Originally constructed in 1784 and expanded in 1829, the brick-ended clapboard structure with twin Georgian entry porches follows a one bay deep linear plan typical of Tidewater homes.

Along with complete renovation and restoration of the original house, the scope of work included removal of recent out-of-character additions and construction of additional living space capturing the view of nearby Hungar’s Creek.

To accomplish this, the twin porches from the drive side of the house were replicated on the waterfront side and a new kitchen with breakfast bay was connected to the existing structure by a one-story hyphen.

Additional work included the restoration of all outbuildings, construction of a new garage and the restoration of all driveways, walkways and gardens.

Marvin products used in the project included Ultimate Double Hung Windows, French Casement Windows, Ultimate Casement Windows, Stationary Windows and Transom Windows.

To see more winners and learn more about the Architect’s Challenge, please visit Marvin.

myMarvin Architect’s Challenge: Historic Plantation Restoration is a post from: MLuxe - Distinctive Home Style

Images courtesy of Design Milk

Tiny houses: River Side House in Japan is a post from: MLuxe - Distinctive Home Style

Basically, you have a flexible material on hinges that can be changed about to suit your needs. Design Milk very aptly compares it to a transformer. Maybe you only need a home office some of the time. Or maybe what you need is a sunroom. No problem! M-House by Michael Jantzen delivers.

What do you think of this adaptable house?

Image courtesy of Design Milk.

M-House by Michael Jantzen: A house that transforms is a post from: MLuxe - Distinctive Home Style

It’s the classic pull-out-a-book-and-a-secret-room-is-revealed move!

This Arizona home has a secret room hidden by a staircase. To move the staircase, the homeowners use a remote control to lift it.

To get to this child’s secret room through a crawlspace hidden by a dresser, one of the clock’s hands is turned to 12:00.

Images courtesy of MSN Real Estate

There’s a room there?! Hidden rooms add a cool factor is a post from: MLuxe - Distinctive Home Style

The “man cave” has become the commonly accepted term for a living space reserved for all things masculine. There’s no fighting it — boys love their toys. But a man cave can be about more than massive high-definition televisions, plush leather furniture and pool tables.

Check out this wooden crate inspired staircase from Funky Junk Interiors. It features several classic logos painted on and made to look distressed, blending the world of antiques with the old body shop vibe. The staircase provides an excellent transition to a man cave tucked away in the basement (as they so often are).

This design doesn’t require hunting down actual vintage stamped crates and signboards. Rather, one can use stencils and latex paint, then finish with a stain and varnish to give the logos some character.  Even better, a design like this looks even more authentic after some general wear.

[Images courtesy of Funky Junk Interiors]

Wooden crate staircase an ideal entrance to your man cave is a post from: MLuxe - Distinctive Home Style

Taking a closer look at the dedication given to each and every Marvin window, we’ve created the video series: Inside every Marvin window.

This is the third of four videos: Inside every Marvin window: Architectural support

Meet Dan Rood, III. He manages the architectural department at Marvin Windows and Doors, a team of 17 experts. Each of the experts ensures that the Marvin Windows and Doors’ catalog is just the starting point for the window or door each homeowner wants. From a custom design to a unique size, the team provides support throughout the entire window and door-making process to ensure that each product is “Built around you®.”

Inside Every Marvin Window: Architectural Support is a post from: MLuxe - Distinctive Home Style

We might all not want to live in a closet (although some do), but living in a small space can be rewarding. More applicable to a general audience, though, are these tips from MSN Real Estate on how to live with less clutter and maximize your useful space. Check out the article to read more!

• Edit: Yes, you have to pare down ruthlessly. There’s no room for clutter in a tiny space. On the bright side, this is a golden opportunity to decide what things you really need.
• Divide: You can still have different rooms in a small space; it will just take some ingenuity. Bookcases, screens and curtains will become your new best friends.
• Get out:  Sometimes you just need to escape. MSN Real Estate suggests an outdoor space like a patio or balcony, but there’s a whole world out there. Think of some fun places in your neighborhood like a coffee shop, park or library to be your “extended living room.”

What’s the smallest place you’ve ever lived in? Did you like it? What are your tips?

Image courtesy of nicolas.boullosa on Flickr

Small enough to be a broom closet — literally is a post from: MLuxe - Distinctive Home Style

Ever wonder where old shipping containers go to die? Thanks to some creative ingenuity, Container City in London is making them into beautiful live-work spaces for artists. They even managed to use 80 percent recycled materials to build these apartments.

Philadelphia’s Packard Motor Car Building once manufactured cars in a slightly unusual way: instead of going through a large horizontal plant, they went from floor to floor in a space saving and beautiful building. It’s a gorgeous condo conversion, and the interior is beautiful with those large windows.

You don’t have to get arrested to live at The Police Building in New York…you’ll just need a couple million to move into this Beaux Arts beauty.

Who would have thought a water tower could be so lovely and livable? The Watertower of Living’s (Soest, Netherlands) circular beauty makes for interestingly curved rooms.

Images courtesy of MSN Real Estate

Unusual homes: Cool conversions is a post from: MLuxe - Distinctive Home Style

In the original New York Times article, the Dumpster pool was part of a secret “urban country club” in Brooklyn. An unused city space was suddenly outfitted with a pool, lined and filtered.

And now via Curbly, the Dumpster-as-pool trend is coming to the forefront again during these dog days of summer. Unlike last year’s hipster installation, these Dumpster pools have the backing of the establishment — Mayor Michael Bloomberg to be exact. They’ll be open on Park Ave. on the first three Saturdays of August, so if you live in New York, be sure to check them out.

What do you think? Is this an ingenious use of a necessary but maligned object? A perfect way to squeeze a pool into a tiny yard? Or does this idea of swimming in a Dumpster pool seem just a little bit gross?

Image courtesy of WBUR on Flickr

Dumpster Diving is a post from: MLuxe - Distinctive Home Style

Whether you’re looking for a bit of that modern style or just some more usable space, this ideabook from Houzz.com, also written by Serra, might be helpful. It will give you some ideas about incorporating an effective and useful islands or workstations into your kitchen, whatever your style or functional need.

If an ultra-modern kitchen isn’t your style and you’re not looking to take the big step of working an island into your kitchen, maybe these simpler kitchen remodeling ideas will give you something to work with. Relatively minor remodeling tasks like updating your lighting or refinishing your cabinetry will go a long way toward making you happier with the room in which you likely spend a good amount of your home time.

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Built Around You: Kitchen makeover inspiration is a post from: MLuxe - Distinctive Home Style