Inspiration for a 1960s backyard gravel patio remodel in San Diego with a fire pit and no cover

Inspired by the surrounding landscape, the Craftsman/Prairie style is one of the few truly American architectural styles. It was developed around the turn of the century by a group of Midwestern architects and continues to be among the most comfortable of all American-designed architecture more than a century later, one of the main reasons it continues to attract architects and homeowners today. Oxbridge builds on that solid reputation, drawing from Craftsman/Prairie and classic Farmhouse styles. Its handsome Shingle-clad exterior includes interesting pitched rooflines, alternating rows of cedar shake siding, stone accents in the foundation and chimney and distinctive decorative brackets. Repeating triple windows add interest to the exterior while keeping interior spaces open and bright. Inside, the floor plan is equally impressive. Columns on the porch and a custom entry door with sidelights and decorative glass leads into a spacious 2,900-square-foot main floor, including a 19 by 24-foot living room with a period-inspired built-ins and a natural fireplace. While inspired by the past, the home lives for the present, with open rooms and plenty of storage throughout. Also included is a 27-foot-wide family-style kitchen with a large island and eat-in dining and a nearby dining room with a beadboard ceiling that leads out onto a relaxing 240-square-foot screen porch that takes full advantage of the nearby outdoors and a private 16 by 20-foot master suite with a sloped ceiling and relaxing personal sitting area. The first floor also includes a large walk-in closet, a home management area and pantry to help you stay organized and a first-floor laundry area. Upstairs, another 1,500 square feet awaits, with a built-ins and a window seat at the top of the stairs that nod to the home’s historic inspiration. Opt for three family bedrooms or use one of the three as a yoga room; the upper level also includes attic access, which offers another 500 square feet, perfect for crafts or a playroom. More space awaits in the lower level, where another 1,500 square feet (and an additional 1,000) include a recreation/family room with nine-foot ceilings, a wine cellar and home office. Photographer: Jeff Garland

Construction photo
Mid-sized craftsman gray two-story mixed siding gable roof idea in Chicago

Inspiration for a large coastal medium tone wood floor family room remodel in Seattle with white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Staging: Jaqueline with Tweaked Style Photography: Tony Diaz General Contracting: Big Brothers Development
Inspiration for a mid-sized 1950s l-shaped kitchen pantry remodel in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, green backsplash, paneled appliances, no island and white countertops

Inspiration for a large rustic medium tone wood floor great room remodel in Minneapolis

Family room - mid-sized transitional open concept dark wood floor and brown floor family room idea in Portland with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a media wall

The Kiguchi family moved into their Austin, Texas home in 1994. Built in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood development, they happily raised their family here but longed for something more contemporary. Once they became empty nesters, they decided it was time for a major remodel. After spending many years visiting Austin AIA Home Tours that highlight contemporary residential architecture, they had a lot of ideas and in 2013 were ready to interview architects and get their renovation underway. The project turned into a major remodel due to an unstable foundation. Architects Ben Arbib and Ed Hughey, of Arbib Hughey Design were hired to solve the structural issue and look for inspiration in the bones of the house, which sat on top of a hillside and was surrounded by great views. Unfortunately, with the old floor plan, the beautiful views were hidden by small windows that were poorly placed. In order to bring more natural light into the house the window sizes and configurations had to be addressed, all while keeping in mind the homeowners desire for a modern look and feel. To achieve a more contemporary and sophisticated front of house, a new entry was designed that included removing a two-story bay window and porch. The entrance of the home also became more integrated with the landscape creating a template for new foliage to be planted. Older exterior materials were updated to incorporate a more muted palette of colors with a metal roof, dark grey siding in the back and white stucco in the front. Deep eaves were added over many of the new large windows for clean lines and sun protection. “Inside it was about opening up the floor plan, expanding the views throughout the house, and updating the material palette to get a modern look that was also warm and inviting,” said Ben from Arbib Hughey Design. “Prior to the remodel, the house had the typical separation of rooms. We removed the walls between them and changed all of the windows to Milgard Thermally Improved Aluminum to connect the inside with the outside. No matter where you are you get nice views and natural light.” The architects wanted to create some drama, which they accomplished with the window placement and opening up the interior floor plan to an open concept approach. Cabinetry was used to help delineate intimate spaces. To add warmth to an all-white living room, white-washed oak wood floors were installed and pine planks were used around the fireplace. The large windows served as artwork bringing the color of nature into the space. An octagon shaped, elevated dining room, (named “the turret”), had a big impact on the design of the house. They architects rounded the corners and added larger window openings overlooking a new sunken garden. The great room was also softened by rounding out the corners and that circular theme continued throughout the house, being picked up in skylight wells and kitchen cabinetry. A staircase leading to a catwalk was added and the result was a two-story window wall that flooded the home with natural light. When asked why Milgard® Thermally Improved Aluminum windows were selected, the architectural team listed many reasons: 1) Aesthetics: “We liked the slim profiles and narrow sightlines. The window frames never get in the way of the view and that was important to us. They also have a very contemporary look that went well with our design.” 2) Options: “We liked that we could get large sliding doors that matched the windows, giving us a very cohesive look and feel throughout the project.” 3) Cost Effective: “Milgard windows are affordable. You get a good product at a good price.” 4) Custom Sizes: “Milgard windows are customizable, which allowed us to get the right window for each location.” Ready to take on your own traditional to modern home remodeling project? Arbib Hughey Design advises, “Work with a good architect. That means picking a team that is creative, communicative, listens well and is responsive. We think it’s important for an architect to listen to their clients and give them something they want, not something the architect thinks they should have. At the same time you want an architect who is willing and able to think outside the box and offer up design options that you may not have considered. Design is about a lot of back and forth, trying out ideas, getting feedback and trying again.” The home was completely transformed into a unique, contemporary house perfectly integrated with its site. Internally the home has a natural flow for the occupants and externally it is integrated with the surroundings taking advantage of great natural light. As a side note, it was highly praised as part of the Austin AIA homes tour.

