Search results for "Creating engaging" in Home Design Ideas

Set on 88th Street in Manhattan's Upper East Side, this four-bedroom residence was created by merging two separate condominium units into a single, cohesive luxury home. The result is a sprawling, artful space defined by confidence, color, and a deeply personal design vocabulary.
The project represents a full-service interior design engagement: spatial planning, material selection, furniture sourcing, artwork curation, and complete project coordination. Nearly every element was specified and placed by Mazen Designs, with furnishings sourced largely through Roche Bobois.
The home unfolds from a striking cross-shaped hallway anchored by a custom T-shaped rug that guides movement through the space. To one side, the primary bedroom suite. To the other, a flexible home office that doubles as a guest suite, and a tranquil secondary bedroom. Straight ahead, a streamlined kitchen opens to a formal dining area and beyond that, a dedicated media and Mah Jong room designed for relaxed gathering.
The palette balances jewel tones with crisp whites and greys. Bold in intention but disciplined in execution. A Maya Romanoff wall covering and curated artwork complete the layering of texture, light, and silhouette throughout. The clients arrived hesitant toward color. Through open dialogue and a shared trust in design as storytelling, they left with a home that reflects genuine courage and clarity.
Photography by Vincent Dale of Vincent Dale Designs.

This Project Includes a large Waterfall, 100' of Stream, 3 Bridges, over 1000' of stone walls, a 500,000 gallon pond, an amphitheater, a peninsula, a beach, a boat launch ramp, boulders throughout the entire pond, large trees, a boat dock, stone stairs, multiple terraces out of decomposed granite, and a large parking area.
The Waterfall, which is the start of this large waterfeature, acts as the Cornerstone for this Project. A number of the boulders are up to 8 feet across! About 1200 gallons a minute (72,000gph) flows over this waterfall. The waterfeature moves 2000 gallons a minute (120,000gph) when everything is flowing!
The waterfall drops about 17' in total and the stream drops about 3' for a total of 20' of elevation change. There are koi, goldfish, and shubunkins in the pond!
The pond is used for vineyard irrigation as well as aesthetics.
This Photo by Dronesey https://www.facebook.com/Dronesey/?fref=ts

The owners of this charming in town home engaged Christine Krause Design Studio to solve the issue of a steep grade off of the back of their home that was the only access to the back yard and existing vegetable garden. The clients also wished to add additional outdoor living space for entertaining friends and family as well as enjoying summer evenings outdoors. The clients were keen to have a clean, symmetrical feel to the new space.
The construction included softening the grade, building a native stone retaining wall, adding a gentle sloping side area for access, and functional yet aesthetic steps that lead you out into the lawn and gardens. The material for the new steps is reclaimed granite. We constructed a lower level, curved retaining seat wall with a built in “table.”
The client is an avid gardener and has lovely, well-tended gardens. The client and I worked together to create a planting palette that reflected the existing textures and colors of the existing plant material.
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Surrounded by trees to the north and old farm buildings, the Agnew Farmhouse naturally took shape to capture the expansive southern views of the prairie on which it resides. Inspired from the rural venacular of the property, the home was designed for an engaged couple looking to spend their days on the family farm. Built next to the original house on the property, a story of past, present, and future continues to be written. The south facing porch is shaded by the upper level and offers easy access from yard to the heart of the home. North Dakota offers challenging weather, so naturally a south-west facing garage to melt the snow from the driveway is often required. This also allowed for the the garage to be hidden from sight as you approach the home from the NE. Respecting its surroundings, the home emphasizes modern design and simple farmer logic to create a home for the couple to begin their marriage and grow old together. Cheers to what was, what is, and what's to come...
Tim Anderson

Sunday July 19, 3:00 to 4:30pm | Falls Village
Pittman Residence by Designed by A.E. Bye, Dialogue led by Kimberly Mercurio of Kimberly Mercurio Landscape Architecture
Designed by twentieth-century landscape architect A.E. Bye, the Pittman Residence in Falls Village, Connecticut features an artistic landscape design both inspired by and accentuating the area’s natural ecological character. Embodying the architect’s own creative aesthetic, the property incorporates various undulating landforms that draw on the presence of natural shadows to create a memorable landscape that lingers in the minds of visitors long after they bid the property ado. This season, join landscape architect and scholar Kimberly Mercurio as she leads an engaging dialogue on the design history of the Pittman Residence and the significance of Bye’s play on shadows in landscape architecture. With her immense knowledge of A.E. Bye’s work, having recently completed the A.E. Bye/Landscape Architecture Archives Research Fellowship at Penn State University and received a grant from Dumbarton Oaks to further study and document his achievements, Mercurio’s presentation promises to be both educational and inspiring. Photo courtesy Kimberly Mercurio

The AB design team blended the modern rear addition with the traditional, existing structure at the street front of the home. The client’s desire for an indoor/outdoor dining room led to the home’s signature feature of operable, floor-to-ceiling bi-folding glass doors that, when open, create an open-air atmosphere while allowing for common areas to engage with exterior spaces.

