A 6,000 square foot 2-story new home complex in Milpitas was designed to facilitate the owners’ large business parties and gatherings, to have rooms for the kids to come back to upstairs, and a ground floor master suite with a huge walk-in closet. Several separate structures make up the dwelling: The main house, 3-car garage with carport for overflow parking, and a separate entertainment and recreation building separated by a courtyard from the main house. The business activities include gatherings in the hundreds of people, so parking was maximized and guests can flow in through a separate gate to party in the courtyard and recreation building. Inside this structure is a wet bar, billiard room, workout gym and home theater. The main house ground floor has formal and informal living rooms, open kitchen and master suite with views and expansive windows in every direction. The house is sited on the crestline of a hill with views of the San Francisco Bay and private golf course below. The indoor-outdoor aspect of the house is further accentuated with outside living and dining areas. High ceilings and expansive glass walls dissolve the sense of enclosure taking advantage of the site’s openness and privacy. The owner’s suite is downstairs in anticipation of aging-in-place, and upstairs there are three bedrooms and four bathrooms plus a sitting area lounge and casual TV loft area. The house sits on one acre at the top of a low hill range overlooking Milpitas. The city was very cognizant of the importance of keeping a low profile at this crestline and required extensive story poles and photo evidence of the proper height and siting so as not to be seen from certain selected vantage points. GENERAL CONTRACTOR: JCD Builders Inc. LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Morf Chang Landscape Architecture / ODS Architecture PHOTOGRAPHS: Paul Dyer Photography

This four bedroom beach house in Washington's South Sound is all about growing up near the water's edge during summer's freedom from school. The owner's childhood was spent in a small cabin on this site with her parents and siblings. Now married and with children of her own, it was time to savor those childhood memories and create new ones in a house designed for generations to come. At 3,200 square feet, including a whimsical Crow's Nest, the new summer cabin is much larger than the original cabin. The home is still about family and fun though. Above the 600 square foot water toys filled garage, there is a 500 square foot bunk room for friends and family. The bunk room is connected to the main house by an upper bridge where built-in storage frames a window seat overlooking the property. Throughout the home are playful details drawing from the waterfront locale. Paddles are integrated into the stair railing, engineered flooring with a weathered look, marine cleats as hardware, a boardwalk to the main entry, and nautical lighting are found throughout the house. Designed by BC&J Architecture.

Example of a classic light wood floor great room design in New York with white walls

18 Tanzania Pendants (10 White and 8 Grey Pendants)
Trendy great room photo in Los Angeles with white walls

This grand 2-story home with first-floor owner’s suite includes a 3-car garage with spacious mudroom entry complete with built-in lockers. A stamped concrete walkway leads to the inviting front porch. Double doors open to the foyer with beautiful hardwood flooring that flows throughout the main living areas on the 1st floor. Sophisticated details throughout the home include lofty 10’ ceilings on the first floor and farmhouse door and window trim and baseboard. To the front of the home is the formal dining room featuring craftsman style wainscoting with chair rail and elegant tray ceiling. Decorative wooden beams adorn the ceiling in the kitchen, sitting area, and the breakfast area. The well-appointed kitchen features stainless steel appliances, attractive cabinetry with decorative crown molding, Hanstone countertops with tile backsplash, and an island with Cambria countertop. The breakfast area provides access to the spacious covered patio. A see-thru, stone surround fireplace connects the breakfast area and the airy living room. The owner’s suite, tucked to the back of the home, features a tray ceiling, stylish shiplap accent wall, and an expansive closet with custom shelving. The owner’s bathroom with cathedral ceiling includes a freestanding tub and custom tile shower. Additional rooms include a study with cathedral ceiling and rustic barn wood accent wall and a convenient bonus room for additional flexible living space. The 2nd floor boasts 3 additional bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, and a loft that overlooks the living room.

Laguna Beach, CA Property. Photography by Finally Real Estate Video & Photography. www.FinallyRE.com
Great room - contemporary carpeted great room idea in Orange County with white walls

Photo: Mina Brinkey © 2013 Houzz
Inspiration for a transitional dining room remodel in Tampa

Dining room and kitchen of the remodeled barn. -Randal Bye
Inspiration for a large farmhouse dark wood floor great room remodel in Philadelphia with white walls

