The organic shape of the surrounding trees contrasts the hard-lined form of the home. To the right, a photo studio is clad in pre-cast concrete. The large front door defines the central entry. To the left, the great room is screened by perforated metal. Heavy Metal is a contemporary take on the Miesian courtyard house, in a rural setting. In this instance, the courtyard is created as much by the landscaping and vegetation as it is by the architecture. Photography by Andrew Fabin

Waking up to vaulted ceilings, reclaimed beams, and natural lighting is our builder's prescription to a morning that starts on the right note! Add a few extraordinary design details like this modern chandelier and a bold accent wall and you may think you are still dreaming...

This New England home has the essence of a traditional home, yet offers a modern appeal. The home renovation and addition involved moving the kitchen to the addition, leaving the resulting space to become a formal dining and living area. The extension over the garage created an expansive open space on the first floor. The large, cleverly designed space seamlessly integrates the kitchen, a family room, and an eating area. A substantial center island made of soapstone slabs has ample space to accommodate prepping for dinner on one side, and the kids doing their homework on the other. The pull-out drawers at the end contain extra refrigerator and freezer space. Additionally, the glass backsplash tile offers a refreshing luminescence to the area. A custom designed informal dining table fills the space adjacent to the center island. Paint colors in keeping with the overall color scheme were given to the children. Their resulting artwork sits above the family computers. Chalkboard paint covers the wall opposite the kitchen area creating a drawing wall for the kids. Around the corner from this, a reclaimed door from the grandmother's home hangs in the opening to the pantry. Details such as these provide a sense of family and history to the central hub of the home. Builder: Anderson Contracting Service Interior Designer: Kristina Crestin Photographer: Jamie Salomon

Richard Powers
Example of a tuscan u-shaped seated home bar design in Orange County with recessed-panel cabinets and medium tone wood cabinets

Klopf Architecture and Jesse Ososki Art remodeled an existing Eichler atrium home into a brighter, more open, and more functional version of its original self. The goals were to preserve the Eichler look and feel without the need to strictly adhere to it. The scope of work included re-configuring the master bedroom/bath, the kitchen, and the hall bath/laundry area, as well as updating interior finishes throughout to be more sophisticated. The owners are detail-oriented and were very involved in the design process, down to the selection of lighting controls and stainless steel faceplates.Their design aesthetic leans toward the Scandinavian — light and bright, with simple straight lines and pure geometric shapes. The finish flooring is large porcelain tile (24” x 24”) in a neutral grey tone, providing a uniform backdrop against which other materials can stand out. The same tile continues into the shower floor (with a different finish texture for slip-resistance) and up the shower/tub walls (in a smaller size). Heath Classic Field ceramic tile in Modern Blue was used sparingly, to add color at the hall bath vanity backsplash and at the shampoo niches in both bathrooms. Back-painted soda glass in pale blue to match the Heath tile was used at the kitchen backsplash. This same accent color was also used at the front entry atrium door. Kitchen cabinetry, countertops, appliances, and light fixtures are all white, making the kitchen feel more airy and light. Countertops are Caesarstone Blizzard. The owners chose to keep some of the original Eichler elements: the concrete masonry fireplace; the stained tongue-and-groove redwood ceiling decking; and the luan wall paneling. The luan paneling was lightly sanded, cleaned, and re-stained. The owners also kept an added element that was installed by a previous owner: sliding shoji panels at all bedroom windows and sliding glass doors, for both privacy and sun control. Grooves were cut into the new tile flooring for the shoji panels to slide in, creating a more integrated look. Walnut was used to add warmth and contrast at the kitchen bar top and niche, the bathroom vanities, and the window sill/ledge under the kitchen window. This Burlingame Eichler Remodel is a 2,121 sf, 4 bedroom/2 bath home located in the heart of Silicon Valley. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, Klara Kevane and Yegvenia Torres Zavala Contractor: Jesse Ososki Art Structural Engineer: Emmanuel Pun Photography ©2018 Mariko Reed Location: Burlingame, CA Year completed: 2017

Mariko Reed Architectural Photography
Open concept kitchen - 1950s galley open concept kitchen idea in San Francisco with white cabinets, yellow backsplash and an island

This was an incredible patio home remodel we completed in the Fall of 2013. The original interior was straight from the early 1980s. We brought the property every luxury of a 21st century kitchen - slow close drawer glides, farmhouse sink, panel-front dishwasher and refrigerator, beaded inset cabinets, island with eat-in barstools....the list goes on. Every room on the first floor was transformed with newly installed hardwood floors, crown molding, and fresh paint. The two-sided fireplace was refaced on either side as well as given brand new molding, mantles, and recessed lighting. An alder wood bookshelf was installed in the dining room. The master bath received a full-size laundry closet (in lieu of the former laundry closet which was in the kitchen where we now have a built-in and TV!). We expanded the shower to give room for a seat. The original vanity was ripped out and replaced with custom-built vanities, new lighting, mirrors, etc. Every inch of this patio home has been elevated! Interior Design by Bonnie Taylor Photo by Chad Jackson Remodeled by Scovell Wolfe and Associates, Inc.

