Indoor Display Screen
Example of a minimalist front door design in San Francisco

Peephole Camera
Minimalist front door photo in San Francisco

This meditation bench brings the outside in by featuring a stone as one of the legs to hold up the top, creating a great place to be alone with your thoughts and meditate. This bench is balanced with a hollowed granite leg, ground out by hand with the aid of a diamond drill bit and an angle grinder to provide a more manageable weight. I hand-carved a peek-a-boo opening in the mahogany seat to expose the granite for aesthetic interest while supporting the seat with a custom-fabricated metal bracket underneath for stability. The wooden leg is mortised securely through the top and wedged in place with walnut wedges. The supporting walnut arch spanning from one leg to the underside of the seat is one piece. The arch passes through a mortise in each of the cross braces, which are precisely spaced to provide artistic interest and balance. Each mortise was cut by hand with a mallet and chisel. This silky-smooth bench was built without nails or screws and made from high-quality hardwood, richly-grained African mahogany that begs to be touched. The seat and one leg are African mahogany, and the wedges, arch, and cross braces are walnut. The beautifully placed granite leg is local Colorado granite with natural lichen. The rich reddish-brown mahogany against the subtle soft green color of the lichen provides a sense of stability and harmony. The design inspiration for having the rock poke through the bench top came from an architect friend, who had a granite boulder craned in through the roof of a house and carved into a gas fireplace. The architect’s stories about how challenging the project was to integrate such an organic piece in an otherwise modern home got me thinking about how I could incorporate organic shapes into my furniture. The arch design came from one of my favorite hiking places in the Cascades, a bridge that spans across Multnomah Falls. Since publishing this work, I have been told that the design is stupid as only one person can sit on the bench at a time. Those opinions are the beauty of art, as everyone interprets it differently, and not everyone will get its purpose. However, subconsciously, I think the design spoke well for itself, as its purpose is for one person to be alone and meditate. Its deeper meaning may not be obvious or understood by everyone. However, its design has at least set the stage as only one person can comfortably sit on it at a time. This level of detail is indicative of my work. I try to create a single focal point to catch the viewer’s eye and draw them in. Then, once they get up close to a piece and start interacting with it, they will start to see all the additional details. I like how the bench top is carefully carved so it sits around the stone and how the weight of the stone helps balance the piece. They start to understand how it was built as they see the joinery detail, of how the tenon comes through the top and is wedged in place.

www.wrightbuild.com
Example of a large classic mixed siding exterior home design in New York

This is not just any project. This is not just any house. This is a house of healing. My beloved and infinitely inspiring brother, Yeshaia Blakeney owns and runs this treatment center, The Integrity House. When my brother approached me about decorating this 7000 square foot Mediteranean home in Brentwood, I was thrilled. When he told me we had 2 weeks to complete this mission I was, well, admittedly a little bit freaked out. With the indispensable help of Emily, my brothers’ wife and powerhouse, we scoured LA to find a harmonious blend of vintage & contemporary furnishings and art, that would bring this house to life. But, before this creative process, before the decor and the art, I brought the sage and we all sat down on the living room floor, my mother lead the ceremony and we blessed the house. This house is a house of healing, may all who pass through find peace, love, inspiration and fulfillment. Amen! Photographed by Justina Blakeney

Banker Wire’s architectural woven mesh is a key design element in the Willow Park Showhome, built by Zen Custom Homes and designed by AstonMorrone Designs. Utilized in two separate applications within the home—as a wall divider in the office, and as a statement kitchen island feature—the designer relied on Banker Wire’s M22-83 wire mesh pattern to create visual separations that allow the light to pass through, without impeding the flow of the open-planned space. Acting as a statement kitchen counter partition, M22-83’s stainless steel and brass finish brings warmth to the expansive, open kitchen. Fabricated within a red maple-colored wood frame, the wire mesh creates a dividing screen by connecting the bottom of the kitchen counter with the wood ceiling accent above, which spans the length and width of the counter. When lit by the kitchen ceiling lighting source, M22-83 is brought to life; created using a pair of nested helical crimped woven wires to define the circular mesh shape, this pattern’s doubled circle mesh creates unique reflective surfaces, allowing the light to pass through the mesh in varying ways. Similarly, this combination of stainless steel and brass gives off a colorful, luxurious aesthetic, where the depth and movement of the contrasting woven wires—of silver and gold tones—dynamically change as the viewer’s perspective shifts. In addition to creating a striking, statement background for the lights to reflect off of, this wood-mesh divider installation directs the line of sight towards the outside view of the home’s backyard. The double woven nature of the M22-83 pattern gives strength to this weave, making it a suitable option for a screen wall or space divider. The wire mesh application within this showhome office space acts as a partition that visually divides the front foyer while doubling as the back of a shelving wall. With the goal of creating a space that can be used as a flex-room or a working studio, the design team prioritized having natural light and a connection to the rest of the home. The Banker Wire mesh allows the sound and light to pass from the peripheral spaces through the length of the office space, with the trees in the transom windows located in the front foyer visible from behind the wire mesh divider wall. Additionally, the stainless steel and brass finish mirrors the wood millwork accents within the space, further adding to the masculine aesthetic of the design scheme while providing contrasting texture.

