Joyelle West
Beach style light wood floor and beige floor dining room photo in Boston with gray walls

Living room - large transitional formal and open concept medium tone wood floor living room idea in San Francisco with white walls, a wall-mounted tv, a metal fireplace and a ribbon fireplace

Example of a trendy l-shaped gray floor kitchen design in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Eric Piasecki
Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal master dark wood floor bedroom remodel in New York with beige walls and no fireplace

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary formal and open concept gray floor and light wood floor living room remodel in Montreal with gray walls, a standard fireplace, no tv and a brick fireplace

This beautiful bathroom designed by Jill Mehoff Architects features this great black and white tile design!
Small trendy 3/4 black and white tile black floor alcove shower photo in New York with black countertops, a one-piece toilet, multicolored walls and a console sink

Inspiration for a large contemporary formal and enclosed light wood floor and beige floor living room remodel in San Francisco with beige walls, a tile fireplace, a ribbon fireplace and no tv

Example of a transitional l-shaped light wood floor kitchen design in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, white backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Blending contemporary and historic styles requires innovative design and a well-balanced aesthetic. That was the challenge we faced in creating a modern kitchen for this historic home in Lynnfield, MA. The final design retained the classically beautiful spatial and structural elements of the home while introducing a sleek sophistication. We mixed the two design palettes carefully. For instance, juxtaposing the warm, distressed wood of an original door with the smooth, brightness of non-paneled, maple cabinetry. A cork floor and accent cabinets of white metal add texture while a seated, step-down peninsula and built in bookcase create an open transition from the kitchen proper to an inviting dining space. This is truly a space where the past and present can coexist harmoniously. Photo Credit: Eric Roth

Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in Chicago

This unique custom iron door features a Charcoal finish, 60/40 pivot split, and detailed wrought iron lines.
Inspiration for a large contemporary slate floor front door remodel in Charlotte with a black front door

Example of a farmhouse light wood floor foyer design in Salt Lake City with gray walls and a glass front door

Step into a contemporary luxury bathroom featuring a spacious walk-in shower with an innovative indoor-outdoor design, complete with a natural wood slat accent wall and a luxurious rain showerhead. This tranquil space boasts minimalist aesthetics, a floating vanity with a sleek white countertop and undermount sink, and stylish gray tile flooring, perfect for modern living and serene retreats.

Inspiration for a transitional mosaic tile floor, gray floor, single-sink and shiplap wall bathroom remodel in Indianapolis with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, white countertops and a built-in vanity

Photo: Vicki Bodine
Inspiration for a large country u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in New York with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Family room - large open concept light wood floor family room idea in Boston with gray walls and a wall-mounted tv

The Kiguchi family moved into their Austin, Texas home in 1994. Built in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood development, they happily raised their family here but longed for something more contemporary. Once they became empty nesters, they decided it was time for a major remodel. After spending many years visiting Austin AIA Home Tours that highlight contemporary residential architecture, they had a lot of ideas and in 2013 were ready to interview architects and get their renovation underway. The project turned into a major remodel due to an unstable foundation. Architects Ben Arbib and Ed Hughey, of Arbib Hughey Design were hired to solve the structural issue and look for inspiration in the bones of the house, which sat on top of a hillside and was surrounded by great views. Unfortunately, with the old floor plan, the beautiful views were hidden by small windows that were poorly placed. In order to bring more natural light into the house the window sizes and configurations had to be addressed, all while keeping in mind the homeowners desire for a modern look and feel. To achieve a more contemporary and sophisticated front of house, a new entry was designed that included removing a two-story bay window and porch. The entrance of the home also became more integrated with the landscape creating a template for new foliage to be planted. Older exterior materials were updated to incorporate a more muted palette of colors with a metal roof, dark grey siding in the back and white stucco in the front. Deep eaves were added over many of the new large windows for clean lines and sun protection. “Inside it was about opening up the floor plan, expanding the views throughout the house, and updating the material palette to get a modern look that was also warm and inviting,” said Ben from Arbib Hughey Design. “Prior to the remodel, the house had the typical separation of rooms. We removed the walls between them and changed all of the windows to Milgard Thermally Improved Aluminum to connect the inside with the outside. No matter where you are you get nice views and natural light.” The architects wanted to create some drama, which they accomplished with the window placement and opening up the interior floor plan to an open concept approach. Cabinetry was used to help delineate intimate spaces. To add warmth to an all-white living room, white-washed oak wood floors were installed and pine planks were used around the fireplace. The large windows served as artwork bringing the color of nature into the space. An octagon shaped, elevated dining room, (named “the turret”), had a big impact on the design of the house. They architects rounded the corners and added larger window openings overlooking a new sunken garden. The great room was also softened by rounding out the corners and that circular theme continued throughout the house, being picked up in skylight wells and kitchen cabinetry. A staircase leading to a catwalk was added and the result was a two-story window wall that flooded the home with natural light. When asked why Milgard® Thermally Improved Aluminum windows were selected, the architectural team listed many reasons: 1) Aesthetics: “We liked the slim profiles and narrow sightlines. The window frames never get in the way of the view and that was important to us. They also have a very contemporary look that went well with our design.” 2) Options: “We liked that we could get large sliding doors that matched the windows, giving us a very cohesive look and feel throughout the project.” 3) Cost Effective: “Milgard windows are affordable. You get a good product at a good price.” 4) Custom Sizes: “Milgard windows are customizable, which allowed us to get the right window for each location.” Ready to take on your own traditional to modern home remodeling project? Arbib Hughey Design advises, “Work with a good architect. That means picking a team that is creative, communicative, listens well and is responsive. We think it’s important for an architect to listen to their clients and give them something they want, not something the architect thinks they should have. At the same time you want an architect who is willing and able to think outside the box and offer up design options that you may not have considered. Design is about a lot of back and forth, trying out ideas, getting feedback and trying again.” The home was completely transformed into a unique, contemporary house perfectly integrated with its site. Internally the home has a natural flow for the occupants and externally it is integrated with the surroundings taking advantage of great natural light. As a side note, it was highly praised as part of the Austin AIA homes tour.

Ryan Garvin
Example of a beach style u-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen design in Orange County with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Photography: Stacy Zarin Goldberg
Living room - small contemporary open concept porcelain tile and brown floor living room idea in DC Metro with a bar and white walls