Photo: Brenda Olde © 2015 Houzz
Photo of a mid-century modern landscaping in Denver.

Alan Williams Photography
Example of a beach style home design design in London

HandyMensch Finished attic space with pull-down stairs
Inspiration for a transitional shed remodel in DC Metro

The geometric 3D wall decor above the crib sits on top of the geometric wallpaper, to bring the modern theme of this room to life.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary home design remodel in Dallas

Developed by Minarc founders, Erla Dögg Ingjaldsdóttir and Tryggvi Thorsteinsson, Plús Hús is an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) design service that offers simple, efficient, multi-purposed structure designed to let anyone add an affordable, environmentally responsible space to their property.

The clients had a hillside backyard with very little flat area for entertaining and play. The site access was very difficult so we needed to keep all the soil on site. We pushed back into the hillside to create the seating area and then used the soil to create another higher level flat area for a children's play structure. We also incorporated a small waterfall for play and for the soothing sound of water. The upper level houses the bench swing with a view of the whole backyard.

This kitchen transformation focused on improving functionality, flow, and overall visual appeal while working within the existing structure. The original layout made it difficult to comfortably host and entertain, so the design aimed to create a more open and guest-friendly environment. Key existing elements, such as the brick wall and farmhouse sink, were thoughtfully integrated to preserve character. A refreshed color palette, updated finishes, and improved storage solutions helped modernize the space while maintaining warmth and usability. The result is a more cohesive, inviting kitchen that better supports both everyday living and entertaining.

Example of a trendy home design design in Miami

This project started as a repair to a severely age degraded basement wall. With a bit of creative thinking it became an opportunity for creating a daylight basement. See Project Video: Part 1: https://youtu.be/xaDcO0X1wOI Part 2: https://youtu.be/9nGNaCc6Fpw The basement wall repair solution is a new below grade window wall and covered entry door area. The plan for this daylight basement project was to terrace the adjacent grade, allowing for a wall of lower level windows and a set of steps dropping down to a new exterior entry door. We had just enough room in the side yard setback to fit it all in. A daylight basement project such as this is no small matter regarding safety issues. I have a lot of respect for the fearless yet professional manner that Jason Smith of Ozz Construction showed to execute this difficult project. The temporary support shoring allowed the crew enough working room to put in the structural steel and wall framing that holds up the entire south side of the building. The completed daylight basement transforms the feel and functionality of this formally dark and dreary area. This new natural light will be a great improvement to this future finished apartment space.

This project started as a repair to a severely age degraded basement wall. With a bit of creative thinking it became an opportunity for creating a daylight basement. See Project Video: Part 1: https://youtu.be/xaDcO0X1wOI Part 2: https://youtu.be/9nGNaCc6Fpw The basement wall repair solution is a new below grade window wall and covered entry door area. The plan for this daylight basement project was to terrace the adjacent grade, allowing for a wall of lower level windows and a set of steps dropping down to a new exterior entry door. We had just enough room in the side yard setback to fit it all in. A daylight basement project such as this is no small matter regarding safety issues. I have a lot of respect for the fearless yet professional manner that Jason Smith of Ozz Construction showed to execute this difficult project. The temporary support shoring allowed the crew enough working room to put in the structural steel and wall framing that holds up the entire south side of the building. The completed daylight basement transforms the feel and functionality of this formally dark and dreary area. This new natural light will be a great improvement to this future finished apartment space.

This project started as a repair to a severely age degraded basement wall. With a bit of creative thinking it became an opportunity for creating a daylight basement. See Project Video: Part 1: https://youtu.be/xaDcO0X1wOI Part 2: https://youtu.be/9nGNaCc6Fpw The basement wall repair solution is a new below grade window wall and covered entry door area. The plan for this daylight basement project was to terrace the adjacent grade, allowing for a wall of lower level windows and a set of steps dropping down to a new exterior entry door. We had just enough room in the side yard setback to fit it all in. A daylight basement project such as this is no small matter regarding safety issues. I have a lot of respect for the fearless yet professional manner that Jason Smith of Ozz Construction showed to execute this difficult project. The temporary support shoring allowed the crew enough working room to put in the structural steel and wall framing that holds up the entire south side of the building. The completed daylight basement transforms the feel and functionality of this formally dark and dreary area. This new natural light will be a great improvement to this future finished apartment space.

