The private home, reminiscent of Maine lodges and family camps, was designed to be a sanctuary for the family and their many relatives. Lassel Architects worked closely with the owners to meet their needs and wishes and collaborated thoroughly with the builder during the construction process to provide a meticulously crafted home. The open-concept plan, framed by a unique timber frame inspired by Greene & Greene’s designs, provides large open spaces for entertaining with generous views to the lake, along with sleeping lofts that comfortably host a crowd overnight. Each of the family members' bedrooms was configured to provide a view to the lake. The bedroom wings pivot off a staircase which winds around a natural tree trunk up to a tower room with 360-degree views of the surrounding lake and forest. All interiors are framed with natural wood and custom-built furniture and cabinets reinforce daily use and activities. The family enjoys the home throughout the entire year; therefore careful attention was paid to insulation, air tightness and efficient mechanical systems, including in-floor heating. The house was integrated into the natural topography of the site to connect the interior and exterior spaces and encourage an organic circulation flow. Solar orientation and summer and winter sun angles were studied to shade in the summer and take advantage of passive solar gain in the winter. Equally important was the use of natural ventilation. The design takes into account cross-ventilation for each bedroom while high and low awning windows to allow cool air to move through the home replacing warm air in the upper floor. The tower functions as a private space with great light and views with the advantage of the Venturi effect on warm summer evenings. Sandy Agrafiotis

The private home, reminiscent of Maine lodges and family camps, was designed to be a sanctuary for the family and their many relatives. Lassel Architects worked closely with the owners to meet their needs and wishes and collaborated thoroughly with the builder during the construction process to provide a meticulously crafted home. The open-concept plan, framed by a unique timber frame inspired by Greene & Greene’s designs, provides large open spaces for entertaining with generous views to the lake, along with sleeping lofts that comfortably host a crowd overnight. Each of the family members' bedrooms was configured to provide a view to the lake. The bedroom wings pivot off a staircase which winds around a natural tree trunk up to a tower room with 360-degree views of the surrounding lake and forest. All interiors are framed with natural wood and custom-built furniture and cabinets reinforce daily use and activities. The family enjoys the home throughout the entire year; therefore careful attention was paid to insulation, air tightness and efficient mechanical systems, including in-floor heating. The house was integrated into the natural topography of the site to connect the interior and exterior spaces and encourage an organic circulation flow. Solar orientation and summer and winter sun angles were studied to shade in the summer and take advantage of passive solar gain in the winter. Equally important was the use of natural ventilation. The design takes into account cross-ventilation for each bedroom while high and low awning windows to allow cool air to move through the home replacing warm air in the upper floor. The tower functions as a private space with great light and views with the advantage of the Venturi effect on warm summer evenings. Sandy Agrafiotis

360 degrees
Kids' bedroom - bedroom and large transitional girl carpeted kids' bedroom idea in Edmonton with gray walls

The private home, reminiscent of Maine lodges and family camps, was designed to be a sanctuary for the family and their many relatives. Lassel Architects worked closely with the owners to meet their needs and wishes and collaborated thoroughly with the builder during the construction process to provide a meticulously crafted home. The open-concept plan, framed by a unique timber frame inspired by Greene & Greene’s designs, provides large open spaces for entertaining with generous views to the lake, along with sleeping lofts that comfortably host a crowd overnight. Each of the family members' bedrooms was configured to provide a view to the lake. The bedroom wings pivot off a staircase which winds around a natural tree trunk up to a tower room with 360-degree views of the surrounding lake and forest. All interiors are framed with natural wood and custom-built furniture and cabinets reinforce daily use and activities. The family enjoys the home throughout the entire year; therefore careful attention was paid to insulation, air tightness and efficient mechanical systems, including in-floor heating. The house was integrated into the natural topography of the site to connect the interior and exterior spaces and encourage an organic circulation flow. Solar orientation and summer and winter sun angles were studied to shade in the summer and take advantage of passive solar gain in the winter. Equally important was the use of natural ventilation. The design takes into account cross-ventilation for each bedroom while high and low awning windows to allow cool air to move through the home replacing warm air in the upper floor. The tower functions as a private space with great light and views with the advantage of the Venturi effect on warm summer evenings. Sandy Agrafiotis

