This contemporary home features clean lines and extensive details, a unique entrance of floating steps over moving water, attractive focal points, great flows of volumes and spaces, and incorporates large areas of indoor/outdoor living on both levels. Taking aging in place into consideration, there are master suites on both levels, elevator, and garage entrance. The home’s great room and kitchen open to the lanai, summer kitchen, and garden via folding and pocketing glass doors and uses a retractable screen concealed in the lanai. When the screen is lowered, it holds up to 90% of the home’s conditioned air and keeps out insects. The 2nd floor master and exercise rooms open to balconies. The challenge was to connect the main home to the existing guest house which was accomplished with a center garden and floating step walkway which mimics the main home’s entrance. The garden features a fountain, fire pit, pool, outdoor arbor dining area, and LED lighting under the floating steps.

This contemporary grand room features Poggenphl cabinets, Roche Bobois furniture, Cambria countertops, Louis Poulsen light fixtures, finished concrete floors with radiant heat, and windows by Tru Architectural windows. Architect of Record: Larry Graves, Alliance Design Group; Designer: John Turturro, Turturro Design Studio; Photographer: Jake Cryan Photography. Website for more information: www.3PalmsProject.com.

CAST architecture

The kitchen in this 1870s home had been designed to resemble the galley of a Scandinavian boat: a fun design choice, but one that resulted in a cramped and dark workspace for the homeowner. Maintaining the room's original footprint, the space was fully renovated to open up the kitchen. Cabinets were taken down from the walls, with storage placed beneath the countertop instead, freeing space for additional windows and allowing clear sightlines to an adjacent breakfast nook. Workstations and appliances were also relocated to create a more comfortable working environment and to improve flow within the room.

A closet was renovated into a playhouse for two sisters. Photography by Annie Schlechter

Marc Boisclair carpet by Decorative Carpet, built-in cabinets by Wood Expressions Project designed by Susie Hersker’s Scottsdale interior design firm Design Directives. Design Directives is active in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Carefree, Sedona, and beyond. For more about Design Directives, click here: https://susanherskerasid.com/

Mosaic tile shower floor is the same inside the niche and an accent above the shower bench accompanied with large stone pieces.

Custom home

Eclectic mix of antiques, modern and custom pieces

Photo credit: John Granen

Mount Airy MD General Contractor: Mueller Homes Photo: Julia Heine / McInturff Architects

Irvin Serrano

Bubbles Bathrooms