As you step into this beautiful home, be welcomed by attractive, yet functional tile floors, tray ceilings, and plenty of natural light. Wood floors add sophistication to the formal dining room. The great room features a lovely brick surround fireplace. Enjoy the spacious island kitchen with impeccable cabinetry, stainless steel, granite counters, a walk-in pantry, a butler’s pantry with wine storage, and an oversized breakfast room. Details continue into the private master retreat with tray ceilings, and lots of natural light. The spa-like master bathroom is complete with double vanities, an oversized walk-in shower, and a large walk-in closet. Enjoy two more spacious bedrooms with convenient full bath access. This amazing home has boasts an ideal location and is just minutes away from Lake Conroe, the Woodlands Mall, shopping, and dining. Please call us at 281-362-2551 or 832-771-7400 to schedule a showing.

Summer has a way of inspiring fresh starts. Whether you're relocating, looking for your first home, or searching for a neighborhood that better fits your lifestyle, July is an excellent time to explore the growing opportunities available in East Austin. With its vibrant culture, expanding amenities, and convenient access to some of the city's most popular destinations, East Austin continues to attract homebuyers looking for more than just a place to live—they're looking for a place to belong. At Arden Springdale, homeowners can enjoy thoughtfully designed residences in a community that embraces modern living while remaining connected to the character that makes East Austin unique.

Incredibly spacious Kitchen/Living room with adjoining breakfast nook & separate utility room. The Kitchen features updated, stainless steel appliances, custom tile backsplash, granite counters, an island with breakfast bar, and pendant lighting. The Living room includes a wood-burning fireplace with stone surround, vaulted ceiling, sunroom access, and laminate hardwood floors that continue into the Master bedroom.

This roomy balcony includes a kitchen ideal for any cook in the family, a dining area to enjoy all meals of the day and lots of seating to grant them comfort while enjoying the view of the lake. The space lets them enjoy the outdoors without having to deal with pesky mosquitoes. The manual wall screens were used for easy in and out of access while the motorized wall screens were used to close off the rest of the space for continual relaxation no matter the weather. Photography: Jim Kruger

This custom-build banquette was created onsite by our team to lower production costs. With the direction of J Peterson Design, no detail was left unattended. The shaker panels are just the right height so that the continuous baseboard doesn't interfere with the design. Integrated outlets for easy electronic charging and under-seating access panel to ensure local code-compliance. This banquette is not only functional but it's our favorite banquette done thus far because it was done correctly from the start. Did I mention the seating height is ideal?

Here’s a polished paragraph for you: We took what was once a poorly finished flipper’s space and transformed it into a properly built, functional laundry room and bathroom designed with this growing family in mind. With a newborn on the way, every detail mattered — from creating an open, accessible layout for effortless laundry, to building a comfortable, safe area to bathe the baby. Thoughtful design, quality craftsmanship, and smart planning came together to deliver a space that not only works beautifully today, but will make life easier for this family as they continue to grow.

Here’s a polished paragraph for you: We took what was once a poorly finished flipper’s space and transformed it into a properly built, functional laundry room and bathroom designed with this growing family in mind. With a newborn on the way, every detail mattered — from creating an open, accessible layout for effortless laundry, to building a comfortable, safe area to bathe the baby. Thoughtful design, quality craftsmanship, and smart planning came together to deliver a space that not only works beautifully today, but will make life easier for this family as they continue to grow.

A ground up design and build of a modern seven bedroom primary residence incorporating sustainable design principles built for an international family of four. The concept revolved around the need for environmental sustainability while having plentiful communal spaces to create ease for a vibrant family and their guests. Equally important was that the private spaces functioned as a retreat. Natural light creates shifting patterns on the opposing wall of the glass paned hallway leading from the main house past the guest bedrooms and to the master suite. Subtle color palette and interior design use contrasting tactile elements to create an environment of luxury and accessibility. The views of the pool and garden through the large and continuous windows enable an ever-present connection to nature.

The cooking area centers on a custom wood range hood that adds warmth and craftsmanship to the kitchen design. White shaker cabinetry frames the space while a Calacatta-style quartz backsplash runs continuously from the countertop to the hood, creating a clean and durable surface. A brass pot filler provides convenient access for cooking and complements the gold cabinet hardware throughout the kitchen. The induction range and wide drawer storage below deliver modern performance while keeping the layout organized and efficient.

