Patio - contemporary patio idea in Los Angeles with a roof extension

The Port Ludlow Residence is a compact, 2400 SF modern house located on a wooded waterfront property at the north end of the Hood Canal, a long, fjord-like arm of western Puget Sound. The house creates a simple glazed living space that opens up to become a front porch to the beautiful Hood Canal. The east-facing house is sited along a high bank, with a wonderful view of the water. The main living volume is completely glazed, with 12-ft. high glass walls facing the view and large, 8-ft.x8-ft. sliding glass doors that open to a slightly raised wood deck, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor space. During the warm summer months, the living area feels like a large, open porch. Anchoring the north end of the living space is a two-story building volume containing several bedrooms and separate his/her office spaces. The interior finishes are simple and elegant, with IPE wood flooring, zebrawood cabinet doors with mahogany end panels, quartz and limestone countertops, and Douglas Fir trim and doors. Exterior materials are completely maintenance-free: metal siding and aluminum windows and doors. The metal siding has an alternating pattern using two different siding profiles. The house has a number of sustainable or “green” building features, including 2x8 construction (40% greater insulation value); generous glass areas to provide natural lighting and ventilation; large overhangs for sun and rain protection; metal siding (recycled steel) for maximum durability, and a heat pump mechanical system for maximum energy efficiency. Sustainable interior finish materials include wood cabinets, linoleum floors, low-VOC paints, and natural wool carpet.

Photo of a mediterranean landscaping in Austin.

Baulinder Haus is located just a few houses down from a landmark Kansas City area home designed by Bauhaus architect Marcel Breuer. Baulinder Haus draws inspiration from the details of the neighboring home. Vertically oriented wood siding, simple forms, and overhanging masses—these were part of Breuer’s modernist palette. The house’s form consists of a series of stacked boxes, with public spaces on the ground level and private spaces in the boxes above. The boxes are oriented in a U-shaped plan to create a generous private courtyard. This was designed as an extension of the interior living space, blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. Floor-to-ceiling south facing windows in the courtyard are shaded by the overhanging second floor above to prohibit solar heat gain, but allow for passive solar heating in the winter. Other sustainable elements of the home include a geothermal heat pump HVAC system, energy efficient windows and sprayed foam insulation. The exterior wood is a vertical shiplap siding milled from FSC certified Machiche. Baulinder Haus was designed to meet and exceed requirements put forward by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for their Indoor airPLUS qualified homes, and is working toward Energy Star qualification. Machiche and steel screening elements provide depth and texture to front facade.

bruce damonte
Mid-century modern u-shaped concrete floor kitchen photo in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, orange cabinets, wood countertops and stainless steel appliances

Elegant beige floor entryway photo in Atlanta with a blue front door

Kurt Hettle
Kitchen - contemporary l-shaped kitchen idea in Portland with flat-panel cabinets, stainless steel appliances, a farmhouse sink and concrete countertops

Design ideas for a contemporary landscaping in San Francisco.

Perched on a bluff overlooking Block Island Sound, the property is a flag lot at the edge of a new subdivision, bordered on three sides by water, wetlands, and woods. The client asked us to design a house with a minimal impact on the pristine landscape, maximum exposure to the views and all the amenities of a year round vacation home. The basic requirements of each space were considered integrally with the effects of sunlight, breezes and views. The house was conceived as a lens, continually framing and magnifying the subtle changes in the surrounding environment.

Photo by Erica George Dines Interior design by Melanie Turner http://melanieturnerinteriors.com/

Horse Country Home
Inspiration for a farmhouse utility room remodel in New York with a drop-in sink, glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, tile countertops, white walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer

Pressure-treated wood is wood that’s been treated with preservatives. This protects wood from insects and decay and is ideal for projects where wood is exposed to the elements or excessive moisture. Wood preservatives are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency for their safe use. Pressure-treated softwood lumber includes Southern Pine, Ponderosa Pine, Douglas fir and Hem-fir. Pressure-treated wood is labeled for above ground or ground contact. When you purchase pressure-treated lumber, be sure to let the salesperson know your intended use so they can recommend the best product for your project. Common sense safety practices apply when working with any building material. When working with treated wood, it’s important to wear a dust mask, eye protection and gloves. Dispose of treated wood scraps using normal trash collection methods; do not burn treated wood.

View of man made pond and waterfall by Miami based landscape architect Orlando Comas, member of American Society of Landscape Architects, licensed by State of Florida.

Nat Rea
Example of a beach style two-story wood gable roof design in Providence

Sonoma, CA
Mid-sized elegant backyard concrete paver and rectangular aboveground hot tub photo in San Francisco

Eat-in kitchen - large traditional dark wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Portland with stainless steel appliances, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, granite countertops, an undermount sink, two islands and black countertops

NanDro manufactures and installs environmentally-friendly protective shields, sealants and concrete materials. Our coatings, sealers and materials can be used to defend your surface from harmful environmental elements as well as everyday wear and tear! NanDro also is an applicator and can coat your products in house or out in the field. NanDro Concrete Shield protects concrete and masonry surfaces from multiple destructive forces. Unprotected concrete surfaces can be damaged by water, salt spray, acid from food/beverages & waste, gum, graffiti, and chloride ion. When coated, the concrete surface will not only be protected from these damaging elements, but will also be aesthetically enhanced with a peel and flake resistant gloss or satin finish. NanDro Wood Shield is the all in one solution for protecting your everyday wooden surfaces. It protects from UV damage, acid etching, water spots, moisture and other natural decay. These features make it ideal for use not only in the home, but also in industries such as restaurants, marinas, decks, furniture, and the rest of the great outdoors. NanDro Metal Shield is ideal for protecting, and preserving metal surfaces under various conditions. It provides protection against all types of corrosion from water, salt spray, chemical exposure, as well as other damaging environmental elements. Due to its anti-corrosion properties, the Metal Coat also eliminates the need to polish easily tarnished metals, such as aluminum, copper, and brass. It also provides UV protection for the metal surface and reduces ice adhesion. Also available is the NanDro Stainless Steel Coating.

Stacy Goldberg
Inspiration for a contemporary l-shaped porcelain tile kitchen remodel in Chicago with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, light wood cabinets and subway tile backsplash

Toys can really begin to take over the house - so figuring out an organization system will not only make you happy but it's a great way to teach those tykes the importance of organization. Clear Shoe Boxes from The Container Store also make for great containers to store by color, shape, or set.