©2013 Robert Brown / RSB Digital Photography
Example of a classic u-shaped open concept kitchen design in Orlando with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, granite countertops, black backsplash, glass sheet backsplash and black appliances

Example of a transitional women's carpeted dressing room design in San Francisco with glass-front cabinets and beige cabinets

Basement wet bar with sink and fridge. Tile floor and back splash. Microwave. Dark wood cabinets. Glass mosaic tile transplant. Photography by Spacecrafting.

Photography-Hedrich Blessing Glass House: The design objective was to build a house for my wife and three kids, looking forward in terms of how people live today. To experiment with transparency and reflectivity, removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. To construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. To tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with the nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the concrete beams support the steel beams; and in terms of how the entire house is enveloped in glass as if it was poured over the bones to make it skin tight. To engineer the house to be a smart house that 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. To develop a planning module based on a 16 foot square room size and a 8 foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The base of the interstitial spaces also become skylights for the basement gallery. This house is all about flexibility; the family room, was a nursery when the kids were infants, is a craft and media room now, and will be a family room when the time is right. Our rooms are all based on a 16’x16’ (4.8mx4.8m) module, so a bedroom, a kitchen, and a dining room are the same size and functions can easily change; only the furniture and the attitude needs to change. The house is 5,500 SF (550 SM)of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 8200 SF (820 SM). The mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hardscapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot.

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.

Example of a classic l-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen design in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, blue backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Our client came as a referral. They had seen a kitchen project we had completed where we opened up the kitchen to the living room. They were inspired to do the same in their kitchen. While they initially came to us looking to simply remove a wall to open up the space, in conversation it was clear we could help them really make the space function better for their family and entertaining. Ultimately they wanted to have an open bright space that was family friendly, great for entertaining and satisfied their love of cooking. By far, the greatest challenge we faced with this project was removing the load bearing wall that started the conversation to begin with. This wall was supporting 2 stories and housed the majority of electricity and plumbing for the kitchen and bathrooms above. Some of the key features are: An island enlarged to the maximum size that the beautiful Calacatta Retro slab allowed. The island houses a Galley 5-foot prep station sink with two faucets, dishwasher, two beverage coolers, drawer microwave, trash disposal, and a charging station for all of the family’s digital devices, are all conveniently located in the island. A vibrant tile from Porcelanosa is installed as the backsplash. The butler pantry was transformed into a coffee and wine bar. Installed Mocket pop-up outlets on the island that close flush to the island when not in use, but are easily accessible. Sonos speakers discreetly concealed in the ceiling for music throughout the space. The kitchen with dark colors and heavy gothic like style trim is gone, and a light, bright, kitchen with clean lines and an abundance of features has taken its place. The client is beyond delighted with the transformation of their kitchen and now combined living room space.

Inspiration for a timeless l-shaped kitchen remodel in Atlanta with a double-bowl sink, glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, black backsplash and black appliances

Mid-sized trendy medium tone wood floor wine cellar photo in New York

Large transitional open concept medium tone wood floor living room photo in New York with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Todd Newland
Large transitional open concept medium tone wood floor living room photo in New York with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Breakfast nook and door to deck. JPDA
Mid-sized minimalist l-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, glass countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Inspiration for a large transitional open concept carpeted family room remodel in New York with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Example of a large transitional open concept medium tone wood floor living room design in New York with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Flooe to ceiling shower with digital mirror
Small trendy 3/4 white tile and marble tile porcelain tile, white floor and single-sink toilet room photo in London with glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, a wall-mount sink, marble countertops, a hinged shower door and a floating vanity

Warm and sunny kitchen. JPDA
Example of a mid-sized minimalist l-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen design in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, glass countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Backlit wet bar for both subtle or bright lighting
Small mid-century modern u-shaped wet bar photo in Denver with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, wood countertops, glass sheet backsplash and brown countertops

Ryan Begley
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern master brown tile and porcelain tile vinyl floor and beige floor bathroom remodel in Tampa with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, an integrated sink, solid surface countertops and gray walls

Mid-sized arts and crafts l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo in Sacramento with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, an island, beige backsplash and matchstick tile backsplash