We started with a blank slate on this basement project where our only obstacles were exposed steel support columns, existing plumbing risers from the concrete slab, and dropped soffits concealing ductwork on the ceiling. It had the advantage of tall ceilings, an existing egress window, and a sliding door leading to a newly constructed patio. This family of five loves the beach and frequents summer beach resorts in the Northeast. Bringing that aesthetic home to enjoy all year long was the inspiration for the décor, as well as creating a family-friendly space for entertaining. Wish list items included room for a billiard table, wet bar, game table, family room, guest bedroom, full bathroom, space for a treadmill and closed storage. The existing structural elements helped to define how best to organize the basement. For instance, we knew we wanted to connect the bar area and billiards table with the patio in order to create an indoor/outdoor entertaining space. It made sense to use the egress window for the guest bedroom for both safety and natural light. The bedroom also would be adjacent to the plumbing risers for easy access to the new bathroom. Since the primary focus of the family room would be for TV viewing, natural light did not need to filter into that space. We made sure to hide the columns inside of newly constructed walls and dropped additional soffits where needed to make the ceiling mechanicals feel less random. In addition to the beach vibe, the homeowner has valuable sports memorabilia that was to be prominently displayed including two seats from the original Yankee stadium. For a coastal feel, shiplap is used on two walls of the family room area. In the bathroom shiplap is used again in a more creative way using wood grain white porcelain tile as the horizontal shiplap “wood”. We connected the tile horizontally with vertical white grout joints and mimicked the horizontal shadow line with dark grey grout. At first glance it looks like we wrapped the shower with real wood shiplap. Materials including a blue and white patterned floor, blue penny tiles and a natural wood vanity checked the list for that seaside feel. A large reclaimed wood door on an exposed sliding barn track separates the family room from the game room where reclaimed beams are punctuated with cable lighting. Cabinetry and a beverage refrigerator are tucked behind the rolling bar cabinet (that doubles as a Blackjack table!). A TV and upright video arcade machine round-out the entertainment in the room. Bar stools, two rotating club chairs, and large square poufs along with the Yankee Stadium seats provide fun places to sit while having a drink, watching billiards or a game on the TV. Signed baseballs can be found behind the bar, adjacent to the billiard table, and on specially designed display shelves next to the poker table in the family room. Thoughtful touches like the surfboards, signage, photographs and accessories make a visitor feel like they are on vacation at a well-appointed beach resort without being cliché.

Natural maple home office and wallbed room. Wallbed shown with drop down table for extra work space. This office is made in a contemporary simple styling. Custom cabinet also made for the bay window area to add to the office functional space.

Example of a mountain style light wood floor kitchen design in Denver with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and gray countertops

Natural Swimming Pool design utilizing Shotcrete Inground Pool Shell with Natural Sandstone Retaining Walls, Seamless Slate Stamped Concrete decking, 30" Dia. x 22' long Tube Slide exiting under Huge Pool Waterfall. Pool House Features Copper Guttering and Roof Dormer Top, Real Stucco, Large Shower, Dressing Bench Area, Imprinted Compass In Floor all on approx. 45 degree sloped yard. A Beautiful Job well done! Design & Pic's by Doug Fender Const. By Doug & Craig Fender dba Indian Summer Pool and Spa

Example of a transitional kitchen design in Baltimore

This apartment kitchen is emblematic of Dan Kitchen Australia's design style: clean-edged, thoughtfully laid out and well appointed with luxurious materials and high-end appliances. A subdued colour palette allows the real hero of the space to shine - jaw-dropping vistas of Sydney Harbour. Paul Worsley @ Live By The Sea

MC Imagery
Inspiration for a mid-century modern kitchen remodel in Portland with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets and beige backsplash

Photos by Gina Graves
Example of a classic master corner shower design in Los Angeles with green walls and a drop-in sink

Beautiful white shaker cabinets replace outdated oak cabinets. Contemporary quartz counters imitate the beauty of white carrera marble while the real thing is used on the backsplash tile. Restoration hardware pendants bring it all together.

This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income. DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request. MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic. RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income. ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them. URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances. OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values. Eric Roth Photo

Getz Creative Photography

The Cottages at Lagoon Pass is a 16 units development that sits on Little Lagoon (across the street from the beach) in Gulf Shores, Al with pier, boat slips, and pool. Each home will be built to Fortified Gold Standard and will be finished with Distinctive Plank Floors, Granite Counter Tops, Custom Tile Shower, Custom Cabinets and much more. Photographer: Shawn Seals, Fovea 360, LLC

Following along the second floor glass railed foyer featuring random width shiplap paneling, you come upon the elegant master bedroom suite. The bed chamber features a high tray ceiling and a fireplace with a surround comprised of natural stone and floor to ceiling antique Vermont barn board siding.

Jagoe Homes, Inc. Project: Buckingham Woods, Harry S. Truman Model Home. Location: Evansville, Indiana. Elevation: Craftsman-C, Site Number: BW 30.
Example of a mid-sized transitional master gray tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile drop-in bathtub design with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, gray walls, an undermount sink and a one-piece toilet

This apartment kitchen is emblematic of Dan Kitchen Australia's design style: clean-edged, thoughtfully laid out and well appointed with luxurious materials and high-end appliances. A subdued colour palette allows the real hero of the space to shine - jaw-dropping vistas of Sydney Harbour. Paul Worsley @ Live By The Sea

Photos by Andrew Giammarco Photography.
Inspiration for a large farmhouse l-shaped dark wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, multicolored backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

B. Shelley
Example of a mid-sized eclectic freestanding desk carpeted craft room design in Tampa with gray walls and no fireplace

This basement project in Blue Bell, PA took the space from an unfinished storage space to an in-home Sports Bar. These homeowners wanted a space where they could entertain friends, neighbors, and the whole family. The design included a real brick backdrop for the bar, authentic restaurant booths, and recessed display shelves for their sport memorabilia collection. Meridian designed flush glass photo display inserts in the granite bar top. This sports bar style basement is very traditional and fun for adults and kids. Design and Construction by Meridian.

Sink: KRAUS Forteza 33" Dual Mount 50/50 Double Bowl Granite Kitchen Sink, Gray Faucet: KRAUS Nola Commercial Pre-Rinse Kitchen Faucet With 2-Function Sprayer, Chrome Soap Dispensr: KRAUS Soap Dispenser, Chrome Sink: Strength meets beauty in the Forteza Series of kitchen sinks. The basin is constructed from a premium granite composite that blends natural quartz with acrylic resin for superior durability and the luxurious look of real stone. An advanced, proprietary manufacturing process ensures even distribution of the material, for unparalleled resistance to thermal shock and damage from dropped items. Faucet: The Nola Single Handle Flex Commercial Kitchen Faucet is a perfect fit for the modern kitchen. A stylish double spring supports the dual function sprayhead, which switches from stream to spray. Mounting hardware and optional deck plate included. Soap Dispenser: Designed with clean lines and sleek shapes, Kraus kitchen accessories provide everyday efficiency with style. Commercial grade finish coordinates beautifully with most popular kitchen appliances and fixtures.