Benjamin Benschneider
Beach style kitchen photo in Seattle with an integrated sink, shaker cabinets, an island and gray countertops

Blue bathroom with ceramic tile, Niche & Bench in shower, pedestal sink with wide spread faucet. timeless design.
Example of a small classic 3/4 beige tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile alcove shower design in San Francisco with a pedestal sink, a two-piece toilet and blue walls

Living room - small mid-century modern enclosed wallpaper, dark wood floor and brown floor living room idea in Calgary with a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, white walls and no tv

While this new home had an architecturally striking exterior, the home’s interior fell short in terms of true functionality and overall style. The most critical element in this renovation was the kitchen and dining area, which needed careful attention to bring it to the level that suited the home and the homeowners. As a graduate of Culinary Institute of America, our client wanted a kitchen that “feels like a restaurant, with the warmth of a home kitchen,” where guests can gather over great food, great wine, and truly feel comfortable in the open concept home. Although it follows a typical chef’s galley layout, the unique design solutions and unusual materials set it apart from the typical kitchen design. Polished countertops, laminated and stainless cabinets fronts, and professional appliances are complemented by the introduction of wood, glass, and blackened metal – materials introduced in the overall design of the house. Unique features include a wall clad in walnut for dangling heavy pots and utensils; a floating, sculptural walnut countertop piece housing an herb garden; an open pantry that serves as a coffee bar and wine station; and a hanging chalkboard that hides a water heater closet and features different coffee offerings available to guests. The dining area addition, enclosed by windows, continues to vivify the organic elements and brings in ample natural light, enhancing the darker finishes and creating additional warmth. Photography by Ira Montgomery

Greg Premru
Inspiration for a large coastal master medium tone wood floor family room remodel in Boston with white walls and no fireplace

These beautiful, metallic globe lights add a contemporary element to this otherwise quaint and cozy traditional kitchen. The copper color of the pendant lights pairs well with the peach and gray color scheme of the room.

Trendy light wood floor eat-in kitchen photo with quartzite countertops, brick backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

A modern master bath gets its allure from the blend of solid and textured tiles placed horizontally across the backsplash and shower wall. Contrasting large format white tiles in the shower keeps the space light and bright. Affordable custom cabinets are achieved with a light wood-tone laminate cabinet.

Eat-in kitchen - contemporary light wood floor eat-in kitchen idea with quartzite countertops, brick backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Furniture-grade walnut on the Island with the GE microwave tucked away for easy access by the kids. Custom inset cabinetry with polished nickel hardware. Wolf 48" range and hood,

Anice Hoachlander, Judy Davis; HDPhoto
Transitional u-shaped light wood floor enclosed kitchen photo in DC Metro with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops and an island

High Res Media
Powder room - contemporary black floor powder room idea in Phoenix with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets and multicolored walls

A young family with a wooded, triangular lot in Ipswich, Massachusetts wanted to take on a highly creative, organic, and unrushed process in designing their new home. The parents of three boys had contemporary ideas for living, including phasing the construction of different structures over time as the kids grew so they could maximize the options for use on their land. They hoped to build a net zero energy home that would be cozy on the very coldest days of winter, using cost-efficient methods of home building. The house needed to be sited to minimize impact on the land and trees, and it was critical to respect a conservation easement on the south border of the lot. Finally, the design would be contemporary in form and feel, but it would also need to fit into a classic New England context, both in terms of materials used and durability. We were asked to honor the notions of “surprise and delight,” and that inspired everything we designed for the family. The highly unique home consists of a three-story form, composed mostly of bedrooms and baths on the top two floors and a cross axis of shared living spaces on the first level. This axis extends out to an oversized covered porch, open to the south and west. The porch connects to a two-story garage with flex space above, used as a guest house, play room, and yoga studio depending on the day. A floor-to-ceiling ribbon of glass wraps the south and west walls of the lower level, bringing in an abundance of natural light and linking the entire open plan to the yard beyond. The master suite takes up the entire top floor, and includes an outdoor deck with a shower. The middle floor has extra height to accommodate a variety of multi-level play scenarios in the kids’ rooms. Many of the materials used in this house are made from recycled or environmentally friendly content, or they come from local sources. The high performance home has triple glazed windows and all materials, adhesives, and sealants are low toxicity and safe for growing kids. Photographer credit: Irvin Serrano

This French country, new construction home features a circular first-floor layout that connects from great room to kitchen and breakfast room, then on to the dining room via a small area that turned out to be ideal for a fully functional bar. Directly off the kitchen and leading to the dining room, this space is perfectly located for making and serving cocktails whenever the family entertains. In order to make the space feel as open and welcoming as possible while connecting it visually with the kitchen, glass cabinet doors and custom-designed, leaded-glass column cabinetry and millwork archway help the spaces flow together and bring in. The space is small and tight, so it was critical to make it feel larger and more open. Leaded-glass cabinetry throughout provided the airy feel we were looking for, while showing off sparkling glassware and serving pieces. In addition, finding space for a sink and under-counter refrigerator was challenging, but every wished-for element made it into the final plan. Photo by Mike Kaskel

Inspiration for a small asian backyard stone patio fountain remodel in DC Metro with no cover

Brad Carr, B-Rad Studios
Inspiration for a contemporary gray tile freestanding bathtub remodel in Houston with beige walls

This half bath includes a long Ikea sink with plenty of cabinet space, a star-burst mirror, a beautiful copper tone laminate accent wall, and Daffy Duck artwork for the splash of color! Photos by Arc Photography

Eric Roth
Kitchen - transitional kitchen idea in Boston