This new contemporary home was commissioned by a design-loving family in Boulder, Colorado who had just purchased a house on a corner lot and wanted to build something new and contemporary with views of the Flatiron mountain range beyond. Working over a distance was easy with extensive 3D modeling leading the way. Though not on a super-busy corner, limited openings to the street were utilized counter-balanced by extensive glass and access to the side and rear yards. A detached garage was necessary because of off-street parking access from an existing alley that ran behind the house, so a breezeway connecting roof was designed to join the structures visually and provide cover in snow and rain. Hydronic radiant heated floors run throughout and large windows reveal selective views to the neighborhood. Exposed steel beams and wood framing tell the story of structure inside. White-white kitchen and baths provide clean neutral environments for food and bathing. Upstairs high ceilings allow clerestory windows inviting light but not view. The master bedroom is aimed at the Flatiron Mountains as is the large wraparound walking deck with flying roof overhead, all clad in red cedar. Much was learned about the local Colorado building environment along the way, guided by nearby structural engineers and contractor. Boulder has strict sun-shadow rules where 3D modeling was critical to show compliance. Energy and heat-loss concerns limited glazing at certain exposures but allowed us to open things up elsewhere. This home is a great example of working within a strict budget and achieve high design quality results. Built by Morningstar Homes with photos by Patterson Architecture + Interior Photography.

Reminisce about your favorite beachfront destination and your mind’s eye evokes a serene, comfortable cottage with windows thrown open to catch the air and the relaxing sound of waves nearby. In the shade of the porch, a hammock sways invitingly in the breeze. The color palette is simple and clean, with hues of white, like sunlight reflecting off sand, and blue-grays, the color of sky and water. Wood surfaces have soft painted finishes or a scrubbed-clean, natural wood look. “Cottage” styling is carefree living, where every element conspires to create a casual environment for comfort and relaxation. This cottage-inspired kitchen features Antique White painted cabinetry. These soft hues bring in the clean and simplicity of Cottage Style. As for hardware, bin pulls are a popular choice and make working in the kitchen much easier. Request a FREE Dura Supreme Brochure Packet: http://www.durasupreme.com/request-brochure Find a Dura Supreme Showroom near you today: http://www.durasupreme.com/dealer-locator

Compost is a natural, long-lasting way to feed your soil, and a wonderfully sustainable way to dispose of kitchen and garden waste. These spacious bins are big enough to fit plenty of vegetable scraps as well as lawn clippings and leaves. Systems are made entirely of rot-resistant cedar and enclosed on all sides with sturdy wire mesh that allows air to flow to and through the compost. Removable front panels and hinged lids make for easy access. Systems are available in triple, double, and single bin configurations. Comes with the classic book about composting Let it Rot!: The Gardener's Guide to Composting by Stu Campbell.

Minimalist home design photo in New York

We have been exposed to many different types of luxury bathrooms rendering different types of ceramic surfaces and glass. We therefore use a high grade micro-cloth to ensure the protection of your surfaces.

An alluring modern LEICHT kitchen with a slight antique aesthetic twist that features an opening between the hallway and kitchen. This allowed our Leicht cabinetry to be used for hallway storage to maximize the use of space. Our cabinet front ‘Sirius’ lacquered high gloss cabinet is in frosty white and paired with an antique oak to allow some warmth into the space. The two materials create a wonderful blend of cool and warm tones. The under-cabinet task lighting creates a kitchen environment meant for effective working while adding to the whole visual of the kitchen design.

Example of a mid-sized classic kitchen pantry design in San Diego with open cabinets and white cabinets

KuDa Photography
Example of a large trendy master gray tile and porcelain tile pebble tile floor bathroom design in Other with gray walls

The space under the stairs was made useful as a coffee bar and for overflow storage. Ample lighting and a sink make it useful for entertaining as well. Photos: Dave Remple

Very private backyard enclave waterfall
Design ideas for a contemporary partial sun backyard stone landscaping in DC Metro for summer.

This LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood. INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site. EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot. THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place. HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde. YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting. ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements. RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage. OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet. ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings Eric Roth Photography - Photography

Resort Modern in Frisco Texas Photographer - Jimi Smith
Huge minimalist backyard rectangular pool photo in Dallas

Resort Modern in Frisco Texas Photographer - Jimi Smith
Example of a huge minimalist backyard rectangular pool design in Dallas

ActiveYards Arbor and Gate
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional full sun front yard mulch and vinyl fence formal garden in Raleigh for spring.

