Passive House is a model for low-energy, high-quality living, and the Lake Bluff Passive House achieves it with contemporary style. With non-toxic construction and finish materials and a continuous energy-recovery-ventilation system, indoor air quality will be optimized; with efficient lighting, appliances, and mechanical systems along with a super-insulated envelope, comfort is ensured along with low energy consumption. Low-flow water fixtures with a demand-controlled hot water recirculation system keep water use and energy low. The interior features an aging-in-place ground floor bedroom suite, sophisticated handling of natural light, and a feature stair built of reclaimed oak timbers.

Originally submitted for the Model Homes category, the judges felt this entry deserved an ARDA in Design Detail. This particular home was designed to meet the demands of empty nesters, seeking a low maintenance home close to everything. This design is located in a neighborhood with strict design guidelines. The garage was required to be setback 35 feet from the front of the home. Small lot constraints with a public access path on one side presented challenges fitting all requests into a single level. Coming in at just over 1,600 square foot, this 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with expansive great room accomplished the designer's goals. An ARDA for Design Details goes to Muddy River Design Designer: Adam R Peterson From: Bend, Oregon

This older craftsman home had so many charming period details that demanded the respect of the new design, and we feel like our team pulled it off beautifully. The colors and textures were a collaboration between the homeowner and designer Ashley Neff, while the form and function of the space were designed by Allen's Fine Woodworking. The cherry wood looks beautiful today but will only deepen with age, adding to the already rich history of this house. Double-stacked cabinetry serves as a seemingly endless source of storage for pantry items.

Stunning, brand new Ocean-to-Lake estate located on an oversized premier Manalapan lot with approximately 150 feet of direct ocean frontage. The newly constructed oceanfront estate seamlessly captures the essence of what is demanded in a beachfront dream home. Stunning water views are featured from all principal rooms, four waterfront balconies, and expansive outdoor living spaces including an oceanfront loggia, 64′ pool, spa, and summer kitchen. The estate boasts 7 bedrooms, 7 full baths with 3 powder rooms, library, elevator, 7 car garage, club room, and wine cellar. Master wing featuring morning bar, elaborate over-sized bath, dual closets, sitting room, with a comfortable and clean design with the highest standard in quality craftsmanship. The property includes a generous boat dock on the Intracoastal Waterway, and the exceptional layout takes full advantage of both the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal views.

Photo: Margaret Wright © 2017 Houzz
Example of a transitional freestanding desk medium tone wood floor and brown floor home office design in Charleston with gray walls

With spacious shelves and rail to hang your clothes, Baikal Solid and Mirror Sliding Doors Wide Wardrobe is ideal for both spacious and compact rooms. Huge selection of configuration options for doors and enclosures can satisfy the most demanding customer. Internal filling of wardrobes Baikal will greatly facilitate the storage of things. Highlight of the unit will create a cozy atmosphere. Dimensions: W59" H82" D24"

Learn more at http://www.stact.co/glasscellars The STACT modular wine rack system offers the best balance of simplicity, usability, and style. We at STACT are passionate about our products. We have a single minded goal to offer the very best in wine storage, with designs that are simple, stunning, and a pleasure to live with for a long period of time. STACT glass-enclosed wine cellars are the ideal wine storage solution when it comes to showcasing wine, without compromise. Boasting up to 40% more bottle capacity than traditional wine racks, STACT's sleek yet sturdy aircraft-grade anodized aluminum frame offers the highest-capacity on the market. Uniquely versatile and space efficient, the patented STACT modular design easily integrates into any space or décor. Unrivaled refinement, beauty and minimalist aesthetic of the STACT Wine Wall system make it the obvious choice for wine collectors who demand the very best, particularly within glass wine cellars where the prized collection is on display - not the wine rack itself.

Natural Water features demand more than a typical landscape pond. Yes we have to know our science, but for streams and creeks to appear real, we have to understand more than ecology and hydrology, we need to have worn out a closet of hiking boots to gain the artistic eye to create reality. Most people can actually sense when something looks natural, yet they cannot express why it is so. Our observations over 25 years lets us consciously see each detail that results in that natural feel.