This grand 2-story home with first-floor owner’s suite includes a 3-car garage with spacious mudroom entry complete with built-in lockers. A stamped concrete walkway leads to the inviting front porch. Double doors open to the foyer with beautiful hardwood flooring that flows throughout the main living areas on the 1st floor. Sophisticated details throughout the home include lofty 10’ ceilings on the first floor and farmhouse door and window trim and baseboard. To the front of the home is the formal dining room featuring craftsman style wainscoting with chair rail and elegant tray ceiling. Decorative wooden beams adorn the ceiling in the kitchen, sitting area, and the breakfast area. The well-appointed kitchen features stainless steel appliances, attractive cabinetry with decorative crown molding, Hanstone countertops with tile backsplash, and an island with Cambria countertop. The breakfast area provides access to the spacious covered patio. A see-thru, stone surround fireplace connects the breakfast area and the airy living room. The owner’s suite, tucked to the back of the home, features a tray ceiling, stylish shiplap accent wall, and an expansive closet with custom shelving. The owner’s bathroom with cathedral ceiling includes a freestanding tub and custom tile shower. Additional rooms include a study with cathedral ceiling and rustic barn wood accent wall and a convenient bonus room for additional flexible living space. The 2nd floor boasts 3 additional bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, and a loft that overlooks the living room.

Example of a tuscan enclosed dining room design in Albuquerque with beige walls and no fireplace

Dining room - 1950s dining room idea in Other

Example of a mid-sized arts and crafts medium tone wood floor and brown floor great room design in Other with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

This 2-story home includes a 3- car garage with mudroom entry, an inviting front porch with decorative posts, and a screened-in porch. The home features an open floor plan with 10’ ceilings on the 1st floor and impressive detailing throughout. A dramatic 2-story ceiling creates a grand first impression in the foyer, where hardwood flooring extends into the adjacent formal dining room elegant coffered ceiling accented by craftsman style wainscoting and chair rail. Just beyond the Foyer, the great room with a 2-story ceiling, the kitchen, breakfast area, and hearth room share an open plan. The spacious kitchen includes that opens to the breakfast area, quartz countertops with tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, attractive cabinetry with crown molding, and a corner pantry. The connecting hearth room is a cozy retreat that includes a gas fireplace with stone surround and shiplap. The floor plan also includes a study with French doors and a convenient bonus room for additional flexible living space. The first-floor owner’s suite boasts an expansive closet, and a private bathroom with a shower, freestanding tub, and double bowl vanity. On the 2nd floor is a versatile loft area overlooking the great room, 2 full baths, and 3 bedrooms with spacious closets.

This gorgeous Award-Winning custom built home was designed for its views of the Ohio River, but what makes it even more unique is the contemporary, white-out interior. On entering the home, a 19' ceiling greets you and then opens up again as you travel down the entry hall into the large open living space. The back wall is largely made of windows on the house's curve, which follows the river's bend and leads to a wrap-around IPE-deck with glass railings. The master suite offers a mounted fireplace on a glass ceramic wall, an accent wall of mirrors with contemporary sconces, and a wall of sliding glass doors that open up to the wrap around deck that overlooks the Ohio River. The Master-bathroom includes an over-sized shower with offset heads, a dry sauna, and a two-sided mirror for double vanities. On the second floor, you will find a large balcony with glass railings that overlooks the large open living space on the first floor. Two bedrooms are connected by a bathroom suite, are pierced by natural light from openings to the foyer. This home also has a bourbon bar room, a finished bonus room over the garage, custom corbel overhangs and limestone accents on the exterior and many other modern finishes. Photos by Grupenhof Photography

Beach style dining room photo in Grand Rapids

This 2-story home includes a 3- car garage with mudroom entry, an inviting front porch with decorative posts, and a screened-in porch. The home features an open floor plan with 10’ ceilings on the 1st floor and impressive detailing throughout. A dramatic 2-story ceiling creates a grand first impression in the foyer, where hardwood flooring extends into the adjacent formal dining room elegant coffered ceiling accented by craftsman style wainscoting and chair rail. Just beyond the Foyer, the great room with a 2-story ceiling, the kitchen, breakfast area, and hearth room share an open plan. The spacious kitchen includes that opens to the breakfast area, quartz countertops with tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, attractive cabinetry with crown molding, and a corner pantry. The connecting hearth room is a cozy retreat that includes a gas fireplace with stone surround and shiplap. The floor plan also includes a study with French doors and a convenient bonus room for additional flexible living space. The first-floor owner’s suite boasts an expansive closet, and a private bathroom with a shower, freestanding tub, and double bowl vanity. On the 2nd floor is a versatile loft area overlooking the great room, 2 full baths, and 3 bedrooms with spacious closets.

