Our Projects
"Each project is approached as a unique problem, with a unique set of circumstances and
requirements. I pride myself on listening to the needs and wishes of my clients, providing guidance and advice as needed, and creating aesthetic and functional solutions throughout all phases of design and implementation."
- Phil Manoukian
Grand Entrance in Windsor
What do you do when you have a beautiful home with an underwhelming entrance that leads to a very poor sense of arrival? This was the crux of my dilemma with this beautiful existing Windsor residence.
A large drive and asphalt apron, (think fire truck turnaround), brought guests in off the street, and had them parking immediately in front of the entry for the home. At the front door, there was a smallish space, (<100 square feet), at the top of a steep set of narrow stairs. What once was dedicated to vehicles has been reclaimed as a classic Georgian Garden.
By pulling parking away from the front door, I was able to expand the front porch from tight and utilitarian to spacious and gracious (from <100 square feet to (+/-) 600 square feet). To add to this, the 6 steep stairs were widened to 8’, split into 2 groups, with added lighting and custom steel rails. The entire entry approach is a series of beautiful, custom elements, specifically designed, in the classic style, for this owner.
Stone bollards with drilled lights, steel gates and stone column supports, custom cherubim fountain, (with remote pump/no motor noise), wide steps with integral lights, custom handrail, leading through a beautiful garden, and finally landing on the front ‘exterior foyer’, has transformed a space for fire trucks into something Adam and Eve would feel at home in.
An added benefit is that, for such a beautiful home, this new front porch is the best location for lounging in the shade on a warm summer day. Not only is the outdoor landscape stunning, but it's also comfortable and inviting.
Grand Entrance Windsor
What do you do when you have a beautiful home, with a very poor sense of arrival? This was the crux of my dilemma this existing Windsor residence.
A large drive and asphalt apron (think fire-truck turnaround) brought guests in off the street and had them park immediately in front of the home's entry. At the front door, there was a smallish space, (<100 square feet), at the top of a steep set of narrow stairs. What once was dedicated to vehicles has been reclaimed into a classic Georgian Garden.
By pulling parking away from the front door, I was able to expand the front porch from tight and utilitarian to spacious and gracious (from <100 square feet to (+/-) 600 square feet). To add to this, the six steep stairs were widened to 8’, split into two groups, with added lighting and custom steel rails. The entire entry approach is a series of beautiful, custom elements, specifically designed, in the classic style, for this owner.
Stone bollards with drilled lights, steel gates and stone column supports, custom cherubim fountain, (with remote pump/no motor noise), wide steps with integral lights, custom handrail, leading through a beautiful garden, and finally landing on the front ‘exterior foyer’, has transformed a space for fire trucks into something Adam and Eve would feel at home in.
An added benefit is that, for such a beautiful home, this new front porch is the best location for lounging in the shade on a warm summer day. Not only is the outdoor landscape stunning, but it's also comfortable and inviting.
