Elegant brick patio fountain photo in Raleigh with no cover

2013 Sunset Magazine Idea Home in Seabrook WA, featuring ASC Building Products' beautiful metal standing seam Skyline Roofing. Photo Credit Sunset Magazine.

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

For the kitchen, FA Design Build chose white painted cabinets, the number one of choice in the DC housing market. Keeping the soffits and surface-mounted lights helped keep costs down. The Level 1 Silestone offers the durability of quartz at an affordable price. The Alterna luxury vinyl floor is a modern choice -- offering durability, unique design, and easy cleaning. The space was completed with a stone and glass backsplash.

The combination of the Herringbone pattern with this rustic wood feature an authentic and vintage look against the modern bathtub. CAP Carpet & Flooring is the leading provider of flooring & area rugs in the Twin Cities. CAP Carpet & Flooring is a locally owned and operated company, and we pride ourselves on helping our customers feel welcome from the moment they walk in the door. We are your neighbors. We work and live in your community and understand your needs. You can expect the very best personal service on every visit to CAP Carpet & Flooring and value and warranties on every flooring purchase. Our design team has worked with homeowners, contractors and builders who expect the best. With over 30 years combined experience in the design industry, Angela, Sandy, Sunnie,Maria, Caryn and Megan will be able to help whether you are in the process of building, remodeling, or re-doing. Our design team prides itself on being well versed and knowledgeable on all the up to date products and trends in the floor covering industry as well as countertops, paint and window treatments. Their passion and knowledge is abundant, and we're confident you'll be nothing short of impressed with their expertise and professionalism. When you love your job, it shows: the enthusiasm and energy our design team has harnessed will bring out the best in your project. Make CAP Carpet & Flooring your first stop when considering any type of home improvement project- we are happy to help you every single step of the way.

Color: European Naturals Oak Hampshire
Inspiration for a mid-sized 1950s open concept light wood floor living room remodel in Chicago with white walls

Custom build, farm table, stain mat finish
Great room - mid-sized cottage dark wood floor great room idea in Chicago with gray walls

The shingles on the upper part of this home are made of 80% recycled rubber. In renovating this home we strove to be environmentally conscious and respectful of the original architecture. Photo: Ryan Farnau

Large arts and crafts home design photo

INTERIOR --- -Two-zone heating and cooling system results in higher energy efficiency and quicker warming/cooling times -Fiberglass and 3.5” spray foam insulation that exceeds industry standards -Sophisticated hardwood flooring, engineered for an elevated design aesthetic, greater sustainability, and the highest green-build rating, with a 25-year warranty -Custom cabinetry made from solid wood and plywood for sustainable, quality cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom vanities -Fisher & Paykel DCS Professional Grade home appliances offer a chef-quality cooking experience everyday -Designer's choice quartz countertops offer both a luxurious look and excellent durability -Danze plumbing fixtures throughout the home provide unparalleled quality -DXV luxury single-piece toilets with significantly higher ratings than typical builder-grade toilets -Lighting fixtures by Matteo Lighting, a premier lighting company known for its sophisticated and contemporary designs -All interior paint is designer grade by Benjamin Moore -Locally sourced and produced, custom-made interior wooden doors with glass inserts -Spa-style mater bath featuring Italian designer tile and heated flooring -Lower level flex room plumbed and wired for a secondary kitchen - au pair quarters, expanded generational family space, entertainment floor - you decide! -Electric car charging

Leger Wanaselja Architecture, Kiera Marie Condrey
Inspiration for an eclectic deck remodel in San Francisco

For the kitchen, FA Design Build chose white painted cabinets, the number one of choice in the DC housing market. Keeping the soffits and surface-mounted lights helped keep costs down. The Level 1 Silestone offers the durability of quartz at an affordable price. The Alterna luxury vinyl floor is a modern choice -- offering durability, unique design, and easy cleaning. The space was completed with a stone and glass backsplash.

Built by L. Cramer and Architect Kathy Alexander, Brandi was excited to design this charming new build on Lake Minnetonka. Situated on a narrow lot with unparalleled lake access, this project was all about maximizing every last inch of square footage! There are no formal spaces in this home; every finish was carefully considered and needed to be functional, durable, and family-friendly. The interior reflects the relaxed, calm pace of lake life. Soft lighting, warm tones, and bright natural colors all add to the sense of peace and understated elegance. The heart of the main floor is the cozy, connected great room. Design highlights include the glass and cable rail wine storage, reclaimed wood beams, large windows, a centerpiece kitchen island and range hood, and a hidden prep kitchen for hosting with ease. Brandi enjoyed helping this lovely family make the most of their beautiful home and its gorgeous setting!

First international certified Passive House in Colorado. Free of foam insulation and off-grid solar powered.
Inspiration for a small rustic flat roof remodel in Denver

Bob Schatz
Example of a mountain style staircase design in Burlington

Eric Roth Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized farmhouse brown two-story wood exterior home remodel in Boston

Garth Dowling
Mountain style green two-story wood exterior home photo in Denver

Business Photo Pro / Klee Van Hamersveld
Patio kitchen - mid-sized transitional backyard stone patio kitchen idea in Orange County with a pergola