Open concept comprising kitchen, dining room, and family room
Transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor, brown floor and tray ceiling eat-in kitchen photo in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, blue backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Photo: Sarah Dowlin © 2019 Houzz
Bedroom - scandinavian bedroom idea in Cincinnati

Example of a minimalist exterior home design in San Francisco

The Sonoma Farmhaus project was designed for a cycling enthusiast with a globally demanding professional career, who wanted to create a place that could serve as both a retreat of solitude and a hub for gathering with friends and family. Located within the town of Graton, California, the site was chosen not only to be close to a small town and its community, but also to be within cycling distance to the picturesque, coastal Sonoma County landscape. Taking the traditional forms of farmhouse, and their notions of sustenance and community, as inspiration, the project comprises an assemblage of two forms - a Main House and a Guest House with Bike Barn - joined in the middle by a central outdoor gathering space anchored by a fireplace. The vision was to create something consciously restrained and one with the ground on which it stands. Simplicity, clear detailing, and an innate understanding of how things go together were all central themes behind the design. Solid walls of rammed earth blocks, fabricated from soils excavated from the site, bookend each of the structures. According to the owner, the use of simple, yet rich materials and textures...“provides a humanness I’ve not known or felt in any living venue I’ve stayed, Farmhaus is an icon of sustenance for me".

The Sonoma Farmhaus project was designed for a cycling enthusiast with a globally demanding professional career, who wanted to create a place that could serve as both a retreat of solitude and a hub for gathering with friends and family. Located within the town of Graton, California, the site was chosen not only to be close to a small town and its community, but also to be within cycling distance to the picturesque, coastal Sonoma County landscape. Taking the traditional forms of farmhouse, and their notions of sustenance and community, as inspiration, the project comprises an assemblage of two forms - a Main House and a Guest House with Bike Barn - joined in the middle by a central outdoor gathering space anchored by a fireplace. The vision was to create something consciously restrained and one with the ground on which it stands. Simplicity, clear detailing, and an innate understanding of how things go together were all central themes behind the design. Solid walls of rammed earth blocks, fabricated from soils excavated from the site, bookend each of the structures. According to the owner, the use of simple, yet rich materials and textures...“provides a humanness I’ve not known or felt in any living venue I’ve stayed, Farmhaus is an icon of sustenance for me".

Knotty cherry cabinets in a natural finish for a grand old world design. We created the mantle style wood hood is oversize to increase its impact as a focal point. The columns are comprised of pull-out cabinets for cooking spices and oils. Wood-Mode Fine Custom Cabinetry: Brookhaven's Andover

Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture is a full-service landscape architecture, design, and design build firm specializing in high end design. This Shell Beach home was remodeled with an emphasis on improving indoor-outdoor connections and accentuating ocean views. Comprised of 3 fire pits, multiple balconies and patios, elegant pottery, and a spa this project provided a variety of outdoor spaces for entertainment and relaxation. Cool colored plantings complemented the warmer stone elements throughout the project, embodying a Mediterranean atmosphere. Photo Credit: Chris Leschinsky

The most extraordinary aspect of this wine cellar design Michigan is the ladder. To maximize the available space, our wine cellar builders stacked the wine racks up to the ceiling. The ladder provides easy access to each bottle. Also depicted here are horizontal display racks, high reveal display rows, diamond bin racking, an arch display, and more. All is of Redwood. Wine Cellar Specialists 858 W Armitage Ave #385 Chicago, IL 60614 (773) 234-0112 winecellarspec.com

This larger home, constructed on Martha’s Vineyard, is a collection of informal, dormered gable components and grounding one-story, shed-roof elements that reduce its overall scale. Designed to take advantage of a gently sloping up-Island property, this 5500 sq. ft. (not including finished basement) six-bedroom home includes staggered floor levels that climb from the front of the site to the rear. Generous, open living space on the entry level -- anchored on the west end by a fireplace and on the east end by the kitchen -- borders a dining area that’s nestled under a roof which also shelters the adjacent wrap-around porch. A deck off the rear of the dining space extends around the kitchen and is easily accessible from the nearby family room, too. Bedrooms occupy the other above-grade levels, including, at the upper-most level, the master suite comprised of a study, roof deck, master bath, walk-in closets and the master bedroom. A clean-lined interior of warm neutrals sets a soothing tone in which the Island landscape is welcomed through expansive windows, porches and decks. Clad in white cedar shingles with a red cedar roof, the West Tisbury House will softly weather in-tune with its meadow site. Katie Hutchison Studio collaborated with Geoffrey Koper Architect of Yarmouth Port, Mass. on the West Tisbury House. Kitchen fit-out and interior finishes, fixtures, and furnishings by others. This larger home, constructed on Martha’s Vineyard, is a collection of informal, dormered gable components and grounding one-story, shed-roof elements that reduce its overall scale. Designed to take advantage of a gently sloping up-Island property, this 5500 sq. ft. (not including finished basement) six-bedroom home includes staggered floor levels that climb from the front of the site to the rear. Generous, open living space on the entry level -- anchored on the west end by a fireplace and on the east end by the kitchen -- borders a dining area that’s nestled under a roof which also shelters the adjacent wrap-around porch. A deck off the rear of the dining space extends around the kitchen and is easily accessible from the nearby family room, too. Bedrooms occupy the other above-grade levels, including, at the upper-most level, the master suite comprised of a study, roof deck, master bath, walk-in closets and the master bedroom. A clean-lined interior of warm neutrals sets a soothing tone in which the Island landscape is welcomed through expansive windows, porches and decks. Clad in white cedar shingles with a red cedar roof, the West Tisbury House will softly weather in-tune with its meadow site. Katie Hutchison Studio collaborated with Geoffrey Koper Architect of Yarmouth Port, Mass. on the West Tisbury House. Kitchen fit-out and interior finishes, fixtures, and furnishings by others. photo by Katie Hutchison

