A young family with a wooded, triangular lot in Ipswich, Massachusetts wanted to take on a highly creative, organic, and unrushed process in designing their new home. The parents of three boys had contemporary ideas for living, including phasing the construction of different structures over time as the kids grew so they could maximize the options for use on their land. They hoped to build a net zero energy home that would be cozy on the very coldest days of winter, using cost-efficient methods of home building. The house needed to be sited to minimize impact on the land and trees, and it was critical to respect a conservation easement on the south border of the lot. Finally, the design would be contemporary in form and feel, but it would also need to fit into a classic New England context, both in terms of materials used and durability. We were asked to honor the notions of “surprise and delight,” and that inspired everything we designed for the family. The highly unique home consists of a three-story form, composed mostly of bedrooms and baths on the top two floors and a cross axis of shared living spaces on the first level. This axis extends out to an oversized covered porch, open to the south and west. The porch connects to a two-story garage with flex space above, used as a guest house, play room, and yoga studio depending on the day. A floor-to-ceiling ribbon of glass wraps the south and west walls of the lower level, bringing in an abundance of natural light and linking the entire open plan to the yard beyond. The master suite takes up the entire top floor, and includes an outdoor deck with a shower. The middle floor has extra height to accommodate a variety of multi-level play scenarios in the kids’ rooms. Many of the materials used in this house are made from recycled or environmentally friendly content, or they come from local sources. The high performance home has triple glazed windows and all materials, adhesives, and sealants are low toxicity and safe for growing kids. Photographer credit: Irvin Serrano

Mia Fayssoux Buckland
Photo of a mid-sized traditional shade side yard stone garden path in Boston for spring.

Brendan McCarthy
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary 3/4 white tile and subway tile ceramic tile and white floor corner shower remodel in New York with gray walls, a hinged shower door and a trough sink

A designated coffee area - what more could one ask for? The White PureStyle™ finish is a timeless option with unmatched durability, perfect for a space that's sure to get lots of use. After all, you have to start each morning with a cup of joe!

Kate Osborne
Laundry room - transitional laundry room idea in Salt Lake City

The focal point of this beautiful kitchen is the stunning stainless range hood accented with antique gold strapping. The marble backsplash was the inspiration for the gray and white cabinets and the two islands add drama and function to the space. Quartzite countertops provide durability and compliment the marble backsplash. This transitional kitchen features a coffee center, two sinks, a potfiller, 48" Wolf gas range, 36" Subzero refrigerator column, 24" Subzero freezer column, dishwasher drawers, a warming drawer, convection microwave and a wine refrigerator. It's truly a chef's dream kitchen.

Example of a classic dark wood floor and brown floor home bar design in Detroit with gray walls

Michael Jacob
Large elegant wooden l-shaped wood railing staircase photo in Orlando with wooden risers

Example of a mid-sized transitional master carpeted and multicolored floor bedroom design in Toronto with blue walls

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Beach style dark wood floor kitchen photo in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, beige walls and an island

Country medium tone wood floor and brown floor powder room photo in Phoenix with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, blue walls, a vessel sink, wood countertops and gray countertops

The side of the staircase was a natural place to create a built-in TV and entertainment center with adjustable shelving and lots of storage. This space is bright and welcoming, and the open floor plan allows for easy entertaining. Welcome to this sports lover’s paradise in West Chester, PA! We started with the completely blank palette of an unfinished basement and created space for everyone in the family by adding a main television watching space, a play area, a bar area, a full bathroom and an exercise room. The floor is COREtek engineered hardwood, which is waterproof and durable, and great for basements and floors that might take a beating. Combining wood, steel, tin and brick, this modern farmhouse looking basement is chic and ready to host family and friends to watch sporting events! Rudloff Custom Builders has won Best of Houzz for Customer Service in 2014, 2015 2016, 2017 and 2019. We also were voted Best of Design in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 which only 2% of professionals receive. Rudloff Custom Builders has been featured on Houzz in their Kitchen of the Week, What to Know About Using Reclaimed Wood in the Kitchen as well as included in their Bathroom WorkBook article. We are a full service, certified remodeling company that covers all of the Philadelphia suburban area. This business, like most others, developed from a friendship of young entrepreneurs who wanted to make a difference in their clients’ lives, one household at a time. This relationship between partners is much more than a friendship. Edward and Stephen Rudloff are brothers who have renovated and built custom homes together paying close attention to detail. They are carpenters by trade and understand concept and execution. Rudloff Custom Builders will provide services for you with the highest level of professionalism, quality, detail, punctuality and craftsmanship, every step of the way along our journey together. Specializing in residential construction allows us to connect with our clients early in the design phase to ensure that every detail is captured as you imagined. One stop shopping is essentially what you will receive with Rudloff Custom Builders from design of your project to the construction of your dreams, executed by on-site project managers and skilled craftsmen. Our concept: envision our client’s ideas and make them a reality. Our mission: CREATING LIFETIME RELATIONSHIPS BUILT ON TRUST AND INTEGRITY. Photo Credit: Linda McManus Images

Albatron Rustic White Oak 9/16 x 9 ½ x 96” Albatron: This light white washed hardwood floor inspired by snowy mountains brings elegance to your home. This hardwood floor offers a light wire brushed texture. Specie: Rustic French White Oak Appearance: Color: Light White Variation: Moderate Properties: Durability: Dense, strong, excellent resistance. Construction: T&G, 3 Ply Engineered floor. The use of Heveas or Rubber core makes this floor environmentally friendly. Finish: 8% UV acrylic urethane with scratch resistant by Klumpp Sizes: 9/16 x 9 ½ x 96”, (85% of its board), with a 3.2mm wear layer. Warranty: 25 years limited warranty.

Alcove shower - contemporary blue tile multicolored floor alcove shower idea in Nashville with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray walls, a vessel sink, gray countertops and a built-in vanity

Lisa Petrole
Kitchen pantry - large contemporary single-wall porcelain tile kitchen pantry idea in Toronto with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Example of a large trendy u-shaped porcelain tile eat-in kitchen design with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, matchstick tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

John Bedell
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional gender-neutral blue floor nursery remodel in San Francisco

This siding was crafted using 2 x 2 Ipe. At Brazilian Lumber, we offer all lenghts and dimensions of tropical hardwoods