The Hasserton is a sleek take on the waterfront home. This multi-level design exudes modern chic as well as the comfort of a family cottage. The sprawling main floor footprint offers homeowners areas to lounge, a spacious kitchen, a formal dining room, access to outdoor living, and a luxurious master bedroom suite. The upper level features two additional bedrooms and a loft, while the lower level is the entertainment center of the home. A curved beverage bar sits adjacent to comfortable sitting areas. A guest bedroom and exercise facility are also located on this floor.

James Kruger, LandMark Photography Interior Design: Martha O'Hara Interiors Architect: Sharratt Design & Company

Curved front stairs to front porch. Designed and built by Georgia Front Porch. © 2012 Jan Stittleburg, jsphotofx.com for Georgia Front Porch.

This new home for a young family responds to the desire for a modern, comfortable and sustainable home. Within the single-story structure three distinct levels, each connected by 3 steps, are designed to graciously work with the gently sloping site, providing multiple connection points to the outdoors along the way. Public areas of the house open up to engage the outdoor living spaces, while bedrooms along the north side of the home preserve privacy. The mass of the home was sited along the northern portion of the lot to take advantage of natural light throughout the year. Overhangs are proportioned to keep the house cool in the summer while taking in the sun’s warmth in the winter months. Dark metal windows, smooth-faced stucco, wood siding, exposed masonry and a standing seam roof provide a clean, durable envelope. Interiors are kept simple with wood flooring and white paint serving as a backdrop for wood and steel casework. JLC Architecture provided a full architectural and interior design package.

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Our clients and their three teenage kids had outgrown the footprint of their existing home and felt they needed some space to spread out. They came in with a couple of sets of drawings from different architects that were not quite what they were looking for, so we set out to really listen and try to provide a design that would meet their objectives given what the space could offer. We started by agreeing that a bump out was the best way to go and then decided on the size and the floor plan locations of the mudroom, powder room and butler pantry which were all part of the project. We also planned for an eat-in banquette that is neatly tucked into the corner and surrounded by windows providing a lovely spot for daily meals. The kitchen itself is L-shaped with the refrigerator and range along one wall, and the new sink along the exterior wall with a large window overlooking the backyard. A large island, with seating for five, houses a prep sink and microwave. A new opening space between the kitchen and dining room includes a butler pantry/bar in one section and a large kitchen pantry in the other. Through the door to the left of the main sink is access to the new mudroom and powder room and existing attached garage. White inset cabinets, quartzite countertops, subway tile and nickel accents provide a traditional feel. The gray island is a needed contrast to the dark wood flooring. Last but not least, professional appliances provide the tools of the trade needed to make this one hardworking kitchen. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Mike Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

PA Landscape Group, Inc. http://www.palandscapegroup.com/ Project Entry: Mechanicsburg Residence 2013 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Residential Hardscaping $60,000 & Over Award Level: Bronze Project Description: Our client was ready to replace a deteriorating wood deck at the back of their home. They wanted to create an area where his wife and two daughters could enjoy the outdoors,occasional meal off the grill, and hang out with friends. We were challenged to keep the outdoor room from sprawling over a rear yard with a consistently changing grade to the side property line and keeping some open lawn for the sports minded daughters. The area at the back property was wooded and owned by the homeowners association and not maintained. Our design goals were to create a three season area to enjoy the grill year round and social space for family and friends. Oh yes,a place to read the newspaper and watch the Philly's. The existing deck was surrounded by six foot Euonymus alatus, which we decided early on to save and transplant if possible. The Euonymus had been a part of the house since it was constructed. The Euonymus became a new screen, to separate the area from the property line. We created a landing large enough to tie the door,grill pavilion and patio areas together and the steps are good if more kids show up than expected. The dining and grilling area is under roof of a 12ft. x 18ft. pavilion. This structure provides a roofed enclosure. The interior roof is softly lighted and a fan provided to keep a comfortable breeze. The grill,table, and hardscape buffet provide all that is needed to dine and a spot to set the TV to keep up with the Philly's. After dinner the family can move down to the fireplace and hot tub area to relax and enjoy the evening. While Dad can spread out the sports page on the table and read the newspaper. Brussel Block pavers, by Unilock,were choose for the casual tumbled quality and smooth clean surface to accommodate socks and bare feet. One inlay was placed just off the landing to be a central point of the outdoor space. Darker red colored Copthorne pavers, by Unilock, are used as accents both vertically and horizontally to be contiguous with the fireplace element. We set the fireplace at a 45 degree angle and set the wood boxes parallel and perpendicular to the fire box. This creates a cozy seating area and prevents the total layout from running straight across the rear ofthe house. We also constructed a customized the hearth to provide a wider sitting area. Coming from the garage we keep the same grade to the back kitchen door, dropped down one step to the patio and pavilion and then down two steps into the fireplace and hot tub area. This also breaks up the feeling of going straight across the back of the house. The grill island houses a Lynx grill and in the end of the grill island is a refrigerator so that everyone does not have to keep going behind the counter to get drinks.At the opposite end of the pavilion a hardscape buffet was built to provide more counter space for serving food and supplied with electricity to provide power for a TV,computer etc. Low voltage pathway lighting was positioned along the walk from the drive to the back doors for security and safety along the path. Up lighting to the interior of the pavilion roof give an ambient light to the grill and dining area and minimal lighting to the fireplace which will radiate its own light. Control of the pavilion lights is located on the grill island. Low voltage lighting provides a great view along the back wood line. This light along the wood line expands visually the space allowing the backyard to become a great space for all to enjoy. Our client's expectations were surpassed in meeting the challenge of our design goals. Photo Credit: PA Landscape Group, Inc.

