David Burroughs

Photo by Grey Crawford

Patricia Mado

http://211westerlyroad.com Introducing a distinctive residence in the coveted Weston Estate's neighborhood. A striking antique mirrored fireplace wall accents the majestic family room. The European elegance of the custom millwork in the entertainment sized dining room accents the recently renovated designer kitchen. Decorative French doors overlook the tiered granite and stone terrace leading to a resort-quality pool, outdoor fireplace, wading pool and hot tub. The library's rich wood paneling, an enchanting music room and first floor bedroom guest suite complete the main floor. The grande master suite has a palatial dressing room, private office and luxurious spa-like bathroom. The mud room is equipped with a dumbwaiter for your convenience. The walk-out entertainment level includes a state-of-the-art home theatre, wine cellar and billiards room that lead to a covered terrace. A semi-circular driveway and gated grounds complete the landscape for the ultimate definition of luxurious living.

AFTER: DINING ROOM | We completely redesigned the staircase getting rid of the faux bamboo handrails and replacing them with solid maple handrails and hand forged iron detailing. New dark hardwood floors replace the previous travertine flooring. | Renovations + Design by Blackband Design | Photography by Tessa Neustadt

Casey Dunn

Elegant Foyer, custom wrought iron railing with cast brass-plated leaves, Absolute Black granite floor, black velvet stair carpet, black woodwork, black crown molding with custom gold leaf detail, gold leaf chair, black lacquer table with gold leaf accents.

This Paradise Valley modern estate was selected Arizona Foothills Magazine's Showcase Home in 2004. The home backs to a preserve and fronts to a majestic Paradise Valley skyline. Architect CP Drewett designed all interior millwork, specifying exotic veneers to counter the other interior finishes making this a sumptuous feast of pattern and texture. The home is organized along a sweeping interior curve and concludes in a collection of destination type spaces that are each meticulously crafted. The warmth of materials and attention to detail made this showcase home a success to those with traditional tastes as well as a favorite for those favoring a more contemporary aesthetic. Architect: C.P. Drewett, Drewett Works, Scottsdale, AZ. Photography by Dino Tonn.

DeCavitte Properties, Southlake, TX

A modern staircase that is both curved and u-shaped, with fluidly floating wood stair railing. Cascading glass teardrop chandelier hangs from the to of the 3rd floor. In the distance is the formal living room with a stone facade fireplace and built in bookshelf.

Foyer with staircase to your right as you enter the home. A more clean, modern look than the traditional Mediterranean style that you would normally see in this type of home. If you notice the bottom of the staircase, it floats in such a way as to fit and follow the curves of a grand piano. Photo by: Matthew Benham

The Atherton House is a family compound for a professional couple in the tech industry, and their two teenage children. After living in Singapore, then Hong Kong, and building homes there, they looked forward to continuing their search for a new place to start a life and set down roots. The site is located on Atherton Avenue on a flat, 1 acre lot. The neighboring lots are of a similar size, and are filled with mature planting and gardens. The brief on this site was to create a house that would comfortably accommodate the busy lives of each of the family members, as well as provide opportunities for wonder and awe. Views on the site are internal. Our goal was to create an indoor- outdoor home that embraced the benign California climate. The building was conceived as a classic “H” plan with two wings attached by a double height entertaining space. The “H” shape allows for alcoves of the yard to be embraced by the mass of the building, creating different types of exterior space. The two wings of the home provide some sense of enclosure and privacy along the side property lines. The south wing contains three bedroom suites at the second level, as well as laundry. At the first level there is a guest suite facing east, powder room and a Library facing west. The north wing is entirely given over to the Primary suite at the top level, including the main bedroom, dressing and bathroom. The bedroom opens out to a roof terrace to the west, overlooking a pool and courtyard below. At the ground floor, the north wing contains the family room, kitchen and dining room. The family room and dining room each have pocketing sliding glass doors that dissolve the boundary between inside and outside. Connecting the wings is a double high living space meant to be comfortable, delightful and awe-inspiring. A custom fabricated two story circular stair of steel and glass connects the upper level to the main level, and down to the basement “lounge” below. An acrylic and steel bridge begins near one end of the stair landing and flies 40 feet to the children’s bedroom wing. People going about their day moving through the stair and bridge become both observed and observer. The front (EAST) wall is the all important receiving place for guests and family alike. There the interplay between yin and yang, weathering steel and the mature olive tree, empower the entrance. Most other materials are white and pure. The mechanical systems are efficiently combined hydronic heating and cooling, with no forced air required.