Floating stairs from main level to bedroom floor above. Note: stairs are suspended with a thin steel rod attached to the ceiling. Photo: Scott Hargis

A contemporary roof top pool with grand views of some of AZ most iconic mountains. The outer edge is constructed with large acrylic panels installed by Hammerhead International, and the tile is a Bisazza Blend. Photos are by Michael Duerinckx.

Angular Asian inspired branch art made of Acacia branches by Nevada City artist David Ward. Inspired by minimal lines and slightly out of balance zen design.

Kathryn Prideaux
Inspiration for a small modern brown one-story stucco flat roof remodel in Phoenix

Mid-sized minimalist painted straight open and metal railing staircase photo in Orange County

Transitional dining room photo in New York

Project designed and built by Atlanta Decking & Fence.
Elegant spiral staircase photo in Atlanta

Staircase - small metal floating metal railing staircase idea in New York with metal risers

christelle Serres-Chabrier
Urban staircase photo in Paris

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

Large minimalist wooden spiral open staircase photo in Chicago

If you're looking for a distinctive commercial exterior cladding option, Triangle Brick Company's Biscayne Bay is the perfect choice. Blue-gray and subtle warm accents in this pearl-colored brick deliver a look that's just the right combination of vintage and modern. This architectural brick is one of only two bricks in the Downtown collection offered under our Select product tier.

Custom built Wine Cellar with Douglas Fir Backing and LED surround lighting.
Example of a small trendy porcelain tile and white floor wine cellar design in Los Angeles with storage racks

Photographs by Parson Architecture
Mid-sized modern white one-story wood exterior home idea in Phoenix

Make a statement! Have a wall of windows that need replacing? Looking for design inspiration for an industrial project that needs some flair without breaking the budget? As you can see, glass block makes for a very dramatic statement! Visit sevesglassblockinc.com for industrial application ideas and more!

Photo of a mid-sized craftsman partial sun front yard brick garden path in New York.

Granite Prestige
Inspiration for a contemporary home design remodel in Montreal

Soccer ball wall display by Osmond Designs.