We replaced the brick with a Tuscan-colored stacked stone and added a wood mantel; the television was built-in to the stacked stone and framed out for a custom look. This created an updated design scheme for the room and a focal point. We also removed an entry wall on the east side of the home, and a wet bar near the back of the living area. This had an immediate impact on the brightness of the room and allowed for more natural light and a more open, airy feel, as well as increased square footage of the space. We followed up by updating the paint color to lighten the room, while also creating a natural flow into the remaining rooms of this first-floor, open floor plan. After removing the brick underneath the shelving units, we added a bench storage unit and closed cabinetry for storage. The back walls were finalized with a white shiplap wall treatment to brighten the space and wood shelving for accessories. On the left side of the fireplace, we added a single floating wood shelf to highlight and display the sword. The popcorn ceiling was scraped and replaced with a cleaner look, and the wood beams were stained to match the new mantle and floating shelves. The updated ceiling and beams created another dramatic focal point in the room, drawing the eye upward, and creating an open, spacious feel to the room. The room was finalized by removing the existing ceiling fan and replacing it with a rustic, two-toned, four-light chandelier in a distressed weathered oak finish on an iron metal frame. Photo Credit: Nina Leone Photography

The timber frame construction of the central mass of the house allows for an expansive open gathering space where the homeowners can entertain friends and family. The Douglas Fir timbers were surfaced and sanded to give a rough sawn appearance, and then finished with a low VOC stain. Photo Credit: Tom Crane

Out of seven children, twin daughters Bellamy and Tallulah hold their own as the only girls in the bunch. When recent renovations included installing the elevator, all rooms needed to be slightly reconfigured. "Our girls are getting older so we were happy to bring in something new and redecorate", says Cortney. Now into their teens, the girls have redone their bedroom to reflect their growing sense of style and independence. Above Tallulah's bed hangs a childhood portrait of her by Linda Mason. The upholstered bed frames are a recent purchase that add a decidedly feminine air to the space, while a brightly painted chair and striped draperies maintain a youthful punch. Even with two designer parents, the girls are free to weigh in on what goes into their room. "It is definitely a collaboration", Cortney explains. "[Our daughter] Bellamy really enjoys designing and has a natural talent for it. All of our kids bring their own artistic sense into their spaces, after all, we want their spaces to reflect them, too." Bed frames: Pondicherry Bed in Celery Jaipur, Serena and Lily Photo: Adrienne DeRosa Photography © 2014 Houzz Design: Cortney and Robert Novogratz

Designed by Katherine Dashiell of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Annapolis, MD this transitional white kitchen design features Ultracraft Cabinets in the Breckenridge door style with an Arctic White finish. Perimeter countertops are Via Lattea granite with a leathered finish. The kitchen island features a Silver Cloud granite countertop with a polished finish. The pendant light fixtures are from the Sears Inca Collection. Subway tile backsplash is done in beveled bright white. Flooring is 6x24 wood plank floor tile in the color Carbon. Photos courtesy of BTW Images LLC / www.btwimages.com.

This massive timber frame great room showcases a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace and large windows. Photo credit: James Ray Spahn
Huge mountain style open concept medium tone wood floor living room photo in Other with a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace, a media wall and white walls

White Oak © Carolina Timberworks
Mid-sized mountain style open concept and formal carpeted living room photo in Charlotte with white walls, a standard fireplace and no tv

Family Room
Living room - contemporary living room idea in DC Metro with white walls

Hugh Lofting Timber Framing (HLTF) manufactured and installed the Southern Yellow Pine glued-laminated (glulams) beams and the Douglas Fir lock deck T&G in this modern house in Centreville, MD. HLTF worked closely with Torchio Architects to develop the steel connection designs and the overall glulam strategy for the project. Photos by: Steve Buchanan Photography

Hollub Homes | Interior design by Helene Hollub | Ken Hayden Photography
Example of a trendy girl carpeted kids' room design in Miami with white walls

41 West Coastal Retreat Series reveals creative, fresh ideas, for a new look to define the casual beach lifestyle of Naples. More than a dozen custom variations and sizes are available to be built on your lot. From this spacious 3,000 square foot, 3 bedroom model, to larger 4 and 5 bedroom versions ranging from 3,500 - 10,000 square feet, including guest house options.

