The Kiguchi family moved into their Austin, Texas home in 1994. Built in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood development, they happily raised their family here but longed for something more contemporary. Once they became empty nesters, they decided it was time for a major remodel. After spending many years visiting Austin AIA Home Tours that highlight contemporary residential architecture, they had a lot of ideas and in 2013 were ready to interview architects and get their renovation underway. The project turned into a major remodel due to an unstable foundation. Architects Ben Arbib and Ed Hughey, of Arbib Hughey Design were hired to solve the structural issue and look for inspiration in the bones of the house, which sat on top of a hillside and was surrounded by great views. Unfortunately, with the old floor plan, the beautiful views were hidden by small windows that were poorly placed. In order to bring more natural light into the house the window sizes and configurations had to be addressed, all while keeping in mind the homeowners desire for a modern look and feel. To achieve a more contemporary and sophisticated front of house, a new entry was designed that included removing a two-story bay window and porch. The entrance of the home also became more integrated with the landscape creating a template for new foliage to be planted. Older exterior materials were updated to incorporate a more muted palette of colors with a metal roof, dark grey siding in the back and white stucco in the front. Deep eaves were added over many of the new large windows for clean lines and sun protection. “Inside it was about opening up the floor plan, expanding the views throughout the house, and updating the material palette to get a modern look that was also warm and inviting,” said Ben from Arbib Hughey Design. “Prior to the remodel, the house had the typical separation of rooms. We removed the walls between them and changed all of the windows to Milgard Thermally Improved Aluminum to connect the inside with the outside. No matter where you are you get nice views and natural light.” The architects wanted to create some drama, which they accomplished with the window placement and opening up the interior floor plan to an open concept approach. Cabinetry was used to help delineate intimate spaces. To add warmth to an all-white living room, white-washed oak wood floors were installed and pine planks were used around the fireplace. The large windows served as artwork bringing the color of nature into the space. An octagon shaped, elevated dining room, (named “the turret”), had a big impact on the design of the house. They architects rounded the corners and added larger window openings overlooking a new sunken garden. The great room was also softened by rounding out the corners and that circular theme continued throughout the house, being picked up in skylight wells and kitchen cabinetry. A staircase leading to a catwalk was added and the result was a two-story window wall that flooded the home with natural light. When asked why Milgard® Thermally Improved Aluminum windows were selected, the architectural team listed many reasons: 1) Aesthetics: “We liked the slim profiles and narrow sightlines. The window frames never get in the way of the view and that was important to us. They also have a very contemporary look that went well with our design.” 2) Options: “We liked that we could get large sliding doors that matched the windows, giving us a very cohesive look and feel throughout the project.” 3) Cost Effective: “Milgard windows are affordable. You get a good product at a good price.” 4) Custom Sizes: “Milgard windows are customizable, which allowed us to get the right window for each location.” Ready to take on your own traditional to modern home remodeling project? Arbib Hughey Design advises, “Work with a good architect. That means picking a team that is creative, communicative, listens well and is responsive. We think it’s important for an architect to listen to their clients and give them something they want, not something the architect thinks they should have. At the same time you want an architect who is willing and able to think outside the box and offer up design options that you may not have considered. Design is about a lot of back and forth, trying out ideas, getting feedback and trying again.” The home was completely transformed into a unique, contemporary house perfectly integrated with its site. Internally the home has a natural flow for the occupants and externally it is integrated with the surroundings taking advantage of great natural light. As a side note, it was highly praised as part of the Austin AIA homes tour.

