Search results for "Embracing materials" in Home Design Ideas

When a young professional couple approached us to decorate the main floor of their brand new modern townhouse in Port Coquitlam, we were very excited. Having moved from a Gastown condo, the couple was eager to infuse this suburban location with a funky yet sophisticated downtown vibe. They were also looking for a neutral backdrop with some hits of colour and asked us to incorporate wallpaper. The statement artwork that we selected above the fireplace set the tone for this project. We started with a pair of sleek neutral leather sofas to maximize seating in the small living space and layered them with a variety of toss pillows in blues, teals & turquoise then added a few pops of orange. We defined the front entrance and dining area with a stunning marbleized grey and white wallpaper by Graham and Brown. The dark wood furniture in the dining area adds contrast and sophistication balancing the dark stained kitchen cabinets opposite. The resulting look is clean, modern and playful. Interior Design by Lori Steeves of Simply Home Decorating. Photos by Tracey Ayton Photography. Floor Plans/ Drawings by ZakCreative.

Embracing an authentic Craftsman-styled kitchen was one of the primary objectives for these New Jersey clients. They envisioned bending traditional hand-craftsmanship and modern amenities into a chef inspired kitchen. The woodwork in adjacent rooms help to facilitate a vision for this space to create a free-flowing open concept for family and friends to enjoy.
This kitchen takes inspiration from nature and its color palette is dominated by neutral and earth tones. Traditionally characterized with strong deep colors, the simplistic cherry cabinetry allows for straight, clean lines throughout the space. A green subway tile backsplash and granite countertops help to tie in additional earth tones and allow for the natural wood to be prominently displayed.
The rugged character of the perimeter is seamlessly tied into the center island. Featuring chef inspired appliances, the island incorporates a cherry butchers block to provide additional prep space and seating for family and friends. The free-standing stainless-steel hood helps to transform this Craftsman-style kitchen into a 21st century treasure.
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Michael Hunter Photography
Alcove shower - small coastal 3/4 white tile and ceramic tile cement tile floor and multicolored floor alcove shower idea with shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, black walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and a hinged shower door
Alcove shower - small coastal 3/4 white tile and ceramic tile cement tile floor and multicolored floor alcove shower idea with shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, black walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and a hinged shower door

This classic Victorian home embraces bright colors to create a light, cheery space.
In addition to being colorful, this kitchen is functional, with two distinct working sides. Additionally, every cabinet has organizers, dividers, roll outs and tray dividers.

Joyelle West
Beach style light wood floor and beige floor dining room photo in Boston with gray walls
Beach style light wood floor and beige floor dining room photo in Boston with gray walls

The custom cabinetry mixes stained and painted cabinets with a marble countertop. Eliminating upper cabinets and installing glossy backsplash tile to ceiling enhances the light in the Kitchen.
Project by Portland interior design studio Jenni Leasia Interior Design. Also serving Lake Oswego, West Linn, Vancouver, Sherwood, Camas, Oregon City, Beaverton, and the whole of Greater Portland.
For more about Jenni Leasia Interior Design, click here: https://www.jennileasiadesign.com/
To learn more about this project, click here:
https://www.jennileasiadesign.com/crystal-springs

Martha O’Hara Interiors, Interior Design & Photo Styling | John Kraemer & Sons, Builder | Troy Thies, Photography | Ben Nelson, Designer | Please Note: All “related,” “similar,” and “sponsored” products tagged or listed by Houzz are not actual products pictured. They have not been approved by Martha O’Hara Interiors nor any of the professionals credited. For info about our work: design@oharainteriors.com

Gibeon Photography
Example of a large danish master concrete floor and gray floor bedroom design in Other with white walls and no fireplace
Example of a large danish master concrete floor and gray floor bedroom design in Other with white walls and no fireplace

