Nestled into sloping topography, the design of this home allows privacy from the street while providing unique vistas throughout the house and to the surrounding hill country and downtown skyline. Layering rooms with each other as well as circulation galleries, insures seclusion while allowing stunning downtown views. The owners' goals of creating a home with a contemporary flow and finish while providing a warm setting for daily life was accomplished through mixing warm natural finishes such as stained wood with gray tones in concrete and local limestone. The home's program also hinged around using both passive and active green features. Sustainable elements include geothermal heating/cooling, rainwater harvesting, spray foam insulation, high efficiency glazing, recessing lower spaces into the hillside on the west side, and roof/overhang design to provide passive solar coverage of walls and windows. The resulting design is a sustainably balanced, visually pleasing home which reflects the lifestyle and needs of the clients. Photography by Andrew Pogue

Concrete pathway to front of house. We replaced ugly drains with rain chains made out of corten steel. Custom planter made out of corten steel.
This is an example of a midcentury entryway in San Francisco.

Stephen Seidel
Design ideas for a modern exterior in Denver with wood siding.

This is an example of a modern brick exterior in San Francisco.

Photo Credit: Kenneth M Wyner Photography Inc
Transitional front yard garden in DC Metro with natural stone pavers.

Lara Swimmer
Design ideas for a modern one-storey exterior in Seattle.

Inspiration for a traditional home design in Omaha.

Photo of a modern xeriscape in San Francisco with river rock.

Donald Chapman, AIA,CMB This unique project, located in Donalds, South Carolina began with the owners requesting three primary uses. First, it was have separate guest accommodations for family and friends when visiting their rural area. The desire to house and display collectible cars was the second goal. The owner’s passion of wine became the final feature incorporated into this multi use structure. This Guest House – Collector Garage – Wine Cellar was designed and constructed to settle into the picturesque farm setting and be reminiscent of an old house that once stood in the pasture. The front porch invites you to sit in a rocker or swing while enjoying the surrounding views. As you step inside the red oak door, the stair to the right leads guests up to a 1150 SF of living space that utilizes varied widths of red oak flooring that was harvested from the property and installed by the owner. Guest accommodations feature two bedroom suites joined by a nicely appointed living and dining area as well as fully stocked kitchen to provide a self-sufficient stay. Disguised behind two tone stained cement siding, cedar shutters and dark earth tones, the main level of the house features enough space for storing and displaying six of the owner’s automobiles. The collection is accented by natural light from the windows, painted wainscoting and trim while positioned on three toned speckled epoxy coated floors. The third and final use is located underground behind a custom built 3” thick arched door. This climatically controlled 2500 bottle wine cellar is highlighted with custom designed and owner built white oak racking system that was again constructed utilizing trees that were harvested from the property in earlier years. Other features are stained concrete floors, tongue and grooved pine ceiling and parch coated red walls. All are accented by low voltage track lighting along with a hand forged wrought iron & glass chandelier that is positioned above a wormy chestnut tasting table. Three wooden generator wheels salvaged from a local building were installed and act as additional storage and display for wine as well as give a historical tie to the community, always prompting interesting conversations among the owner’s and their guests. This all-electric Energy Star Certified project allowed the owner to capture all three desires into one environment… Three birds… one stone.

Design ideas for a contemporary side yard deck in Los Angeles with a container garden.

Custom ocean front four bedroom five bath craftsman remodel. This three story residence maintains a low profile from the street and exposes itself to the breathtaking views of Shaws Cove. A spectacular great room with sliding French pocket doors that lead out to a sizeable deck. This home was designed for entertaining. A very private outdoor room with every amenity you could ask for is tucked below on the first floor and has a private access stair to the beach. It is connected to the kitchen with a dumbwaiter for convenience. There is a wine room, theater, office and garage parking for three cars.

Lara Swimmer
Modern exterior in Seattle with wood siding.

Inspiration for an asian staircase in San Francisco.

Inspiration for a modern exterior in San Francisco with wood siding.

Contemporary exterior in Los Angeles.

The copper rain chains were purchased from www.rainchains.com.
Arts and crafts front yard verandah in Columbus with a roof extension.

The exterior of the house was refreshed by removal of all the overgrown trees and shrubs which hide the beauty of this large brick farm house. We replaced all the rotted windows and doore with new modern wood windows and doors finished with custom Boral Millwork. To add some additional sun protection we incorporated a sun trellis over the rear wall of doors. A new Front Entry Porch was designed on the front of the home to create some dimension to the home as well as add sun and rain protection to the front entry of the home. The porch was finished in custom Boral Millwork, custom standing seam metal roof, and beautiful bluestone walkway.

Cesar Rubio
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern backyard patio in San Francisco with concrete slab and a roof extension.