Medina Guest and Pool House Kitchen by Seattle Interior Design Firm Hyde Evans Design. Photo by Benjamin Benschneider
Inspiration for a timeless u-shaped kitchen remodel in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, paneled appliances and marble countertops

Closet design in collaboration with Transform Closets
Small trendy gender-neutral light wood floor reach-in closet photo in New York with flat-panel cabinets and light wood cabinets

David Kingsbury, www.davidkingsburyphoto.com
Example of a transitional galley kitchen design in San Francisco with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, green backsplash, glass tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

The Kiguchi family moved into their Austin, Texas home in 1994. Built in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood development, they happily raised their family here but longed for something more contemporary. Once they became empty nesters, they decided it was time for a major remodel. After spending many years visiting Austin AIA Home Tours that highlight contemporary residential architecture, they had a lot of ideas and in 2013 were ready to interview architects and get their renovation underway. The project turned into a major remodel due to an unstable foundation. Architects Ben Arbib and Ed Hughey, of Arbib Hughey Design were hired to solve the structural issue and look for inspiration in the bones of the house, which sat on top of a hillside and was surrounded by great views. Unfortunately, with the old floor plan, the beautiful views were hidden by small windows that were poorly placed. In order to bring more natural light into the house the window sizes and configurations had to be addressed, all while keeping in mind the homeowners desire for a modern look and feel. To achieve a more contemporary and sophisticated front of house, a new entry was designed that included removing a two-story bay window and porch. The entrance of the home also became more integrated with the landscape creating a template for new foliage to be planted. Older exterior materials were updated to incorporate a more muted palette of colors with a metal roof, dark grey siding in the back and white stucco in the front. Deep eaves were added over many of the new large windows for clean lines and sun protection. “Inside it was about opening up the floor plan, expanding the views throughout the house, and updating the material palette to get a modern look that was also warm and inviting,” said Ben from Arbib Hughey Design. “Prior to the remodel, the house had the typical separation of rooms. We removed the walls between them and changed all of the windows to Milgard Thermally Improved Aluminum to connect the inside with the outside. No matter where you are you get nice views and natural light.” The architects wanted to create some drama, which they accomplished with the window placement and opening up the interior floor plan to an open concept approach. Cabinetry was used to help delineate intimate spaces. To add warmth to an all-white living room, white-washed oak wood floors were installed and pine planks were used around the fireplace. The large windows served as artwork bringing the color of nature into the space. An octagon shaped, elevated dining room, (named “the turret”), had a big impact on the design of the house. They architects rounded the corners and added larger window openings overlooking a new sunken garden. The great room was also softened by rounding out the corners and that circular theme continued throughout the house, being picked up in skylight wells and kitchen cabinetry. A staircase leading to a catwalk was added and the result was a two-story window wall that flooded the home with natural light. When asked why Milgard® Thermally Improved Aluminum windows were selected, the architectural team listed many reasons: 1) Aesthetics: “We liked the slim profiles and narrow sightlines. The window frames never get in the way of the view and that was important to us. They also have a very contemporary look that went well with our design.” 2) Options: “We liked that we could get large sliding doors that matched the windows, giving us a very cohesive look and feel throughout the project.” 3) Cost Effective: “Milgard windows are affordable. You get a good product at a good price.” 4) Custom Sizes: “Milgard windows are customizable, which allowed us to get the right window for each location.” Ready to take on your own traditional to modern home remodeling project? Arbib Hughey Design advises, “Work with a good architect. That means picking a team that is creative, communicative, listens well and is responsive. We think it’s important for an architect to listen to their clients and give them something they want, not something the architect thinks they should have. At the same time you want an architect who is willing and able to think outside the box and offer up design options that you may not have considered. Design is about a lot of back and forth, trying out ideas, getting feedback and trying again.” The home was completely transformed into a unique, contemporary house perfectly integrated with its site. Internally the home has a natural flow for the occupants and externally it is integrated with the surroundings taking advantage of great natural light. As a side note, it was highly praised as part of the Austin AIA homes tour.

Example of a tuscan backyard patio design in Dallas with a fire pit and a pergola

Jennifer Coates
Balcony - contemporary balcony balcony idea with a roof extension

Mid-sized trendy gray tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and black floor powder room photo in Seattle with flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, a wall-mount toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, gray countertops and a floating vanity

This beautiful eclectic kitchen brings together the class and simplistic feel of mid century modern with the comfort and natural elements of the farmhouse style. The white cabinets, tile and countertops make the perfect backdrop for the pops of color from the beams, brass hardware and black metal fixtures and cabinet frames.

Photo by Jeff Amram Photography
Bedroom - transitional bedroom idea in Portland

Michael J. Lee Photography
Example of a transitional medium tone wood floor kitchen/dining room combo design in Boston with white walls

The Family Room opens up to the Kitchen and a folding door out to the yard. John Wilbanks Photography
Inspiration for a craftsman open concept living room remodel in Seattle with green walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace

This countryside kitchen includes a beautiful blue statement island, which adds originality to the classic space. The cabinetry is made by Downsview and the design is done through Astro Design Centre in Ottawa Canada. Astro Design, Ottawa DoubleSpace Photography

The landscape of this home honors the formality of Spanish Colonial / Santa Barbara Style early homes in the Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix. By re-grading the lot and allowing for terraced opportunities, we featured a variety of hardscape stone, brick, and decorative tiles that reinforce the eclectic Spanish Colonial feel. Cantera and La Negra volcanic stone, brick, natural field stone, and handcrafted Spanish decorative tiles are used to establish interest throughout the property. A front courtyard patio includes a hand painted tile fountain and sitting area near the outdoor fire place. This patio features formal Boxwood hedges, Hibiscus, and a rose garden set in pea gravel. The living room of the home opens to an outdoor living area which is raised three feet above the pool. This allowed for opportunity to feature handcrafted Spanish tiles and raised planters. The side courtyard, with stepping stones and Dichondra grass, surrounds a focal Crape Myrtle tree. One focal point of the back patio is a 24-foot hand-hammered wrought iron trellis, anchored with a stone wall water feature. We added a pizza oven and barbecue, bistro lights, and hanging flower baskets to complete the intimate outdoor dining space. Project Details: Landscape Architect: Greey|Pickett Architect: Higgins Architects Landscape Contractor: Premier Environments Photography: Scott Sandler

we made the shampoo niches tall enough and wide enough to accommodate the many hair care products, and added a shorter one above for the razor, loofah, soap, etc.

Before - Kitchen

Lisbon Cork Co. Ltd. Fine Cork Flooring combines the beauty of a natural material with the comfort of a cushioned surface. It is durable, acoustical, and a great insulator. The bark of the cork tree is peeled without destroying the tree and it grows back within nine years, ready to be harvested again. Warm to the touch and resilient, cork floors are a joy to live with. Cork is considered a green product because the same tree can be harvested numerous times.

William Quarles
Freestanding bathtub - large transitional master gray tile and stone tile porcelain tile and beige floor freestanding bathtub idea in Charleston with a vessel sink, recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, beige walls and a hinged shower door

Alek Lisefski / tiny-project.com
Example of a trendy living room design in San Francisco

Heiser Media
Open concept kitchen - huge farmhouse l-shaped dark wood floor open concept kitchen idea in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island