Why buy new when you can expand? This family home project comprised of a 2-apartment combination on the 30th floor in a luxury high rise in Manhattan's Upper East side. A real charmer offering it's occupants a total of 2475 Square feet, 4 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms. and 2 balconies. Custom details such as cold rolled steel sliding doors, beautiful bespoke hardwood floors, plenty of custom mill work cabinetry and built-ins, private master bedroom suite, which includes a large windowed bath including a walk-in shower and free-standing tub. Take in the view and relax!

The Watermill House is a beautiful example of a classic Hamptons wood shingle style home. The design and renovation would maintain the character of the exterior while transforming the interiors to create an open and airy getaway for a busy and active family. The house comfortably sits within its one acre lot surrounded by tall hedges, old growth trees, and beautiful hydrangeas. The landscape influenced the design approach of the main floor interiors. Walls were removed and the kitchen was relocated to the front of the house to create an open plan for better flow and views to both the front and rear yards. The kitchen was designed to be both practical and beautiful. The u-shape design features modern appliances, white cabinetry and Corian countertops, and is anchored by a beautiful island with a knife-edge marble countertop. The island and the dining room table create a strong axis to the living room at the rear of the house. To further strengthen the connection to the outdoor decks and pool area of the rear yard, a full height sliding glass window system was installed. The clean lines and modern profiles of the window frames create unobstructed views and virtually remove the barrier between the interior and exterior spaces. The open plan allowed a new sitting area to be created between the dining room and stair. A screen, comprised of vertical fins, allows for a degree of openness, while creating enough separation to make the sitting area feel comfortable and nestled in its own area. The stair at the entry of the house was redesigned to match the new elegant and sophisticated spaces connected to it. New treads were installed to articulate and contrast the soft palette of finishes of the floors, walls, and ceilings. The new metal and glass handrail was intended to reduce visual noise and create subtle reflections of light. Photo by Guillaume Gaudet

500 exposed Doug Fir timbers and approx. 120 Doug Fir windows. Roofing comprised of stone slate and handmade copper tiles and panels. Siding comprised of Old Growth Clear heart vertical grain board on board, hand split redwood shakes and 500 tons of large river rock stone. Oversized see-thru masonry fireplace with custom iron/glass doors. Home automation, Lighting control system, and fire sprinklers.

This spectacular family home situated above Lake Hodges in San Diego with sweeping views, was a complete interior and partial exterior remodel. Having gone untouched for decades, the home presented a unique challenge in that it was comprised of many cramped, unpermitted rooms and spaces that had been added over the years, stifling the home's true potential. Our team gutted the home down to the studs and started nearly from scratch. The goal was to dramatically open up the living space and modernize the home, while capitalizing on the stunning views the property had to offer. With the existing floor plan, only bedrooms had partial views, with common living areas relegated to the back portion, preventing residents from enjoying the expansive sightlines available to the home. The completely reimagined floorplan included relocating the kitchen and Master Suite to the opposite side of the home to take better advantage of the views and natural light. All bathrooms and the laundry room were completely remodeled along with installing new doors, windows, and flooring throughout the home and completely upgrading all electrical and plumbing. The end result is simply stunning. Light, bright, and modern, the new version of this home demonstrates the power of thoughtful architectural planning, creative problem solving, and expert design details.

Not evident from the street, the parti for this new home is a sweeping arc of glass which forms an expansive panorama of a wooded river valley beyond in the rear. The lot is located in an established and planned neighborhood, which is adjacent to a heavily forested metropark. The house is comprised of two levels; the primary living areas are located on the main level including the master bedroom suite. Additional living and entertaining areas are located below with access to the lower level outdoor living spaces. The large floor-to-ceiling curtain of glass and open floor plan allow all main living spaces access to views and light while affording privacy where required, primarily along the sides of the property. Kitchen and eating areas include a large floating island which allows for meal preparation while entertaining, and the many large retracting glass doors allow for easy flow to the outdoor spaces. The exterior materials were chosen for durability and minimal maintenance, including ultra- compact porcelain, stone, synthetic stucco, cement siding, stained fir roof underhangs and exterior ceilings. Lighting is downplayed with special fixtures where important areas are highlighted. The fireplace wall has a hidden door to the master suite veneered in concrete panels. The kitchen is sleek with hidden appliances behind full-height (responsibly harvested) rosewood veneer panels. Interiors include a soft muted palette with minimalist fixtures and details. Careful attention was given to the variable ceiling heights throughout, for example in the foyer and dining room. The foyer area is raised and expressed as the large porcelain clad element of the entrance, and becomes a defining part of the composition of the façade from the street.

