T&T Photos

This secret passageway built by Creative Home Engineering features a concealed structural steel support truss that prevents sagging or warping. It can open automatically when a special book is tilted or when a fingerprint is scanned. See more photographs of this and other similar projects at www.hiddenpassageway.com

Learn more about this kitchen remodel at the link above. Email me at carla@carlaaston.com to receive access to the list of paint colors used on this project. Title your email: "Heights Project Paint Colors".

The classic 5,000-square-foot, five-bedroom Blaine boasts a timeless, traditional façade of stone and cedar shake. Inspired by both the relaxed Shingle Style that swept the East Coast at the turn of the century, and the all-American Four Square found around the country. The home features Old World architecture paired with every modern convenience, along with unparalleled craftsmanship and quality design. The curb appeal starts at the street, where a caramel-colored shingle and stone façade invite you inside from the European-style courtyard. Other highlights include irregularly shaped windows, a charming dovecote and cupola, along with a variety of welcoming window boxes on the street side. The lakeside includes two porches designed to take full advantage of the views, a lower-level walk out, and stone arches that lend an aura of both elegance and permanence. Step inside, and the interiors will not disappoint. The spacious foyer featuring a wood staircase leads into a large, open living room with a natural stone fireplace, rustic beams and nearby walkout deck. Also adjacent is a screened-in porch that leads down to the lower level, and the lakeshore. The nearby kitchen includes a large two-tiered multi-purpose island topped with butcher block, perfect for both entertaining and food preparation. This informal dining area allows for large gatherings of family and friends. Leave the family area, cross the foyer and enter your private retreat — a master bedroom suite attached to a luxurious master bath, private sitting room, and sun room. Who needs vacation when it’s such a pleasure staying home? The second floor features two cozy bedrooms, a bunkroom with built-in sleeping area, and a convenient home office. In the lower level, a relaxed family room and billiards area are accompanied by a pub and wine cellar. Further on, two additional bedrooms await.

Photo: Joe DeMaio

Arrow. Land + Structures. Marco Romani, RLA. Landscape Architect

Horse Country Home

The hillside garden responds to movement of the wind, flow of the water and warmth of the sun with an artful integration of storm water management practices. Rhythmic landforms and a grassy swale slow stormwater flow, allowing it to percolate into the ground and divert it away from the house. The meandering path and sitting area nestle in a warm pallet of colors maximizing the use of the side property and views of the San Francisco Bay. Low maintenance and drought & deer tolerant planting provide a gracious transition between the built environment and the adjoining openlands. Michele Lee Wilson Photography

Sun Room. -Photographer: Rob Karosis

Like us on facebook at www.facebook.com/centresky Designed as a prominent display of Architecture, Elk Ridge Lodge stands firmly upon a ridge high atop the Spanish Peaks Club in Big Sky, Montana. Designed around a number of principles; sense of presence, quality of detail, and durability, the monumental home serves as a Montana Legacy home for the family. Throughout the design process, the height of the home to its relationship on the ridge it sits, was recognized the as one of the design challenges. Techniques such as terracing roof lines, stretching horizontal stone patios out and strategically placed landscaping; all were used to help tuck the mass into its setting. Earthy colored and rustic exterior materials were chosen to offer a western lodge like architectural aesthetic. Dry stack parkitecture stone bases that gradually decrease in scale as they rise up portray a firm foundation for the home to sit on. Historic wood planking with sanded chink joints, horizontal siding with exposed vertical studs on the exterior, and metal accents comprise the remainder of the structures skin. Wood timbers, outriggers and cedar logs work together to create diversity and focal points throughout the exterior elevations. Windows and doors were discussed in depth about type, species and texture and ultimately all wood, wire brushed cedar windows were the final selection to enhance the "elegant ranch" feel. A number of exterior decks and patios increase the connectivity of the interior to the exterior and take full advantage of the views that virtually surround this home. Upon entering the home you are encased by massive stone piers and angled cedar columns on either side that support an overhead rail bridge spanning the width of the great room, all framing the spectacular view to the Spanish Peaks Mountain Range in the distance. The layout of the home is an open concept with the Kitchen, Great Room, Den, and key circulation paths, as well as certain elements of the upper level open to the spaces below. The kitchen was designed to serve as an extension of the great room, constantly connecting users of both spaces, while the Dining room is still adjacent, it was preferred as a more dedicated space for more formal family meals. There are numerous detailed elements throughout the interior of the home such as the "rail" bridge ornamented with heavy peened black steel, wire brushed wood to match the windows and doors, and cannon ball newel post caps. Crossing the bridge offers a unique perspective of the Great Room with the massive cedar log columns, the truss work overhead bound by steel straps, and the large windows facing towards the Spanish Peaks. As you experience the spaces you will recognize massive timbers crowning the ceilings with wood planking or plaster between, Roman groin vaults, massive stones and fireboxes creating distinct center pieces for certain rooms, and clerestory windows that aid with natural lighting and create exciting movement throughout the space with light and shadow.

Resource Room into Dining & Kitchen

Architect: Miller Architects, P.C. Photographer: David Marlow Landscape Designer: Beth MacFawn Landscape Design, Inc.

New Door and Storm Door

Before

6 ¼” HardiePlank Select Cedarmill siding in Evening Blue with Arctic White HardieTrim and HardieSoffit. 2 new Thermatru doors and 1 Larsen storm door, gutters Homescapes of New England

Whole house remodel, homeowner wanted a bathroom remodel. But come to find out, the previous owners. Did not do there remodels per code. So there were no structural walls holding up the main and the attic and the roof load. So we had to start in the basement and work our way up.

After