The designer was engaged by a client to create a ranch that would be used for hosting corporate retreats and private or small group instruction. The scope of work included a stable, a covered round ring, a tractor/equipment barn, a caretakers house, hay barn, main private residence, open arena with viewing, a small round open arena with viewing, multiple horse shelters, paddocks, accessory structures, and pavilions.
A Grand ARDA for Outdoor Living Design goes to
Mountainworks
Designers: Travis Mileti, Marie Mileti, Valerie Chastain, and Nick Mileti
From: Cashiers, North Carolina

Sponsored
Delaware, OH
Buckeye Basements, Inc.
Central Ohio's Basement Finishing ExpertsBest Of Houzz '13-'21

Malibu Glass Box House by Klopf Architecture
Following the devastating Woolsey Fire of 2018, the site in Malibu offered a unique opportunity to rebuild not just a home, but a new architectural composition that highlighted the property’s potential while navigating strict fire-rebuild codes in the area. Designed by Klopf Architecture, this project embraced a set of limitations and translated them into an architectural asset.
The city’s fire-rebuild process required the new structure to remain close to the original footprint, size and bulk, a constraint that ultimately clarified the architectural direction. Perched near the front of a long, narrow lot, the new home frames and overlooks a private, park-like rear expanse, an uncommon luxury especially in this part of Malibu .
Without a fixed program, the design process allowed for a different kind of creative focus allowing Klopf Architecture the opportunity to explore how a modernist home could best respond to this site. The team approached the project not with a list of requirements, but with a question: How might a modernist live here? What spatial qualities would inspire calm, connection, and a sense of wonder in this setting? The process became less about problem-solving and more about architectural storytelling—letting the site, the light, and the principles of modern design guide the form and flow of the home.
The response emerged in the form of a glass-box pavilion, an open, Mid-Century Modern inspired living, dining, and kitchen space that floats at the edge of the property’s natural descent. Connected to the more enclosed, private areas of the home by a glass-walled hallway, the living pavilion becomes a distinct centerpiece of the design. It opens on all four sides to the landscape with decks and patios on the flanks, an internal garden and water feature to the north, and a dramatic unguarded view of the expansive backyard and ocean horizon to the south.
Because of the mandated footprint, careful planning was required to ensure every space could still engage with light, landscape, or both. Strategic voids in the form of atriums and courtyards allow daylight to filter deep into the home’s core, while offering moments of surprise and retreat. These design gestures allow natural light to filter deep into the interior, creating a sense of brightness and openness throughout the day. At the same time, they expand the perceptual boundaries between inside and out, making the home feel more expansive while anchoring its connection to the surrounding landscape.
The siting of the house is what gives it its unique character. Rather than receding into the backyard like the neighboring homes, the house holds a slight prominence. From the central living pavilion, stepping down into the landscape feels more like entering a secluded park where a separate existing accessory structure, trail, and recreational areas await. The home’s modest street presence gives way to this unfolding drama of space, view, and nature.
Fire-resilient materials and assemblies are integrated seamlessly throughout including triple-pane glazing, under-slab and roof insulation, and locally sourced fire-rated cladding ensure the house not only meets Calfornia’s rigorous wildland-urban interface (WUI) standards, but feels effortlessly aligned with them. While technical decisions like fire-hardening and mechanical systems presented some construction challenges, particularly around the cantilevered glass box, the team found a functional compromise that preserved the integrity of the design.
Inside, a restrained palette and exposed post and beam design celebrate the ethos of mid-century modernism. A central circulation spine extends from the entry to the rear glass wall, offering a continuous visual link from street to ocean. Spaces such as the library and office, though more intimate in scale, are never cut off from nature as each opens to its own unique courtyard or garden view.
Though born out of a strict regulatory framework and developed without a specific client, the rebuild design unfolded with remarkable clarity. Grounded in site logic, refined by limitations and an emphasis on timeless spatial relationships – light, proportion, and a strong connection to nature, the resulting design feels both effortless and uplifting. The home lives lightly on the land, opens generously to its surroundings, and strikes a careful balance between privacy, openness, and calm. For Klopf Architecture, it stands as a compelling case study in how site, code, and circumstantial constraints can inspire enduring, modernist architecture. With years of experience reimagining mid-century modern design for how people live today, the firm took the project’s limitations as an opportunity. The result is a home shaped by open, flowing spaces, strong indoor-outdoor connections, and a calm, clear sense of structure. It’s a good reminder that even with strict constraints, there’s still room for architecture to breathe—and for modernism to keep moving forward.
Klopf Architecture project team: Geoff Campen, John Klopf, AIA, and Sherry Tan
Structural Engineer: ZFA
Contractor: Maison D’Artiste
Photography: ©2025 Mariko Reed
Year Completed: 2023

