Photo: Robert Burns ˙© 2015 Houzz
Urban shed photo in Portland

Powder room with a gray vanity, white countertop, and a mosaic backsplash. Coordinating mirror and two wall sconces.
Example of a mid-sized transitional gray tile and mosaic tile dark wood floor powder room design in Kansas City with recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, gray walls and white countertops

this is the exterior patio Troy Theis Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary gray split-level concrete fiberboard gable roof remodel in Minneapolis

The elegant feel of this home flows throughout the open first-floor and continues into the mudroom and laundry room, with gray grasscloth wallpaper, quartz countertops and custom cabinetry. Smart storage solutions AND a built-in dog kennel was also on my clients' wish-list. Design Connection, Inc. provided; Space plans, custom cabinet designs, furniture, wall art, lamps, and project management to ensure all aspects of this space met the firm’s high criteria.

The Cicero is a modern styled home for today’s contemporary lifestyle. It features sweeping facades with deep overhangs, tall windows, and grand outdoor patio. The contemporary lifestyle is reinforced through a visually connected array of communal spaces. The kitchen features a symmetrical plan with large island and is connected to the dining room through a wide opening flanked by custom cabinetry. Adjacent to the kitchen, the living and sitting rooms are connected to one another by a see-through fireplace. The communal nature of this plan is reinforced downstairs with a lavish wet-bar and roomy living space, perfect for entertaining guests. Lastly, with vaulted ceilings and grand vistas, the master suite serves as a cozy retreat from today’s busy lifestyle. Photographer: Brad Gillette

Casey Dunn
Hallway - contemporary hallway idea in Austin

Inspiration for a contemporary kitchen remodel in Minneapolis

Peter Vanderwarker
Bathroom - mid-sized 1950s master beige tile and stone tile porcelain tile and black floor bathroom idea in Boston with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white walls, quartz countertops and a hinged shower door

The Cabinet Connection
Example of a small classic l-shaped medium tone wood floor enclosed kitchen design in Ottawa with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, white appliances and no island

Large elegant attached two-car garage photo in Philadelphia

Photo: Lucy Call © 2014 Houzz
Example of a minimalist dining room design in Salt Lake City

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

In her Charlottesville residence, Founding Principal Cathy Purple Cherry envisioned a space where she could immerse herself in artwork while still feeling connected to the heart of the home. To achieve this, she designed an art studio linked to the great room via large interior windows and sliding barn doors, which create both connectivity and the option of privacy when desired. This thoughtful design ensures Cathy can paint in solitude or remain part of the household excitement-whether her husband is relaxing in the great room or enjoying a meal at the kitchen island or dining table.

Example of a huge ornate detached three-car garage design in Philadelphia

Joe Fletcher
Example of a trendy side yard dock design in San Francisco

Mountain style side porch photo in Other with a roof extension

This addition opened up and strengthened the connection of the Kitchen to the rest of the home, bringing more light and color into the house. Large windows at the end of the room visually connect the Kitchen to the exterior dining area, and provide a beautiful background for the future sitting area/current kid's craft space. Contractor: Sunrise Construction & Remodeling Inc Kitchen Cabinets: East Hill Cabinetry Photography: Philip Jensen-Carter

We preserved and restored the front brick facade on this Worker Cottage renovation. A new roof slope was created with the existing dormers and new windows were added to the dormers to filter more natural light into the house. The existing rear exterior had zero connection to the backyard, so we removed the back porch, brought the first level down to grade, and designed an easy walkout connection to the yard. The new master suite now has a private balcony with roof overhangs to provide protection from sun and rain.

Arlene Ladegaard of Design Connection, Inc. was chosen to assist with the new designs and renovations. This large, classic-styled home featured beautiful moldings, cabinetry, and craftsmanship, but was in need of an update. Although the windows were beautiful on their own, they looked too bare without window treatments. Gray linens were chosen with a contrasting accent band and the chrome rods with crystal finials blended well with the other accents. The new draperies define the space while adding softness and drama. A massive area rug completes the look and adds warmth and elegance to this beautiful formal living room. The clients wanted a formally dressed living room with comfortable, elegant furniture to accommodate entertaining multiple guests. The scale of this space allows for many furniture groupings. The furnishings were sized to fit the space perfectly and the fabrics were chosen with daily use and easy-cleaning in mind. The many layers of textured and printed fabrics add visual interest and emulate the clients’ collective style. The clients love the new furnishings in their living room. “We were at loss for how to make it look elegant, beautiful, and yet functional. Arlene got the style of the space.” Design Connection, Inc. provided AutoCAD drawings, all furniture, area rugs, paint colors, lighting, and accessories. Visit our website to see more of our projects: https://www.designconnectioninc.com/