The private home, reminiscent of Maine lodges and family camps, was designed to be a sanctuary for the family and their many relatives. Lassel Architects worked closely with the owners to meet their needs and wishes and collaborated thoroughly with the builder during the construction process to provide a meticulously crafted home. The open-concept plan, framed by a unique timber frame inspired by Greene & Greene’s designs, provides large open spaces for entertaining with generous views to the lake, along with sleeping lofts that comfortably host a crowd overnight. Each of the family members' bedrooms was configured to provide a view to the lake. The bedroom wings pivot off a staircase which winds around a natural tree trunk up to a tower room with 360-degree views of the surrounding lake and forest. All interiors are framed with natural wood and custom-built furniture and cabinets reinforce daily use and activities. The family enjoys the home throughout the entire year; therefore careful attention was paid to insulation, air tightness and efficient mechanical systems, including in-floor heating. The house was integrated into the natural topography of the site to connect the interior and exterior spaces and encourage an organic circulation flow. Solar orientation and summer and winter sun angles were studied to shade in the summer and take advantage of passive solar gain in the winter. Equally important was the use of natural ventilation. The design takes into account cross-ventilation for each bedroom while high and low awning windows to allow cool air to move through the home replacing warm air in the upper floor. The tower functions as a private space with great light and views with the advantage of the Venturi effect on warm summer evenings. Sandy Agrafiotis

Perfectly situated, gorgeous breathtaking panoramic views of shimmering surf, sea, sunsets, coastline, wildlife, and nightlight are yours in this La Jolla brand newly reconstructed state-of-the-art 4+ bedroom, 4 ½ bath contemporary home. Located across the street from the beach and ocean of Bird Rock capturing rare unobstructed views over the pacific to Point Loma, Coronado, San Diego, and the North County coastline, all while enjoying the La Jolla beach lifestyle. A short stroll to Bird Rock Village, shops, and restaurants, the home boasts great entertaining and living areas throughout, as well as private spaces in which to relax and take in the Southern California lifestyle. This home is complete with three levels of decks, oversized glass windows and sliding doors, stunning vistas, a sun-filled and state-of-the-art entertainer’s dream kitchen with stone finished counters and an expansive island with bar seating opens to the living room with high ceilings and a gorgeous fireplace. On the top of this masterpiece is a full outdoor viewing deck complete with an outdoor kitchen, bbq, lounge, and bar seating as well as unobstructed 360-degree views and priceless sunsets. The main floor west-facing luxurious ocean view master bedroom retreat is complete with a fireplace, walk-in cedar closet, and a spa-like master bathroom. Additionally, the main floors’ en-suite bedroom has its’ own private patio and is tucked away enabling serenity and comfort. This home is complete with a separate office, laundry room, oversized game room/family room with kitchen, third fireplace, and glass wall of sliding doors to one of the three west-facing view decks. There are two additional exquisite bedrooms with unobstructed views adjacent to this living space. There is an attached two-car garage that opens onto a private one-way in and out road shared only by a handful of surrounding neighbors. This home truly embodies the quintessential yet sophisticated La Jolla beach style.

