Curb Appeal: Distinction and Harmony A coat of matte dark paint conceals the existing stucco textures. Modern style fencing with horizontal wood slats and luxurious plantings soften the appearance. Photo by Scott Hargis. building Lab is a design build firm specializing in Mid-Century-Modern architecture.

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   We went with a minimalist, clean, industrial look that feels light, bright and airy. The island is a dark charcoal with cool undertones that coordinates with the cabinetry and transom work in both the neighboring mudroom and breakfast area. White subway tile, quartz countertops, white enamel pendants and gold fixtures complete the update. The ends of the island are shiplap material that is also used on the fireplace in the next room. In the new mudroom, we used a fun porcelain tile on the floor to get a pop of pattern, and walnut accents add some warmth. Each child has their own cubby, and there is a spot for shoes below a long bench. Open shelving with spots for baskets provides additional storage for the room. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKBD Photography by: LOMA Studios For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Custom precast concrete strips provide a dynamic appearance to the ground plane of this small garden at a modern style beach house in the northwest. photo: grant wilds

Photography: Nathan Schroder
Inspiration for a mediterranean front yard landscaping in Dallas.

Werner Segarra
Inspiration for a large mediterranean beige tile ceramic tile freestanding bathtub remodel in Phoenix with white walls

Example of a farmhouse white two-story wood exterior home design in San Francisco

This Mediterranean style home was given the entrance it deserved with our gate and trellis addition. Beautiful vines and foliage complete the transformation.

Honeymoon Bedding - 100% cotton sheet set
Inspiration for a contemporary bedroom remodel in Los Angeles

Electronic doors give the homeowner the option of privacy from the rest of the home.
Example of an arts and crafts freestanding desk medium tone wood floor home office design in New York with white walls

Kitchen - cottage kitchen idea in Atlanta

Inspiration for a timeless u-shaped kitchen remodel in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets and beige backsplash

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

Mid-sized mountain style l-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen photo in Charleston with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and an island

A luxury gray and white guest suite with a chrome chandelier.
Transitional carpeted bedroom photo in Miami with gray walls

Kitchen - transitional dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen idea in Orlando with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Spacecrafting
Open concept kitchen - farmhouse l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor open concept kitchen idea in Minneapolis with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

The family room, including the kitchen and breakfast area, features stunning indirect lighting, a fire feature, stacked stone wall, art shelves and a comfortable place to relax and watch TV. Photography: Mark Boisclair

Photography: Melissa Preston
Patio - traditional patio idea in Dallas with a fire pit and a pergola

Eclectic l-shaped kitchen photo with a drop-in sink, white cabinets and stainless steel appliances