Essence Series® wood windows by Milgard. http://bit.ly/1LUMWp0
Example of a classic white three-story exterior home design in Seattle

Richard Mandelkorn
Living room - craftsman formal medium tone wood floor living room idea in Boston

This vintage home was built in 1897 in Downers Grove. The homeowner is an avid chef and needed a better design work flow. She wanted to keep the same vintage feel in the kitchen as throughout the home. We added a work / dining island, new cabinetry and storage, upgraded the cooking equipment and widened and upgraded the windows for additional natural light. We added the archway into the dining room to repeat the original archway elsewhere in the home. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Alan Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Roller Blinds and Solar Shades are similar in function, but are different in appearance. Roller Blinds have an Opacity rating between 1 - 5, with 1 being the roll up blind that lights up, and 5 being your blackout roller shades - no light passes through. Solar Screens / sunshades are a mesh fabric that lets in anywhere from 1% to 15% of UV rays through the fabric - This is called Openness Factor. Used both indoors and outdoors for patios. 5% Openness blocks 95% of the UV rays. Roller blinds come in a variety of fabric colors, patterns and textures. Note that this Graber kitchen custom roller shades have a pattern with most likely a Opacity factor of 1, which allows the sun to highlight the color and pattern in the fabric. If this shade had an Opacity of 5, it would be a blackout roller shade and you would only see the pattern and color from the inside. Motorized roller blinds available. Interior and exterior roller shades available. Use on exterior instead of outdoor curtains. Windows Dressed Up in Denver is also is your store for custom curtains, drapes, valances, custom roman shades, valances and cornices. We also make custom bedding - comforters, duvet covers, throw pillows, bolsters and upholstered headboards. Custom curtain rods & drapery hardware too. Hunter Douglas, Lafayette Interior Fashions and Graber. Graber roller blinds photo.

Simonton vinyl windows in bronze create an eye-catching contrast on this Arizona home. These windows not only create a stylish look for your home, but tend to outlast traditional windows.

Hunter Douglas Design Studio™ Roman Shades with Cordlock Operating Systems: Cordlock Room: Bathroom Room Styles: Transitional, Casual, Contemporary Hunter Douglas Design Studio™ Roman Shades with Cordlock Fabric: Gridlock Color: Burlap Available from Accent Window Fashions LLC Hunter Douglas Showcase Priority Dealer Hunter Douglas Certified Installer Copyright 2001-2013 Hunter Douglas, Inc. All rights reserved.

Hunter Douglas Child's Room Ideas Hunter Douglas EverWood® Distinctions™ Blinds with LiteRise® Hunter Douglas EverWood® Distinctions™ Blinds with LiteRise® Material: Alternative Wood Color: Porcelain Available from Accent Window Fashions LLC Hunter Douglas Showcase Priority Dealer Hunter Douglas Certified Installer #Hunter_Douglas #EverWood #Distinctions #Blinds #LiteRise #Kids #Childrens_Rooms #Childrens_Bedrooms #Kids_Rooms #Kids_Bedrooms #Window_Treatments #HunterDouglas #Accent_Window_Fashions Copyright 2001-2013 Hunter Douglas, Inc. All rights reserved.

Hunter Douglas Bathroom Ideas Hunter Douglas Provenance® Woven Wood Shades with Standard Clutch Operating Systems: Standard Clutch Room: Bathroom Room Styles: Contemporary, Casual Available from Accent Window Fashions LLC Hunter Douglas Showcase Priority Dealer Hunter Douglas Certified Installer Copyright 2001-2013 Hunter Douglas, Inc. All rights reserved.

Hunter Douglas Bathroom Ideas Hunter Douglas Design Studio™ Roman Shades with Cordlock Operating Systems: Cordlock Room: Bathroom Room Styles: Transitional, Casual, Contemporary Hunter Douglas Design Studio™ Roman Shades with Cordlock Fabric: Gridlock Color: Burlap Available from Accent Window Fashions LLC Hunter Douglas Showcase Priority Dealer Hunter Douglas Certified Installer Copyright 2001-2013 Hunter Douglas, Inc. All rights reserved.

