Work in Progress

We aren't quite sure how to best illustrate the nature of this house. So, we are in the process of developing a number of different renders with differing effects. To begin with there is the hinting at reality, but with obvious manipulations.

The next image starts with the same basic render and adds some softening in the post processing.

This final image for today is rendered with some different effects and then applies our "Archer" toon effects.

Tomorrow we will be introducing some night views.

Zane Grey's Cabin

Working with architect Gary Spragins and the Payson Historic Society we produced the construction documents for this replica of the original Zane Grey Cabin.

This is the house where many of the now famous books were written. (Rumor has it that his wife did most of the actual writing.)

The original cabin was lost during the tragic Dude Fire of 1990. The decision was made to reproduce the terrain and cabin at the new Green Valley Park on Main Street in Payson. Pouring over old photographs and stories we were able to determine a direction for the project. What you see here is the result.

http://www.paysonroundup.com/news/2015/apr/22/tour-zane-greys-cabin-museum-worth-admission/

My grandfather was a huge Zane Grey fan so it was interesting for me to delve so deeply into his history.

Beauty for all budgets

Beauty is not reserved for the wealthy!

Every home can utilize the forms, materials and details that create a pleasing living environment. This simple mountain home is rectangular in shape. We did this to save money on the overall form of the house. That savings allowed us to use higher quality materials and create some wonderful exterior spaces.

Note the use of synthetic stone one the column bases and the foundation. This gives the home a firm base and a sense of permanence in addition to the natural appearing beauty. The siding is a natural wood vertical siding stained to bring out the natural grain. The trim boards and fascia are a painted manufactured product to improve durability and save costs. However, where it matters in the porch rafters, a rough sawn natural wood product has been used.

From a design perspective the smaller budgets receive the same attention to detail that we give to the million dollar projects. We have to, the goals are the same,... to bring the clients dreams to life.

Arizona Forest Luxury Living

This is a commissioned render for Tim Thiel of http://www.fastplansaz.com/

They do truly excellent custom homes in central an northern Arizona. They're also some of the best people I've ever worked with.

Student Housing

This project was a collaboration between deSzendeffy Homes, Hinshaw Associates and ourselves. It is a multiple apartment building, student-housing project.

These units and buildings were designed with the particular needs of the students in mind, as well as maximizing energy efficiency where practical. Thanks to Gary deSzendeffy and Rex Hinshaw for their faith in our service.

Just a little,....

Cabin in the woods. Well, maybe not little. This is however a weekend retreat away from the city.

We designed this home to blend the classic Arizona Territorial feel with the rustic woodland environment. It is intended to be an elegant built environment that looks as though it has grown naturally from the landscape.

Passion

Why can't a garage be something of beauty?

 If you have spent your time and money collecting cars of beauty and value, doesn't it make sense to invest in a proper place to display them.

 Maybe its just your passion to work on old cars, or build replicas.

There is no reason why a garage has to be an afterthought to a home. It doesn't have to be a dark, messy, overflow space of the house. The garage itself can be a feature. We have the experience and talent to bring not only the beauty to your garage, but also the function. Note the cord and hose reels, the slat wall tool mounting, the diamond plate cabinets, a garage must first be useful.


Thanks to Artist-3D.com for the cars (great models available there).

...and now for something completely different

I like to encourage free expression of talent. I think that doing so allows the artist not only to expand their abilities, but I think it enhances their interest. When someone is having fun, they are truly at their best.

This image;

Comes as part of a sci-fi action adventure series of images. I for one can't wait to find out what comes next.

Classic Tastes

For some people that means a casual library setting.

Certain elements are just timeless in their appeal. A chess board adjacent to a great view, a wall of books, great art and a historic figure fit so well in this room. From the elegant lighting to the rich velvet wall coverings, the classic elegance of this room makes a powerful statement of purpose.

Commercial and Medical Project

This project is a medical office on the lower level, with a private art gallery on the upper level. The setting is in a sleepy Arizona mountain town.

Its also monsoon season in Arizona, so we thought we'd add a bit of a wet look.

Car Guy?

Why does a garage deserve any less attention than the rest of a home. For a "car guy" that functional space can be a sanctuary. The garage can become the place where we choose to spend time. We understand this. We understand the components of a well outfitted garage, the function, the flow. Even more though, we believe that a garage doesn't have to be crude or an afterthought. The garage can be, maybe should be, a featured element of a home.

We're back!!!

After a somewhat long absence filled with an interesting mix of projects, we though we would come back by showing you some of what we have been up to. This is an Arizona mountain home with a masculine flair. We used the shocking chrome accents in this render to demonstrate that rustic rooms are not limiting to ones own sense of modern style. Quite the opposite, there is a very interesting mix that takes place here.

On a side-note, 3D Studio Max has become a much more user friendly piece of software in the past couple of years. We like the direction that Autodesk has taken.

-edit; If you noticed the family pictures on the wall, yes,... we do have a sense of humor.

