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Two Black Sheds incorporates all the conventional aspects of a weekend retreat in a rather unconventional way.
Two Black Sheds incorporates all the conventional aspects of a weekend retreat in a rather unconventional way.
Brian Schmitt slip-cast two pendant light silhouettes—slender and squat—in translucent porcelain. When turned on, each emits a warm glow. The fabric-wrapped cords come in three colors: nougat, teal and grey. Winner of 2012 Dwell on Design Award for Best Lighting.
Brian Schmitt slip-cast two pendant light silhouettes—slender and squat—in translucent porcelain. When turned on, each emits a warm glow. The fabric-wrapped cords come in three colors: nougat, teal and grey. Winner of 2012 Dwell on Design Award for Best Lighting.
A diagram of the home outlines its sustainable aspects, including LED lighting and an Advantex septic system that has no environmental impact.
A diagram of the home outlines its sustainable aspects, including LED lighting and an Advantex septic system that has no environmental impact.
Some aspects of the design continue to puzzle Cook and Compa, who compare the narrow kitchen to an airplane galley.
Some aspects of the design continue to puzzle Cook and Compa, who compare the narrow kitchen to an airplane galley.
Hoover's favorite aspect of the house is its calm mood and "the quietude and solace I experience while inside," she says.
Hoover's favorite aspect of the house is its calm mood and "the quietude and solace I experience while inside," she says.
Choosing a kitchen or bathroom countertop can be nerve-wracking, and we understand why—they can be one of the most expensive aspects of a renovation, with the added responsibility of impacting the aesthetics of a space. Read on as we work our way through the pros and cons of seven of the most common countertop materials.
Choosing a kitchen or bathroom countertop can be nerve-wracking, and we understand why—they can be one of the most expensive aspects of a renovation, with the added responsibility of impacting the aesthetics of a space. Read on as we work our way through the pros and cons of seven of the most common countertop materials.
One of the most important aspects of the renovation was to achieve the same high quality of crafted finish that had defined the original building—and much of the budget was allocated to skilled craftsmen, bricklayers, and carpenters. “Obviously, this has a huge impact on a renovation project like this,” explains Thomas.
One of the most important aspects of the renovation was to achieve the same high quality of crafted finish that had defined the original building—and much of the budget was allocated to skilled craftsmen, bricklayers, and carpenters. “Obviously, this has a huge impact on a renovation project like this,” explains Thomas.
The coolest aspect of this dining room is the versatile Occa 312121 dining table in walnut, with a brushed steel extension that pops out of the middle ($1,695).
The coolest aspect of this dining room is the versatile Occa 312121 dining table in walnut, with a brushed steel extension that pops out of the middle ($1,695).
Modern additions in the kitchen and living room mesh easily with the more classic aspects of Jun’s apartment, set in a typical Brooklyn building.
Modern additions in the kitchen and living room mesh easily with the more classic aspects of Jun’s apartment, set in a typical Brooklyn building.
After: The living room overlooks the great room below. Now when you walk in the house, you can see clear out to the trees in the back—an idea sparked by an interior designer friend who commented that the most important aspect of a design is what you see when you walk in the front door.
After: The living room overlooks the great room below. Now when you walk in the house, you can see clear out to the trees in the back—an idea sparked by an interior designer friend who commented that the most important aspect of a design is what you see when you walk in the front door.
Aspects of the original building were left exposed.
Aspects of the original building were left exposed.
“A critical aspect of the project was the incorporation of natural light and ventilation within a broad footprint,” Simpson says. Conventionally private areas, like bedrooms and bathrooms, are therefore reinterpreted with more openness in mind. For instance, this bathroom’s skylights mirror those found throughout the rest of the property. The bathtub, basins, and showerhead were all purchased at the Australian retailer Reece.
