This cottage style architecture was created by adding a 2nd floor and garage to this small rambler. Photography: Sicora, Inc.

Lucas Fladzinski Photography

The Entry and Parking Courtyard : The approach to the front of the house leads up the driveway into a spacious cobbled courtyard framed by a series of stone walls , which in turn are surrounded by plantings. The stone walls also allow the formation of a secondary room for entry into the garages. The walls extend the architecture of the house into the garden allowing the house to be grounded to the site and connect to the greater landscape. Photo credit: ROGER FOLEY

Photo by Linda Oyama-Bryan

Allay of olive trees at entrance to estate

Beautiful modern home. Professionally landscaped.

Exterior

The family purchased the 1950s ranch on Mullet Lake because their daughter dreamed of being married on its shores. The home would be used for the wedding venue and then as a wedding gift to the young couple. We were originally hired in August 2014 to help with a simple renovation of the home that was to be completed well in advance of the August 2015 wedding date. However, thorough investigation revealed significant issues with the original foundation, floor framing and other critical elements of the home’s structure that made that impossible. Based on this information, the family decided to tear down and build again. So now we were tasked with designing a new home that would embody their daughter’s vision of a storybook home – a vision inspired by another one of our projects that she had toured. To capture this aesthetic, traditional cottage materials such as stone and cedar shakes are accentuated by more materials such as reclaimed barn wood siding and corrugated CORTEN steel accent roofs. Inside, interior finishes include hand-hewn timber accents that frame openings and highlight features like the entrance reading nook. Natural materials shine against white walls and simply furnished rooms. While the house has nods to vintage style throughout, the open-plan kitchen and living area allows for both contemporary living and entertaining. We were able to capture their daughter’s vision and the home was completed on time for her big day. - Jacqueline Southby Photography

Parade of Homes Gold Winner This 7,500 modern farmhouse style home was designed for a busy family with young children. The family lives over three floors including home theater, gym, playroom, and a hallway with individual desk for each child. From the farmhouse front, the house transitions to a contemporary oasis with large modern windows, a covered patio, and room for a pool.