Hunter Douglas Living Room Ideas Hunter Douglas Designer Screen Roller Shades with Clutch Operated Continuous Cord Loop Hunter Douglas Designer Screen Roller Shades with Clutch Operated Continuous Cord Loop Material: Exotic Hues 3% Color: Terena Arrowhead Operating Systems: Clutch Operated Continuous Cord Loop Room: Living Room Room Styles: Contemporary, Eclectic Available from Accent Window Fashions LLC Hunter Douglas Showcase Priority Dealer Hunter Douglas Certified Installer #Hunter_Douglas #Designer #Screen #Roller_Shades #Continuous_Cord_Loop #Contemporary #Eclectic #Living_Room #Living_Rooms #Living_Room_Ideas #Living_Room_Window_Ideas #Window_Treatments #HunterDouglas #Accent_Window_Fashions Copyright 2001-2013 Hunter Douglas, Inc. All rights reserved.

This type of window treatment ideas is called a shading and come in many different window covering styles. These custom window shades may look like a cellular shade / honeycomb blind, but it does not work like one. Each vane / louver is made of hard or soft shade fabric and opens and closes similar to a aluminum or wood slat blind - EXCEPT that between each vane or slat is a layer of sheer fabric. Window shades of this type are used all over the home as decorating ideas coordinated with paint colors, flooring and furniture. Colors, patterns, textures are endless and these can be motorized, are room darkening / light filtering shades. This example is a Hunter Douglas Nantucket Shading - it is a horizontal blind. You can get the same style shading in a vertical blind for french doors or sliding glass doors for your contemporary living room. Arch window shades available. Windows Dressed Up in Denver is also is your store for custom curtains, drapes, valances, custom roman shades, valances and cornices. We also make custom bedding - comforters, duvet covers, throw pillows, bolsters and upholstered headboards. Custom curtain rods & drapery hardware too. Hunter Douglas, Graber and Lafayette. Hunter Douglas Window Shade Photo.

Cellular shades, honeycomb blinds, cellular blinds, honeycomb shades....same window treatment! They come in a variety of colors and options. There are cordless cellular shades, blackout cellular shades, top down bottom up shades. Lafayette Interior Fashions is a leader in the industry making custom window treatments. Beauty & function intertwined, and affordable. Parasol cellular shades will provide the ultimate in energy efficiency & light control. Windows Dressed Up showroom in north Denver at 38th on Tennyson St has the latest in unique window treatment ideas for kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, home offices, nursery & outdoor patio. Custom blinds, shades, shutter, roman shades, curtains, drapes, bedding & drapery hardware. Over 40 displays to touch & operate. Hunter Douglas Showcase Dealer, Lafayette Interior Fashions, & Graber Blinds for Denver metro. 50+ years experience. Visit our website for a virtual tour. Measuring & installation services available. Bring in your approximate window measurements for a quote. We will come to your home for final measurements after you have selected your window treatment color, style and options. Servicing the Denver metro area, including Parker, Castle Rock, Boulder, Evergreen, Broomfield, Lakewood, Aurora, Thornton, Centennial, Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Arvada, Golden, Westminster, Lone Tree, Greenwood Village, Wheat Ridge and more.

This contemporary farmhouse is located on a scenic acreage in Greendale, BC. It features an open floor plan with room for hosting a large crowd, a large kitchen with double wall ovens, tons of counter space, a custom range hood and was designed to maximize natural light. Shed dormers with windows up high flood the living areas with daylight. The stairwells feature more windows to give them an open, airy feel, and custom black iron railings designed and crafted by a talented local blacksmith. The home is very energy efficient, featuring R32 ICF construction throughout, R60 spray foam in the roof, window coatings that minimize solar heat gain, an HRV system to ensure good air quality, and LED lighting throughout. A large covered patio with a wood burning fireplace provides warmth and shelter in the shoulder seasons. Carsten Arnold Photography

Example of a trendy medium tone wood floor kitchen design in Ottawa with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, an island, an undermount sink and stainless steel appliances

This decent breakfast area is the room with a view! Flanked on all sides with window seats. Great for curling up to read a good book or simply hang out while someone cooks in the kitchen. Featuring Milgard® Ultra™ Series | C650 Casement Windows

Huge minimalist light wood floor great room photo in Montreal with white walls and a ribbon fireplace

Inspiration for a contemporary bathroom remodel in Vancouver

Michelle Peek Photography
Mid-sized trendy guest medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom photo in Toronto with white walls and no fireplace