Photo: A Darling Felicity Photography © 2015 Houzz
Large farmhouse master carpeted bedroom photo in Seattle with white walls

Jessica Cain © 2019 Houzz
Inspiration for a large coastal gender-neutral dark wood floor kids' room remodel in Kansas City with white walls

Photo: Marni Epstein-Mervis ©2018 Houzz
Example of a 1960s white one-story house exterior design in Los Angeles

Photo: Kristin Laing © 2018 Houzz
Inspiration for an eclectic dark wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Austin with white walls

Photography: Rustic White
Inspiration for a large contemporary open concept light wood floor living room remodel in Atlanta with white walls, no fireplace and a tv stand

The existing buffet cabinet at left is graced with a new Oregon black walnut slab. At right, a cantilevered portion of the new stainless steel countertop provides a workplace spot--for a helper or for reading a cookbook.

The three-level Mediterranean revival home started as a 1930s summer cottage that expanded downward and upward over time. We used a clean, crisp white wall plaster with bronze hardware throughout the interiors to give the house continuity. A neutral color palette and minimalist furnishings create a sense of calm restraint. Subtle and nuanced textures and variations in tints add visual interest. The stair risers from the living room to the primary suite are hand-painted terra cotta tile in gray and off-white. We used the same tile resource in the kitchen for the island's toe kick.

360-Vip Photography - Dean Riedel Schrader & Co - Remodeler
Eclectic family room photo in Minneapolis with blue walls

In the corner of this pastel nursery, we used my client’s existing glider and side table and added in some fun artwork pieces and a velvety soft throw blanket. The room has such beautiful natural lighting, so we opted for these lace detailed curtains (she plans on training the baby to sleep with light in the room). Design by Little Crown Interiors, Photo by Full Spectrum Photography.

Photo: Faith Towers © 2018 Houzz
Kitchen - eclectic medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen idea in Providence with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets and wood countertops

Photo: Heather Banks © 2015 Houzz
Trendy patio photo in Austin

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

Lovely artwork above fireplace is certainly the focal point of this family/great room. Comfortable, slightly rustic, light, chic' and slightly industrial Photo Credits go to David Papazian Photography

Photo: Nanette Wong © 2014 Houzz
Transitional dining room photo in San Francisco

Photo: Jalapeno Photography © 2015 Houzz
Example of an eclectic dining room design in DC Metro

Photo: Rachel Loewen © 2019 Houzz
Example of a transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom design in Chicago with black walls

Photo: Jessica Cain © 2017 Houzz
Large trendy medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom photo in Kansas City with white walls

Photo: Faith Towers Media © 2015 Houzz
Example of a beach style home design design in Boston

Photo: A Darling Felicity Photography © 2015 Houzz
Example of a mid-sized southwest enclosed medium tone wood floor living room design in Seattle with white walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace and a wall-mounted tv