This client came to us to design their 3200 SF dream home. We started with just the two-story interiors then were asked to come back and design the exterior. As they may need to work from home quite often, we combined home office with dining space which could also double as a conference room when needed. For the master bedroom, the couple asked for sophisticated black and gray hotel-like scheme, same for master bath. The backyard was also a blast to design as it reminisces the couple's marvelous trip to Bali, thus the circular infinity pool design was born.
Our first project with this client involved our recommendation and the subsequent installation of solar tubes, which brought precious daylight and cheerfulness into the otherwise dark and depressing high-ceiling living room, stairways and second floor hallway. Our next project with them was a handsome 4000 SF newly built home. As this couple with young kids loved entertaining, the mission was to design a welcoming modern and chic space that provides a fun yet restful space for the whole family to enjoy. So spaces for entertainmnet were allocated for both adults and kids. For example, area at the daylight filled basement would offer a relaxing place for homework with tutors, as well as having fun movie nights with friends or family. Recommendations from Feng-Shui consulation were also incorporated to ensure our design would work harmoneously with each famiy member. As this family loves automation and gaudgets; in the evening, at a touch of a button, high ceiling shades would be drawn while unshaded windows turns opaque for night time privacy.
The client called us and said he just found the house he loves, but he was not sure about the colors nor how to utilize each space. After discussions and planning, we kept the style simple and elegant; we gave purposes to the existing wall niches while positioned the low-profile furniture in living and family room to optimize views outside the grand windows. For the family room, we purposely used sofa and low bookshelves to create two zones which minimize the area needed to be gated off for wondering toddler. We carried the same elegant style upstairs to the masterbedroom and office.
This is a delightiful 5800 SF home nestled in the hills of OC. The house already have beautiful "bones" with lovely dark wooden beams and floors, so all it really needed was functional space planning to reflect their needs, plus stylish lighting fixtures, custom furniture and decors to pull it all together. We started with family room and family dining then expanded the renovations to master bed, family library, formal dining and formal living room. We placed a row of oversized, plush ottomans by the large sun-filled arch window in the family room for kids to read and relax in natural daylight. While not conventional, we also placed two fun hanging chairs at two corners by the window; and from what we last heard, they became kids' favorite spots.
The master bedroom style was decidely Zen with a touch of glamour. For this space, differnt functional zones were created enabling the owners to enjoy their beautiful sunfilled room together. A meditation corner was also incorporated at owner's request which included a proper meditation chair with rustic wooden storage chest for LED candles and books. A fun coffee/tea bar was choreographed in to add to the resort-like feel and provided the couple the convenience of enjoying their favorite beverages without going downstairs. ZERO VOC paint and beautiful wool rug were selected to ensure good indoor air quality. Feng-Shui installations were also incorporated to enhance the overall harmony. We would never forget our clients' reaction when they got to see their space for the first time; it made all the hardwork worth it! Family library and formal living rooms await to be finally pulled together post COVID.
The idea behind the deisgn of this 3500 SF Cottage Stye home was to simply update the space while brighten the overall look so the house would be more cheerful and welcoming.
So we brought lighter wooden floor and white quartz countertops into the space, while applied a chic blend of french grays with white, which traveled throughout the house to pull the spaces together. With calmer colors and patterns in the formal living room, its more intricate ceiling pattern can now be readily appreciated. Having children with larger age gaps, we wanted to provide an elegant, inviting living room where the whole family can enjoy together, thus we created zones within a zone in the formal living room through nice comfy lounge chair by the firepalce along with back to back sofa arrangements which also serve as additional conversational seatings for the bar/coffee/breakfast nook area.
Layout wise, the biggest change for the family had to be an awkward countertop segment with built-in cabinet which previously jet into the living room space where someone could accidently run into if not careful. We simply removed it while also widened the doorway to increase the connection between formal dining and kitchen. We also visually expanded the kitchen by adding a breakfast bar by the kitchen peninsula, where kiddos would love to hang out at breakfast and snack time.
This is another lovely family whom actually waited 13 years before they finally dicided to call for design help. After much planning, discussions and lots of hard work, a series of spaces were transformed.
In the living room, we updated the old gas fireplace facade to complement the architecture, while also added built-in upholestered bench seating with hidden storages and charging stations. We personalized the bar design by incorporating entry stairway's wrought iron pattern onto bar base facade. Although the bar had limited floor space to work with, we still managed to design in plenty of custom woodwork spaces for wine storage shelves, drawers, as well as wine cooler and a hammered copper sink. A library nearby was also designed and installed for the whole family to enjoy. As with the formal dining room, now with inviting atmosphere and ample countertop surfaces for buffet dishes, it became a welcoming space for frequent family gatherings. For the personal office space, handsome millwork spaces were carved into walls to maximize functional storage and display spaces. A custom desk was also designed and fabricated per owner's preference.
The owners were so happy with the overall result that they invited us to help them with their new property by the ocean few years later. There, they asked us to carry out the same design style in their bar and private office as well as much needed storage spaces in closets througout. Please refer to the before and after photos.