Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

View from the front door, down the front walk to the arbor.
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional full sun front yard stone formal garden in Boston.

A spacious bluestone patio now sits where the old asphalt driveway terminated at the rear-facing garage. Each of the 3 new rear entry doors sit at different elevations requiring careful planning, forming and pouring of stoop, stair and wall foundations – even before building renovations commenced, due to access limitations. Mike Crews Photography

The distinct forms of the foundation plants emphasize the contrast of textures between the low groundcover, clipped boxwood hedge and billowy ‘Endless Summer’ Hydrangea. The plant selection provides color and interest throughout each season. Photography by Linda Oyama Bryan

Land2c Some favorite hydrangeas and climbing roses flank a pathway. Groundcover surrounds the stepping stones with lavender and variegated hostas filling in along the curvy path to the rear garden. Many summer bouquets for filling vases are grown here!

©Brett Bulthuis 2014
Mid-sized trendy master bedroom photo in Chicago with multicolored walls

Richard Leo Johnson Wall Color: Sherwin Williams Extra White 2137-40 Cabinet Color: Benjamin Moore Intense White OC-51 Hardware: My Knobs, Nouveau III Collection - Matte Black Faucet: Feruson Enterprises, Delta Trinsic Pull-Down - Matte Black Subway Tile: Savannah Surfaces, Waterworks Grove Brick - White Countertop: Cambria, Brittanicca Lighting: Rejuvenation, Jefferson 6" Classic Flush Mount - Black Enamel Roman Shade: The Woven Co., Canton #206 Bench Fabric: Perennials, Elements - Rhino Pillow Fabric A: Kerry Joyce Textiles, Corsica - Blue Dot Pillow Fabric B: Scalamandra, Bamboo Lattice - Endless Summer Chairs: Redford House, James Side Chair Wooden Bowls: Asher + Rye, Farmhouse Pottery Cheese Boards: Asher + Rye, Farmhouse Pottery Cutting Board: Asher + Rye, Son of a Sailor Glass Corked Jars: Roost Ceramic Utensil Pot: Asher + Rye, Farmhouse Pottery

The layered look of two types of panicle hydrangea, Little Lime & Phantom, with Blue Fortune Agastache provides a nice contrast in both flower shape and scale. Austin Ganim Landscape Design, LLC

Brad + Jen Butcher Photo
Transitional gender-neutral nursery photo in Nashville

This small vignette shows one of the casual entry ways into the main space. Bella Anna Hydrangea flank either side of 2'x2' stepping stones. Design by John Algozzini. Photo courtesy of Mike Crews Photography.

Summer Beauty onion surround the stone entry columns while the Hydrangea begin to glow from the landscape lighting. Landscape design by John Algozzini. Photo courtesy of Mike Crews Photography.

The transition to several garden rooms, a gravel path leads from the rear terrace to the many spaces. The entry is flanked by the New England fieldstone seat wall, capped in blue stone. The path is lined with cushwa brick outlining the formal garden filled with boxwood, pachysandra ground cover, hydrangea, magnolia, and eastern redbud. Photo Credit: Linda Oyama Bryan

View across the front yard
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional full sun front yard stone formal garden in Boston.

The Club Woven by Summer Classics is the resin version of the aluminum Club Collection. Executed in durable woven wrought aluminum it is ideal for any outdoor space. Club Woven is hand woven in exclusive N-dura resin polyethylene in Oyster. French Linen, or Mahogany. The comfort of Club with the classic look and durability of resin will be perfect for any outdoor space.

David Duncan Livingston
Open concept kitchen - transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen idea in San Francisco with glass-front cabinets, gray cabinets, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash, an island, a farmhouse sink and stainless steel appliances

This Cape Cod cottage has Endless Summer Hydrangea and a perennial garden that borders the pea stone driveway. A custom pergola is surrounded by Butterfly Bush (Buddleia) and Privet. The entrance to the home has a fenced perennial garden that includes Boxwood, Japanese Holly, Coreopsis, Catmint, Gaura, and Vinca.

Design ideas for a traditional partial sun landscaping in Boston.

Drawing on their love for the indoor-outdoor California lifestyle and coastal South Carolina’s relaxed elegance, Rob and Lydia Mondavi created a summer home that combines the best of wine country and Low Country in one beautiful package. A range situated in the center island lets guests chat and taste wine with the homeowner while he’s cooking.

Front yard.
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional full sun front yard stone formal garden in Boston.