This vacation residence located in a beautiful ocean community on the New England coast features high performance and creative use of space in a small package. ZED designed the simple, gable-roofed structure and proposed the Passive House standard. The resulting home consumes only one-tenth of the energy for heating compared to a similar new home built only to code requirements. Architecture | ZeroEnergy Design Construction | Aedi Construction Photos | Greg Premru Photography

Beautiful Bayfield Concrete Retaining Wall from Basalite. Basalite creates beautiful concrete products for CA, CO, ID, NV,OR, WA and British Columbia, Canada.

Nestled into the quiet middle of a block in the historic center of the beautiful colonial town of San Miguel de Allende, this 4,500 square foot courtyard home is accessed through lush gardens with trickling fountains and a luminous lap-pool. The living, dining, kitchen, library and master suite on the ground floor open onto a series of plant filled patios that flood each space with light that changes throughout the day. Elliptical domes and hewn wooden beams sculpt the ceilings, reflecting soft colors onto curving walls. A long, narrow stairway wrapped with windows and skylights is a serene connection to the second floor ''Moroccan' inspired suite with domed fireplace and hand-sculpted tub, and "French Country" inspired suite with a sunny balcony and oval shower. A curving bridge flies through the high living room with sparkling glass railings and overlooks onto sensuously shaped built in sofas. At the third floor windows wrap every space with balconies, light and views, linking indoors to the distant mountains, the morning sun and the bubbling jacuzzi. At the rooftop terrace domes and chimneys join the cozy seating for intimate gatherings.

Tricia Shay Photography
Mid-sized contemporary gray two-story mixed siding house exterior idea in Milwaukee with a shed roof

Holger Obenaus
Inspiration for a timeless kitchen remodel in Charleston with a farmhouse sink

Dusk on the patio. Subtle, low voltage up lights on the seat wall back and wall fountain add to the drama. Edmunds Studios
Large arts and crafts backyard concrete patio photo in Milwaukee with a fire pit

Homemade succulent cinder block planter wall makes for a great weekend project.
Photo of a contemporary landscaping in San Diego.

This whole house remodel updated and expanded a 1950’s contemporary. Redwood siding from the original home was used on this accent wall in the new powder room. Architect: Harrison Design; Landscape Design/Construction: Grace Design Associates; Photography: Jake Cryan Photography

This project was a long labor of love. The clients adored this eclectic farm home from the moment they first opened the front door. They knew immediately as well that they would be making many careful changes to honor the integrity of its old architecture. The original part of the home is a log cabin built in the 1700’s. Several additions had been added over time. The dark, inefficient kitchen that was in place would not serve their lifestyle of entertaining and love of cooking well at all. Their wish list included large pro style appliances, lots of visible storage for collections of plates, silverware, and cookware, and a magazine-worthy end result in terms of aesthetics. After over two years into the design process with a wonderful plan in hand, construction began. Contractors experienced in historic preservation were an important part of the project. Local artisans were chosen for their expertise in metal work for one-of-a-kind pieces designed for this kitchen – pot rack, base for the antique butcher block, freestanding shelves, and wall shelves. Floor tile was hand chipped for an aged effect. Old barn wood planks and beams were used to create the ceiling. Local furniture makers were selected for their abilities to hand plane and hand finish custom antique reproduction pieces that became the island and armoire pantry. An additional cabinetry company manufactured the transitional style perimeter cabinetry. Three different edge details grace the thick marble tops which had to be scribed carefully to the stone wall. Cable lighting and lamps made from old concrete pillars were incorporated. The restored stone wall serves as a magnificent backdrop for the eye- catching hood and 60” range. Extra dishwasher and refrigerator drawers, an extra-large fireclay apron sink along with many accessories enhance the functionality of this two cook kitchen. The fabulous style and fun-loving personalities of the clients shine through in this wonderful kitchen. If you don’t believe us, “swing” through sometime and see for yourself! Matt Villano Photography

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary guest light wood floor bedroom remodel in Boston with gray walls

aeoniums, fern, flax, fountain, grasses, gravel, horizontal cedar fence and gate, kangaroo paws, leptosperum petersonii tree, smooth wall stucco walls, Cordyline 'Torbay Dazzler'

This is an update of a 1970's daylight ranch, The plan was cut up by walls and the view was blocked from the majority of the house. The new plan opens the 1st floor with a fresh take on a traditional galley kitchen. Joshua Seaman Photography

Diamond Custom Homes Capistrano in Quail West, Naples, FL
Inspiration for a transitional bathroom remodel in Miami with white cabinets, brown walls and white countertops

Santa Monica Beach House, Evens Architects - Kitchen Photo by Manolo Langis
Inspiration for a coastal kitchen remodel in Los Angeles with glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, blue backsplash, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Patio - contemporary gravel patio idea in San Diego with no cover

Kristin Zwiers Photography
Inspiration for a craftsman kitchen remodel in Seattle with stainless steel appliances, wood countertops, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, white backsplash and subway tile backsplash

In 2014, we were approached by a couple to achieve a dream space within their existing home. They wanted to expand their existing bar, wine, and cigar storage into a new one-of-a-kind room. Proud of their Italian heritage, they also wanted to bring an “old-world” feel into this project to be reminded of the unique character they experienced in Italian cellars. The dramatic tone of the space revolves around the signature piece of the project; a custom milled stone spiral stair that provides access from the first floor to the entry of the room. This stair tower features stone walls, custom iron handrails and spindles, and dry-laid milled stone treads and riser blocks. Once down the staircase, the entry to the cellar is through a French door assembly. The interior of the room is clad with stone veneer on the walls and a brick barrel vault ceiling. The natural stone and brick color bring in the cellar feel the client was looking for, while the rustic alder beams, flooring, and cabinetry help provide warmth. The entry door sequence is repeated along both walls in the room to provide rhythm in each ceiling barrel vault. These French doors also act as wine and cigar storage. To allow for ample cigar storage, a fully custom walk-in humidor was designed opposite the entry doors. The room is controlled by a fully concealed, state-of-the-art HVAC smoke eater system that allows for cigar enjoyment without any odor.

EASY TO BUILD! Free instructions here http://info.basalite.com/build-your-own-stone-planter-box Build beautiful, long-lasting raised beds out of stone concrete block. Concrete block garden beds can outlast wood planter boxes and can add a more finished look. building a stone planter box is an easy, DIY project! Shown in photo: AS SEEN ON YARD CRASHERS Stonewall II block by Basalite Concrete Products.

Inspiration for a contemporary kitchen remodel in Minneapolis with wood countertops