Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Gorgeous master bath finished with Dal-Tile's Fabrique porcelain tile in the color Noir Linen polished. Tile size is 12"x24" installed in a brick joint pattern. The floor boasts underfloor heating on a timed thermostat.

New Contemporary bathroom transformed from a single sink into a double sink with tall linen tower for extra storage. These clients wanted to update from a traditional guest bath to a cool toned, modern and refined guest bathroom. Dark attributes from the vanity, hardware and mirrors give this room a slight masculine feel, while the cool and lighter tones of the tile and curves of the plumbing fixtures give it a softer appeal. The modern aesthetic's of this bathroom along with the clean lines and fancy washlet Toto seat was just the update the client desired and needed.

“Hygge”: the Danish esthetic characterized by cozy environments featuring natural materials, clean design, and light colors to fend off the doldrums of the long northern winters. Embodying these attributes is this welcoming space mixing colors and textures to spectacular effect. Pale wood-look porcelain tile flooring sets the tone. Traditional inset cabinetry with a delicate ogee inner profile is painted light blue on the perimeter and cream on the island. The ever-popular apron front sink adds charm. White oak floating shelves showcase decorative items and cookbooks. They sit adjacent to a bifold countertop wall cabinet that’s lined in more white oak; it conceals a freestanding microwave and abundant dishware storage. Appliances are paneled to match for a cohesive look. The crown jewel of the room, however, is the range and vent hood. For European flair, a CornuFe range in ivory with brass trim was chosen. A custom curved plaster hood is accented with white oak edging and sweeping corbels. Brass appears again in the faucet, the island pendants, and the eclectic mix of hardware: cupboard latches, bin pulls, and knobs. To complete the classic look, gray and honey-veined Danby marble countertops were selected, complemented by a handmade white subway backsplash tile.

Black and white color schemes have a long history of being associated with sophistication and timeless elegance. This classic combination adds a sense of refinement to the kitchen space that transcends passing design fads. The stark contrast between black and white creates a visually striking effect that adds depth and dimension to the kitchen. The balance between light and dark tones creates a sense of harmony, making the space visually appealing and well-designed. White elements in the kitchen can make the space feel larger and more open, while black accents can ground the design and add a sense of coziness. This duality enhances the overall aesthetics of the kitchen. The enduring popularity of black and white kitchens can be attributed to their ability to blend classic charm with modern sensibilities, resulting in a space that is both inviting and stylish.

Upon entering The Preserve at Gray’s Creek, you will be swept away by breathtaking grand oak trees that surround this gorgeous community along with its stunning ponds. You will have the option of two different series of homes to choose from in this community. The first option is the French Artist Series, which is also known as a J-Swing style home and the other option is the Colonial Manor series. These homes will be loaded with a wide variety of features and amenities including a painted brick option, gorgeous landscaping, 3 CM granite counter tops, under-mount sinks throughout, wood flooring in the living area, gas fireplace with granite surround, stainless steel appliances, crown molding, custom framed mirrors in the bathrooms, and so much more. While DSLD Homes is known for many key attributes, they also pride themselves on offering top quality features including radiant barrier roof decking, blown in fiberglass insulation, tank-less gas water heaters and many more top quality features to make your home energy efficient.

Our inspiration for this home was an updated and refined approach to Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Prairie-style”; one that responds well to the harsh Central Texas heat. By DESIGN we achieved soft balanced and glare-free daylighting, comfortable temperatures via passive solar control measures, energy efficiency without reliance on maintenance-intensive Green “gizmos” and lower exterior maintenance. The client’s desire for a healthy, comfortable and fun home to raise a young family and to accommodate extended visitor stays, while being environmentally responsible through “high performance” building attributes, was met. Harmonious response to the site’s micro-climate, excellent Indoor Air Quality, enhanced natural ventilation strategies, and an elegant bug-free semi-outdoor “living room” that connects one to the outdoors are a few examples of the architect’s approach to Green by Design that results in a home that exceeds the expectations of its owners. Photo by Mark Adams Media

2011 NARI CAPITAL COTY FINALIST AWARD WINNER This 1970’s split-level single-family home in an upscale Arlington neighborhood had been neglected for years. With his surrounding neighbors all doing major exterior and interior remodeling, however, the owner decided it was time to renovate his property as well. After several consultation meetings with the design team at Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, he settled on an exterior layout to create an Art & Craft design for the home. It all got started by excavating the front and left side of the house and attaching a wrap-around stone porch. Key design attributes include a black metal roof, large tapered columns, blue and grey random style flag stone, beaded stain ceiling paneling and an octagonal seating area on the left side of this porch. The front porch has a wide stairway and another set of stairs leads to the back yard. All exterior walls of the home were modified with new headers to allow much larger custom-made windows, new front doors garage doors, and French side and back doors. A custom-designed mahogany front door with leaded glass provides more light and offers a wider entrance into the home’s living area. Design challenges included removing the entire face of the home and then adding new insulation, Tyvek and Hardiplank siding. The use of high-efficiency low-e windows makes the home air tight. The Arts & Crafts design touches include the front gable over the front porch, the prairie-style grill pattern on the windows and doors, the use of tapered columns sitting over stone columns and the leaded glass front door. Decorative exterior lighting provides the finishing touches to this look. Inside, custom woodwork, crown molding, custom glass cabinets and interior pillars carry the design. Upon entering the space, visitors face a large partition that separates the living area from a gourmet Arts & Crafts kitchen and dining room. The home’s signature space, the kitchen offers contrasting dark and light cherry cabinets. Wide plank hard wood floors, exotic granite counters and stainless steel professional-grade appliances make this a kitchen fit for any chef.

