Time had stood still at this 1970s ranch in Armonk when the owners invited us to collaborate with them to transform it into a modern, light-filled home for their young family. The budget was lean, so economy was a primary consideration for every design decision. The challenge was to identify the modest home’s virtues – vaulted ceilings and a lovely backyard – and accentuate them by strategically optimizing available funds. We were tasked with rectifying a dysfunctional interior stair, connecting to the outdoors with new large windows, and updating the exterior. We focused our attention on a finite set of architectural moves which would have the biggest impact and improve our clients’ daily experience of the home. Detailing was kept simple, using common grade materials and standard components. All exterior walls were revamped with new windows and siding. Although these materials were not particularly costly, thoughtful layout of boards, battens, and openings produced a cohesive, rigorous composition at each facade. Since the budget would not cover the homeowners’ complete wish list, some items were bracketed for subsequent phases. The challenge was to establish a framework that would allow future work – including a new roof and kitchen renovation – to proceed smoothly. The homeowners, both scientists, were enthusiastic collaborators, contributing their outstanding design sensibilities to selection of fixtures and finishes. Construction ended just in time for the arrival of their baby – and with that, the transformation of their family home was complete.

The Mazama house is located in the Methow Valley of Washington State, a secluded mountain valley on the eastern edge of the North Cascades, about 200 miles northeast of Seattle. The house has been carefully placed in a copse of trees at the easterly end of a large meadow. Two major building volumes indicate the house organization. A grounded 2-story bedroom wing anchors a raised living pavilion that is lifted off the ground by a series of exposed steel columns. Seen from the access road, the large meadow in front of the house continues right under the main living space, making the living pavilion into a kind of bridge structure spanning over the meadow grass, with the house touching the ground lightly on six steel columns. The raised floor level provides enhanced views as well as keeping the main living level well above the 3-4 feet of winter snow accumulation that is typical for the upper Methow Valley. To further emphasize the idea of lightness, the exposed wood structure of the living pavilion roof changes pitch along its length, so the roof warps upward at each end. The interior exposed wood beams appear like an unfolding fan as the roof pitch changes. The main interior bearing columns are steel with a tapered “V”-shape, recalling the lightness of a dancer. The house reflects the continuing FINNE investigation into the idea of crafted modernism, with cast bronze inserts at the front door, variegated laser-cut steel railing panels, a curvilinear cast-glass kitchen counter, waterjet-cut aluminum light fixtures, and many custom furniture pieces. The house interior has been designed to be completely integral with the exterior. The living pavilion contains more than twelve pieces of custom furniture and lighting, creating a totality of the designed environment that recalls the idea of Gesamtkunstverk, as seen in the work of Josef Hoffman and the Viennese Secessionist movement in the early 20th century. The house has been designed from the start as a sustainable structure, with 40% higher insulation values than required by code, radiant concrete slab heating, efficient natural ventilation, large amounts of natural lighting, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and locally sourced materials. Windows have high-performance LowE insulated glazing and are equipped with concealed shades. A radiant hydronic heat system with exposed concrete floors allows lower operating temperatures and higher occupant comfort levels. The concrete slabs conserve heat and provide great warmth and comfort for the feet. Deep roof overhangs, built-in shades and high operating clerestory windows are used to reduce heat gain in summer months. During the winter, the lower sun angle is able to penetrate into living spaces and passively warm the exposed concrete floor. Low VOC paints and stains have been used throughout the house. The high level of craft evident in the house reflects another key principle of sustainable design: build it well and make it last for many years! Photo by Benjamin Benschneider

Trendy formal and open concept dark wood floor living room photo in Los Angeles with gray walls

Photography by Liz Glasgow
Mid-sized elegant l-shaped painted wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in New York with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, solid surface countertops, stone tile backsplash and white countertops

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional dark wood floor foyer remodel in Dallas with white walls and a medium wood front door

Living room - rustic open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room idea in Other with beige walls

