pool with hydraulic floor, movable shade canopy
Patio - contemporary patio idea in New York with a gazebo

Fu-Tung Cheng, CHENG Design • Front Entryway of House 6 concrete and wood home. House 6, is Cheng Design’s sixth custom home project, was redesigned and constructed from top-to-bottom. The project represents a major career milestone thanks to the unique and innovative use of concrete, as this residence is one of Cheng Design’s first-ever ‘hybrid’ structures, constructed as a combination of wood and concrete. Photography: Matthew Millman

Jeff Thayer Photography
Inspiration for a transitional family room library remodel in Los Angeles

The primary bedroom opens onto the outdoor living area. The retractable screens on the outdoor space allow the bedroom doors to remain open when the weather is cool. Soft linen bedding, a leather bench cushion and wooden fan add beautiful layers to the space. The back wall is papered in a dark blue grass cloth and highlighted with a wooden beam in the corner. Sconce lights free up space on the bedside table and frame the bed.

Large transitional freestanding desk light wood floor and beige floor study room photo in Salt Lake City with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Wide plank hickory flooring warms up a white kitchen. Floors sawn in the USA and available mill-direct from Hull Forest Products, 1-800-928-9602. Nationwide shipping. www.hullforest.com. Photo by Matt Delphenich Architectural Photography

The calming master bedroom with woven warm wall treatment. A folding glass door opens the bedroom to the living space while still allowing for both visual and acoustical privacy. Photos by Eric Roth. Construction by Ralph S. Osmond Company. Green architecture by ZeroEnergy Design. http://www.zeroenergy.com

Photography by Chuck Heiney
Kitchen/dining room combo - contemporary medium tone wood floor kitchen/dining room combo idea in Grand Rapids with white walls and no fireplace

Open concept kitchen - mid-sized 1960s galley concrete floor open concept kitchen idea in San Francisco with an undermount sink, black cabinets, black backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and flat-panel cabinets

coffered ceiling, built ins, open floor plan, orange accents, shelves, simple fireplace, framed art, built in bookcase, gray sofa Photography by Michael J. Lee

Example of a trendy infinity pool design in Los Angeles

Example of a small transitional gender-neutral carpeted and gray floor walk-in closet design in Omaha with white cabinets and open cabinets

Mid-sized trendy master white tile and porcelain tile concrete floor and white floor double shower photo in Tampa with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops and white countertops

Mid-sized transitional single-wall ceramic tile and gray floor dedicated laundry room photo in Minneapolis with a drop-in sink, blue cabinets, quartz countertops, a side-by-side washer/dryer, recessed-panel cabinets, white countertops and gray walls

Kim Sargent
Example of a large master medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom design in Wichita with beige walls and no fireplace

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

Casey Dunn
Large trendy white tile and stone tile marble floor freestanding bathtub photo in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, marble countertops, white walls and medium tone wood cabinets

Placed within an idyllic beach community, this modern family home is filled with both playful and functional spaces. Natural light reflects throughout and oversized openings allow for movement to the outdoor spaces. Custom millwork completes the kitchen with concealed appliances, and creates a space well suited for entertaining. Accents of concrete add strength and architectural context to the spaces. Livable finishes of white oak and quartz are simple and hardworking. High ceilings in the bedroom level allowed for creativity in children’s spaces, and the addition of colour brings in that sense of playfulness. Art pieces reflect the owner’s time spent abroad, and exude their love of life – which is fitting in a place where the only boundaries to roam are the ocean and railways. KBC Developments Photography by Ema Peter www.emapeter.com

A uniform and cohesive look adds simplicity to the overall aesthetic, supporting the minimalist design. The A5s is Glo’s slimmest profile, allowing for more glass, less frame, and wider sightlines. The concealed hinge creates a clean interior look while also providing a more energy-efficient air-tight window. The increased performance is also seen in the triple pane glazing used in both series. The windows and doors alike provide a larger continuous thermal break, multiple air seals, high-performance spacers, Low-E glass, and argon filled glazing, with U-values as low as 0.20. Energy efficiency and effortless minimalism create a breathtaking Scandinavian-style remodel.