Photography by Jim Tetro This house, built in the 1960s, sits southfacing on a terrific wooded lot in Bethesda, Maryland. The owners desire a whole-house renovation which would improve the general building fabric and systems, and extend the sense of living out of doors in all seasons. The original sixties-modern character is preserved and the renovation extends the design forward into a contemporary, modern approach. Connections to and through the site are enhanced through the creation of new larger window and door openings. Screened porches and decks perch above the sloped and wooded site. The new kitchen and bathrooms allow for opportunities to feel out-of -doors while preparing, cooking, dining, and bathing. Smart passive strategies guide the environmental choices for this project, including envelope improvements, updated mechanical systems, and on-site stormwater management.

The Lake Forest Park Renovation is a top-to-bottom renovation of a 50's Northwest Contemporary house located 25 miles north of Seattle. Photo: Benjamin Benschneider

Main shot of kitchen with Rustic Alder stained perimeter cabinetry and painted and glazed finish on island. Kern Group
Kitchen - traditional kitchen idea in Kansas City with subway tile backsplash and granite countertops

Jeff Herr
Living room - mid-sized contemporary enclosed dark wood floor living room idea in Atlanta with beige walls

Eat-in kitchen - large traditional galley dark wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Other with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, an island, glass tile backsplash, marble countertops and an undermount sink

Huge elegant dark wood floor and multicolored floor entryway photo in Minneapolis with white walls and a white front door

Example of a classic light wood floor kitchen design in Omaha with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, gray backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Mark Schwartz Photography
Inspiration for a transitional built-in desk home office remodel in San Francisco

Matthew Niemann Photography
Transitional kitchen photo in Austin

Example of a large classic brown floor living room design in Chicago with beige walls

This beautiful little Craftsman in Credit River Basic concept design is available on the website https://www.hartsdesign.com/fullscreen-store-page/comp-jql1rjw5/6cdc53f4-ce3e-46f7-a96e-ea93be499bbb/1/%3Fi%3D1%26p%3Dkbm3w%26s%3Dstyle-jql30y7i

Kitchen pantry - mid-sized french country u-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen pantry idea in Other with a drop-in sink, gray cabinets, no island, open cabinets, solid surface countertops, white backsplash and subway tile backsplash

The site for this new house was specifically selected for its proximity to nature while remaining connected to the urban amenities of Arlington and DC. From the beginning, the homeowners were mindful of the environmental impact of this house, so the goal was to get the project LEED certified. Even though the owner’s programmatic needs ultimately grew the house to almost 8,000 square feet, the design team was able to obtain LEED Silver for the project. The first floor houses the public spaces of the program: living, dining, kitchen, family room, power room, library, mudroom and screened porch. The second and third floors contain the master suite, four bedrooms, office, three bathrooms and laundry. The entire basement is dedicated to recreational spaces which include a billiard room, craft room, exercise room, media room and a wine cellar. To minimize the mass of the house, the architects designed low bearing roofs to reduce the height from above, while bringing the ground plain up by specifying local Carder Rock stone for the foundation walls. The landscape around the house further anchored the house by installing retaining walls using the same stone as the foundation. The remaining areas on the property were heavily landscaped with climate appropriate vegetation, retaining walls, and minimal turf. Other LEED elements include LED lighting, geothermal heating system, heat-pump water heater, FSA certified woods, low VOC paints and high R-value insulation and windows. Hoachlander Davis Photography

Residential Design by Heydt Designs, Interior Design by Benjamin Dhong Interiors, Construction by Kearney & O'Banion, Photography by David Duncan Livingston

Family room with vaulted ceiling, photo by Nancy Elizabeth Hill
Living room - traditional living room idea in New York with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Large tuscan l-shaped kitchen photo in Kansas City with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

With its cedar shake roof and siding, complemented by Swannanoa stone, this lakeside home conveys the Nantucket style beautifully. The overall home design promises views to be enjoyed inside as well as out with a lovely screened porch with a Chippendale railing. Throughout the home are unique and striking features. Antique doors frame the opening into the living room from the entry. The living room is anchored by an antique mirror integrated into the overmantle of the fireplace. The kitchen is designed for functionality with a 48” Subzero refrigerator and Wolf range. Add in the marble countertops and industrial pendants over the large island and you have a stunning area. Antique lighting and a 19th century armoire are paired with painted paneling to give an edge to the much-loved Nantucket style in the master. Marble tile and heated floors give way to an amazing stainless steel freestanding tub in the master bath. Rachael Boling Photography

Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Selections & Furnishings | Charles Cudd De Novo, Architecture | Troy Thies Photography | Shannon Gale, Photo Styling

Paint-Sherwin Williams Tony Taupe, Cabinetry-Kitchen Craft, Alabaster w/Pewter Glaze and Cappuccino w/Chocolate Glaze, Lighting-Pottery Barn's Hundi Lantern's and Kichler's Circolo chandelier, Tile-Emser Tile, Glass 3 x 6 Fog, Granite-Arctic Cream. Thanks for looking! Jo McKeown/Great Spaces! Special Thanks to Reed Lewis Photography