Terraced stone steps w/ bent grass inlays and retaining walls assist in framing this pool and patio scene. An alee of hornbeams accompanied with boxwood on the left and brick retaining walls and columns on the right assist in the process. Terraced stone steps w/ bent grass inlays and retaining walls direct a viewer’s focus in this pool and patio scene. A collaboration of an allee of hornbeams and boxwood on the left accompanied by brick retaining walls and columns on the right assist in the process.

Photo by: Leonid Furmansky
Inspiration for a large transitional metal straight open staircase remodel in Austin

View of the house from the driveway. Natural stone wall separates the house from the driveway area. Grassy meadow plants and tailored boxwood hint to the viewer that the rest of the property will be an integration of these two landscapes. Large floor to ceiling windows in the house provide access to the stunning views of the ocean and meadows.

Banker Wire’s architectural woven mesh is a key design element in the Willow Park Showhome, built by Zen Custom Homes and designed by AstonMorrone Designs. Utilized in two separate applications within the home—as a wall divider in the office, and as a statement kitchen island feature—the designer relied on Banker Wire’s M22-83 wire mesh pattern to create visual separations that allow the light to pass through, without impeding the flow of the open-planned space. Acting as a statement kitchen counter partition, M22-83’s stainless steel and brass finish brings warmth to the expansive, open kitchen. Fabricated within a red maple-colored wood frame, the wire mesh creates a dividing screen by connecting the bottom of the kitchen counter with the wood ceiling accent above, which spans the length and width of the counter. When lit by the kitchen ceiling lighting source, M22-83 is brought to life; created using a pair of nested helical crimped woven wires to define the circular mesh shape, this pattern’s doubled circle mesh creates unique reflective surfaces, allowing the light to pass through the mesh in varying ways. Similarly, this combination of stainless steel and brass gives off a colorful, luxurious aesthetic, where the depth and movement of the contrasting woven wires—of silver and gold tones—dynamically change as the viewer’s perspective shifts. In addition to creating a striking, statement background for the lights to reflect off of, this wood-mesh divider installation directs the line of sight towards the outside view of the home’s backyard. The double woven nature of the M22-83 pattern gives strength to this weave, making it a suitable option for a screen wall or space divider. The wire mesh application within this showhome office space acts as a partition that visually divides the front foyer while doubling as the back of a shelving wall. With the goal of creating a space that can be used as a flex-room or a working studio, the design team prioritized having natural light and a connection to the rest of the home. The Banker Wire mesh allows the sound and light to pass from the peripheral spaces through the length of the office space, with the trees in the transom windows located in the front foyer visible from behind the wire mesh divider wall. Additionally, the stainless steel and brass finish mirrors the wood millwork accents within the space, further adding to the masculine aesthetic of the design scheme while providing contrasting texture.

Remarkable focal points in each area aim to capture the personality of the homeowners – An elegant vintage chandelier that draws the gaze when sitting in the parlor, baroque hand made paintings that add a French colonial charm to the dining room and a stunning marble fireplace with a pattern that just takes the viewer’s breath away and adds glamour to the living room. A lighter toned color brightens up the entire space while creating a rustic and comfortable decor overall. Comfy Shag rugs on the sofas ensure the family dog has a cozy spot to snuggle in. A vintage area rug with hand-selected accessories in the cabinets around the fireplace finish out a gorgeous and welcoming room. Dining area chairs with a pop of blue around a sturdy round oak table personify energy yet are classically elegant. A lot of time, effort and of course, patience went into this 4-year project. But the end result is a balanced, harmonious space that reflects the personality of the people who use it, which is what good Design is all about.

Photo: Edmunds Studios
Large elegant light wood floor indoor basketball/tennis/multi-game court photo in Milwaukee with gray walls

A five story curtain wall of green glass and a steel structural frame allow breath-taking views of Seattle across Elliot Bay, lending a signature material to the building + drawing the viewer’s eye upward. Curved steel beams and heavy timber roofs convey the curves of the marine environment just steps away while giving a significant form to the top of the building and the meeting and deck spaces enclosed. A steel “torii” beam and column structure at the top roof deck suggests a gateway, a portal to the east and the wider world, reflecting the owner’s heritage. Interiors of bamboo flooring, light quarter-sawn oak cabinetry and doors, grass cloth, simple modern tile, trim, and fixtures reflect the clean, contemporary lighting.

