Harbor View is a modern-day interpretation of the shingled vacation houses of its seaside community. The gambrel roof, horizontal, ground-hugging emphasis, and feeling of simplicity, are all part of the character of the place. While fitting in with local traditions, Harbor View is meant for modern living. The kitchen is a central gathering spot, open to the main combined living/dining room and to the waterside porch. One easily moves between indoors and outdoors. The house is designed for an active family, a couple with three grown children and a growing number of grandchildren. It is zoned so that the whole family can be there together but retain privacy. Living, dining, kitchen, library, and porch occupy the center of the main floor. One-story wings on each side house two bedrooms and bathrooms apiece, and two more bedrooms and bathrooms and a study occupy the second floor of the central block. The house is mostly one room deep, allowing cross breezes and light from both sides. The porch, a third of which is screened, is a main dining and living space, with a stone fireplace offering a cozy place to gather on summer evenings. A barn with a loft provides storage for a car or boat off-season and serves as a big space for projects or parties in summer.

Lori Hamilton Photography
Example of a transitional guest bedroom design in Miami with blue walls

Mali Azima
Large transitional enclosed and formal medium tone wood floor living room photo in Atlanta with blue walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace

Mid-sized minimalist living room photo in San Francisco with white walls

Photography: Nat Rea
Inspiration for a coastal medium tone wood floor great room remodel in Providence

photo by Michael J. Lee
Example of a classic formal living room design in Boston with gray walls

Transitional living room photo in New York

This couple purchased a second home as a respite from city living. Living primarily in downtown Chicago the couple desired a place to connect with nature. The home is located on 80 acres and is situated far back on a wooded lot with a pond, pool and a detached rec room. The home includes four bedrooms and one bunkroom along with five full baths. The home was stripped down to the studs, a total gut. Linc modified the exterior and created a modern look by removing the balconies on the exterior, removing the roof overhang, adding vertical siding and painting the structure black. The garage was converted into a detached rec room and a new pool was added complete with outdoor shower, concrete pavers, ipe wood wall and a limestone surround. Living Room Details: Two-story space open to the kitchen features a cultured cut stone fireplace and wood niche. The niche exposes the existing stone prior to the renovation. -Large picture windows -Sofa, Interior Define -Poof, Luminaire -Artwork, Linc Thelen (Oil on Canvas) -Sconces, Lighting NY -Coffe table, Restoration Hardware -Rug, Crate and Barrel -Floor lamp, Restoration Hardware -Storage beneath the painting, custom by Linc in his shop. -Side table, Mater -Lamp, Gantri -White shiplap ceiling with white oak beams -Flooring is rough wide plank white oak and distressed

Living room - contemporary medium tone wood floor living room idea in Boston with green walls, no fireplace and a tv stand

Photo Credit: Nicole Leone
Living room - mid-sized transitional enclosed brown floor and dark wood floor living room idea in Los Angeles with no tv, gray walls, a two-sided fireplace and a tile fireplace

Example of a classic porcelain tile and gray floor kitchen/dining room combo design in Philadelphia with no fireplace

Sometimes the simplest things can be some of the most challenging. We built the base and top of this out of solid white oak. The shape seems simple enough but the way this is built required 48 different sides to line up nicely on the pedestal with floating mortise and tenon joinery to support it. All that on compound angles that are tapered. The top is connected and supported via steel c channels that are recessed into the table top. This has the added benefit of keeping the table top flat on over the large cantilever. A lot of math and planning but the end result was so amazing to see come together. And the space that it sat in was such a wonderful backdrop. We couldn't be happier with it. As with all of our pieces, this custom dining table was hand made in San Diego, CA.

A PLACE TO GATHER Location: Eagan, MN, USA This family of five wanted an inviting space to gather with family and friends. Mom, the primary cook, wanted a large island with more organized storage – everything in its place – and a crisp white kitchen with the character of an older home. Challenges: Design an island that could accommodate this family of five for casual weeknight dinners. Create more usable storage within the existing kitchen footprint. Design a better transition between the upper cabinets on the 8-foot sink wall and the adjoining 9-foot cooktop wall. Make room for more counter space around the cooktop. It was poorly lit, cluttered with small appliances and confined by the tall oven cabinet. Solutions: A large island, that seats 5 comfortably, replaced the small island and kitchen table. This allowed for more storage including cookbook shelves, a heavy-duty roll out shelf for the mixer, a 2-bin recycling center and a bread drawer. Tall pantries with decorative grilles were placed between the kitchen and family room. These created ample storage and helped define each room, making each one feel larger, yet more intimate. A space intentionally separates the upper cabinets on the sink wall from those on the cooktop wall. This created symmetry on the sink wall and made room for an appliance garage, which keeps the countertops uncluttered. Moving the double ovens to the former pantry location made way for more usable counter space around the cooktop and a dramatic focal point with the hood, cabinets and marble backsplash. Special Features: Custom designed corbels and island legs lend character. Gilt open lanterns, antiqued nickel grilles on the pantries, and the soft linen shade at the kitchen sink add personality and charm. The unique bronze hardware with a living finish creates the patina of an older home. A walnut island countertop adds the warmth and feel of a kitchen table. This homeowner truly understood the idea of living with the patina of marble. Her grandmother’s marble-topped antique table inspired the Carrara countertops. The result is a highly organized kitchen with a light, open feel that invites you to stay a while. Liz Schupanitz Designs Photographed by: Andrea Rugg

Two Birds Photography
Example of a mid-sized transitional boy light wood floor nursery design in Chicago with blue walls

The living room layout allows a couch lounger to chat with someone in the kitchen. We covered the sofa in a casual Pierre Frey fabric and added a few soft faux fur pillows for touchable texture. A graphic David Adler moroccan rug contrasts with red and turquoise Roman shades (one of our favorite color combinations ever). Crisp white side tables, breezy lamps and a modern-meets-rustic wood and acrylic coffee table were picked for ultra-cool “chic cabin” flair. Design Detail: To break up the long, skinny space and maximize the conversation area, we placed the furniture on opposite walls. Punchy window treatments provide texture and movement for the eye. The gorgeous watercolor titled “Pop” by Peter Haslam-Fox offers a bit of quiet simplicity to an otherwise colorful room. Photographer: Carrie Patterson

Drew Kelly
Inspiration for a contemporary dining room remodel in San Francisco with white walls

wicker furniture, wood coffee table, glass candle holders, folding side table, orange side table, orange pillow, striped cushions, clerestory windows, Photography by Michael J. Lee

Upper East Side Duplex Contractor: Mullins Interiors Photography by Patrick Cline
Living room - large contemporary formal and open concept dark wood floor and brown floor living room idea in New York with beige walls and a wall-mounted tv

Rustic White Photography
Family room - transitional dark wood floor family room idea in Atlanta with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace and a wall-mounted tv