“A critical aspect of the project was the incorporation of natural light and ventilation within a broad footprint,” Simpson says. Conventionally private areas, like bedrooms and bathrooms, are therefore reinterpreted with more openness in mind. For instance, this bathroom’s skylights mirror those found throughout the rest of the property. The bathtub, basins, and showerhead were all purchased at the Australian retailer Reece.
In the homeowners' previous beach cottage, they had a table by the window from which they could talk to neighbors on the street. The architects made sure to recreate that here. "An important aspect of this room is its direct and engaging relationship with the streetscape and the important social aspect of communicating with people passing by on foot," say the architects.
In the homeowners' previous beach cottage, they had a table by the window from which they could talk to neighbors on the street. The architects made sure to recreate that here. "An important aspect of this room is its direct and engaging relationship with the streetscape and the important social aspect of communicating with people passing by on foot," say the architects.
“My favorite aspect of the project would have to be the custom-built planter/light box suspended over the island bench,” says interior designer Kate Lucas. “The cascading plants bring a gorgeous green accent to the interiors. I also have a soft spot for the herringbone floor.” The custom planter box was built by local furniture maker and friend Lee Gratton of Gratton Design.
“My favorite aspect of the project would have to be the custom-built planter/light box suspended over the island bench,” says interior designer Kate Lucas. “The cascading plants bring a gorgeous green accent to the interiors. I also have a soft spot for the herringbone floor.” The custom planter box was built by local furniture maker and friend Lee Gratton of Gratton Design.
The cafe is located at 125 N 6th St in Brooklyn in what was once a market. The space tapers toward the back to emphasize the "stage" aspect of the design.
The cafe is located at 125 N 6th St in Brooklyn in what was once a market. The space tapers toward the back to emphasize the "stage" aspect of the design.
The most important aspect of a successful neutral palette? "Texture, texture, texture!," Pickens says.
The most important aspect of a successful neutral palette? "Texture, texture, texture!," Pickens says.
Rian and Melissa Jorgensen's 2 Bar House in Menlo Park boasts all the usual green design suspects: energy-efficient lighting, good insulation, renewable material finishes, radiant heat, and the roof is pre-wired for future PV panels. Still, one of the homeowner's favorite aspect of green design is the living roof planted with succulents, aloe, viviums, and ice plants.
Rian and Melissa Jorgensen's 2 Bar House in Menlo Park boasts all the usual green design suspects: energy-efficient lighting, good insulation, renewable material finishes, radiant heat, and the roof is pre-wired for future PV panels. Still, one of the homeowner's favorite aspect of green design is the living roof planted with succulents, aloe, viviums, and ice plants.
"Crossing the ground and first floors, the shelf solves aesthetic and functional aspects," says Zooco Estudio.
"Crossing the ground and first floors, the shelf solves aesthetic and functional aspects," says Zooco Estudio.
The landscaped garden had to have a strong connection to the addition, while including aspects of the owners' heritage.
The landscaped garden had to have a strong connection to the addition, while including aspects of the owners' heritage.
The enclosed staircase to the garden and library, flourishing with tropical plants, is now one of Carmen's favourite aspects of the home.
The enclosed staircase to the garden and library, flourishing with tropical plants, is now one of Carmen's favourite aspects of the home.
The design eschews right angles on the exterior and interior, which was one of the most challenging aspects of the design for Kallesø.
The design eschews right angles on the exterior and interior, which was one of the most challenging aspects of the design for Kallesø.
A television is mounted on a pivoting wall that can either face the indoors or out toward the courtyard, emphasizing the entertainment aspect of the home.
A television is mounted on a pivoting wall that can either face the indoors or out toward the courtyard, emphasizing the entertainment aspect of the home.
The spirit of retain and re-use guided the design behind the conversion, and was applied to all aspects of the project.
The spirit of retain and re-use guided the design behind the conversion, and was applied to all aspects of the project.
Mighty Buildings have positioned themselves as a “production-as-a-service platform” to give homebuilders the opportunity to outsource the most labor-intensive aspects of construction.
