The design of this home was driven by the owners’ desire for a three-bedroom waterfront home that showcased the spectacular views and park-like setting. As nature lovers, they wanted their home to be organic, minimize any environmental impact on the sensitive site and embrace nature. This unique home is sited on a high ridge with a 45° slope to the water on the right and a deep ravine on the left. The five-acre site is completely wooded and tree preservation was a major emphasis. Very few trees were removed and special care was taken to protect the trees and environment throughout the project. To further minimize disturbance, grades were not changed and the home was designed to take full advantage of the site’s natural topography. Oak from the home site was re-purposed for the mantle, powder room counter and select furniture. The visually powerful twin pavilions were born from the need for level ground and parking on an otherwise challenging site. Fill dirt excavated from the main home provided the foundation. All structures are anchored with a natural stone base and exterior materials include timber framing, fir ceilings, shingle siding, a partial metal roof and corten steel walls. Stone, wood, metal and glass transition the exterior to the interior and large wood windows flood the home with light and showcase the setting. Interior finishes include reclaimed heart pine floors, Douglas fir trim, dry-stacked stone, rustic cherry cabinets and soapstone counters. Exterior spaces include a timber-framed porch, stone patio with fire pit and commanding views of the Occoquan reservoir. A second porch overlooks the ravine and a breezeway connects the garage to the home. Numerous energy-saving features have been incorporated, including LED lighting, on-demand gas water heating and special insulation. Smart technology helps manage and control the entire house. Greg Hadley Photography

Photography by Tim Schultz
Bathroom - traditional white tile and subway tile bathroom idea in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, a two-piece toilet and yellow cabinets

Aqua/blue Bathroom with Carrera Marble countertops, White cabinets with center upper cabinet, Wide spread faucets, Euro style cabinets. Framed Mirrors.

This beautiful Douglas Fir front entry door with side lights has a raised panel of tongue and groove and a rich custom stain that highlights the depth in the wood grain. The ceiling was covered with a cedar tongue and groove finished in the same custom stain.

The brightly colored home helps contrast the dark Seattle days and works well with the adjacent homes which are also bright colors. Landscaping is a future project. John Wilbanks Photography

Michael J. Lee
Elegant kitchen photo in Boston with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and paneled appliances

Matthew Niemann Photography
Example of a transitional u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen design in Austin with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, gray backsplash, paneled appliances, an island, white countertops, quartz countertops, white cabinets and stone tile backsplash

The soffit trim and cabinet pulls are made of hot-dipped galvanized steel. Floating cabinets and wood wall are Clear Douglas Fir. Large window provides treetop view and natural lighting, supplemented with reading lights and a pendant fixture when needed. Flooring is rift and quartered white oak planks, with wire brush texture, acid stain pre-finish, and pigmented Rubio Monocoat oil with catalyst.

Photo credit: Muffy Kibbey
Inspiration for a transitional medium tone wood floor kitchen remodel in San Francisco with an integrated sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel countertops, window backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Classic Calacatta marble countertops and full height backsplash (honed), douglas fir plank ceiling, and floor to ceiling custom cabinetry by Gaos, inspire an open air, fresh and classic aesthetic. Solid brass accents the room with cabinet pulls, handles and focal light fixture. Floors are solid oak, recreated to match the original, including border inlay. The kitchen island is made from 3" thick reclaimed douglas fir. All appliances and hood are built-in, including panel-ready Thermadore refrigerator.

Photo Credits: Aaron Leitz
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern master gray tile and travertine tile dark wood floor and black floor walk-in shower remodel in Portland with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a wall-mount toilet, white walls, an integrated sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door and gray countertops

Large mountain style l-shaped porcelain tile, gray floor and exposed beam open concept kitchen photo in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

Mert Carpenter
Kitchen - zen kitchen idea in San Francisco

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

Photographer: Kevin Colquhoun
Inspiration for a large contemporary l-shaped light wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Inspiration for a large contemporary medium tone wood floor kitchen remodel in Denver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, stainless steel appliances, two islands and gray cabinets

Photo: Kimberley Bryan © 2013 Houzz
Example of an eclectic eat-in kitchen design in Seattle with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets and medium tone wood cabinets

An open kitchen with custom, floating, Douglas Fir cabinets topped with white Neolith counter tops and stainless Richelieu uppers, is anchored by an island of stratta marble on large scale tile. Subtle grays and browns impart serenity and warmth while swivel bar stools and an industrial swinging pantry door accommodate the quick movements of an active family through and around the space. A stunningSonneman light is suspended above the whole like a halo radiating just the right, bright light.