The beautiful lake house that finally got the beautiful kitchen to match. A sizable project that involved removing walls and reconfiguring spaces with the goal to create a more usable space for this active family that loves to entertain. The kitchen island is massive - so much room for cooking, projects and entertaining. The family loves their open pantry - a great functional space that is easy to access everything the family needs from a coffee bar to the mini bar complete with ice machine and mini glass front fridge. The results of a great collaboration with the homeowners who had tricky spaces to work with.

This Miami Modern style custom bar replaced an old world dark wood style pub. This updated social gathering spot allows you to sit with your friends, enjoy a cocktail, and appreciate the commissioned art installation on the bar's backsplash wall, enhanced by wall-washed lighting. The italian bar chairs are upholstered in red leather and feature woven cane backs.

This home design features a two story vaulted great room space with a stone fireplace flanked by custom built in cabinetry. It features a custom two story white arched window. This great room features a blend of enameled and stained work. Photo by Spacecrafting

Photo: Jason Snyder © 2014 Houzz Design: Luca Construction and Design
Contemporary three-story wood exterior home idea

Example of a mountain style open concept light wood floor living room design with green walls and a wood stove

The mahogany wood paneling in the Formal Library has been French polished by hand to create a visibly stunning finish that is also wonderful to touch. Historic New York City Townhouse | Renovation by Brian O'Keefe Architect, PC, with Interior Design by Richard Keith Langham

Architecture by Horst Architects www.horst-architects.com John Ellis Photography
Example of a trendy medium tone wood floor bedroom design in Orange County

This project involved converting a partially finished basement into an ultimate media room with an English pub. The family is big on entertaining and enjoys watching movies and college football. It was important to combine the media area with the pub to create options for guests within the same space. Although the home has a full sized basement the staircase was centrally located, which made it difficult for special configuration. As a result, we were able to work with the existing plan be designing a media area large enough for a sectional sofa and additional seating with the English pub at the far end of the room. The home owner had a projection screen on a bare wall with the electrical components stacked on boxes. The new plan involved installing new cabinets to accommodate components and surround the screen to give it a built-in finish. Open shelving also allows the homeowner to feature some of their collectible sports memorabilia. As if the 130 inch projection screen wasn’t large enough, the surround sound system makes you feel like you are part of the action. It is as close to the I MAX viewing experience as you are going to get in a home. Sound-deadening insulation was installed in the ceiling and walls to prevent noise from penetrating the second floor. The design of the pub was inspired by the home owner’s favorite local pub, Brazenhead. The bar countertop with lift-top entrance was custom built by our carpenters to simulate aged wood. The finish looks rough, but it is smooth enough to wipe down easily. The top encloses the bar and provides seating for guests. A TV at the bar allows guest to follow along with the game on the big screen or tune into another game. The game table provides even another option for entertainment in the media room. Stacked stone with thick mortar joints was installed on the face of the bar and to an opposite wall containing the entrance to a wine room. Hand scrapped hardwood floors were installed in the pub portion of the media room to provide yet another touch to “Brazenhead” their own pub. The wet bar is under a soffit area that continues into the media area due to existing duct work. We wanted to creatively find a way to separate the two spaces. Adding trim on the ceiling and front of soffit at the bar defined the area and made a great transition from the drywall soffit to the wet bar. A tin ceiling was installed which added to the ambience of the pub wet bar and further aided in defining the soffit as an intentional part of the design. Custom built wainscoting borders the perimeter of the media room. The end result allows the client to comfortably entertain in a space designed just for them.

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional partial sun front yard concrete paver driveway in Cleveland.

White oak flooring, walnut cabinetry, white quartzite countertops, stainless appliances, white inset wall cabinets
Open concept kitchen - large scandinavian u-shaped light wood floor open concept kitchen idea in Denver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Petr Krejci
Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in London

Aaron Leitz Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized country l-shaped medium tone wood floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Seattle with recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, white walls and an island