Gutterson Craftsman architecural gem in Berkeley, CA by interior designer Kathy Farley of ArtDecor. Photos: Kathryn MacDonald Photography | Web Marketing www.macdonaldphoto.com

Within this oceanside courtyard, far away from the stimulation of N.Y.C, quiet moments of Zen await. Opening to the peaceful embrace of gently flowing water, enlightenment and calm reside through this architecturally purposeful reflection runnel. Immersed in the sights and sounds of water, this soothing aquatic appointment guides you to a state of mindful serenity.

This remodel is a stunning 100-year-old Wayzata home! The home’s history was embraced while giving the home a refreshing new look. Every aspect of this renovation was thoughtfully considered to turn the home into a "DREAM HOME" for generations to enjoy. With Mingle designed cabinetry throughout several rooms of the home, there is plenty of storage and style. A turn-of-the-century transitional farmhouse home is sure to please the eyes of many and be the perfect fit for this family for years to come. Spacecrafting Photography

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

The primary bedroom embraces a quiet, luxurious palette through rich walnut millwork, a custom integrated headboard, and soft, layered textures. A floating nightstand with a natural stone top and sculptural lighting adds a refined, boutique-hotel feel, while the hand-finished wall treatment introduces depth and warmth. The result is a serene retreat designed to feel intimate, calming, and effortlessly sophisticated.

The space saw a big evolution through the decades. Once a living room, it transformed into an Exhibition Space showing the glorious yesteryears of the renowned writer "VANAMLI". Inspired by the Japandi Style of Interior Design, this design follows a more Linear composition, hence, a lot of effort has been made to follow the verticals and the horizontals creating soothing perspectives throughout the exhibition space. To keep a check on the clear heights, wooden rafters were introduced instead of covering the entire roof with a false ceiling. Hence, it retains more breathable space. The overall colour composition is kept a bit earthy giving it a calm and rich appeal. This ideology is also depicted in the selection and construction of furniture style which embraces simplicity, comfort, cosiness and well-being.

Embarking on the design journey of Wabi Sabi Refuge, I immersed myself in the profound quest for tranquility and harmony. This project became a testament to the pursuit of a tranquil haven that stirs a deep sense of calm within. Guided by the essence of wabi-sabi, my intention was to curate Wabi Sabi Refuge as a sacred space that nurtures an ethereal atmosphere, summoning a sincere connection with the surrounding world. Deliberate choices of muted hues and minimalist elements foster an environment of uncluttered serenity, encouraging introspection and contemplation. Embracing the innate imperfections and distinctive qualities of the carefully selected materials and objects added an exquisite touch of organic allure, instilling an authentic reverence for the beauty inherent in nature's creations. Wabi Sabi Refuge serves as a sanctuary, an evocative invitation for visitors to embrace the sublime simplicity, find solace in the imperfect, and uncover the profound and tranquil beauty that wabi-sabi unveils.

An exhilarating shift from a suburban traditional family home to a modern, high-rise condominium. We were excited to start with a clean slate and designed this 3,500sf space, transitioning this client into their next chapter. The overall color palette embraces a calm and serene aesthetic, while the furnishings and appointments ensure inviting spaces throughout the unit. Special details were strategically infused such as contrast chair back fabric, accent wall coverings, designer light fixtures, unique sculptures and no shortage of custom details on the furnishings, uniquely tailored to the customer. This luxury, high-rise condo now feels like home.

The bedroom embraces a soothing color palette, with plush bedding and soft lighting, offering a tranquil retreat. The combination of modern fixtures and classic design details make this space feel both timeless and chic.

The space saw a big evolution through the decades. Once a living room, it transformed into an Exhibition Space showing the glorious yesteryears of the renowned writer "VANAMLI". Inspired by the Japandi Style of Interior Design, this design follows a more Linear composition, hence, a lot of effort has been made to follow the verticals and the horizontals creating soothing perspectives throughout the exhibition space. To keep a check on the clear heights, wooden rafters were introduced instead of covering the entire roof with a false ceiling. Hence, it retains more breathable space. The overall colour composition is kept a bit earthy giving it a calm and rich appeal. This ideology is also depicted in the selection and construction of furniture style which embraces simplicity, comfort, cosiness and well-being.

