The thickness of the sapele wood kitchen countertop is expressed at the stone island counter. The existing ceilings were removed and replaced with exposed steel I-beam crossties and new cathedral ceilings, with the steel beams placed sideways to provide a cavity at the top and bottom for continuous linear light strips shining up and down. The full height windows go all the way to floor to take full advantage of the view angle down the hill. Photo by Lisa Shires.

The Curbly #remodel added a #countertop above the washer and dryer for a place to fold #laundry.
Small transitional single-wall ceramic tile laundry room photo in Other with white cabinets, white walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops

The Devonshire Series direct vent gas fireplace delivers a clean-face design featuring one of the tallest viewing areas for a true masonry-built look. Combined with top tier features, such as heat-radiating ceramic glass, a realistic log set, heavy-duty cast iron grate, and a variety of options, the Devonshire Series will create a warm and inviting home. EXCLUSIVE FEATURES Available in 36” and 42” models Conveniently located gas controls for easy installation and operation Energy saving electronic controls with seamless battery backup provide continued operation in the event of a power outage Clean-face design allows more flexibility for a custom look Tall opening provides an exceptional view of the flame Multi-level burner produces tall, dancing flames with beautiful ember bed Smooth-faced design features ceramic glass for optimum heat transfer Ceramic poured fiber log set with heavy duty cast-iron grate Dual blowers for increased comfort High definition refractory panels available in multiple styles and colors Includes full-featured remote control (variable flame control and IPI/CPI) Limited Lifetime Warranty This fireplace meets all 2015 ANSI barrier requirements.

This spectacular home theater features a 149" Stewart FilmScreen UltraMatte 130 Microperf fixed screen. Three rows of deluxe leather seating is by Cinematech. The lighting is particularly cool: 13 wash downlights, fiber optic ceiling lights with dimming, Soffit RGB LED lighting with dimming, step LEDs with dimming, and Column LEDs with dimming, operated through the Control4 Lighting Control system. JBL speakers provide surround sound as well as front speakers but the acoustic panels keep most of the equipment out of sight. Greg Premru Photography

Madrona Passive House, a new Seattle home designed by SHED Architecture & Design and built by Hammer & Hand, combines contemporary design with high performance building to create an environmentally responsive and resource-efficient house. The home’s airtight, super-insulated building envelope and passive design minimize energy consumption while providing superior thermal comfort to occupants. A heat recovery ventilator supplies constant fresh air to the home’s interior while recovering 90% of thermal energy from exhaust air for reuse inside. A rooftop solar photovoltaic array will provide enough energy to offset most, perhaps all, of the home’s energy consumption on a net annual basis. To manage stormwater the project employs permeable pavers for site hardscape and two cisterns to capture and control rainwater from the home’s roof and the green roof on the garage. By investing in sustainable site development strategies, efficient building systems and an advanced envelope, the project aims to respect the home’s environmentally critical site and achieve one of the world’s most demanding building energy standards: Passive House. Photos by Mark Woods Photography.

Built on a strong foundation of continuous fireplace innovation, the Valor Linear Series welcomes the first of its kind--a wide-format fireplace that integrates linear design with impressive radiant heat technology. Featuring leading edge, contemporary design, this series provides efficient comfort, advanced controllability, distinct quality and superior heating performance, even when the power goes out. Blending clean, functional design and installation versatility, each Valor linear model fits seamlessly into contemporary room settings with ease. Engineered to enhance flame depth and width without sacrificing efficiency, the specialized Valor burner projects radiant warmth – where you want it, when you want it. Soothing, relaxed flames illuminate the natural fire elements while creating a casual and comfortable atmosphere. A selection of complimentary surrounds extends the linear composition, or simplify with the 1” trim kit option for a seamless transition when finishing to any wall surface. Highly efficient and reliable home heaters, the Linear Series combines renowned Valor function with true contemporary form. Photo by Valor.

The Envy™ Direct-Vent Fireplace is sure to provide the perfect foundation for custom tailoring to your taste and home's décor. Both looks offer an expansive ceramic-glass opening and patent-pending FullFlame™ dual burner technology for exceptional glow and flame appearance. With a wide array of optional accessories to personalize to your taste, the Envy provides endless possibilities for making your living area warm and inviting. Aesthetics Smooth-faced design features ceramic glass for optimum heat transfer. Available in Traditional (with log set) and Contemporary (with glass media) configurations. Exclusive Full Flame™ burner technology independently optimizes fuel mixture to generate superior glow and flame. Standard fireplace lighting illuminates interior with 6 distinct settings. Realistic Hi-Definition logs molded from actual firewood to deliver the look of natural fire. Massive viewing area combined with a ceramic glass enclosure panel provide an exceptional view of the fire. Contemporary units feature glossy black porcelain interior to amplify the look of the flame. Barrier integrates seamlessly with surrounding trim and provides an unobstructed view of the fire while providing an additional level of safety. Comfort Exclusive Full Flame™ burner technology combines a highly efficient combustion system with a greater range of control to optimize heat output. Full Flame™ multi stage burner and full function remote provide a total of 12 distinct flame settings. Hi performance modulating blower with noise canceling ducting for quietly delivering heat to the living space. Intermittent pilot ignition includes battery backup to provide continued operation in the event of a power outage. Full function control features standing pilot mode for improved performance in extreme climates. Ease of Operation Full featured modulating remote controls all fireplace functions as well as a smart thermostat mode for optimum comfort and efficiency. Gas controls are conveniently located to the side of the fireplace opening for easy installation and operation Design Versatility Available in Traditional (with log set) and Contemporary (with glass media) configurations. Traditional Realistic Hi-Definition logs molded from actual firewood to deliver the look of natural fire. Choice of two realistic ceramic brick fireplace liners for the true look of masonry craftsmanship to complete the traditional look. Optional andirons and free-standing fire screens allow for further customization. Contemporary Dual burner technology for the ultimate flame control. Smooth porcelain interior liners complete the contemporary look while showcasing and reflecting the tall dramatic flame. Choice of five glass media colors to suit your taste and complement any home decor. Optional facades to further customize to taste. This fireplace meets all 2015 ANSI barrier requirements.