This contemporary California kitchen combines elements of modern farmhouse modern Spanish which creates a warm and inviting feel throughout the space. A tasteful combination of white and black are balanced with warmer wood and brass tones, engaging just the right amount of glam. The striking white marble, hand painted back splash, and warm natural wood ceiling beams add a touch of organic luxury. The custom cabinet hutch is modern and elegant with its black doors, wood interior, and brass mesh door panels.

A covered porch addition creates a peaceful and harmonious outdoor living area. The artisan-crafted timberwork frames the views overlooking the pool terrace and lawn. It engages the interior spaces by bringing the beauty of the outdoors in. I was the project architect for this addition while working at Kenneth Lynch & Associates.
Photo credit: Brad Dassler-Bethel

For this Chelsea loft, we sought to engage the space's clean, spare lines with several pieces of custom furniture. Materials were selected for their sustainability, durability, and beauty. A steel and rift oak sideboard complements a 14-foot dining table and bench crafted from whole planks of white oak. Steel and rift oak also create a series of custom storage units in the home office.
Design Team: Scott Specht, Louise Harpman, Amy Lopez-Cepero
Fabricators: Sandkamp Woodworks, Furniture Company, Tom Hand

We created a space for family and a place for my client to engage in instant peace whenever the client is home from a demanding career.
Inspiration for a coastal dining room remodel in Other
Inspiration for a coastal dining room remodel in Other

Malibu Glass Box House by Klopf Architecture
Following the devastating Woolsey Fire of 2018, the site in Malibu offered a unique opportunity to rebuild not just a home, but a new architectural composition that highlighted the property’s potential while navigating strict fire-rebuild codes in the area. Designed by Klopf Architecture, this project embraced a set of limitations and translated them into an architectural asset.
The city’s fire-rebuild process required the new structure to remain close to the original footprint, size and bulk, a constraint that ultimately clarified the architectural direction. Perched near the front of a long, narrow lot, the new home frames and overlooks a private, park-like rear expanse, an uncommon luxury especially in this part of Malibu .
Without a fixed program, the design process allowed for a different kind of creative focus allowing Klopf Architecture the opportunity to explore how a modernist home could best respond to this site. The team approached the project not with a list of requirements, but with a question: How might a modernist live here? What spatial qualities would inspire calm, connection, and a sense of wonder in this setting? The process became less about problem-solving and more about architectural storytelling—letting the site, the light, and the principles of modern design guide the form and flow of the home.
The response emerged in the form of a glass-box pavilion, an open, Mid-Century Modern inspired living, dining, and kitchen space that floats at the edge of the property’s natural descent. Connected to the more enclosed, private areas of the home by a glass-walled hallway, the living pavilion becomes a distinct centerpiece of the design. It opens on all four sides to the landscape with decks and patios on the flanks, an internal garden and water feature to the north, and a dramatic unguarded view of the expansive backyard and ocean horizon to the south.
Because of the mandated footprint, careful planning was required to ensure every space could still engage with light, landscape, or both. Strategic voids in the form of atriums and courtyards allow daylight to filter deep into the home’s core, while offering moments of surprise and retreat. These design gestures allow natural light to filter deep into the interior, creating a sense of brightness and openness throughout the day. At the same time, they expand the perceptual boundaries between inside and out, making the home feel more expansive while anchoring its connection to the surrounding landscape.
The siting of the house is what gives it its unique character. Rather than receding into the backyard like the neighboring homes, the house holds a slight prominence. From the central living pavilion, stepping down into the landscape feels more like entering a secluded park where a separate existing accessory structure, trail, and recreational areas await. The home’s modest street presence gives way to this unfolding drama of space, view, and nature.
Fire-resilient materials and assemblies are integrated seamlessly throughout including triple-pane glazing, under-slab and roof insulation, and locally sourced fire-rated cladding ensure the house not only meets Calfornia’s rigorous wildland-urban interface (WUI) standards, but feels effortlessly aligned with them. While technical decisions like fire-hardening and mechanical systems presented some construction challenges, particularly around the cantilevered glass box, the team found a functional compromise that preserved the integrity of the design.
Inside, a restrained palette and exposed post and beam design celebrate the ethos of mid-century modernism. A central circulation spine extends from the entry to the rear glass wall, offering a continuous visual link from street to ocean. Spaces such as the library and office, though more intimate in scale, are never cut off from nature as each opens to its own unique courtyard or garden view.
Though born out of a strict regulatory framework and developed without a specific client, the rebuild design unfolded with remarkable clarity. Grounded in site logic, refined by limitations and an emphasis on timeless spatial relationships – light, proportion, and a strong connection to nature, the resulting design feels both effortless and uplifting. The home lives lightly on the land, opens generously to its surroundings, and strikes a careful balance between privacy, openness, and calm. For Klopf Architecture, it stands as a compelling case study in how site, code, and circumstantial constraints can inspire enduring, modernist architecture. With years of experience reimagining mid-century modern design for how people live today, the firm took the project’s limitations as an opportunity. The result is a home shaped by open, flowing spaces, strong indoor-outdoor connections, and a calm, clear sense of structure. It’s a good reminder that even with strict constraints, there’s still room for architecture to breathe—and for modernism to keep moving forward.
Klopf Architecture project team: Geoff Campen, John Klopf, AIA, and Sherry Tan
Structural Engineer: ZFA
Contractor: Maison D’Artiste
Photography: ©2025 Mariko Reed
Year Completed: 2023

