Complete Kitchen remodel, only thing that remained from original kitchen is hardwood floor. Focal point behind gas range is waterjet marble insert. Reclaimed wood island. Photography: Sabine Klingler Kane, KK Design Koncepts, Laguna Niguel, CA

Large transitional red two-story brick house exterior photo in Cedar Rapids

Before Photos
Kitchen - large contemporary l-shaped kitchen idea in Baltimore with gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, a double-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, black cabinets, granite countertops and an island

Transitional gray three-story concrete fiberboard house exterior photo in Richmond with a metal roof

Mid-sized trendy l-shaped porcelain tile and beige floor kitchen photo in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island and white countertops

This modern green home offers both a vacation destination on Cape Cod near local family members and an opportunity for rental income. FAMILY ROOTS. A West Coast couple living in the San Francisco Bay Area sought a permanent East Coast vacation home near family members living on Cape Cod. As academic professionals focused on sustainability, they sought a green, energy efficient home that was well-aligned with their values. With no green homes available for sale on Cape Cod, they decided to purchase land near their family and build their own. SLOPED SITE. Comprised of a 3/4 acre lot nestled in the pines, the steeply sloping terrain called for a plan that embraced and took advantage of the slope. Of equal priority was optimizing solar exposure, preserving privacy from abutters, and creating outdoor living space. The design accomplished these goals with a simple, rectilinear form, offering living space on the both entry and lower/basement levels. The stepped foundation allows for a walk-out basement level with light-filled living space on the down-hill side of the home. The traditional basement on the eastern, up-hill side houses mechanical equipment and a home gym. The house welcomes natural light throughout, captures views of the forest, and delivers entertainment space that connects indoor living space to outdoor deck and dining patio. MODERN VISION. The clean building form and uncomplicated finishes pay homage to the modern architectural legacy on the outer Cape. Durable and economical fiber cement panels, fixed with aluminum channels, clad the primary form. Cedar clapboards provide a visual accent at the south-facing living room, which extends a single roof plane to cover the entry porch. SMART USE OF SPACE. On the entry level, the “L”-shaped living, dining, and kitchen space connects to the exterior living, dining, and grilling spaces to effectively double the home’s summertime entertainment area. Placed at the western end of the entry level (where it can retain privacy but still claim expansive downhill views) is the master suite with a built-in study. The lower level has two guest bedrooms, a second full bathroom, and laundry. The flexibility of the space—crucial in a house with a modest footprint—emerges in one of the guest bedrooms, which doubles as home office by opening the barn-style double doors to connect it to the bright, airy open stair leading up to the entry level. Thoughtful design, generous ceiling heights and large windows transform the modest 1,100 sf* footprint into a well-lit, spacious home. *(total finished space is 1800 sf) RENTAL INCOME. The property works for its owners by netting rental income when the owners are home in San Francisco. The house especially caters to vacationers bound for nearby Mayo Beach and includes an outdoor shower adjacent to the lower level entry door. In contrast to the bare bones cottages that are typically available on the Cape, this home offers prospective tenants a modern aesthetic, paired with luxurious and green features. Durable finishes inside and out will ensure longevity with the heavier use that comes with a rental property. COMFORT YEAR-ROUND. The home is super-insulated and air-tight, with mechanical ventilation to provide continuous fresh air from the outside. High performance triple-paned windows complement the building enclosure and maximize passive solar gain while ensuring a warm, draft-free winter, even when sitting close to the glass. A properly sized air source heat pump offers efficient heating & cooling, and includes a carefully designed the duct distribution system to provide even comfort throughout the house. The super-insulated envelope allows us to significantly reduce the equipment capacity, duct size, and airflow quantities, while maintaining unparalleled thermal comfort. ENERGY EFFICIENT. The building’s shell and mechanical systems play instrumental roles in the home’s exceptional performance. The building enclosure reduces the most significant energy glutton: heating. Continuous super-insulation, thorough air sealing, triple-pane windows, and passive solar gain work together to yield a miniscule heating load. All active energy consumers are extremely efficient: an air source heat pump for heating and cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation (ERV), and high efficiency appliances. The result is a home that uses 70% less energy than a similar new home built to code requirements. OVERALL. The home embodies the owners’ goals and values while comprehensively enabling thermal comfort, energy efficiency, a vacation respite, and supplementary income. PROJECT TEAM ZeroEnergy Design - Architect & Mechanical Designer A.F. Hultin & Co. - Contractor Pamet Valley Landscape Design - Landscape & Masonry Lisa Finch - Original Artwork European Architectural Supply - Windows Eric Roth Photography - Photography

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped porcelain tile and beige floor kitchen remodel in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island and white countertops

Tom Peterson, Lemonstripe
Example of a mid-sized classic galley light wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen design with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, an island, an undermount sink, granite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Inspiration for a large timeless l-shaped ceramic tile and beige floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Miami with beaded inset cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, beige backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, a farmhouse sink, quartzite countertops and stone tile backsplash

Sleek white cabinetry and a high-end stainless steel range for gourmet cooking.

Grasses planted behind the stone seat wall help to reinforce the curved design of the wall. Westhauser Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized southwestern backyard concrete paver landscaping in Milwaukee with a fire pit.

Assassi Productions
Inspiration for a modern dining room remodel with white walls

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped porcelain tile and beige floor kitchen remodel in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island and white countertops

Mid-sized trendy l-shaped porcelain tile and beige floor kitchen photo in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island and white countertops

Mid-sized trendy l-shaped porcelain tile and beige floor kitchen photo in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island and white countertops

This is an example of a modern partial sun concrete paver garden path in San Diego.

Example of a mid-sized trendy l-shaped porcelain tile and beige floor kitchen design in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island and white countertops

Kitchen - mediterranean u-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen idea in Albuquerque with an undermount sink, white cabinets, white backsplash, solid surface countertops, stone tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

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