With its welcoming shape, elegant slats, and the warmth of premium teak, the Kafelonia Lounge Chair is difficult to resist. Deep, plush seat and back cushions on a generously proportioned frame maximizes comfort over extended periods of time, while its solid teak frame and 5/8" slats ensures maximum structural strength. Cushions made with Quick Dry Foam® core and 100% solution dyed Sunbrella fabrics. Built from 100% Grade A Teak, harvested from sustainable plantations in Indonesia. Every piece is precision manufactured to standard specifications for commercial and residential use. Optional Teak Finishes available. Size: 31.75" Wide x 28" Deep x 28.5" High 25" Seat Width 24.75" Seat Depth 11" Seat Height (frame only)

2012 NARI CAPITAL COTY, MERIT AWARD WINNER, RESIDENTIAL BASEMENT INTERIOR A newer house in the suburb of Ashburn, Virginia, is home to this military couple. With a growing family and a daughter moving back home, they were in need of more space. An unfinished basement offered plenty of space for a remodel, but coming up with a desirable floor plan was difficult due to the location of a stairway that the builder had installed and the location of the furnace and hot water heater. Working with Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, the couple came up with a plan that moved the furnace and hot water heater to a storage room and redirected the stairway in order to create a workable layout. The primary goal was to have a home office, full bathroom, guest bedroom and a large entertaining area. The focal point of the design is a new gas fireplace embedded in ledge stone with a large LED television above it. A bar with custom cabinetry, exotic stone countertops and decorative pendant lighting creates a central area for the family to gather.

The photovoltaic panels mounted on the garage roof provide more power on an annual basis then the home uses, enough to partially charge their electric car! The smaller home size allowed the couple to maximize their yard space. http://www.kipnisarch.com Kipnis Architecture + Planning

“This couple really liked their view,” recalled Murphy Bros. lead designer Cherie Poissant, “but wanted to frame that view against a point of interest that also screened the neighbors who were only 25 feet away.” Since no stairway was desired, all the space on the deck was in play. “They really liked the idea of a fireplace as the privacy wall,” said Poissant. “That’s pretty unique. You really don’t see stone fireplaces with bench seating and a six-foot wall on a second-floor deck. But that’s why they came to us because we really thrive on the custom design approach,” explains Poissant. Adding a stone fireplace and wall presented some structural support challenges to overcome. Murphy Bros. added several helical piers footings to support the extra weight. Piers are ideal for difficult clay soils, which are so prevalent in Plymouth.

Coming up with new ideas is always challenging, but the challenge seems even more difficult to overcome when the starting point is quite limiting. In the case of this residential project, the starting point was an existing foundation, that needed to be used for the future building. Therefore, the footprint of the house needed to remain the same, however, the functions needed adjustments since the requirements and priorities of the owners changed in the previous years. Another aspect that involved limitations but in a totally different sense was the setting - a beautiful place near a lake, surrounded by wild vegetation - and our challenge was to integrate the house while emphasizing the view. We managed to do so by using large glass areas towards the lake, by laying the house properly on the sloped ground and by the use of materials. Because we didn't want to interfere with the all-natural vibe of the surroundings, we preferred using all-natural materials: wood as a structural material as well as an interior and exterior wall finishing, natural stone on both façades and pavements, ceramic roofing. The result now peacefully lays near the lake, a discrete presence, while hosting the life of a family and all the peace of mind one can get.

2012 NARI CAPITAL COTY, MERIT AWARD WINNER, RESIDENTIAL BASEMENT INTERIOR A newer house in the suburb of Ashburn, Virginia, is home to this military couple. With a growing family and a daughter moving back home, they were in need of more space. An unfinished basement offered plenty of space for a remodel, but coming up with a desirable floor plan was difficult due to the location of a stairway that the builder had installed and the location of the furnace and hot water heater. Working with Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, the couple came up with a plan that moved the furnace and hot water heater to a storage room and redirected the stairway in order to create a workable layout. The primary goal was to have a home office, full bathroom, guest bedroom and a large entertaining area. The focal point of the design is a new gas fireplace embedded in ledge stone with a large LED television above it. A bar with custom cabinetry, exotic stone countertops and decorative pendant lighting creates a central area for the family to gather.

Design Consultant Jeff Doubét is the author of Creating Spanish Style Homes: Before & After – Techniques – Designs – Insights. The 240 page “Design Consultation in a Book” is now available. Please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com for more info. Jeff Doubét specializes in Santa Barbara style home and landscape designs. To learn more info about the variety of custom design services I offer, please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com Jeff Doubét is the Founder of Santa Barbara Home Design - a design studio based in Santa Barbara, California USA.

Cohesively updating and modernizing this home built in the 1990s were the goal in this remodel. Several elements throughout the house like the traditional golden oak original stair railing in the main entry were too colonial for the homeowner as their taste was trending more modern. The golden oak used on trim, fireplace mantle, and baseboards trapped this home in a time warp. The original Kitchen had cabinetry with a traditional door style, painted cabinets, and laminate countertops which also caused it to look dated. The clients expressed a desire to integrate more modern elements into their home in a cost effective way without having to rip everything down to the studs. Our design/build team proposed and executed many elegant cost effective design solutions that involved changing paint, cabinetry, finishes, and fixtures to achieve the desired modern feeling throughout the home. To overcome the difficult obstacle the pervasive use of old fashioned looking woodwork throughout the house we proposed using paint to avoid material waste and save the client money. The main staircase in the entry was transformed and modernized by painting it a dark bronze enamel color. Trim and baseboards were also enameled in this color to carry the modern feeling throughout the home and also creating continuity from one space to another. This solution proved green and cost effective by preserving these elements in the home which prevented unnecessary demolition waste and new material cost while enhancing the existing structure aesthetically. Photography: Jill Greer