Mighty Buildings have positioned themselves as a “production-as-a-service platform” to give homebuilders the opportunity to outsource the most labor-intensive aspects of construction.
The package included a gourmet, multiple-course dinner, with each dish representing a different aspect of Chinese culture.
The package included a gourmet, multiple-course dinner, with each dish representing a different aspect of Chinese culture.
An attentive sensitivity to site played into nearly every aspect of both the exterior andinterior spaces of the home. Architect Peter Rose collaborated with landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh, who worked to craft and maintain the wild, organic feel of the environs. Will Parry, a local builder, custom-fabricated all of the sustainably harvested Spanish cedar-and-glass windows and skylights throughout. Here, a vertical-swinging window at the end of the entry hallway opens directly to a lush expanse of vegetation.
An attentive sensitivity to site played into nearly every aspect of both the exterior andinterior spaces of the home. Architect Peter Rose collaborated with landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh, who worked to craft and maintain the wild, organic feel of the environs. Will Parry, a local builder, custom-fabricated all of the sustainably harvested Spanish cedar-and-glass windows and skylights throughout. Here, a vertical-swinging window at the end of the entry hallway opens directly to a lush expanse of vegetation.
The most important aspect of designing this home was capturing the views from every angle. By placing the home on stilts, Herbst was able to make the best use of the surroundings.
The most important aspect of designing this home was capturing the views from every angle. By placing the home on stilts, Herbst was able to make the best use of the surroundings.
The master suite has a northerly aspect through staggered windows that cleverly frame or obstruct views. This is the most private of the three pavilions.
The master suite has a northerly aspect through staggered windows that cleverly frame or obstruct views. This is the most private of the three pavilions.
Overall living area with dual aspects and connections to an interstitial garden court and rear landscaped yard beyond its concrete terrace
Overall living area with dual aspects and connections to an interstitial garden court and rear landscaped yard beyond its concrete terrace
“I like that the house has a simple, almost abstract reading from the exterior—but the interior reveals an unexpected complexity of space, light, and aspect,” notes Ropiha.
“I like that the house has a simple, almost abstract reading from the exterior—but the interior reveals an unexpected complexity of space, light, and aspect,” notes Ropiha.
“I like that the house has a simple, almost abstract reading from the exterior—but the interior reveals an unexpected complexity of space, light, and aspect,” notes Ropiha.
“I like that the house has a simple, almost abstract reading from the exterior—but the interior reveals an unexpected complexity of space, light, and aspect,” notes Ropiha.
One of the more challenging aspects of the renovation, the staircase features a spine made of a single one-ton piece of powder-coated steel.
One of the more challenging aspects of the renovation, the staircase features a spine made of a single one-ton piece of powder-coated steel.
Sunlight permeates this long, narrow home. The homeowners wanted to incorporate minimalist design aspects and neutral colors throughout to allow natural light to be the main focus.
Sunlight permeates this long, narrow home. The homeowners wanted to incorporate minimalist design aspects and neutral colors throughout to allow natural light to be the main focus.
The new penthouses underneath the garden feature teak wood — which match the natural aspects upstairs. The furniture was purchased by the homeowner.
The new penthouses underneath the garden feature teak wood — which match the natural aspects upstairs. The furniture was purchased by the homeowner.
The southern facade of the home—the entrance—is a completely blank facade, which gives the home a private aspect, says the architect. The brick facade curves into the interior of the home.
The southern facade of the home—the entrance—is a completely blank facade, which gives the home a private aspect, says the architect. The brick facade curves into the interior of the home.
The interior of the social side of the home was made to feel like a communal pavilion, with all of the activities grouped in one fluid space and clerestory windows invoking an open-air aspect.
The interior of the social side of the home was made to feel like a communal pavilion, with all of the activities grouped in one fluid space and clerestory windows invoking an open-air aspect.

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