This double master bathroom vanity features lots of storage, two beautiful undermount sinks, black "Maranache" granite and cabinets by Ultracraft Cabinetry with frosted seaglass knobs. Photo by Chrissy Racho.

Taj Mahal Quartzite Kitchen with Double Eased Edge
Inspiration for a timeless kitchen remodel in Sacramento

Treve Johnson Photography
Transitional kitchen photo in San Francisco

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.

Recessed panel Woodharbor cabinetry with combination painted white finishes Island roughsawn white oak veneer by OP Signature Series in a gray stain Wolf 48” dual fuel range with double oven, six burners and griddle in stainless steel Wolf 24” E series steam oven in stainless steel Wolf Microwave Drawer 24″ Stainless transitional E series in Stainless Steel Wolf 30” Warming Drawer panel ready Best 48″ hood insert in stainless steel with 1200cfm remote blower Sub-Zero 36″ panel ready integrated refrigerator Sub-Zero 36″ panel ready integrated freezer Cove 24” built-In panel-ready dishwasher Kitchen stone tops 1/2″ Krion in White Concrete #9104 with a 1-1/4″ thick mitered edge

Beautiful U-shape white kitchen with frameless custom cabinetry, paneled fridge, white herringbone subway tile backsplash, stainless steel SubZero-Wolf appliances, quartzite countertops including a mitered edge island, glass pendant lights, and polished nickel plumbing and hardware in the Ballantyne Country Club Neighborhood of Charlotte, NC

KuDa Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary master white tile drop-in bathtub remodel in Portland with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets and white walls

Sited along the North edge of a double lot property, the Berman Residence is designed to celebrate the Southern California house-to-garden relationship. The building’s linear plan parallels the garden on the Southern lot, creating an equal counterpart to the indoor space along its entire length. At ground level, the house opens generously to the garden using a system of independently sliding wood screen and glass doors. On sunny days, screens may be deployed to allow ocean breezes to permeate the interior, while softening direct sunlight. Photo Credits: Eric Staudenmaier

A modern bathroom custom fitted with a white quartz double vanity. A sleek mitered edge and 3" backsplash complement the understated design of this contemporary master bath

Geometric Travertine pool with raised square spa, raised planters, raised beam fire wall with sheer descents, negative edge with catch basin, Paramount PV3 infloor cleaning system, and travertine paver decking in Versailles Pattern. Material finishes include 2x4 splitface travertine in light, 3cm bull nosed travertine coping in light walnut, 1x1 Mosaic marble waterline tiles in Crema Marfil, Wet Edge Primera Stone polished pebble interior in Blue Pacific Coast, Travertine Pavers in Versailles Pattern and color Aske Kale.

Taj Mahal Quartzite kitchen countertops, Cabinet is a Shaker style in Pure White color, Floor stain is Natural mixed with country white. Backsplash is a 3X6 Crackled Ceramic Tile, by Sonoma Tile, Set in Herington Pattern. http://galerisablog.com/category/architectural-photography/

Inspiration for a farmhouse l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen remodel in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

This 1912 traditional style house sits on the edge of Cheesman Park with four levels that needed updating to better suit the young family’s needs. A custom wine room was constructed on the lower level to accommodate an area for entertaining guests. The main level was divided into a smaller family room area with a double door opening into the formal living room. The kitchen and butler’s pantry were combined and remodeled for better function. The second level master bathroom was relocated and created out of an adjacent bedroom, incorporating an existing fireplace and Juliet balcony that looks out to the park. A new staircase was constructed on the third level as a continuation of the grand staircase in the center of the house. A gathering and play space opens off the stairs and connects to the third-floor deck. A Jill & Jill bathroom remodel was constructed between the girls’ rooms.

This is the story about a kitchen that was showing it’s age with white countertops and dark oak cabinets on a dark oak floor. It all worked once, but now the kitchen felt dark, cramped and dysfunctional. The owners were looking for a total kitchen transformation. After a disastrous beginning with a contractor taking their money and vanishing into thin air, the owners were left with a completely gutted kitchen that consisted of only the walls. They hired Rick Jacobson to rescue them and restart the project. The new kitchen design began with the idea of using Cobalt Blue as a primary color. The blue seen on many glassware pieces is Cobalt Blue, and it was decided to use it in the tile for the kitchen, as well as the pendant lights. Another goal was to make the kitchen brighter with an easier traffic flow, as well as completely updated cabinetry. And there were traffic patterns to improve, a refrigerator to move, and exhaust vents to reroute. Rick Jacobson listened to the owners and worked to create the kitchen that the owners imagined. He began by thinking through the traffic flow patterns. He noted that the doorway from the dining room needed to be widened. He added rounded doorway headers to match the home’s existing décor. He carefully thought through where the kitchen island should be, including how opening the oven doors would be in relation to people sitting at the kitchen island at a family gathering. Kitchen cabinet touches include off edge flat panel doors, soft close wooden drawers, and a spice cabinet with two slide-out racks. The new longer center island features a drawer microwave that opens and closes automatically with the push of a button. The center island also features two recycling bins and seating for four. Rick even thought of adding decorative elements to the existing half wall to make it look in line with the kitchen island. The kitchen’s black granite countertops offer an unusually appealing view: There are lots of interesting reflections throughout the kitchen. Another of Rick’s touches is that all of the lights, including recessed ceiling lights, three cobalt blue pendant lights and below cabinet lights are on dimmers which work to balance daytime and nighttime lighting. The under mounted stainless steel single sink is complemented with a gooseneck faucet. The stainless steel gas range is thin enough to allow for a wide drawer below for utensils, and the stainless steel vent hood is vented through the ceiling to outdoors, allowing additional storage space in the top cabinets. Double ovens with white doors are the perfect match to the cabinets, with a location that makes baking and roasting easier with the two large vertical storage for baking sheets and supplies nearby. The result: A functional, open, bright and Cobalt blue kitchen.

a double vessel sink, asymmetrical mirror, playful heath ceramics wall tile and plywood vanity with fenix laminate top provide for a custom solution to accommodate the existing bathroom window

Primary Product: CertainTeed Cedar Impressions® Perfection Shingles Size: Double 7" Straight Edge Color: Cypress
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless green three-story vinyl exterior home remodel in Philadelphia

A double vanishing edge on this pool and the clean lines make this a modern, yet classic pool design. The spa also features an infinity edge spillway. This whole pool is wrapped in beautiful travertine. Plus a sunk-in patio that creates a bar area, along with the fire feature!

A beautiful kitchen remodel in Amarillo featuring white cabinetry on the main walls and a dark wood island with curved edges. Oversized metal and glass lanterns hang over the island to enhance the natural light and recessed lighting overhead. The focal point of the kitchen is this custom designed zinc vent hood above the striking harlequin tile patterned backsplash. Other notable items include a Turbo Chef double oven, corner cabinets with open shelving, and a coordinating butler's pantry located adjacent to the main kitchen.

Countertop: Quartz 3cm Pearl 6011 eased edge flat polish Backsplash 1: Masonry JC Atlas CH 17 Riverwash Crack 3x6 stacked 11 snow white Backsplash 2: Masonry JC Atlas 17 Riverwash Crack Territory Dome Linear 11 snow white Backsplash 3: Masonry JC Atlas 17 Riverwash Crack Island Pier Mosaic Vertical Behind cook top 11 snow white Wall Color: Benjamin Moore HC-172 Revere Pewter Trim: Benjamin Moore White Dove Hardwood Floor: White Oak Coffee