Photo of a large traditional partial sun backyard gravel garden path.

Photo by Casey Dunn
Patio - contemporary patio idea in Houston with a fire pit and no cover

Large office with game area with privacy french doors leading to master suite.
Large minimalist built-in desk travertine floor and beige floor study room photo in Phoenix with white walls and no fireplace

Study room - small transitional freestanding desk carpeted study room idea in Omaha with gray walls

Michele Lee Willson Photography
Example of a mountain style brick patio design in San Francisco with a fireplace

Inspiration for a transitional wooden l-shaped staircase remodel in Birmingham with painted risers

A couple wanted a weekend retreat without spending a majority of their getaway in an automobile. Therefore, a lot was purchased along the Rocky River with the vision of creating a nearby escape less than five miles away from their home. This 1,300 sf 24’ x 24’ dwelling is divided into a four square quadrant with the goal to create a variety of interior and exterior experiences while maintaining a rather small footprint. Typically, when going on a weekend retreat one has the drive time to decompress. However, without this, the goal was to create a procession from the car to the house to signify such change of context. This concept was achieved through the use of a wood slatted screen wall which must be passed through. After winding around a collection of poured concrete steps and walls one comes to a wood plank bridge and crosses over a Japanese garden leaving all the stresses of the daily world behind. The house is structured around a nine column steel frame grid, which reinforces the impression one gets of the four quadrants. The two rear quadrants intentionally house enclosed program space but once passed through, the floor plan completely opens to long views down to the mouth of the river into Lake Erie. On the second floor the four square grid is stacked with one quadrant removed for the two story living area on the first floor to capture heightened views down the river. In a move to create complete separation there is a one quadrant roof top office with surrounding roof top garden space. The rooftop office is accessed through a unique approach by exiting onto a steel grated staircase which wraps up the exterior facade of the house. This experience provides an additional retreat within their weekend getaway, and serves as the apex of the house where one can completely enjoy the views of Lake Erie disappearing over the horizon. Visually the house extends into the riverside site, but the four quadrant axis also physically extends creating a series of experiences out on the property. The Northeast kitchen quadrant extends out to become an exterior kitchen & dining space. The two-story Northwest living room quadrant extends out to a series of wrap around steps and lounge seating. A fire pit sits in this quadrant as well farther out in the lawn. A fruit and vegetable garden sits out in the Southwest quadrant in near proximity to the shed, and the entry sequence is contained within the Southeast quadrant extension. Internally and externally the whole house is organized in a simple and concise way and achieves the ultimate goal of creating many different experiences within a rationally sized footprint. Photo: Sergiu Stoian

Clients' first home and there forever home with a family of four and in laws close, this home needed to be able to grow with the family. This most recent growth included a few home additions including the kids bathrooms (on suite) added on to the East end, the two original bathrooms were converted into one larger hall bath, the kitchen wall was blown out, entrying into a complete 22'x22' great room addition with a mudroom and half bath leading to the garage and the final addition a third car garage. This space is transitional and classic to last the test of time.

Sardone Construction, Dallas, Texas, 2020 Regional CotY Award Winner, Residential Landscape Design/Outdoor Living Under $100,000
Example of a transitional backyard concrete paver full sun patio design for summer in Dallas

Photo by Eric Rorer
Deck - huge contemporary deck idea in San Francisco

Margot Hartford Photography
Example of a farmhouse l-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen design in San Francisco with glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and white walls

Eclectic carpeted and multicolored floor sunroom photo in Austin with a standard ceiling

Trendy porch idea in New York with decking and a roof extension

© Wade Griffith Photography 2017
Design ideas for a contemporary full sun landscaping in Dallas.

©Scott Basile Photography
Inspiration for a large 1960s open concept living room remodel in San Diego with green walls

Design ideas for a mid-sized southwestern drought-tolerant and partial sun side yard brick garden path in Phoenix.

Inspiration for a transitional backyard deck remodel in Houston with a roof extension

photography by Rob Karosis
Example of a large classic wooden u-shaped medium tone wood floor staircase design in Portland Maine with white walls and painted risers