This transitional white and gray kitchen features a beautiful dark gray, floor to ceiling built in desk. The open shelving allows for instant access to books and personal items, as well as a space to get some at-home-work completed. Normandy Remodeling

Photo- Lisa Romerein
Kitchen - mediterranean kitchen idea in San Francisco

Living room - large traditional formal medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room idea in Charlotte with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Well-traveled. Relaxed. Timeless. Our well-traveled clients were soon-to-be empty nesters when they approached us for help reimagining their Presidio Heights home. The expansive Spanish-Revival residence originally constructed in 1908 had been substantially renovated 8 year prior, but needed some adaptations to better suit the needs of a family with three college-bound teens. We evolved the space to be a bright, relaxed reflection of the family’s time together, revising the function and layout of the ground-floor rooms and filling them with casual, comfortable furnishings and artifacts collected abroad. One of the key changes we made to the space plan was to eliminate the formal dining room and transform an area off the kitchen into a casual gathering spot for our clients and their children. The expandable table and coffee/wine bar means the room can handle large dinner parties and small study sessions with similar ease. The family room was relocated from a lower level to be more central part of the main floor, encouraging more quality family time, and freeing up space for a spacious home gym. In the living room, lounge-worthy upholstery grounds the space, encouraging a relaxed and effortless West Coast vibe. Exposed wood beams recall the original Spanish-influence, but feel updated and fresh in a light wood stain. Throughout the entry and main floor, found artifacts punctate the softer textures — ceramics from New Mexico, religious sculpture from Asia and a quirky wall-mounted phone that belonged to our client’s grandmother.

Example of a mid-century modern formal and open concept concrete floor living room design in Los Angeles with a wall-mounted tv

Home office - contemporary built-in desk medium tone wood floor and brown floor home office idea in San Francisco with blue walls

Photo: Caela McKeever © 2015 Houzz
Transitional living room photo in Seattle

Photo: Caela McKeever © 2015 Houzz
Inspiration for a transitional dining room remodel in Seattle

Photo: Whitney Lyons © 2014 Houzz
Inspiration for an eclectic bedroom remodel in Portland

Inspiration for a 1960s pool remodel in Los Angeles

We laid out all of the essentials with maximum function. Once we had a the layout finalized, we started looking for specifics. The color palette we came up with is grounded in neutrals with blush accents to add a touch of baby girl. We always want to maximise function in a room, so all our bigger purchases are gender neutral and convertible so they can be used when our clients have their second baby. We left plenty of empty space in the middle of the room for the essential tummy time and block building.

Aaron Kraft / Krafty Photos
Mountain style l-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen photo with a single-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, two islands and white countertops

These clients came to my office looking for an architect who could design their "empty nest" home that would be the focus of their soon to be extended family. A place where the kids and grand kids would want to hang out: with a pool, open family room/ kitchen, garden; but also one-story so there wouldn't be any unnecessary stairs to climb. They wanted the design to feel like "old Pasadena" with the coziness and attention to detail that the era embraced. My sensibilities led me to recall the wonderful classic mansions of San Marino, so I designed a manor house clad in trim Bluestone with a steep French slate roof and clean white entry, eave and dormer moldings that would blend organically with the future hardscape plan and thoughtfully landscaped grounds. The site was a deep, flat lot that had been half of the old Joan Crawford estate; the part that had an abandoned swimming pool and small cabana. I envisioned a pavilion filled with natural light set in a beautifully planted park with garden views from all sides. Having a one-story house allowed for tall and interesting shaped ceilings that carved into the sheer angles of the roof. The most private area of the house would be the central loggia with skylights ensconced in a deep woodwork lattice grid and would be reminiscent of the outdoor “Salas” found in early Californian homes. The family would soon gather there and enjoy warm afternoons and the wonderfully cool evening hours together. Working with interior designer Jeffrey Hitchcock, we designed an open family room/kitchen with high dark wood beamed ceilings, dormer windows for daylight, custom raised panel cabinetry, granite counters and a textured glass tile splash. Natural light and gentle breezes flow through the many French doors and windows located to accommodate not only the garden views, but the prevailing sun and wind as well. The graceful living room features a dramatic vaulted white painted wood ceiling and grand fireplace flanked by generous double hung French windows and elegant drapery. A deeply cased opening draws one into the wainscot paneled dining room that is highlighted by hand painted scenic wallpaper and a barrel vaulted ceiling. The walnut paneled library opens up to reveal the waterfall feature in the back garden. Equally picturesque and restful is the view from the rotunda in the master bedroom suite. Architect: Ward Jewell Architect, AIA Interior Design: Jeffrey Hitchcock Enterprises Contractor: Synergy General Contractors, Inc. Landscape Design: LZ Design Group, Inc. Photography: Laura Hull

Large elegant brown floor and wallpaper great room photo in Los Angeles with blue walls

Example of a classic family room design in Salt Lake City with a tile fireplace

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional formal and enclosed dark wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Boston with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace and no tv

While this new home had an architecturally striking exterior, the home’s interior fell short in terms of true functionality and overall style. The most critical element in this renovation was the kitchen and dining area, which needed careful attention to bring it to the level that suited the home and the homeowners. As a graduate of Culinary Institute of America, our client wanted a kitchen that “feels like a restaurant, with the warmth of a home kitchen,” where guests can gather over great food, great wine, and truly feel comfortable in the open concept home. Although it follows a typical chef’s galley layout, the unique design solutions and unusual materials set it apart from the typical kitchen design. Polished countertops, laminated and stainless cabinets fronts, and professional appliances are complemented by the introduction of wood, glass, and blackened metal – materials introduced in the overall design of the house. Unique features include a wall clad in walnut for dangling heavy pots and utensils; a floating, sculptural walnut countertop piece housing an herb garden; an open pantry that serves as a coffee bar and wine station; and a hanging chalkboard that hides a water heater closet and features different coffee offerings available to guests. The dining area addition, enclosed by windows, continues to vivify the organic elements and brings in ample natural light, enhancing the darker finishes and creating additional warmth. Photos by Ira Montgomery

The photography studio is used by Sertorio as an office, as a shooting space and for fine art printing. Photo: Margot Hartford © 2014 Houzz
Example of a trendy home office design in San Francisco