Nasim Shahani / nasimshahani.com

LeBlanc Floors & Interiors

The upper floor plan was expanded which meant that the entryway lost natural light. To compensate, we put in glass floors so that the light was still reach the entryway and also form a focal point for this part of the open plan living room. We also removed a small window to the left and replaced it with a door and small balcony

The House: This Contemporary Cotswold Eco-house emulates South African thatch homes whilst retaining a distinctly vernacular feel to tie it to is locale. The large glazed and canopied gable was designed to connect the first-floor library office space directly to the garden. A reflection pool was used to bounce light into the room and onto the vaulted ceiling in the ground floor family space to produce a light an airy socialising area. As a keen cook our client wanted to be able to engage with their visitors whilst continuing to prepare food and drinks we therefore centred the kitchen between the open plan spaces, stealing some of the adjacent wing to form a large larder. With a bespoke kitchen, utility, boot room, office and staircases the external aesthetic was drawn throughout the internal areas to reinforce the connection between the interior environment and the gardens beyond. Landscaping: The gardens were designed to produce the wide ranging and varied spaces needed by a modern home. Next to the driveway is a small zen space with running water and a place to sit and reflect. There is a kitchen garden and store tucked behind the house, before you get to the formal rear gardens where a classic lawn and borders approach was used only broken by the reflection pool that anchors the space. Enclosed with a high drystone wall, patio and Barbeque areas were placed around the house and a section of the garden was segmented off to allow the ground mounted PVT panels to be hidden from view. This also produced a small orchard and chickens area. Sustainable features including: GSHP – a bore holed heat pump coupled with PVT to act as a thermal store when sunny. PVT – heat and electricity generating panels to minimise running costs. Sustainable materials and a local supply chain. Waste minimisation in design. High insulation levels (low U and Y values) Highly efficient appliances Bio-diversifying landscaping.

Aesthetic Value: The designer wanted a nautical themed stair that fit a small space and gave the area a more open feel than the original outdated stair. Mirror polished stainless steel and Honduran Mahogany accomplished the objectives. Stair Safety: Each tread is skewed but careful layout provided for a very comfortable stride when traversing the stair. Quality of Workmanship: Solid Honduran Mahogany treads and rail. Horizontal bar balustrade and custom machined posts are mirror polished stainless steel. Technical Challenge: Providing a structure that was freestanding on one side of the lower portion and completely freestanding on the upper portion. Laying out the stair to fit the small well hole and still feel comfortable.

The project is located in a small beach town in Southern California overlooking the Palos Verdes Hills. In order to capture this spectacular view, the designer located the main living/dining room on the second floor with floor to ceiling sliding doors. A small balcony with glass railing is connected to the living room, complementing its function by providing a semi-outdoor/indoor space. An ARDA for Custom Home Design goes to YNL Architects, Inc. Designer: Yu-Ngok Lo From: Culver City, California

This project was an external steel staircase with timber treads that was originally designed by the owner. We then shop drew it to his balustrade design and manufactured all the steel. There were two big challenges with this project: angles and installation. For the design, we had to find the right angles and match them exactly in order to have the staircase fit where it needed to go. Then we had to be tactful in our installation to work around the trees to keep them intact. We used a small crane to lift as the steel balustrades were quite heavy and avoid the small tree.

For this vacation home, a complete gut job was needed in order to fit the lifestyle and needs of this young family of four and their guests. The narrow floor plan created unique challenges, but we maximized its full potential. The result was a warm but modern design with plenty of storage and seating. One of the biggest challenges was making sure everyone had a place to sit in the kitchen. The space between the kitchen and staircase was limiting, but with sleek modern chairs that tuck away, we were able to allow for traffic patterns and seat all of the children. To accommodate any vacation extras, an extra wide space near the kitchen and bathroom was transformed into additional shelving. We installed floor-to-ceiling cabinets that offer plenty of space for everyone’s belongings. A clean design was a must, so we opted for a more modern look. We used Benjamin Moore's "Simply White" as the foundation, putting it on the walls and cabinets, and coordinating the countertops and backsplash. To make the home more welcoming, we used natural wood on the island and floating shelves. The wood was coordinated with the floor, creating a cohesive interior. Project designed by Star Valley, Wyoming interior design firm Tawna Allred Interiors. They also serve Alpine, Auburn, Bedford, Etna, Freedom, Freedom, Grover, Thayne, Turnerville, Swan Valley, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Drucilla Moore

White oak floaing staircase with stainless steel cable railing. Small office nook. Photo by Jess Blackwell

OAK Country Oak plank in 3-layer construction with small bevel on long side and approx. 4 mm top layer, with approx. 4 mm backing in the same wood and middle layer conifer. Tongue and groove on all sides for easy installation. Cracks, knotholes and large knots are emphasized with black putty. Variations in colour and sapwood at the edges possible. Small open cracks and unsealed spots of a few millimetres are permitted

This project was an external steel staircase with timber treads that was originally designed by the owner. We then shop drew it to his balustrade design and manufactured all the steel. There were two big challenges with this project: angles and installation. For the design, we had to find the right angles and match them exactly in order to have the staircase fit where it needed to go. Then we had to be tactful in our installation to work around the trees to keep them intact. We used a small crane to lift as the steel balustrades were quite heavy and avoid the small tree.

