Inspiration for a mid-sized arts and crafts two-storey green exterior in New York with mixed siding and a gable roof.

Northwest Transitional Home on Lake Sammamish, WA. Down below is a fire pit perfect for entertaining.
Transitional exterior in Seattle.

©David Palermo
Photo of a mediterranean one-storey exterior in Santa Barbara.

This is an example of a contemporary exterior in Other with stone veneer.

Howard Roberts
Design ideas for a traditional brick exterior in New York.

Traditional two-storey exterior in Portland.

Pat Sudmeier
Inspiration for a modern exterior in Denver.

Design ideas for a contemporary exterior in Chicago.

The unique lines and contemporary design highlights this luxury home’s double height continuous window.
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary two-storey brown house exterior in Vancouver with wood siding, a shed roof and a metal roof.

Detailed Craftsman Front View. Often referred to as a "bungalow" style home, this type of design and layout typically make use of every square foot of usable space. Another benefit to this style home is it lends itself nicely to long, narrow lots and small building footprints. Stunning curb appeal, detaling and a friendly, inviting look are true Craftsman characteristics. Makes you just want to knock on the door to see what's inside! Steven Begleiter/ stevenbegleiterphotography.com

At night, this lake front cottage is a beautiful sight from the water. Architectural design by Bonin Architects & Associates. Photography by William N. Fish. Landscape design by Peter Schiess

Sasha Butler
Design ideas for a large traditional two-storey beige house exterior in San Francisco with stone veneer, a gambrel roof and a shingle roof.

This home was transformed from a bland dryvit spec home in to a French Country masterpiece by Elevations. New siding and stone as well as attention to details in selecting the perfect shutters and garage doors, make this home stand out.

Photos by Will Austin
Small country one-storey brown exterior in Seattle with mixed siding and a shed roof.

Inspiration for a large traditional exterior in Chicago.

Photographer: Jeffrey Totaro
Contemporary exterior in Philadelphia.

Home office studio in mid-Century Modern Renovation & Addition.
Small midcentury two-storey brown exterior in San Francisco with wood siding.

Firmness . . . Santa Cruz’s historically eclectic Pleasure Point neighborhood has been evolving in its own quirky way for almost a century, and many of its inhabitants seem to have been around just as long. They cling to the relaxed and funky seaside character of their beach community with an almost indignant provinciality. For both client and architect, neighborhood context became the singular focus of the design; to become the “poster child” for compatibility and sustainability. Dozens of photos were taken of the surrounding area as inspiration, with the goal of honoring the idiosyncratic, fine-grained character and informal scale of a neighborhood built over time. A low, horizontal weathered ipe fence at the street keeps out surfer vans and neighborhood dogs, and a simple gate beckons visitors to stroll down the boardwalk which gently angles toward the front door. A rusted steel fire pit is the focus of this ground level courtyard, which is encircled by a curving cor-ten garden wall graced by a sweep of horse tail reeds and tufts of feather grass. Extensive day-lighting throughout the home is achieved with high windows placed in all directions in all major rooms, resulting in an abundance of natural light throughout. The clients report having only to turning on lights at nightfall. Notable are the numerous passive solar design elements: careful attention to overhangs and shading devices at South- and West-facing glass to control heat gain, and passive ventilation via high windows in the tower elements, all are significant contributors to the structure’s energy efficiency. Commodity . . . Beautiful views of Monterey Bay and the lively local beach scene became the main drivers in plan and section. The upper floor was intentionally set back to preserve ocean views of the neighbor to the north. The surf obsessed clients wished to be able to see the “break” from their upper floor breakfast table perch, able to take a moment’s notice advantage of some killer waves. A tiny 4,500 s.f. lot and a desire to create a ground level courtyard for entertaining dictated the small footprint. A graceful curving cor-ten and stainless steel stair descends from the upper floor living areas, connecting them to a ground level “sanctuary”. A small detached art studio/surfboard storage shack in the back yard fulfills functional requirements, and includes an outdoor shower for the post-surf hose down. Parking access off a back alley helps to preserve ground floor space, and allows in the southern sun on the view/courtyard side. A relaxed “bare foot beach house” feel is underscored by weathered oak floors, painted re-sawn wall finishes, and painted wood ceilings, which recall the cozy cabins that stood here at Breakers Beach for nearly a century. Delight . . . Commemorating the history of the property was a priority for the surfing couple. With that in mind, they created an artistic reproduction of the original sign that decorated the property for many decades as an homage to the “Cozy Cabins at Breakers Beach”, which now graces the foyer. This casual assemblage of local vernacular architecture has been informed by the consistent scale and simple materials of nearby cottages, shacks, and bungalows. These influences were distilled down to a palette of board and batt, clapboard, and cedar shiplap, and synthesized with bolder forms that evoke images of nearby Capitola Wharf, beach lifeguard towers, and the client’s “surf shack” program requirements. The landscape design takes its cues from boardwalks, rusted steel fire rings, and native grasses, all of which firmly tie the building to its local beach community. The locals have embraced it as one of their own. Architect - Noel Cross Architect Landscape Architect - Christopher Yates Interior Designer - Gina Viscusi-Elson Lighting Designer - Vita Pehar Design Contractor - The Conrado Company

Mid-sized modern three-storey brown exterior in Seattle with wood siding.