In a wooded area of Lafayette, a mid-century home was re-imagined for a graphic designer and kindergarten teacher couple and their three children. A major new design feature is a high ceiling great room that wraps from the front to the back yard, turning a corner at the kitchen and ending at the family room fireplace. This room was designed with a high flat roof to work in conjunction with existing roof forms to create a unified whole, and raise interior ceiling heights from eight to over ten feet. All new lighting and large floor to ceiling Fleetwood aluminum windows expand views of the trees beyond. The existing home was enlarged by 700 square feet with a small exterior addition enlarging the kitchen over an existing deck, and a larger amount by excavating out crawlspace at the garage level to create a new home office with full bath, and separate laundry utility room. The remodeled residence became 3,847 square feet in total area including the garage. Exterior curb appeal was improved with all new Fleetwood windows, stained wood siding and stucco. New steel railing and concrete steps lead up to the front entry. Front and rear yard new landscape design by Huettl Landscape Architecture dramatically alters the site. New planting was added at the front yard with landscape lighting and modern concrete pavers and the rear yard has multiple decks for family gatherings with the focal point a concrete conversation circle with central fire feature. Everything revolves around the corner kitchen, large windows to the backyard, quartz countertops and cabinetry in painted and walnut finishes. The homeowners enjoyed the process of selecting Heath Tile for the kitchen backsplash and white oval tiles at the family room fireplace. Black brick tiles by Fireclay were used on the living room hearth. The kitchen flows into the family room all with views to the beautifully landscaped yards. The primary suite has a built-in window seat with large windows overlooking the garden, walnut cabinetry in a skylit walk-in closet, and a large dramatic skylight bouncing light into the shower. The kid’s bath also has a skylight slot with light angling downward over double sinks. More colorful tile shows up in these spaces, as does a geometric patterned tile in the downstairs office bath shower. The large yard is taken full advantage of with concrete paved walkways, stairs and firepit circle. New retaining walls in the rear yard helped to add more level usable outdoor space, with wood slats to visually blend them into the overall design. The end result is a beautiful transformation of a mid-century home, that both captures the client’s personalities and elevates the house into the modern age.

This new kitchen was designed to not only be highly functional, but to take advantage of the wonderful natural light in the house. Light and dark surfaces, and reflective backsplash as well as mirrored lights above the waterfall island bounce the light throughout the space.

Window treatments were removed to update the space and bring in light. The mirror from the living room was brought in to play up the fireplace and bounce light off it in the room. Plants were added for some life. An end table and lamp in between sofas was traded out with different ones from other areas of the home. Robin Alley

The full renovation of this 3-story home located in the gated Royal Oaks development in Houston, Texas is a complete custom creation. The client gave the designer carte blanche to create a unique environment, while maintaining an elegance that is anything but understated. Colors and patterns playfully bounce off of one another from room to room, creating an atmosphere of luxury, whimsy and opulence.

Home office - transitional home office idea in Charlotte

Landscape Architect: Douglas Hoerr, FASLA; Photos by Linda Oyama Bryan
Patio - huge traditional courtyard stone patio idea in Chicago with no cover

This new kitchen was designed to not only be highly functional, but to take advantage of the wonderful natural light in the house. Light and dark surfaces, and reflective backsplash as well as mirrored lights above the waterfall island bounce the light throughout the space.

The full renovation of this 3-story home located in the gated Royal Oaks development in Houston, Texas is a complete custom creation. The client gave the designer carte blanche to create a unique environment, while maintaining an elegance that is anything but understated. Colors and patterns playfully bounce off of one another from room to room, creating an atmosphere of luxury, whimsy and opulence.

This work out room has it all. We outfitted the space with four Monitor Audio ceiling speakers and a Triad in-wall subwoofer. Joy King of The Sound Vision

Light was a key design element. It bounces off the white walls, high-gloss striated eggshell-colored ceramic tile floors, and the beige sofa and rug. The painting on the wall accentuates cool blues of sea and sky, while the chaise and lemon yellow table echo the sun. Photos: ML Ramos

In the living room, rich jewel tones pop on a crisp white rug. A glass coffee table and decorative mirrors bounce light around the space, making the room feel airy and bright.

A blessed work triangle of cooking - fridge - and sink uses the whole space in a new and much more functional way. The many light sources and stainless appliances bounce light throughout the kitchen space. (Calgary Photos)

This new kitchen was designed to not only be highly functional, but to take advantage of the wonderful natural light in the house. Light and dark surfaces, and reflective backsplash as well as mirrored lights above the waterfall island bounce the light throughout the space.

By using a bold color, and bouncing it around the space, this dining room is one of a kind. The turquoise chandelier brings in the turquoise wall plates and allows the blue to pop. We offset the bright turquoise with black and white to help balance the space.

Build your dream kitchen around beautiful appliances that can do it all. Every KitchenAid Suite Collection is crafted to combine style and substance to complement any space.

If you ONLY knew how heavy that round mirror was! It is, however, the perfect Feng Shui bouncing the light energy around the room. The lamps added another nuance. I always say lamps, p[ants, pillows and art! These are the nuances that make a space really come alive.

The full renovation of this 3-story home located in the gated Royal Oaks development in Houston, Texas is a complete custom creation. The client gave the designer carte blanche to create a unique environment, while maintaining an elegance that is anything but understated. Colors and patterns playfully bounce off of one another from room to room, creating an atmosphere of luxury, whimsy and opulence.

A soft lavender paint graces the walls of this modern dining room. With a large colorful abstract art piece on one side of this space, the colors are bounced around the room in an easy fashion. The eye is drawn to the ceiling with the custom honeycomb lavender wallpaper applied to the ceiling.

Inspiration for a huge traditional full sun courtyard brick formal garden in Orange County for summer.