The open floor plan of the main living space of this house was designed with the owners extensive art collection in mind. With built in displays and appropriate lighting, the living room becomes a live-in gallery space complimented with a collection of contemporary furnishings and design features.

Modern farmohouse interior with T&G cedar cladding; exposed steel; custom motorized slider; cement floor; vaulted ceiling and an open floor plan creates a unified look

Justin Krug Photography
Living room - huge french country open concept dark wood floor living room idea in Portland with a standard fireplace, a concealed tv and white walls

These clients came to my office looking for an architect who could design their "empty nest" home that would be the focus of their soon to be extended family. A place where the kids and grand kids would want to hang out: with a pool, open family room/ kitchen, garden; but also one-story so there wouldn't be any unnecessary stairs to climb. They wanted the design to feel like "old Pasadena" with the coziness and attention to detail that the era embraced. My sensibilities led me to recall the wonderful classic mansions of San Marino, so I designed a manor house clad in trim Bluestone with a steep French slate roof and clean white entry, eave and dormer moldings that would blend organically with the future hardscape plan and thoughtfully landscaped grounds. The site was a deep, flat lot that had been half of the old Joan Crawford estate; the part that had an abandoned swimming pool and small cabana. I envisioned a pavilion filled with natural light set in a beautifully planted park with garden views from all sides. Having a one-story house allowed for tall and interesting shaped ceilings that carved into the sheer angles of the roof. The most private area of the house would be the central loggia with skylights ensconced in a deep woodwork lattice grid and would be reminiscent of the outdoor “Salas” found in early Californian homes. The family would soon gather there and enjoy warm afternoons and the wonderfully cool evening hours together. Working with interior designer Jeffrey Hitchcock, we designed an open family room/kitchen with high dark wood beamed ceilings, dormer windows for daylight, custom raised panel cabinetry, granite counters and a textured glass tile splash. Natural light and gentle breezes flow through the many French doors and windows located to accommodate not only the garden views, but the prevailing sun and wind as well. The graceful living room features a dramatic vaulted white painted wood ceiling and grand fireplace flanked by generous double hung French windows and elegant drapery. A deeply cased opening draws one into the wainscot paneled dining room that is highlighted by hand painted scenic wallpaper and a barrel vaulted ceiling. The walnut paneled library opens up to reveal the waterfall feature in the back garden. Equally picturesque and restful is the view from the rotunda in the master bedroom suite. Architect: Ward Jewell Architect, AIA Interior Design: Jeffrey Hitchcock Enterprises Contractor: Synergy General Contractors, Inc. Landscape Design: LZ Design Group, Inc. Photography: Laura Hull

Winner of the 2018 Tour of Homes Best Remodel, this whole house re-design of a 1963 Bennet & Johnson mid-century raised ranch home is a beautiful example of the magic we can weave through the application of more sustainable modern design principles to existing spaces. We worked closely with our client on extensive updates to create a modernized MCM gem. Extensive alterations include: - a completely redesigned floor plan to promote a more intuitive flow throughout - vaulted the ceilings over the great room to create an amazing entrance and feeling of inspired openness - redesigned entry and driveway to be more inviting and welcoming as well as to experientially set the mid-century modern stage - the removal of a visually disruptive load bearing central wall and chimney system that formerly partitioned the homes’ entry, dining, kitchen and living rooms from each other - added clerestory windows above the new kitchen to accentuate the new vaulted ceiling line and create a greater visual continuation of indoor to outdoor space - drastically increased the access to natural light by increasing window sizes and opening up the floor plan - placed natural wood elements throughout to provide a calming palette and cohesive Pacific Northwest feel - incorporated Universal Design principles to make the home Aging In Place ready with wide hallways and accessible spaces, including single-floor living if needed - moved and completely redesigned the stairway to work for the home’s occupants and be a part of the cohesive design aesthetic - mixed custom tile layouts with more traditional tiling to create fun and playful visual experiences - custom designed and sourced MCM specific elements such as the entry screen, cabinetry and lighting - development of the downstairs for potential future use by an assisted living caretaker - energy efficiency upgrades seamlessly woven in with much improved insulation, ductless mini splits and solar gain

Jim Brady Architectural Photography
Example of a large transitional open concept medium tone wood floor living room design in San Diego with beige walls

The warmth of the timber framing, stone and cream wall color add warmth to the open great room. Photo Credit: Roger Wade Studios
Example of a mid-sized mountain style open concept dark wood floor living room design in Other with a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace, beige walls and no tv

This modern lakeside farmhouse seamlessly blends the kitchen and living spaces in an open-concept design. The kitchen features a custom sage green island with brass hardware and a white marble countertop that adds elegance and functionality. The vaulted ceiling with exposed wood beams enhances the spacious feel, while the stone fireplace anchors the living room with a warm, rustic charm. Wide-plank hardwood floors and abundant natural light complete the design, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere in this custom Lake LBJ home.

Photo by: Jim Bartsch
Example of a mid-sized beach style l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor open concept kitchen design in Santa Barbara with an undermount sink, light wood cabinets, solid surface countertops, white backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and open cabinets

Example of a farmhouse u-shaped laminate floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, white countertops and blue cabinets

Living Room captures panoramic lakefront views and south light with open concept planning - Interior Architecture: HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles + Evaline Karges Interiors, Inc. - Construction: Stenz Construction - Photography: Anthony Valainis for Indianapolis Monthly

Short Hills, NJ kitchen remodel opened dining room to kitchen and side entry; created more direct access to back deck. The existing vaulted ceiling with skylights was accentuated by the full height stainless hood vent and ceiling fan. Photo by In House Photography.

