15 Summer Loving Wonderful Outdoor spaces

Dining Table Under Pergola Summertime in the Northeast is wonderful in outdoor spaces.  After a long winter, the contrast between the seasons cannot be greater.  My family spends a lot of time on our porch and patio and gathering around the pool during the summer.  We alternate eating dinner inside and outside, with alfresco dining winning out every summer.  When we design a home, we do everything we can to make that indoor-to-outdoor connection.  If possible, there should [...]

By |2024-01-26T20:01:22-05:00June 13th, 2023|Categories: Design, Fireplaces, Gardens, Miscellaneous, New Homes, Patios, Pools, Porches|2 Comments

17 Mesmerizing Fireplaces for Fall

Fireplace with Wood Storage I admit it, I love to look into fireplaces and let my mind wander.  That constantly changing display of flames leaping and dancing can keep me enthralled for hours.  Better yet, it is the perfect background for gatherings and quiet conversations.  Fireplaces are often are part of the core of the home. Restored Study Fireplace Sunroom Fireplace Office Fireplace Stone Fireplace Adirondack Style Fireplace [...]

4 Brilliant Outdoor Living Spaces

Outdoor Living and Dining In the northeast, we don't have a whole lot of warm weather suitable for outdoor entertaining, so we celebrate those perfect days in any way we can in our outdoor living spaces.  We are lucky to be able to collaborate with talented landscape architects and designers including Conte and Conte, Renee Byers, Judy Murphy of  Old Farm Nursery, and Rob Adroyd of Greylock Design Associates respectively.  Outdoor living spaces impact the design of our [...]

5 New Fireplaces

Concrete Fireplace It is now the season that I spend the most time hauling firewood, chopping up wood for kindling, and building fires.  The same is true for many of our clients.  There is an endless variation possible when designing a fireplace, but the outcome is the same, a warm, fascinating focal point for any room.  I encourage the addition of a fireplace to every home we design or redesign.  Why should I have all the fun? [...]

By |2023-02-11T19:11:49-05:00January 1st, 2018|Categories: Fireplaces, Miscellaneous|1 Comment

5 Homes and Animals in the Snow

Sun Room in the Snow Something magical happens to a home with the first snowfall of the season.  Around my house, the kids and the animals are even more excited than I am as we run and throw snowballs.  Rosie, our mini Aussie, tracks in the snow, which melts on the floor, while I start a fire and my wife makes hot cocoa. The timing doesn’t always work, but when we can coordinate a photo shoot of one [...]

5 Home Features for Fall

Firepit Inside Looking Out As we roll into Fall, I find myself building more bonfires, roasting s'mores with the kids, and sitting on my porch with the heater on.  Many of our projects include indoor-outdoor spaces which are ideally enjoyed in the fall when an outdoor fire can be appreciated or simply a moment to be outside before it gets too cold.  Outdoor fireplaces are a great source of warmth and entertainment and if you combine [...]

By |2023-02-11T19:36:27-05:00October 23rd, 2017|Categories: Fireplaces, Miscellaneous, Porches, Sun Room|Tags: , , , |4 Comments

6 Renovations That Can Change the Way You Live in Your Home (Updated)

I have renovated and added to my own home for many reasons, including the fact I hated the existing kitchen.  I added a porch and a bedroom because I love porches and my oldest daughter needed a room of her own.  Many people renovate a home because no one thought to incorporate light or views in the original design.  Sometimes the existing home is outdated, dark, too small, poorly laid out, or all of the above. In any case, some [...]

Where to Put the TV (Updated)

We Americans have a love/hate relationship with our televisions.  I try to limit my children’s time in front of the screen, but I myself spent my share of free time in front of the tube.  That was so long ago, I remember going to the local store to replace tubes that had burned out.  On the one hand, there is a huge amount of mindless junk on TV, but we have never had a greater choice of excellent content at [...]

By |2023-02-26T12:38:17-05:00February 9th, 2015|Categories: Bedrooms, Fireplaces, Living Room|Tags: , , , , |3 Comments

Pool Pavilion (Featured Project)

Pool Pavilion To break up my focus on shoveling snow and chipping ice out of the animal's water buckets, I thought I would remind everyone that spring and summer will come again and a nice cool drink will be appreciated. Set in the rolling hills of the Berkshires, this open air pavilion with fireplace and kitchen completes the poolside entertaining package. The nights can be a little cool in the Berkshires even in the summer. The fireplace takes [...]

By |2023-02-26T12:40:22-05:00February 8th, 2015|Categories: Fireplaces, Pool Houses, Pools, Porches|Tags: , |4 Comments

Historic Expansion (Featured Project)

View of Old and New The original house had been added to over time, but at its core was a beautiful old home with wide pine floors and plaster walls. A critical requirement of the project was to preserve the integrity of the historic structure while giving the new owners additional space for their growing family and friends. With some careful design and care during construction, we were even able to save two venerable old trees which have [...]

By |2023-02-26T12:45:24-05:00January 9th, 2015|Categories: Additions, Bedrooms, Fireplaces, Kitchen, Miscellaneous, Renovations|5 Comments
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