Example of a mid-sized trendy loft-style dark wood floor, brown floor and coffered ceiling family room design in Chicago with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Expanding the small victorian rooms into a large open Great Room transformed the compartmentalized house into to open family living. The renovation opened the roof to generate volume withini each space. Photographer: David O. Marlow

Relatives spending the weekend? Daughter moving back in? Could you use a spare bedroom for surprise visitors? Here’s an idea that can accommodate that occasional guest while maintaining your distance: Add a studio apartment above your garage. Studio apartments are often called mother-in-law apartments, perhaps because they add a degree of privacy. They have their own kitchen, living room and bath. Often they feature a Murphy bed. With appliances designed for micro homes becoming more popular it’s easier than ever to plan for and build a studio apartment. Rick Jacobson began this project with a large garage, capable of parking a truck and SUV, and storing everything from bikes to snowthrowers. Then he added a 500+ square foot apartment above the garage. Guests are welcome to the apartment with a private entrance inside a fence. Once inside, the apartment’s open design floods it with daylight from two large skylights and energy-efficient Marvin double hung windows. A gas fireplace below a 42-inch HD TV creates a great entertainment center. It’s all framed with rough-cut black granite, giving the whole apartment a distinctive look. Notice the ¾ inch thick tongue in grove solid oak flooring – the perfect accent to the grey and white interior design. The kitchen features a gas range with outdoor-vented hood, and a space-saving refrigerator and freezer. The custom kitchen backsplash was built using 3 X 10 inch gray subway glass tile. Black granite countertops can be found in the kitchen and bath, and both featuring under mounted sinks. The full ¾ bath features a glass-enclosed walk-in shower with 4 x 12 inch ceramic subway tiles arranged in a vertical pattern for a unique look. 6 x 24 inch gray porcelain floor tiles were used in the bath. A full-sized murphy bed folds out of the wall cabinet, offering a great view of the fireplace and HD TV. On either side of the bed, 3 built-in closets and 2 cabinets provide ample storage space. And a coffee table easily converts to a laptop computer workspace for traveling professionals or FaceBook check-ins. The result: An addition that has already proved to be a worthy investment, with the ability to host family and friends while appreciating the property’s value.

An expansive family duplex on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, expertly curated with an artist's eye, creating a luxurious, warm and harmonious, gallery-like environment. Entering the double-height living room, the crystal, and hand-blown glass chandelier takes center stage. A traditional design with a contemporary edge, it features whimsical animals that playfully reveal themselves and can be more closely observed from the second-floor mezzanine. A distinctive, hand-made, artisan interior, filled with custom architectural appointments; each feature crafted to reflect the individual personalities of the family. Joe Ginsberg's vision was developed to provide a unique level of execution while synchronizing the needs and goals of the client.

Situated on the north shore of Birch Point this high-performance beach home enjoys a view across Boundary Bay to White Rock, BC and the BC Coastal Range beyond. Designed for indoor, outdoor living the many decks, patios, porches, outdoor fireplace, and firepit welcome friends and family to gather outside regardless of the weather. From a high-performance perspective this home was built to and certified by the Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Home program and the EnergyStar program. In fact, an independent testing/rating agency was able to show that the home will only use 53% of the energy of a typical new home, all while being more comfortable and healthier. As with all high-performance homes we find a sweet spot that returns an excellent, comfortable, healthy home to the owners, while also producing a building that minimizes its environmental footprint. Design by JWR Design Photography by Radley Muller Photography Interior Design by Markie Nelson Interior Design

Photographer: Jim Westphalen, Westphalen Photography Interior Designer: Cecilia Redmond, Redmond Interior Design
Living room - large traditional formal and loft-style medium tone wood floor living room idea in Burlington with green walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Installation progress of wall unit.
Family room - large transitional loft-style vinyl floor and gray floor family room idea in Orlando with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace and a media wall

Welcome to The Farmhouse Living room ! Here is the list of all the custom Designed by Dawn D Totty Features- ALL Custom- Wood Flooring, Steel Staircase, two redesigned & reupholstered vintage black & white recliners, flamingo velvet sofa, dining room table, cocktail table, wall mirror & commissioned abstract painting. P.S. The star of the show is The Farmhouse Cat, BooBoo Kitty!

John Buchan Homes
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional loft-style dark wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Seattle with a stone fireplace, white walls, a standard fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Living room featuring modern steel and wood fireplace wall with upper-level loft and horizontal round bar railings. Floating Stairs and Railings by Keuka Studios www.Keuka-Studios.com

Living room - small southwestern loft-style medium tone wood floor living room idea in Los Angeles with white walls, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace

Justin Krug Photography
Living room - huge contemporary loft-style light wood floor living room idea in Portland with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

This 3200 square foot home features a maintenance free exterior of LP Smartside, corrugated aluminum roofing, and native prairie landscaping. The design of the structure is intended to mimic the architectural lines of classic farm buildings. The outdoor living areas are as important to this home as the interior spaces; covered and exposed porches, field stone patios and an enclosed screen porch all offer expansive views of the surrounding meadow and tree line. The home’s interior combines rustic timbers and soaring spaces which would have traditionally been reserved for the barn and outbuildings, with classic finishes customarily found in the family homestead. Walls of windows and cathedral ceilings invite the outdoors in. Locally sourced reclaimed posts and beams, wide plank white oak flooring and a Door County fieldstone fireplace juxtapose with classic white cabinetry and millwork, tongue and groove wainscoting and a color palate of softened paint hues, tiles and fabrics to create a completely unique Door County homestead. Mitch Wise Design, Inc. Richard Steinberger Photography

Designer: Dawn Adamec | Photographer: Sarah Utech
Inspiration for a large coastal loft-style and formal light wood floor and beige floor living room remodel in Milwaukee with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace and no tv

Nestled in the former antiques & design district, this loft unites a charismatic history with lively modern vibes. If these walls could talk. We gave this industrial time capsule an urban facelift by enhancing the 19-century architecture with a mix of metals, textures and sleek surfaces to appeal to a sassy & youthful lifestyle. Transcending time and place, we designed this loft to be clearly confident, uniquely refined while maintaining its authentic bones.

Photographer: Peter Kubilus
Example of a farmhouse loft-style dark wood floor family room design in New York with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a tv stand

Living room - eclectic loft-style living room idea in Chicago with white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Vance Fox
Living room - mid-sized industrial loft-style medium tone wood floor living room idea in Sacramento with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Example of a trendy formal and loft-style living room design in New York with gray walls and a standard fireplace