Sausalito, CA / photo: Jay Graham Constructed by 'All Decked Out' Marin County, CA. 384299
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard metal railing and privacy balcony remodel in San Francisco with no cover

This propery is situated on the south side of Centre Island at the edge of an oak and ash woodlands. orignally, it was three properties having one house and various out buildings. topographically, it more or less continually sloped to the water. Our task was to creat a series of terraces that were to house various functions such as the main house and forecourt, cottage, boat house and utility barns. The immediate landscape around the main house was largely masonry terraces and flower gardens. The outer landscape was comprised of heavily planted trails and intimate open spaces for the client to preamble through. As the site was largely an oak and ash woods infested with Norway maple and japanese honey suckle we essentially started with tall trees and open ground. Our planting intent was to introduce a variety of understory tree and a heavy shrub and herbaceous layer with an emphisis on planting native material. As a result the feel of the property is one of graciousness with a challenge to explore.

Stainless steel appliances in basement wet bar. Subway tile backsplash. Large floor tiles. Stone countertops. Photography by Spacecrafting.
Large elegant u-shaped seated home bar photo in Minneapolis with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, beige backsplash and subway tile backsplash

Study room - contemporary built-in desk medium tone wood floor study room idea in New York

Situated in Kenwood, Maryland just outside of Washington, D.C., this whole-house renovation reinterprets a 1950s split-level into a rustic French country house. Published 3 times, The French country house plans for this renovation inform and guide the remodel. Short double-hung existing windows of various sizes on a 1950s brick front wall (see below) were replaced by straightforward openings along the front facade. By replacing them with a series of similar openings, the end result is a principled, simple elegance inspired by French country style homes. The rustic application of field stone arches and rough stucco are both inviting and enchanting, echoing French country interior design. Elements of French country home decor complement the home. The traditional French country home design has been widely published, including features in Renovation Style and Maryland Life magazines, among others. One singular continuous walkway runs the entire length of the main front under each of the French doors, and a courtyard created by stucco walls and stone piers create an inner sanctum in the front yard. In the back of the property, added French gates lead to a newly constructed pavilion.

Ryann Ford
Country two-story mixed siding exterior home idea in Austin

The Mazama house is located in the Methow Valley of Washington State, a secluded mountain valley on the eastern edge of the North Cascades, about 200 miles northeast of Seattle. The house has been carefully placed in a copse of trees at the easterly end of a large meadow. Two major building volumes indicate the house organization. A grounded 2-story bedroom wing anchors a raised living pavilion that is lifted off the ground by a series of exposed steel columns. Seen from the access road, the large meadow in front of the house continues right under the main living space, making the living pavilion into a kind of bridge structure spanning over the meadow grass, with the house touching the ground lightly on six steel columns. The raised floor level provides enhanced views as well as keeping the main living level well above the 3-4 feet of winter snow accumulation that is typical for the upper Methow Valley. To further emphasize the idea of lightness, the exposed wood structure of the living pavilion roof changes pitch along its length, so the roof warps upward at each end. The interior exposed wood beams appear like an unfolding fan as the roof pitch changes. The main interior bearing columns are steel with a tapered “V”-shape, recalling the lightness of a dancer. The house reflects the continuing FINNE investigation into the idea of crafted modernism, with cast bronze inserts at the front door, variegated laser-cut steel railing panels, a curvilinear cast-glass kitchen counter, waterjet-cut aluminum light fixtures, and many custom furniture pieces. The house interior has been designed to be completely integral with the exterior. The living pavilion contains more than twelve pieces of custom furniture and lighting, creating a totality of the designed environment that recalls the idea of Gesamtkunstverk, as seen in the work of Josef Hoffman and the Viennese Secessionist movement in the early 20th century. The house has been designed from the start as a sustainable structure, with 40% higher insulation values than required by code, radiant concrete slab heating, efficient natural ventilation, large amounts of natural lighting, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and locally sourced materials. Windows have high-performance LowE insulated glazing and are equipped with concealed shades. A radiant hydronic heat system with exposed concrete floors allows lower operating temperatures and higher occupant comfort levels. The concrete slabs conserve heat and provide great warmth and comfort for the feet. Deep roof overhangs, built-in shades and high operating clerestory windows are used to reduce heat gain in summer months. During the winter, the lower sun angle is able to penetrate into living spaces and passively warm the exposed concrete floor. Low VOC paints and stains have been used throughout the house. The high level of craft evident in the house reflects another key principle of sustainable design: build it well and make it last for many years! Photo by Benjamin Benschneider

Kathryn J. LeMaster, Rett Peek
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional master blue tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile bathroom remodel in Little Rock with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, blue walls, an undermount sink and quartzite countertops

Inspiration for a contemporary blue tile and white tile blue floor freestanding bathtub remodel in Salt Lake City with white walls and a hinged shower door

Example of a classic u-shaped enclosed kitchen design in Philadelphia with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash and no island

Rob Karosis
Example of a classic doorless shower design in New York

In this bathroom, the client wanted the contrast of the white subway tile and the black hexagon tile. We tiled up the walls and ceiling to create a wet room feeling.

Tom Holdsworth Photography Our clients wanted to create a room that would bring them closer to the outdoors; a room filled with natural lighting; and a venue to spotlight a modern fireplace. Early in the design process, our clients wanted to replace their existing, outdated, and rundown screen porch, but instead decided to build an all-season sun room. The space was intended as a quiet place to read, relax, and enjoy the view. The sunroom addition extends from the existing house and is nestled into its heavily wooded surroundings. The roof of the new structure reaches toward the sky, enabling additional light and views. The floor-to-ceiling magnum double-hung windows with transoms, occupy the rear and side-walls. The original brick, on the fourth wall remains exposed; and provides a perfect complement to the French doors that open to the dining room and create an optimum configuration for cross-ventilation. To continue the design philosophy for this addition place seamlessly merged natural finishes from the interior to the exterior. The Brazilian black slate, on the sunroom floor, extends to the outdoor terrace; and the stained tongue and groove, installed on the ceiling, continues through to the exterior soffit. The room's main attraction is the suspended metal fireplace; an authentic wood-burning heat source. Its shape is a modern orb with a commanding presence. Positioned at the center of the room, toward the rear, the orb adds to the majestic interior-exterior experience. This is the client's third project with place architecture: design. Each endeavor has been a wonderful collaboration to successfully bring this 1960s ranch-house into twenty-first century living.

Custom granite seat walls and firepit with Pennsylvania bluestone cap. Random pattern square cut PA bluestone patio surface. Red Laceleaf Japanese Maple enframes the view. Alan & Linda Detrick Photography

Joshua Lawrence
Doorless shower - mid-sized contemporary 3/4 cement tile floor and gray floor doorless shower idea in Vancouver with gray cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, a vessel sink, quartzite countertops, white countertops and flat-panel cabinets

Photo by Valerie Wilcox
Inspiration for a transitional master gray tile, white tile and marble tile marble floor freestanding bathtub remodel in Toronto with flat-panel cabinets and white cabinets

COLE VALLEY BATHROOM photo: Michele Lee Willson
Inspiration for a contemporary blue tile blue floor corner shower remodel in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white walls, an integrated sink and white countertops

I custom designed this vanity out of zinc and wood. I wanted it to be space saving and float off of the floor. The tub and shower area are combined to create a wet room. the overhead rain shower and wall mounted fixtures provide a spa-like experience. Photo: Seth Caplan

Photo Credit: Mark Ehlen
Example of a mid-sized classic built-in desk dark wood floor home office design in Minneapolis with gray walls and no fireplace