Photo: Kimberley Bryan © 2013 Houzz
Example of an eclectic patio design in Seattle with no cover

Sally Painter
Enclosed kitchen - craftsman u-shaped medium tone wood floor enclosed kitchen idea in Portland with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Meagan Larsen
Example of a classic formal and enclosed medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room design in Phoenix with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Example of a farmhouse dark wood floor dining room design in New York with beige walls

Bedroom - mid-sized traditional master dark wood floor and gray floor bedroom idea in Orlando with gray walls and no fireplace

Living room - huge transitional dark wood floor living room idea in Los Angeles with a music area

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The Klimala’s and their three kids are no strangers to moving, this being their fifth house in the same town over the 20-year period they have lived there. “It must be the 7-year itch, because every seven years, we seem to find ourselves antsy for a new project or a new environment. I think part of it is being a designer, I see my own taste evolve and I want my environment to reflect that. Having easy access to wonderful tradesmen and a knowledge of the process makes it that much easier”. This time, Klimala’s fell in love with a somewhat unlikely candidate. The 1950’s ranch turned cape cod was a bit of a mutt, but it’s location 5 minutes from their design studio and backing up to the high school where their kids can roll out of bed and walk to school, coupled with the charm of its location on a private road and lush landscaping made it an appealing choice for them. “The bones of the house were really charming. It was typical 1,500 square foot ranch that at some point someone added a second floor to. Its sloped roofline and dormered bedrooms gave it some charm.” With the help of architect Maureen McHugh, Klimala’s gutted and reworked the layout to make the house work for them. An open concept kitchen and dining room allows for more frequent casual family dinners and dinner parties that linger. A dingy 3-season room off the back of the original house was insulated, given a vaulted ceiling with skylights and now opens up to the kitchen. This room now houses an 8’ raw edge white oak dining table and functions as an informal dining room. “One of the challenges with these mid-century homes is the 8’ ceilings. I had to have at least one room that had a higher ceiling so that’s how we did it” states Klimala. The kitchen features a 10’ island which houses a 5’0” Galley Sink. The Galley features two faucets, and double tiered rail system to which accessories such as cutting boards and stainless steel bowls can be added for ease of cooking. Across from the large sink is an induction cooktop. “My two teen daughters and I enjoy cooking, and the Galley and induction cooktop make it so easy.” A wall of tall cabinets features a full size refrigerator, freezer, double oven and built in coffeemaker. The area on the opposite end of the kitchen features a pantry with mirrored glass doors and a beverage center below. The rest of the first floor features an entry way, a living room with views to the front yard’s lush landscaping, a family room where the family hangs out to watch TV, a back entry from the garage with a laundry room and mudroom area, one of the home’s four bedrooms and a full bath. There is a double sided fireplace between the family room and living room. The home features pops of color from the living room’s peach grass cloth to purple painted wall in the family room. “I’m definitely a traditionalist at heart but because of the home’s Midcentury roots, I wanted to incorporate some of those elements into the furniture, lighting and accessories which also ended up being really fun. We are not formal people so I wanted a house that my kids would enjoy, have their friends over and feel comfortable.” The second floor houses the master bedroom suite, two of the kids’ bedrooms and a back room nicknamed “the library” because it has turned into a quiet get away area where the girls can study or take a break from the rest of the family. The area was originally unfinished attic, and because the home was short on closet space, this Jack and Jill area off the girls’ bedrooms houses two large walk-in closets and a small sitting area with a makeup vanity. “The girls really wanted to keep the exposed brick of the fireplace that runs up the through the space, so that’s what we did, and I think they feel like they are in their own little loft space in the city when they are up there” says Klimala. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Carlos Vergara For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

This staircase leading to this home's back door was rebuilt to include under-stair storage. The stair fronts were left open, and the inside of the staircase was framed, allowing a continuation of flooring. The extra floor space in this staircase creates the perfect shoe storage and eliminating the chance of tripping over shoes. Project designed by Skokie renovation firm, Chi Renovation & Design. They serve the Chicagoland area, and it's surrounding suburbs, with an emphasis on the North Side and North Shore. You'll find their work from the Loop through Lincoln Park, Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette, and all of the way up to Lake Forest. For more about Chi Renovation & Design, click here: https://www.chirenovation.com/

Design by Joanna Hartman Photography by Ryann Ford Styling by Adam Fortner This space features Crema Marfil Honed 12x12 floor tile and Restoration Hardware "Vintage Hooks".

The kitchen, breakfast room and family room are all open to one another. The kitchen has a large twelve foot island topped with Calacatta marble and features a roll-out kneading table, and room to seat the whole family. The sunlight breakfast room opens onto the patio which has a built-in barbeque, and both bar top seating and a built in bench for outdoor dining. The large family room features a cozy fireplace, TV media, and a large built-in bookcase. The adjoining craft room is separated by a set of pocket french doors; where the kids can be visible from the family room as they do their homework.

Land2c Old trees were pruned and saved adding permanence to the newly built home. The entry landscape was worked around them. A pedestrian walkway off the screen to the left curves down to the front door through the landscape. The landscape is lushly planted with collections of the owner's favorite plants. Beds are attractive throughout the year with many evergreen plants.

The home is 100% solar powered with a battery backup system. The home can run independently of the utility indefinitely with this system. The owners will never be without power. There is approximately 6kW of solar on the roof and 4 - 250 amp hour 12v batteries for back up. The heating is backed up with a 95% efficient propane furnace and the hot water is backed up with a propane water heater. Cooking is propane and there are 2 propane fireplaces that can also heat the home. The solar system is also used to charge the owners 2 electric cars for daily driving.

Steve Homa
Trendy exterior home photo in Milwaukee

The home is 100% solar powered with a battery backup system. The home can run independently of the utility indefinitely with this system. The owners will never be without power. There is approximately 6kW of solar on the roof and 4 - 250 amp hour 12v batteries for back up. The heating is backed up with a 95% efficient propane furnace and the hot water is backed up with a propane water heater. Cooking is propane and there are 2 propane fireplaces that can also heat the home. The solar system is also used to charge the owners 2 electric cars for daily driving.

Small transitional powder room photo in Vancouver with white walls, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a built-in vanity, an integrated sink, marble countertops and white countertops

Inspiration for a timeless bedroom remodel in Nashville

The home is 100% solar powered with a battery backup system. The home can run independently of the utility indefinitely with this system. The owners will never be without power. There is approximately 6kW of solar on the roof and 4 - 250 amp hour 12v batteries for back up. The heating is backed up with a 95% efficient propane furnace and the hot water is backed up with a propane water heater. Cooking is propane and there are 2 propane fireplaces that can also heat the home. The solar system is also used to charge the owners 2 electric cars for daily driving.

The reclaimed Hickory Barnwood Stairs This "Basement Addition" in Ledroit Park neighborhood of NW Washington DC involved re-connecting the space to the upper two levels.