This modern green home offers both a vacation destination on Cape Cod near local family members and an opportunity for rental income.
FAMILY ROOTS. A West Coast couple living in the San Francisco Bay Area sought a permanent East Coast vacation home near family members living on Cape Cod. As academic professionals focused on sustainability, they sought a green, energy efficient home that was well-aligned with their values. With no green homes available for sale on Cape Cod, they decided to purchase land near their family and build their own.
SLOPED SITE. Comprised of a 3/4 acre lot nestled in the pines, the steeply sloping terrain called for a plan that embraced and took advantage of the slope. Of equal priority was optimizing solar exposure, preserving privacy from abutters, and creating outdoor living space. The design accomplished these goals with a simple, rectilinear form, offering living space on the both entry and lower/basement levels. The stepped foundation allows for a walk-out basement level with light-filled living space on the down-hill side of the home. The traditional basement on the eastern, up-hill side houses mechanical equipment and a home gym. The house welcomes natural light throughout, captures views of the forest, and delivers entertainment space that connects indoor living space to outdoor deck and dining patio.
MODERN VISION. The clean building form and uncomplicated finishes pay homage to the modern architectural legacy on the outer Cape. Durable and economical fiber cement panels, fixed with aluminum channels, clad the primary form. Cedar clapboards provide a visual accent at the south-facing living room, which extends a single roof plane to cover the entry porch.
SMART USE OF SPACE. On the entry level, the “L”-shaped living, dining, and kitchen space connects to the exterior living, dining, and grilling spaces to effectively double the home’s summertime entertainment area. Placed at the western end of the entry level (where it can retain privacy but still claim expansive downhill views) is the master suite with a built-in study. The lower level has two guest bedrooms, a second full bathroom, and laundry. The flexibility of the space—crucial in a house with a modest footprint—emerges in one of the guest bedrooms, which doubles as home office by opening the barn-style double doors to connect it to the bright, airy open stair leading up to the entry level. Thoughtful design, generous ceiling heights and large windows transform the modest 1,100 sf* footprint into a well-lit, spacious home. *(total finished space is 1800 sf)
RENTAL INCOME. The property works for its owners by netting rental income when the owners are home in San Francisco. The house especially caters to vacationers bound for nearby Mayo Beach and includes an outdoor shower adjacent to the lower level entry door. In contrast to the bare bones cottages that are typically available on the Cape, this home offers prospective tenants a modern aesthetic, paired with luxurious and green features. Durable finishes inside and out will ensure longevity with the heavier use that comes with a rental property.
COMFORT YEAR-ROUND. The home is super-insulated and air-tight, with mechanical ventilation to provide continuous fresh air from the outside. High performance triple-paned windows complement the building enclosure and maximize passive solar gain while ensuring a warm, draft-free winter, even when sitting close to the glass. A properly sized air source heat pump offers efficient heating & cooling, and includes a carefully designed the duct distribution system to provide even comfort throughout the house. The super-insulated envelope allows us to significantly reduce the equipment capacity, duct size, and airflow quantities, while maintaining unparalleled thermal comfort.
ENERGY EFFICIENT. The building’s shell and mechanical systems play instrumental roles in the home’s exceptional performance. The building enclosure reduces the most significant energy glutton: heating. Continuous super-insulation, thorough air sealing, triple-pane windows, and passive solar gain work together to yield a miniscule heating load. All active energy consumers are extremely efficient: an air source heat pump for heating and cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation (ERV), and high efficiency appliances. The result is a home that uses 70% less energy than a similar new home built to code requirements.
OVERALL. The home embodies the owners’ goals and values while comprehensively enabling thermal comfort, energy efficiency, a vacation respite, and supplementary income.
PROJECT TEAM
ZeroEnergy Design - Architect & Mechanical Designer
A.F. Hultin & Co. - Contractor
Pamet Valley Landscape Design - Landscape & Masonry
Lisa Finch - Original Artwork
European Architectural Supply - Windows
Eric Roth Photography - Photography

Durston Saylor
Large transitional carpeted family room photo in New York with a standard fireplace, a media wall and a stone fireplace
Large transitional carpeted family room photo in New York with a standard fireplace, a media wall and a stone fireplace

This exquisitely designed galley-style kitchen unfolds as a quiet masterpiece of understated elegance, where every detail has been thoughtfully orchestrated to enhance the home’s natural beauty in the most refined manner.
The discreetly concealed appliances, behind classical flat panel coverings, create an unbroken canvas that invites the eye to wander freely, embracing the subtle harmony of form and function. At the forefront, a marble-topped breakfast bar gleams gently, its cool surface reflecting the soft ambient light and offering an elegant stage for intimate conversations or invigorating morning rituals.
Barely visible in the foreground, the deep, dark wood dining table emerges like a rich invitation, poised to host moments of grandeur with a distinguished guest list or to provide a serene refuge away from the bustle of the outside world. This nuanced layering of spaces and textures speaks to a design philosophy that honors the natural flow between interior and exterior, drawing out the natural serenity of the surroundings while enveloping residents and visitors alike in an aura of sophisticated comfort.

