When a couple with young children decided to purchase their first Manhattan apartment, they called in designer Christopher Maya to create something livable and contemporary. In the Foyer, you are greeted by a phillip jeffries gold leaf ceiling that is adorned with two scalloped flush mounts from shades of light. Photographer: Christian Harder

© Deborah Scannell Photography
Small transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen photo in Charlotte with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, brown backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and an undermount sink

© Deborah Scannell Photography
Inspiration for a small transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen remodel in Charlotte with a single-bowl sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, brown backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

photography by Rob Karosis
Farmhouse two-story wood exterior home photo in Portland Maine

brick stairway, concrete patio, arbors, pergolas, trellis, outdoor seating, outdoor living space, brick planter, decking
Elegant deck photo in Portland

A tile wall and floating vanity complement the modern powder room chandelier. Photo Credit: Garrett Rowland
Example of a trendy marble tile and gray tile medium tone wood floor powder room design in New York with a wall-mount sink, a one-piece toilet and gray walls

Sma presents the great Italian woodworking tradition and its vocation for research and innovation. These two values represent a cultural heritage and experience that Sma transfers in every product; the Company is evident in shapes, in the component details, in the quality and original proposals. In the global and undifferentiated market, SMA strong personality offers to the consumers an alternative based on the quality. This is the result of a particular care for the new materials and for the innovation, that, joining with the quality craft, it gives the best solutions for furniture.

Eat-in kitchen - large u-shaped brick floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen idea in New Orleans with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

The Owners of a home that had been consumed by the moving dunes of Lake Michigan wanted a home that would not only stand the test of aesthetic time, but survive the vicissitudes of the environment. With the assistance of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality as well as the consulting civil engineer and the City of Grand Haven Zoning Department, a soil stabilization site plan was developed based on raising the new home’s main floor elevation by almost three feet, implementing erosion studies, screen walls and planting indigenous, drought tolerant xeriscaping. The screen walls, as well as the low profile of the home and the use of sand trapping marrum beachgrass all help to create a wind shadow buffer around the home and reduce blowing sand erosion and accretion. The Owners wanted to minimize the stylistic baggage which consumes most “cottage” residences, and with the Architect created a home with simple lines focused on the view and the natural environment. Sustainable energy requirements on a budget directed the design decisions regarding the SIPs panel insulation, energy systems, roof shading, other insulation systems, lighting and detailing. Easily constructed and linear, the home harkens back to mid century modern pavilions with present day environmental sensitivities and harmony with the site. James Yochum

Nader Essa Photography
Large minimalist master gray tile slate floor japanese bathtub photo in San Diego with white walls

Emily Andrews
Example of a farmhouse open concept living room design with white walls, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace

Example of a trendy master gray tile slate floor and gray floor freestanding bathtub design in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, gray walls and an undermount sink

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/

Inspiration for a contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen remodel in Portland with white cabinets, gray backsplash, an island and slate backsplash

Complete Kitchen remodel, only thing that remained from original kitchen is hardwood floor. Focal point behind gas range is waterjet marble insert. Reclaimed wood island. Builder- Landmark Building Inc. Designer- KK Design Koncepts

This award-winning home in Cannon Beach, Oregon takes advantage of excellent ocean views and southern solar exposure. The client’s goal was for a home that would last for multiple generations and capture their love of materials and forms found in nature. Designed to generate as much energy as it consumes on an annual basis, the home is pursuing the goal of being a “net-zero-energy” residence. The environmentally responsive design promotes a healthy indoor environment, saves energy with an ultra energy-efficient envelope, and utilized recycled and salvaged materials in its construction. Daniel Root

Available in single, double, tripe tresholds. They offer a unique contemporary appearance and allow the use of larger usable area in the shower base. These bases are ultra modern, and available in a variety of sizes, and with drains available on the left or right hand side of the base according to the consumers needs.

Peter Rymwid
Staircase - large traditional wooden u-shaped dark wood floor staircase idea in New York with white walls and wooden risers

© Deborah Scannell Photography
Alcove shower - small traditional master beige tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile alcove shower idea in Charlotte with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, a two-piece toilet and blue walls