Perfectly situated, gorgeous breathtaking panoramic views of shimmering surf, sea, sunsets, coastline, wildlife, and nightlight are yours in this La Jolla brand newly reconstructed state-of-the-art 4+ bedroom, 4 ½ bath contemporary home. Located across the street from the beach and ocean of Bird Rock capturing rare unobstructed views over the pacific to Point Loma, Coronado, San Diego, and the North County coastline, all while enjoying the La Jolla beach lifestyle. A short stroll to Bird Rock Village, shops, and restaurants, the home boasts great entertaining and living areas throughout, as well as private spaces in which to relax and take in the Southern California lifestyle. This home is complete with three levels of decks, oversized glass windows and sliding doors, stunning vistas, a sun-filled and state-of-the-art entertainer’s dream kitchen with stone finished counters and an expansive island with bar seating opens to the living room with high ceilings and a gorgeous fireplace. On the top of this masterpiece is a full outdoor viewing deck complete with an outdoor kitchen, bbq, lounge, and bar seating as well as unobstructed 360-degree views and priceless sunsets. The main floor west-facing luxurious ocean view master bedroom retreat is complete with a fireplace, walk-in cedar closet, and a spa-like master bathroom. Additionally, the main floors’ en-suite bedroom has its’ own private patio and is tucked away enabling serenity and comfort. This home is complete with a separate office, laundry room, oversized game room/family room with kitchen, third fireplace, and glass wall of sliding doors to one of the three west-facing view decks. There are two additional exquisite bedrooms with unobstructed views adjacent to this living space. There is an attached two-car garage that opens onto a private one-way in and out road shared only by a handful of surrounding neighbors. This home truly embodies the quintessential yet sophisticated La Jolla beach style.

Perfectly situated, gorgeous breathtaking panoramic views of shimmering surf, sea, sunsets, coastline, wildlife, and nightlight are yours in this La Jolla brand newly reconstructed state-of-the-art 4+ bedroom, 4 ½ bath contemporary home. Located across the street from the beach and ocean of Bird Rock capturing rare unobstructed views over the pacific to Point Loma, Coronado, San Diego, and the North County coastline, all while enjoying the La Jolla beach lifestyle. A short stroll to Bird Rock Village, shops, and restaurants, the home boasts great entertaining and living areas throughout, as well as private spaces in which to relax and take in the Southern California lifestyle. This home is complete with three levels of decks, oversized glass windows and sliding doors, stunning vistas, a sun-filled and state-of-the-art entertainer’s dream kitchen with stone finished counters and an expansive island with bar seating opens to the living room with high ceilings and a gorgeous fireplace. On the top of this masterpiece is a full outdoor viewing deck complete with an outdoor kitchen, bbq, lounge, and bar seating as well as unobstructed 360-degree views and priceless sunsets. The main floor west-facing luxurious ocean view master bedroom retreat is complete with a fireplace, walk-in cedar closet, and a spa-like master bathroom. Additionally, the main floors’ en-suite bedroom has its’ own private patio and is tucked away enabling serenity and comfort. This home is complete with a separate office, laundry room, oversized game room/family room with kitchen, third fireplace, and glass wall of sliding doors to one of the three west-facing view decks. There are two additional exquisite bedrooms with unobstructed views adjacent to this living space. There is an attached two-car garage that opens onto a private one-way in and out road shared only by a handful of surrounding neighbors. This home truly embodies the quintessential yet sophisticated La Jolla beach style.

Example of a minimalist pool design in Miami

Custom concrete and steel structure waterfront home with three living green roof areas. Top floor family room is brightly decorated with a real modern flair. Snubbers fabrics used inside and out as well to keep the two spaces cohesive. Custom commercial window glazing has allowed for large windows to that waterfront and mountain range can be viewed throughout the house. 40 ft x 30 ft private living green roof is accessed from this top floor modern family room. Brazilian Hardwood decking and concrete pavers ground lounging and seating areas along with fire table for the cool nights. Enjoy the spectacular 360 degrees unobstructed water and mountain views. Aqua blue and green accents from inside family room are carried out on seating area on outdoor decking area to keep continuity. Large screen projection can be viewed inside or out. Full home theatre inside and out. . Truly a modern masterpiece inside and out.. John Bentley Photography - Vancouver

360 degrees
Inspiration for a bedroom and large transitional girl carpeted kids' bedroom remodel in Edmonton with gray walls