Fine Focus Photography
Inspiration for a mediterranean dark wood floor dining room remodel in Austin with white walls

The customers desired a secluded environment for retreat at the end of a long workday. The project began with stone selection. We desired an organic stone that would age beautifully over time, and shape the walls and features of the space. Our team faced major logistics challenges throughout the project. The wooded property sloped away from the house dramatically making difficulty bringing in large materials and machinery needed to complete the job. Tree protection and a temporary road were constructed for the duration of the project. Stone placement was key to success for this project. We hand-selected each boulder for the project and assembled the stones by similar grain patterns and colors to create authenticity. The idea was to give the illusion that these natural limestone formations existed on the property before the home and landscaping was created adding a great mystery to the overall feature. The viewer is surrounded by large stone walls with cascades of water that have shaped the stone over time. The viewer is given the illusion that the source of water comes from the distance of the property and cascades into a secluded area. We designed an underground cistern to hold rain water run-off allowing the water feature to naturally filter the water for re-use. The pump system is run on a Variable Frequency Drive for programmable automation, allowing the customer to run the waterfall at different flow rates at different times of day allowing for operation cost savings, and low energy consumption. Linda Oyama Bryan

The customers desired a secluded environment for retreat at the end of a long workday. The project began with stone selection. We desired an organic stone that would age beautifully over time, and shape the walls and features of the space. Our team faced major logistics challenges throughout the project. The wooded property sloped away from the house dramatically making difficulty bringing in large materials and machinery needed to complete the job. Tree protection and a temporary road were constructed for the duration of the project. Stone placement was key to success for this project. We hand-selected each boulder for the project and assembled the stones by similar grain patterns and colors to create authenticity. The idea was to give the illusion that these natural limestone formations existed on the property before the home and landscaping was created adding a great mystery to the overall feature. The viewer is surrounded by large stone walls with cascades of water that have shaped the stone over time. The viewer is given the illusion that the source of water comes from the distance of the property and cascades into a secluded area. We designed an underground cistern to hold rain water run-off allowing the water feature to naturally filter the water for re-use. The pump system is run on a Variable Frequency Drive for programmable automation, allowing the customer to run the waterfall at different flow rates at different times of day allowing for operation cost savings, and low energy consumption. Linda Oyama Bryan

The customers desired a secluded environment for retreat at the end of a long workday. The project began with stone selection. We desired an organic stone that would age beautifully over time, and shape the walls and features of the space. Our team faced major logistics challenges throughout the project. The wooded property sloped away from the house dramatically making difficulty bringing in large materials and machinery needed to complete the job. Tree protection and a temporary road were constructed for the duration of the project. Stone placement was key to success for this project. We hand-selected each boulder for the project and assembled the stones by similar grain patterns and colors to create authenticity. The idea was to give the illusion that these natural limestone formations existed on the property before the home and landscaping was created adding a great mystery to the overall feature. The viewer is surrounded by large stone walls with cascades of water that have shaped the stone over time. The viewer is given the illusion that the source of water comes from the distance of the property and cascades into a secluded area. We designed an underground cistern to hold rain water run-off allowing the water feature to naturally filter the water for re-use. The pump system is run on a Variable Frequency Drive for programmable automation, allowing the customer to run the waterfall at different flow rates at different times of day allowing for operation cost savings, and low energy consumption. Linda Oyama Bryan

The customers desired a secluded environment for retreat at the end of a long workday. The project began with stone selection. We desired an organic stone that would age beautifully over time, and shape the walls and features of the space. Our team faced major logistics challenges throughout the project. The wooded property sloped away from the house dramatically making difficulty bringing in large materials and machinery needed to complete the job. Tree protection and a temporary road were constructed for the duration of the project. Stone placement was key to success for this project. We hand-selected each boulder for the project and assembled the stones by similar grain patterns and colors to create authenticity. The idea was to give the illusion that these natural limestone formations existed on the property before the home and landscaping was created adding a great mystery to the overall feature. The viewer is surrounded by large stone walls with cascades of water that have shaped the stone over time. The viewer is given the illusion that the source of water comes from the distance of the property and cascades into a secluded area. We designed an underground cistern to hold rain water run-off allowing the water feature to naturally filter the water for re-use. The pump system is run on a Variable Frequency Drive for programmable automation, allowing the customer to run the waterfall at different flow rates at different times of day allowing for operation cost savings, and low energy consumption. Linda Oyama Bryan

The wall where the existing range was located is utilized by adding more storage and countertop. Corner closet door was removed to create more counter and cabinet space. Fluorescent under cabinet lights were added for task lighting. White frameless cabinets and Quartz countertops brightened the space and enlarged the room visually. Using white paint helped to direct the viewer’s eye to the focal point; the flaming red Aga Range. The existing hardwood floor was retained and refinished to help meet the budget.