This project was an external steel staircase with timber treads that was originally designed by the owner. We then shop drew it to his balustrade design and manufactured all the steel. There were two big challenges with this project: angles and installation. For the design, we had to find the right angles and match them exactly in order to have the staircase fit where it needed to go. Then we had to be tactful in our installation to work around the trees to keep them intact. We used a small crane to lift as the steel balustrades were quite heavy and avoid the small tree.

The original residence designed by Lyndon Buchanan Associates includes two pieces, the main house and a second building that houses a small workshop, guest room and bath. The addition is adjacent to existing work spaces, and includes shelving, drawers and nooks as well as work space that will be isolated, but adjacent to the rooms of the house, making it easier to use in connection with studio spaces and proximate to exhibition cases. The addition is sited on the north west side of the main house, in a location that does not disturb any views from other houses or from Sea Gate Road, and is designed to add a segment that provides better wind-shade, privacy and sound protection for the exterior decks on the southwest. Its roof is sloped down towards the north and into the wind, providing the most effective wind-shadow protection from the common winds, and minimizing walls facing north. Large openings on the south will bring in solar gain, to be stored in the concrete floors, which will also have radiant heating. The workspace will have access from both the house and the garden, and a small concrete pad outdoors. Project was done in collaboration with Donlyn Lyndon, FAIA.

Designed By: Sarah Buehlman Marc and Mandy Maister were clients and fans of Cantoni before they purchased this harbor home on Balboa Island. The South African natives originally met designer Sarah Buehlman and Cantoni’s Founder and CEO Michael Wilkov at a storewide sale, and quickly established a relationship as they bought furnishings for their primary residence in Newport Beach. So, when the couple decided to invest in this gorgeous second home, in one of the ritziest enclaves in North America, they sought Sarah’s help in transforming the outdated 1960’s residence into a modern marvel. “It’s now the ultimate beach house,” says Sarah, “and finished in Cantoni from top to bottom—including new custom cabinetry installed throughout.” But let’s back up. This project began when Mandy contacted Sarah in the midst of the remodel process (in December 2010), asking if she could come take a look and help with the overall design. “The plans were being drawn up with an architect, and they opted not to move anything major. Instead, they updated everything—as in the small carpeted staircase that became a gorgeous glass and metal sculpture,” Sarah explains. She took photographs and measurements, and then set to work creating the scaled renderings. “Marc and Mandy were drawn to the One and Only Collection. It features a high-gloss brown and white color scheme which served as inspiration for the project,” says Sarah. Primary pieces in the expansive living area include the Mondrian leather sectional, the Involution sculpture, and a pair of Vladimir Kagan Corkscrew swivel chairs. The Maisters needed a place to house all their electronics but didn’t want a typical entertainment center. The One and Only buffet was actually modified by our skilled shop technicians, in our distribution center, so it could accommodate all the couple’s media equipment. “These artisans are another one of our hidden strengths—in addition to the design tools, inventory and extensive resources we have to get a job done,” adds Sarah. Marc and Mandy also fell in love with the exotic Makassar ebony wood in the Ritz Collection, which Sarah combined in the master bedroom with the Ravenna double chaise to provide an extra place to sit and enjoy the beautiful harbor views. Beyond new furnishings, the Maisters also decided to completely redo their kitchen. And though Marc and Mandy did not have a chance to actually see our kitchen displays, having worked with Sarah over the years, they had immense trust in our commitment to craftsmanship and quality. In fact, they opted for new cabinetry in four bathrooms as well as the laundry room based on our 3D renderings and lacquer samples alone—without ever opening a drawer. “Their trust in my expertise and Cantoni’s reputation were a major deciding factor,” says Sarah. This plush second home, complete with a private boat dock right out back, counts as one of Sarah’s proudest accomplishments. “These long-time clients are great. They love Cantoni and appreciate high quality Italian furnishings in particular. The home is so gorgeous that once you are inside and open the Nano doors, you simply don’t want to leave.” The job took almost two years to complete, but everyone seems quite happy with the results, proving that large or small—and in cases necessitating a quick turnaround or execution of a long-term vision—Cantoni has the resources to come through for all clients.