A Lake Michigan Home gets a Modern Refresh from Dresner Design. Photos by Tony Soluri. This couple moved from Chicago’s Wicker Park to a rural setting but wanted to maintain their modern aesthetic. Scott Dresner of Dresner Design created a light bright clean-lined kitchen perfect for the couple’s need to entertain. Must have’s included a drawer for over sixty spices, storage for three sets of dishes, a coffee bar, and a huge island the couple uses for entertaining. The palette is mostly white to maximize outdoor views. Constraints were plenty both timeline and budgetary. Dresner came up with some creative solutions, which allowed the homeowners to save on cabinetry and materials and splurge on appliances.

Kevin Meechan Architectural Photography

Example of a beach style home design design in Los Angeles

This walkway design was inspired by our Borealis patio slab. Borealis looks and feels like wood planks, is offered in three alluring colors and most importantly, it's maintenance-free. That means no deck staining, wood-treating or wood-rotting, ever. Whether it’s your poolside, front porch, backyard deck, or patio, Borealis brings the appealing esthetics of natural wood to your backyard in a weather-proof, maintenance-free way.

This dining design was inspired by our Borealis patio slab. Borealis looks and feels like wood planks, is offered in three alluring colors and most importantly, it's maintenance-free. That means no deck staining, wood-treating or wood-rotting, ever. Whether it’s your poolside, front porch, backyard deck, or patio, Borealis brings the appealing esthetics of natural wood to your backyard in a weather-proof, maintenance-free way.

This lounge area design was inspired by our Borealis patio slab. Borealis looks and feels like wood planks, is offered in three alluring colors and most importantly, it's maintenance-free. That means no deck staining, wood-treating or wood-rotting, ever. Whether it’s your poolside, front porch, backyard deck, or patio, Borealis brings the appealing esthetics of natural wood to your backyard in a weather-proof, maintenance-free way.

These homeowners came to us to design several areas of their home, including their mudroom and laundry. They were a growing family and needed a "landing" area as they entered their home, either from the garage but also asking for a new entrance from outside. We stole about 24 feet from their oversized garage to create a large mudroom/laundry area. Custom blue cabinets with a large "X" design on the doors of the lockers, a large farmhouse sink and a beautiful cement tile feature wall with floating shelves make this mudroom stylish and luxe. The laundry room now has a pocket door separating it from the mudroom, and houses the washer and dryer with a wood butcher block folding shelf. White tile backsplash and custom white and blue painted cabinetry takes this laundry to the next level. Both areas are stunning and have improved not only the aesthetic of the space, but also the function of what used to be an inefficient use of space.

This patio seating area design was inspired by our Borealis patio slab. Borealis looks and feels like wood planks, is offered in three alluring colors and most importantly, it's maintenance-free. That means no deck staining, wood-treating or wood-rotting, ever. Whether it’s your poolside, front porch, backyard deck, or patio, Borealis brings the appealing esthetics of natural wood to your backyard in a weather-proof, maintenance-free way.

This dining and kitchen design was inspired by our Borealis patio slab. Borealis looks and feels like wood planks, is offered in three alluring colors and most importantly, it's maintenance-free. That means no deck staining, wood-treating or wood-rotting, ever. Whether it’s your poolside, front porch, backyard deck, or patio, Borealis brings the appealing esthetics of natural wood to your backyard in a weather-proof, maintenance-free way.

Mid-sized country l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional backyard stone patio remodel in Richmond with a fireplace

