This brick and limestone, 6,000-square-foot residence exemplifies understated elegance. Located in the award-wining Blaine School District and within close proximity to the Southport Corridor, this is city living at its finest! The foyer, with herringbone wood floors, leads to a dramatic, hand-milled oval staircase; an architectural element that allows sunlight to cascade down from skylights and to filter throughout the house. The floor plan has stately-proportioned rooms and includes formal Living and Dining Rooms; an expansive, eat-in, gourmet Kitchen/Great Room; four bedrooms on the second level with three additional bedrooms and a Family Room on the lower level; a Penthouse Playroom leading to a roof-top deck and green roof; and an attached, heated 3-car garage. Additional features include hardwood flooring throughout the main level and upper two floors; sophisticated architectural detailing throughout the house including coffered ceiling details, barrel and groin vaulted ceilings; painted, glazed and wood paneling; laundry rooms on the bedroom level and on the lower level; five fireplaces, including one outdoors; and HD Video, Audio and Surround Sound pre-wire distribution through the house and grounds. The home also features extensively landscaped exterior spaces, designed by Prassas Landscape Studio. This home went under contract within 90 days during the Great Recession. Featured in Chicago Magazine: http://goo.gl/Gl8lRm Jim Yochum

Le Maestro 75 Tall Tunnel Eco Wave est le parfait séparateur de pièces avec une vue sur le feu sur 2 côtés. Grâce à une fenêtre haute, vous vivez l'expérience ultime du feu dans votre maison. En toute saison, vous pouvez profiter du foyer car vous pouvez choisir parmi différentes hauteurs de flamme, l'émission de chaleur et un lit lumineux LED commutable. Ce foyer a un très haut rendement, donc économique à l'usage.

Beach pebble inlays break the concrete patio into smaller "rooms," while still making it feel like one large space. Plantings around the patio reinforce the linear theme. Westhauser Photography

A classic fireplace by MAC Custom Homes for this family cottage home. photo by: Jason Hulet
Living room - coastal living room idea

Mid-century modern galley open concept kitchen photo in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, green backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Elizabeth Taich Design is a Chicago-based full-service interior architecture and design firm that specializes in sophisticated yet livable environments.

This old tiny kitchen now boasts big space, ideal for a small family or a bigger gathering. It's main feature is the customized black metal frame that hangs from the ceiling providing support for two natural maple butcher block shevles, but also divides the two rooms. A downdraft vent compliments the functionality and aesthetic of this installation. The kitchen counters encroach into the dining room, providing more under counter storage. The concept of a proportionately larger peninsula allows more working and entertaining surface. The weightiness of the counters was balanced by the wall of tall cabinets. These cabinets provide most of the kitchen storage and boast an appliance garage, deep pantry and a clever lemans system for the corner storage. Design: Astro Design Centre, Ottawa Canada Photos: Doublespace Photography

Homeowners aimed to bring the lovely outdoors into better view when they removed the two 90's dated columns that divided the kitchen from the family room and eat-in area. They also transformed the range wall when they added two wood encasement windows which frame the custom zinc hood and allow a soft light to penetrate the kitchen. Custom beaded inset cabinetry was designed with a busy family of 5 in mind. A coffee station hides behind the appliance garage, the paper towel holder is partially concealed in a rolling drawer and three custom pullout drawers with soft close hinges hold many items that would otherwise be located on the countertop or under the sink. A 48" Viking gas range took the place of a 30" electric cooktop and a Bosch microwave drawer is now located in the island to make space for the newly added beverage cooler. Due to size and budget constaints, we kept the basic footprint so every space was carefully planned for function and design. The family stayed true to their casual lifestyle with the black honed countertops but added a little bling with the rustic crystal chandelier, crystal prism arched sconces and calcutta gold herringbone backsplash. But the owner's favorite add was the custom island designed as an antique furniture piece with the essenza blue quartzite countertop cut with a demi-bull stepout. The kids can now sit at the ample sized counter and enjoy breakfast or finish homework in the comfortable cherry red swivel chairs which add a pop to the otherwise understated tones. This newly remodeled kitchen checked all the homeowner's desires.

This stunning master suite is part of a whole house design and renovation project by Haven Design and Construction. The master bath features a 22' cupola with a breathtaking shell chandelier, a freestanding tub, a gold and marble mosaic accent wall behind the tub, a curved walk in shower, his and hers vanities with a drop down seated vanity area for her, complete with hairdryer pullouts and a lucite vanity bench.

Example of a large minimalist l-shaped porcelain tile eat-in kitchen design in Austin with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, green backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Example of a cottage medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Chicago

Large transitional gender-neutral marble floor and white floor walk-in closet photo in Miami with open cabinets and light wood cabinets

Dave Burk Hedrich Blessing
Inspiration for a large timeless master white tile mosaic tile floor bathroom remodel in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and marble countertops

This new home was designed to nestle quietly into the rich landscape of rolling pastures and striking mountain views. A wrap around front porch forms a facade that welcomes visitors and hearkens to a time when front porch living was all the entertainment a family needed. White lap siding coupled with a galvanized metal roof and contrasting pops of warmth from the stained door and earthen brick, give this home a timeless feel and classic farmhouse style. The story and a half home has 3 bedrooms and two and half baths. The master suite is located on the main level with two bedrooms and a loft office on the upper level. A beautiful open concept with traditional scale and detailing gives the home historic character and charm. Transom lites, perfectly sized windows, a central foyer with open stair and wide plank heart pine flooring all help to add to the nostalgic feel of this young home. White walls, shiplap details, quartz counters, shaker cabinets, simple trim designs, an abundance of natural light and carefully designed artificial lighting make modest spaces feel large and lend to the homeowner's delight in their new custom home. Kimberly Kerl

Photography by Brokenpress Design+Fabrication
Example of a small mid-century modern wooden medium tone wood floor staircase design in Chicago with white walls and wooden risers

Mid-sized elegant master beige tile and travertine tile beige floor freestanding bathtub photo in New York with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, beige walls, an integrated sink and a hinged shower door

Michael Stadler - Stadler Studio
Large urban open concept medium tone wood floor game room photo in Seattle with a wall-mounted tv and multicolored walls

FIRST PLACE 2018 ASID DESIGN OVATION AWARD / MASTER BATH OVER $50,000. In addition to a much-needed update, the clients desired a spa-like environment for their Master Bath. Sea Pearl Quartzite slabs were used on an entire wall and around the vanity and served as this ethereal palette inspiration. Luxuries include a soaking tub, decorative lighting, heated floor, towel warmers and bidet. Michael Hunter