Dove white cabinets perimeter with warm gray and black accents are tied in with the traditional and rustic ambiance in the rest of the home. The new large island will hold the kitchen sink while guests can sit on the other end and enjoy the views. The range and hood are now a focal point between the exterior windows. Barn doors were be added to the newly enlarged opening to the dining room.

Design Builders & Remodeling is a one stop shop operation. From the start, design solutions are strongly rooted in practical applications and experience. Project planning takes into account the realities of the construction process and mindful of your established budget. All the work is centralized in one firm reducing the chances of costly or time consuming surprises. A solid partnership with solid professionals to help you realize your dreams for a new or improved home. Nina Pomeroy

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. Property Owner

J 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. ames Yochum

© Deborah Scannell Photography
Example of a small classic galley dark wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Charlotte with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, gray backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Out with the old, in with the new! StarMark Cabinetry's Rustic Hickory cabinets with Toffee Stain, large cove molding with a dentil molding detail, Natural Granite Tan Brown countertops, and state of the art stainless steel appliances combine to create personality and functionality in every space of this rustic kitchen design. Let our accredited designers help you get started on the kitchen of your dreams today.

Out with the old, in with the new! StarMark Cabinetry's Rustic Hickory cabinets with Toffee Stain, large cove molding with a dentil molding detail, Natural Granite Tan Brown countertops, and state of the art stainless steel appliances combine to create personality and functionality in every space of this rustic kitchen design. Let our accredited designers help you get started on the kitchen of your dreams today.

Crisp profiles and advanced performance. | With its crisp profile and choice of faucet styles, Eurodisc Cosmopolitanensures advanced performance for the most design-conscious consumers. Look closer and you will appreciate the finer details – a forward-leaning body to entice interaction and perfectly chamfered edges. Naturally, the collection benefits from two leading GROHE technologies: GROHE SilkMove®for smooth and precise handling, and GROHE StarLight® for a deep luxurious chrome finish. | ShopStudio41.com

Out with the old, in with the new! StarMark Cabinetry's Rustic Hickory cabinets with Toffee Stain, large cove molding with a dentil molding detail, Natural Granite Tan Brown countertops, and state of the art stainless steel appliances combine to create personality and functionality in every space of this rustic kitchen design. Let our accredited designers help you get started on the kitchen of your dreams today.

Out with the old, in with the new! StarMark Cabinetry's Rustic Hickory cabinets with Toffee Stain, large cove molding with a dentil molding detail, Natural Granite Tan Brown countertops, and state of the art stainless steel appliances combine to create personality and functionality in every space of this rustic kitchen design. Let our accredited designers help you get started on the kitchen of your dreams today.

Out with the old, in with the new! StarMark Cabinetry's Rustic Hickory cabinets with Toffee Stain, large cove molding with a dentil molding detail, Natural Granite Tan Brown countertops, and state of the art stainless steel appliances combine to create personality and functionality in every space of this rustic kitchen design. Let our accredited designers help you get started on the kitchen of your dreams today.

Photo courtesy of Lixil

Out with the old, in with the new! StarMark Cabinetry's Rustic Hickory cabinets with Toffee Stain, large cove molding with a dentil molding detail, Natural Granite Tan Brown countertops, and state of the art stainless steel appliances combine to create personality and functionality in every space of this rustic kitchen design. Let our accredited designers help you get started on the kitchen of your dreams today.

We were challenged with having very little space between the fridge and counter for plywood. WE didn't want to paint it and it would have been too time consuming to cut perfectly to create a face to meet up above the counter and against the hunk o'appliance. We came up with the clever idea of using white magnetic roll used for vehicle advertising.

Out with the old, in with the new! StarMark Cabinetry's Rustic Hickory cabinets with Toffee Stain, large cove molding with a dentil molding detail, Natural Granite Tan Brown countertops, and state of the art stainless steel appliances combine to create personality and functionality in every space of this rustic kitchen design. Let our accredited designers help you get started on the kitchen of your dreams today.

Out with the old, in with the new! StarMark Cabinetry's Rustic Hickory cabinets with Toffee Stain, large cove molding with a dentil molding detail, Natural Granite Tan Brown countertops, and state of the art stainless steel appliances combine to create personality and functionality in every space of this rustic kitchen design. Let our accredited designers help you get started on the kitchen of your dreams today.

Out with the old, in with the new! StarMark Cabinetry's Rustic Hickory cabinets with Toffee Stain, large cove molding with a dentil molding detail, Natural Granite Tan Brown countertops, and state of the art stainless steel appliances combine to create personality and functionality in every space of this rustic kitchen design. Let our accredited designers help you get started on the kitchen of your dreams today.

Out with the old, in with the new! StarMark Cabinetry's Rustic Hickory cabinets with Toffee Stain, large cove molding with a dentil molding detail, Natural Granite Tan Brown countertops, and state of the art stainless steel appliances combine to create personality and functionality in every space of this rustic kitchen design. Let our accredited designers help you get started on the kitchen of your dreams today.

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/