Screen porch interior
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern screened-in back porch remodel in Boston with decking and a roof extension

Patio - modern backyard patio idea in Miami with a fire pit, decking and a pergola

Architect YamaMar Design Photo by Bruce Damonte
Balcony - small 1950s balcony balcony idea in San Francisco with a roof extension

Deck - contemporary deck idea in Houston

Christian Garibaldi
Bedroom and mid-sized trendy gender-neutral dark wood floor nursery photo in New York with multicolored walls

Ted Spores
Design ideas for a contemporary landscaping in San Francisco with decking.

Bedroom - large master carpeted bedroom idea in Denver with white walls

This amazing outdoor living area can accomodate large gatherings or intimate events. The fountains, heated pool and outdoor kitchen and dining area make this a perfect area for you. arthurrutenberghomes.com

Morgan Howarth Photography
Alcove shower - transitional white tile and stone tile alcove shower idea in DC Metro

An imposing heritage oak and fountain frame a strong central axis leading from the motor court to the front door, through a grand stair hall into the public spaces of this Italianate home designed for entertaining, out to the gardens and finally terminating at the pool and semi-circular columned cabana. Gracious terraces and formal interiors characterize this stately home.

Mitch Allen
Kitchen - transitional galley medium tone wood floor kitchen idea in Baltimore with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Michael Jacobs
Elegant porch photo in St Louis with a fire pit, decking and a roof extension

Example of a trendy single-wall dedicated laundry room design in Venice with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, white walls and brown countertops

Inspiration for a large timeless backyard deck remodel in Denver with a fire pit and no cover

Example of a classic backyard stone and rectangular pool fountain design in Richmond

French country patio photo in Orange County

Ryann Ford Photography, LLC
Pool - contemporary backyard rectangular pool idea in Austin with decking

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Photo: Karen Melvin
Dining room - traditional dining room idea in Minneapolis with gray walls