Felix Sanchez
Inspiration for a large transitional master white tile marble floor, white floor and double-sink bathroom remodel in Houston with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, blue walls, marble countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

Street facing front Façade Photo by: John D Hayes of OpenHomes Photography
Small ornate two-story exterior home photo in San Francisco

Entryway - large traditional beige floor and limestone floor entryway idea in Orlando with beige walls and a dark wood front door

M.I.R. Phase 3 denotes the third phase of the transformation of a 1950’s daylight rambler on Mercer Island, Washington into a contemporary family dwelling in tune with the Northwest environment. Phase one modified the front half of the structure which included expanding the Entry and converting a Carport into a Garage and Shop. Phase two involved the renovation of the Basement level. Phase three involves the renovation and expansion of the Upper Level of the structure which was designed to take advantage of views to the "Green-Belt" to the rear of the property. Existing interior walls were removed in the Main Living Area spaces were enlarged slightly to allow for a more open floor plan for the Dining, Kitchen and Living Rooms. The Living Room now reorients itself to a new deck at the rear of the property. At the other end of the Residence the existing Master Bedroom was converted into the Master Bathroom and a Walk-in-closet. A new Master Bedroom wing projects from here out into a grouping of cedar trees and a stand of bamboo to the rear of the lot giving the impression of a tree-house. A new semi-detached multi-purpose space is located below the projection of the Master Bedroom and serves as a Recreation Room for the family's children. As the children mature the Room is than envisioned as an In-home Office with the distant possibility of having it evolve into a Mother-in-law Suite. Hydronic floor heat featuring a tankless water heater, rain-screen façade technology, “cool roof” with standing seam sheet metal panels, Energy Star appliances and generous amounts of natural light provided by insulated glass windows, transoms and skylights are some of the sustainable features incorporated into the design. “Green” materials such as recycled glass countertops, salvaging and refinishing the existing hardwood flooring, cementitous wall panels and "rusty metal" wall panels have been used throughout the Project. However, the most compelling element that exemplifies the project's sustainability is that it was not torn down and replaced wholesale as so many of the homes in the neighborhood have.

Named for its enduring beauty and timeless architecture – Magnolia is an East Coast Hampton Traditional design. Boasting a main foyer that offers a stunning custom built wall paneled system that wraps into the framed openings of the formal dining and living spaces. Attention is drawn to the fine tile and granite selections with open faced nailed wood flooring, and beautiful furnishings. This Magnolia, a Markay Johnson crafted masterpiece, is inviting in its qualities, comfort of living, and finest of details. Builder: Markay Johnson Construction Architect: John Stewart Architects Designer: KFR Design

This sixth floor penthouse overlooks the city lakes, the Uptown retail district and the city skyline beyond. Designed for a young professional, the space is shaped by distinguishing the private and public realms through sculptural spatial gestures. Upon entry, a curved wall of white marble dust plaster pulls one into the space and delineates the boundary of the private master suite. The master bedroom space is screened from the entry by a translucent glass wall layered with a perforated veil creating optical dynamics and movement. This functions to privatize the master suite, while still allowing light to filter through the space to the entry. Suspended cabinet elements of Australian Walnut float opposite the curved white wall and Walnut floors lead one into the living room and kitchen spaces. A custom perforated stainless steel shroud surrounds a spiral stair that leads to a roof deck and garden space above, creating a daylit lantern within the center of the space. The concept for the stair began with the metaphor of water as a connection to the chain of city lakes. An image of water was abstracted into a series of pixels that were translated into a series of varying perforations, creating a dynamic pattern cut out of curved stainless steel panels. The result creates a sensory exciting path of movement and light, allowing the user to move up and down through dramatic shadow patterns that change with the position of the sun, transforming the light within the space. The kitchen is composed of Cherry and translucent glass cabinets with stainless steel shelves and countertops creating a progressive, modern backdrop to the interior edge of the living space. The powder room draws light through translucent glass, nestled behind the kitchen. Lines of light within, and suspended from the ceiling extend through the space toward the glass perimeter, defining a graphic counterpoint to the natural light from the perimeter full height glass. Within the master suite a freestanding Burlington stone bathroom mass creates solidity and privacy while separating the bedroom area from the bath and dressing spaces. The curved wall creates a walk-in dressing space as a fine boutique within the suite. The suspended screen acts as art within the master bedroom while filtering the light from the full height windows which open to the city beyond. The guest suite and office is located behind the pale blue wall of the kitchen through a sliding translucent glass panel. Natural light reaches the interior spaces of the dressing room and bath over partial height walls and clerestory glass.

