Father’s Day is coming up this weekend and our thoughts turn to some of the spaces we have created for the man of the house during a whole home remodel. A male sanctuary, sometimes referred to as a “man cave”, ranges in size, purpose and style. The common denominator is an emphasis on the male’s preference for aesthetics in a space where he can indulge in some of his favorite pastimes from solitary reading to playing pool and watching sports with friends.

Man spaces range from colorful and casual to subdued and elegant. Their focal point can be a pool table, a bar, a library, a trophy collection, an impressive media system, or some combination of all of these. Some common requirements usually include:

• A distinct area separate from the rest of the home
• Plentiful comfortable seating to accommodate guests
• Some form of entertainment

A unified team of architects, designers and construction professionals can be helpful in determining the best way to incorporate a man space in your whole home remodel. Experienced designers will help you explore the ways you plan to use your space most often and how the design can accommodate your needs and express your personal style.

If you appreciate the rustic beauty and authentic charm of designs inspired by Old World Mexico, why not start with the Mexican hacienda as inspiration for your whole home remodel? Our professional design team finds imaginative ways to weave Old World allure with the needs of the modern homeowner.

Our team designed a secluded weekend getaway in the mountains as a future retirement home. Our clients’ spacious 3,300 sq. ft. adobe house sits on over an acre of land, providing the owners with privacy, comfort and a retreat from the sometimes hurried pace of everyday living in their primary home by the coast. These are a few of the elements our professional designers selected to create the mood of a Mexican hacienda:

• A fountain imported from Mexico is adorned with handcrafted detailing and conveys earthy warmth and authenticity in the expansive outdoor patio area.
• Three hand-carved doors made in 1910 were shipped to the adobe from Mexico. Each weighing several hundred pounds, the doors establish a sense of history and graceful substance in the home.
• Throughout the home, each material and fabric was meticulously selected to sustain a mood of relaxation and serenity inspired by a Mexican hacienda.

After working with our unified team of architects, designers and construction professionals for their whole home remodel, the owners of this distinctive adobe house can now enjoy the lifestyle they have always imagined.

Industrial elements such as brick, metal, concrete and Edison-style bulbs are primary tools in a recently revived trend that blends raw materials, beautiful woods and bold colors for a compelling balance of strength and comfort. In a library/office we designed as part of a whole home remodel, the reclaimed wood shelves are anchored by threaded iron rods and nuts. A corner column with custom chalkboard wallpaper establishes a visual foundation for the multilevel bookshelves. The new stairway is created from iron bars punctuated by reclaimed wood cubbies with painted glass backs, creating the effect of a transparent wall of art. These industrial details imaginatively meld form and function.

Industrial elements to consider for your whole home remodel:

• Materials: brick, metal, concrete, distressed wide plank wood floors, recycled or salvaged materials
• Lighting: Edison bulbs, caged pendants, oversized globes with metallic accents
• Furniture and accessories: Vintage file cabinets used as imaginative storage, vintage stools, chairs and tables with rustic metallic tones, especially paired with rough-hewn, natural woods

If you are drawn to an industrial look for your whole home remodel, a professional team of designers can help you achieve an industrial aesthetic in a way that expresses your unique personal vision for your home.

When you entertain during holidays and special occasions, a well-defined dining area brings a joyful spirit of family togetherness and conviviality to your home. For this whole home remodel in La Jolla, our professional design team carefully planned the dining area within the large open expanse of the home’s middle level to establish its own distinct space.

Today’s homes often feature an abundance of open space. A thoughtful whole home remodel focuses on establishing distinct areas within the open space to create a sense of place. Here are some examples of how our designers balance visual unity in an expansive area:

Coffered Ceilings: Elegant molding details in a coffered ceiling visually define the space below.

Lighting: Choosing different types and shapes of lighting such as chandeliers, pendants and wall sconces provides visual punctuation for space and also allows for flexibility when setting moods for different events.

Custom Cabinetry: A beautiful piece of cabinetry is a functional way to bring definition to a space. In this dining room, the custom-built dark cherry storage cabinet serves as a backdrop for the dining table while also offering generous storage and display areas.

Windows: The shape, length and placement of windows are essential to establishing distinct areas in a large space.

Working with a unified team of architects, designers and construction professionals, you can explore the many imaginative ways a whole home remodel brings more function and pleasure to your special occasions.

Glowing light is symbolic of the emotions we experience at the start of a new year: hope, renewed spirit, a fresh perspective. Candles, bonfires and fireworks have long been integral aspects of celebrating the New Year. How you choose to light your home as you plan your whole home remodel will powerfully influence the mood and appearance of your environment.

Lighting for Mood:
A glittering chandelier over the dining table pictured here instantly conveys a feeling of elegance and intimacy. Whatever mood you may wish to inspire, our professional designers can help you achieve it with style.

Lighting as Art:
Working with our team of professional designers, you also have access to the lighting creations of local artisans who will inspire you with their beautiful works of art which are also highly functional.

Lighting that Works:
Of course, lighting also serves the primary purpose of doing its job correctly. When you work with a unified team of architects, designers and construction professionals, you can be sure you make lighting choices that are not only beautiful but that you can live with for many years to come.

Lighting is one of the most important decisions you will make during your whole home remodel. As the new year begins, are new dreams for your home coming to light? Our design build experts can help you illuminate imaginative ways to transform your home and your lifestyle!

Our professional design team continually researches design trends and practices innovative solutions to stay ahead of the curve in home design. We have been working with designs inspired by rustic natural elements for some time and have been interested to see this trend expand in popularity recently. If you would like to explore natural, organic themes for your whole home remodel, here are some elements to consider:

Color:
Sherwin Williams has introduced a color palette called “Honed Vitality” that embodies a softened beauty with earthy hues. This colors typify the calm, restful tones of the organic trend.

Texture:
Showing the “veins in the grains” of a material like the granite countertop pictured is another way to show a respect for rustic natural beauty in the home. Textures that can be “felt with the eye” work well when you are exploring an organic theme.

Handmade:
Handmade accessories and furniture evoke a simpler time and express an appreciation for artisan craft and quality. Working with local artisans is a wonderful way to bring character and history to a whole home remodel.

Whether the organic aesthetic speaks to you or not is an entirely personal decision. Your home should express your unique point of view. When you work with a unified team of architects, designers and construction professionals, you are able to explore the many possibilities available and be inspired in ways you may not have imagined!