Large trendy open concept dark wood floor and black floor living room photo in San Francisco with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace

Custom BBQ and outdoor kitchen has hot and cold running water, a refrigerator, storage and an elongated bar for enjoying drinks.
Kitchen - large mediterranean l-shaped limestone floor kitchen idea in Orange County with a single-bowl sink, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

This custom kitchen features the very latest in appliances and design elements.
Inspiration for a huge timeless medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Tampa with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite countertops, brown backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Custom wine bar with cultured stone backsplash
Example of a classic basement design in St Louis

Example of a large classic l-shaped ceramic tile and beige floor open concept kitchen design in San Diego with stainless steel appliances, a farmhouse sink, marble countertops, white cabinets, beige backsplash, stone tile backsplash, raised-panel cabinets and two islands

Modern, simple, and lustrous: The homeowner asked for an elevated sports bar feel with family friendly options. This was accomplished using light gray tones are accented by striking black and white colors, natural/textured accent walls, and strategic lighting. Tiling made to look like black-walnut wood flooring covers the entire basement with smart area rugs in the sitting area and living room. The support column was transformed from an eye-sore to an intricate decorative piece of the room by adding black shale to the top, crown mill work, and textured stone that matches the accent wall. This space is an ideal entertainment spot for the homeowners!

Modern, simple, and lustrous: The homeowner asked for an elevated sports bar feel with family friendly options. This was accomplished using light gray tones are accented by striking black and white colors, natural/textured accent walls, and strategic lighting. This space is an ideal entertainment spot for the homeowners! Guests can view the large flat-screen TV from a seat at the bar or from the comfortable couches in the living room area. A Bistro high-top table was placed next to the textured stone accent wall for additional seating for extra guests or for a more intimate seating option.

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2013 Houzz
Eclectic galley kitchen photo in New York with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets and white appliances

Photography by Stacy Zarin
Example of a huge transitional formal and open concept dark wood floor and brown floor living room design in DC Metro with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Located on a tight corner lot, the design of this addition left one wall standing and built a new home around it. The home fits wonderfully into a neighborhood full of mature trees and front porches. We placed generous porches on both the front and back of the house to maximize the owners' use of the lot. There's even a balcony off of the master bedroom with planters for herbs and flowers. The kitchen, though compact, is a chef's dream. There are also windows placed behind the upper cabinets to create a backlighting effect during the day and bring more natural light into the space. Here's what the owner had to say about the project:

Eric Rorer Photography
Example of a mountain style kitchen design in San Francisco with paneled appliances

Country Home. Photographer: Rob Karosis
Inspiration for a timeless family room remodel in New York with orange walls and a stone fireplace

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

Front Porch
Mid-sized transitional porch idea in Minneapolis

Inspiration for a tropical deck remodel in New York

Designer: Jean Alan Design Assistant: Jody Trombley
Bedroom - rustic bedroom idea in Chicago with a stone fireplace and a standard fireplace

Excerpted from Marrakesh by Design by Maryam Montague (Artisan Books). Copyright 2012.
Patio - mediterranean patio idea in New York

This is an outdoor pavilion which houses a kitchen complete with sink, hot water, grill, side burner, fridge. All operated with LP Gas and the fire pit is connected as well. What fun! Check out Puget Sound Playback for your photo needs!

Eric Rorer Photography
Kitchen - traditional kitchen idea in San Francisco with glass-front cabinets and stainless steel appliances