Gulf Building recently completed the “ New Orleans Chic” custom Estate in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The aptly named estate stays true to inspiration rooted from New Orleans, Louisiana. The stately entrance is fueled by the column’s, welcoming any guest to the future of custom estates that integrate modern features while keeping one foot in the past. The lamps hanging from the ceiling along the kitchen of the interior is a chic twist of the antique, tying in with the exposed brick overlaying the exterior. These staple fixtures of New Orleans style, transport you to an era bursting with life along the French founded streets. This two-story single-family residence includes five bedrooms, six and a half baths, and is approximately 8,210 square feet in size. The one of a kind three car garage fits his and her vehicles with ample room for a collector car as well. The kitchen is beautifully appointed with white and grey cabinets that are overlaid with white marble countertops which in turn are contrasted by the cool earth tones of the wood floors. The coffered ceilings, Armoire style refrigerator and a custom gunmetal hood lend sophistication to the kitchen. The high ceilings in the living room are accentuated by deep brown high beams that complement the cool tones of the living area. An antique wooden barn door tucked in the corner of the living room leads to a mancave with a bespoke bar and a lounge area, reminiscent of a speakeasy from another era. In a nod to the modern practicality that is desired by families with young kids, a massive laundry room also functions as a mudroom with locker style cubbies and a homework and crafts area for kids. The custom staircase leads to another vintage barn door on the 2nd floor that opens to reveal provides a wonderful family loft with another hidden gem: a secret attic playroom for kids! Rounding out the exterior, massive balconies with French patterned railing overlook a huge backyard with a custom pool and spa that is secluded from the hustle and bustle of the city. All in all, this estate captures the perfect modern interpretation of New Orleans French traditional design. Welcome to New Orleans Chic of Fort Lauderdale, Florida!

Gulf Building recently completed the “ New Orleans Chic” custom Estate in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The aptly named estate stays true to inspiration rooted from New Orleans, Louisiana. The stately entrance is fueled by the column’s, welcoming any guest to the future of custom estates that integrate modern features while keeping one foot in the past. The lamps hanging from the ceiling along the kitchen of the interior is a chic twist of the antique, tying in with the exposed brick overlaying the exterior. These staple fixtures of New Orleans style, transport you to an era bursting with life along the French founded streets. This two-story single-family residence includes five bedrooms, six and a half baths, and is approximately 8,210 square feet in size. The one of a kind three car garage fits his and her vehicles with ample room for a collector car as well. The kitchen is beautifully appointed with white and grey cabinets that are overlaid with white marble countertops which in turn are contrasted by the cool earth tones of the wood floors. The coffered ceilings, Armoire style refrigerator and a custom gunmetal hood lend sophistication to the kitchen. The high ceilings in the living room are accentuated by deep brown high beams that complement the cool tones of the living area. An antique wooden barn door tucked in the corner of the living room leads to a mancave with a bespoke bar and a lounge area, reminiscent of a speakeasy from another era. In a nod to the modern practicality that is desired by families with young kids, a massive laundry room also functions as a mudroom with locker style cubbies and a homework and crafts area for kids. The custom staircase leads to another vintage barn door on the 2nd floor that opens to reveal provides a wonderful family loft with another hidden gem: a secret attic playroom for kids! Rounding out the exterior, massive balconies with French patterned railing overlook a huge backyard with a custom pool and spa that is secluded from the hustle and bustle of the city. All in all, this estate captures the perfect modern interpretation of New Orleans French traditional design. Welcome to New Orleans Chic of Fort Lauderdale, Florida!

The Millbrook Barn project consisted of the complete renovation of a dilapidated barn and chicken coop, located behind a small farm house in Millbrook, New York. As the smaller main house could not accommodate space for the children to play, the family wanted to update their unused space to create an expansive indoor playroom and gathering space. The strategy for this project was to renovate the barn and pool house using sustainable and reclaimed materials, to produce an intersection of modern and antique design In contrast to the all-white main house, we selected a deep charcoal grey for the new barn’s exterior. A subtle, sophisticated tension between traditional, rustic elements and more contemporary details prevails throughout, from wood-paneled walls and barn doors, to clean-lined square windows inspired by artist Donald Judd’s minimalist compound in Marfa, Texas. In our design, we wanted to create an authentic experience of the space, without having to fake farmhouse details. A number of kitchen and bathroom surfaces are made of prefabricated concrete, including the shower enclosures, fireplace, kitchen cabinets and three-inch-thick countertops. The floors throughout are made from engineered wood, with a driftwood-like finish that matches the weathered look of the salvaged cedar ceiling timbers. The lower, western wing of the L-shaped structure (originally the chicken coop) provides ample room for family feasts in the airy, open kitchen, living and dining area. Rounding out the architectural program is an upstairs bedroom loft which accommodates an overflow of guests, and features an inviting window seat and daybed. The loft overlooks the pool and sits above an attached pool house with boys’ and girls’ changing and shower rooms below. Solar panels, lined discretely along one slope of the standing-seam metal roof, power the pool’s heater. The interior decoration reflects the same chic but humble sensibility that characterizes the overall architectural design. In the playroom, paper globe lanterns hang above slouchy, brightly-hued chairs by Italian designer Paola Lenti; in the living and dining area, they enliven a suite of simple wicker and linen-covered chairs, some from the family’s existing home. Accessories in the space include raw silk rugs, boldly patterned kilims and rugged lighting features, which contribute to an overall rustic, yet elegant feel throughout.