell, transitioning seamlessly into the newel without missing a beat. The result is a staircase that feels sculpted rather than assembled. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

We used two colors on the cabinetry to draw the eye of the viewer up, and followed with the strong horizontal lines to anchor the design. The result is a soft and approachable masculinity.

In this contemporary gallery, the harmonious blend of sleek concrete structures with intricate metallic details offers a serene yet stimulating experience. The central piece, a reflective orb set against a textured backdrop, acts as a magnet for the viewer's attention. The space's design employs an array of circular motifs, from art installations to architectural features, instilling a sense of unity and fluidity.

Terran Landscapes http://www.terranlandscapes.com Project Entry: Fishers Woodland Garden 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Theme Garden $15,000-$30,000 Award Level: Bronze Photo Description: We were contracted by the client to design a calming space for their staff to relax, take a walk, and enjoy a leisurely lunch as well as to provide their grandchildren a place to run and pick flowers. The space was originally dominated by large trees and had been overgrown with ivy, sumac and aggressive vines, providing an unwelcome, dark space with little color or visual appeal. The client requested a colorful blend of shrubs and perennials that would provide interest throughout the seasons, as well as provide privacy by screening the street traffic along Carisbrooke Road. Our goal was to create the privacy screen along the road by layering plants from the ground to the tree canopy. The theme was to let nature inspire the landscape, allowing a space that was originally woodland to become an enhanced version of itself, creating a beautiful habitat for birds and butterflies to excite the senses and satisfy all who enjoy the beauty of nature. We began by clearing the brush and removing all aggressive vines and ivy that jeopardized the health of the trees. We kept and transplanted all non- invasive or native plant material in the area to various locations throughout the property. Several yards of compost were then tilled into the soil and the existing trees fertilized to provide a rich growing environment. A few challenges occurred during the design process. It was decided that a new generator was to be installed in the woodland and due to a future addition to the house, we were forced to eliminate planned additional impervious pathway surfaces. We provided screening to hide the generator and buffer the noise, and created a meandering path and sitting area out of natural woodchips instead of the proposed bluestone to solve the impervious space issue. The woodchips add a sense of informality and invite the viewer to walk slowly through the space. The reduced noise from the additional screening of the generator allows for quiet reflection as chipmunks scurry and hummingbirds dart about between the flowers. Our plant palette consists of shady understory plants that thrive and flower vigorously from spring through fall. A tall, lush, evergreen backdrop of Ilex opaca and Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’ provides the screening and blends into a middle layer of ‘Ivory Halo’ dogwood, hydrangeas and winterberry hollies. Beautiful perennials and groundcovers bloom along the woodland path, providing a low visual layer of color and texture. Movement throughout the garden is provided by the graceful Calamagrostis brachytricha and Hakenchloa that soften the nearby hardscaping. The woodland floor is full of shade-loving Solomon’s seal, hosta, astilbe, ferns, bleeding heart, Tiarella and Aconitum. The street side of this woodland required plants with a preference for a little more sun and drought tolerance. A palette of oakleaf hydrangea, Agastache, Liatris and Rudbeckia softens the fence line and provides the desired color. As designed and installed, the woodland garden successfully provides the client’s family and office staff a quiet space where they can take a peaceful moment and enjoy nature. Photo Credit: Lisa C. Falls

This queen-size bed was commissioned by a wonderful family for a house in Northern Vermont. In a beautiful house on a lake in the woods, the master bedroom is large with high ceilings. The bed was designed as the centerpiece of the room. As the focal point, it gives the room more comfortable, cozy feeling. The flow of the curves and lack of straight lines visually guides the viewer around the piece. The sides of cherry night stands echo the curvature of the bed. The minimal frame for the case is meant to allow the joinery details in the bed to be seen. The simple ash frame and the extended sides that are proud of the top are details inspired by Japanese architecture and furniture.

Towering Zelkova Trees with their inherit Vase like Shape and delicate leaves light up like a perfect 10 everytime. The results of this landscape lighting stems back to when our team did the landscaping and the ability to earmark the location of these trees to row up on each side of the driveway really contributes to proper orientation of the home on the plot especially deliberate at night to reach out and welcome guests to bring them into this sideways rear flag lot. The House and grounds are immaculate and show up well at night. Properly placed well and uplights on the trees surrounding the home really make it a welcome sight. The Lighting here is cohesive in dominance and controls the direction of the viewers point of view.

Lighting on the home facing the lake was meant to create an impression on viewers from the lake towards this massive home. Landscape lighting below the home helps to visually tie the home to the lake. The home has a grand and welcoming entrance due to the warm accent lighting used throughout the entryway

For the exterior portion of the project, black Ascend Talons are mounted on top of the pre-existing half wall presenting a strong, “post-like” feel to the glass railing. Finally, where the view is at its best, obscure Base Rail is supports the glass from beneath with a cap rail on top. While sitting behind the glass the viewer is protected from any strong winds while being able to completely enjoy the view. This is just one beautiful example of what makes glass railing the fastest growing modern railing solution.

Loft Master Bedroom with elegant curved walk-in closet and custom-designed viewing platform. For the viewing platform the hickory flooring was carried up and used for the stair treads and platform floor, a metal and cable stairway and rail system was fabricated to mimic the floating stairway coming from the lower level, and sliding doors underneath create ample storage for this open concept bedroom. Because open designs often provide a storage challenge- for additional storage, we converted two RTA pantries into another closet which also serves to dilineate the sleeping area from the rest of the room. An upholstered 4-drawer platform bed and 2 drawer stacks converted to night stands add even more storage. The bulk head running on the long wall was covered with hickory flooring making it functionally multi-usage and a viewing porthole was created allowing a viewer to glimpse the riverfront outside from the 2nd floor. Finally, the detail of a hand-crafted curving shelf large enough to place plants or sculptures upon was added to the top of the stairway facing the curved walk-in closet. All design and installation for Up-fit by Solar Wind Designs and Cat Manolis. www.solarwinddesigns.com Photos by Cat Manolis.

