Designed by Cheryl Carpenter of Poggenpohl / Photographed by Licia Olivetti
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary galley medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Houston with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and white walls

This custom fireplace design was client's vision that came to life and accomplished what the client desired, which was to provide a focal point in the room and add warmth to the space. The fireplace features dramatic and vibrant real fire flame and is especially enjoable because of its location in the room and because there is no glass installed around it. This custom fireplace is designed with three open sides and two linear ribbon flame fires about thirty six inches long, covered with crushed black glass to enhance flame pattern. Collection hood was installed and suspended at the top, which connected to proper-sized vent system and power vent fan to ensure proper draft. This appliance is a custom built decorative gas fireplace. The custom outdoor fireplace is rated for use with propane only and exhausts through a power vented 14” B-vent flue. The fireplace controls are designed to ensure that the exhaust fan has established an adequate draft via a pressure switch prior to initiating the pilot gas ignition sequence. This custom fireplace was approved by to the requirements contained in ANSI Z21.50-2014 “Vented Gas Fireplaces” standard. The investigation began on April 19, 2016 and concluded on April 29, 2016. The following non-destructive tests required by the applicable product standard were conducted with satisfactory results. Interlock systems Input manifold pressures Temperature Functionality The main burner tray is made of 16 gauge low carbon steel. Burners are easily removable, without the use of special tools, for repair and cleaning. The burner tray is readily accessible and designed so that one person can perform the removal and replacement unassisted. The burner is installed in a granite surround which is capable of supporting more than 300 lbs. The fireplace has an induced draft and the design is such as to prevent gas flow to the main burners and pilot burners in the event the blower providing the draft becomes inoperative. A pressure switch is used to achieve this. All controls are accessible for normal servicing and functional adjustment in position and are replaceable during normal servicing. Removal of an access panel to secure access to the control compartment is employed. Each appliance is equipped with an automatic gas ignition system which provides for ignition of main burner gas by means of proved pilot. If the presence of the pilot is not proved, automatic shut-off of pilot and main burner gas. The design of the custom fireplace is such that the flue gases from all burners are carried out of the appliance through a single flue outlet. The fireplace is equipped with a vent safety shut-off system designed to shut off main burner gas in the event the appliance venting system is blocked. The pressure switch device complies with a nationally recognized standard. The design of an electrically operated vent damper device and the control system are such that the damper is in the open position at all times that gas is flowing to the main burner. The firepalce is equipped with an automatic valve which controls both the pilot burner and the main gas.

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Kitchen area. We vaulted the ceiling in the kitchen during the renovation. Cabinets are Kraftmaid Sonata Maple in Canvas with a Cocoa glaze. Island is Kraftmaid Sonata Cherry in Kaffe with a John Boos maple butcher block countertop. Countertops are Brazilian Dream quartzite. Backsplash is white matte arabesque mosaic porcelain tile with Laticrete SpectraLOCK Premium Epoxy Grout in white with a Mother of Pearl "dazzle." Range and microwave by Viking. Refrigeration by SubZero. Dishwasher by Bosch. Sink by Kohler. Stainless steel fixtures by Mirabelle. Sink pendant is Z-Lite 2114MP-BRZ-SBRZ Riviera Large Pendant in bronze. Floors are solid Brazilian Cherry hardwood.

Jon and Moch Photography
Large transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo with a single-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, gray backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Kitchen area. We vaulted the ceiling in the kitchen during the renovation. Cabinets are Kraftmaid Sonata Maple in Canvas with a Cocoa glaze. Island is Kraftmaid Sonata Cherry in Kaffe with a John Boos maple butcher block countertop. Countertops are Brazilian Dream quartzite. Backsplash is white matte arabesque mosaic porcelain tile with Laticrete SpectraLOCK Premium Epoxy Grout in white with a Mother of Pearl "dazzle." Range and microwave by Viking. Refrigeration by SubZero. Dishwasher by Bosch. Sink by Kohler. Stainless steel fixtures by Mirabelle. Sink pendant is Z-Lite 2114MP-BRZ-SBRZ Riviera Large Pendant in bronze. Floors are solid Brazilian Cherry hardwood.

Bringing new life to this 1970’s condo with a clean lined modern mountain aesthetic. Tearing out the existing walls in this condo left us with a blank slate and the ability to create an open and inviting living environment. Our client wanted a clean easy living vibe to help take them away from their everyday big city living. The new design has three bedrooms, one being a first floor master suite with steam shower, a large mud/gear room and plenty of space to entertain acres guests.

Christopher Davison, AIA
Enclosed kitchen - large transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor enclosed kitchen idea in Austin with a double-bowl sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, stone tile backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Peter Rymwid Architectural Photography
Example of a large minimalist eat-in kitchen design in New York with an island

Modern Contemporary
Kitchen - large modern kitchen idea in Sacramento

Peter Rymwid Architectural Photography
Large minimalist eat-in kitchen photo in New York with an island

Kitchen area. We vaulted the ceiling in the kitchen during the renovation. Cabinets are Kraftmaid Sonata Maple in Canvas with a Cocoa glaze. Island is Kraftmaid Sonata Cherry in Kaffe with a John Boos maple butcher block countertop. Countertops are Brazilian Dream quartzite. Backsplash is white matte arabesque mosaic porcelain tile with Laticrete SpectraLOCK Premium Epoxy Grout in white with a Mother of Pearl "dazzle." Range and microwave by Viking. Refrigeration by SubZero. Dishwasher by Bosch. Sink by Kohler. Stainless steel fixtures by Mirabelle. Sink pendant is Z-Lite 2114MP-BRZ-SBRZ Riviera Large Pendant in bronze. Floors are solid Brazilian Cherry hardwood.

Traditional Entry-Dining, Modern Flare
Dining room - large transitional dark wood floor dining room idea in Dallas with beige walls and no fireplace

Peter Rymwid Architectural Photography
Inspiration for a large modern kitchen remodel in New York

Example of a trendy living room design in New York

Details matter and with custom crafted cedar light boxes, hose blocks and door trim with the finest metal flashing creating all the right touches, it can’t help but feel like home.

This small size kitchen has been refurbished from A to Z. The only thing that was kept was the 10 year old cabinets that we're still in great shape. We changed all the hardware on the cabinetry for the square matte black finish that you see which made it look more farmhouse and modern. We changed and enlarged the window above the sink to add more natural light. We worked on a marble look slab behind the stove, surrounded by a white rustic decorative brick to add a more rustic and trendy feel. (The look before was an old brown and beige glass tile backsplash which was dated and darkened the room). All the counters we're changed from old beige laminate, and overused wood butcher block counter on the island - to all white quartz with dark grey veins. All lighting fixtures we're changed with brass and black glass pendants. sink was changed to undermount and our clients chose a beautiful simple black faucet. The island was covered with barn wood to go and get a more rustic feel, old color is a very dark brown which darkened the small kitchen.