Open floor plan great room opens to outdoor patio dining and bar area. Builder – GEF Development, Interiors - Ownby Design, Photographer – Thompson Photographic.

Bathroom - traditional bathroom idea in Portland

Paint by Sherwin Williams Body Color - City Loft - SW 7631 Trim Color - Custom Color - SW 8975/3535 Master Suite & Guest Bath - Site White - SW 7070 Girls' Rooms & Bath - White Beet - SW 6287 Exposed Beams & Banister Stain - Banister Beige - SW 3128-B Flooring & Tile by Macadam Floor & Design Hardwood by Kentwood Floors Hardwood Product Originals Series - Plateau in Brushed Hard Maple Windows by Milgard Windows & Doors Window Product Style Line® Series Window Supplier Troyco - Window & Door Window Treatments by Budget Blinds Lighting by Destination Lighting Fixtures by Crystorama Lighting Interior Design by Tiffany Home Design Custom Cabinetry & Storage by Northwood Cabinets Customized & Built by Cascade West Development Photography by ExposioHDR Portland Original Plans by Alan Mascord Design Associates

Windsor Products Used: Pinnacle clad windows and sliding patio doors. www.windsorwindows.com With Windsor’s manufacturing plant located in the same metropolitan area as Ironwood Homes, it was convenient for the builders to tour the plant to learn about us and our manufacturing process. Bill Knapp, co-founder of Ironwood Homes stated. “This firsthand experience confirmed our decision and made us certain that we are using a great product in our homes." Builder: Ironwood Homes, Urbandale, IA, www.ironwoodiowa.com Architect: Plum Building Systems, LLC, West Des Moines, IA Distributor: Gilcrest Jewett Lumber Company, Waukee, IA, www.gilcrestjewett.com Windsor Products Used: Pinnacle clad windows and sliding patio doors, www.windsorwindows.com Home Builders Association of Iowa – HomeShowExpo Website: www.dmhomeshow.com

Exterior view of the Master Suite, Patio and Pool. Builder – GEF Development, Interiors - Ownby Design, Photographer – Thompson Photographic, Sculpture - Guy Dill.

The 2nd floor master continues the blue and white aestheric with a shiplap ceiling and wallpaper by local artist Audery Sterk.
Beach style bedroom photo in Boston

Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard concrete patio kitchen remodel in San Diego with a gazebo

Inspiration for a contemporary light wood floor and beige floor kitchen/dining room combo remodel in New York with white walls

Location photography Copyright © 2014 Brett Beyer Photography
Elegant home design photo in Boston

Marengo Morton Architects, Inc. in La Jolla, CA, specializes in Coastal Development Permits, Master Planning, Multi-Family, Residential, Commercial, Restaurant, Hospitality, Development, Code Violations, Forensics and Construction Management.

Louie Heredia
Elegant patio photo in Los Angeles