Inspiration for a mid-sized white two-story wood exterior home remodel in Auckland

Upon arriving at the Spanish-style Palos Verdes home of Gina Quatrine, guests are greeted by a specially commissioned bronze mermaid fountain. Just as a European-style entry door (a “door-inside-a-door”) promises that what lies behind it is extraordinary, this petite sea siren beckons visitors to take a peek. Photographed by Siri Berting. http://oursouthbay.com/HOME-I-2014/Old-Bones-Fresh-Approach

Inspiration for a timeless entryway remodel in Chicago

Elegant entryway photo in Chicago

Found along the Emerald Coast of Northwest Florida, Seagrove Beach is a mile-and-a-half beach that encircles a small cove and lures visitors with its beauty and serenity. Watercolor was named for the thick grove of windswept trees that surround it.

Tribal art and a two sided fireplace are the stars of this formal living room. Open to the foyer, this room welcomes visitors and provides ample space for conversation and cocktails. Photo: Benjamin Johnston

A Boxwood hedge and vinca greet visitors of this stone and shingle style home
Inspiration for a small traditional full sun front yard stone landscaping in Bridgeport.

Relatives spending the weekend? Daughter moving back in? Could you use a spare bedroom for surprise visitors? Here’s an idea that can accommodate that occasional guest while maintaining your distance: Add a studio apartment above your garage. Studio apartments are often called mother-in-law apartments, perhaps because they add a degree of privacy. They have their own kitchen, living room and bath. Often they feature a Murphy bed. With appliances designed for micro homes becoming more popular it’s easier than ever to plan for and build a studio apartment. Rick Jacobson began this project with a large garage, capable of parking a truck and SUV, and storing everything from bikes to snowthrowers. Then he added a 500+ square foot apartment above the garage. Guests are welcome to the apartment with a private entrance inside a fence. Once inside, the apartment’s open design floods it with daylight from two large skylights and energy-efficient Marvin double hung windows. A gas fireplace below a 42-inch HD TV creates a great entertainment center. It’s all framed with rough-cut black granite, giving the whole apartment a distinctive look. Notice the ¾ inch thick tongue in grove solid oak flooring – the perfect accent to the grey and white interior design. The kitchen features a gas range with outdoor-vented hood, and a space-saving refrigerator and freezer. The custom kitchen backsplash was built using 3 X 10 inch gray subway glass tile. Black granite countertops can be found in the kitchen and bath, and both featuring under mounted sinks. The full ¾ bath features a glass-enclosed walk-in shower with 4 x 12 inch ceramic subway tiles arranged in a vertical pattern for a unique look. 6 x 24 inch gray porcelain floor tiles were used in the bath. A full-sized murphy bed folds out of the wall cabinet, offering a great view of the fireplace and HD TV. On either side of the bed, 3 built-in closets and 2 cabinets provide ample storage space. And a coffee table easily converts to a laptop computer workspace for traveling professionals or FaceBook check-ins. The result: An addition that has already proved to be a worthy investment, with the ability to host family and friends while appreciating the property’s value.

Overhead shot of the fire pit area and long benches into the dining area. The long benches are ideal for laying and reading a book or cramming in many visitors.

After - The new porch now says “Welcome!” to visitors and completely changes the aesthetic of the home. The design detail of the natural wood porch roof adds a ‘wow’ factor.

Client wanted to transform his unused guest bedroom into a guest suite for his out-of-state visitors. See the following photo for the result!
Bedroom - huge eclectic guest carpeted bedroom idea in Orange County with white walls

Helping visitors find the entry with a new stone entry gate and signature white planting palette
Inspiration for a small traditional front yard landscaping.

Old Veranda overlooking Serra de Sintra transformed into a sunroom for a retirement home. Sitting area for visitors and reading and tables for playing cards and games.

Welcoming sounds of flowing water are sure to delight any visitor.
This is an example of a traditional landscaping in Minneapolis.

Elegant entryway photo in Chicago

Inspiration for a rustic patio remodel in Portland

Transitional sunroom photo in Boston

A "Swedish blue" reflects light on a winter's day and complements the paintings. Custom oversized Ben-Day dots on the entry wall wow visitors.
Mid-sized eclectic marble floor single front door photo in DC Metro with green walls and a white front door

This modern elevation hints at the beauty inside and welcomes visitors with a front door that hinges to allow a 180–degree operating radius.
Mid-sized minimalist gray one-story wood flat roof photo in Chicago