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An oak beam spans the room, and a custom fireplace was created by Noor El-Mohandes.

The renovated parlor-level is a completely open space from front to back, with a door to a balcony that steps down to the garden.

The exterior of the home showcases its measured simplicity. "It looks like it lands lightly on the ground,

The new flooring throughout is white oak, which warms the high contrast, black-and-white palette.

Garcia says people often comment that the ADU just needs a refrigerator and dishwasher, not realizing that both are seamlessly concealed in the cabinetry. “It’s actually a fully-functioning kitchen,” says Garcia, including a 15-inch WOLF cooktop, a TK dishwasher drawer, and TK refrigerator drawer. The counter is Caesarstone.

Now, a picture window frames the views into the garden, and a tall glass and steel door accesses the backyard.

Before: The newest owners of this 1885 Prospect Heights brownstone wanted to convert it into a duplex in a remodel that finished in 2020. “This neighborhood has extra deep lots that allow you to do amazing things with extensions,” says Kaplan.

Architect Daniel Kaplan of Bowerbird Architects added onto the rear façade to expand the floorspace for the lower apartment, and accommodate a three bedroom, three bath plan, plus a study and finished cellar. By creating a stepped addition, Kaplan made it possible for three floors to have outdoor access. Note how the top right deck is angled to prevent the new structure from blocking sunlight into the neighbors’ windows.

A poured concrete patio sits between the two buildings. “I wanted to include those expressed 'joint' lines as part of the design, so our very clever landscaper put a shallow cut along the concrete once it had cured,” says Murphy.

A second building serves as Murphy’s office, and it’s connected to the main residence by a custom metal trellis.

The shelving in the laundry echoes the living room and kitchen, and being open, doesn’t block light from the window.

The pantry is to the left of the door.

Custom storage wraps the entry to the laundry room.

The rear curtain wall system opens to an outdoor patio raised above the tree-covered landscape.

In Australia, a manufacturer and an architecture firm create an off-grid home that can be broken down and shipped across the world.

Kim Moellenberndt and Ryan Tyner found their future home at a corner store built in the 1940s. The deal started with a handshake deal between the couple of the store's owner.

The existing Ikea cabinet boxes received new Semihandmade fronts: the DIY Flat Slab painted Benjamin Moore's “Revere Pewter.” The butcher block was replaced with a Ceaserstone Empira White slab, and the wood shelves were preserved, though received new brass brackets. The brass hardware is from Rejuvenation and the pendant is the Pirlo from Tech Lighting. The new zellige tile is from Riad, in the Natural White color.

In the living room, Myers combined the client’s existing camel leather from Room & Board with a vintage WC Gerard van den Berg-style loveseat, found at the L.A.-based store Amsterdam Modern. The rug is the Joelle from Lulu and Georgia, and the overhead light a Petite Friture Vertigo Pendant. “The living room is really special, especially in the early evening when the room is filled with the light coming in from the sunset,” says Alexandra. “Nothing beats a Texas sunset.” The artwork is by Alexandra’s friend.