This Westlake site posed several challenges that included managing a sloping lot and capturing the views of downtown Austin in specific locations on the lot, while staying within the height restrictions. The service and garages split in two, buffering the less private areas of the lot creating an inner courtyard. The ancillary rooms are organized around this court leading up to the entertaining areas. The main living areas serve as a transition to a private natural vegetative bluff on the North side. Breezeways and terraces connect the various outdoor living spaces feeding off the great room and dining, balancing natural light and summer breezes to the interior spaces. The private areas are located on the upper level, organized in an inverted “u”, maximizing the best views on the lot. The residence represents a programmatic collaboration of the clients’ needs and subdivision restrictions while engaging the unique features of the lot. Built by Butterfield Custom Homes Photography by Adam Steiner

Casey Dunn

The resort pool at White Surf - to swim or not swim, that is the question! White Surf is a newly renovated custom designed 7,000 sq.ft. oceanfront home offering unsurpassed amenities and possibilities unique to the Vero Beach, Florida area. This home can be rented (when not in use by its owner) for family vacations, see http://www.vrbo.com/496214 for details. The excellent location (next to Round Island Oceanfront Park and directly across from Round Island Riverside Park) offers breathtaking unobstructed 360 degree endless views of both the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway and surrounding wetlands. The home sits in the heart of Vero Beach's acclaimed South Beach Estate row among $20+ million homes. The Green Antiques Design and Development Team imported a full container of the finest antique Chinese architectural elements and antique Chinese furniture to complement White Surf's stunning custom designed interior, which includes an indoor home theater with 200 inch high-definition Mitsubishi projection screen, Bose theater sound, and 11 comfy seats, lower level recreation zone with 13 foot ceilings, two full kitchens on the first and third floors, elevator, fitness room, multiple living and family rooms on three floors, six bedrooms including a six person bunk room which allows the house to sleep 17 comfortably in bedrooms, and up to 20 if the sleeper sofa and Qing Dynasty Bed are used. White Surf offers a luxurious custom designed resort pool featuring four waterfalls, lighting, surround sound outdoor speakers, and magnificent landscaping. Outdoor lovers will enjoy sunbathing or a nip in the ocean at the life-guarded beach, or even the experience of kayaking and surfing at adjacent recreational park areas with public beach access including boat ramp! The soothing waters and white sandy beaches of the Atlantic Ocean await you at White Surf! www.shanghai-antiques.com

"Her's" Vanity with make up area.

This modern farmhouse kitchen features reclaimed flooring and island countertop, farmhouse sink, marble countertops, Grabill custom cabinetry, with a unique drawer for tupperware and beautiful table with built in benches. Photography by Eric Roth

This basic living room has one focal point - the Dominion Pool Table! This pool table is absolutely gorgeous and is definitely timeless.

©Finished Basement Company

Pool table and sitting area

This particular project was unique in two respects. In terms of scale and scope, the property we were working on was exceptionally large. This allowed for the construction of an exceptionally realistic natural pool. Not only did this natural swimming area closely mimic wilderness equivalents, but it was further enhanced by a unique application of fiber optic stars that imitated stars reflecting off the surface of the water. The pool was built in a curvilinear design that imitated the edges of natural bodies of water. In order to accentuate its realism, we built the coping around water’s edge completely out of rock. This rock perimeter was then aesthetically extended in a number of ways. Starting at the far end of the pool, we constructed a large rock outcropping that supported a natural waterfall that poured over a small grotto. This grotto was a special seating area for swimmers. When it is time to take a break from exercise, they can sit on the rocky ledge and look back through the waterfall for a spectacular view of the scenery. The vertical impact created by the rocky outcropping, combined with the constant sound of pouring water, lend a sense of remote isolation to this natural pool. This feeling of being in a faraway place is then further accentuated with a spectacular display of star light that appears to dance on the surface of the water. These stars are actually an optical effect created by tiny fiber optic cables that are built into the basin of the structure. They carry light from a remote transmitter that is remotely powered, so there is no electricity or heat produced by their presence in the water. A controller causes various groups of lights to intermittently dim and brighten like twinkling stars in the night. Once this feeling of remote isolation and privacy were firmly established, we then set ourselves to the task of making the natural pool as user friendly as possible. We did this by adding two key features. The first of these was a spa that contains ergonomic places for seating and headrests. In order to integrate this obviously luxurious element into what was intended to be a very pristine setting, we built the spa’s outer structure out of rocks with a similar color and proportion to those used in the construction of the coping and the waterfall. Another element that was added for functional purposes was a beach entry located at the near end of the pool opposite from the waterfall. This area featured a blend of human amenities, creature comforts, and natural decorations to scale the sense of luxury down in order to better blend it with that natural aesthetic. Rock boulders, reflective of those used to build the waterfall outcropping, were positioned in various locations to emulate a rocky shoreline. We also installed three benches that reclined at an angle. This allowed visitors who preferred not to swim to lay back and take in the panoramic view of the starlit natural pool, the waterfall in the distance, and the circle of stone that comprised the spa adjoined to the water at the midpoint.