Recently, TaskRabbit challenged a group of 10 Taskers to build a Tiny House in the middle of Manhattan in just 72 hours – all for a good cause. Building a fully outfitted tiny house in 3 days was a tall order – a build like this often takes months – but we set out to prove the power of collaboration, showing the kind of progress that can be made when people come together, bringing their best insights, skills and creativity to achieve something that seems impossible. It was quite a week. New York was wonderful (and quite lovely, despite a bit of rain), our Taskers were incredible, and TaskRabbit’s Tiny House came together in record time, due to the planning, dedication and hard work of all involved. A Symbol for Change The TaskRabbit Tiny House was auctioned off with 100% of the proceeds going to our partner, Community Solutions, a national nonprofit helping communities take on complex social challenges – issues like homelessness, unemployment and health inequity – through collaboration and creative problem solving. This Tiny House was envisioned as a small symbol of the change that is possible when people have the right tools and opportunities to work together. Through our three-day build, our Taskers proved that amazing things can happen when we put our hearts into creating substantive change in our communities. The Winning Bid We’re proud to report that we were able to raise $26,600 to support Community Solutions’ work. Sarah, a lovely woman from New Hampshire, placed the winning bid – and it’s nice to know our tiny home is in good hands. #ATinyTask: Behind the Scenes The Plans A lot of time and effort went into making sure this Tiny Home was as efficient, cozy and welcoming as possible. Our master planners, designer Lesley Morphy and TaskRabbit Creative Director Scott Smith, maximized every square inch in the little house with comfort and style in mind, utilizing a lofted bed, lofted storage, a floor-to-ceiling tiled shower, a compost toilet, and custom details throughout. There’s a surprising amount of built-in storage in the kitchen, while a conscious decision was made to keep the living space open so you could actually exist comfortably without feeling cramped. The Build Our Taskers worked long, hard shifts while our team made sure they were well fed, hydrated and in good spirits. The team brought amazing energy and we couldn’t be prouder of the way they worked together. Stay tuned, as we’ll be highlighting more of our Tiny House Taskers’ stories in coming days – they were so great that we want to make sure all of you get to know them better. The Final Product Behold, the completed Tiny House! For more photos, be sure to check out our Facebook page. This was an incredibly inspiring project, and we really enjoyed watching the Tiny House come to life right in the middle of Manhattan. It was amazing to see what our Taskers are capable of, and we’re so glad we were able to support Community Solutions and help fight homelessness, unemployment and health inequity with #ATinyTask.

Recently, TaskRabbit challenged a group of 10 Taskers to build a Tiny House in the middle of Manhattan in just 72 hours – all for a good cause. Building a fully outfitted tiny house in 3 days was a tall order – a build like this often takes months – but we set out to prove the power of collaboration, showing the kind of progress that can be made when people come together, bringing their best insights, skills and creativity to achieve something that seems impossible. It was quite a week. New York was wonderful (and quite lovely, despite a bit of rain), our Taskers were incredible, and TaskRabbit’s Tiny House came together in record time, due to the planning, dedication and hard work of all involved. A Symbol for Change The TaskRabbit Tiny House was auctioned off with 100% of the proceeds going to our partner, Community Solutions, a national nonprofit helping communities take on complex social challenges – issues like homelessness, unemployment and health inequity – through collaboration and creative problem solving. This Tiny House was envisioned as a small symbol of the change that is possible when people have the right tools and opportunities to work together. Through our three-day build, our Taskers proved that amazing things can happen when we put our hearts into creating substantive change in our communities. The Winning Bid We’re proud to report that we were able to raise $26,600 to support Community Solutions’ work. Sarah, a lovely woman from New Hampshire, placed the winning bid – and it’s nice to know our tiny home is in good hands. #ATinyTask: Behind the Scenes The Plans A lot of time and effort went into making sure this Tiny Home was as efficient, cozy and welcoming as possible. Our master planners, designer Lesley Morphy and TaskRabbit Creative Director Scott Smith, maximized every square inch in the little house with comfort and style in mind, utilizing a lofted bed, lofted storage, a floor-to-ceiling tiled shower, a compost toilet, and custom details throughout. There’s a surprising amount of built-in storage in the kitchen, while a conscious decision was made to keep the living space open so you could actually exist comfortably without feeling cramped. The Build Our Taskers worked long, hard shifts while our team made sure they were well fed, hydrated and in good spirits. The team brought amazing energy and we couldn’t be prouder of the way they worked together. Stay tuned, as we’ll be highlighting more of our Tiny House Taskers’ stories in coming days – they were so great that we want to make sure all of you get to know them better. The Final Product Behold, the completed Tiny House! For more photos, be sure to check out our Facebook page. This was an incredibly inspiring project, and we really enjoyed watching the Tiny House come to life right in the middle of Manhattan. It was amazing to see what our Taskers are capable of, and we’re so glad we were able to support Community Solutions and help fight homelessness, unemployment and health inequity with #ATinyTask.

