Irreplaceable features of this State Heritage listed home were restored and make a grand statement within the entrance hall.

Beautiful stair treads in Vic Ash spiral up into the stair void as natural light washes down from the full length skylight above. An elegant piece of steel lines the top of the timber battens, marrying in to the existing steel balustrade below.

Lake Front Country Estate Front Hall, design by Tom Markalunas, built by Resort Custom Homes. Photography by Rachael Boling.

library and reading area build into and under stairway.

Entry way with a collection of contemporary painting and sculpture; Photo by Lee Lormand

Ryan Gamma

An Indoor Lady

When a world class sailing champion approached us to design a Newport home for his family, with lodging for his sailing crew, we set out to create a clean, light-filled modern home that would integrate with the natural surroundings of the waterfront property, and respect the character of the historic district. Our approach was to make the marine landscape an integral feature throughout the home. One hundred eighty degree views of the ocean from the top floors are the result of the pinwheel massing. The home is designed as an extension of the curvilinear approach to the property through the woods and reflects the gentle undulating waterline of the adjacent saltwater marsh. Floodplain regulations dictated that the primary occupied spaces be located significantly above grade; accordingly, we designed the first and second floors on a stone “plinth” above a walk-out basement with ample storage for sailing equipment. The curved stone base slopes to grade and houses the shallow entry stair, while the same stone clads the interior’s vertical core to the roof, along which the wood, glass and stainless steel stair ascends to the upper level. One critical programmatic requirement was enough sleeping space for the sailing crew, and informal party spaces for the end of race-day gatherings. The private master suite is situated on one side of the public central volume, giving the homeowners views of approaching visitors. A “bedroom bar,” designed to accommodate a full house of guests, emerges from the other side of the central volume, and serves as a backdrop for the infinity pool and the cove beyond. Also essential to the design process was ecological sensitivity and stewardship. The wetlands of the adjacent saltwater marsh were designed to be restored; an extensive geo-thermal heating and cooling system was implemented; low carbon footprint materials and permeable surfaces were used where possible. Native and non-invasive plant species were utilized in the landscape. The abundance of windows and glass railings maximize views of the landscape, and, in deference to the adjacent bird sanctuary, bird-friendly glazing was used throughout. Photo: Michael Moran/OTTO Photography

Converted a tired two-flat into a transitional single family home. The very narrow staircase was converted to an ample, bright u-shape staircase, the first floor and basement were opened for better flow, the existing second floor bedrooms were reconfigured and the existing second floor kitchen was converted to a master bath. A new detached garage was added in the back of the property. Architecture and photography by Omar Gutiérrez, Architect

Jenn Baker

This staircase, designed by Thomas Griem, not only connects the lower and upper floors of this penthouse but cleverly provides library and storage along the way. Constructed entirely out of Oak and sturdy in appearance, the library offers a reading niche on its lower level and supports a minimal white & clear glass staircase that bridges to the upper level of the apartment hewn out of the roof space of the grade one listed St Pancras Hotel. Photographer: Philip Vile

Pat Sudmeier

Combining beautiful elements such as Victorian Ash treads with a glass balustrade and contemporary black steel handrail, Jasper Road is both an elegant exponent of craft as well as a bold feature.