This homage to prairie style architecture located at The Rim Golf Club in Payson, Arizona was designed for owner/builder/landscaper Tom Beck. This home appears literally fastened to the site by way of both careful design as well as a lichen-loving organic material palatte. Forged from a weathering steel roof (aka Cor-Ten), hand-formed cedar beams, laser cut steel fasteners, and a rugged stacked stone veneer base, this home is the ideal northern Arizona getaway. Expansive covered terraces offer views of the Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish designed golf course, the largest stand of Ponderosa Pines in the US, as well as the majestic Mogollon Rim and Stewart Mountains, making this an ideal place to beat the heat of the Valley of the Sun. Designing a personal dwelling for a builder is always an honor for us. Thanks, Tom, for the opportunity to share your vision. Project Details | Northern Exposure, The Rim – Payson, AZ Architect: C.P. Drewett, AIA, NCARB, Drewett Works, Scottsdale, AZ Builder: Thomas Beck, LTD, Scottsdale, AZ Photographer: Dino Tonn, Scottsdale, AZ

Ward Jewell, AIA was asked to design a comfortable one-story stone and wood pool house that was "barn-like" in keeping with the owner’s gentleman farmer concept. Thus, Mr. Jewell was inspired to create an elegant New England Stone Farm House designed to provide an exceptional environment for them to live, entertain, cook and swim in the large reflection lap pool. Mr. Jewell envisioned a dramatic vaulted great room with hand selected 200 year old reclaimed wood beams and 10 foot tall pocketing French doors that would connect the house to a pool, deck areas, loggia and lush garden spaces, thus bringing the outdoors in. A large cupola “lantern clerestory” in the main vaulted ceiling casts a natural warm light over the graceful room below. The rustic walk-in stone fireplace provides a central focal point for the inviting living room lounge. Important to the functionality of the pool house are a chef’s working farm kitchen with open cabinetry, free-standing stove and a soapstone topped central island with bar height seating. Grey washed barn doors glide open to reveal a vaulted and beamed quilting room with full bath and a vaulted and beamed library/guest room with full bath that bookend the main space. The private garden expanded and evolved over time. After purchasing two adjacent lots, the owners decided to redesign the garden and unify it by eliminating the tennis court, relocating the pool and building an inspired "barn". The concept behind the garden’s new design came from Thomas Jefferson’s home at Monticello with its wandering paths, orchards, and experimental vegetable garden. As a result this small organic farm, was born. Today the farm produces more than fifty varieties of vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers; many of which are rare and hard to find locally. The farm also grows a wide variety of fruits including plums, pluots, nectarines, apricots, apples, figs, peaches, guavas, avocados (Haas, Fuerte and Reed), olives, pomegranates, persimmons, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and ten different types of citrus. The remaining areas consist of drought-tolerant sweeps of rosemary, lavender, rockrose, and sage all of which attract butterflies and dueling hummingbirds. Photo Credit: Laura Hull Photography. Interior Design: Jeffrey Hitchcock. Landscape Design: Laurie Lewis Design. General Contractor: Martin Perry Premier General Contractors

We were hired to create a Lake Charlevoix retreat for our client’s to be used by their whole family throughout the year. We were tasked with creating an inviting cottage that would also have plenty of space for the family and their guests. The main level features open concept living and dining, gourmet kitchen, walk-in pantry, office/library, laundry, powder room and master suite. The walk-out lower level houses a recreation room, wet bar/kitchenette, guest suite, two guest bedrooms, large bathroom, beach entry area and large walk in closet for all their outdoor gear. Balconies and a beautiful stone patio allow the family to live and entertain seamlessly from inside to outside. Coffered ceilings, built in shelving and beautiful white moldings create a stunning interior. Our clients truly love their Northern Michigan home and enjoy every opportunity to come and relax or entertain in their striking space. - Jacqueline Southby Photography

aerial perspective at hillside site
Inspiration for a mid-sized 1960s multicolored split-level wood exterior home remodel in Orange County with a mixed material roof and a white roof

This project incorporated the main floor of the home. The existing kitchen was narrow and dated, and closed off from the rest of the common spaces. The client’s wish list included opening up the space to combine the dining room and kitchen, create a more functional entry foyer, and update the dark sunporch to be more inviting. The concept resulted in swapping the kitchen and dining area, creating a perfect flow from the entry through to the sunporch. A double-sided stone-clad fireplace divides the great room and sunporch, highlighting the new vaulted ceiling. The old wood paneling on the walls was removed and reclaimed wood beams were added to the ceiling. The single door to the patio was replaced with a double door. New furniture and accessories in shades of blue and gray is at home in this bright and airy family room.

Thoughtful design and detailed craft combine to create this timelessly elegant custom home. The contemporary vocabulary and classic gabled roof harmonize with the surrounding neighborhood and natural landscape. Built from the ground up, a two story structure in the front contains the private quarters, while the one story extension in the rear houses the Great Room - kitchen, dining and living - with vaulted ceilings and ample natural light. Large sliding doors open from the Great Room onto a south-facing patio and lawn creating an inviting indoor/outdoor space for family and friends to gather. Chambers + Chambers Architects Stone Interiors Federika Moller Landscape Architecture Alanna Hale Photography

Inspiration for a farmhouse u-shaped open concept kitchen remodel in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, beige backsplash, ceramic backsplash and stainless steel appliances