Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional galley ceramic tile and brown floor utility room remodel in Milwaukee with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray walls, a concealed washer/dryer and gray countertops

This 10,970 square-foot, single-family home took the place of an obsolete structure in an established, picturesque Milwaukee suburb. The newly constructed house feels both fresh and relevant while being respectful of its surrounding traditional context. It is sited in a way that makes it feel as if it was there very early and the neighborhood developed around it. The home is clad in a custom blend of New York granite sourced from two quarries to get a unique color blend. Large, white cement board trim, standing-seam copper, large groupings of windows, and cut limestone accents are composed to create a home that feels both old and new—and as if it were plucked from a storybook. Marvin products helped tell this story with many available options and configurations that fit the design.

Photo Credit - Katrina Mojzesz topkatphoto.com Interior Design - Katja van der Loo Papyrus Home Design papyrushomedesign.com Homeowner & Design Director - Sue Walter, subeeskitchen.com

Example of a large minimalist white three-story mixed siding exterior home design in Houston with a metal roof

We were contacted by a family named Pesek who lived near Memorial Drive on the West side of Houston. They lived in a stately home built in the late 1950’s. Many years back, they had contracted a local pool company to install an old lagoon-style pool, which they had since grown tired of. When they initially called us, they wanted to know if we could build them an outdoor room at the far end of the swimming pool. We scheduled a free consultation at a time convenient to them, and we drove out to their residence to take a look at the property. After a quick survey of the back yard, rear of the home, and the swimming pool, we determined that building an outdoor room as an addition to their existing landscaping design would not bring them the results they expected. The pool was visibly dated with an early “70’s” look, which not only clashed with the late 50’s style of home architecture, but guaranteed an even greater clash with any modern-style outdoor room we constructed. Luckily for the Peseks, we offered an even better landscaping plan than the one they had hoped for. We proposed the construction of a new outdoor room and an entirely new swimming pool. Both of these new structures would be built around the classical geometry of proportional right angles. This would allow a very modern design to compliment an older home, because basic geometric patterns are universal in many architectural designs used throughout history. In this case, both the swimming pool and the outdoor rooms were designed as interrelated quadrilateral forms with proportional right angles that created the illusion of lengthened distance and a sense of Classical elegance. This proved a perfect complement to a house that had originally been built as a symbolic emblem of a simpler, more rugged and absolute era. Though reminiscent of classical design and complimentary to the conservative design of the home, the interior of the outdoor room was ultra-modern in its array of comfort and convenience. The Peseks felt this would be a great place to hold birthday parties for their child. With this new outdoor room, the Peseks could take the party outside at any time of day or night, and at any time of year. We also built the structure to be fully functional as an outdoor kitchen as well as an outdoor entertainment area. There was a smoker, a refrigerator, an ice maker, and a water heater—all intended to eliminate any need to return to the house once the party began. Seating and entertainment systems were also added to provide state of the art fun for adults and children alike. We installed a flat-screen plasma TV, and we wired it for cable. The swimming pool was built between the outdoor room and the rear entrance to the house. We got rid of the old lagoon-pool design which geometrically clashed with the right angles of the house and outdoor room. We then had a completely new pool built, in the shape of a rectangle, with a rather innovative coping design. We showcased the pool with a coping that rose perpendicular to the ground out of the stone patio surface. This reinforced our blend of contemporary look with classical right angles. We saved the client an enormous amount of money on travertine by setting the coping so that it does not overhang with the tile. Because the ground between the house and the outdoor room gradually dropped in grade, we used the natural slope of the ground to create another perpendicular right angle at the end of the pool. Here, we installed a waterfall which spilled over into a heated spa. Although the spa was fed from within itself, it was built to look as though water was coming from within the pool. The ultimate result of all of this is a new sense of visual “ebb and flow,” so to speak. When Mr. Pesek sits in his couch facing his house, the earth appears to rise up first into an illuminated pool which leads the way up the steps to his home. When he sits in his spa facing the other direction, the earth rises up like a doorway to his outdoor room, where he can comfortably relax in the water while he watches TV. For more the 20 years Exterior Worlds has specialized in servicing many of Houston's fine neighborhoods.

Master Bathroom - photo: Steve Keating
Minimalist white tile mosaic tile floor bathroom photo in Seattle

Zack Benson Photography
Transitional master gray tile and subway tile medium tone wood floor bathroom photo in San Diego with gray cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink and a hinged shower door

Inspiration for a transitional u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen remodel in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, white countertops, turquoise cabinets and window backsplash

This stunning living room was our clients new favorite part of their house. The orange accents pop when set to the various shades of gray. This room features a gray sectional couch, stacked ledger stone fireplace, floating shelving, floating cabinets with recessed lighting, mounted TV, and orange artwork to tie it all together. Warm and cozy. Time to curl up on the couch with your favorite movie and glass of wine!

Photos by Andrew Giammarco Photography.
Alcove shower - mid-sized contemporary 3/4 white tile and ceramic tile concrete floor and gray floor alcove shower idea in Seattle with shaker cabinets, white walls, a vessel sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops and dark wood cabinets

This master bath was expanded and transformed into a light, spa-like sanctuary for its owners. Vanity, mirror frame and wall cabinets: Studio Dearborn. Faucet and hardware: Waterworks. Drawer pulls: Emtek. Marble: Calcatta gold. Window shades: horizonshades.com. Photography, Adam Kane Macchia.

Elegant backyard patio photo in Boston with a fire pit and no cover

By relocating the sink and dishwasher to the island the new kitchen layout allows the owners to engage with guests seated at the island and the banquette while maintaining a view to the outdoor terrace.

Inspiration for a coastal guest light wood floor and beige floor bedroom remodel in Tampa with gray walls

Front Entry Gable on Modern Farmhouse
Example of a mid-sized country entryway design in San Francisco with a gray front door

JS Gibson
Large transitional brick floor and gray floor sunroom photo in Charleston with a standard ceiling and no fireplace

Master Bathroom with low window inside shower stall for natural light. Shower is a true-divided lite design with tempered glass for safety. Shower floor is of small carrarra marble tile. Interior by Robert Nebolon and Sarah Bertram. Robert Nebolon Architects; California Coastal design San Francisco Modern, Bay Area modern residential design architects, Sustainability and green design

Spencer Kent
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless backyard stone outdoor patio shower remodel in San Francisco with no cover

Elegant medium tone wood floor living room photo in Seattle