Sponsored
Delaware, OH
Buckeye Basements, Inc.
Central Ohio's Basement Finishing ExpertsBest Of Houzz '13-'21

The Home
The Branson’s covered porch, with its sturdy tapered columns, decorative pediment gables and large picturesque window-scape, invites you to enjoy a refreshing approach to a two-story bungalow-style home. Upon entering, The Branson features a bright and open study with a double-door closure. Moving through the foyer into the adjoined, naturally-lit great room, the well-equipped café-style kitchen and flexible dining area instantly inspires the “Live, Laugh, Love” trifecta of family togetherness. In the kitchen, the oversized eat-in island commands attention while leading your eye up to the nine-foot ceilings, around to the cozy contemporary gas fireplace and along the durable plank flooring. Up the centrally located stairwell, guests will find the “family hub” with three large secondary bedrooms, an ample sized bonus room tucked into the corner of the second level for some recreation or relaxation, and a restful primary suite complete with walk-in spa shower, walk-in closet and separate water closet all adjoined to a spacious master bedroom. In the basement, there is prime space for added bedrooms, full bathroom and an “anything” room.
The Builder
As a local, privately held homebuilder and community developer, Oakwood Homes pioneers new standards for livable luxury. We innovate through purposeful and efficient design, always using local materials, manufacturers and resources. We also provide an engaging yet straightforward homebuying experience that is unmatched in the industry. Our mission is simple: to create luxury homes that are accessible and personable at every budget – for homebuyers in every stage of life.
The Interior Design
With bright white walls as a jumping off point, accent colors of gray blue, blush and plum add in something for everyone. Dark woods ground the design and pops of metallic gold add interest and flair. Cozy soft goods and bedding soften the space making it approachable and welcoming for the whole family to grow into and enjoy together for many years.

Clients Esther and engaged us to renovate their kitchen, dinning & family room.
The purpose of the renovation was to modernize the kitchen and improve its efficiency. Additionally, we aimed to create a better flow between all four spaces on the main floor. We decided to work with the existing flooring and pendant lights, above the island. To achieve our vision, we removed a wall and fireplace that separated the dining and formal living room. We had to get creative and patch the hardwood floor, resulting in a seamless transition as if that wall never existed.

Attanasio Landscape Architecture, A Nevada Professional Corporation serving Las Vegas & Summerlin, (ALA) has a single goal on all projects: To collaborate with quality clients and other consultants contributing talent, skills and discipline directed into a cohesive project vision. ALA take's great pride in providing our clients with projects which create a sense of place, engage and enrich the experiences of the people who use them, and are responsive to the environment.

