Wes Council
Home design - rustic home design idea in Raleigh

Wes Council
Mountain style home design photo in Raleigh

Wes Council
Inspiration for a rustic home design remodel in Raleigh

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless galley medium tone wood floor dedicated laundry room remodel in Oklahoma City with a drop-in sink, raised-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, granite countertops and beige walls

Large elegant dark wood floor front door photo in Oklahoma City with beige walls and a dark wood front door

This powder room is a step above the rest! Just look at that beautiful, delicate glass chandelier!
Large transitional 3/4 marble floor and gray floor powder room photo in Portland with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, a pedestal sink, marble countertops and multicolored countertops

The cube crystal chandelier from Visual Comfort provides overhead lighting in the room. A Baker silk sofa sits in front of windows adorned with tone-on-tone paisley silk draperies, hung on a lucite JF rod with cut-lead crystal finials. A lucite-and-glasstop cocktail table from EJ Victor is adorned by simple orchids. Councill Craftsmen commodes flank the white marble fireplace, custom-carved from a single block of marble, and Thomas Pheasant's constellation mirror found a home over the mantle. Lovely Councill club chairs with COM fabric provide additional seating. A white marble table with gold, elegantly curved legs provide a place for family picture and a velvet pumpkin belying the season. A custom, hand-made silk rug from Stark completes the room. Designed by Melodie Durham of Durham Designs & Consulting, LLC. Photo by Livengood Photographs [www.livengoodphotographs.com/design].

Photo Credits: Shannon Sorensen, SMS Marketing and Sales, Council Bluffs, IA
Example of a mid-sized arts and crafts l-shaped porcelain tile kitchen design in Omaha with medium tone wood cabinets, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

LEED Certification Level: Platinum. Builder: R & S Engineering & Construction. The Cavanaugh Residence is a contemporary split level with a split personality. Totally designed from the ground up to minimize impact and maximize energy and water efficiency, its beautiful facade belies its hard-working, high-producing systems, earning it a LEED Platinum score of 116.5, and a HERS rating of minus 22. The 2774 square foot home produces over 100 per cent of its power with a 10.8 kw pv system, and captures 100 per cent of its freshwater needs from the curved metal roofs through an engineered collection and purification system, stored in an integrated concrete cistern. Constructed of locally made SIP panels on an infill waterfront lot, the home is oriented to maximize the production of the pv panels. Six inch SIP panels work together with a highly reflective, highly emmisive cool standing seam roof, icynene insulation in ceiling and floors, and carefully placed high efficiency windows and doors to create a tightly sealed environment. The 17-seer Trane heat pump variable speed compressors and TAM 7 air handlers, along with a whole house dehumidifier and fresh air intake provide a comfortable, clean indoor environment while using little energy. In the shoulder seasons, natural ventilation cools the home with fresh breezes drawn from lower windows in each room flowing through the curved ceilings to clerestory windows at the top of the house. Natural daylighting, with windows placed in corners and high clerestories, bounce the abundant natural light so that the owners use the interior LED lighting primarily at night. Windows were sited to frame views of the neighboring park and water, and capture the light, but represent a very low percentage of glazing to wall to conserve energy. Primarily native, xeriscaped turfless landscaping sips reclaimed water from its drip and bubbler irrigiation system, and requires little trimming or chemicals. Established trees, protected during construction, shade the home, FSC certified decks, and yard, providing a cool place to enjoy the outdoors at any time of the day, even in Florida's summer heat. Rainwater is diverted from the bay through the engineered collection and filtration system to an integrated concrete cistern hidden beneath the decks. Abundant Florida rainwater supplies 100 per cent of the home's needs, including drinking, bathing, and cleaning. Naturally soft, the highly filtered and UV purified water requires no chemical treatment or water softener. Coupled with minimal hardscape and permeable drive and walkways, almost all ground water remains on the lot, and out of storm sewers and bay runoffs. Designed as a forever home for this active retired couple, an open floor plan provides diagonal interior views along with great circulation space. Wide hallways and doors, curbless showers, an elevator, and extra blocking in the walls for grab rails insures the couple of being able to use their home even if physical disabilities arise. The home's footprint is minimized by building over the conditioned crawlspace and over-sized garage, and the finished floor height, at least two feet above flood code requirements, significantly reduces insurance costs while maximizing storage space for camping and water sports equipment. Materials, fixtures and appliances were carefully selected for energy and water efficiency, local production where possible, recycled content/recyclability, durability, and cost-effectiveness. The owners were very involved in vetting and materials selections, and assisted in just-in-time purchasing to minimize waste. Scrap materials were sorted daily for re-use elsewhere in the project (blocking, concrete forms, drywall scraps as acoustical insulation in interior walls, etc.), resulting in a tiny waste pile at the end of a dumpster-free project. Concrete waste was hauled to a local recycler to become road base, and extra useable materials were returned to the vendor or donated to Habitat Restore. Cost-effective choices, and careful planning, saved significant dollars in construction cost as well as landfill space. One of the biggest challenges was finding qualified subcontractors who would work within the guidelines. With the help of our LEED consultant and meetings and explanations, most subcontractors not only bought into the ideas readily, but offered up new ideas. Highly skilled and professional, the team of subs, LEED consultant, and contractor proved that LEED construction is excellent construction. The team, the owners, and I also found that LEED construction makes great economic sense. Most materials (other than increased insulation and photovoltaic panels) cost no more, and sometimes less, than those employed in construction of a lesser standard. The owners have been living in the home for a year now, and are thrilled with the results. No power bill. No water bill. Extremely low insurance bill. Minimal ground maintenance. No fabric softener. Reduced use of soap, detergents, and shampoos and cleaning supplies. Less time cleaning with spot-free rainwater. Careful planning and materials selection brought the project in under budget, and the home operates at an extremely low cost, both to the homeowners, and the environment. Who wouldn't be thrilled?

Thomas Grady Photography
Example of a huge trendy walk-out carpeted and beige floor basement design in Omaha with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace

Howell Pathways Natural looking path treated with Klingstone Paths patented material to make a hard, permeable, durable surface that is Green Building Council certified.

Mid-sized transitional formal dark wood floor and brown floor living room photo in Orange County with beige walls, a wall-mounted tv and no fireplace

City Scope

This spacious walk-in shower features stunning marble tiles, stainless steel plumbing fixtures, and a hinged glass door.
Example of a small transitional kids' gray tile marble floor and gray floor alcove bathtub design in Portland with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, an integrated sink and marble countertops

A Moroccan rug along with a streamlined arching floor lamp and graphic art help anchor the living area as a distinct space. Photo by Manuel Rodriguez

Photo from Bright Bold and Beautiful
Inspiration for a timeless living room remodel in San Francisco

This bright and airy gourmet kitchen has a spacious built-in pantry with lots of storage space for dry goods.
Open concept kitchen - huge transitional l-shaped light wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen idea in Portland with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Showing our booth arrangement at the American Crafts Council Show in San Francisco, 2015
Playroom - large craftsman gender-neutral playroom idea in Denver

Thomas Grady Photography
Huge trendy walk-out ceramic tile and brown floor basement photo in Omaha with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace