This outdoor media room and kitchen had to meet the needs of a Houston family needing kid space and adult space. The kids wanted an outdoor audio visual area watch TV and movies. The grownups wanted an outdoor kitchen, bar and grilling area where they could enjoy themselves while watching the kids. And they all wanted a covered patio with places to sit between dips in the pool. However, the family had very limited space between the back of their house and their pool, and no room for anything in either of the side yards: Stringent homeowner association rules also required that any home modifications match the existing home's architecture, color and finishing materials. The pitch of the roof also had to be such that it didn't overlap the bottom of the second-story windows above. So here's what we came up with: A 40-foot-long by 11-foot- deep roof extension off the back of the house (longer than most, but with good engineering specs and design work, we were able to preserve the structural integrity): At one end of the covered patio below is a 12-foot by 8-foot outdoor living room with a custom audio-visual cabinet. At the other is an L-shaped, 8-foot-square outdoor kitchen island with a built-in commercial-grade RCS grill, a 4-by-8-foot outdoor refrigerator and a outdoor icemaker. Keeping in line with the existing home's beige siding, white trim and brown accent façade, we helped the homeowner choose appropriate finishing materials: Austin Western limestone (mostly white with beige accents) for the TV cabinet, kitchen island and column supports; Old English travertine (beige) for the countertops) and white, fluted columns. The Old English travertine countertop has a raised back for a bar with counter seating. The diamond-pattern tile backsplash also features inset fleur de lis accents. The family is more than pleased with the results - two outdoor rooms with two different functions - all within the same covered outdoor living space!

Nursery - transitional nursery idea in Nashville

Xeric landscape designed and built by Southern Landscape. This Austin homeowner reduced their turf area by over 17,000 square feet, reducing water consumption and maintenance. The remaining turf areas were required for the septic leach field. Limestone retaining walls with leuders caps control erosion. The plant palette contains lantana, plumbago, various grasses, and yuccas, all chosen for their specific water usage appropriate to the area. Landscape lighting was also added to highlight the beauty of this large xeriscape.

Large steel planter boxes provide for appropriately scaled trees and desert landscape. Photos by Chen + Suchart Studio LLC
This is an example of a modern full sun front yard gravel driveway in Phoenix.

Carrie Acosta
Inspiration for a small contemporary gray tile and stone tile bathroom remodel in Detroit with a wall-mount sink, a wall-mount toilet and white walls

Mid-sized transitional beige two-story concrete fiberboard exterior home photo in Orange County with a shingle roof

The clients’ love for their native California home needed to be appropriately interpreted for their new Texas residence. Textural elements, a monochromatic color palette, and organic influences are primary in their spaces. The family room is large and easily handles the double chaise sectional while still feeling amazingly intimate. Clean lines on the stack stone fireplace wall and supple wood grain speak simplicity in the room. The light fixture’s unique styling punctuates the room with an unexpected twist to keep the room lively. Our wood elements, fireplace and water views create the zen-style environment my clients adore. With a nod to the West Coast, the contemporary formal living space home features hints of Asian influence and the clients love for California sunsets. The two-story ceiling height allowed us to use large scale furnishings and appointments with bold colors to create an amazing impact in the sleek space. The honed marble floors cast some formality throughout the home, but keep it from feeling pretentious. Because the home has a southern exposure, it’s flooded with indirect light, enabling us to forego window treatments and keep the open view to the pool and golf course.

Our client desired a functional, tasteful, and improved environment to compliment their home. The overall goal was to create a landscape that was subtle and not overdone. The client was highly focused on their deck environment that would span across the rear of the house with an area for a Jacuzzi as well. A portion of the deck has a screened in porch due to the naturally buggy environment, since the home is situated in the woods and a low area. A mosquito repellent injection system was incorporated into the irrigation system to help with the bug issue. We improved circulation of the driveway, increased the overall curb appeal of the entrance of the home, and created a scaled and proportional outdoor living environment for the clients to enjoy. The client has religious guidelines that needed to be adhered to with the overall function and design of the landscape, which included an arbor over the deck to support a Sukkah and a Green Egg smoker to cook Kosher foods. Two columns were added at the driveway entrance with lights to help define their driveway entrance since it's the end of a long pipe-stem. New light fixtures were also added on the rear of the house. Our client desired multiple amenities with a limited budget, so everything had to be value engineered through the design and construction process. There is heavy deer pressure on the site, a mosquito issue, low site elevations, flat topography, poor soil, and overall poor drainage of the site. The original driveway was not sized appropriately and the front porch had structural issues, as well as leaked water onto the landing below. The septic tank was also situated close to the rear of the house and had to be contemplated during the design process. Photography: Morgan Howarth. Landscape Architect: Howard Cohen, Surrounds Inc.