The gentle curve of this staircase sets the tone, preparing the viewer for artistry. Red oak treads follow the gentle arc of the staircase, their radius nosing softening what could have been a hard geometric statement into something more inviting. Vertical black metal balusters rise in clean rhythm alongside, grounding the warmth of the oak with a contemporary edge. What ties it all together is the continuous handrail, a custom profile that flows uninterrupted through the stairwell, transitioning seamlessly into the newel without missing a beat. The result is a staircase that feels sculpted rather than assembled. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Contemporary home remodel family room. Central gas fireplace is enhanced by custom wood details and stone clad wall. The curve of the hearth, mantel and soffit carry the viewer eye across the room. A large leather sectional creates a perfect seating area for a large family. Photography: Bill Web

The gentle curve of this staircase sets the tone, preparing the viewer for artistry. Red oak treads follow the gentle arc of the staircase, their radius nosing softening what could have been a hard geometric statement into something more inviting. Vertical black metal balusters rise in clean rhythm alongside, grounding the warmth of the oak with a contemporary edge. What ties it all together is the continuous handrail, a custom profile that flows uninterrupted through the stairwell, transitioning seamlessly into the newel without missing a beat. The result is a staircase that feels sculpted rather than assembled. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Design was inspired by the landscape found in the ocean. Colors, textures, shape, and elements like coral reef and seaweed influenced this "Underwater" landscape. Flagstone placement inspired by the "grass of the sea," seaweed. Flagstone engages viewer to experience entire landscape.

Laundry rooms and mudrooms can be a headache for many homeowners. They are usually cramped with poor functionality and little storage space. Joe and Kristin suffered all those aches and more, as their laundry room lacked clothing storage. Shoes were crammed in every corner. There was nowhere to fold clothes without taking them to the kitchen. They were ready for a complete laundry room remodel project. Joe and Kristin interviewed several local remodeling companies but didn’t connect with anyone who could understand their vision. During the summer, when they were attending their son’s race venue, they noticed fellow kart racers Todd and Christine Jurs’ sponsor banner for their remodeling company, Advance Design Studio. Immediately they were thrilled that they knew someone they trusted who could handle the renovation. “We wanted someone that we actually knew, who has a little bit more invested than an outside person that we don’t have any ties to,” Kristin said. Project Designer Nicole Ryan came to their home in Warrenville for the initial consultation. Kristin, an avid HGTV viewer, brought her ideas to Nicole. Throughout the design process, they worked together designing the space, selecting materials, and choosing colors. Nicole made sure to incorporate Kristin’s must-haves into the finished laundry room remodel. “It was really easy. Nicole made the transition very easy,” Kristin said of Nicole’s work in the design phase of the project. With the materials selected and the drawings finalized, it was time to begin construction. Kristin and Joe were impressed with how quickly and cleanly this phase went. “Everyone that came in was very respectful, very neat, and that was a big part for me because I didn’t want dust going through the rest of my house,” Kristin said. The new combination mudroom/laundry room is everything Kristin and Joe hoped. There is plenty of storage, three pull-out laundry hampers for presorting laundry, a large central island for folding clothes, a designated bar to hang dry, and even a unique rotating shoe rack to keep shoes from cluttering the space. “My rotating shoe rack,” Kristin said when asked what her favorite part of her new laundry room was. “We have four kids. We have a lot of shoes and sporting events. So it makes sense to have all that space for shoes.” The center island has an exceptional feature as well. It has wheels. Kristin wanted to be able to move the island out of the way for different functions in the room. An island with wheels can be placed wherever needed in the space. The two existing closets were reconfigured with built-in closet storage systems to make them more functional than before with shelves for baskets holding gloves and hats, umbrellas, and coats. “They love it,” Project Designer Nicole Ryan said. “They had a vision of how they wanted the space to function but didn’t know exactly how to get it there. My design took all their needs and used the most efficient products to get them the desired outcome. Tons of function, while still looking beautiful!” The “White” Hudson Panel Dura Supreme cabinetry on the perimeter brightens the space and contrasts the popular blue “Gale Force” Dura Supreme cabinetry of the rolling island. The black and white encaustic design porcelain tile backsplash adds visual interest to the room above the white quartz countertops. Additionally, an oil-rubbed bronze bar for hanging clothes is conveniently located above the washer/dryer, and a stainless-steel under-mount sink with a matching Kohler faucet offers perfect functionality. “I would definitely recommend Advance Design; they’ve been wonderful. They were so helpful. Any little changes we had, they were able to accommodate,” Kristin said.

Photo: Margot Hartford © 2017 Houzz
Eclectic home office photo in New York

Serving as a winter retreat for a family of world travelers, a thoughtfully composed program of calm, comforting spaces imbuing casual elegance is presented effortlessly in the landscape. Oriented around a central grand oak and its adjacent loblolly pine, the home wraps around them, celebrating the engagement of nature while maintaining privacy from neighboring homes. Working within height restrictions intended to keep massing as low to the ground as possible, we moved the ground plane up and the expression down to present an appearance of a home that lives low. Calculated plays on scale and proportion intentionally have different effects from different vantage points, ensuring the viewer perceives the architecture as humanly scaled from each important introduction to the home. Ascending a landscape stair that winds around the central oak and extends into the entry vitrine sitting at base flood, the entry foyer operates at two scales as limestone stairs matching the exterior ascend between walls passing portals that reveal limited views of activity within. 2022 Design + Service Awards Jury Citation for Residential New Construction, AIA Charleston