Master bathroom suite in a classic design of white inset cabinetry, tray ceiling finished with crown molding. The free standing Victoria Albert tub set on a marble stage and stunning chandelier. The flooring is marble in a herring bone pattern and walls are subway. Photos by Blackstock Photography

The 800 square-foot guest cottage is located on the footprint of a slightly smaller original cottage that was built three generations ago. With a failing structural system, the existing cottage had a very low sloping roof, did not provide for a lot of natural light and was not energy efficient. Utilizing high performing windows, doors and insulation, a total transformation of the structure occurred. A combination of clapboard and shingle siding, with standout touches of modern elegance, welcomes guests to their cozy retreat. The cottage consists of the main living area, a small galley style kitchen, master bedroom, bathroom and sleeping loft above. The loft construction was a timber frame system utilizing recycled timbers from the Balsams Resort in northern New Hampshire. The stones for the front steps and hearth of the fireplace came from the existing cottage’s granite chimney. Stylistically, the design is a mix of both a “Cottage” style of architecture with some clean and simple “Tech” style features, such as the air-craft cable and metal railing system. The color red was used as a highlight feature, accentuated on the shed dormer window exterior frames, the vintage looking range, the sliding doors and other interior elements. Photographer: John Hession

Inspiration for a rustic kitchen remodel in Burlington with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets and beige cabinets

Photo: Narayanan Narayanan, Andrew Petrich
Mid-sized trendy backyard rectangular lap pool house photo in Santa Barbara with decking

Spa like guest bath featuring walk in shower tub area, custom lighting and stone walls. Freestanding tub and floor mounted faucet by Wetstyle. Interior design provided by Michelle Rein at American Artisans.

The Tice Residences replace a run-down and aging duplex with two separate, modern, Santa Barbara homes. Although the unique creek-side site (which the client’s original home looked toward across a small ravine) proposed significant challenges, the clients were certain they wanted to live on the lush “Riviera” hillside. The challenges presented were ultimately overcome through a thorough and careful study of site conditions. With an extremely efficient use of space and strategic placement of windows and decks, privacy is maintained while affording expansive views from each home to the creek, downtown Santa Barbara and Pacific Ocean beyond. Both homes appear to have far more openness than their compact lots afford. The solution strikes a balance between enclosure and openness. Walls and landscape elements divide and protect two private domains, and are in turn, carefully penetrated to reveal views. Both homes are variations on one consistent theme: elegant composition of contemporary, “warm” materials; strong roof planes punctuated by vertical masses; and floating decks. The project forms an intimate connection with its setting by using site-excavated stone, terracing landscape planters with native plantings, and utilizing the shade provided by its ancient Riviera Oak trees. 2012 AIA Santa Barbara Chapter Merit Award Jim Bartsch Photography

Photography by Richard Mandelkorn
Elegant dark wood floor family room photo in Boston with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Photographer: Tom Crane Made of 300, 10-foot steel blades set upright 8 inches apart, the award winning Cor-Ten Cattails Sculptural fence was designed for a home in Berwyn, Pennsylvania as a yard sculpture that also keeps deer out. Made of COR-TEN, a steel alloy that eliminates the need for painting and maintains a rich, dark rust color without corroding, the fence stanchions were cut with a plasma cutter from sheets of the alloy. Each blade stands 8 feet above grade, set in concrete 3 feet below, weighs 80-90 pounds and is 5/8 inch thick. The profile of the blades is an irregular trapezoid with no horizontal connections or supports. Only the gate has two horizontal bars, and each leaf weighs 1200 pounds.

Mid-sized elegant beige three-story brick house exterior photo in Atlanta with a shingle roof

Example of a transitional formal and enclosed living room design in San Francisco with no tv

Inspiration for a contemporary open concept medium tone wood floor family room remodel in Dallas with a standard fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Clean and simple define this 1200 square foot Portage Bay floating home. After living on the water for 10 years, the owner was familiar with the area’s history and concerned with environmental issues. With that in mind, she worked with Architect Ryan Mankoski of Ninebark Studios and Dyna to create a functional dwelling that honored its surroundings. The original 19th century log float was maintained as the foundation for the new home and some of the historic logs were salvaged and custom milled to create the distinctive interior wood paneling. The atrium space celebrates light and water with open and connected kitchen, living and dining areas. The bedroom, office and bathroom have a more intimate feel, like a waterside retreat. The rooftop and water-level decks extend and maximize the main living space. The materials for the home’s exterior include a mixture of structural steel and glass, and salvaged cedar blended with Cor ten steel panels. Locally milled reclaimed untreated cedar creates an environmentally sound rain and privacy screen.

photography by Lori Hamilton
Inspiration for a contemporary marble floor and beige floor double front door remodel in Miami with a dark wood front door

An Organic Southwestern master bathroom with slate and snail shower. Architect: Urban Design Associates, Lee Hutchison Interior Designer: Bess Jones Interiors Builder: R-Net Custom Homes Photography: Dino Tonn

This once empty yard was transformed with perennial gardens, raised garden beds, a cute chicken coop, and boxwood hedge with a garden gate. The raised beds are home to strawberries, vegetables, herbs, lavender and annuals.

Interior Design by Masterpiece Design Group. Photo credit Studio KW Photography
Trendy living room photo in Orlando with gray walls, a ribbon fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Pat Sudmeier
Playroom - large traditional gender-neutral carpeted and multicolored floor playroom idea in Denver with yellow walls

Sarah Dorio
Trendy kitchen photo in Atlanta with green cabinets and shaker cabinets

This Cape Cod kitchen with wood countertops underwent an enormous transformation that added 75 square feet and relocated all three legs of the work triangle: sink, refrigerator, and range. To accommodate traffic flow through the space, the upper corner of the kitchen was made into a pantry/baking center, and the remaining space was used to create the work triangle. The look of the cabinets was kept simple, but small flourishes such as crown molding throughout the room and staggered cabinet heights add visual interest. Some of the cabinets include glass doors with grids that match the windows, helping to pull together the design as a whole. Jenerik Images Photography