With a location-to-die-for on Great Neck-Ipswich, MA, this perfectly perched home was desperate for an upgrade. The clients, anxious to downsize and create a lifestyle more true to their hearts, left their hectic Wellesley address behind and set out, with kayaks in tow, for life on The Neck! Once a cookie-cutter spec-home, this reinvented craftsman style, now reminiscent of Martha’s Vineyard and the like, will inspire you to rub your eyes, blink hard and say, “We’re not in Wellesley anymore!”. The selections couldn’t have been more appropriate: Cascade Blue window cladding to compliment the Seacoast Grey Maibec shingles, the simulated divided light/multi-pane windows, the nature-inspired & earthy color palette, partially paned door, tapered columns, and an outdoor (Vineyard staple) shower adorned by a pergola overhead. The understated outdoor shower only adds to the vacation feel of this retirement retreat, perfect for rinsing off the sand after a day at Clark Beach or kayaking Ipswich Bay & Plum Island Sound. Photo By Eric Roth

Stone Mosaic A Tangent is defined as ''a line that touches but does not intersect a curve.'' It is a word that describes geometry, but also one used to describe heading off in directions unknown. Both definitions are appropriate for our new collections of decorative stone mosaics, in which abstract geometry and mid century modern design influences merge with the beauty of natural stone, creating a richness that will beguile you anew each time you see it. Usage: Residential: All interior surfaces, including bathroom walls/floors*, shower walls/ floors and kitchen backsplashes. Exterior walls. Commercial: Interior and exterior walls and interior floors. *Flannel not recommended for use in showers or exteriors. See Tools | Usage Guide for more details. See more on this product on the Walker Zanger website here: http://walkerzanger.com/collections/products.php?view=style&mat=Contemporary&coll=Tangent

An unsafe entry and desire for more outdoor living space motivated the homeowners of this Mediterranean style ocean view home to hire Landwell to complete a front and backyard design and renovation. A new Azek composite deck with access steps and cable railing replaced an uneven tile patio in the front courtyard, the driveway was updated, and in the backyard a new powder-coated steel pergola with louvered slats was built to cover a new bbq island, outdoor dining and lounge area, and new concrete slabs were poured leading to a cozy deck space with a gas fire pit and seating. Raised vegetable beds, site appropriate planting, low-voltage lighting and Palomino gravel finished off the outdoor spaces of this beautiful Shell Beach home.

Example of a mid-sized tuscan 3/4 ceramic tile bathroom design in Orange County with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, red walls, a drop-in sink and marble countertops

REpixs.com
Example of a mid-sized mid-century modern u-shaped linoleum floor eat-in kitchen design in Portland with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, laminate countertops, blue backsplash, white appliances and a peninsula

This midcentury split level needed an entire gut renovation to bring it into the current century. Keeping the design simple and modern, we updated every inch of this house, inside and out, holding true to era appropriate touches.

Transitional exterior home idea in Denver

Rancho Photos Real Estate Photography, www.ranchophotos.com
Bedroom - mid-sized coastal master carpeted bedroom idea in San Diego with blue walls and no fireplace

Renovation of this remarkable 1936 Monte Copper Tudor demonstrates how we sensitively transform historic homes to beautifully perform in contemporary life. The challenge was to connect first floor spaces, including the kitchen; dining room; and a lower family room added in a previous addition. The family room received thoughtful and appropriate detailing along with a graceful and functional two-sided bar element linking it with the kitchen. The kitchen was expanded and reimagined with a seamless addition. Diagonal views and openings allow all the rooms to function as a connected whole.

Overlooking Little Sippiwisset marsh, this home combines both shingle style and traditional Victorian elements including a round "turret" in the second floor master bedroom. Upon entering the front door you are immediately greeted by a baby grand piano and the spectacular ever changing tidal marsh beyond. The walkout basement features a traditional wine cellar with seating area and outdoor spa to relax and enjoy the views.

This nursery was designed for a sweet baby girl on the Upper East Side. The client (mom) wanted the room to be appropriate for a little girl without being overly fussy. She has a more clean, modern aesthetic. The built-ins were added for storage and display space. The wallpaper activates the wall by adding a small tone on tone pattern. Photo Credit: Robert Englebright Photography