Architects: SoNo Arhitekti www.sono.si www.facebook.com/SonoArhitekti Location: Slovenia Architects in Charge: Edvard Blažko, Marko Volk, Nina Tešanović, Samo Radinja Area: 230 sqm Year: 2015 Photographs: Aljoša Videtič This family home is an example of a modern design filled with natural light and building blocks comprised of sustainable material – in this case wood, one of the if not the most strategic material of Slovenia . It's definitely not a typical prefabricated house out of catalogue as we tried to develop a residence that meets the needs of modern users while having functional floor plans and contemporary elegant exterior all appropriately settled into its landscape. Main concept presents three volumes that are placed in a triangular composition partially overlayed with a rectangular form of the upper floor. While the dynamic shape of the groundfloor is covered with a flat roof, the 1st floor is completed with a gable –like roof, echoing the traditional architecture of the house's surroundings. While we enter into an open spacious and dynamically shaped groundfloor we discover a pleasant intimate ambience. The living room and dining area offer a lot of natural light through the large glazed window surfaces. A prominent staircase leads us to the upper sleeping area that consists of the main bedroom with its own dressing room and a bathroom and children's rooms with a smaller bathroom. Despite groundfloor's dynamic shape, its façade is monochrome - predominately a clean white surface in combination with bigger windows. On the contrary the simple form of the upper floor has a boldly designed façade - a combination of dark colour shades and natural larch wood’s textures. Wood is the basic structural element and at the same time complements the facades, window frames, while also dominating the interiors.

Example of a transitional living room design in Sydney

Poetry in motion the aptly named Mercury pendant combines unique styling with opulent details. The wide metal band gives the illusion of movement and fluidity finished in a glossy Polished Chrome. The diffuser is comprised of a blanket of thousands of crystal-glass drops that twinkle like stars.

This very social couple were tying the knot and looking to create a space to host their friends and community, while also adding much needed living space to their 900 square foot cottage. The couple had a strong emphasis on growing edible and medicinal plants. With many friends from a community garden project they were involved in and years of learning about permaculture, they wanted to incorporate many of the elements that the permaculture movement advocates for. We came up with a California native and edible garden that incorporates three composting systems, a gray water system, rain water harvesting, a cob pizza oven, and outdoor kitchen. A majority of the materials incorporated into the hardscape were found on site or salvaged within 20-mile of the property. The garden also had amenities like an outhouse and shower for guests they would put up in the converted garage. Coming into this project there was and An old clawfoot bathtub on site was used as a worm composting bin, and for no other reason than the cuteness factor, the bath tub composter had to stay. Added to that was a compost tumbler, and last but not least we erected an outhouse with a composting toilet system (The Nature's Head Composting Toilet). We developed a gray water system incorporating the water that came out of the washing machine and from the outdoor shower to help water bananas, gingers, and canailles. All the down spouts coming off the roof were sent into depressions in the front yard. The depressions were planted with carex grass, which can withstand, and even thrive on, submersion in water that rain events bring to the swaled-out area. Aesthetically, carex reads as a lawn space in keeping with the cottage feeling of the home. As with any full-fledged permaculture garden, an element of natural building needed to be incorporated. So, the heart and hearth of the garden is a cob pizza oven going into an outdoor kitchen with a built-in bench. Cob is a natural building technique that involves sculpting a mixture of sand, soil, and straw around an internal structure. In this case, the internal structure is comprised of an old built-in brick incinerator, and rubble collected on site. Besides using the collected rubble as a base for the cob structure, other salvaged elements comprise major features of the project: the front fence was reconstructed from the preexisting fence; a majority of the stone edging was created by stones found while clearing the landscape in preparation for construction; the arbor was constructed from old wash line poles found on site; broken bricks pulled from another project were mixed with concrete and cast into vegetable beds, creating durable insulated planters while reducing the amount of concrete used ( and they also just have a unique effect); pathways and patio areas were laid using concrete broken out of the driveway and previous pathways. (When a little more broken concrete was needed, we busted out an old pad at another project a few blocks away.) Far from a perfectly polished garden, this landscape now serves as a lush and inviting space for my clients, their friends and family to gather and enjoy each other’s company. Days after construction was finished the couple hosted their wedding reception in the garden—everyone danced, drank and celebrated, christening the garden and the union!

500 exposed Doug Fir timbers and approx. 120 Doug Fir windows. Roofing comprised of stone slate and handmade copper tiles and panels. Siding comprised of Old Growth Clear heart vertical grain board on board, hand split redwood shakes and 500 tons of large river rock stone. Oversized see-thru masonry fireplace with custom iron/glass doors. Home automation, Lighting control system, and fire sprinklers.