This home, set at the end of a long, private driveway, is far more than meets the eye. Built in three sections and connected by two breezeways, the home’s setting takes full advantage of the clean ocean air. Set back from the water on an open plot, its lush lawn is bordered by fieldstone walls that lead to an ocean cove. The hideaway calms the mind and spirit, not only by its privacy from the noise of daily life, but through well-chosen elements, clean lines, and a bright, cheerful feel throughout. The interior is show-stopping, covered almost entirely in clear, vertical-grain fir—most of which was source from the same place. From the flooring to the walls, columns, staircases and ceiling beams, this special, tight-grain wood brightens every room in the home. At just over 3,000 feet of living area, storage and smart use of space was a huge consideration in the creation of this home. For example, the mudroom and living room were both built with expansive window seating with storage beneath. Built-in drawers and cabinets can also be found throughout, yet never interfere with the distinctly uncluttered feel of the rooms. The homeowners wanted the home to fit in as naturally as possible with the Cape Cod landscape, and also desired a feeling of virtual seamlessness between the indoors and out, resulting in an abundance of windows and doors throughout. This home has high performance windows, which are rated to withstand hurricane-force winds and impact rated against wind-borne debris. The 24-foot skylight, which was installed by crane, consists of six independently mechanized shades operating in unison. The open kitchen blends in with the home’s great room, and includes a Sub Zero refrigerator and a Wolf stove. Eco-friendly features in the home include low-flow faucets, dual-flush toilets in the bathrooms, and an energy recovery ventilation system, which conditions and improves indoor air quality. Other natural materials incorporated for the home included a variety of stone, including bluestone and boulders. Hand-made ceramic tiles were used for the bathroom showers, and the kitchen counters are covered in granite – eye-catching and long-lasting.

Kitchen - traditional u-shaped dark wood floor kitchen idea in Minneapolis with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, two islands, granite countertops and ceramic backsplash

This timber frame great room is created by the custom, curved timber trusses, which also open the up to the window prow with amazing lake views. Photos: Copyright Heidi Long, Longview Studios, Inc.

A young couple with three small children purchased this full floor loft in Tribeca in need of a gut renovation. The existing apartment was plagued with awkward spaces, limited natural light and an outdated décor. It was also lacking the required third child’s bedroom desperately needed for their newly expanded family. StudioLAB aimed for a fluid open-plan layout in the larger public spaces while creating smaller, tighter quarters in the rear private spaces to satisfy the family’s programmatic wishes. 3 small children’s bedrooms were carved out of the rear lower level connected by a communal playroom and a shared kid’s bathroom. Upstairs, the master bedroom and master bathroom float above the kid’s rooms on a mezzanine accessed by a newly built staircase. Ample new storage was built underneath the staircase as an extension of the open kitchen and dining areas. A custom pull out drawer containing the food and water bowls was installed for the family’s two dogs to be hidden away out of site when not in use. All wall surfaces, existing and new, were limited to a bright but warm white finish to create a seamless integration in the ceiling and wall structures allowing the spatial progression of the space and sculptural quality of the midcentury modern furniture pieces and colorful original artwork, painted by the wife’s brother, to enhance the space. The existing tin ceiling was left in the living room to maximize ceiling heights and remain a reminder of the historical details of the original construction. A new central AC system was added with an exposed cylindrical duct running along the long living room wall. A small office nook was built next to the elevator tucked away to be out of site.

The walls of windows and the sloped ceiling provide dimension and architectural detail, maximizing the natural light and view. The floor tile was installed in a herringbone pattern. The painted tongue and groove wood ceiling keeps the open space light, airy, and bright in contract to the dark Tudor style of the existing. home.

Klopf Architecture, Arterra Landscape Architects, and Flegels Construction updated a classic Eichler open, indoor-outdoor home. Expanding on the original walls of glass and connection to nature that is common in mid-century modern homes. The completely openable walls allow the homeowners to truly open up the living space of the house, transforming it into an open air pavilion, extending the living area outdoors to the private side yards, and taking maximum advantage of indoor-outdoor living opportunities. Taking the concept of borrowed landscape from traditional Japanese architecture, the fountain, concrete bench wall, and natural landscaping bound the indoor-outdoor space. The Truly Open Eichler is a remodeled single-family house in Palo Alto. This 1,712 square foot, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom is located in the heart of the Silicon Valley. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, Geoff Campen, and Angela Todorova Landscape Architect: Arterra Landscape Architects Structural Engineer: Brian Dotson Consulting Engineers Contractor: Flegels Construction Photography ©2014 Mariko Reed Location: Palo Alto, CA Year completed: 2014

Completely remodeled beach house with an open floor plan, beautiful light wood floors and an amazing view of the water. After walking through the entry with the open living room on the right you enter the expanse with the sitting room at the left and the family room to the right. The original double sided fireplace is updated by removing the interior walls and adding a white on white shiplap and brick combination separated by a custom wood mantle the wraps completely around. Continue through the family room to the kitchen with a large island and an amazing dining area. The blue island and the wood ceiling beam add warmth to this white on white coastal design. The shiplap hood with the custom wood band tie the shiplap ceiling and the wood ceiling beam together to complete the design.