Stacy Bass Photography
Mid-sized coastal white two-story wood exterior home idea in New York with a metal roof

Scott Braman Photography
Inspiration for a craftsman two-story wood exterior home remodel in DC Metro

Home and Living Examiner said: Modern renovation by J Design Group is stunning J Design Group, an expert in luxury design, completed a new project in Tamarac, Florida, which involved the total interior remodeling of this home. We were so intrigued by the photos and design ideas, we decided to talk to J Design Group CEO, Jennifer Corredor. The concept behind the redesign was inspired by the client’s relocation. Andrea Campbell: How did you get a feel for the client's aesthetic? Jennifer Corredor: After a one-on-one with the Client, I could get a real sense of her aesthetics for this home and the type of furnishings she gravitated towards. The redesign included a total interior remodeling of the client's home. All of this was done with the client's personal style in mind. Certain walls were removed to maximize the openness of the area and bathrooms were also demolished and reconstructed for a new layout. This included removing the old tiles and replacing with white 40” x 40” glass tiles for the main open living area which optimized the space immediately. Bedroom floors were dressed with exotic African Teak to introduce warmth to the space. We also removed and replaced the outdated kitchen with a modern look and streamlined, state-of-the-art kitchen appliances. To introduce some color for the backsplash and match the client's taste, we introduced a splash of plum-colored glass behind the stove and kept the remaining backsplash with frosted glass. We then removed all the doors throughout the home and replaced with custom-made doors which were a combination of cherry with insert of frosted glass and stainless steel handles. All interior lights were replaced with LED bulbs and stainless steel trims, including unique pendant and wall sconces that were also added. All bathrooms were totally gutted and remodeled with unique wall finishes, including an entire marble slab utilized in the master bath shower stall. Once renovation of the home was completed, we proceeded to install beautiful high-end modern furniture for interior and exterior, from lines such as B&B Italia to complete a masterful design. One-of-a-kind and limited edition accessories and vases complimented the look with original art, most of which was custom-made for the home. To complete the home, state of the art A/V system was introduced. The idea is always to enhance and amplify spaces in a way that is unique to the client and exceeds his/her expectations. To see complete J Design Group featured article, go to: http://www.examiner.com/article/modern-renovation-by-j-design-group-is-stunning Living Room, Dining room, Master Bedroom, Master Bathroom, Powder Bathroom, Miami Interior Designers, Miami Interior Designer, Interior Designers Miami, Interior Designer Miami, Modern Interior Designers, Modern Interior Designer, Modern interior decorators, Modern interior decorator, Miami, Contemporary Interior Designers, Contemporary Interior Designer, Interior design decorators, Interior design decorator, Interior Decoration and Design, Black Interior Designers, Black Interior Designer, Interior designer, Interior designers, Home interior designers, Home interior designer, Daniel Newcomb

Transitional porch idea in Atlanta with decking and a roof extension

A combination of stain finishes and textures along with the waterfall island bring interest to this gorgeous kitchen. Photos by: Rod Foster
Inspiration for a huge coastal galley limestone floor open concept kitchen remodel in Orange County with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz countertops, blue backsplash, cement tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

This small opening creates a view to the family room below as one proceeds up to the upper levels on the stairs Peter Nilson Photography
Example of an urban medium tone wood floor hallway design in Chicago with white walls

Jack Michaud Photography

Tiny House bathroom Photography: Gieves Anderson Noble Johnson Architects was honored to partner with Huseby Homes to design a Tiny House which was displayed at Nashville botanical garden, Cheekwood, for two weeks in the spring of 2021. It was then auctioned off to benefit the Swan Ball. Although the Tiny House is only 383 square feet, the vaulted space creates an incredibly inviting volume. Its natural light, high end appliances and luxury lighting create a welcoming space.

Add laidback modern elegance to a rustic farmhouse dining room with custom Euro pleated trellis embroidered curtain panels, gold scroll embroidered decorative throw pillows, a grey and persimmon orange stylized floral table runner, and brick red block printed placemats. Shop and create your custom accents at loomdecor.com

With porches on every side, the “Georgetown” is designed for enjoying the natural surroundings. The main level of the home is characterized by wide open spaces, with connected kitchen, dining, and living areas, all leading onto the various outdoor patios. The main floor master bedroom occupies one entire wing of the home, along with an additional bedroom suite. The upper level features two bedroom suites and a bunk room, with space over the detached garage providing a private guest suite.

We understood the customer's dream to remove an existing closet and several walls. We began with the removal of several structural walls and closet. We found that the previous contractor had incorrectly removed structural wood posts. We secured the structural integrity of the building with wood and steel. We proceeded to expand the opening between the Kitchen and Butler Pantry, which included relocating waste and water lines from the second floor. We upgraded the existing electrical and installed a 440-volt electrical system for the entire home. You can enjoy the illumination of the cabinetry and kitchen, by the pendant lights, recessed lights, under cabinet lights, and curio lights in the glass door cabinets, Note the brick pattern Subway tile from the counter top to the ceiling, in the kitchen and the Butler Pantry. Take special notice of the decorative tile area above the range. The chimney style hood was vented to the exterior. The unique sitting area, near the rear entry, was finished with beadboard paneling and wall cabinets up to the ceiling., trimmed with crown molding. General Contractor / Remodel: E D Enterprises, Inc. Michael Alan Kaskel Photography