E 38th St. Kitchen Traditional Raised Panel Doors Painted & Glazed Finish Silestone Counters
Enclosed kitchen - traditional enclosed kitchen idea in New York with raised-panel cabinets, beige cabinets and black appliances

The new Mt. Vernon Insert with Efficient Energy (E2) technology is the most powerful and efficient insert ever designed by Quadra-Fire. E2 technology helps achieve 87% efficiency—saving money by burning less fuel. Plus E2 technology automatically adjusts the blower to maintain desired room temperatures. A 47 lb hopper and easy-clean cast iron firepot reduce maintenance efforts. And the Mt. Vernon E2 is the only product available with cast iron construction on all major components—proving it’s built to last.

Harvey Smith Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary open concept medium tone wood floor living room remodel in Orlando with a ribbon fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Photo by: James Licata
Example of a classic sunroom design in Chicago

Basement Media Room
Example of an urban underground white floor basement design in Cincinnati with white walls

This is the main living area. New custom marble fireplace flanked by custom built ins. The lounge is Lee industries, the sofa is American Leather, the french chairs are vintage reupholstered in cowhide. All art by the homeowner, Daniel E Smith Bailey Davidson Photography

Photo: Narayanan Narayanan, Andrew Petrich
Mid-sized trendy backyard rectangular lap pool house photo in Santa Barbara with decking

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.

Traditional custom kitchen Photo by Marcel Page Photography
Eat-in kitchen - large traditional galley dark wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Chicago with white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and recessed-panel cabinets

Backsplash - Lunada Bay Tile - Sumi-e 1 x 4 Mini Brick / Color - Izu Natural Michael Partenio
Eat-in kitchen - coastal eat-in kitchen idea in Boston with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, glass tile backsplash, granite countertops, blue backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

This classically designed French Manor house brings the timeless style of Paris to Texas. The roof is natural slate. The elevation is Cast Stone. The sidewalk is Leuters Limestone inset with Pennsylvania Bluestone.

Learn more about this kitchen remodel at the link above. Email me at carla@carlaaston.com to receive access to the list of paint colors used on this project. Title your email: "Heights Project Paint Colors".

Modern large master bathroom. Very airy and light. Pure white Caesarstone quartz counter, hansgrohe metris faucet, glass mosaic tile (Daltile - City lights), taupe 12 x 24 porcelain floor (tierra Sol, English bay collection), bamboo cabinet, Georges Kovacs wall sconces, wall mirror Photo credit: Jonathan Solomon - http://www.solomonimages.com/

Convert a small space to a polished eye-catching and functional home office. We used white painted maple wood veneers and solid wood painted doors, moldings and trims to give the space a formal style. This home office boasts under cabinet LED lighting, doors with glass inserts, upper cabinets surrounded by wrap around shelving for books and accent pieces and sturdy maple wood drawers for storing office supplies or filing important documents.

Photo: Ben Benschneider; Interior Design: Robin Chell
Bathroom - modern beige tile bathroom idea in Seattle with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets and light wood cabinets

Jay Greene Architectural Photography
Inspiration for a transitional indoor pool remodel in Philadelphia

Manolo Langis Photographer
Inspiration for a small coastal full sun courtyard stone landscaping in Los Angeles.

Huge trendy master white tile and marble tile marble floor bathroom photo in Chicago with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, marble countertops, an undermount tub and gray walls

Resilient flooring is moisture resistant which makes it an excellent choice for high moisture areas such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens, and basements. But it will also enhance the look and feel of bedrooms, living rooms, and any other areas of your home.