To eliminate an inconsistent layout, we removed the wall dividing the dining room from the living room and added a polished brass and ebonized wood handrail to create a sweeping view into the living room. A blue velvet tufted sofa, crosshair hide stools from Wisteria, and a coffee table from HD Buttercup create a comfortable seating area.

Mark Boisclair Photography

This is a breakfast area in a colonial style home with an open floor plan. The table is custom-made, reclaimed wood from a barn that was torn down in Lancaster County, PA. The legs were painted gray and red chairs bring energy to the soothing light-filled space. A glass and chrome chandelier adds to the open and airy feel. Wall color is Benjamin Moore Alaskan Husky. Joyce Smith Photography

Dining area with a blend of modern and farmhouse elements. Lighting form Tech, dining chairs form Kartell (black is the "Lenny Kravitz" edition). Perry Luxe flat-fold Roman shades constructed with Classic Cloth "Montaigne in Black Iris" textiles. West Elm dining table. Photo by David Agnello

Aqua Bello Designs 215-353-0657

Lauren Rubinstein

San Marino based clients were interested in developing a property that had been in their family for generations. This was an exciting proposition as it was one of the last surviving bayside double lots on the scenic Coronado peninsula in San Diego. They desired a holiday home that would be a gathering place for their large, close- knit family. San Marino based clients were interested in developing a property that had been in their family for generations. This was an exciting proposition as it was one of the last surviving bayside double lots on the scenic Coronado peninsula in San Diego. They desired a holiday home that would be a gathering place for their large, close-knit family. Facing the Back Bay, overlooking downtown and the Bay Bridge, this property presented us with a unique opportunity to design a vacation home with a dual personality. One side faces a bustling harbor with a constant parade of yachts, cargo vessels and military ships while the other opens onto a deep, quiet contemplative garden. The home’s shingle-style influence carries on the historical Coronado tradition of clapboard and Craftsman bungalows built in the shadow of the great Hotel Del Coronado which was erected at the turn of the last century. In order to create an informal feel to the residence, we devised a concept that eliminated the need for a “front door”. Instead, one walks through the garden and enters the “Great Hall” through either one of two French doors flanking a walk-in stone fireplace. Both two-story bedroom wings bookend this central wood beam vaulted room which serves as the “heart of the home”, and opens to both views. Three sets of stairs are discretely tucked away inside the bedroom wings. In lieu of a formal dining room, the family convenes and dines around a beautiful table and banquette set into a circular window bay off the kitchen which overlooks the lights of the city beyond the harbor. Working with noted interior designer Betty Ann Marshall, we designed a unique kitchen that was inspired by the colors and textures of a fossil the couple found on a honeymoon trip to the quarries of Montana. We set that ancient fossil into a matte glass backsplash behind the professional cook’s stove. A warm library with walnut paneling and a bayed window seat affords a refuge for the family to read or play board games. The couple’s fine craft and folk art collection is on prominent display throughout the house and helps to set an intimate and whimsical tone. Another architectural feature devoted to family is the play room lit by a dramatic cupola which beacons the older grandchildren and their friends. Below the play room is a four car garage that allows the patriarch space to refurbish an antique fire truck, a mahogany launch boat and several vintage cars. Their jet skis and kayaks are housed in another garage designed for that purpose. Lattice covered skylights that allow dappled sunlight to bathe the loggia affords a comfortable refuge to watch the kids swim and gaze out upon the rushing water, the Coronado Bay Bridge and the romantic downtown San Diego skyline. Architect: Ward Jewell Architect, AIA Interior Design: Betty Ann Marshall Construction: Bill Lyons Photographer: Laura Hull Styling: Zale Design Studio

This spectacular project was a two year effort, first begun by demoing over $400k of spec home madness and reducing it to rubble before rebuilding from the ground up. Don't miss these amazing construction videos chronicling the before during and after effort from start to finish! http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE8A17F8A7A281E5A This project was for a repeat client that had worked with Bianchi before. Bianchi's first effort was to paint the broad strokes that would set the theme for the exterior layout of the property, including the pool, patios, outdoor "bistro", and surrounding garden areas. Then Bianchi introduced his specialized team of artisans to the client to implement the details. Contact Kirk to learn more! The centerpiece of the backyard is a deck level vanishing edge pool flush in the foreground, strikingly simple and understatedly elegant in its first impression, though complex under the hood. The pool, built by Tyler Mathews of Natural Reflections Pools, seems to emerge from the ground as the deck terraces downward, exposing a wetted wall on the background. It is flanked by two mature ironwood trees anchored within stone planters on either side, that bookend the entire space. A singular monochromatic glass tile spa rises above the deck plane, shimmering in the sunlight, perfection wrought by Luke and Amy Denny of Alpentile, while three sets of three spillways send concentric ringlets across the mirrored plane of glassy water. Bianchi's landscape star Morgan Holt of EarthArt worked his magic throughout the property with his exquisite selection of specimen trees and plant materials, and above all, his most challenging feat, crafted a Michaelangeloesque cascading stair, reminiscent of that at the Laurentian Library, levitating and flowing down over the front water feature like a bridal train. This will be a project long enjoyed by the owners, and the team that created it.

"Synopsis" table from Casa Design in Boston.

Designed and built by Pacific Peninsula Group. Family Room looking out towards the backyard and pool. Photography by Bernard Andre.

The lower level was converted to a terrific family entertainment space featuring a bar, open media area, billiards area and exercise room that looks out onto the whole area or by dropping the shades it becomes private

Full house remodel/addition Photos by Erika Bierman www.erikabiermanphotography.com

The Carpenter Oak Show Barn in Kingskerswell, this eco house is packed full of the latest technology, with impressive results: the SunGift Solar panels made a profit last year of £409.25, even after running the house and the car! Photo Credits Colin Pool and Steve Taylor

James Lockheart

Tricia Shay Photography

photo by Paul Dyer