The 2023 Southern Living Idea House is an oasis on the Tennessee hillside. Bill Holloway and Luke Sippel of Lake + Land Studio had the task of building and designing the perfect home for clients who loved dogs, music, and indoor-outdoor living. The 5,600-square-foot contemporary Southern farmhouse in Leiper’s Fork was intentionally placed to fit the surrounding natural landscape. Holloway and Sippel wanted the home to feel as though it had always been there. An important element of Southern living was present in the home’s design and build: porches. The home has a large, covered porch that runs the nearly the entire length of the back of the home on the main floor and one on the lower level. Using Marvin Ultimate multi-slide doors on the porch unified the indoor and outdoor spaces. The multi-slide door has the ability for the door to open fully, seamlessly blending the two spaces. MARVIN PRODUCTS USED: Elevate Direct Glaze Window Elevate Casement Window Elevate Sliding French Door Elevate French Door Ultimate Glider Window Ultimate Multi-Slide Door Ultimate Outswing Door Architecture Firm: Lake + Land Studio Builder: Hatcliff Construction Interior Design: Laura Hodges Studio Landscape: Southern Creations Landscaping Dealer: AVI Windows and Doors

Minimalist dark wood floor dining room photo in Minneapolis with white walls, a ribbon fireplace and a stone fireplace

Situated between the iconic peaks of Deer Valley and the Jordanelle Reservoir, this unique four-bedroom estate home combines steel, wood, stone, and glass to offer synergistic ebullience and captivating panoramic vista views. Gemini Place provides functional flow and seamless indoor/outdoor living for all four seasons, replete with the luxury inclusions of a mountain modern dream home. Gemini Place comprises 4,848 square feet of internal accommodation with four bedrooms, four bathrooms, 2 half baths, and one home office, on a 14,022 square-foot lot. Externally, the house blends harmoniously with its surroundings, but behind the discreet facade lies a playful home elevated with tailored embellishments throughout. Welcomed into the home through a steel-clad portal, the oversized steel and glass pivot door baptizes entrants with breathtaking views. The main level showcases an open floor plan with an expansive kitchen, a dining room, and a living room with panoramic glass sliding doors that open onto over 1,500 square feet of exterior living space. The master suite on the main level surprises with elevated finishes. The informal lower level features a bar, bunk room, two additional en suite bedrooms, and a charming outdoor veranda. Luxury is woven into Gemini Place throughout, including exposed steel beams, a Miele appliance package, and bespoke natural stone finishes. Just three minutes from Deer Valley's Jordanelle gondola and five minutes from the Jordanelle Reservoir, this home offers four-season resort-style living at its finest. Architecture: Van Sickle Design Interiors: TCH Design Interiors

Inspiration for a cottage dining room remodel in Denver

Intentional. Elevated. Artisanal. With three children under the age of 5, our clients were starting to feel the confines of their Pacific Heights home when the expansive 1902 Italianate across the street went on the market. After learning the home had been recently remodeled, they jumped at the chance to purchase a move-in ready property. We worked with them to infuse the already refined, elegant living areas with subtle edginess and handcrafted details, and also helped them reimagine unused space to delight their little ones. Elevated furnishings on the main floor complement the home’s existing high ceilings, modern brass bannisters and extensive walnut cabinetry. In the living room, sumptuous emerald upholstery on a velvet side chair balances the deep wood tones of the existing baby grand. Minimally and intentionally accessorized, the room feels formal but still retains a sharp edge—on the walls moody portraiture gets irreverent with a bold paint stroke, and on the the etagere, jagged crystals and metallic sculpture feel rugged and unapologetic. Throughout the main floor handcrafted, textured notes are everywhere—a nubby jute rug underlies inviting sofas in the family room and a half-moon mirror in the living room mixes geometric lines with flax-colored fringe. On the home’s lower level, we repurposed an unused wine cellar into a well-stocked craft room, with a custom chalkboard, art-display area and thoughtful storage. In the adjoining space, we installed a custom climbing wall and filled the balance of the room with low sofas, plush area rugs, poufs and storage baskets, creating the perfect space for active play or a quiet reading session. The bold colors and playful attitudes apparent in these spaces are echoed upstairs in each of the children’s imaginative bedrooms. Architect + Developer: McMahon Architects + Studio, Photographer: Suzanna Scott Photography

Enclosed dining room - large french country medium tone wood floor, brown floor, coffered ceiling and wallpaper enclosed dining room idea in Nashville with blue walls

Example of a large arts and crafts light wood floor great room design in Salt Lake City with white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

