Meredith Heuer
Example of a large trendy master brown tile and stone slab porcelain tile walk-in shower design in New York

This custom pool and spa have everything a backyard needs. The custom pergola over the spa rains water to keep you warm. There is also a raised wall with 2 bubblers and a fire feature.

The client’s request was quite common - a typical 2800 sf builder home with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, living space, and den. However, their desire was for this to be “anything but common.” The result is an innovative update on the production home for the modern era, and serves as a direct counterpoint to the neighborhood and its more conventional suburban housing stock, which focus views to the backyard and seeks to nullify the unique qualities and challenges of topography and the natural environment. The Terraced House cautiously steps down the site’s steep topography, resulting in a more nuanced approach to site development than cutting and filling that is so common in the builder homes of the area. The compact house opens up in very focused views that capture the natural wooded setting, while masking the sounds and views of the directly adjacent roadway. The main living spaces face this major roadway, effectively flipping the typical orientation of a suburban home, and the main entrance pulls visitors up to the second floor and halfway through the site, providing a sense of procession and privacy absent in the typical suburban home. Clad in a custom rain screen that reflects the wood of the surrounding landscape - while providing a glimpse into the interior tones that are used. The stepping “wood boxes” rest on a series of concrete walls that organize the site, retain the earth, and - in conjunction with the wood veneer panels - provide a subtle organic texture to the composition. The interior spaces wrap around an interior knuckle that houses public zones and vertical circulation - allowing more private spaces to exist at the edges of the building. The windows get larger and more frequent as they ascend the building, culminating in the upstairs bedrooms that occupy the site like a tree house - giving views in all directions. The Terraced House imports urban qualities to the suburban neighborhood and seeks to elevate the typical approach to production home construction, while being more in tune with modern family living patterns. Overview: Elm Grove Size: 2,800 sf, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms Completion Date: September 2014 Services: Architecture, Landscape Architecture Interior Consultants: Amy Carman Design

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Our clients and their three teenage kids had outgrown the footprint of their existing home and felt they needed some space to spread out. They came in with a couple of sets of drawings from different architects that were not quite what they were looking for, so we set out to really listen and try to provide a design that would meet their objectives given what the space could offer. We started by agreeing that a bump out was the best way to go and then decided on the size and the floor plan locations of the mudroom, powder room and butler pantry which were all part of the project. We also planned for an eat-in banquette that is neatly tucked into the corner and surrounded by windows providing a lovely spot for daily meals. The kitchen itself is L-shaped with the refrigerator and range along one wall, and the new sink along the exterior wall with a large window overlooking the backyard. A large island, with seating for five, houses a prep sink and microwave. A new opening space between the kitchen and dining room includes a butler pantry/bar in one section and a large kitchen pantry in the other. Through the door to the left of the main sink is access to the new mudroom and powder room and existing attached garage. White inset cabinets, quartzite countertops, subway tile and nickel accents provide a traditional feel. The gray island is a needed contrast to the dark wood flooring. Last but not least, professional appliances provide the tools of the trade needed to make this one hardworking kitchen. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Mike Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Eric Soltan Photography www.ericsoltan.com
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary 3/4 gray tile and mosaic tile porcelain tile bathroom remodel in New York with black cabinets, a two-piece toilet, gray walls, an integrated sink and flat-panel cabinets

This 640sf backyard cottage with finished basement needed a roof raise to add height and storage to the 2nd floor primary bedroom space. The original space had very low knee walls, a tiny bathroom and limited closet space. This roof raise gave them a much better bedroom with an added balcony, a spacious closet with built in shelving and hanging space and a bathroom that includes a clawfoot tub and generous shower. We also added a bookshelf on the stairs with a custom ladder. Awesome transformation!

This remodel went from a tiny story-and-a-half Cape Cod, to a charming full two-story home. The mudroom features a bench with cubbies underneath, and a shelf with hooks for additional storage. The full glass back door provides natural light while opening to the backyard for quick access to the detached garage. The wall color in this room is Benjamin Moore HC-170 Stonington Gray. The cabinets are also Ben Moore, in Simply White OC-117. Space Plans, Building Design, Interior & Exterior Finishes by Anchor Builders. Photography by Alyssa Lee Photography.

Create a spacious and clean design withcentral track lighting in your master bedroom. Seen in Fiddler's Creek, a Naples community
Bedroom - mid-sized scandinavian master carpeted bedroom idea in Miami with white walls

Dan Cutrona Photography
Mid-sized trendy white tile and mosaic tile dark wood floor bathroom photo in Boston with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite countertops and white walls

A dark backyard was given a new life with dramatic additions of built in planting beds, custom cut salvaged pavers, green screen trellis and a ton of charm. The reclaimed barn doors add a focal point to the east wall while the custom built two-tier planting system allows vines to fill this garden which spans two floors of the client's home.

A description of the homeowners and space from Linnzy, the Presidential Pools, Spas & Patio designer who worked on this project: "The homeowners can be described as an active family of three boys. They tend to host family and friends and wanted a space that could fill their large backyard and yet be functional for the kids and adults. The contemporary straight lines of the pool match the interior of the house giving them a resort feel in the very own backyard! The large pergola is a perfect area to cool off in the shade while enjoying a large outdoor kitchen as well as an oversized fire pit for the cooler nights and roasting marshmallows. They wanted a wow factor as the pool is the main focal point from the living room, and the oversized wall and rain sheer did the trick!"

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Collaborations are typically so fruitful and this one was no different. The homeowners started by hiring an architect to develop a vision and plan for transforming their very traditional brick home into a contemporary family home full of modern updates. The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn was hired to provide kitchen design expertise and to bring the vision to life. The bamboo cabinetry and white Ceasarstone countertops provide contrast that pops while the white oak floors and limestone tile bring warmth to the space. A large island houses a Galley Sink which provides a multi-functional work surface fantastic for summer entertaining. And speaking of summer entertaining, a new Nana Wall system — a large glass wall system that creates a large exterior opening and can literally be opened and closed with one finger – brings the outdoor in and creates a very unique flavor to the space. Matching bamboo cabinetry and panels were also installed in the adjoining family room, along with aluminum doors with frosted glass and a repeat of the limestone at the newly designed fireplace. 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

Rustic Blend Salvaged Stone Retainer Wall by English Stone.
Design ideas for a mid-sized rustic front yard stone retaining wall landscape in Minneapolis.

Matt Wier
Inspiration for a 1950s master gray tile light wood floor bathroom remodel in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets and white walls

Morgan Howarth Photography
Transitional bedroom photo in DC Metro with blue walls

The juxtaposition of wood grain and saturated, high gloss panels creates a dramatic statement in this fun, mid-century modern living room. Photo by Jeri Koegel

Photographer: Xin Zhao Designer Credit: Linc Thelen
Trendy powder room photo in Chicago with a vessel sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a wall-mount toilet and white walls

Living room - mid-sized transitional formal and open concept dark wood floor and brown floor living room idea in Boston with beige walls, no fireplace and no tv

The backyard oasis has a cabana, stone pool deck, spa, bridge, pool island, waterfalls, pool slide, stone walls, and plantings. Photo taken by Platinum Pools