Architect: Carol Sundstrom, AIA Contractor: Adams Residential Contracting Photography: © Dale Lang, 2010
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless gender-neutral light wood floor reach-in closet remodel in Seattle with recessed-panel cabinets and white cabinets

Traditional kitchen with painted white cabinets, a large kitchen island with room for 3 barstools, built in bench for the breakfast nook and desk with cork bulletin board.

We loved staging this room. We expected a white room, but when we walked in, we saw this accent wall color. By adding black and white wall art pieces, we managed to pull it off. These are real MCM furniture pieces and they fit into this new remodel beautifully.

This shade arbor, located in The Woodlands, TX north of Houston, spans the entire length of the back yard. It combines a number of elements with custom structures that were constructed to emulate specific aspects of a Zen garden. The homeowner wanted a low-maintenance garden whose beauty could withstand the tough seasonal weather that strikes the area at various times of the year. He also desired a mood-altering aesthetic that would relax the senses and calm the mind. Most importantly, he wanted this meditative environment completely shielded from the outside world so he could find serenity in total privacy. The most unique design element in this entire project is the roof of the shade arbor itself. It features a “negative space” leaf pattern that was designed in a software suite and cut out of the metal with a water jet cutter. Each form in the pattern is loosely suggestive of either a leaf, or a cluster of leaves. These small, negative spaces cut from the metal are the source of the structure’ powerful visual and emotional impact. During the day, sunlight shines down and highlights columns, furniture, plantings, and gravel with a blend of dappling and shade that make you feel like you are sitting under the branches of a tree. At night, the effects are even more brilliant. Skillfully concealed lights mounted on the trusses reflect off the steel in places, while in other places they penetrate the negative spaces, cascading brilliant patterns of ambient light down on vegetation, hardscape, and water alike. The shade arbor shelters two gravel patios that are almost identical in space. The patio closest to the living room features a mini outdoor dining room, replete with tables and chairs. The patio is ornamented with a blend of ornamental grass, a small human figurine sculpture, and mid-level impact ground cover. Gravel was chosen as the preferred hardscape material because of its Zen-like connotations. It is also remarkably soft to walk on, helping to set the mood for a relaxed afternoon in the dappled shade of gently filtered sunlight. The second patio, spaced 15 feet away from the first, resides adjacent to the home at the opposite end of the shade arbor. Like its twin, it is also ornamented with ground cover borders, ornamental grasses, and a large urn identical to the first. Seating here is even more private and contemplative. Instead of a table and chairs, there is a large decorative concrete bench cut in the shape of a giant four-leaf clover. Spanning the distance between these two patios, a bluestone walkway connects the two spaces. Along the way, its borders are punctuated in places by low-level ornamental grasses, a large flowering bush, another sculpture in the form of human faces, and foxtail ferns that spring up from a spread of river rock that punctuates the ends of the walkway. The meditative quality of the shade arbor is reinforced by two special features. The first of these is a disappearing fountain that flows from the top of a large vertical stone embedded like a monolith in the other edges of the river rock. The drains and pumps to this fountain are carefully concealed underneath the covering of smooth stones, and the sound of the water is only barely perceptible, as if it is trying to force you to let go of your thoughts to hear it. A large piece of core-10 steel, which is deliberately intended to rust quickly, rises up like an arced wall from behind the fountain stone. The dark color of the metal helps the casual viewer catch just a glimpse of light reflecting off the slow trickle of water that runs down the side of the stone into the river rock bed. To complete the quiet moment that the shade arbor is intended to invoke, a thick wall of cypress trees rises up on all sides of the yard, completely shutting out the disturbances of the world with a comforting wall of living greenery that comforts the thoughts and emotions.

Easton, Maryland Traditional Kitchen Design by #JenniferGilmer with a lake view http://gilmerkitchens.com/ Photography by Bob Narod

Mid-sized transitional white tile and porcelain tile travertine floor and beige floor alcove shower photo in Other with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, a drop-in sink, solid surface countertops and a hinged shower door

Richard Mandelkorn A newly connected hallway leading to the master suite had the added benefit of a new laundry closet squeezed in; the original home had a cramped closet in the kitchen downstairs. The space was made efficient with a countertop for folding, a hanging drying rack and cabinet for storage. All is concealed by a traditional barn door, and lit by a new expansive window opposite.

This is an example of a traditional backyard brick landscaping in Atlanta.

Glass Enclosed Conservatory
Sunroom - large modern gray floor sunroom idea in Minneapolis with a glass ceiling

This whole house renovation done by Harry Braswell Inc. used Virginia Kitchen's design services (Erin Hoopes) and materials for the bathrooms, laundry and kitchens. The custom millwork was done to replicate the look of the cabinetry in the open concept family room. This completely custom renovation was eco-friend and is obtaining leed certification. Photo's courtesy Greg Hadley Construction: Harry Braswell Inc. Kitchen Design: Erin Hoopes under Virginia Kitchens

Cool white kitchen, with a stunning statuary white marble island. Photography by Danny . House design by Charles Isreal.
Eat-in kitchen - traditional eat-in kitchen idea in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, marble countertops and gray countertops

kazart photography
Example of a transitional medium tone wood floor living room library design in New York with blue walls and no tv

Example of a trendy carpeted living room design in Omaha with a ribbon fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and beige walls

VISION AND NEEDS: Our client came to us with a vision for their family dream house that offered adequate space and a lot of character. They were drawn to the traditional form and contemporary feel of a Modern Farmhouse. MCHUGH SOLUTION: In showing multiple options at the schematic stage, the client approved a traditional L shaped porch with simple barn-like columns. The entry foyer is simple in it's two-story volume and it's mono-chromatic (white & black) finishes. The living space which includes a kitchen & dining area - is an open floor plan, allowing natural light to fill the space.VISION AND NEEDS: Our client came to us with a vision for their family dream house that offered adequate space and a lot of character. They were drawn to the traditional form and contemporary feel of a Modern Farmhouse. MCHUGH SOLUTION: In showing multiple options at the schematic stage, the client approved a traditional L shaped porch with simple barn-like columns. The entry foyer is simple in it's two-story volume and it's mono-chromatic (white & black) finishes. The living space which includes a kitchen & dining area - is an open floor plan, allowing natural light to fill the space.

Inspiration for a transitional dark wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Minneapolis with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Example of a country laundry room design in Other

Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in Cincinnati

The laundry area features a fun ceramic tile design with open shelving and storage above the machine space.
Small farmhouse l-shaped slate floor and gray floor dedicated laundry room photo in Denver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite countertops, black backsplash, cement tile backsplash, gray walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops

Cabinet paint color - Gray Huskie by Benjamin Moore Floors - French Oak from California Classics, Mediterranean Collection Pendants - Circa Lighting Suspended Shelves - Brandino www.brandinobrass.com