Charming library with cherry counter and custom cabinetry, pocket doors hide TV Weigley Photography

Daniel Newcomb

Stair Slats, Stair Detail Tony Gallagher Photography

Photographer: Terri Glanger

Complete interior renovation of a 1980s split level house in the Virginia suburbs. Main level includes reading room, dining, kitchen, living and master bedroom suite. New front elevation at entry, new rear deck and complete re-cladding of the house. Interior: The prototypical layout of the split level home tends to separate the entrance, and any other associated space, from the rest of the living spaces one half level up. In this home the lower level "living" room off the entry was physically isolated from the dining, kitchen and family rooms above, and was only connected visually by a railing at dining room level. The owner desired a stronger integration of the lower and upper levels, in addition to an open flow between the major spaces on the upper level where they spend most of their time. ExteriorThe exterior entry of the house was a fragmented composition of disparate elements. The rear of the home was blocked off from views due to small windows, and had a difficult to use multi leveled deck. The owners requested an updated treatment of the entry, a more uniform exterior cladding, and an integration between the interior and exterior spaces. SOLUTIONS The overriding strategy was to create a spatial sequence allowing a seamless flow from the front of the house through the living spaces and to the exterior, in addition to unifying the upper and lower spaces. This was accomplished by creating a "reading room" at the entry level that responds to the front garden with a series of interior contours that are both steps as well as seating zones, while the orthogonal layout of the main level and deck reflects the pragmatic daily activities of cooking, eating and relaxing. The stairs between levels were moved so that the visitor could enter the new reading room, experiencing it as a place, before moving up to the main level. The upper level dining room floor was "pushed" out into the reading room space, thus creating a balcony over and into the space below. At the entry, the second floor landing was opened up to create a double height space, with enlarged windows. The rear wall of the house was opened up with continuous glass windows and doors to maximize the views and light. A new simplified single level deck replaced the old one.

Winner of "most Livable Floorplan" in the 2011 Clark County Parade of Homes. Photos by Bob Greenspan

Project: 6000 sq. ft. Pebble Beach estate. Kitchen and Breakfast Nook.

Photo: Mitchell Shenker

This is a custom mudroom rack made of New England Barnwood. It is not built in and is a freestanding piece of furniture. There are shelves behind the door and 2 removable tool boxes on the bottom left. It can me made to order in any size and finish. It can be made of old wood and new wood by Country Willow, Bedford Hills, NY - 914-241-7000 - www.countrywillow.com

Karyn Millet Photography

Photo Credit: David Duncan Livingston

blue, eclectic

photos by: travis neely