Eggplants thrive in terra-cotta pots. Photo by Steve Masley.
Photo of a traditional landscaping in San Francisco.

Enclosed kitchen - small traditional galley porcelain tile enclosed kitchen idea in Portland with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

Custom Home Built for Real Life Our clients came to us with a clear vision: a home that could adapt to their lifestyle and growing family. They needed a home built with intention, designed with the future in mind, and built around the routines they loved and the people they loved more. Open-Concept Living With Hosting in Mind Our clients hosted often and lived actively, so the main level had to be flexible for all of life’s moments. The goal was a space that felt grand without losing its warmth. Cooking together as a family mattered to our clients – the Wolf range, farmhouse sink, integrated appliances, and large island gave them a kitchen that flowed effortlessly while looking beautiful. This space also served as the bridge between other parts of the main level so that they would stay in view of the next. This created the perfect environment for gathering where everyone had their own spot without ever feeling apart from the whole group. For the living room, our clients wanted space that felt open without losing its warmth. Soaring ceilings created that sense of scale, while warm tones and materials, like the wood coffered ceiling and fireplace wall, kept it grounded. That same warmth carried outside, where an outdoor lounge with a fireplace and dining area made sure guests felt welcomed the moment they stepped out. A Backyard Built for Real Rest Every corner of the backyard was designed with one goal: to be the ultimate outdoor retreat. The elevated, white-brick-framed pool and integrated spa hot tub gave them a place to truly exhale. As the sun set, the fire pit lounge next to the pool became the hangout spot when they hosted their youth groups and family gatherings. Room to Grow With kids in the house, “custom” had to also mean flexible. Our clients had 2 young sons and needed their rooms to grow with them through the years. The two bedrooms and a full bath sat beside a loft that served as both their hangout-and-homework spot. The guest suite sat on the same level where a four-poster bed, floor-to-ceiling wood-look tile, and a frameless glass shower welcomed their guests from day one. A Retreat That’s Actually Theirs Between hosting and raising kids, this couple needed a suite that felt like a true escape. The wood-planked tray ceiling and French doors grounded the room in warmth the moment you walked in, while the ensuite bathroom carried a spa-like feeling with a freestanding soaking tub, custom double vanity, and a glass-enclosed shower. This Is What Approachable Luxury Looks Like The approachable luxury experience meant starting with conversations about how they wanted their space to live with them – how they hosted, how their kids played, how they wanted to feel walking through their own front door, and how we took their goals and experience and used it as the foundation of every decision that was made from start to finish. We wanted our clients to feel taken care of through the process and, most importantly, feel heard.

Lowell Custom Homes, Lake Geneva, WI., Scott Lowell, Lowell Management Services, Inc., Home Architecture, Traditional. This American icon is rooted in the 1600’s and continually adapts to lifestyle trends. Using classic Colonial or Tudor architecture as inspiration, these homes present a formal façade to the public while integrating comfortable living areas behind the scenes. Style Features • Steep roof pitches allowing for volume ceilings and loft areas • Combination brick, stucco and siding exteriors • Symmetrical or Asymmetrical exteriors with covered entry Style Attraction • A balance of formal public spaces with relaxed private areas • Gentle application of historically accurate details • Floor plans that are adaptable for modern lifestyles

photos by Pedro Marti The owner’s of this apartment had been living in this large working artist’s loft in Tribeca since the 70’s when they occupied the vacated space that had previously been a factory warehouse. Since then the space had been adapted for the husband and wife, both artists, to house their studios as well as living quarters for their growing family. The private areas were previously separated from the studio with a series of custom partition walls. Now that their children had grown and left home they were interested in making some changes. The major change was to take over spaces that were the children’s bedrooms and incorporate them in a new larger open living/kitchen space. The previously enclosed kitchen was enlarged creating a long eat-in counter at the now opened wall that had divided off the living room. The kitchen cabinetry capitalizes on the full height of the space with extra storage at the tops for seldom used items. The overall industrial feel of the loft emphasized by the exposed electrical and plumbing that run below the concrete ceilings was supplemented by a grid of new ceiling fans and industrial spotlights. Antique bubble glass, vintage refrigerator hinges and latches were chosen to accent simple shaker panels on the new kitchen cabinetry, including on the integrated appliances. A unique red industrial wheel faucet was selected to go with the integral black granite farm sink. The white subway tile that pre-existed in the kitchen was continued throughout the enlarged area, previously terminating 5 feet off the ground, it was expanded in a contrasting herringbone pattern to the full 12 foot height of the ceilings. This same tile motif was also used within the updated bathroom on top of a concrete-like porcelain floor tile. The bathroom also features a large white porcelain laundry sink with industrial fittings and a vintage stainless steel medicine display cabinet. Similar vintage stainless steel cabinets are also used in the studio spaces for storage. And finally black iron plumbing pipe and fittings were used in the newly outfitted closets to create hanging storage and shelving to complement the overall industrial feel. Pedro Marti

