Design ideas for a large contemporary drought-tolerant and full sun front yard gravel landscaping in San Diego.

Example of a trendy white tile alcove bathtub design in New York with a console sink, flat-panel cabinets and gray cabinets

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Whit Preston
Example of a trendy l-shaped light wood floor open concept kitchen design in Austin with blue backsplash, an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, soapstone countertops, matchstick tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Inspiration for a mediterranean dining room remodel in San Francisco

Wall Control wall-mounted pegboard is great for hobby and craft supplies storage and organization, like this wonderful pegboard craft and sewing station. Quickly and easily get your crafting or sewing supplies organized with a chic and trendy Wall Control Pegboard Organizer. Thanks for the great customer pegboard image Andrea! #WallControl #Pegboard #Crafting #Sewing #CraftOrganizer #PegboardOrganizer #WallOrganizer

Photo: Lucy Call © 2013 Houzz Design: Imbue Design and Sausage Space
Open concept kitchen - modern open concept kitchen idea in Salt Lake City with white cabinets, flat-panel cabinets and paneled appliances

Travis Baker, Twist Tours
Inspiration for a modern master white tile and subway tile gray floor double shower remodel in Austin with shaker cabinets, black cabinets, white walls, a drop-in sink, a hinged shower door and white countertops

The light filled laundry room is punctuated with black and gold accents, a playful floor tile pattern and a large dog shower. The U-shaped laundry room features plenty of counter space for folding clothes and ample cabinet storage. A mesh front drying cabinet is the perfect spot to hang clothes to dry out of sight. The "drop zone" outside of the laundry room features a countertop beside the garage door for leaving car keys and purses. Under the countertop, the client requested an open space to fit a large dog kennel to keep it tucked away out of the walking area. The room's color scheme was pulled from the fun floor tile and works beautifully with the nearby kitchen and pantry.

Large elegant backyard concrete paver patio photo in Louisville with a roof extension

Location: Denver, CO, USA THE CHALLENGE: Transform an outdated, uninspired condo into a unique, forward thinking home, while dealing with a limited capacity to remodel due to the buildings’ high-rise architectural restrictions. THE SOLUTION: Warm wood clad walls were added throughout the home, creating architectural interest, as well as a sense of unity. Soft, textured furnishing was selected to elevate the home’s sophistication, while attention to layout and detail ensures its functionality. Dado Interior Design DAVID LAUER PHOTOGRAPHY

Designed by Terri Sears Photography by Steven Long
Kitchen - large craftsman l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen idea in Nashville with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, matchstick tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and multicolored countertops

Dramatic bathroom with separate bathing room with a standalone tub and dual vanity features smart home automation to enhance the ambiance. In-ceiling speakers broadcast the music of your choice using a whole-home audio solution, powered by Control4. The recessed smart lighting lighting and accent lights are designed to create the perfect personalized ambiance, whether relaxing after a hard day or getting energized for a night out. Other automation options may include ambient heating in the floor and placing a TV behind the mirror. Everything can be controlled from virtually anywhere using your Control4 app with a smart phone or tablet device.

Inspiration for a mediterranean patio remodel in Miami with a pergola

Halkin Mason Photography
Living room - coastal open concept medium tone wood floor living room idea in New York with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Mark Woods
Inspiration for a large contemporary master blue tile and glass tile porcelain tile and gray floor double shower remodel in San Francisco with blue walls and a niche

Inspiration for a transitional white tile pebble tile floor and black floor freestanding bathtub remodel in San Diego with gray walls, an undermount sink, black countertops and a niche

Hunter Douglas
Living room - large contemporary formal and open concept dark wood floor living room idea in Cleveland with beige walls, no fireplace and no tv

Dino Tonn Photography
Front door - contemporary front door idea in Phoenix with a glass front door