Atherton has many large substantial homes - our clients purchased an existing home on a one acre flag-shaped lot and asked us to design a new dream home for them. The result is a new 7,000 square foot four-building complex consisting of the main house, six-car garage with two car lifts, pool house with a full one bedroom residence inside, and a separate home office /work out gym studio building. A fifty-foot swimming pool was also created with fully landscaped yards. Given the rectangular shape of the lot, it was decided to angle the house to incoming visitors slightly so as to more dramatically present itself. The house became a classic u-shaped home but Feng Shui design principals were employed directing the placement of the pool house to better contain the energy flow on the site. The main house entry door is then aligned with a special Japanese red maple at the end of a long visual axis at the rear of the site. These angles and alignments set up everything else about the house design and layout, and views from various rooms allow you to see into virtually every space tracking movements of others in the home. The residence is simply divided into two wings of public use, kitchen and family room, and the other wing of bedrooms, connected by the living and dining great room. Function drove the exterior form of windows and solid walls with a line of clerestory windows which bring light into the middle of the large home. Extensive sun shadow studies with 3D tree modeling led to the unorthodox placement of the pool to the north of the home, but tree shadow tracking showed this to be the sunniest area during the entire year. Sustainable measures included a full 7.1kW solar photovoltaic array technically making the house off the grid, and arranged so that no panels are visible from the property. A large 16,000 gallon rainwater catchment system consisting of tanks buried below grade was installed. The home is California GreenPoint rated and also features sealed roof soffits and a sealed crawlspace without the usual venting. A whole house computer automation system with server room was installed as well. Heating and cooling utilize hot water radiant heated concrete and wood floors supplemented by heat pump generated heating and cooling. A compound of buildings created to form balanced relationships between each other, this home is about circulation, light and a balance of form and function. Photo by John Sutton Photography.

Mid century Outdoor Living Remodel

M Prevost Design

Side yard view of whole house exterior remodel

North Shore Retreat

CHRISTOPHER STROM ARCHITECTS

On the shore of Lake Superior near Duluth, Minnesota, sat 16 acres of rugged, unbuilt land: A picturesque site for a new, custom cabin. The design of the cabin aimed to capitalize on the expansive view of Lake Superior and its rocky shoreline and dramatic waves. The key to accomplishing this was the organization of the living spaces (kitchen, dining, and living room). These three spaces are aligned linearly and step down towards Lake Superior giving both expansive views of the horizon and directed views of the rocky shoreline. The second floor contains three bedrooms and a “crow’s nest” loft overlooking the first floor living room and view of Lake Superior. The dark exterior color was chosen to blend into the surrounding dark trees and to highlight the dramatic limestone chimney. The interior’s smooth, polished surfaces and contrasting natural textures were designed to be a welcoming, refined counterpoint to the rugged landscape.

Pajaro Dunes

Seacliff Construction & Design

The owners of this beachfront retreat wanted a whole-home remodel. They were looking to revitalize their three-story vacation home with an exterior inspired by Japanese woodcraft and an interior the evokes Scandinavian simplicity. Now, the open kitchen and living room offer an energetic space for the family to congregate while enjoying a 360 degree coastal views. Built-in bunkbeds for six ensure there’s enough sleeping space for visitors, while the outdoor shower makes it easy for beachgoers to rinse off before hitting the deckside hot tub. It was a joy to help make this vision a reality!

Modern 1+ ADU

McDunn ADUs

photo by Designer Mason St. Peter

Basiq Blaq Residence

Habanero Architecture, PLLC

The project’s goal is to introduce more affordable contemporary homes for Triangle Area housing. This 1,800 SF modern ranch-style residence takes its shape from the archetypal gable form and helps to integrate itself into the neighborhood. Although the house presents a modern intervention, the project’s scale and proportional parameters integrate into its context. Natural light and ventilation are passive goals for the project. A strong indoor-outdoor connection was sought by establishing views toward the wooded landscape and having a deck structure weave into the public area. North Carolina’s natural textures are represented in the simple black and tan palette of the facade.

Manor Residence

Aspect Design Build

Whidbey Island Farmhouse

Dovetail General Contractors

View of the deck with the open corner window of the living room.

