This brick and limestone, 6,000-square-foot residence exemplifies understated elegance. Located in the award-wining Blaine School District and within close proximity to the Southport Corridor, this is city living at its finest! The foyer, with herringbone wood floors, leads to a dramatic, hand-milled oval staircase; an architectural element that allows sunlight to cascade down from skylights and to filter throughout the house. The floor plan has stately-proportioned rooms and includes formal Living and Dining Rooms; an expansive, eat-in, gourmet Kitchen/Great Room; four bedrooms on the second level with three additional bedrooms and a Family Room on the lower level; a Penthouse Playroom leading to a roof-top deck and green roof; and an attached, heated 3-car garage. Additional features include hardwood flooring throughout the main level and upper two floors; sophisticated architectural detailing throughout the house including coffered ceiling details, barrel and groin vaulted ceilings; painted, glazed and wood paneling; laundry rooms on the bedroom level and on the lower level; five fireplaces, including one outdoors; and HD Video, Audio and Surround Sound pre-wire distribution through the house and grounds. The home also features extensively landscaped exterior spaces, designed by Prassas Landscape Studio. This home went under contract within 90 days during the Great Recession. Featured in Chicago Magazine: http://goo.gl/Gl8lRm Jim Yochum

Bedroom - modern bedroom idea in New York

Matthew Millman
Inspiration for a contemporary brown three-story wood exterior home remodel in San Francisco

Sara Essex Bradley
Inspiration for an eclectic home office remodel in New Orleans

950 sq. ft. gut renovation of a pre-war NYC apartment to add a half-bath and guest bedroom.
Deck - large traditional rooftop rooftop deck idea in New York with no cover

Photo Credit: Warren Patterson
Inspiration for a small contemporary rooftop second story deck remodel in Boston with no cover

This unique city-home is designed with a center entry, flanked by formal living and dining rooms on either side. An expansive gourmet kitchen / great room spans the rear of the main floor, opening onto a terraced outdoor space comprised of more than 700SF. The home also boasts an open, four-story staircase flooded with natural, southern light, as well as a lower level family room, four bedrooms (including two en-suite) on the second floor, and an additional two bedrooms and study on the third floor. A spacious, 500SF roof deck is accessible from the top of the staircase, providing additional outdoor space for play and entertainment. Due to the location and shape of the site, there is a 2-car, heated garage under the house, providing direct entry from the garage into the lower level mudroom. Two additional off-street parking spots are also provided in the covered driveway leading to the garage. Designed with family living in mind, the home has also been designed for entertaining and to embrace life's creature comforts. Pre-wired with HD Video, Audio and comprehensive low-voltage services, the home is able to accommodate and distribute any low voltage services requested by the homeowner. This home was pre-sold during construction. Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing

Shawn-Paul Luchin Photography
Example of a mid-sized trendy built-in desk medium tone wood floor home office design in San Francisco with white walls

A post-war, Glen Park house was dark and tiny but had good bones and imaginable city views. It was one of those “little boxes on the hillside”. Our design transformed and expanded it into a bright, open, and comfortable four bedroom townhouse with panoramic city views. A huge new sliding skylight/roof hatch above an open staircase illuminates and seamlessly connects the central living and circulation spaces. All bedrooms plus a family room/guest suite are oriented towards the rear and front of house, ensuring direct connection to the out of doors, and privacy from family gathering spaces. The home is modern but has touches of warm traditional styling, anticipating a family with kids, a couple who enjoy entertaining, and or folks who like hunkering down with a good book and a morning cup of coffee. Structural Engineer: Gregory Paul Wallace SE Photographer: Open Homes Photography

Patrick Ketchum
Example of a 1960s gray flat roof design in Los Angeles

The roof terrace completes the outdoor living with a resort-size bar and grill with views of the community golf course, three lakes and stunning sunsets. Photography: Jeff Davis Photography

Mid-sized elegant loft-style dark wood floor bedroom photo in San Francisco with beige walls and no fireplace

Jeremy Bitterman
Modern one-story flat roof idea in Seattle

Roof top deck in Baltimore County, Maryland: This stunning roof top deck now provides a beautiful outdoor living space with all the amenities the homeowner was looking for as well as added value to the home. Curtis Martin Photo Inc.

Sara Essex Bradley
Bedroom - shabby-chic style painted wood floor bedroom idea in New Orleans with multicolored walls

With grand proportions and intricate carving, the antique Indian bed frame is the centerpiece of the master bedroom. More artwork garnishes the walls; This time the artist on display is the couple's 9-year-old son, Five, who created the black and white painting next to the bed. One of the family's twins (there are twin boys, and a set of twin girls), Five spends his time practicing art and "...happens to be very talented!", exclaims Cortney. Side tables: West Elm; Area Rug: Diane von Furstenberg for The Rug Company Adrienne DeRosa Photography

Deck - traditional second story deck idea in DC Metro

Tuscan patio photo in San Francisco with a pergola

Heading into the girls' bathroom, a recycled vintage chair plays off of fine art prints by Steve Miller. The x-ray images of Chanel and Louis Vuitton handbags are refined, yet edgy, a perfect compliment to this family's aesthetic. The pink chair is proof that high style can be achieved as simply as a lick of paint. The designers often seek out thrifty buys and revive them with inexpensive solutions. Photo: Adrienne DeRosa Photography © 2014 Houzz Design: Cortney and Robert Novogratz