Screened porch addition interiors Photographer: Rob Karosis
Mid-sized elegant tile screened-in porch photo in Bridgeport with a roof extension

Converted from an existing Tuff Shed garage, the Beech Haus ADU welcomes short stay guests in the heart of the bustling Williams Corridor neighborhood. Natural light dominates this self-contained unit, with windows on all sides, yet maintains privacy from the primary unit. Double pocket doors between the Living and Bedroom areas offer spatial flexibility to accommodate a variety of guests and preferences. And the open vaulted ceiling makes the space feel airy and interconnected, with a playful nod to its origin as a truss-framed garage. A play on the words Beach House, we approached this space as if it were a cottage on the coast. Durable and functional, with simplicity of form, this home away from home is cozied with curated treasures and accents. We like to personify it as a vacationer: breezy, lively, and carefree.

Inspiration for a contemporary medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in San Diego with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and two islands

Reclaimed wood box beams cover the full ceiling of this bright Scandinavian open concept kitchen in a dramatic coffered grid, their warm reddish-brown tones and aged patina creating a bold contrast against an all-white interior of white cabinetry, marble island, marble backsplash, and dark hardwood flooring. The beams run continuously from the kitchen through to the living room beyond, giving the entire open floor plan a cohesive architectural backbone rooted in the antique charm of old growth hardwood. Sourced from 19th and early 20th century structures and prepared through our process of denailing, kiln drying, and precision milling, every Manomin box beam brings genuine historic character into your home. Whether you are a homebuilder, a home remodeling contractor, or a homeowner looking to add reclaimed wood box beams to a Scandinavian or contemporary open concept kitchen, Manomin Resawn Timbers has been helping people discover the antique charm of reclaimed wood since 2002. We ship nationwide and are happy to help you find the right pieces from anywhere in the country. Visit our showroom in Hugo, MN or reach out to us with a call or a message to get started.

Example of a large classic open concept and formal medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room design in Other with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

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

Living space with curved clear cedar ceilings, built-in media and storage walls, custom artwork and custom furniture - Interior Architecture: HAUS | Architecture + LEVEL Interiors - Photography: Ryan Kurtz

The living room in this mid-century remodel is open to both the dining room and kitchen behind. Tall ceilings and transom windows help the entire space feel airy and open, while open grained cypress ceilings add texture and warmth to the ceiling. Existing brick walls have been painted a warm white and floors are old growth walnut. White oak wood veneer was chosen for the custom millwork at the entertainment center. Sofa is sourced from Crate & Barrel and the coffee table is the Gage Cocktail Table by Room & Board. Interior by Allison Burke Interior Design Architecture by A Parallel Paul Finkel Photography

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Large elegant open concept living room photo in Orlando with yellow 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

Our client desired a bespoke farmhouse kitchen and sought unique items to create this one of a kind farmhouse kitchen their family. We transformed this kitchen by changing the orientation, removed walls and opened up the exterior with a 3 panel stacking door. The oversized pendants are the subtle frame work for an artfully made metal hood cover. The statement hood which I discovered on one of my trips inspired the design and added flare and style to this home. Nothing is as it seems, the white cabinetry looks like shaker until you look closer it is beveled for a sophisticated finish upscale finish. The backsplash looks like subway until you look closer it is actually 3d concave tile that simply looks like it was formed around a wine bottle. We added the coffered ceiling and wood flooring to create this warm enhanced featured of the space. The custom cabinetry then was made to match the oak wood on the ceiling. The pedestal legs on the island enhance the characterizes for the cerused oak cabinetry. Fabulous clients make fabulous projects.

Light hardwood floors flow from room to room on the first level. Oil-rubbed bronze light fixtures add a sense of eclectic elegance to the farmhouse setting. Horizontal stair railings give a modern touch to the farmhouse nostalgia. Stained wooden beams contrast beautifully with the crisp white tongue and groove ceiling. A barn door conceals a private, well-lit office or homework nook with bespoke shelving.