Photo: Lucy Call © 2015 Houzz
Bathroom - contemporary bathroom idea in Salt Lake City

Beach style kitchen photo in DC Metro

“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.”

Vertical board and batten meets horizontal panels on a narrow three-story facade.

Inspiration for a large timeless l-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen pantry remodel in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Bedroom - traditional carpeted and gray floor bedroom idea with gray walls

Floating wall shelving surrounding the bed and additional shelving in the closet livens up the room and adds great storage in a small bedroom.
Small 1950s master medium tone wood floor bedroom photo in Boston with gray walls

Mudroom - small traditional porcelain tile mudroom idea in DC Metro with yellow walls and a white front door

Example of a country exterior home design in New Orleans

Large elegant white three-story mixed siding house exterior photo in New York with a hip roof and a shingle roof

Concept design by Scot Eckley and Board & Vellum. Planting and garden design by Withey Price. General contracting by Manos Construction. Custom entry gate, custom planters, and railings by Architectural Elements. Driveway gates by Automated Gates & Equipment. Lighting and irrigation by Soundview Landscape & Irrigation. Photography by Derek Reeves.

A laundry room is housed behind these sliding barn doors in the upstairs hallway in this near-net-zero custom built home built by Meadowlark Design + Build in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Architect: Architectural Resource, Photography: Joshua Caldwell

French country u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo with shaker cabinets, distressed cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and beige countertops

Shuffle board court gives purpose to narrow, backyard space.
Design ideas for a mid-sized mediterranean drought-tolerant and full sun backyard concrete paver retaining wall landscape in Los Angeles.

A favorite family gathering space, this cozy room provides a warm red brick fireplace surround, bead board bookcases and beam ceiling detail.
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless open concept dark wood floor and brown floor family room remodel in Minneapolis with blue walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace and a media wall

Kitchen - transitional kitchen idea in San Francisco

A for-market house finished in 2021. The house sits on a narrow, hillside lot overlooking the Square below. photography: Viktor Ramos
Example of a mid-sized cottage single-wall light wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Cincinnati with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Built in bunk beds offer more space in the lower level. Photos by Gibeon Photography
Kids' bedroom - bedroom rustic master gray floor kids' bedroom idea with beige walls