This image showcases a modern and elegant living room interior design, attributed to Custom Design Interiors Pvt Ltd. The space features a light gray, L-shaped sofa complemented by a minimalist glass coffee table. The backdrop includes a light gray paneled wall with a large, abstract black and white painting featuring gold accents, adding a focal point to the room. To the right, a striking feature wall combines natural wood paneling with a vertical garden of artificial green plants, bringing an organic and refreshing element to the contemporary space. The room is illuminated by recessed ceiling lights and features a white ceiling fan for comfort. The overall aesthetic is one of sophisticated comfort, blending neutral tones with natural textures and vibrant art to create a stylish and inviting atmosphere.

Our inspiration for this home was an updated and refined approach to Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Prairie-style”; one that responds well to the harsh Central Texas heat. By DESIGN we achieved soft balanced and glare-free daylighting, comfortable temperatures via passive solar control measures, energy efficiency without reliance on maintenance-intensive Green “gizmos” and lower exterior maintenance. The client’s desire for a healthy, comfortable and fun home to raise a young family and to accommodate extended visitor stays, while being environmentally responsible through “high performance” building attributes, was met. Harmonious response to the site’s micro-climate, excellent Indoor Air Quality, enhanced natural ventilation strategies, and an elegant bug-free semi-outdoor “living room” that connects one to the outdoors are a few examples of the architect’s approach to Green by Design that results in a home that exceeds the expectations of its owners. Photo by Mark Adams Media

A stunning installation highlighting both aesthetic and functional attributes of the Vistafolia® solution. Located in one of New York’s most expensive high streets, this chic property development hosting offices and retail stores. The huge suspended green wall was created from our signature panels, customized with grey foliage from our color box to add depth and variation, and provided an eye-catching backdrop to the main reception area of this busy communal area. As the headquarters for a number of international businesses, their visitors first impressions were important, and our green wall was just the statement piece they were looking for.

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Example of a trendy black tile, gray tile, white tile and pebble tile black floor bathroom design in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops and white countertops

Upon entering The Preserve at Gray’s Creek, you will be swept away by breathtaking grand oak trees that surround this gorgeous community along with its stunning ponds. You will have the option of two different series of homes to choose from in this community. The first option is the French Artist Series, which is also known as a J-Swing style home and the other option is the Colonial Manor series. These homes will be loaded with a wide variety of features and amenities including a painted brick option, gorgeous landscaping, 3 CM granite counter tops, under-mount sinks throughout, wood flooring in the living area, gas fireplace with granite surround, stainless steel appliances, crown molding, custom framed mirrors in the bathrooms, and so much more. While DSLD Homes is known for many key attributes, they also pride themselves on offering top quality features including radiant barrier roof decking, blown in fiberglass insulation, tank-less gas water heaters and many more top quality features to make your home energy efficient.

Upon entering The Preserve at Gray’s Creek, you will be swept away by breathtaking grand oak trees that surround this gorgeous community along with its stunning ponds. You will have the option of two different series of homes to choose from in this community. The first option is the French Artist Series, which is also known as a J-Swing style home and the other option is the Colonial Manor series. These homes will be loaded with a wide variety of features and amenities including a painted brick option, gorgeous landscaping, 3 CM granite counter tops, under-mount sinks throughout, wood flooring in the living area, gas fireplace with granite surround, stainless steel appliances, crown molding, custom framed mirrors in the bathrooms, and so much more. While DSLD Homes is known for many key attributes, they also pride themselves on offering top quality features including radiant barrier roof decking, blown in fiberglass insulation, tank-less gas water heaters and many more top quality features to make your home energy efficient.

Black and white color schemes have a long history of being associated with sophistication and timeless elegance. This classic combination adds a sense of refinement to the kitchen space that transcends passing design fads. The stark contrast between black and white creates a visually striking effect that adds depth and dimension to the kitchen. The balance between light and dark tones creates a sense of harmony, making the space visually appealing and well-designed. White elements in the kitchen can make the space feel larger and more open, while black accents can ground the design and add a sense of coziness. This duality enhances the overall aesthetics of the kitchen. The enduring popularity of black and white kitchens can be attributed to their ability to blend classic charm with modern sensibilities, resulting in a space that is both inviting and stylish.

Upon entering The Preserve at Gray’s Creek, you will be swept away by breathtaking grand oak trees that surround this gorgeous community along with its stunning ponds. You will have the option of two different series of homes to choose from in this community. The first option is the French Artist Series, which is also known as a J-Swing style home and the other option is the Colonial Manor series. These homes will be loaded with a wide variety of features and amenities including a painted brick option, gorgeous landscaping, 3 CM granite counter tops, under-mount sinks throughout, wood flooring in the living area, gas fireplace with granite surround, stainless steel appliances, crown molding, custom framed mirrors in the bathrooms, and so much more. While DSLD Homes is known for many key attributes, they also pride themselves on offering top quality features including radiant barrier roof decking, blown in fiberglass insulation, tank-less gas water heaters and many more top quality features to make your home energy efficient.

Photo: Caela J. McKeever © 2015 Houzz
Eclectic home design photo in Seattle

Inspiration for a timeless bathroom remodel in Boston with pink walls