This 1902 San Antonio home was beautiful both inside and out, except for the kitchen, which was dark and dated. The original kitchen layout consisted of a breakfast room and a small kitchen separated by a wall. There was also a very small screened in porch off of the kitchen. The homeowners dreamed of a light and bright new kitchen and that would accommodate a 48" gas range, built in refrigerator, an island and a walk in pantry. At first, it seemed almost impossible, but with a little imagination, we were able to give them every item on their wish list. We took down the wall separating the breakfast and kitchen areas, recessed the new Subzero refrigerator under the stairs, and turned the tiny screened porch into a walk in pantry with a gorgeous blue and white tile floor. The french doors in the breakfast area were replaced with a single transom door to mirror the door to the pantry. The new transoms make quite a statement on either side of the 48" Wolf range set against a marble tile wall. A lovely banquette area was created where the old breakfast table once was and is now graced by a lovely beaded chandelier. Pillows in shades of blue and white and a custom walnut table complete the cozy nook. The soapstone island with a walnut butcher block seating area adds warmth and character to the space. The navy barstools with chrome nailhead trim echo the design of the transoms and repeat the navy and chrome detailing on the custom range hood. A 42" Shaws farmhouse sink completes the kitchen work triangle. Off of the kitchen, the small hallway to the dining room got a facelift, as well. We added a decorative china cabinet and mirrored doors to the homeowner's storage closet to provide light and character to the passageway. After the project was completed, the homeowners told us that "this kitchen was the one that our historic house was always meant to have." There is no greater reward for what we do than that.

www.DanielKellyPhotography.com

This Cape Cod inspired custom home includes 5,500 square feet of large open living space, 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, working spaces for the adults and kids, a lower level guest suite, ample storage space, and unique custom craftsmanship and design elements characteristically fashioned into all Schrader homes. Detailed finishes including unique granite countertops, natural stone, cape code inspired tiles & 7 inch trim boards, splashes of color, and a mixture of Knotty Alder & Soft Maple cabinetry adorn this comfortable, family friendly home. Some of the design elements in this home include a master suite with gas fireplace, master bath, large walk in closet, and balcony overlooking the pool. In addition, the upper level of the home features a secret passageway between kid’s bedrooms, upstairs washer & dryer, built in cabinetry, and a 700+ square foot bonus room above the garage. Main level features include a large open kitchen with granite countertops with honed finishes, dining room with wainscoted walls, Butler's pantry, a “dog room” complete w/dog wash station, home office, and kids study room. The large lower level includes a Mother-in-law suite with private bath, kitchen/wet bar, 400 Square foot masterfully finished home theatre with old time charm & built in couch, and a lower level garage exiting to the back yard with ample space for pool supplies and yard equipment. This MN Greenpath Certified home includes a geothermal heating & cooling system, spray foam insulation, and in-floor radiant heat, all incorporated to significantly reduce utility costs. Additionally, reclaimed wood from trees removed from the lot, were used to produce the maple flooring throughout the home and to build the cherry breakfast nook table. Woodwork reclaimed by Wood From the Hood Photos - Dean Reidel Interior Designer - Miranda Brouwer Staging - Stage by Design

This modern, industrial basement renovation includes a conversation sitting area and game room, bar, pool table, large movie viewing area, dart board and large, fully equipped exercise room. The design features stained concrete floors, feature walls and bar fronts of reclaimed pallets and reused painted boards, bar tops and counters of reclaimed pine planks and stripped existing steel columns. Decor includes industrial style furniture from Restoration Hardware, track lighting and leather club chairs of different colors. The client added personal touches of favorite album covers displayed on wall shelves, a multicolored Buzz mascott from Georgia Tech and a unique grid of canvases with colors of all colleges attended by family members painted by the family. Photos are by the architect.

Pool Cabana kitchen. Design-build.

The waney edge oak table was handmade. Vintage Teak Dining Chairs were sourced and reupholstered in GP&J Baker fabric. The antique brass light fitting was custom made.

This lower level combines several areas into the perfect space to have a party or just hang out. The theater area features a starlight ceiling that even include a comet that passes through every minute. Premium sound and custom seating make it an amazing experience. The sitting area has a brick wall and fireplace that is flanked by built in bookshelves. To the right, is a set of glass doors that open all of the way across. This expands the living area to the outside. Also, with the press of a button, blackout shades on all of the windows... turn day into night. Seating around the bar makes playing a game of pool a real spectator sport... or just a place for some fun. The area also has a large workout room. Perfect for the times that pool isn't enough physical activity for you.