A comfortable window seat in the Guest Room overlooks distant mountain views. Robert Benson Photography
Huge country guest medium tone wood floor bedroom photo in New York with white walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace

Photo: Hoi Ning Wong © 2014 Houzz
Transitional living room photo in San Francisco

Photo: Carolyn Reyes © 2016 Houzz
Example of a transitional bedroom design in Los Angeles

Bench seating in the dining room allows for flexibilty and clean lines. www.marikoreed.com
Mid-sized minimalist ceramic tile kitchen/dining room combo photo in San Francisco with beige walls

2010 NATIONAL NARI REGIONAL AWARD WINNER Project Scope The owners of this 7,000 square foot colonial in Oakton, Virginia, were seeking a multi-level Mediterranean-style indoor/outdoor living space off the back of their home. They turned to Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes for a design solution that would include a stone patio, a second-story deck, a screened-in porch and linking staircases. While the structure was designed primarily for family dining and entertaining, it also had to accommodate periodic social gatherings of one hundred guests or more. To meet these needs, the project would include a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen, several serving counters with permanent refrigeration, and well-delineated socializing and dining zones. The existing home’s setting offered several impressive assets the new outdoor living area was designed to exploit. The sprawling acreage features old stand trees, wooded paths and a private lake. Beautifully landscaped, it unfolds as an idyllic panorama that naturally draws people to the outdoors. Challenges Since the rear elevation was situated on a slope that drops away from the house, the Michael Nash team had to raise the grade two feet within in a 2,000 square foot area extending out from the back of the house. Infrastructure plans also called for a sophisticated drainage system that had to accommodate a whole series of water “runoff” considerations to be integrated into the decking itself. Excavation included constructing retaining walls to bolster the elevated grade—which also had to support a concrete slab, the primary foundation for the entire complex. Solutions The ground level decking consists of a 2,000 square foot flagstone patio level with the home’s lower level doors. There is a decorative water fountain mid-patio—an ornate collectible acquired in Florida. Food preparation is concentrated within a specially designed semi-circular wall that creates an “outdoor kitchen” equipped with a 60” Viking barbecue grill, a prep sink, a warming drawer, refrigerator and appropriate storage. There is a granite surfaced dining counter with seating for eight. Wrought iron railing and approximately 20 decorative columns (some encasing steel vertical supports) are incorporated into the design scheme. Many of the columns house accent lights. The top level—supported by horizontal steel beams– is a 2,500 square foot deck constructed entirely of Trex decking. The open air decking is, again, directly accessible from rooms on the second level of the house including the kitchen, sunroom and family room. The platform’s most prominent feature is a U-shaped “kitchenette” with cedar shake shingle roofing. Like its counterpart one level below, the facility is equipped with grill, refrigerator and stainless steel cabinetry. One portion of the deck has been allocated for a 16’ x 16’ octagonal screened-in porch crowned by a pair of 2’ x 4’ skylights. The porch can be accessed from the home’s conservatory via a set of French doors. With its mosaic tile flooring, stained cedar panel ceiling and honed granite counters, the interior is elegant and calming. Hand-painted stenciling and a wall-mounted water feature provide distinctive detailing. Finally, the design introduced elements to highlight and reinforce an awareness of the lovely bucolic setting. Fountains and water features combined with textured surfaces and mosaic tiling and backsplashes to present a villa-like ambiance well-suited to the Virginia countryside.

Whit Preston
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen remodel in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and gray countertops

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2013 Houzz
Inspiration for an eclectic living room remodel in New York

Photo: Sarah Greenman © 2014 Houzz
Eclectic kitchen photo in Dallas

The challenge with this project was to transform a very traditional house into something more modern and suited to the lifestyle of a young couple just starting a new family. We achieved this by lightening the overall color palette with soft grays and neutrals. Then we replaced the traditional dark colored wood and tile flooring with lighter wide plank hardwood and stone floors. Next we redesigned the kitchen into a more workable open plan and used top of the line professional level appliances and light pigmented oil stained oak cabinetry. Finally we painted the heavily carved stained wood moldings and library and den cabinetry with a fresh coat of soft pale light reflecting gloss paint. Photographer: James Koch

Our client has been very fortunate to have acquired some amazing memorabilia over the years. This was our inspiration to create a space to display them and at the same time design a room where both he and his wife can enjoy family photos and work on shared interests. The custom builds were planned to create organization for personal office items and give an inviting atmosphere to come in, sit, read and reflect. Although many design elements are masculine we added a feminine touch with the blush colored chair fabric and custom pillows. A shared desk space is great for collaborating and planning. The fabric covered walls add sophistication and texture. The sofa was placed to invite and enjoy the rest of the family to come in and take part. Custom designed by Hartley and Hill Design. All materials and furnishings in this space are available through Hartley and Hill Design. www.hartleyandhilldesign.com 888-639-0639

Beautiful White Kitchen with a gorgeous Walnut Wood Island top is complimented with Absolute Black Granite. Cabinets and Design by J&B Fine Cabinetry

Photo: Carolyn Reyes © 2015 Houzz
Inspiration for a mid-century modern living room remodel in Los Angeles

A small desk space tucks into a corner while open shelving above the cabinets leaves room to display a few special items. Photos by Photo Art Portraits, Design by Chelly Wentworth

Photo: Lucy Call © 2014 Houzz
Inspiration for an eclectic dining room remodel in Salt Lake City

Although it is difficult for Bobbie to commit to one favorite space in her home, perhaps it may be the ever-changing quality of the space throughout the day that is somewhat captivating. "I am constantly intrigued by the light in our home and how it changes over the seasons. There is an east facing clerestory window in our bedroom behind our bed. In the winter mornings, the rising sun shines through this window and casts shadows of tree leaves onto the wall above the fireplace at the foot of our bed. Black leaf shadows and orange sunlight combine to make gorgeous moving shapes. I love to lie in bed and watch this," she says. Adrienne DeRosa Photography © 2013 Houzz

Designer: Tracy Rasor, Allied ASID Design Firm: Dallas Design Group, Interiors Photography: Dan Piassick
Kitchen - mediterranean kitchen idea in Dallas

Envisioned as a country retreat for New York based clients, this collection of buildings was designed by MossCreek to meet the clients' wishes of using historical and antique structures. Serving as a country getaway, as well as a unique home for their art treasures, this was both an enjoyable and satisfying project for MossCreek and our clients. Photo by Bjorn Wallander.

This contemporary transitional great family living room has a cozy lived-in look, but still looks crisp with fine custom-made contemporary furniture. Custom-made ivory white display bookcase with 3D exceptional wallcovering backing and architectural design details give the space an elegant overall look.

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2014 Houzz
Example of an eclectic dining room design in New York