Photo: Caela McKeever © 2015 Houzz
Example of a transitional dining room design in Seattle

The client possessed a collection of art to be placed in the home, which was meticulously considered in the design process. Drywall was used exclusively and deliberately to hang the artwork to each piece’s necessary measurement. Photo: David Agnello

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

Wall-to-wall Saranac sisal deliberately plays second fiddle to the mix of curvaceous furnishings and floral wallcovering in a bedroom by Mario Buatta

Located in the highly sought-after Allwood neighborhood of Darien, this spec house is the fourth collaboration with a client who first began with a renovation of her own home. While architecturally it is a traditional home from the exterior, the interiors are more transitional in style. In order to compete in the speculative market, our client’s directive was clear – ‘differentiation the kitchen design from every other spec house’. So we incorporated painted cabinetry but highlighted with rift-cut white oak base cabinets. This contrast between these finishes influenced our decision to select a subtle white quartzite countertop to deliberately highlight the striking porcelain backsplash. The steel and glass partition frames the space – drawing the eye to the focal point of the kitchen, the custom stainless steel hood. Gold hardware adds a pop of flair to the space and warms the room. Walnut drawer inserts, stainless steel appliance garage, pull out trash drawers with compost bins and a stylish desk make this the Gold Standard of spec houses.

Tom Crane
Inspiration for a huge contemporary landscaping in Philadelphia.

The curved banquette takes cues from the central circular fireplace in its form. A couple marvels coexist here, all thanks to our highly skilled team- the mahogany edge detail along the top of the curve was expertly executed, and that seamless tapered *and* curved upholstered back is truly outstanding. Another design feature of note- especially with an active family we like to make seat cushions flippable (and always cleanable); the break points between cushions here were deliberately chosen with this flexibility in mind.

Trendy bathroom photo in Seattle

Rich, tactile, and durable materials were deliberately selected to encourage a touch and feel experience.
Minimalist kids' black tile light wood floor and single-sink bathroom photo in Salt Lake City with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a floating vanity

Simple and durable materials are used with a deliberately limited palate: Concrete floors with radiant heat are rugged and can withstand a variety of uses. Waxed plywood walls can take bumps and dings with minimal maintenance. A small desk space at the landing, lit from above by north light, serves as the transition from the living space to the sleeping area on the second floor. All images © Benjamin Benschneider Photography

Example of a mid-sized minimalist light wood floor and beige floor hallway design in Salt Lake City with white walls

The interplay of light and shadows influences how the house is experienced, with darker materials, deliberate screening, and warm tones ensuring a calm interior illumination that encourages appreciation of the views outside.

primary bedroom with a vaulted cathedral ceiling featuring exposed grey wood beams radiating, anchored by a dramatic bronze chandelier. White walls and the white ceiling plane keep the room light and airy against the dark wide plank hardwood floors in a deep espresso tone as a deliberate contrast that grounds the room without heaviness.

214 Photography Custom Cabinets
Beach style single-wall brown floor and medium tone wood floor home bar photo in Atlanta with gray cabinets, an island, white countertops, no sink, recessed-panel cabinets and beige backsplash

Close up highlights the subtlety of detail that went into the mantles construction. Dissimilar grain patterns, cut off by the steel piece, creates a deliberate lack of uniformity, that our customer really loved.

The doors themselves are solid wood French doubles, the hardware is unlacquered brass, a deliberate contrast to the black lanterns flanking the entry.

Stair treads in natural white oak with dark granite risers create a crisp two tone composition that is both durable and visually deliberate.
Inspiration for a transitional wooden spiral staircase remodel in Houston with concrete risers

This backyard landscape design is inspired by our Blu Grande Smooth patio slab. Perfect paving slab for modern poolsides and backyard design, Blu Grande Smooth is a large concrete patio stone available in multiple colors. It's smooth texture is sleek to the eye but rougher to the touch which avoids it from getting slippery when wet. The large rectangular shape works as an easy add-on into Blu 60 regular modular patterns but can also work as a stand-alone to create a very linear look. Check out the HD2 Blu Grande Smooth which is all about seamless looks with a tighter/poreless texture and anti-aging technology. Check out our website to shop the look! https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/slabs/blu-grande-smooth/

After photo of the fireplace. The natural stone was whitewashed to blend into the color scheme of the house. The whitewash was deliberately thinned so that that some of the color of the stone can peek through.