Beyond the grand stone veneer entrance, a breezeway opens to a stunning outdoor living space with views of Sarasota bay. Over 1,000 square feet of flagstone decking lays right up to the edge of the rock waterfall pool, the stonework continues around to an outdoor shower made with three large boulders and massive stone steps to a secret tropical pathway behind the pool grotto. From here you can climb the grotto rocks and jump into the swimming pool, or meander on to the tiki hut. Once in the pool, the swim up ledge in the grotto can be accessed from the pool’s sun shelf and is large enough to stand in. If the walk-through grotto doesn’t make this one of the best lagoons in Florida, there is a fire pit peninsula between the lounge chairs on the sun shelf and the in-pool seating cove next to the oversize spa to maximize the space. Photo: Geza Darrah

Many families ponder the idea of adding extra living space for a few years before they are actually ready to remodel. Then, all-of-the sudden, something will happen that makes them realize that they can’t wait any longer. In the case of this remodeling story, it was the snowstorm of 2016 that spurred the homeowners into action. As the family was stuck in the house with nowhere to go, they longed for more space. The parents longed for a getaway spot for themselves that could also double as a hangout area for the kids and their friends. As they considered their options, there was one clear choice…to renovate the detached garage. The detached garage previously functioned as a workshop and storage room and offered plenty of square footage to create a family room, kitchenette, and full bath. It’s location right beside the outdoor kitchen made it an ideal spot for entertaining and provided an easily accessible bathroom during the summertime. Even the canine family members get to enjoy it as they have their own personal entrance, through a bathroom doggie door. Our design team listened carefully to our client’s wishes to create a space that had a modern rustic feel and found selections that fit their aesthetic perfectly. To set the tone, Blackstone Oak luxury vinyl plank flooring was installed throughout. The kitchenette area features Maple Shaker style cabinets in a pecan shell stain, Uba Tuba granite countertops, and an eye-catching amber glass and antique bronze pulley sconce. Rather than use just an ordinary door for the bathroom entry, a gorgeous Knotty Alder barn door creates a stunning focal point of the room. The fantastic selections continue in the full bath. A reclaimed wood double vanity with a gray washed pine finish anchors the room. White, semi-recessed sinks with chrome faucets add some contemporary accents, while the glass and oil-rubbed bronze mini pendant lights are a balance between both rustic and modern. The design called for taking the shower tile to the ceiling and it really paid off. A sliced pebble tile floor in the shower is curbed with Uba Tuba granite, creating a clean line and another accent detail. The new multi-functional space looks like a natural extension of their home, with its matching exterior lights, new windows, doors, and sliders. And with winter approaching and snow on the way, this family is ready to hunker down and ride out the storm in comfort and warmth. When summer arrives, they have a designated bathroom for outdoor entertaining and a wonderful area for guests to hang out. It was a pleasure to create this beautiful remodel for our clients and we hope that they continue to enjoy it for many years to come.

Inspiration for a large contemporary master gray tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile freestanding bathtub remodel in Seattle with shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink and quartz countertops

This roomy balcony includes a kitchen ideal for any cook in the family, a dining area to enjoy all meals of the day and lots of seating to grant them comfort while enjoying the view of the lake. The space lets them enjoy the outdoors without having to deal with pesky mosquitoes. The manual wall screens were used for easy in and out of access while the motorized wall screens were used to close off the rest of the space for continual relaxation no matter the weather. Photography: Jim Kruger

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Whon Photography
Large urban underground carpeted staircase photo in Indianapolis with gray walls and no fireplace

VPC’s featured Custom Home Project of the Month for March is the spectacular Mountain Modern Lodge. With six bedrooms, six full baths, and two half baths, this custom built 11,200 square foot timber frame residence exemplifies breathtaking mountain luxury. The home borrows inspiration from its surroundings with smooth, thoughtful exteriors that harmonize with nature and create the ultimate getaway. A deck constructed with Brazilian hardwood runs the entire length of the house. Other exterior design elements include both copper and Douglas Fir beams, stone, standing seam metal roofing, and custom wire hand railing. Upon entry, visitors are introduced to an impressively sized great room ornamented with tall, shiplap ceilings and a patina copper cantilever fireplace. The open floor plan includes Kolbe windows that welcome the sweeping vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The great room also includes access to the vast kitchen and dining area that features cabinets adorned with valances as well as double-swinging pantry doors. The kitchen countertops exhibit beautifully crafted granite with double waterfall edges and continuous grains. VPC’s Modern Mountain Lodge is the very essence of sophistication and relaxation. Each step of this contemporary design was created in collaboration with the homeowners. VPC Builders could not be more pleased with the results of this custom-built residence.

Architect: Michelle Penn, AIA This barn home is modeled after an existing Nebraska barn in Lancaster County. Heating is by passive solar design, supplemented by a geothermal radiant floor system. Cooling will rely on a whole house fan and a passive air flow system. The passive system is created with the cupola, windows, transoms and passive venting for cooling, rather than a forced air system. Here you can see the underside of the gambrel roof and the stairs & ladder leading up to the cupola. The stair railing was created using goat fencing. Photo Credits: Jackson Studios

Viewed within the kitchen, the custom walnut desk creates a dedicated workspace without interrupting the cabinetry or circulation. A concealed pencil drawer keeps everyday supplies organized, while floating shelves provide accessible storage and display. The marble-look porcelain slab backsplash continues through the adjacent cooking area, visually connecting the workspace to the white kitchen cabinetry.

This roomy balcony includes a kitchen ideal for any cook in the family, a dining area to enjoy all meals of the day and lots of seating to grant them comfort while enjoying the view of the lake. The space lets them enjoy the outdoors without having to deal with pesky mosquitoes. The manual wall screens were used for easy in and out of access while the motorized wall screens were used to close off the rest of the space for continual relaxation no matter the weather. Photography: Jim Kruger