The design of this home was driven by the owners’ desire for a three-bedroom waterfront home that showcased the spectacular views and park-like setting. As nature lovers, they wanted their home to be organic, minimize any environmental impact on the sensitive site and embrace nature. This unique home is sited on a high ridge with a 45° slope to the water on the right and a deep ravine on the left. The five-acre site is completely wooded and tree preservation was a major emphasis. Very few trees were removed and special care was taken to protect the trees and environment throughout the project. To further minimize disturbance, grades were not changed and the home was designed to take full advantage of the site’s natural topography. Oak from the home site was re-purposed for the mantle, powder room counter and select furniture. The visually powerful twin pavilions were born from the need for level ground and parking on an otherwise challenging site. Fill dirt excavated from the main home provided the foundation. All structures are anchored with a natural stone base and exterior materials include timber framing, fir ceilings, shingle siding, a partial metal roof and corten steel walls. Stone, wood, metal and glass transition the exterior to the interior and large wood windows flood the home with light and showcase the setting. Interior finishes include reclaimed heart pine floors, Douglas fir trim, dry-stacked stone, rustic cherry cabinets and soapstone counters. Exterior spaces include a timber-framed porch, stone patio with fire pit and commanding views of the Occoquan reservoir. A second porch overlooks the ravine and a breezeway connects the garage to the home. Numerous energy-saving features have been incorporated, including LED lighting, on-demand gas water heating and special insulation. Smart technology helps manage and control the entire house. Greg Hadley Photography

The Sonoma Farmhaus project was designed for a cycling enthusiast with a globally demanding professional career, who wanted to create a place that could serve as both a retreat of solitude and a hub for gathering with friends and family. Located within the town of Graton, California, the site was chosen not only to be close to a small town and its community, but also to be within cycling distance to the picturesque, coastal Sonoma County landscape. Taking the traditional forms of farmhouse, and their notions of sustenance and community, as inspiration, the project comprises an assemblage of two forms - a Main House and a Guest House with Bike Barn - joined in the middle by a central outdoor gathering space anchored by a fireplace. The vision was to create something consciously restrained and one with the ground on which it stands. Simplicity, clear detailing, and an innate understanding of how things go together were all central themes behind the design. Solid walls of rammed earth blocks, fabricated from soils excavated from the site, bookend each of the structures. According to the owner, the use of simple, yet rich materials and textures...“provides a humanness I’ve not known or felt in any living venue I’ve stayed, Farmhaus is an icon of sustenance for me".

The clients for this project wanted a clean lined form, an open floor plan and nothing non-essential to daily life. They also required their home be under 2,500 square feet for their family of four. Exterior materials consist of untreated cedar siding and galvanized corrugated metal. The heavy gauge “horse fence” guard rails allow an unobstructed view to the adjacent pond. This project was our first installed green roof, and after much research we decided upon a modular system. Other sustainable components include day-lighting, super-insulation, on demand water heaters, plans for a water collection cistern, radiant floor heat, gabion retaining walls filled with local rock, FSC certified flooring, reclaimed structural members, and infrastructure for an active solar collection system. The owners have since installed a remotely located photovoltaic array.

A Parallel AV sauna TV installed in a home sauna. Certified heat resistant to 175°F and water and steam resistant, our sauna televisions are built from steel and glass and designed to perform in the most demanding sauna environments. Installs flush into the wall with Google TV built in and access to thousands of streaming apps. Shown here is our black frame option in a traditional nordic style sauna with light pine walls.