When full-time Massachusetts residents contemplate building a second home in Telluride, Colorado the question immediately arises; does it make most sense to hire a regionally based Rocky Mountain architect or a sea level architect conveniently located for all of the rigorous collaboration required for successful bespoke home design. Determined to prove the latter true, Siemasko + Verbridge accompanied the potential client as they scoured the undulating Telluride landscape in search of the perfect house site. The selected site’s harmonious balance of untouched meadow rising up to meet the edge of an aspen grove and the opposing 180 degree view of Wilson’s Range spoke to everyone. A plateau just beyond a fork in the meadow provided a natural flatland, requiring little excavation and yet the right amount of upland slope to capture the views. The intrinsic character of the site was only enriched by an elk trail and snake-rail fence. Establishing the expanse of Wilson’s range would be best served by rejecting the notion of selected views, the central sweeping curve of the roof inverts a small saddle in the range with which it is perfectly aligned. The soaring wave of custom windows and the open floor plan make the relatively modest house feel sizable despite its footprint of just under 2,000 square feet. Officially a two bedroom home, the bunk room and loft allow the home to comfortably sleep ten, encouraging large gatherings of family and friends. The home is completely off the grid in response to the unique and fragile qualities of the landscape. Great care was taken to respect the regions vernacular through the use of mostly native materials and a palette derived from the terrain found at 9,820 feet above sea level. Photographer: Gibeon Photography

Inspiration for a transitional dining room remodel in Other with blue walls

Example of a minimalist dining room design in Boston

The kitchen at Southlake Manor underwent a full transformation, drawing inspiration from the charm of the South of France while incorporating the Denningtons' personal tastes. A major design feature is the stunning barrelled ceiling, which adds a sense of grandeur and architectural interest. This beautiful ceiling design enhances the space by creating visual height, drawing the eye upward and contributing to the kitchen’s airy and open feel. The Denningtons’ love for the color blue is woven throughout the kitchen, with custom accents in a rich, deep shade that adds warmth and personality to the space. The cabinetry features a mix of finishes that complement the color palette, creating a balanced, sophisticated look. At the heart of the kitchen sits a custom, round island—a standout piece designed to be both functional and visually striking. The island, with its unique shape and built-in drawers, provides ample storage while maintaining a sleek, clean aesthetic. It’s an ideal gathering spot for the family and offers a beautiful contrast to the surrounding cabinetry. The layers of texture throughout the kitchen—from the smooth cabinetry finishes to the intricate details of the island and the natural warmth of the new barrelled ceiling—add depth and dimension. Every element is carefully crafted to elevate the design to the next level, blending style with practicality in a way that reflects the Denningtons' love for sophisticated, yet welcoming spaces.

Located at 5827 Del Roy, this new construction home by Jessica Koltun Home reflects a refined approach to residential design, where architecture, proportion, and material selection come together seamlessly. Designed and built with a focus on clean lines and timeless curb appeal, the home showcases a balanced exterior elevation, cohesive finishes, and thoughtfully integrated details that elevate the overall structure. From initial concept through construction, this project emphasizes functional layout planning and buildable design, ensuring both visual impact and long-term durability. Jessica Koltun Home worked closely within the construction process to deliver a home that feels intentional from every angle—blending modern and transitional elements with a focus on simplicity and structure. As with all Jessica Koltun Home projects, 5827 Del Roy highlights a commitment to designing and building high-quality new construction homes while collaborating with builders to create cohesive, well-executed residential spaces.

Example of a transitional dining room design in Los Angeles

The Wharton House is located in Berwyn, PA about 20 miles outside of Philadelphia. The surrounding neighborhood is diverse, with historical stone homes of modest size built by farmers when they cleared land, and grander Victorians built by robber barons. The dining room opens to the home’s foyer and living room, all with tall ceilings and substantial millwork, making it feel slightly formal. We connected the dining room to the living room and entry color palettes by going a little lighter and brighter. A long dining table was essential because our client’s extended family surrounds her on neighboring streets. The chair shape was an ode to the "farmhouse" but we wanted it to look more elevated so we used a pop of blue and leather seats. A standout wallpaper was a must, beautifully tying all the hues and textures together.

The ingredients for the perfect dining room: conversation sparking art, velvet chairs, and a mini bar for cocktail hour.
Mid-sized trendy medium tone wood floor and beige floor kitchen/dining room combo photo in Houston with white walls and no fireplace

Marisa Vitale Photography
Great room - mid-century modern medium tone wood floor and brown floor great room idea in Los Angeles with white walls, a two-sided fireplace and a tile fireplace

This 5,200-square foot modern farmhouse is located on Manhattan Beach’s Fourth Street, which leads directly to the ocean. A raw stone facade and custom-built Dutch front-door greets guests, and customized millwork can be found throughout the home. The exposed beams, wooden furnishings, rustic-chic lighting, and soothing palette are inspired by Scandinavian farmhouses and breezy coastal living. The home’s understated elegance privileges comfort and vertical space. To this end, the 5-bed, 7-bath (counting halves) home has a 4-stop elevator and a basement theater with tiered seating and 13-foot ceilings. A third story porch is separated from the upstairs living area by a glass wall that disappears as desired, and its stone fireplace ensures that this panoramic ocean view can be enjoyed year-round. This house is full of gorgeous materials, including a kitchen backsplash of Calacatta marble, mined from the Apuan mountains of Italy, and countertops of polished porcelain. The curved antique French limestone fireplace in the living room is a true statement piece, and the basement includes a temperature-controlled glass room-within-a-room for an aesthetic but functional take on wine storage. The takeaway? Efficiency and beauty are two sides of the same coin.

View of original elevator in the space, staircase to garage wraps around elevator shaft. Christian Sauer Images
Eclectic light wood floor dining room photo in St Louis with white walls

Large mountain style medium tone wood floor great room photo in Salt Lake City with white walls