Waverley

Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects

An exterior trellis connects the main house with the backhouse and studio, and helps frame the backyard and surrounding landscape which integrates California native plant species, grasses and trees to compliment the materiality, geometries and site response of the architecture. (Photography by: Matthew Millman)

The Reculver Shack

PARASHOOT architects

Plywood House II

Andrew Burges Architects

Sven

AHG Interiors

Thinking outside the box Perched on a hilltop in the Catskills, this sleek 1960s A-frame is right at home among pointed firs and mountain peaks. An unfussy, but elegant design with modern shapes, furnishings, and material finishes both softens and enhances the home’s architecture and natural surroundings, bringing light and airiness to every room. A clever peekaboo aesthetic enlivens many of the home’s new design elements―invisible touches of lucite, accented brass surfaces, oversized mirrors, and windows and glass partitions in the spa bathrooms, which give you all the comfort of a high-end hotel, and the feeling that you’re showering in nature. Downstairs ample seating and a wet bar―a nod to your parents’ 70s basement―make a perfect space for entertaining. Step outside onto the spacious deck, fire up the grill, and enjoy the gorgeous mountain views. Stonework, scattered like breadcrumbs around the 5-acre property, leads you to several lounging nooks, where you can stretch out with a book or take a soak in the hot tub. Every thoughtful detail adds softness and magic to this forest home.

Ross Custom Home

Jetton Construction, Inc.

Thoughtful design and detailed craft combine to create this timelessly elegant custom home. The contemporary vocabulary and classic gabled roof harmonize with the surrounding neighborhood and natural landscape. Built from the ground up, a two story structure in the front contains the private quarters, while the one story extension in the rear houses the Great Room - kitchen, dining and living - with vaulted ceilings and ample natural light. Large sliding doors open from the Great Room onto a south-facing patio and lawn creating an inviting indoor/outdoor space for family and friends to gather. Chambers + Chambers Architects Stone Interiors Federika Moller Landscape Architecture Alanna Hale Photography

Clive and Jeanne's House

User

Adam Carter Photography

Black House (Steinman Renovation)

Spry Architecture

After - modern home.

Black Glazed Thin Brick Home Exterior

Fireclay Tile

Create a lush and modern exterior entryway by using out Glaze Thin Brick. DESIGN MacCracken Architects PHOTOS Rien Van Rijthoven Tile Shown: Glazed Thin Brick in Black Hills

Apollo House

PGH Bricks & Pavers

Client: Genworth Homes Architect/Building Designer: Chris Diamantis Builder: Genworth Construction Bricklayer: Holdfast Bricklayers Bricks Used: Apollo

Black Exterior Design Ideas

The front exterior of your home – the driveway, front yard, verandah and entrance – is a fantastic place to start making that all-important first impression on house guests. Even mailboxes and house numbers can have a wonderful way of grabbing people’s attention. The architectural design should reflect the overall style of your house and the family that live there; while your choice of materials will help your house blend in with its surrounds. Browse the photos on Houzz for ideas and inspiration for the exterior of your house, and strike up a conversation with the architects and designers of your favourite picks. You’ll find house designs for contemporary, eclectic, modern, traditional styles and more.

How do I decide on the exterior style of my home?

Your location, overall sense of style, budget and current home layout will dictate the style of your exterior. If you’re renovating a period home, the materials and features you use should reflect the date in which it was built, while a unique colour scheme could add contemporary flair. New homes may prefer to look to modern or contemporary designs with structural simplicity, whereas, if you live by the ocean, a beach-style design may better suit your locale. That’s not to say you can’t build a new home that has period influences. If you’re a traditionalist, you can borrow architectural details from the Art Deco period, for instance, or use finishes that reflect more of a Scandinavian style, too.

What exterior house colours and materials should I use?

Traditional homes typically use brick and timber building materials, while stone, board-formed concrete and metal cladding are popular contemporary options. Again, the materials you use will depend on your location and the statement you want to make. Your budget will also affect your choice. Vinyl siding is affordable and easy to install, while stone is more expensive but durable and low maintenance. If you’re not ready to renovate but want to update the exterior of your home, you can still paint it. Look to your neighbours when choosing exterior house colours. Consider the streetscape and what type of colours are already in use, firstly, so you don’t replicate next door’s shade; and secondly, so you don’t stand out like a sore thumb. If you’re renovating a period home, you could paint features or intricate details in a bold, standout hue. Front doors, garage doors and window trims also look great in eye-catching colours, even if the rest of the house’s facade is neutral.

How can I maximise my home’s street appeal?

To spice up your home’s architectural design, landscape the surrounding area with plants and pathways that accent the style of your home. If you just need a quick revamp, look at your cement and pavers – these can split and crack over time; and repairing or replacing them can do wonders for your street appeal, especially if it’s a large area like your driveway. Plants, garden paths or low walls can can also add structure to your front yard. Light up your home with sufficient outdoor lighting to make walking up to the front door easy at night. You could use bollard lights along your entry path, or replace tiny wall sconces with statement pendant lighting at the entrance or on your verandah. Decorative elements such as house numbers, mailboxes and doormats will also add character. And if you're looking to sell your house, it may be worth hiring a stylist to help make the most of your property.