After a day at the beach, put down your tote and enjoy a glass of Chardonnay. This is a home that is fresh and clean just waiting for a party or a quiet read to happen. Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman. Photos by Troy Campbell. Krista Watterworth Design Studio, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

A fresh take on a time-tested favorite can be risky, but the Carlton Shores design is an example of a risk worth taking. This sprawling cottage harkens back to the Arts & Crafts revival, while still managing to exude contemporary appeal. The home sits on the property like a great hunting lodge with its use of exposed wood trim and brackets. A striking array of windows gives the exterior an inviting look, as if to defy the elements and welcome nature right in. Simplicity rules the interior of the home, leaving the dramatic decorating to the outside views. A creative use of natural materials, such as wood and marble, compliment the flora-and-fauna focus of the home’s aesthetic. Every wall is dominated by glass. Windows of every shape and size allow residents to take in their surroundings, while creating a spacious, open atmosphere. The curving wooden staircase with its high ceilings gives the impression you are climbing into the trees. A soaring two-story vaulted ceiling covers the indoor pool area, which includes a kitchenette and sitting room. Glass doors open out to a vanishing pool and sundeck. All of this has been designed with the stunning lake vistas in mind. A beautiful deck and boardwalk lead from the house down to the shore, giving homeowners beach access.

Tom Crane Photography
Inspiration for a timeless white tile corner shower remodel in Philadelphia with flat-panel cabinets and dark wood cabinets

Example of an urban living room design in Denver with gray walls

5'6" × 7'-0" room with Restoration Hardware "Hutton" vanity (36"w x 24"d) and "Hutton" mirror, sconces by Waterworks "Newel", shower size 36" x 36" with 22" door, HansGrohe "Axor Montreux" shower set. Wall paint is "pearl white" by Pratt & Lambert and wood trim is "white dove" eggshell from Benjamin Moore. Wall tiles are 3"x6" honed, carrara marble with inset hexagonals for the niche. Coved ceiling - walls are curved into a flat ceiling.

Example of a minimalist eat-in kitchen design in San Francisco with glass-front cabinets and white cabinets

LAIR Architectural + Interior Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary freestanding desk medium tone wood floor home office remodel in Dallas with white walls

Lester O'Malley
Example of a large minimalist master beige tile and stone tile travertine floor tub/shower combo design in Orange County with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble countertops, an undermount tub, a one-piece toilet and white walls

Angie Seckinger
Example of a large beach style u-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen design in DC Metro with glass-front cabinets, marble countertops, blue backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, white cabinets and subway tile backsplash

This home is designed with many sustainable techniques and healthy materials. Durisol insulating forms, high-quality windows, a green roof, and multiple renewable energy sources combine with natural, non-toxic, and recycled materials to create a tight, comfortable home. Photo: Jill Greer

Connie Anderson Photography
Inspiration for a transitional wooden glass railing staircase remodel in Houston with painted risers

When a world class sailing champion approached us to design a Newport home for his family, with lodging for his sailing crew, we set out to create a clean, light-filled modern home that would integrate with the natural surroundings of the waterfront property, and respect the character of the historic district. Our approach was to make the marine landscape an integral feature throughout the home. One hundred eighty degree views of the ocean from the top floors are the result of the pinwheel massing. The home is designed as an extension of the curvilinear approach to the property through the woods and reflects the gentle undulating waterline of the adjacent saltwater marsh. Floodplain regulations dictated that the primary occupied spaces be located significantly above grade; accordingly, we designed the first and second floors on a stone “plinth” above a walk-out basement with ample storage for sailing equipment. The curved stone base slopes to grade and houses the shallow entry stair, while the same stone clads the interior’s vertical core to the roof, along which the wood, glass and stainless steel stair ascends to the upper level. One critical programmatic requirement was enough sleeping space for the sailing crew, and informal party spaces for the end of race-day gatherings. The private master suite is situated on one side of the public central volume, giving the homeowners views of approaching visitors. A “bedroom bar,” designed to accommodate a full house of guests, emerges from the other side of the central volume, and serves as a backdrop for the infinity pool and the cove beyond. Also essential to the design process was ecological sensitivity and stewardship. The wetlands of the adjacent saltwater marsh were designed to be restored; an extensive geo-thermal heating and cooling system was implemented; low carbon footprint materials and permeable surfaces were used where possible. Native and non-invasive plant species were utilized in the landscape. The abundance of windows and glass railings maximize views of the landscape, and, in deference to the adjacent bird sanctuary, bird-friendly glazing was used throughout. Photo: Michael Moran/OTTO Photography

Scott Frances
Example of a mid-century modern open concept concrete floor and gray floor living room design in Houston with red walls and a standard fireplace