studio d+c
design + construction
Pool & Pool House
Atlanta, Georgia
When our clients started to dream about expanding their outdoor living space, ideas about adding a pool and pool house retreat came up.
After going thru a full renovation on their mid-century home a few years prior they knew that this addition would bring its own challenges. A historic neighborhood, limited lot coverage and a unique topography and lot shape had to be addressed and ultimately shaped the design of this project.
On our clients wish list was not only a saltwater pool and a small pool house but an outdoor space they can use year-round for exercise, entertaining and relaxing. Therefor a hot tub, an outdoor shower and seating steps to lounge with friends got quickly incorporated in the design.
With a waterfall and a hot tub with an overflow water feature, the pool became the star of the new “backyard spa”.
Now the existing house also needed to be connected with the outdoor space. This was achieved by adding an oversized sliding door to the master suite and adding a new covered porch, perfect to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning.
The pool house, perched above the pool has been designed to blend the outdoors with the inside. The intimate space includes a lounge area with a modern stove, a kitchenette, and a full bathroom with a steam shower. The usage of glass and framed views, the continuation of the stone pavers on the inside and the raised ceilings make this tiny house feel bigger than the 260 square feet it measures.
With the desire for a modern design and the continuity between the existing and new, it was the choice of materials and details that tie the main house with the new structure. Some materials match while others (like the metal used for the façade of the pool house) are an updated interpretation of the mid-century style of the home.
Incorporating a forgotten corner of their property enlarged the outdoor living space for this family and gave them the backyard retreat they craved.
Druid Hills Retreat
Decatur, Georgia
The use of the space in the real day-to day life was the main focus when designing for this family of six and a dog. Showroom look got quickly swapped for a design that helps to simplify the unavoidable chaos. With every family member in mind this house needed to be welcoming and functional, comfortable and simple as well as open and private.
Our client’s wish list included an addition for a master suite to allow each of the four children to have their own bedroom, a private guest suite, a home office and the build out of the basement for the kid’s activities. Quickly we realized that something more drastic needed to be done to the “heart” of the house and the kitchen expansion and an open layout of the main level was added to that list. Now the flow of the kitchen, dining room, and family room is seamless and nearby rooms, like offices and the masters seating room, can be opened up if the party gets bigger. This fusion of the spaces happened by eliminating walls and doors but also by introducing repetitive details, materials and a continuous color scheme throughout the house. Highlighting the new while celebrating the old, that is how the existing brick fireplace once hidden in a wall became a central revolving element of this family’s life.
A similar approach was taken when working on the new addition of the master suite. We opted for wood siding, paneling, and trim work as the exterior materials ,to achieve a lighter feeling that reassembles a sun room or garden pavilion and does not compete with the colonial façade of the existing structure.
From the main design ideas to the small details, this project is all about the balance of mixing existing and new elements and allowing the contrast of the styles to be celebrated.
River Dwelling
Blue Ridge, Georgia
River Dwelling
Blue Ridge, Georgia
When our city dweller client decided to build a second home in the Blue Ridge Mountains, they knew they wanted anything but a typical log cabin.
Built on a small sliver of land between the Toccoa River and the road, their "River Dwelling" is a modern interpretation of a mountain retreat, the result of careful planning and execution between the client, builder/contractor Studio d+c and architect Robert Tretsch.
A tall, narrow structure built on a concrete foundation, the home is a mere 19 feet wide. However, more than 1,000 square feet of glass bring the outdoors inside and make the house feel much larger.
The home features a soaring two-story dining space, a cast-concrete fireplace, metal stairs and galvanized steel railings. The two story glass-paneled garage door connects the living space visually and when opened physically with its surroundings.
Custom architectural details, the liberal use of commercial building materials and the distance of the building site were just some of the challenges Studio d+c had to overcome on this project. However, today their client continues to enjoy their luxurious retreat, and also rents it out so others can enjoy the natural beauty of the mountains in this modern setting.