Courtyard style garden with exposed concrete and timber cabana. The swimming pool is tiled with a white sandstone, This courtyard garden design shows off a great mixture of materials and plant species. Courtyard gardens are one of our specialties. This Garden was designed by Michael Cooke Garden Design. Effective courtyard garden is about keeping the design of the courtyard simple. Small courtyard gardens such as this coastal garden in Clovelly are about keeping the design simple. The swimming pool is tiled internally with a really dark mosaic tile which contrasts nicely with the sandstone coping around the pool. The cabana is a cool mixture of free form concrete, Spotted Gum vertical slats and a lined ceiling roof. The flooring is also Spotted Gum to tie in with the slats. Photos by Natalie Hunfalvay

This transitional timber frame home features a wrap-around porch designed to take advantage of its lakeside setting and mountain views. Natural stone, including river rock, granite and Tennessee field stone, is combined with wavy edge siding and a cedar shingle roof to marry the exterior of the home with it surroundings. Casually elegant interiors flow into generous outdoor living spaces that highlight natural materials and create a connection between the indoors and outdoors. Photography Credit: Rebecca Lehde, Inspiro 8 Studios

Klopf Architecture and Outer space Landscape Architects designed a new warm, modern, open, indoor-outdoor home in Los Altos, California. Inspired by mid-century modern homes but looking for something completely new and custom, the owners, a couple with two children, bought an older ranch style home with the intention of replacing it. Created on a grid, the house is designed to be at rest with differentiated spaces for activities; living, playing, cooking, dining and a piano space. The low-sloping gable roof over the great room brings a grand feeling to the space. The clerestory windows at the high sloping roof make the grand space light and airy. Upon entering the house, an open atrium entry in the middle of the house provides light and nature to the great room. The Heath tile wall at the back of the atrium blocks direct view of the rear yard from the entry door for privacy. The bedrooms, bathrooms, play room and the sitting room are under flat wing-like roofs that balance on either side of the low sloping gable roof of the main space. Large sliding glass panels and pocketing glass doors foster openness to the front and back yards. In the front there is a fenced-in play space connected to the play room, creating an indoor-outdoor play space that could change in use over the years. The play room can also be closed off from the great room with a large pocketing door. In the rear, everything opens up to a deck overlooking a pool where the family can come together outdoors. Wood siding travels from exterior to interior, accentuating the indoor-outdoor nature of the house. Where the exterior siding doesn’t come inside, a palette of white oak floors, white walls, walnut cabinetry, and dark window frames ties all the spaces together to create a uniform feeling and flow throughout the house. The custom cabinetry matches the minimal joinery of the rest of the house, a trim-less, minimal appearance. Wood siding was mitered in the corners, including where siding meets the interior drywall. Wall materials were held up off the floor with a minimal reveal. This tight detailing gives a sense of cleanliness to the house. The garage door of the house is completely flush and of the same material as the garage wall, de-emphasizing the garage door and making the street presentation of the house kinder to the neighborhood. The house is akin to a custom, modern-day Eichler home in many ways. Inspired by mid-century modern homes with today’s materials, approaches, standards, and technologies. The goals were to create an indoor-outdoor home that was energy-efficient, light and flexible for young children to grow. This 3,000 square foot, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom new house is located in Los Altos in the heart of the Silicon Valley. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, and Chuang-Ming Liu 
Landscape Architect: Outer space Landscape Architects 
Structural Engineer: ZFA Structural Engineers 
Staging: Da Lusso Design 
Photography ©2018 Mariko Reed 
Location: Los Altos, CA
 Year completed: 2017