This modern green home offers both a vacation destination on Cape Cod near local family members and an opportunity for rental income. FAMILY ROOTS. A West Coast couple living in the San Francisco Bay Area sought a permanent East Coast vacation home near family members living on Cape Cod. As academic professionals focused on sustainability, they sought a green, energy efficient home that was well-aligned with their values. With no green homes available for sale on Cape Cod, they decided to purchase land near their family and build their own. SLOPED SITE. Comprised of a 3/4 acre lot nestled in the pines, the steeply sloping terrain called for a plan that embraced and took advantage of the slope. Of equal priority was optimizing solar exposure, preserving privacy from abutters, and creating outdoor living space. The design accomplished these goals with a simple, rectilinear form, offering living space on the both entry and lower/basement levels. The stepped foundation allows for a walk-out basement level with light-filled living space on the down-hill side of the home. The traditional basement on the eastern, up-hill side houses mechanical equipment and a home gym. The house welcomes natural light throughout, captures views of the forest, and delivers entertainment space that connects indoor living space to outdoor deck and dining patio. MODERN VISION. The clean building form and uncomplicated finishes pay homage to the modern architectural legacy on the outer Cape. Durable and economical fiber cement panels, fixed with aluminum channels, clad the primary form. Cedar clapboards provide a visual accent at the south-facing living room, which extends a single roof plane to cover the entry porch. SMART USE OF SPACE. On the entry level, the “L”-shaped living, dining, and kitchen space connects to the exterior living, dining, and grilling spaces to effectively double the home’s summertime entertainment area. Placed at the western end of the entry level (where it can retain privacy but still claim expansive downhill views) is the master suite with a built-in study. The lower level has two guest bedrooms, a second full bathroom, and laundry. The flexibility of the space—crucial in a house with a modest footprint—emerges in one of the guest bedrooms, which doubles as home office by opening the barn-style double doors to connect it to the bright, airy open stair leading up to the entry level. Thoughtful design, generous ceiling heights and large windows transform the modest 1,100 sf* footprint into a well-lit, spacious home. *(total finished space is 1800 sf) RENTAL INCOME. The property works for its owners by netting rental income when the owners are home in San Francisco. The house especially caters to vacationers bound for nearby Mayo Beach and includes an outdoor shower adjacent to the lower level entry door. In contrast to the bare bones cottages that are typically available on the Cape, this home offers prospective tenants a modern aesthetic, paired with luxurious and green features. Durable finishes inside and out will ensure longevity with the heavier use that comes with a rental property. COMFORT YEAR-ROUND. The home is super-insulated and air-tight, with mechanical ventilation to provide continuous fresh air from the outside. High performance triple-paned windows complement the building enclosure and maximize passive solar gain while ensuring a warm, draft-free winter, even when sitting close to the glass. A properly sized air source heat pump offers efficient heating & cooling, and includes a carefully designed the duct distribution system to provide even comfort throughout the house. The super-insulated envelope allows us to significantly reduce the equipment capacity, duct size, and airflow quantities, while maintaining unparalleled thermal comfort. ENERGY EFFICIENT. The building’s shell and mechanical systems play instrumental roles in the home’s exceptional performance. The building enclosure reduces the most significant energy glutton: heating. Continuous super-insulation, thorough air sealing, triple-pane windows, and passive solar gain work together to yield a miniscule heating load. All active energy consumers are extremely efficient: an air source heat pump for heating and cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation (ERV), and high efficiency appliances. The result is a home that uses 70% less energy than a similar new home built to code requirements. OVERALL. The home embodies the owners’ goals and values while comprehensively enabling thermal comfort, energy efficiency, a vacation respite, and supplementary income. PROJECT TEAM ZeroEnergy Design - Architect & Mechanical Designer A.F. Hultin & Co. - Contractor Pamet Valley Landscape Design - Landscape & Masonry Lisa Finch - Original Artwork European Architectural Supply - Windows Eric Roth Photography - Photography

The indoor warmth and rich look of hardwood flooring is now available outdoors. The modular 5” and 10” wide slabs are being called the trompe-l’oeil by industry professionals; it will have you guessing whether it’s hardwood or concrete. Borealis looks and feels like wood planks, is offered in three alluring colours and is great for adding drama through creative bandings and designs. Whether it’s your poolside, deck, or patio, Borealis brings the appealing esthetics of wood to your backyard.

This lounge area design was inspired by our Borealis patio slab. Borealis looks and feels like wood planks, is offered in three alluring colors and most importantly, it's maintenance-free. That means no deck staining, wood-treating or wood-rotting, ever. Whether it’s your poolside, front porch, backyard deck, or patio, Borealis brings the appealing esthetics of natural wood to your backyard in a weather-proof, maintenance-free way.

This recently completed project embodies modern residential elegance with a focus on both design and functionality. The new kitchen and addition have been meticulously crafted to offer a harmonious blend of sophisticated aesthetics and smart storage solutions. The space boasts clean lines, high-quality finishes, and contemporary materials that create an inviting atmosphere. Every detail—from the sleek countertops to the carefully chosen fixtures—has been selected to elevate the overall ambiance. Thoughtfully integrated cabinetry and custom storage options maximize space efficiency without compromising on style. These smart design choices ensure that the kitchen remains clutter-free and highly functional, catering to the dynamic needs of modern living. The new space was designed to blend seamlessly with the existing home, enhancing both the interior layout and classic esthetic. This project stands as a testament to how well-executed design and functionality can transform a home. It's an ideal showcase for those who value both the beauty of a thoughtfully designed space and the practicality of efficient storage solutions.

This is an organic Lime Wash done with a true lime wash product as opposed to a brick mortar or concrete that is often seen on new houses. This product can be applied as a solid coating making the surface completely white, or can be applied and "washed off" in many artistic ways, as seen here. If you hate your brick or just want something unique this is a great option! Photo credit: Jeff Murrey

The intent of this design is to integrate the clients love for Japanese aesthetic, create an open and airy space, and maintain natural elements that evoke a warm inviting environment. A traditional Japanese soaking tub made from Hinoki wood was selected as the focal point of the bathroom. It not only adds visual warmth to the space, but it infuses a cedar aroma into the air. A live-edge wood shelf and custom chiseled wood post are used to frame and define the bathing area. Tile depicting Japanese Shou Sugi Ban (charred wood planks) was chosen as the flooring for the wet areas. A neutral toned tile with fabric texture defines the dry areas in the room. The curb-less shower and floating back lit vanity accentuate the open feel of the space. The organic nature of the handwoven window shade, shoji screen closet doors and antique bathing stool counterbalance the hard surface materials throughout.

This Somerville, MA bedroom-to-primary-bathroom conversion features a custom wood double vanity with a white countertop, integrated sinks, matte black wall-mounted faucets, and soft green stacked ceramic tile. The vanity wall is finished with an oversized brass-framed mirror, brass wall sconces, frameless glass shower enclosure, and warm modern details that create a bright, spa-inspired primary bathroom.

Example of a trendy exterior home design in Phoenix