Decatur Living
Decatur, Georgia
When the value of their property in Decatur went up, our clients felt comfortable with their decision to renovate and expand their home. Some of the homes on their street had already undergone major renovations and now it was time for this wallflower to shine. Built in 50s this three bedroom house was as unremarkable on the inside as it was on the outside. Consequently adding character and style to the house became the next important task right after expanding the space.
Located on a drainage easement we could not increase the footprint of the house and had to explore the option of a second floor addition. Now this two story structure sits confident in between other renovated houses its size and is a successful part to the transforming streetscape.
The space we created on the second floor houses the master suite and two new bedrooms that share a bathroom. The lower level got opened up and allows for family life to take place. With a love for cooking and entertaining the kitchen became the center of the house. A large island serves for food preparation, as a homework desk, and seats this family of three for breakfast or informal meals. The connected seating room, dining room, and family room provide plenty of space and opening up the office towards the deck makes this house perfect for entertaining even bigger crowds.
Modern Ranch
Decatur, Georgia
With the birth of their second child, Studio d+c, Inc. owners Juan and Anja Ramirez, had outgrown their home and were looking for an excellent school district and a quiet neighborhood to move their family to.
They settled for a nondescript 1950s brick ranch in a hilly, wooded area. Bland and in disrepair this house had never been modified or renovated before. Located within the boundaries of a historic neighborhood the couple decided to keep the skin of the house intact while changing the interior radically.
With their expertise in construction and their passion for modern design, the Ramirez made this house their home, reflective of their own design principals and comfortable for their family.
They first gutted the entire house, removing walls to open up what had been an accumulation of cramped rooms, into a light-filled, livable space. They also relocated the stairway to the lower level, which now houses their home office and guest suite. Four skylights above this staircase function as a light well and brighten both levels of the house.
This ranch transformation was focused on minimalistic details which allows the successful coexistence of sleek, modern, European aesthetics with the modern 50s ranch style.
Buckhead Revival
Atlanta, Georgia
When Studio d+c was asked to work on the interior renovation and addition to this Buckhead residence, the program included a guest suite addition, a third car garage and opening up the kitchen, dining room and family room. While these were some common requests, the extent of the kitchen renovation was a bit unconventional. With a passion for cooking and entertaining, the significance of the kitchen for this family became quickly clear. When the client suggested absorbing the family room and making it part of the new kitchen a lot of review studies followed. Finally we understood the importance of unifying the spaces to double the size of the kitchen and create the space for the professional equipment needed by this family chef. We customized the layout and optimized the work flow. We doubled on pantry space, refrigerators, dishwashers and ovens. Two sizeable islands were incorporated to provide plenty of seating for delighted guests.
Today this kitchen transforms regularly to a show cooking setting enjoyed by family and friends. The flames of the interior Asado grill create the visual backdrop for a true culinary experience to come.
Listing to our client’s requests and working as a team with the kitchen cabinet and appliance consultants extended our experience in the culinary field and led to a sizzling result.
Buckhead Condo
Atlanta, Georgia
When a previous client contacted us about getting their high-rise condo in Buckhead renovated, we knew this was not our typical project. They had just purchased the condo and quickly wanted to get rid of the outdated 90s style and finishes. The scope of work included the renovation of two bathrooms, a powder room, a laundry room and the kitchen, dining and living area. They were looking for a simple, modern design with rich color and we were up for it. The kitchen was our biggest design opportunity. Tucked away and separated from the dining and living area this space just fulfilled the function of a kitchen. With removing some walls, relocating the laundry room and adding a hidden pantry we were able to open up the kitchen and connect it with the dining and living area. A simple one wall kitchen solution with a huge island transformed this space to the heart of this home. Now, the most stunning feature of this 15th floor condo, the sweeping views over Atlanta, can be enjoyed while cooking, entertaining and lounging in the living room.
Navy blue cabinets paired with warm wood and white accents create a dramatic backdrop for the quartzite island with waterfall details on both ends. Those finishes are repeated in the bar area, fireplace and flooring and seamlessly tie the spaces together. The choice of sleek finishes, bold color and wood accents gave the space the upscale appearance it deserved.
