The showstopper kitchen is punctuated by the blue skies and green rolling hills of this Omaha home's exterior landscape. The crisp black and white kitchen features a vaulted ceiling with wood ceiling beams, large modern black windows, wood look tile floors, Wolf Subzero appliances, a large kitchen island with seating for six, an expansive dining area with floor to ceiling windows, black and gold island pendants, quartz countertops and a marble tile backsplash. A scullery located behind the kitchen features ample pantry storage, a prep sink, a built-in coffee bar and stunning black and white marble floor tile.

Classic front porch idea in San Francisco with a roof extension

2010 NATIONAL NARI REGIONAL AWARD WINNER Project Scope The owners of this 7,000 square foot colonial in Oakton, Virginia, were seeking a multi-level Mediterranean-style indoor/outdoor living space off the back of their home. They turned to Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes for a design solution that would include a stone patio, a second-story deck, a screened-in porch and linking staircases. While the structure was designed primarily for family dining and entertaining, it also had to accommodate periodic social gatherings of one hundred guests or more. To meet these needs, the project would include a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen, several serving counters with permanent refrigeration, and well-delineated socializing and dining zones. The existing home’s setting offered several impressive assets the new outdoor living area was designed to exploit. The sprawling acreage features old stand trees, wooded paths and a private lake. Beautifully landscaped, it unfolds as an idyllic panorama that naturally draws people to the outdoors. Challenges Since the rear elevation was situated on a slope that drops away from the house, the Michael Nash team had to raise the grade two feet within in a 2,000 square foot area extending out from the back of the house. Infrastructure plans also called for a sophisticated drainage system that had to accommodate a whole series of water “runoff” considerations to be integrated into the decking itself. Excavation included constructing retaining walls to bolster the elevated grade—which also had to support a concrete slab, the primary foundation for the entire complex. Solutions The ground level decking consists of a 2,000 square foot flagstone patio level with the home’s lower level doors. There is a decorative water fountain mid-patio—an ornate collectible acquired in Florida. Food preparation is concentrated within a specially designed semi-circular wall that creates an “outdoor kitchen” equipped with a 60” Viking barbecue grill, a prep sink, a warming drawer, refrigerator and appropriate storage. There is a granite surfaced dining counter with seating for eight. Wrought iron railing and approximately 20 decorative columns (some encasing steel vertical supports) are incorporated into the design scheme. Many of the columns house accent lights. The top level—supported by horizontal steel beams– is a 2,500 square foot deck constructed entirely of Trex decking. The open air decking is, again, directly accessible from rooms on the second level of the house including the kitchen, sunroom and family room. The platform’s most prominent feature is a U-shaped “kitchenette” with cedar shake shingle roofing. Like its counterpart one level below, the facility is equipped with grill, refrigerator and stainless steel cabinetry. One portion of the deck has been allocated for a 16’ x 16’ octagonal screened-in porch crowned by a pair of 2’ x 4’ skylights. The porch can be accessed from the home’s conservatory via a set of French doors. With its mosaic tile flooring, stained cedar panel ceiling and honed granite counters, the interior is elegant and calming. Hand-painted stenciling and a wall-mounted water feature provide distinctive detailing. Finally, the design introduced elements to highlight and reinforce an awareness of the lovely bucolic setting. Fountains and water features combined with textured surfaces and mosaic tiling and backsplashes to present a villa-like ambiance well-suited to the Virginia countryside.

Photo By: William MacCollum
Contemporary two-story exterior home idea in Los Angeles

Photo courtesy of Joe Purvis Photos
Large traditional white three-story brick house exterior idea in Charlotte with a shingle roof

Photo of a large traditional partial sun front yard stone formal garden in Chicago.

Inspiration for a mediterranean beige two-story stone exterior home remodel in Atlanta

Timeless and classic elegance were the inspiration for this master bathroom renovation project. The designer used a Cararra porcelain tile with mosaic accents and traditionally styled plumbing fixtures from the Kohler Artifacts collection to achieve the look. The vanity is custom from Mouser Cabinetry. The cabinet style is plaza inset in the polar glacier elect finish with black accents. The tub surround and vanity countertop are Viatera Minuet quartz. Kyle J Caldwell Photography Inc

Home Office / Den with built in desk area
Inspiration for a country built-in desk medium tone wood floor and brown floor home office remodel in Boston with beige walls

Morgan Howarth
Kitchen/dining room combo - large coastal light wood floor kitchen/dining room combo idea in DC Metro with gray walls and no fireplace

New home construction in Homewood Alabama photographed for Willow Homes, Willow Design Studio, and Triton Stone Group by Birmingham Alabama based architectural and interiors photographer Tommy Daspit. You can see more of his work at http://tommydaspit.com

The family purchased the 1950s ranch on Mullet Lake because their daughter dreamed of being married on its shores. The home would be used for the wedding venue and then as a wedding gift to the young couple. We were originally hired in August 2014 to help with a simple renovation of the home that was to be completed well in advance of the August 2015 wedding date. However, thorough investigation revealed significant issues with the original foundation, floor framing and other critical elements of the home’s structure that made that impossible. Based on this information, the family decided to tear down and build again. So now we were tasked with designing a new home that would embody their daughter’s vision of a storybook home – a vision inspired by another one of our projects that she had toured. To capture this aesthetic, traditional cottage materials such as stone and cedar shakes are accentuated by more materials such as reclaimed barn wood siding and corrugated CORTEN steel accent roofs. Inside, interior finishes include hand-hewn timber accents that frame openings and highlight features like the entrance reading nook. Natural materials shine against white walls and simply furnished rooms. While the house has nods to vintage style throughout, the open-plan kitchen and living area allows for both contemporary living and entertaining. We were able to capture their daughter’s vision and the home was completed on time for her big day. - Jacqueline Southby Photography

One of the upper wall cabinets is used as a device charging station; outlets built into the cabinet drawer charge multiple devices while reducing use of counter space. The cabinet also hides a landline telephone. Photographer Greg Hadley

Example of a large farmhouse white two-story gable roof design in New York

Kimberly Gavin Photography
Wine cellar - contemporary galley dark wood floor wine cellar idea in Denver with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, stainless steel appliances and an island

Siri Blanchette/Blind Dog Photo Associates This kids bedroom maximizes the number of beds that can fit in the room under the slanted ceilings by stringing together bed cubbies made from custom cabinets. Each bed has drawers underneath and a cabinet headboard to lean against, crating fun cozy spaces for kids to sleep.

Eat-in kitchen - large transitional u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen idea in New York with recessed-panel cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a single-bowl sink, marble countertops and an island

Powder room - mid-sized contemporary gray tile beige floor powder room idea in DC Metro with gray walls, a wall-mount sink and gray countertops

Without leaving the comfort of their home, our clients are able to relax and enjoy themselves in their own resort-like poolside cabana. This beautiful outdoor living space is located in the backyard of a European style luxury home. Surrounded by a wooded lot and lush landscaping and a stunning pool with a spa, this "dreamscape" is amazing. The cabana was built with natural full thickness stone and a vaulted ceiling complete with a fireplace and television. The ceiling is lined in cedar a holds two outdoor fans. The eyebrow arch widow above the front opening adds great interest and character. All outdoor furnishings were provided by our design teams that are comfortable as well as gorgeous. This space is open to a beautiful pool surrounded by gardens and many other amenities providing great oasis for family & friends to gather.