Amanda Haytaian

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.

An open house lot is like a blank canvas. When Mathew first visited the wooded lot where this home would ultimately be built, the landscape spoke to him clearly. Standing with the homeowner, it took Mathew only twenty minutes to produce an initial color sketch that captured his vision - a long, circular driveway and a home with many gables set at a picturesque angle that complemented the contours of the lot perfectly. The interior was designed using a modern mix of architectural styles – a dash of craftsman combined with some colonial elements – to create a sophisticated yet truly comfortable home that would never look or feel ostentatious. Features include a bright, open study off the entry. This office space is flanked on two sides by walls of expansive windows and provides a view out to the driveway and the woods beyond. There is also a contemporary, two-story great room with a see-through fireplace. This space is the heart of the home and provides a gracious transition, through two sets of double French doors, to a four-season porch located in the landscape of the rear yard. This home offers the best in modern amenities and design sensibilities while still maintaining an approachable sense of warmth and ease. Photo by Eric Roth

A contemporary palette of taupe, cream and dark hardwood offer a relaxing environment with which to lounge on this custom sectional. Notice the personalized nail head detailing on the ottoman and the sophisticated rawhide black side table next to a coordinating accent chair. Photo: Jeff Garland

Leather throne near fireplace for his nibs. The world's most comfortable chair, a chair that's almost a bed. Brilliant!

Highland Custom Homes

This rustic fireplace complemented the rustic interior and exterior of the home. The mantle was obtained on-line and made from reclaimed wood. The custom cabinet beside the fireplace has a burnt-finished look to further the rustic design for the home. The raised hearth was finished with hearth stones. Home built by and photo taken by Action Builders Inc.

Starr Homes, LLC

Cabinets and Woodwork by Marc Sowers. Photo by Patrick Coulie. Home Designed by EDI Architecture.

A mix of fun fresh fabrics in coral, green, tan, and more comes together in the functional, fun family room. Comfortable couches in different fabric create a lot of seating. Patterned ottomans add a splash of color. Floor to ceiling curved windows run the length of the room creating a view to die for. Replica antique furniture accents. Unique area rug straight from India and a fireplace with brick surround for cold winter nights. The lighting elevates this family room to the next level.

Heatilator Gas Fireplace NNXT surround in blue pearl granite hearth with blue pearl mosaic. With RFS Custom Craftsman style mantle and over mantle. Custom 3 1/2ft break front side cabinets all by Rettinger Fireplace Systems.

Alex Hayden

Kenneth M. Wyner