The Travertina Raw patio slab mimics the texture of natural travertine in a concrete material; making it a more durable option in harsher freeze-thaw climates. Pave luxurious poolsides, patios, walkways and backyards with this travertine stone alternative. This product line has enjoyed huge success and has now been improved with an ultra robust mix design, making it far more durable than the natural travertine stone alternative. Techo-Bloc has now extended the collection to a double-sided, structural retaining wall system, two wall caps and pool coping in order to fulfill customer demand for this luxurious product. https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/slabs/travertina-raw-slab/

Originally submitted for the Model Homes category, the judges felt this entry deserved an ARDA in Design Detail. This particular home was designed to meet the demands of empty nesters, seeking a low maintenance home close to everything. This design is located in a neighborhood with strict design guidelines. The garage was required to be setback 35 feet from the front of the home. Small lot constraints with a public access path on one side presented challenges fitting all requests into a single level. Coming in at just over 1,600 square foot, this 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with expansive great room accomplished the designer's goals. An ARDA for Design Details goes to Muddy River Design Designer: Adam R Peterson From: Bend, Oregon

A unique opportunity to have it all in the heart of Hoboken! 2070 sf 4 bedroom, 2 bath has 2 garage parking spots and outdoor terrace! This 2-year young, steel & concrete elevator building has a stunning open floor plan with a Euro-style kitchen featuring a Viking stainless steel appliance suite, waterfall quartz counters, tile backsplash and both under counter & pendant lighting. Master bedroom suite hosts a spa-like bath with a dual vanity, glass shower enclosure that includes both hand & rain showerheads, 6’ soaking tub and oversized walk-in closet. Other features include hardwood floors, custom walk-in closets, window treatments, laundry, central HVAC system & on-demand hot water heater. Perfectly centralized location near parks, schools, supermarkets and NYC transportation.

Picture perfect 2 bedroom, 2 bath penthouse with terrace, SUV parking, roof rights and elevator direct to your living room! This 1,415 square foot home features chef’s kitchen with Gaggenau range and oven, SubZero refrigerator and wine chiller, Bosch dishwasher, sleek custom cabinets and Calacatta marble counters and backsplash. Living room features custom built in entertainment center, oversized windows and access to terrace with NYC views. Spa like bathrooms with floor to ceiling Carrara marble, on demand hot water heater, custom closets, Brazilian cherry hardwood floors, surround sound speakers in ceiling throughout, central air conditioning, recessed lighting, in home laundry and additional cagged storage. Close to NYC transportation, 1st Street shopping and dining!

The most sought after 1 bedroom floor plan in Crystal Point - Jersey City’s premier riverfront community. With over 1,050 square feet of living space, this in demand 1 bedroom 1½ bathroom condo features unobstructed Manhattan views from every room. Stunning chef’s kitchen offers the finest finishes including imported Pedini cabinets, Jenn-Air appliances and designer tile backsplash. Master bedroom with large walk-in closet and en suite spa bath with dual sink vanity, glass shower and separate soaking tub. HVAC recently upgraded to quieter next generation system with increased energy efficiency. Floor to ceiling windows, in home laundry and hardwood floors throughout. Building features 24-hour concierge, valet parking space, pool, spa, fitness center, kid’s play area and outdoor terrace. A true Gold Coast oasis!

Dramatic 1,050 square foot loft in Hoboken’s landmark boutique building, Garden Street Lofts. Formerly a coconut warehouse, now an in demand visionary LEED certified building. Unique features include fabulous entryway, 11 foot ceilings with original concrete beams, Italian Valcucine kitchen, Viking wine cooler & gas range, Sub Zero refrigerator, glass counters & Miele dishwasher. Oversized windows with southern exposure, 1½ baths, filtered fresh air, soundproofing, laundry, common roof deck with dazzling NYC & Hudson River views. Storage & bike room on premises. Garage parking, NYC bus at door, and 3 blocks to ferry. CERTIFIED LEED Platinum building!

A unique opportunity to have it all in the heart of Hoboken! 2070 sf 4 bedroom, 2 bath has 2 garage parking spots and outdoor terrace! This 2-year young, steel & concrete elevator building has a stunning open floor plan with a Euro-style kitchen featuring a Viking stainless steel appliance suite, waterfall quartz counters, tile backsplash and both under counter & pendant lighting. Master bedroom suite hosts a spa-like bath with a dual vanity, glass shower enclosure that includes both hand & rain showerheads, 6’ soaking tub and oversized walk-in closet. Other features include hardwood floors, custom walk-in closets, window treatments, laundry, central HVAC system & on-demand hot water heater. Perfectly centralized location near parks, schools, supermarkets and NYC transportation.