Susan Fisher Photography
Patio - contemporary patio idea in London with a bbq area

Attractive living as an architectural experiment: a 136-year-old water tower, a listed building with a spectacular 360-degree panorama view over the City of London. The task, to transform it into a superior residence, initially seemed an absolute impossibility. But when the owners came across architect Mike Collier, they had found a partner who was to make the impossible possible. The tower, which had been empty for decades, underwent radical renovation work and was extended by a four-storey cube containing kitchen, dining and living room - connected by glazed tunnels and a lift shaft. The kitchen, realised by Enclosure Interiors in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, with furniture from LEICHT is the very heart of living in this new building. Shiny white matt-lacquered kitchen fronts (AVANCE-LR), tone-on-tone with the worktops, reflect the light in the room and thus create expanse and openness. The surface of the handle-less kitchen fronts has a horizontal relief embossing; depending on the light incidence, this results in a vitally structured surface. The free-standing preparation isle with its vertical side panels with a seamlessly integrated sink represents the transition between kitchen and living room. The fronts of the floor units facing the dining table were extended to the floor to do away with the plinth typical of most kitchens. Ceiling-high tall units on the wall provide plenty of storage space; the electrical appliances are integrated here invisible to the eye. Floor units on a high plinth which thus appear to be floating form the actual cooking centre within the kitchen, attached to the wall. A range of handle-less wall units concludes the glazed niche at the top. LEICHT international: “Architecture and kitchen” in the centre of London. www.LeichtUSA.com

Photography by Jim Tetro This house, built in the 1960s, sits southfacing on a terrific wooded lot in Bethesda, Maryland. The owners desire a whole-house renovation which would improve the general building fabric and systems, and extend the sense of living out of doors in all seasons. The original sixties-modern character is preserved and the renovation extends the design forward into a contemporary, modern approach. Connections to and through the site are enhanced through the creation of new larger window and door openings. Screened porches and decks perch above the sloped and wooded site. The new kitchen and bathrooms allow for opportunities to feel out-of -doors while preparing, cooking, dining, and bathing. Smart passive strategies guide the environmental choices for this project, including envelope improvements, updated mechanical systems, and on-site stormwater management.

Example of a large tuscan dark wood floor and white floor great room design in Dallas with white walls, a standard fireplace and a concrete fireplace

Traditional design blends well with 21st century accessibility standards. Designed by architect Jeremiah Battles of Acacia Architects and built by Ben Quie & Sons, this beautiful new home features details found a century ago, combined with a creative use of space and technology to meet the owner’s mobility needs. Even the elevator is detailed with quarter-sawn oak paneling. Feeling as though it has been here for generations, this home combines architectural salvage with creative design. The owner brought in vintage lighting fixtures, a Tudor fireplace surround, and beveled glass for windows and doors. The kitchen pendants and sconces were custom made to match a 1912 Sheffield fixture she had found. Quarter-sawn oak in the living room, dining room, and kitchen, and flat-sawn oak in the pantry, den, and powder room accent the traditional feel of this brand-new home. Design by Acacia Architects/Jeremiah Battles Construction by Ben Quie and Sons Photography by: Troy Thies

Ryan Garvin
Large elegant master alcove shower photo in Orange County with an undermount tub, flat-panel cabinets and medium tone wood cabinets

©Scott Hargis Photo
Inspiration for a timeless galley dark wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Photos by Lori Cannava
Patio container garden - small contemporary backyard stone patio container garden idea in New York with no cover

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional partial sun backyard stone formal garden in New York with a fire pit for summer.

This historic townhouse in Freiburg's Wiehre district was built at the turn of the 20th century with four residential units. The client tasked Justies Architekten BDA with creating more living space and a connection to the garden while retaining the original basic structure and with respect to the original external appearance. Featuring PLATE kitchen by David Thulstrup in Brushed Aluminum and Stainless Steel countertop.

The owners of this Johnson County home wanted to update to the living room with new colors and styles, after living 17 years in the home. The original furniture worked well within the design plans that were part of a larger first-floor renovation. Arlene Ladegaard of Design Connection, Inc. was ready for the challenge. Design Connection, Inc. team crafted a new floor plan and produced a harmony of design through more organic and subtle hues, textiles and texture of wood pieces. Central to the décor is the fireplace surround, changed to Carrera marble with gray and white veining. To offset the marble, the design team painted the room a soft transparent gray and the fireplace trims a darker gray. The clients never thought they would want a gray home, but with warming up the trim color, they love the new look of their living room and first floor. Design Connection, Inc. provided: furniture, accessories, area rugs, paint and marble and installation, hard wood floor refinishing and project management to ensure the project would run smoothly and be completed to the high standards of Design Connection, Inc.

This is a custom built sunroom that connected a detached garage to the house. The sunroom was elevated to be one step down from the first floor to facilitate entertaining. We installed two solatubes to let in the natural light.

This historic townhouse in Freiburg's Wiehre district was built at the turn of the 20th century with four residential units. The client tasked Justies Architekten BDA with creating more living space and a connection to the garden while retaining the original basic structure and with respect to the original external appearance. Featuring PLATE kitchen by David Thulstrup in Brushed Aluminum and Stainless Steel countertop.

Our clients spent time watching TV in their small hearth room instead of their family room. The layout was closed off with an oversized well used sectional. We set out to update the room and make it into a sitting room they could enjoy together. A round leather ottoman at the center surrounded by four upholstered chairs made this room into an elegant but comfortable space to come read a book or have a conversation together. We completed the update to the room with the addition of custom shutters, painted fireplace and a mosaic tile on the fireplace, and artwork.

Will Doyle
Living room - coastal living room idea in Toronto

Elegant garden shed photo in Detroit

This is a custom built sunroom that connected a detached garage to the house. The sunroom was elevated to be one step down from the first floor to facilitate entertaining. We installed two solatubes to let in the natural light.

Garage - large farmhouse detached two-car garage idea

Photography by Ron Blunt Photography, Hedgesville, West Virginia
Cottage white gable roof idea in DC Metro