Contemporary Clubhouse
Bringing the outdoors inside for a bright and colorful indoor playroom perfect for playtime, arts and crafts or schoolwork.
Theme:
The theme for this inviting and playful space is a creative take on a functional playroom blending the contemporary and functional base of the room with the playful and creative spirit that will engage these lucky children.
Focus:
The playroom centers on an amazing lofted clubhouse perched against a custom painted pasture and perched on makeshift trees boasting the perfect place for creative adventures or quiet reading and setting the inviting feel for the entire room. The creative and playful feeling is expanded throughout the space with bright green patches of shag carpet invoking the feel of the pasture continuing off the wall and through the room. The space is then flanked with more contemporary and functional elements perfect for children ages 2-12 offering endless hours of play.
Storage:
This playroom offers storage options on every wall, in every corner and even on the floor. The myWall storage and entertainment unit offers countless storage options and configurations along the main wall with open shelving, hanging buckets, closed shelves and pegs, anything you want to store or hang can find a home. Even the floor under the myWall panel is a custom floordrobe perfect for all those small floor toys or blankets. The pasture wall has a shelving unit cloaked as another tree in the field offering opened and closed cubbies for books or toys. The sink and craft area offers a home to all the kids craft supplies nestled right into the countertop with colorful containers and buckets.
Growth:
While this playroom provides fun and creative options for children from 2-12 it can adapt and grow with this family as their children grow and their interests or needs change. The myWall system is developed to offer easy and immediate customization with simple adjustments every element of the wall can be moved offering endless possibilities. The full myWall structure can be moved along with the family if necessary. The sink offers steps for the small children but as they grow they can be removed.
Safety:
The playroom is designed to keep the main space open to allow for creative and safe playtime without obstacles. The myWall system uses a custom locking mechanism to ensure that all elements are securely locked into place not to fall or become loose from wear. Custom cushioned floor rugs offer another level of safety and comfort to the little ones playing on the floor.

Sponsored
Delaware, OH
Buckeye Basements, Inc.
Central Ohio's Basement Finishing ExpertsBest Of Houzz '13-'21

RCID was thrilled to design this stunning contemporary farmhouse in the prestigious community of Aspen Estates in Calgary. The vision was to create a home that seamlessly blends timeless character with modern refinement—a space that feels both inviting and elevated. This project was as rewarding as it was beautiful. Our clients were collaborative and visionary—truly engaged in the creative process. Together, we brought to life a home that reflects thoughtful design, craftsmanship, and the joy of shared inspiration. The Aspen Estates Contemporary Farmhouse stands as a testament to design that is both current and enduring.

Castaway
An Oceanfront Residence
Clearwater, Florida
This breathtaking ocean-front family vacation retreat is positioned between the beach and harbor, an idyllic haven offering panoramic sunset views that will leave you in awe. Our mission was simple yet profound: to let the natural beauty of the surroundings shine while infusing the interior with elements that evoke the tranquility of the ocean.
Drawing inspiration from the sandy shores, we embraced white-washed wood veneers and wood-look porcelain tile flooring, chosen for their practicality and resilience, especially for a space frequented by energetic grandkids. To add a twist of creativity, we installed the tiles in a unique pattern, inviting you to "walk along the plank" towards the mesmerizing vistas.
The dining room serves as a tribute to the couple's engagement in Santorini, adorned with canvas prints of photos taken during these cherished memories. In the dining room and master bedroom, we meticulously selected the perfect "Santorini blue" tones for the accent walls to continue to narrate their story.
Crafted with Treefrog veneers, the custom millwork combines elegance with durability, while the bathrooms exude a spa-like serenity with their natural textures and sandy hues, enhanced by thoughtful lighting.
For the kids' room, we embraced vibrant colors and durable materials, ensuring a space where creativity knows no bounds. Meanwhile, the guest bedroom invites tropical relaxation with its palm leaf motifs and organic accents.
Overall, our design ethos revolves around a light and airy color palette, inspired by the tranquil hues of sand and sea. Strategic pops of color breathe life and vibrancy into the space, creating the perfect atmosphere for a dreamy vacation home experience. Join us as we embark on a journey to transform your space into a coastal paradise!

We were thrilled to be recommended for this project, by a client that we have completed 3 projects for over the last 2 years.
Our clients were keen to have a space they could sit and watch movies in and also entertain friends. They wanted to add a little colour and drama to the space, to make it feel more interesting and enveloping.
We used Linwood wallpaper in panels around the room and complemented them with Farrow and Ball Inchyra Blue walls and Drop Cloth ceiling in Dead Flat. Painting in the woodwork gave a more contemporary feel and also a seamless finish when the door to the room is closed.
Bespoke sofas were designed to ensure that the entry to the room wasn't blocked by the back of the sofa, but was made big enough to ensue that a good number of people could be seated at anyone time. Wall lights and lamps create an intimate and interesting feel to the room, the parrot wall lights are certainly a talking point!
We have now been engaged to help this client with their next project, a games room above a new triple garage just being built.
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