Our clients purchased this 1950 ranch style cottage knowing it needed to be updated. They fell in love with the location, being within walking distance to White Rock Lake. They wanted to redesign the layout of the house to improve the flow and function of the spaces while maintaining a cozy feel. They wanted to explore the idea of opening up the kitchen and possibly even relocating it. A laundry room and mudroom space needed to be added to that space, as well. Both bathrooms needed a complete update and they wanted to enlarge the master bath if possible, to have a double vanity and more efficient storage. With two small boys and one on the way, they ideally wanted to add a 3rd bedroom to the house within the existing footprint but were open to possibly designing an addition, if that wasn’t possible. In the end, we gave them everything they wanted, without having to put an addition on to the home. They absolutely love the openness of their new kitchen and living spaces and we even added a small bar! They have their much-needed laundry room and mudroom off the back patio, so their “drop zone” is out of the way. We were able to add storage and double vanity to the master bathroom by enclosing what used to be a coat closet near the entryway and using that sq. ft. in the bathroom. The functionality of this house has completely changed and has definitely changed the lives of our clients for the better!

Madrona Passive House, a new Seattle home designed by SHED Architecture & Design and built by Hammer & Hand, combines contemporary design with high performance building to create an environmentally responsive and resource-efficient house. The home’s airtight, super-insulated building envelope and passive design minimize energy consumption while providing superior thermal comfort to occupants. A heat recovery ventilator supplies constant fresh air to the home’s interior while recovering 90% of thermal energy from exhaust air for reuse inside. A rooftop solar photovoltaic array will provide enough energy to offset most, perhaps all, of the home’s energy consumption on a net annual basis. To manage stormwater the project employs permeable pavers for site hardscape and two cisterns to capture and control rainwater from the home’s roof and the green roof on the garage. By investing in sustainable site development strategies, efficient building systems and an advanced envelope, the project aims to respect the home’s environmentally critical site and achieve one of the world’s most demanding building energy standards: Passive House. Photos by Mark Woods Photography.

this dog wash is a great place to clean up your pets and give them the spa treatment they deserve. There is even an area to relax for your pet under the counter in the padded cabinet.

Audrey Hall
Example of a trendy bathroom design in Other

jeremy bittermann
Contemporary exterior home idea in Portland

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

Richard Mandelkorn A newly connected hallway leading to the master suite had the added benefit of a new laundry closet squeezed in; the original home had a cramped closet in the kitchen downstairs. The space was made efficient with a countertop for folding, a hanging drying rack and cabinet for storage. All is concealed by a traditional barn door, and lit by a new expansive window opposite.

What our clients needed: • Create a garden folly that doubles as a well-built shed for crafts and storage. • Size the structure large enough for comfortable storage without dominating the garden. • Discreetly locate the shed in the far corner of the rear yard while maintaining existing trees. • Ensure that the structure is protected from the weather and carefully detailed to deter access of wildlife and rodents. FUNCTION • Construct the shed slab close to grade to permit easy access for bicycle storage, while building shed walls above grade to ensure against termites and dryrot. • Install a French door and operable casement windows to admit plenty of daylight and provide views to the garden. • Include rugged built-in work bench, shelves, bike racks and tool storage for a rustic well-organized and efficient space. • Incorporate GFIC electrical service for safe access to power at this distant corner of the yard. • Position energy-efficient interior lighting to ensure space can be used year-round. • Switch control of exterior light from house and from shed for ease of command. AESTHETICS • Design and detail the shed to coordinate with the Arts and Crafts style house. • Include an arbor for future flowering vines, further softening the shed’s garden presence. • Simple and rustic interior surfaces ensure that the space is easy to clean. • Create an aged and softly weathered appearance, and protect the exterior siding by finishing the cedar with a custom-colored semi-transparent stain. INNOVATIVE MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION • Factory-built components were pre-assembled to allow for a speedy assembly and for a shorter on-site construction schedule. • Each component was easily transported through the yard without disturbing garden features. • Decorative exterior trim frames the door and windows, while a simpler trim is used inside the unadorned shed. OBSTACLE OVERCOME • The structure is located in the corner of the yard to avoid disturbance of a curly willow tree. • The low-profile structure is positioned close to property lines while staying beneath the allowable daylight plane for structures. • To comply with daylight plane close to fence, the roof form combines hip and gable forms, with door located at gable end. • The height of the modest interior is maximized, without exceeding the allowable building height. CRAFTSMANSHIP • The concrete slab was precisely formed and finished for ease of shed assembly before the factory-built components were delivered to site. • Precision planning meant the pre-framed door fit exactly between raised concrete curb.

A young, successful bachelor with a refined sense of style calls upon Cantoni’s Bonnie Sly to cultivate a smart, eclectic mix in his first townhome. Photo by Amy Bartlam.

Example of a trendy l-shaped concrete floor and gray floor eat-in kitchen design in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Bathroom - mediterranean bathroom idea in San Francisco

Jim Schmid
Large elegant gender-neutral playroom photo in Charlotte