island counter cantilevered to form dining area. photo: scott hargis
Example of a mid-sized trendy u-shaped porcelain tile and gray floor kitchen design in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, white backsplash and an island

Clopay Coachman Collection carriage style garage door with crossbuck design blends seamlessly into this modern farmhouse exterior. It takes up a substantial amount of the exterior but windows and detailing that echoes porch railing make it look warm and welcoming. Model shown: Design 21 with REC 13 windows. Low-maintenance insulated steel door with composite overlays. Photos by Andy Frame, copyright 2018. This image is the exclusive property of Andy Frame / Andy Frame Photography and is protected under the United States and International copyright laws.

Photo by Jim Westphalen, Interiors by TruexCullins Interiors
Mountain style eat-in kitchen photo in Burlington with shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets and paneled appliances

photos by Steve Chenn
Example of a classic patio design in Houston

The expansive view of the lake can be seen from any room in the house through large picture windows. Timbers fabricated and finished with hand tools by PrecisionCraft Log & Timber Homes. Photos By: Aaron Dougherty Photography

The Mazama house is located in the Methow Valley of Washington State, a secluded mountain valley on the eastern edge of the North Cascades, about 200 miles northeast of Seattle. The house has been carefully placed in a copse of trees at the easterly end of a large meadow. Two major building volumes indicate the house organization. A grounded 2-story bedroom wing anchors a raised living pavilion that is lifted off the ground by a series of exposed steel columns. Seen from the access road, the large meadow in front of the house continues right under the main living space, making the living pavilion into a kind of bridge structure spanning over the meadow grass, with the house touching the ground lightly on six steel columns. The raised floor level provides enhanced views as well as keeping the main living level well above the 3-4 feet of winter snow accumulation that is typical for the upper Methow Valley. To further emphasize the idea of lightness, the exposed wood structure of the living pavilion roof changes pitch along its length, so the roof warps upward at each end. The interior exposed wood beams appear like an unfolding fan as the roof pitch changes. The main interior bearing columns are steel with a tapered “V”-shape, recalling the lightness of a dancer. The house reflects the continuing FINNE investigation into the idea of crafted modernism, with cast bronze inserts at the front door, variegated laser-cut steel railing panels, a curvilinear cast-glass kitchen counter, waterjet-cut aluminum light fixtures, and many custom furniture pieces. The house interior has been designed to be completely integral with the exterior. The living pavilion contains more than twelve pieces of custom furniture and lighting, creating a totality of the designed environment that recalls the idea of Gesamtkunstverk, as seen in the work of Josef Hoffman and the Viennese Secessionist movement in the early 20th century. The house has been designed from the start as a sustainable structure, with 40% higher insulation values than required by code, radiant concrete slab heating, efficient natural ventilation, large amounts of natural lighting, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and locally sourced materials. Windows have high-performance LowE insulated glazing and are equipped with concealed shades. A radiant hydronic heat system with exposed concrete floors allows lower operating temperatures and higher occupant comfort levels. The concrete slabs conserve heat and provide great warmth and comfort for the feet. Deep roof overhangs, built-in shades and high operating clerestory windows are used to reduce heat gain in summer months. During the winter, the lower sun angle is able to penetrate into living spaces and passively warm the exposed concrete floor. Low VOC paints and stains have been used throughout the house. The high level of craft evident in the house reflects another key principle of sustainable design: build it well and make it last for many years! Photo by Benjamin Benschneider

Photo Credit: Christina Wedge
Inspiration for a coastal guest medium tone wood floor bedroom remodel in Atlanta with beige walls and no fireplace

Photo by Jim Westphalen, Interiors by TruexCullins Interiors
Example of a mountain style powder room design in Burlington with a wall-mount sink

Master Bathroom with soaking tub, rain shower, custom designed arch, cabinets, crown molding, and built ins, Custom designed countertops, flooring shower tile. Built in refrigerator, coffee maker, TV, hidden appliances, mobile device station. Separate space plan for custom design and built amour and furnishings. Photo Credit: Michael Hunter