A New Farmhouse

Located in Maryland, this is one of the best examples of a new house made to look old I have ever seen. A sense of rambling elegance is certainly evident with this Federal Style farmhouse. The house seems to have simple additions made over the years that stressed function over formality. 

Master Bedrooms on the ground floor are certainly becoming popular, however, the placement of this one behind the kitchen is somewhat questionable. How can the rumble of the washer and the beeping of the microwave create a quiet and still master suite?

This house displays a wonderful crispness. With its white walls, warm and inviting wood floors, as well as the plethora of windows make it exceptionally light and bright.

This transom window is perfectly placed! While the exterior may seem choppy, the interior spaces allow for easy and informal living.

Updated California Style

Located near Newport Beach's Back Bay, this home creates an ideal environment within a cookie cutter neighborhood. 

Behind the tall, white walls is the very California friendly front yard. My favorite part of the whole composition is the use of decomposed granite as the main ground cover. While an emerald turf may be the picture most people hold as the ideal, the native and potted garden elements add plenty of style and finesse to the landscape. Decomposed granite also enables the foreground to be used as a bocce ball court, which is always a fun game!

While animal print may not be my favorite fabric, the heavy yet light beams and the rock surrounding the fireplace sets this room apart.

This kitchen is sleek and functional; the large window, open shelves, and unique pendant light add to the light and breezy casual chicness of this kitchen.

A splendid milieu of old and new reside both in and outside of this house. From the Monterrey inspired overhanging porch to the stainless appliances, this home has that ever elusive quality - a highly developed sense of taste.

Montage

The latest Laguna Beach home to hit the market is a 32 million dollar contemporary craftsman stunner. One of only a handful of houses that can call the Montage Laguna Beach home, 33 Shreve takes the cake. I have always loved the simple and graceful lines of craftsman and their arts and crafts style English cousins, yet this new infusion piques my interest. Modernity is inevitable, yet can easily be datable since "modern" architecture is constantly evolving.

The disappearing doors caught my fancy immediately. Indoor and outdoor life should easily commingle in Orange County, especially at a seaside resort.

The cool and harsh modern lines are tempered by the rich woods and walls of glass. The most striking part of the composition are the garage doors; they are PERFECT.