For this Marvin Infinity window installation in Chatham, NJ, we replaced the home's existing cracked and drafty wood windows. The new tough fiberglass frame resists cracking and swelling much more effectively than wood, making it last much longer and perform much better.

design christina loucks photo heidi geldhauser
Example of a mid-century modern bedroom design in New York

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

Clopay Canyon Ridge Collection Ultra-Grain Series insulated faux wood carriage house style garage door, Design 13 with SQ24 windows. Front facing, attached two-car garage. Looks like stained wood, but is steel and composite construction. Won't rot warp, or crack.

David Burroughs Photography
Example of a beach style medium tone wood floor mudroom design in Baltimore

Kitchen - contemporary kitchen idea in San Francisco

Living room - mid-sized farmhouse formal light wood floor and beige floor living room idea in New York with white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Jack Michaud Photography
Greenhouse - contemporary detached greenhouse idea in Portland Maine

Living room library - rustic open concept dark wood floor living room library idea in Jackson with a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace and no tv

All photos by Linda Oyama Bryan. Home restoration by Von Dreele-Freerksen Construction
Mid-sized arts and crafts backyard stone patio kitchen photo in Chicago with a pergola

Foyer - country medium tone wood floor foyer idea in Los Angeles with white walls and a black front door

Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal galley medium tone wood floor kitchen remodel in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, concrete countertops and no island

The front areas of this landscape were transformed from a tired, water thirsty lawn into a contemporary setting with dramatic concrete pavers leading to the home's entrance with FX Luminaire low voltage pathway lighting. New driveway constructed with large concrete slabs and small black pebbles set in resin. Plants for sun and part shade complete this project. The back areas of this transformation are in a separate project: Modern Water-Side Landscape Remodel. Photos: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Ground and polished concrete floor
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern l-shaped concrete floor and gray floor open concept kitchen remodel in Portland with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, gray countertops and solid surface countertops

A welcoming entrance leads you into this wine country home. With plants native to a mediterranean climate lining the walkway as you make your way to the rustic wood door. We lightened up the entire house from the outside in, bringing it from shades of dark brown to lighter beiges and clean whites.

Inspiration for a transitional landscaping in Boston.

This well used but dreary bathroom was ready for an update but this time, materials were selected that not only looked great but would stand the test of time. The large steam shower (6x6') was like a dark cave with one glass door allowing light. To create a brighter shower space and the feel of an even larger shower, the wall was removed and full glass panels now allowed full sunlight streaming into the shower which avoids the growth of mold and mildew in this newly brighter space which also expands the bathroom by showing all the spaces. Originally the dark shower was permeated with cracks in the marble marble material and bench seat so mold and mildew had a home. The designer specified Porcelain slabs for a carefree un-penetrable material that had fewer grouted seams and added luxury to the new bath. Although Quartz is a hard material and fine to use in a shower, it is not suggested for steam showers because there is some porosity. A free standing bench was fabricated from quartz which works well. A new free standing, hydrotherapy tub was installed allowing more free space around the tub area and instilling luxury with the use of beautiful marble for the walls and flooring. A lovely crystal chandelier emphasizes the height of the room and the lovely tall window.. Two smaller vanities were replaced by a larger U shaped vanity allotting two corner lazy susan cabinets for storing larger items. The center cabinet was used to store 3 laundry bins that roll out, one for towels and one for his and one for her delicates. Normally this space would be a makeup dressing table but since we were able to design a large one in her closet, she felt laundry bins were more needed in this bathroom. Instead of constructing a closet in the bathroom, the designer suggested an elegant glass front French Armoire to not encumber the space with a wall for the closet.The new bathroom is stunning and stops the heart on entering with all the luxurious amenities.

Photography: Nathan Schroder
Example of a tuscan formal and enclosed dark wood floor living room design in Dallas with beige walls, a standard fireplace and no tv

Casey Fry
Example of a country open concept concrete floor living room design in Austin with white walls