The Hasserton is a sleek take on the waterfront home. This multi-level design exudes modern chic as well as the comfort of a family cottage. The sprawling main floor footprint offers homeowners areas to lounge, a spacious kitchen, a formal dining room, access to outdoor living, and a luxurious master bedroom suite. The upper level features two additional bedrooms and a loft, while the lower level is the entertainment center of the home. A curved beverage bar sits adjacent to comfortable sitting areas. A guest bedroom and exercise facility are also located on this floor.

To view other projects by TruexCullins Architecture + Interior design visit www.truexcullins.com Photos taken by Jim Westphalen

The Cook house at The Sea Ranch was designed to meet the needs an active family with two young children, who wanted to take full advantage of coastal living. As The Sea Ranch reaches full build-out, the major design challenge is to create a sense of shelter and privacy amid an expansive meadow and between neighboring houses. A T-shaped floor plan was positioned to take full advantage of unobstructed ocean views and create sheltered outdoor spaces . Windows were positioned to let in maximum natural light, capture ridge and ocean views , while minimizing the sight of nearby structures and roadways from the principle spaces. The interior finishes are simple and warm, echoing the surrounding natural beauty. Scuba diving, hiking, and beach play meant a significant amount of sand would accompany the family home from their outings, so the architect designed an outdoor shower and an adjacent mud room to help contain the outdoor elements. Durable finishes such as the concrete floors are up to the challenge. The home is a tranquil vessel that cleverly accommodates both active engagement and calm respite from a busy weekday schedule.

Often, less is more. Take this landscape design composed of climbing roses, hydrangeas, and lilies surrounding a bluestone terrace. This small, suburban garden feels both expansive and intimate. Japanese forest grass softens the edge of the terrace and adds just enough of a modern look to make the garden’s owners, urban transplants, happy. “My husband and I were looking for an outdoor space that had a secret-garden feeling,” says homeowner Anne Lillis-Ruth. “We’ve had fun adding furniture, antique planters, and a stone fountain to [landscape designer] Robert Welsch’s beautiful landscape. The white and green plantings provide the perfect backdrop to my collection of colorful table linens, glassware, and china. We love our garden!” Dean Fisher loved it, too. “The setting is so lovely and relaxed. It evokes the south of France, with its intimate scale and the integration of house and patio through the use of the vines and other plantings.”

The client, who lives out of the Country most of the time, desired a regal haven for their quaint and quiet resort style living to enjoy the fresh ocean breeze and dramatic sunsets views. One of the desires of the client was to provide a balance between the Formality and Sensibility. Our design included a formal and dramatic raised infinity Pool, which is connected by way of a terraced water runnel, to an infinity Spa located just off the French doors of the master bedroom. The infinity Pool being raised allows for a wonderful connection of water bodies between the Ocean. and the Pool. Other amenities of the design includes a solid roof extension creating a quaint outdoor dining room to enjoy the stately nearby cook center. Additional elements to highlight this vacation retreat include multiple water features, warm limestone paving, refined pottery accents, with multiple patios and seating areas to enjoy for almost any function or purpose. All these fantastic features are wrapped together in a colorful palette of eclectic Mediterranean plantings, which elegantly provides that balance of classical function and lush aesthetics.

Photo-Jim Westphalen

Villa Florencia is a home designed and built by Orlando Custom Homebuilder Jorge Ulibarri, www.imyourbuilder.com for more design ideas and new construction tips subscribe to the blog www.tradesecretsbyjorge.com

This vacation residence located in a beautiful ocean community on the New England coast features high performance and creative use of space in a small package. ZED designed the simple, gable-roofed structure and proposed the Passive House standard. The resulting home consumes only one-tenth of the energy for heating compared to a similar new home built only to code requirements. Architecture | ZeroEnergy Design Construction | Aedi Construction Photos | Greg Premru Photography

This stunning light-filled Orangery is perfect for dining and for hosting guests. This large extension incorporates twin lanterns and three pairs of curved arched double doors that open out onto the terrace which creates an interesting and purposeful room. Vale Paint Colour - Exterior Vale White, Interior Putty Size- 9.5 X 4M.