This kitchen embraces mid-century modern influence through warm walnut cabinetry, clean-lined forms, and a refined balance of color and texture. Flat-panel wood doors create a strong horizontal rhythm, complemented by a soft blue tile backsplash that introduces subtle pattern and depth.
A contrasting island in a muted blue tone anchors the space, topped with crisp white countertops that maintain a fresh, architectural feel. Minimal hardware and streamlined appliances reinforce the uncluttered aesthetic, while open glass-front cabinetry adds visual lightness.
Overhead, a sculptural brass chandelier becomes a statement element, adding movement and a touch of modern glamour above the dining area. The result is a thoughtfully layered kitchen that feels warm, functional, and effortlessly mid-century in character with a contemporary edge.

This traditional kitchen, nestled in a charming 1920s home in a historic Chicago neighborhood, beautifully blends classic design with modern functionality. Taupe-painted cabinets lend a soft, timeless elegance, while a rich walnut island adds warmth and a touch of natural sophistication. Glass-fronted cabinets showcase heirloom dishware, and the farmhouse sink offers both practicality and a nod to vintage charm. The stunning quartzite countertops bring a contemporary edge to the space, with their subtle veining and durable beauty. Together, these elements create a kitchen that honors the past while embracing the comfort and style of today.

This project focused on reimagining the kitchen and powder bath, bringing both spaces into something far more timeless. In the kitchen, we reworked the layout to improve flow and maximize storage, creating a space that feels both elevated and highly functional. A softly curved island anchors the room and was designed to encourage gathering while adding a sense of ease at the heart of the home.
A modern coastal palette guided the design, with layered blues adding depth while keeping the overall feel light, fresh, and enduring.
In the powder bath, we leaned into a more old world sensibility, introducing classic wallpaper and tailored millwork to create a space that feels collected, cohesive, and quietly impactful.
The result is a home that feels thoughtfully updated, honoring its past while fully embracing the way it is meant to be lived in today.

A rare and secluded paradise, the Woodvale Estate is a true modern masterpiece perfect to impress even the most discerning of clientele. At the pinnacle of luxury, this one-of-a-kind new construction features all the modern amenities that one could ever dream of. Situated on an expansive and lush over 35,000 square foot lot with truly unparalleled privacy, this modern estate boasts over 21,000 square feet of meticulously crafted and designer done living space. Behind the hedged, walled, and gated entry find a large motor court leading into the jaw-dropping entryway to this majestic modern marvel. Superlative features include chef's prep kitchen, home theater, professional gym, full spa, hair salon, elevator, temperature-controlled wine storage, 14 car garage that doubles as an event space, outdoor basketball court, and fabulous detached two-story guesthouse. The primary bedroom suite offers a perfectly picturesque escape complete with massive dual walk-in closets, dual spa-like baths, massive outdoor patio, romantic fireplace, and separate private balcony with hot tub. With a truly optimal layout for enjoying the best modern amenities and embracing the California lifestyle, the open floor plan provides spacious living, dining, and family rooms and open entertainer's kitchen with large chef's island, breakfast bar, state-of-the-art appliances, and motorized sliding glass doors for the ultimate enjoyment with ease, class, and sophistication. Enjoy every conceivable amenity and luxury afforded in this truly magnificent and awe-inspiring property that simply put, stands in a class all its own.

Nestled on the historic grounds of the original 1888 schoolhouse in Lafayette, Colorado, this early twentieth-century home underwent a transformative modern farmhouse renovation. Embracing sustainable design principles, it seamlessly blended contemporary design, comfort, and durability. The open floor plan enhances modern living, while energy-efficient upgrades reduce the carbon footprint and improve indoor air quality, fostering a resilient and eco-friendly home.