Borgert circle paver patio, pathways and entryway. Greenscapes and plantings.
Inspiration for a small timeless backyard brick patio remodel in Minneapolis

Ameriside vinyl windows: Come with a lifetime warranty, and are super affordable! They are designed to suppress outdoor environmental noise. You can get them with LoĒ³-366® Energy Star rated glass for advanced thermal performance. Ask us about Neat® naturally clean glass! Our windows are made of superior quality Polyvinyl chloride that’s guaranteed not to yellow or crack in our hot Southern California sun. Photo by Jeremy Sharrock

Luxury Basement Remodel Featuring Spa, Home Gym, Gun Room, and Full Kitchen This luxury basement remodel redefines what a lower level can be, transforming unused square footage into a fully immersive lifestyle environment. Designed with intention, precision, and premium materials, this space blends wellness, security, fitness, and entertainment into one cohesive custom basement design that feels elevated, warm, and unmistakably high-end. From the moment you enter, this luxury basement remodel feels open and expansive. Wide-plank flooring flows seamlessly throughout the space, creating visual continuity while adding warmth rarely seen in traditional basements. Clean architectural lines and thoughtful zoning allow each area to stand on its own while still feeling connected as part of a complete design. Basement Spa and Sauna Retreat A standout feature of this luxury basement remodel is the private basement spa, designed to deliver a true retreat experience within the home. The custom glass-enclosed sauna acts as both a functional wellness feature and a striking architectural element. Natural wood surfaces wrap the interior, bringing warmth, texture, and a calming atmosphere that mirrors high-end resort spas. Integrated LED lighting enhances the natural wood grain while providing soft, ambient illumination. The stone sauna heater anchors the space visually while delivering consistent heat for daily use. Glass walls allow light to flow freely, preventing the space from feeling closed in and reinforcing the open feel of the overall custom basement design. This basement spa was designed not as an accessory, but as a core component of the luxury basement remodel—supporting health, relaxation, and everyday wellness. Custom Gun Room and Secure Display Space Security meets craftsmanship in the custom gun room, a defining element of this luxury basement remodel. Designed to function as both a secure storage solution and a refined display space, the room balances protection with presentation. Precision-mounted wall panels allow firearms and accessories to be displayed in a clean, organized layout. Integrated LED lighting highlights each piece while adding depth and contrast to the room. Custom wood framing ties the space into the broader custom basement design, ensuring visual consistency throughout the project. Lower cabinetry provides concealed storage while maintaining a clean, uncluttered appearance. Climate control and security were integrated seamlessly, creating a room that is as practical as it is visually impressive. Home Gym Basement with Professional Design This home gym basement was designed to rival commercial fitness facilities while maintaining the comfort and privacy of a residential environment. The layout supports strength training, functional workouts, and cardio without feeling crowded or overwhelming. Mirrored walls expand the space visually and provide practical training feedback. Heavy-duty flooring absorbs impact and minimizes noise, making the gym ideal for daily use. Overhead, a custom LED grid ceiling delivers even, shadow-free lighting, elevating both functionality and aesthetics. As part of the overall luxury basement remodel, the gym connects naturally to adjacent spaces, reinforcing the idea that fitness is integrated into everyday living—not isolated or hidden away. Basement with Full Kitchen and Entertaining Space Designed for hosting and everyday use, the basement with full kitchen anchors the entertainment zone of this luxury basement remodel. Custom cabinetry offers ample storage while maintaining clean lines and a refined appearance. Premium countertops provide durability and visual impact, serving as both a workspace and gathering point. Integrated appliances ensure full functionality without disrupting the design. Layered lighting enhances usability and atmosphere, making the kitchen equally suited for casual evenings or large gatherings. This basement with full kitchen allows the space to function independently from the main level, adding both convenience and long-term value. Luxury Tile Basement Details Tile plays a key role throughout this luxury tile basement, serving as a design feature rather than just a finish. Carefully selected tile textures and patterns add depth and visual interest to accent walls and functional areas. Each tile installation was executed with precision, showcasing clean transitions and expert craftsmanship. The tile selections complement the surrounding wood and stone elements, reinforcing the layered material palette that defines this custom basement design. Craftsmanship That Defines the Space What sets this luxury basement remodel apart is the attention to detail in every element. Custom millwork, seamless trim transitions, and intentional lighting design elevate the space beyond typical basement renovations. Ceilings are treated as design features, walls are crisp and refined, and built-in elements feel integrated rather than added. This level of craftsmanship ensures the basement feels timeless, durable, and thoughtfully designed. A Custom Basement Design Built for Lifestyle This project demonstrates how a custom basement design can become one of the most valuable and lived-in areas of a home. By combining a basement spa, secure gun room, home gym basement, basement with full kitchen, and luxury tile finishes, this space delivers unmatched versatility and comfort. This luxury basement remodel is not simply an upgrade—it is a complete transformation that enhances daily living while adding long-term value.

Close up of windows with grids. Our windows come with a lifetime warranty, and are super affordable! Are designed to suppress outdoor environmental noise. Now featuring LoĒ³-366® Energy Star rated glass for advanced thermal performance. Ask about Neat® naturally clean glass! These windows are made of superior quality Polyvinyl chloride that’s guaranteed not to yellow or crack in our hot Southern California sun. Photo by Jeremy Sharrock