Digital staging, Design and Rendering

Here is a digitally staged render of a bedroom. This is a wonderful tool for assisting people in visualizing spaces. Note the level of detail, this can change. We can easily show just the unfurnished room, change the wall or ceiling color, add different furniture. We could also very easily turn this room into a den or media room or office. With 3D digital tools there are no limits, the world is what you make it. Let us show you your dreams brought to life.

Another thing that we would like to call your attention to. The bed, chair, table and dresser are stock images from an online store. We created the valances, ceiling fan and curtains because we couldn't find just the right ones for this room. We have the creative skills to give you whatever the space needs, or whatever you desire. Have a lamp you love, let us 3D model it.

Small Firm,... Big Services

I got a comment today from a prospective client, "you've boasted some pretty big services, how could you possibly do all of that?" Fair question and it leads to one of our greatest strengths,... flexibility.

We use a combination of local team building, web based collaboration and technology to increase our capabilities. We have been leading multiple projects at the same time for so long that it is second nature for us to delegate and manage, all the while monitoring for quality and schedule. We use standards and teams that we have developed over the last two decades to maintain the quality that our clients expect.

This allows us to give our clients the personal service that they deserve at the low price and quality that they expect. Your point of contact will always be Bob O'Brien, that will not change during the process, but we will use our flexibility and resources to accomplish your goals.

There is just one service that we have that we will NEVER outsource. That is any service that involves design. When it comes to the personal relationship between client and designer, there is no compromise, Bob will personally work with you until you have the design that you love. This applies to new homes, remodels, additions, staging, etc., any service that involves design.

This is how a small firm can help you with almost any project, this is the flexibility that the modern market demands.

The Territorial's courtyard, Digitally Staged. Its amazing to compare the difference that a few simple items can make in an image. What a wonderful visualization tool.

Southwestern Style, but flexible

Another image of The Territorial. This time we're showing you the courtyard looking toward the front door. Note the use of materials, this design can create a number of different appearances just by varying the exterior materials.

In this case, we have used brick on the higher parapet elements and cement board siding on the courtyard with wood trim. The idea here is to give the impression that this home has evolved as a series of additions over the years. Again, as we found at the Crooked H ranch near Wilcox, the classic Arizona ranch evolved over many generations. We wanted to capture this with our design.

The courtyard's character can be varied as well, by changing the windows to french or sliding glass doors, the court is changed from an entry feature to a part of the livable space. Just like our firm, this design incorporates flexibility. We kept this in mind and we think this means the design can be used in Minnesota, Missouri, Maine or in Arizona. The features of the home allow for minor alterations to completely alter its suitability.

Tomorrow we will show you digital staging of this courtyard.

Sneak Peak

We promised to you, and here it is. The first of our stock home designs,...The Territorial. This is truly a Southwestern home of distinction.

About two years ago we were afforded the opportunity to tour the Crooked H ranch, the oldest cattle ranch in Arizona. It was also the home of Colonel Henry Clay Hooker and the site played a role in the story of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holladay. This design is loosely based upon the authentic Southern Arizona ranch home.

This home has is a 3 or 4 bedroom house with two and a half baths, plus a great room, formal dining and a gourmet kitchen. Oh, did I forget the private courtyard space ready for your enjoyment.

Here is a sneak peek of the Great Room.

Teamwork

Even residential projects in this modern age have become complex arrangements of procedures and regulations. From real estate law to building code requirements, today, projects are complex enough that a team of people are necessary to bring a successful conclusion. We stand prepared to either bring you our team of professionals, or join your team.

There are multiple phases of a project, 1. Pre-design, 2. Design 3. Construction. We can bring you professionalism and expertise in every phase though our team building talent. This way we can help you navigate through the minefield that this process can become. We work hard to bring out the best in every team member, all the while remembering that you, the client, are the reason we are here. Customer service and bringing your dreams to life are our top priorities.

The American Dream

Occasionally we see a news story that declares the American Dream dead, a thing of the past. What a depressing idea.

Recently we met a man who has proven that notion unequivocally wrong. This man is wealthy, well, compared to most of us anyway. Through vision, dedication, talent and hard-work, this man built a number of businesses to the point where they are now generating opportunities for himself and others. His story is so inspirational to us because we can see that if we work that hard, we can also "make it." Yes, the American Dream is alive and well and surprisingly enough you can find it in the same place where it has always been,... within the spirit of the entrepreneur.

We celebrate those who put themselves on the line, and put in the long hours and hard work that it takes to build their dreams. That is what made this country great, and that is what is going to bring it back.

We look at the housing crisis as though it were a kind of reset on the economy. We learned some lessons from it, and now we're ready to move forward and partner with other leaders who see opportunity. From this point forward we can make this country greater than ever, time to roll up the sleeves and get to work.

Aim High

Whoops, that the Air Force slogan from the 80's isn't it? Shoot for the moon, nah, that's a little to lyrical. How about Dream Big then? Yes, that's it,....

Dream Big !

There will may never be another opportunity like there is today, your buying power has unprecedented leverage. The big properties have come down so much in cost that they are becoming affordable. Don't be afraid to to look for those extrodinary homes that just five years ago were well out of reach. Today, not only are they within your grasp, you'll have money left over to remodel it, and make it yours.

Move forward boldly, and Bring your Dreams to Life.