Example of a country gray floor and shiplap wall mudroom design in Seattle with white walls

Inspiration for a large country detached studio / workshop shed remodel in New York

Vance Fox
Mountain style living room photo in Sacramento

In choosing modular cooktop units over a full range, Franklin was able to keep the open galley kitchen streamlined in appearance and gain storage space to boot. The commercial grade components sport strong down draft units beneath the burners to eliminate cooking odors, which is a major consideration when designing an open concept space. One of the highlights of the work area is the gleaming stainless backsplash that Franklin designed. "I simply had a large piece of stainless steel bent into shape and attached with industrial grade adhesive," he explains. "Big look, inexpensive price!" The integrated shelf keeps necessities close at hand for easy access during cooking. Cooktop Units: GE Monogram (commercial) Adrienne DeRosa Photography

This is a Kitchen Remodel we did on an existing home that another builder had initially built. Before the remodel you can see the kitchen was very closed off and lacking storage. After we remodeled the kitchen not only was the kitchen opened up but we custom made counters, additional cabinetry, bead board ceilings, subway tile, new stainless sink, wired for recessed lighting, painted as well as created a coffee bar and more. We would love to discuss your remodel/addition/or new build of your project. We are committed to Build Beautiful. Thanks for your Consideration. -Joel & Megan Ray.

This is a Kitchen Remodel we did on an existing home that another builder had initially built. Before the remodel you can see the kitchen was very closed off and lacking storage. After we remodeled the kitchen not only was the kitchen opened up but we custom made counters, additional cabinetry, bead board ceilings, subway tile, new stainless sink, wired for recessed lighting, painted as well as created a coffee bar and more. We would love to discuss your remodel/addition/or new build of your project. We are committed to Build Beautiful. Thanks for your Consideration. -Joel & Megan Ray.

This is a Kitchen Remodel we did on an existing home that another builder had initially built. Before the remodel you can see the kitchen was very closed off and lacking storage. After we remodeled the kitchen not only was the kitchen opened up but we custom made counters, additional cabinetry, bead board ceilings, subway tile, new stainless sink, wired for recessed lighting, painted as well as created a coffee bar and more. We would love to discuss your remodel/addition/or new build of your project. We are committed to Build Beautiful. Thanks for your Consideration. -Joel & Megan Ray.

Holly Hill, a retirement home, whose owner's hobbies are gardening and restoration of classic cars, is nestled into the site contours to maximize views of the lake and minimize impact on the site. Holly Hill is comprised of three wings joined by bridges: A wing facing a master garden to the east, another wing with workshop and a central activity, living, dining wing. Similar to a radiator the design increases the amount of exterior wall maximizing opportunities for natural ventilation during temperate months. Other passive solar design features will include extensive eaves, sheltering porches and high-albedo roofs, as strategies for considerably reducing solar heat gain. Daylighting with clerestories and solar tubes reduce daytime lighting requirements. Ground source geothermal heat pumps and superior to code insulation ensure minimal space conditioning costs. Corten steel siding and concrete foundation walls satisfy client requirements for low maintenance and durability. All light fixtures are LEDs. Open and screened porches are strategically located to allow pleasant outdoor use at any time of day, particular season or, if necessary, insect challenge. Dramatic cantilevers allow the porches to project into the site’s beautiful mixed hardwood tree canopy without damaging root systems. Guest arrive by vehicle with glimpses of the house and grounds through penetrations in the concrete wall enclosing the garden. One parked they are led through a garden composed of pavers, a fountain, benches, sculpture and plants. Views of the lake can be seen through and below the bridges. Primary client goals were a sustainable low-maintenance house, primarily single floor living, orientation to views, natural light to interiors, maximization of individual privacy, creation of a formal outdoor space for gardening, incorporation of a full workshop for cars, generous indoor and outdoor social space for guests and parties.

This is a Kitchen Remodel we did on an existing home that another builder had initially built. Before the remodel you can see the kitchen was very closed off and lacking storage. After we remodeled the kitchen not only was the kitchen opened up but we custom made counters, additional cabinetry, bead board ceilings, subway tile, new stainless sink, wired for recessed lighting, painted as well as created a coffee bar and more. We would love to discuss your remodel/addition/or new build of your project. We are committed to Build Beautiful. Thanks for your Consideration. -Joel & Megan Ray.

This is a Kitchen Remodel we did on an existing home that another builder had initially built. Before the remodel you can see the kitchen was very closed off and lacking storage. After we remodeled the kitchen not only was the kitchen opened up but we custom made counters, additional cabinetry, bead board ceilings, subway tile, new stainless sink, wired for recessed lighting, painted as well as created a coffee bar and more. We would love to discuss your remodel/addition/or new build of your project. We are committed to Build Beautiful. Thanks for your Consideration. -Joel & Megan Ray.

This is a Kitchen Remodel we did on an existing home that another builder had initially built. Before the remodel you can see the kitchen was very closed off and lacking storage. After we remodeled the kitchen not only was the kitchen opened up but we custom made counters, additional cabinetry, bead board ceilings, subway tile, new stainless sink, wired for recessed lighting, painted as well as created a coffee bar and more. We would love to discuss your remodel/addition/or new build of your project. We are committed to Build Beautiful. Thanks for your Consideration. -Joel & Megan Ray.

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.

This is a Kitchen Remodel we did on an existing home that another builder had initially built. Before the remodel you can see the kitchen was very closed off and lacking storage. After we remodeled the kitchen not only was the kitchen opened up but we custom made counters, additional cabinetry, bead board ceilings, subway tile, new stainless sink, wired for recessed lighting, painted as well as created a coffee bar and more. We would love to discuss your remodel/addition/or new build of your project. We are committed to Build Beautiful. Thanks for your Consideration. -Joel & Megan Ray.

Performance fabrics were chosen for the durability of sunlight on this condo. Shades of grey with accents of yellow were the clients desires. Reworked an existing cocktail table from an old polished brass finish to a more updated brushed steel allowed us to be considerate on what we could rework rather then replace. Swivel chairs offer flexibility of conversation or watching the river flow by.

This is a Kitchen Remodel we did on an existing home that another builder had initially built. Before the remodel you can see the kitchen was very closed off and lacking storage. After we remodeled the kitchen not only was the kitchen opened up but we custom made counters, additional cabinetry, bead board ceilings, subway tile, new stainless sink, wired for recessed lighting, painted as well as created a coffee bar and more. We would love to discuss your remodel/addition/or new build of your project. We are committed to Build Beautiful. Thanks for your Consideration. -Joel & Megan Ray.

This is a Kitchen Remodel we did on an existing home that another builder had initially built. Before the remodel you can see the kitchen was very closed off and lacking storage. After we remodeled the kitchen not only was the kitchen opened up but we custom made counters, additional cabinetry, bead board ceilings, subway tile, new stainless sink, wired for recessed lighting, painted as well as created a coffee bar and more. We would love to discuss your remodel/addition/or new build of your project. We are committed to Build Beautiful. Thanks for your Consideration. -Joel & Megan Ray.

Chuck Choi
Minimalist eat-in kitchen photo in New York with flat-panel cabinets and stainless steel appliances

Leona Mozes Photography for Nina Azoulay Design
Large elegant l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen photo in Montreal with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, gray backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and marble backsplash

Designer: Bronwyn Poole Photographer: Matt Craig
Example of a beach style master carpeted bedroom design in Los Angeles with white walls