The planning phase of this modern retreat was an intense collaboration that took place over the course of more than two years. While the initial design concept exceeded the clients' expectations, it also exceeded their budget beyond the point of comfort. The next several months were spent modifying the design, in attempts to lower the budget. Ultimately, the decision was made that they would hold off on the project until they could budget for the original design, rather than compromising the vision. About a year later, we repeated that same process, which resulted in the same outcome. After another year-long hiatus, we met once again. We revisited design thoughts, each of us bringing to the table new ideas and options. Each thought simply solidified the fact that the initial vision was absolutely what we all wanted to see come to fruition, and the decision was finally made to move forward. The main challenge of the site was elevation. The Southeast corner of the lot stands 5'6" above the threshold of the rear door, while the Northeast corner dropped a full 2' below the threshold of the door. The backyard was also long and narrow, sloping side-to-side and toward the house. The key to the design concept was to deftly place the project into the slope and utilize the elevation changes, without allowing them to dominate the yard, or overwhelm the senses. The unseen challenge on this project came in the form of hitting every underground issue possible. We had to relocate the sewer main, the gas line, and the electrical service; and since rock was sitting about 6" below the surface, all of these had to be chiseled through many feet of dense rock, adding to our projected timeline and budget. As you enter the space, your first stop is an outdoor living area. Smooth finished concrete, colored to match the 'Leuder' limestone coping, has a subtle saw-cut pattern aligned with the edges of the recessed fire pit. In small spaces, it is important to consider a multi-purpose approach. So, the recessed fire pit has been fitted with an aluminum cover that allows our client to set up tables and chairs for entertaining, right over the top of the fire pit. From here, it;s two steps up to the pool elevation, and the floating 'Leuder' limestone stepper pads that lead across the pool and hide the dam wall of the flush spa. The main retaining wall to the Southeast is a poured concrete wall with an integrated sheer descent waterfall into the spa. To bring in some depth and texture, a 'Brownstone' ledgestone was used to face both the dropped beam on the pool, and the raised beam of the water feature wall. The main water feature is comprised of five custom made stainless steel scuppers, supplied by a dedicated booster pump. Colored concrete stepper pads lead to the 'Ipe' wood deck at the far end of the pool. The placement of this wood deck allowed us to minimize our use of retaining walls on the Northeast end of the yard, since it drops off over three feet below the elevation of the pool beam. One of the most unique features on this project has to be the structure over the dining area. With a unique combination of steel and wood, the clean modern aesthetic of this structure creates a visual stamp in the space that standard structure could not accomplish. 4" steel posts, painted charcoal grey, are set on an angle, 4' into the bedrock, to anchor the structure. Steel I-beams painted in green-yellow color--aptly called "frolic"--act as the base to the hefty cedar rafters of the roof structure, which has a slight pitch toward the rear. A hidden gutter on the back of the roof sends water down a copper rain chain, and into the drainage system. The backdrop for both this dining area , as well as the living area, is the horizontal screen panel, created with alternating sizes of cedar planks, stained to a calm hue of dove grey.

Photo: Dave Lauridsen
Example of a trendy dark wood floor bedroom design in Los Angeles with black walls

Angle Eye Photography
Entryway - large traditional black floor entryway idea in Philadelphia with a blue front door

This 4,500 sq ft basement in Long Island is high on luxe, style, and fun. It has a full gym, golf simulator, arcade room, home theater, bar, full bath, storage, and an entry mud area. The palette is tight with a wood tile pattern to define areas and keep the space integrated. We used an open floor plan but still kept each space defined. The golf simulator ceiling is deep blue to simulate the night sky. It works with the room/doors that are integrated into the paneling — on shiplap and blue. We also added lights on the shuffleboard and integrated inset gym mirrors into the shiplap. We integrated ductwork and HVAC into the columns and ceiling, a brass foot rail at the bar, and pop-up chargers and a USB in the theater and the bar. The center arm of the theater seats can be raised for cuddling. LED lights have been added to the stone at the threshold of the arcade, and the games in the arcade are turned on with a light switch. --- Project designed by Long Island interior design studio Annette Jaffe Interiors. They serve Long Island including the Hamptons, as well as NYC, the tri-state area, and Boca Raton, FL. For more about Annette Jaffe Interiors, click here: https://annettejaffeinteriors.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://annettejaffeinteriors.com/basement-entertainment-renovation-long-island/

Small elegant blue two-story gable roof photo in Houston

large bathroom mirrors, dark vanity, granite, Grohe, Kohler sink, marble floor, master bathroom, Porcelanosa tiles, triple vanity light, wall hung vanity

Lafayette Square is a historic district in the City of Saint Louis. The home was built before the turn of the last century. The kitchen had been remodeled several times since the 1880s. The homeowners wanted to renovate and update the kitchen to reflect current lifestyles while respecting the integrity of the home.Alise O'Brien Photography

Landmark Photography
Beach style single-wall gray floor and concrete floor wet bar photo in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white backsplash, wood backsplash and white countertops

