The mudroom has a tile floor to handle the mess of an entry, custom builtin bench and cubbies for storage, and a double farmhouse style sink mounted low for the little guys. Sink and fixtures by Kohler and lighting by Feiss. Photo credit: Aaron Bunse of a2theb.com

Photo Credit: Rob Reck
Inspiration for a southwestern concrete floor bedroom remodel in Albuquerque

“Compelling.” That’s how one of our judges characterized this stair, which manages to embody both reassuring solidity and airy weightlessness. Architect Mahdad Saniee specified beefy maple treads—each laminated from two boards, to resist twisting and cupping—and supported them at the wall with hidden steel hangers. “We wanted to make them look like they are floating,” he says, “so they sit away from the wall by about half an inch.” The stainless steel rods that seem to pierce the treads’ opposite ends are, in fact, joined by threaded couplings hidden within the thickness of the wood. The result is an assembly whose stiffness underfoot defies expectation, Saniee says. “It feels very solid, much more solid than average stairs.” With the rods working in tension from above and compression below, “it’s very hard for those pieces of wood to move.” The interplay of wood and steel makes abstract reference to a Steinway concert grand, Saniee notes. “It’s taking elements of a piano and playing with them.” A gently curved soffit in the ceiling reinforces the visual rhyme. The jury admired the effect but was equally impressed with the technical acumen required to achieve it. “The rhythm established by the vertical rods sets up a rigorous discipline that works with the intricacies of stair dimensions,” observed one judge. “That’s really hard to do.”

This transitional timber frame home features a wrap-around porch designed to take advantage of its lakeside setting and mountain views. Natural stone, including river rock, granite and Tennessee field stone, is combined with wavy edge siding and a cedar shingle roof to marry the exterior of the home with it surroundings. Casually elegant interiors flow into generous outdoor living spaces that highlight natural materials and create a connection between the indoors and outdoors. Photography Credit: Rebecca Lehde, Inspiro 8 Studios

Cabinetry in a Mink finish was used for the bar cabinets and media built-ins. Ledge stone was used for the bar backsplash, bar wall and fireplace surround to create consistency throughout the basement. Photo Credit: Chris Whonsetler

Ward Jewell, AIA was asked to design a comfortable one-story stone and wood pool house that was "barn-like" in keeping with the owner’s gentleman farmer concept. Thus, Mr. Jewell was inspired to create an elegant New England Stone Farm House designed to provide an exceptional environment for them to live, entertain, cook and swim in the large reflection lap pool. Mr. Jewell envisioned a dramatic vaulted great room with hand selected 200 year old reclaimed wood beams and 10 foot tall pocketing French doors that would connect the house to a pool, deck areas, loggia and lush garden spaces, thus bringing the outdoors in. A large cupola “lantern clerestory” in the main vaulted ceiling casts a natural warm light over the graceful room below. The rustic walk-in stone fireplace provides a central focal point for the inviting living room lounge. Important to the functionality of the pool house are a chef’s working farm kitchen with open cabinetry, free-standing stove and a soapstone topped central island with bar height seating. Grey washed barn doors glide open to reveal a vaulted and beamed quilting room with full bath and a vaulted and beamed library/guest room with full bath that bookend the main space. The private garden expanded and evolved over time. After purchasing two adjacent lots, the owners decided to redesign the garden and unify it by eliminating the tennis court, relocating the pool and building an inspired "barn". The concept behind the garden’s new design came from Thomas Jefferson’s home at Monticello with its wandering paths, orchards, and experimental vegetable garden. As a result this small organic farm, was born. Today the farm produces more than fifty varieties of vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers; many of which are rare and hard to find locally. The farm also grows a wide variety of fruits including plums, pluots, nectarines, apricots, apples, figs, peaches, guavas, avocados (Haas, Fuerte and Reed), olives, pomegranates, persimmons, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and ten different types of citrus. The remaining areas consist of drought-tolerant sweeps of rosemary, lavender, rockrose, and sage all of which attract butterflies and dueling hummingbirds. Photo Credit: Laura Hull Photography. Interior Design: Jeffrey Hitchcock. Landscape Design: Laurie Lewis Design. General Contractor: Martin Perry Premier General Contractors

In the open concept home, the living area is defined by steps and a hearth to create a distinction of space and activities while maintaining flow. A custom-made wood panel conceals the television and complements the custom-made coffee table. Photo Credit: Garrett Rowland

Additional square footage from the garage was converted to create this multi-functional laundry & utility room that is layered with dedicated storage details throughout. The side-by-side washer and dryer are raised to a comfortable height for usage with ample storage above and below. A four compartment laundry sorting station below are large open countertop surface makes laundry no longer a chore. Hang dry items are placed on the stainless steel rod. Tall storage cabinets and a tall freezer house bulk items from the kitchen and other miscellaneous items. Photo Credit: Fred Donham-Photographerlink

photo credit: Paul Dyer
Example of a classic home office design in San Francisco

photo credit: Paul Dyer
Bathroom - transitional bathroom idea in San Francisco

Photo Credit: Tessa Neustadt
Kitchen - coastal kitchen idea in Los Angeles

Credited Thomas Kuoh Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary master freestanding bathtub remodel in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and a vessel sink

Kids bedroom renovation with queen size bed below, truncated twin above. Lower bed contains toy storage below, built-in drawers photo credit: Jeff Caven

This blackenend steel game room chandelier has 22 magnifiers surrounding a fan of 12 vintage lights Photo credit: Phillip Harris
Mountain style enclosed family room photo in San Francisco with brown walls

Photo Credit: Andy Beasley
Large trendy l-shaped kitchen pantry photo in London with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, paneled appliances and an island

photo credit: Michael K. Wilkinson, Photographs
Eat-in kitchen - contemporary dark wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in DC Metro with an undermount sink, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, shaker cabinets, white cabinets and red backsplash

Photo Credit: Travis Mark
Bedroom trendy gender-neutral light wood floor kids' bedroom photo in New York with gray walls

Cabinetry made from reclaimed antique wood: Pike Road Millwork Photo Credit: High 5 Productions

-Energy Star certified -Built Green Platinum -EnerGuide 78GJ/year -Green roof -Tramway from the top of the lot to the waterfront -48″ Drain water heat recovery -95% AFUE Gas Boiler -Venmar X24 HRV 75% Efficiency -Low flow plumbing fixtures -Integrated home automation system -Average 80% recycled construction waste Photo Credits: Ema Peter Photography