Toulmin Cabinetry & Design Clem Burch 205 Photography
Transitional white two-story brick exterior home photo in Birmingham with a shingle roof

Werner Segarra
Living room - large mediterranean open concept living room idea in Phoenix with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Tricia Shay Photography
Living room - large contemporary formal and open concept concrete floor and brown floor living room idea in Milwaukee with white walls

Matt Kocourek Photography
Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen remodel in Kansas City with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

The soothing primary bath provides a respite from the homeowners' busy lives. The expansive vanity mirror highlights the room's tall ceilings, while the soft colors provide a relaxing atmosphere. Gold wall sconces, hardware and faucets are beautifully showcased against the rooms greige cabinetry. The shower is located in a separate bathroom alcove, allowing for privacy. The "his and her" shower boasts two shower heads, hand-held shower wands, a rain shower, a built-in quartz bench and two shower niches. A shower window allows natural light to flood the elegant space.

Colorful Beach Cottage Bathroom Photo Credit: Molly Mahar http://caprinacreative.com/

Light pours into the kitchen from a trio of clerestory windows and a pair of backless, glass-fronted cabinets hung in front of exterior windows. A hidden pantry is accessed to the left of the Miele double ovens from Monark Premium Appliances. A quartet of Fine Art Lamps’ metal-framed pendants hangs from artisan square-link chains, spilling light from mica shades onto the dual islands topped with Cristallo quartzite. Swivel stools from Century in an aqua and white zebra print provide seating at the dining island. Wood-Mode custom maple cabinets in Vintage Nordic White line the walls. The range hood and island bases are Wood-Mode Heirloom Harbor Mist with Pewter Glaze, all from Tradewind Designs. The 3-by-12-inch stone backsplash brings in the colors of the cabinets and islands. A tile inset commands attention behind the Miele 5-burner gas cooktop also from Monark Premium Appliances.

My clients purchased a grand home on a spectacular waterfront setting, but the interior felt dark and drab. Our challenge was to turn the existing home into a high end Hampton-style residence without major construction. We choose to focus on color, contrast and texture, changing almost every surface in the home and reversing the contrast to make the home light and airy. We invested the construction expense on elements crucial to style and function. Removing a row of out of scale upper cabinetry in the kitchen and replacing it with 3 double hung windows expands the view to 180 degrees and floods the room with light. To create symmetry and balance in the kitchen, we moved the cooktop and centered the sink. The wine cellar entry opened awkwardly into the kitchen and there was no pantry, so we modified the wine cellar and moved the door for better flow, allowing for a large pantry. On the opposite end of the great room, we balanced the fireplace with cabinetry and tall wainscoting. The floors were stained dark espresso while all other trim and cabinetry went a bright white. It took 14 tries to get the perfect wall color – a pale beige/color reminiscent of sand. The blue and white furniture and details pull the entire space together and creates a sophisticated yet casual feel. Photos by Steve Armstrong www.cascadepromedia.com

The Aspect Window Series has been independently tested to meet strict energy efficiency standards and is ENERGY STAR® certified. Aspect brand custom vinyl windows come standard with an innovative, multi-chambered frame and sash design, triple weather-stripping and ComforTech™ Warm Edge Glazing, a high-tech glass package that measurably improves thermal performance—for less heat loss, warmer glass temperatures and reduced interior condensation.

A custom home builder in Chicago's western suburbs, Summit Signature Homes, ushers in a new era of residential construction. With an eye on superb design and value, industry-leading practices and superior customer service, Summit stands alone. Custom-built homes in Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Western Springs, and other western suburbs.

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Dark window frames provide a sophisticated curb appeal. Added warmth from the wooden front door and fence completes the look for this modern farmhouse. Featuring Milgard® Ultra™ Series | C650 Windows and Patio doors in Black Bean.

Sequined Asphault Studio
Kitchen - transitional dark wood floor kitchen idea in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets and gray backsplash

Wall of windows over kitchen sink. Casement windows allow easy opening. Photo by David Berlekamp
Kitchen - large traditional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen idea in Cleveland with shaker cabinets, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, an undermount sink, white cabinets, quartz countertops and white countertops

Newport653
Example of a large classic white two-story wood house exterior design in Charleston with a mixed material roof

Angle Eye Photgraphy
Inspiration for a large timeless l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, marble countertops and stone slab backsplash

Double shower in bay window. The bench is cantilevered out over the exterior wall below. Design, color scheme, lighting, and installation by Addhouse. Photo by Monkeyboy Productions

Mustard color cabinets with copper and teak countertops. Basque slate floor from Ann Sacks Tile. Project Location Batavia, IL
Inspiration for a small country galley slate floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, yellow cabinets, copper countertops, yellow backsplash, paneled appliances, no island, shaker cabinets and red countertops

James Kruger, LandMark Photography Interior Design: Martha O'Hara Interiors Architect: Sharratt Design & Company
Bedroom - mid-sized traditional master carpeted and beige floor bedroom idea in Minneapolis with blue walls and no fireplace