A master bathroom is often a place of peace and solitude, made even richer with luxurious accents. This homeowner was hoping for a serene, spa like atmosphere with modern amenities. Dipped in gold, this bathroom embodies the definition of luxury. From the oversized shower enclosure, to the oval freestanding soaking tub and private restroom facility, this bathroom incorporates it all. The floor to ceiling white marble tile with gold veins is paired perfectly with a bronze mosaic feature wall behind the his and her vanity areas. The custom free-floating cabinetry continues from the vanities to a large make-up area featuring the same white marble countertops throughout. A touch of gold is seamlessly tied into the design to create sophisticated accents throughout the space. From the gold crystal chandelier, vibrant gold fixtures and cabinet hardware, and the simple gold mirrors, the accents help bring the vision to life and tie in the esthetics of the concept. This stunning white bathroom boasts of luxury and exceeded the homeowner’s expectations. It even included an automatic motorized drop-down television located in the ceiling, allowing the homeowner to relax and unwind after a long day, catching their favorite program.

The simple use of black and white…classic, timeless, elegant. No better words could describe the renovation of this kitchen, dining room and seating area. First, an amazing wall of custom cabinets was installed. The home’s 10’ ceilings provided a nice opportunity to stack up decorative glass cabinetry and highly crafted crown moldings on top, while maintaining a considerable amount of cabinetry just below it. The custom-made brush stroke finished cabinetry is highlighted by a chimney-style wood hood surround with leaded glass cabinets. Custom display cabinets with leaded glass also separate the kitchen from the dining room. Next, the homeowner installed a 5’ x 14’ island finished in black. It houses the main sink with a pedal style control disposal, dishwasher, microwave, second bar sink, beverage center refrigerator and still has room to sit five to six people. The hardwood floor in the kitchen and family room matches the rest of the house. The homeowner wanted to use a very selective white quartzite stone for counters and backsplash to add to the brightness of their kitchen. Contemporary chandeliers over the island are timeless and elegant. High end appliances covered by custom panels are part of this featured project, both to satisfy the owner’s needs and to implement the classic look desired for this kitchen. Beautiful dining and living areas surround this kitchen. All done in a contemporary style to create a seamless design and feel the owner had in mind.

Photography by Dennis Mayer 3-D Construction / Design & Construction 829 Seminole Way Redwood City, CA 94062 Phone number (650) 367-9765
Kitchen - large country medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen idea in San Francisco with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and recessed-panel cabinets

Example of a farmhouse open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room design in Salt Lake City with white walls and a standard fireplace

Kimberly K. Alvarez
Small arts and crafts detached garage photo in New York

The owners of this property had been away from the Bay Area for many years, and looked forward to returning to an elegant mid-century modern house. The one they bought was anything but that. Faced with a “remuddled” kitchen from one decade, a haphazard bedroom / family room addition from another, and an otherwise disjointed and generally run-down mid-century modern house, the owners asked Klopf Architecture and Envision Landscape Studio to re-imagine this house and property as a unified, flowing, sophisticated, warm, modern indoor / outdoor living space for a family of five. Opening up the spaces internally and from inside to out was the first order of business. The formerly disjointed eat-in kitchen with 7 foot high ceilings were opened up to the living room, re-oriented, and replaced with a spacious cook's kitchen complete with a row of skylights bringing light into the space. Adjacent the living room wall was completely opened up with La Cantina folding door system, connecting the interior living space to a new wood deck that acts as a continuation of the wood floor. People can flow from kitchen to the living / dining room and the deck seamlessly, making the main entertainment space feel at once unified and complete, and at the same time open and limitless. Klopf opened up the bedroom with a large sliding panel, and turned what was once a large walk-in closet into an office area, again with a large sliding panel. The master bathroom has high windows all along one wall to bring in light, and a large wet room area for the shower and tub. The dark, solid roof structure over the patio was replaced with an open trellis that allows plenty of light, brightening the new deck area as well as the interior of the house. All the materials of the house were replaced, apart from the framing and the ceiling boards. This allowed Klopf to unify the materials from space to space, running the same wood flooring throughout, using the same paint colors, and generally creating a consistent look from room to room. Located in Lafayette, CA this remodeled single-family house is 3,363 square foot, 4 bedroom, and 3.5 bathroom. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, Jackie Detamore, and Jeffrey Prose Landscape Design: Envision Landscape Studio Structural Engineer: Brian Dotson Consulting Engineers Contractor: Kasten Builders Photography ©2015 Mariko Reed Staging: The Design Shop Location: Lafayette, CA Year completed: 2014

Photo: Lisa Petrol
Example of a large trendy 3/4 white tile and subway tile porcelain tile bathroom design in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, solid surface countertops and a one-piece toilet

Inspiration for a large modern master beige tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile doorless shower remodel in Seattle with brown walls

Powder room vanity Benjamin Moore polaris blue Wallpaper "bloom"
Powder room - coastal powder room idea in Boston with beaded inset cabinets, blue cabinets, multicolored walls, an undermount sink and white countertops

Our Cross Country Cape Cod 12x16 Double Glass greenhouse. Raised on a 24" rock wall, this beautifully appointed greenhouse is designed with automatic roof vents, support truss system and commercial storefront door.

Bernard Andre
Example of a cottage formal and open concept living room design in San Francisco with a two-sided fireplace and a stone fireplace