A lush traditional garden full of perennial color, built along the rear lot lines of this Glencoe home.
This is an example of a traditional partial sun backyard gravel garden path in Chicago.

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

Huge minimalist open concept living room photo in Los Angeles

Jeff Herr
Example of a small classic medium tone wood floor kitchen design in Atlanta with glass-front cabinets, subway tile backsplash, a farmhouse sink, gray cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, paneled appliances and a peninsula

Stylish brewery owners with airline miles that match George Clooney’s decided to hire Regan Baker Design to transform their beloved Duboce Park second home into an organic modern oasis reflecting their modern aesthetic and sustainable, green conscience lifestyle. From hops to floors, we worked extensively with our design savvy clients to provide a new footprint for their kitchen, dining and living room area, redesigned three bathrooms, reconfigured and designed the master suite, and replaced an existing spiral staircase with a new modern, steel staircase. We collaborated with an architect to expedite the permit process, as well as hired a structural engineer to help with the new loads from removing the stairs and load bearing walls in the kitchen and Master bedroom. We also used LED light fixtures, FSC certified cabinetry and low VOC paint finishes. Regan Baker Design was responsible for the overall schematics, design development, construction documentation, construction administration, as well as the selection and procurement of all fixtures, cabinets, equipment, furniture,and accessories. Key Contributors: Green Home Construction; Photography: Sarah Hebenstreit / Modern Kids Co. In this photo: We added a pop of color on the built-in bookshelf, and used CB2 space saving wall-racks for bikes as decor.

This barn addition was accomplished by dismantling an antique timber frame and resurrecting it alongside a beautiful 19th century farmhouse in Vermont. What makes this property even more special, is that all native Vermont elements went into the build, from the original barn to locally harvested floors and cabinets, native river rock for the chimney and fireplace and local granite for the foundation. The stone walls on the grounds were all made from stones found on the property. The addition is a multi-level design with 1821 sq foot of living space between the first floor and the loft. The open space solves the problems of small rooms in an old house. The barn addition has ICFs (r23) and SIPs so the building is airtight and energy efficient. It was very satisfying to take an old barn which was no longer being used and to recycle it to preserve it's history and give it a new life.

Photo: Michelle Schmauder
Bathroom - industrial white tile and subway tile cement tile floor and multicolored floor bathroom idea in DC Metro with medium tone wood cabinets, white walls, a vessel sink, wood countertops, brown countertops and flat-panel cabinets

The original master bathroom in this 1980’s home was small, cramped and dated. It was divided into two compartments that also included a linen closet. The goal was to reconfigure the space to create a larger, single compartment space that exudes a calming, natural and contemporary style. The bathroom was remodeled into a larger, single compartment space using earth tones and soft textures to create a simple, yet sleek look. A continuous shallow shelf above the vanity provides a space for soft ambient down lighting. Large format wall tiles with a grass cloth pattern complement red grass cloth wall coverings. Both balance the horizontal grain of the white oak cabinetry. The small bath offers a spa-like setting, with a Scandinavian style white oak drying platform alongside the shower, inset into limestone with a white oak bench. The shower features a full custom glass surround with built-in niches and a cantilevered limestone bench. The spa-like styling was carried over to the bathroom door when the original 6 panel door was refaced with horizontal white oak paneling on the bathroom side, while the bedroom side was maintained as a 6 panel door to match existing doors in the hallway outside. The room features White oak trim with a clear finish.

Located right off the Primary bedroom – this bathroom is located in the far corners of the house. It should be used as a retreat, to rejuvenate and recharge – exactly what our homeowners asked for. We came alongside our client – listening to the pain points and hearing the need and desire for a functional, calming retreat, a drastic change from the disjointed, previous space with exposed pipes from a previous renovation. We worked very closely through the design and materials selections phase, hand selecting the marble tile on the feature wall, sourcing luxe gold finishes and suggesting creative solutions (like the shower’s linear drain and the hidden niche on the inside of the shower’s knee wall). The Maax Tosca soaker tub is a main feature and our client's #1 request. Add the Toto Nexus bidet toilet and a custom double vanity with a countertop tower for added storage, this luxury retreat is a must for busy, working parents.

Inspiration for a contemporary japanese bathtub remodel in New York

Photography by Jimi Smith / "Jimi Smith Photography"
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional backyard patio remodel in Dallas with a fire pit, decking and a pergola

Each element of architectural detailing, down to the color scheme is juxtaposed alongside a spacious interior with abundant natural light.
Elegant exterior home photo in New York

South view from lower terrace. Cathy Schwabe Architecture. Photograph by David Wakely
Photo of a contemporary hillside gravel landscaping in San Francisco.

Each element of architectural detailing, down to the color scheme is juxtaposed alongside a spacious interior with abundant natural light.
Elegant entryway photo in New York

Inspiration for a contemporary exterior home remodel in Seattle

Traditional style bathroom with cherry shaker vanity with double undermount sinks, marble counters, three wall aclove tub, porcelain tile, glass walk in shower, and tile floors.

Dennis Mayer Photographer
Patio fountain - french country backyard patio fountain idea in San Francisco with an awning

Outdoor Pool in Minneapolis neighborhood. The backyard features a raised swing bed with pergola. The swing bed adds a fun and interesting destination at the end of the pool. The palm trees help create the coastal modern resort feel the clients wanted.

photography by Andrea Calo
Example of a huge transitional backyard outdoor patio shower design in Austin with a pergola