This deck was designed for a really great client earlier in the year out in Georgetown. She took some pictures 6 months later so I could finally post them to the site. We had a great collaboration on the design, and the result was exactly what she was hoping for: Affordable Modern.
This deck features lots of seating along the edge, making it perfect for parties. It also has a built-in planter, with a fiberglass pan to prevent rotting. Because it is quite high off the ground, the deck is visible from the street. To provide some measure of privacy, and to slip in a design element for looks, we built a simple, horizontal-slatted privacy screen. We used a similar horizontal-slat design to create the seat backs. The seats along the edge sit on a custom welded steel support, which gives the seating extra stability and durability. It also has a neatly executed door that provides access under the deck. I was specifically asked to hide the underside of the deck, and thought these horizontally oriented boards would be a nicer alternative to lattice(yuck).
September 1st, 2010 | Tags: built-in planter, deck, horizontal slat, modern, Modern Design, steel supports | Category: General Contracting, Modern Design, Uncategorized | Leave a comment
There is a really cool flooring system, which we are installing for the first time. It consists of small pebbles mixed with a super strong epoxy and hand-troweled onto a surface. The result is a texture rich surface that is both durable and feels good underfoot. This is the first stage of a covered patio remodel that we are doing in Northwest Austin. The existing concrete slab had been scored with a design and covered in a colored coating of some kind. We considered removing the coating and trying to grind out the scored design, which did not appeal to the owners, but more stained concrete didn’t really appeal to myself or the owners. They were also concerned with their kids slipping on the concrete after exiting the pool.
This system feels a little nubbly under foot, but not jagged like some pebble systems that are embedded in the concrete. The pebbles are small and mostly rounded, so they provide some traction without hurting your feet. They interlock with each other as the gooey mixture is troweled smooth. From a distance, the floor seems more monochromatic, but as you get closer, the texture pops. The surface is made from pebbles, so it’s natural, and will last for a very long time.
The plan is to install new custom cabinets against an Ipe wood wall, with a set of island cabinets fronted by a stacked stone surface. The countertops will be either concrete or a quartz product. We’ll be finishing off the design with new lighting and fans, and a paint job. Possibly a custom door design as w
ell… Stay tuned!
September 23rd, 2009 | Tags: epoxy, Modern Design, patio, Pebble Flooring | Category: General Contracting, Green Building, Modern Design | Comments (4)
Vintage Modern has really had a productive year thus far, and I wanted to thank all of the people who have made that possible. We’ve streamlined our processes, hired and trained new agents, improved subcontractors in a number of disciplines, and had great client results. As a result, we are seeing a surge in both new real estate clients and design/remodeling clients. Thanks to all of our clients and fans who have referred us and helped spread the word about our sustainable building, modern design, and client-centric real estate services. We can’t do it without you!
We have some very cool projects coming soon, and I’ll let you know more as we flesh out the plans.
July 29th, 2009 | Tags: Business | Category: About Vintage Modern, General Contracting, Green Building, Modern Design, Real Estate | Leave a comment
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Before- front landscape
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Before pic- front deck
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Before Pic- front door
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Before Pic- Back Deck2
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Before Pic- Back Deck
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before pic- back patio
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before- side path
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before- rock wall
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During- Back landscape
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During-Front deck
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During- front door
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After- Front landscape
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After- front deck
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After- front deck and door
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After- Custom Door
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After- Back Deck
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After- Firepit
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After- Shoji Shadows
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After- Shoji Panels Open
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After- side path
In Phase 2, we are replacing the water damaged front and back decks with new ones, regrading the landscape and putting down the crushed limestone path and patio, removing the overgrowth of weeds and shrubs, installing sprinklers, digging a firepit, and putting in a new front door. Although we have a final couple of tasks left, like staining the decks and painting the beam on the back deck red as an accent, we are mostly done with this phase. Later in the year, we will be doing another planting, including several trees, more bamboo, and filling in some more plants in spots. One of my favorite features on this house is the shoji screen on the back deck that creates nice shadow play from the foliage behind it, which also has rotating panels that allow for airflow when needed. We are also installing retractable mosquito netting, so that this private back deck can serve as a place for the client to enjoy a nice book without being eaten alive by the mosquitos.
July 4th, 2009 | Tags: crushed limestone, custom door, deck, firepit, Japanese, landscape, modern | Category: General Contracting, Modern Design | Leave a comment
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Before- Front View
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Before- ugly siding falling off
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Before-Back of house
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During- replacing some of the original siding underneath
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During- Testing paint colors
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After- More Contrast and Natural Textures
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After- Tying the elements together
This Northwest Hills home has some great architectural elements, but they were covered in vinyl siding. It also sits on a beautiful hillside lot, but the landscape had been overrun by an invasive plant species, which although commonly used in landscaping, tends to spread everywhere. Phase 1 of this project involved removal of the old siding, repair of the original underlying cedar siding, the addition of a cedar soffit, and a new paint job. Here are some before and after pics. Phase 2 will involve a new landscape design, demolition of the rotten front and back decks, removal of all plants not complimentary to the design, a new sprinkler system, new low-maintenance native plants, and two brand new decks in the front and back. My design objectives were to increase the value of the home by elevating its street appeal, provide an outdoor sanctuary for a single mom that didn’t require a lot of maintenance, and to accent the home’s modern qualities, and update the look with modern elements to give it a much more stylish feel.
May 31st, 2009 | Tags: cedar, deck, design, landscape, modern, paint, siding, soffit | Category: General Contracting, Modern Design | Leave a comment
Here is another example of fencing that is suitable to a modern home. This one features hand picked cedar boards, laid horizontally. The gate is made from the same cedar boards mounted to a welded steel frame. We spaced the fence every 6 feet for additional rigidity and staggered 12 foot boards across them to create a nice effect. The owner came up with a way to artfully transition to the chain link portion of the fence, which will be removed in phase 2 at a later time. This project exemplified not only our ability to build a custom product, but to add our own creativity and expertise to make the design even better.
May 28th, 2009 | Tags: fence, horizontal slat, modern | Category: General Contracting, Modern Design | Leave a comment
Here is a picture of the finished landscape! Check back a few posts and you will see how it compares to my original design.
April 23rd, 2009 | Tags: concrete, landscape, Modern Design, pebbles, xeriscape | Category: General Contracting, Green Building, Modern Design, Uncategorized | Leave a comment
These are some really inspired staircase design ideas. I’m filing some of these away in my brain for later use…
http://www.toxel.com/inspiration/2008/11/22/unusual-and-creative-staircase-designs/
April 23rd, 2009 | Tags: modern, staircase | Category: Modern Design | Comments (2)
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After pouring the concrete drain and covering with metal grate
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The drain looks a 100 times better now
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End of Drain embedded in Curb
This suburban house had a significant drainage issue because the back patio of the house was sloped toward the home’s foundation. There was a section of mud separating the patio from the house, which was conveniently about the right size for a concrete drain that would be sturdy enough to hold the large amount of water that can pool there (as much as 2 inches over the whole patio during heavy rains). Most concrete drains look pretty industrial, so we decided to design one that added style to the house while retaining function.
We dug out the dirt, poured the concrete drain, then used a metal grate over the concrete to block larger debris from clogging the drain. We recessed the grate below the patio level so that we had plenty of room to cover the metal grate with decorative river rock. The concrete portion of the drain then feeds into a buried PVC pipe that resides below grade and takes the water out to the curb. The end of the pipe is set into the curb, so you don’t even notice it.
February 19th, 2009 | Tags: drain, Modern Design, river rock | Category: General Contracting, Modern Design | Comments (1)