The private home, reminiscent of Maine lodges and family camps, was designed to be a sanctuary for the family and their many relatives. Lassel Architects worked closely with the owners to meet their needs and wishes and collaborated thoroughly with the builder during the construction process to provide a meticulously crafted home. The open-concept plan, framed by a unique timber frame inspired by Greene & Greene’s designs, provides large open spaces for entertaining with generous views to the lake, along with sleeping lofts that comfortably host a crowd overnight. Each of the family members' bedrooms was configured to provide a view to the lake. The bedroom wings pivot off a staircase which winds around a natural tree trunk up to a tower room with 360-degree views of the surrounding lake and forest. All interiors are framed with natural wood and custom-built furniture and cabinets reinforce daily use and activities. The family enjoys the home throughout the entire year; therefore careful attention was paid to insulation, air tightness and efficient mechanical systems, including in-floor heating. The house was integrated into the natural topography of the site to connect the interior and exterior spaces and encourage an organic circulation flow. Solar orientation and summer and winter sun angles were studied to shade in the summer and take advantage of passive solar gain in the winter. Equally important was the use of natural ventilation. The design takes into account cross-ventilation for each bedroom while high and low awning windows to allow cool air to move through the home replacing warm air in the upper floor. The tower functions as a private space with great light and views with the advantage of the Venturi effect on warm summer evenings. Sandy Agrafiotis

Kitchen showroom at Kitchens by Wedgewood's - Cherry Creek, Denver, Colorado showroom. See link to 360-degree walkthrough on Google Maps.
Kitchen - kitchen idea in Denver

In partnership with Charles Cudd Co. Photo by John Hruska Orono MN, Architectural Details, Architecture, JMAD, Jim McNeal, Shingle Style Home, Transitional Design Corner Office, Built-In Office Desk, Floating Shelves, Window Shades, White Trim

Entry Stair Lighting Photo: Eric Rorer
Example of a mid-sized transitional green two-story exterior home design in San Francisco

The upstairs has open floor plan which includes the kitchen, dining room, and living room. The natural wood ceiling gives the home a bright and organic feeling. The lumber used is basswood, which was brought to Montana by the homeowners from their native home of Minnesota, a homage to their roots. The Crimson Bluffs Home is a sustainable smaller home with 360 degree views of the Missouri River various mountain ranges. Energy-efficiency strategies include long-lasting building materials, passive cooling, ample natural day lighting, high insulation values, advanced framing, and a combined heating approach of passive solar heat gain and radiant hydronic floor heating, a strategy we call “Sun Smart Radiant Heating.” Greenovision Home Design

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Forget just one room with a view—Lochley has almost an entire house dedicated to capturing nature’s best views and vistas. Make the most of a waterside or lakefront lot in this economical yet elegant floor plan, which was tailored to fit a narrow lot and has more than 1,600 square feet of main floor living space as well as almost as much on its upper and lower levels. A dovecote over the garage, multiple peaks and interesting roof lines greet guests at the street side, where a pergola over the front door provides a warm welcome and fitting intro to the interesting design. Other exterior features include trusses and transoms over multiple windows, siding, shutters and stone accents throughout the home’s three stories. The water side includes a lower-level walkout, a lower patio, an upper enclosed porch and walls of windows, all designed to take full advantage of the sun-filled site. The floor plan is all about relaxation – the kitchen includes an oversized island designed for gathering family and friends, a u-shaped butler’s pantry with a convenient second sink, while the nearby great room has built-ins and a central natural fireplace. Distinctive details include decorative wood beams in the living and kitchen areas, a dining area with sloped ceiling and decorative trusses and built-in window seat, and another window seat with built-in storage in the den, perfect for relaxing or using as a home office. A first-floor laundry and space for future elevator make it as convenient as attractive. Upstairs, an additional 1,200 square feet of living space include a master bedroom suite with a sloped 13-foot ceiling with decorative trusses and a corner natural fireplace, a master bath with two sinks and a large walk-in closet with built-in bench near the window. Also included is are two additional bedrooms and access to a third-floor loft, which could functions as a third bedroom if needed. Two more bedrooms with walk-in closets and a bath are found in the 1,300-square foot lower level, which also includes a secondary kitchen with bar, a fitness room overlooking the lake, a recreation/family room with built-in TV and a wine bar perfect for toasting the beautiful view beyond.

Mike Dean
Mountain style living room photo with yellow walls