The chance to build a lakeside weekend home in rural NC provided this Chapel Hill family with an opportunity to ditch convention and think outside the box. For instance, we traded the traditional boat dock with what's become known as the "party dock"… a floating lounge of sorts, complete with wet bar, TV, swimmer's platform, and plenty of spots for watching the water fun. Inside, we turned one bedroom into a gym with climbing wall - and dropped the idea of a dining room, in favor of a deep upholstered niche and shuffleboard table. Outdoor drapery helped blur the lines between indoor spaces and exterior porches filled with upholstery, swings, and places for lazy napping. And after the sun goes down....smores, anyone? John Bessler

Example of a large transitional backyard tile patio kitchen design with a roof extension

A 1920s colonial in a shorefront community in Westchester County had an expansive renovation with new kitchen by Studio Dearborn. Countertops White Macauba; interior design Lorraine Levinson. Photography, Timothy Lenz.

Building Design, Plans, and Interior Finishes by: Fluidesign Studio I Builder: Structural Dimensions Inc. I Photographer: Seth Benn Photography
Large elegant l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, blue backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal guest bedroom remodel in New York with blue walls

Photos by Manolo Langis
Example of a classic dining room design in Los Angeles with yellow walls

Example of a transitional open concept light wood floor living room design in Nashville with white walls

Huge minimalist open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room photo in Tampa with white walls, a wood fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv

Rustic wood exterior home idea in Boston with a hip roof

Photography by David Lauer
Mid-sized asian master porcelain tile and brown floor freestanding bathtub photo in Denver with a two-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink and a hinged shower door

Photo by Gordon Beall Interior Design by Tracy Morris Design
Transitional l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen photo in DC Metro with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Christopher Stark
Inspiration for a timeless multicolored floor utility room remodel in San Francisco with beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, multicolored walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer

Custom reclaimed log bed with bent blackened steel side tables. Photography by Manolo Langis Located steps away from the beach, the client engaged us to transform a blank industrial loft space to a warm inviting space that pays respect to its industrial heritage. We use anchored large open space with a sixteen foot conversation island that was constructed out of reclaimed logs and plumbing pipes. The island itself is divided up into areas for eating, drinking, and reading. Bringing this theme into the bedroom, the bed was constructed out of 12x12 reclaimed logs anchored by two bent steel plates for side tables.

Living room library - transitional living room library idea in Milwaukee with a wood stove

© Lisa Russman Photography
Alcove shower - transitional 3/4 white tile and subway tile alcove shower idea in New York with white cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets and a hinged shower door

Example of a mid-sized beach style built-in desk light wood floor and beige floor study room design in Providence with white walls and no fireplace

Emily Minton Redfield
Trendy home office photo in Denver with blue walls

Inspiration for a large timeless l-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Los Angeles with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, blue backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a farmhouse sink, quartz countertops, porcelain backsplash and an island

Example of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen design in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and white countertops