This light-filled culinary haven masterfully blends grand-scale functionality with an intimate, deeply layered aesthetic. Designed to handle both high-end meal preparation and casual entertaining, the space is structurally anchored by dual islands: a hardworking, slate-blue prep station topped with pristine white marble, and a separate, furniture-style oak trestle table that invites guests to pull up a stool.
The kitchen's true focal point is the dramatic cooking alcove, featuring a massive, custom matte black statement hood framed by a striking blue-and-white geometric tiled backsplash. Rather than sticking to a uniform look, the cabinetry embraces a sophisticated mix-and-match philosophy—combining crisp white perimeters, slate blue islands, and a rich, dark wood paneled refrigerator armoire that feels like a collected antique. Grounded by airy, wide-plank light hardwood floors and crowned by a glossy white shiplap ceiling that bounces natural light throughout, this space effortlessly balances high-end luxury with approachable, coastal-inspired warmth.

To infuse a pop of color into the overall design, we took cues from the client's cherished art piece of cherry blossoms they bought in Napa, CA, which boasts captivating shades of ruby red. With a keen eye for balance, we introduced vibrant ruby-red counter stools, beautifully complementing the neutral tones of the space.
This careful integration of color, along with the subtle gold accents and the chandeliers' soft bubbles, not only adds personality but also serves as a delightful reminder of the beauty of cherry blossoms and the cherished memories associated with the art piece.
We are proud to have brought this vision to life and to have created a space where our client can unwind and embrace the tranquil spirit of ocean living while cherishing the essence of cherry blossoms. It has been a pleasure to be a part of this project, and we look forward to continuing to create inspiring spaces that reflect the unique tastes and desires of our clients.

This gorgeous, nature-inspired Great Room—comprised of the kitchen, dining area, and sitting room—was reimagined for some wonderful repeat clients, beginning with a small, treasured piece of art.
Their large 1950s ranch house nestled into a gentle hill surrounded by orchards of fragrant orange, lemon, and cherry trees initially featured a too-small kitchen adjacent to a warren of small spaces with low ceilings serving as a dining and sitting area. They dreamed of a more spacious, light-filled layout.
A complete redesign of the home not only resolved spatial constraints but also embraced the beauty of the home’s natural surroundings. By removing walls and creating an open-plan layout, we enhanced the flow and connectivity between the kitchen, dining, and sitting areas, seamlessly integrating the outdoors with the indoors.
The relocated kitchen now faces the backyard, to facilitate outdoor entertaining and features a large island, serving as a welcoming focal point for both cooking and socializing. I designed a distinctive ceiling feature above the island, crafted from planks of the adjacent vaulted ceiling, mirroring the shape of the island below. This feature adds architectural interest and visually connects the flat kitchen plane with the vaulted plank ceiling of the sitting area, creating a harmonious sense of continuity and warmth.
A beautiful, prized painting of a bird on a branch created the direction for the color and texture palette. An intriguing yellow-green-tan background in the art guided my choices for the backsplash tile (an iridescent version mimics light glinting on water) and countertops. The kitchen's soothing color palette features various shades of natural green, while the dining area introduces feather-blue tones through chair upholstery and rug. Just steps away, the inviting sitting area features a rebuilt fireplace clad in cut, polished Haisa marble tiles in a vertical pattern. The soft, generous seating creates a comfortable spot for movie nights or cozying up by the fire on a cold winter evening. The elegant, simple silhouettes of the furniture enhance the serene and calming atmosphere of the space.
After photos: Bernardo Grijalva and Fiorito Interior Design
Cabinetry: custom by Schmitz Woodwork
Countertops: Primordia and Calcatta Maximus by Caesarstone
Backsplash: Elements in Miami Sand Pearl by Lunada Bay
Island pendants: Simple Sanders by Shades of Light
Stools: Essex by Lazar in Brisa fabric by Ultrafabrics
Dining table: Emerson Wave by Saloom
Dining chairs: Essex by Lazar
Dining lighting: Triad chandelier by Kichler
Dining rug: Soho Smoke by Jaunty Inc.
Sitting area sofa and ottoman: Corvo by Lazar
Sitting area swivel chair: Noah by Lazar
Sitting area rug: Soho Stone by Jaunty Inc.
Motorized shades: Hunter Douglas
Entry console: Reed by Uttermost
Entry light: Re by Visual Comfort
Fireplace: Haisa cut and polished marble by Icontile
Wall paint: Mascarpone by Benjamin Moore
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