The exterior rear deck has a comfortable seating area complete with a fire pit. The hot tub is located off to the right. Trex deck was used on the deck, and a privacy wall is set to the far right. http://www.kipnisarch.com Kipnis Architecture + Planning

Endless Movement presents a vertical column of intertwined red human forms compressed between two tall white structures. The rigid white sides create a narrow channel, framing the figures as they twist, climb, and fold into one another. Individual bodies are visible, yet they merge into a continuous flow, forming a single upward motion. The vivid red color contrasts sharply with the calm, architectural white surfaces, emphasizing the energy and tension within the confined space. The figures appear caught in an ongoing cycle—struggling, rising, and transforming—without a clear beginning or end. This vertical movement suggests persistence and the constant effort of human existence. Despite limitation and pressure from the surrounding structure, the bodies continue to shift and ascend. The sculpture reflects the idea that life is a continuous process of movement, adaptation, and endurance, where individual actions blend into an unending collective rhythm. Bronze, Steel 75 cm x 25 cm x 10 cm

Transforming this small bathroom into a wheelchair accessible retreat was no easy task. Incorporating unattractive grab bars and making them look seamless was the goal. A floating vanity / countertop allows for roll up accessibility and the live edge of the granite countertops make if feel luxurious. Double sinks for his and hers sides plus medicine cabinet storage helped for this minimal feel of neutrals and breathability. The barn door opens for wheelchair movement but can be closed for the perfect amount of privacy.

Donna Dotan Photography Inc.
Inspiration for a large contemporary built-in desk light wood floor study room remodel in New York with brown walls

This house west of Boston was originally designed in 1958 by the great New England modernist, Henry Hoover. He built his own modern home in Lincoln in 1937, the year before the German émigré Walter Gropius built his own world famous house only a few miles away. By the time this 1958 house was built, Hoover had matured as an architect; sensitively adapting the house to the land and incorporating the clients wish to recreate the indoor-outdoor vibe of their previous home in Hawaii. The house is beautifully nestled into its site. The slope of the roof perfectly matches the natural slope of the land. The levels of the house delicately step down the hill avoiding the granite ledge below. The entry stairs also follow the natural grade to an entry hall that is on a mid level between the upper main public rooms and bedrooms below. The living spaces feature a south- facing shed roof that brings the sun deep in to the home. Collaborating closely with the homeowner and general contractor, we freshened up the house by adding radiant heat under the new purple/green natural cleft slate floor. The original interior and exterior Douglas fir walls were stripped and refinished. Photo by: Nat Rea Photography

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zelmar-Kitchen-Designs-More/136528272620

The dining room pairs traditional furnishings with classic wall wainscoting, reinforcing the home’s Craftsman character while maintaining flexibility in how the space can be used. Rather than built-ins, freestanding furniture allows the room to adapt easily to changing needs and occasions. Views into the kitchen and a peek-through connection to the stair create visual continuity and a sense of connection across the main level. + Architecture: H2D Architecture + Design + Interior Design: H2D Architecture + Design www.h2darchitects.com + Builder: Crescent Builds + Photography: Rafael Soldi Photography

This open concept kitchen/living room utilizes a mixture of elements to create a bright and neutral space. The combination of matte tile, wood grains, shiny stainless steel, and original brick create a classic look that can continuously adapt over time.

This open concept kitchen/living room utilizes a mixture of elements to create a bright and neutral space. The combination of matte tile, wood grains, shiny stainless steel, and original brick create a classic look that can continuously adapt over time.

Custom under-sink cabinet + built-in dishwasher integrated structure, continuous countertop for easy food prep and cleaning worktop. Matching complete wall cabinet storage above, coordinated track ceiling lighting, sliding glass rear door connects outdoor yard, adapting Guam tropical residential ventilation & access habits.

apartment kitchen
Enclosed kitchen - mid-sized contemporary galley marble floor and white floor enclosed kitchen idea in New York with a drop-in sink, glass-front cabinets, gray cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

“An ideal client inspired this project, fostering a relationship built on mutual respect and teamwork. The Schlagenbusch family’s desire for closeness led to an extension of their 30-year-old home. This created a new residence within the existing structure, allowing the parents to enjoy panoramic views and continue growing with their family.”

This open concept kitchen/living room utilizes a mixture of elements to create a bright and neutral space. The combination of matte tile, wood grains, shiny stainless steel, and original brick create a classic look that can continuously adapt over time.

“An ideal client inspired this project, fostering a relationship built on mutual respect and teamwork. The Schlagenbusch family’s desire for closeness led to an extension of their 30-year-old home. This created a new residence within the existing structure, allowing the parents to enjoy panoramic views and continue growing with their family.”