The space saw a big evolution through the decades. Once a living room, it transformed into an Exhibition Space showing the glorious yesteryears of the renowned writer "VANAMLI". Inspired by the Japandi Style of Interior Design, this design follows a more Linear composition, hence, a lot of effort has been made to follow the verticals and the horizontals creating soothing perspectives throughout the exhibition space. To keep a check on the clear heights, wooden rafters were introduced instead of covering the entire roof with a false ceiling. Hence, it retains more breathable space. The overall colour composition is kept a bit earthy giving it a calm and rich appeal. This ideology is also depicted in the selection and construction of furniture style which embraces simplicity, comfort, cosiness and well-being.

The bedroom embraces a soothing color palette, with plush bedding and soft lighting, offering a tranquil retreat. The combination of modern fixtures and classic design details make this space feel both timeless and chic.

Experience tranquility with the Pristine Essence, a delightful selection of holiday decor items designed to evoke a sense of calm. Matt white accents conjure images of snow-covered landscapes and wintry nights, while natural-colored pieces create an inviting ambiance. Elegantly crafted nutcrackers add a traditional touch, while modern abaca fiber trees serve as unique centerpieces. Rustic rattan-textured deer and delicate pearl luster ornaments add natural and sophisticated elements, respectively. Embrace the peaceful and harmonious vibe of the holiday season with the Pristine Essence.

Embarking on the design journey of Wabi Sabi Refuge, I immersed myself in the profound quest for tranquility and harmony. This project became a testament to the pursuit of a tranquil haven that stirs a deep sense of calm within. Guided by the essence of wabi-sabi, my intention was to curate Wabi Sabi Refuge as a sacred space that nurtures an ethereal atmosphere, summoning a sincere connection with the surrounding world. Deliberate choices of muted hues and minimalist elements foster an environment of uncluttered serenity, encouraging introspection and contemplation. Embracing the innate imperfections and distinctive qualities of the carefully selected materials and objects added an exquisite touch of organic allure, instilling an authentic reverence for the beauty inherent in nature's creations. Wabi Sabi Refuge serves as a sanctuary, an evocative invitation for visitors to embrace the sublime simplicity, find solace in the imperfect, and uncover the profound and tranquil beauty that wabi-sabi unveils.

Photo: Carolyn Reyes © 2017 Houzz Design team: Dana Triano Designs Laundry Room
Inspiration for an eclectic freestanding desk white floor study room remodel in Los Angeles with blue walls

This custom-designed kitchen in Austin embraces Wabi Sabi aesthetics through its use of textured finishes, white oak cabinetry, and open metal shelving. Black details ground the space, while the earthy materials promote a sense of calm and timelessness.

This residence at Oak Alley masterfully blends feminine grace with masculine strength to achieve a modern, ethereal aesthetic. Soft, flowing textiles and delicate lighting elements contrast with strong, clean lines and bold materials, creating a harmonious space that feels both grounded and airy. The design embraces a palette of muted tones and natural textures, invoking a sense of calm while maintaining a sophisticated edge. The result is a home that perfectly balances opposites, offering a serene yet dynamic living environment.

The architecture of the master bedroom in this downtown loft apartment embraces the memory of the old mill it once was. Off-white walls and sisal carpeting offer the perfect neutral backdrop for this calm respite. Flanking the bed, which is fully upholstered in taupe linen, are a pair of Asian style bedside tables whose color coordinates beautifully with the lush and delicious chocolate faux fur found at its foot. The antique cedar chest gives much needed storage as well as display space. A pair of ivory ceramic lamps topping the bedside tables are both beautiful and functional. Sitting quietly in the corner, is a chair covered in taupe damask beckoning one to sit and read. A gallery of original artwork above the bed splashes coral, tangerine, aqua and turquoise into the space adding color and blending it with the rest of the loft. Adjacent to the gallery is a menagerie of silver animals adding sparkle and personality. Photography by FishEye Studios

Inspiration for a transitional beige floor dining room remodel in San Francisco with gray walls