Rob Yagid, Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Patio - country patio idea

Heat Recovery Ventilation System is a necessity in today's modern energy efficient and air tight homes. Provides a controlled flow of clean fresh air. Dirk Heydemann from HA Photography

Informal dining in this coastal home is a necessity. An island eat-at-bar is perfect for quick light meals. Photography by Diana Todorova
Mid-sized beach style u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen photo in Tampa with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Our designer has achieved a stylish look by combining dark cabinets and light-colored marbles.

Shrock Premier Custom Construction works closely with clients to create a space which perfectly suits their desires, needs, and budget. The owners of this charming lake home wanted a retreat for family and friends with outdoor living and relaxation as the focus. Despite its cottage appearance, this Shrock Premier weekend get--a-way will certainly surprise visitors with it's ample size. The lovely open concept kitchen, living area, and breakfast room provide a wonderful flow and comfortable seating for all. The ceiling detail, delightful color palette, and choice of materials give this marvelous home that coveted lake vibe. www.shrockpremier.com

Ventana Construction
Inspiration for a contemporary home office remodel in Seattle

This project was such an incredible design opportunity, and instilled inspiration and excitement at every turn! Our amazing clients came to us with the challenge of converting their beloved family home into a welcoming haven for all members of the family. At the time that we met our clients, they were struggling with the difficult personal decision of the fate of the home. Their father/father-in-law had passed away and their mother/mother-in-law had recently been admitted into a nursing facility and was fighting Alzheimer’s. Resistant to loss of the home now that both parents were out of it, our clients purchased the home to keep in in the family. Despite their permanent home currently being in New Jersey, these clients dedicated themselves to keeping and revitalizing the house. We were moved by the story and became immediately passionate about bringing this dream to life. The home was built by the parents of our clients and was only ever owned by them, making this a truly special space to the family. Our goal was to revitalize the home and to bring new energy into every room without losing the special characteristics that were original to the home when it was built. In this way, we were able to develop a house that maintains its own unique personality while offering a space of welcoming neutrality for all members of the family to enjoy over time. The renovation touched every part of the home: the exterior, foyer, kitchen, living room, sun room, garage, six bedrooms, three bathrooms, the laundry room, and everything in between. The focus was to develop a style that carried consistently from space to space, but allowed for unique expression in the small details in every room. Starting at the entry, we renovated the front door and entry point to offer more presence and to bring more of the mid-century vibe to the home’s exterior. We integrated a new modern front door, cedar shingle accents, new exterior paint, and gorgeous contemporary house numbers that really allow the home to stand out. Just inside the entry, we renovated the foyer to create a playful entry point worthy of attention. Cement look tile adorns the foyer floor, and we’ve added new lighting and upgraded the entry coat storage. Upon entering the home, one will immediately be captivated by the stunning kitchen just off the entry. We transformed this space in just about every way. While the footprint of the home ultimately remained almost identical, the aesthetics were completely turned on their head. We re-worked the kitchen to maximize storage and to create an informal dining area that is great for casual hosting or morning coffee. We removed the entry to the garage that was once in the informal dining, and created a peninsula in its place that offers a unique division between the kitchen/informal dining and the formal dining and living areas. The simple light warm light gray cabinetry offers a bit of traditional elegance, along with the marble backsplash and quartz countertops. We extended the original wood flooring into the kitchen and stained all floors to match for a warmth that truly resonates through all spaces. We upgraded appliances, added lighting everywhere, and finished the space with some gorgeous mid century furniture pieces. In the formal dining and living room, we really focused on maintaining the original marble fireplace as a focal point. We cleaned the marble, repaired the mortar, and refinished the original fireplace screen to give a new sleek look in black. We then integrated a new gas insert for modern heating and painted the upper portion in a rich navy blue; an accent that is carried through the home consistently as a nod to our client’s love of the color. The former entry into the old covered porch is now an elegant glass door leading to a stunning finished sunroom. This room was completely upgraded as well. We wrapped the entire space in cozy white shiplap to keep a casual feel with brightness. We tiled the floor with large format concrete look tile, and painted the old brick fireplace a bright white. We installed a new gas burning unit, and integrated transitional style lighting to bring warmth and elegance into the space. The new black-frame windows are adorned with decorative shades that feature hand-sketched bird prints, and we’ve created a dedicated garden-ware “nook” for our client who loves to work in the yard. The far end of this space is completed with two oversized chaise loungers and overhead lights…the most perfect little reading nook! Just off the dining room, we created an entirely new space to the home: a mudroom. The clients lacked this space and desperately needed a landing spot upon entering the home from the garage. We uniquely planned existing space in the garage to utilize for this purpose, and were able to create a small but functional entry point without losing the ability to park cars in the garage. This new space features cement-look tile, gorgeous deep brown cabinetry, and plenty of storage for all the small items one might need to store while moving in and out of the home. The remainder of the upstairs level includes massive renovations to the guest hall bathroom and guest bedroom, upstairs master bed/bath suite, and a third bedroom that we converted into a home office for the client. Some of the largest transformations were made in the basement, where unfinished space and lack of light were converted into gloriously lit, cozy, finished spaces. Our first task was to convert the massive basement living room into the new master bedroom for our clients. We removed existing built-ins, created an entirely new walk-in closet, painted the old brick fireplace, installed a new gas unit, added carpet, introduced new lighting, replaced windows, and upgraded every part of the aesthetic appearance. One of the most incredible features of this space is the custom double sliding barn door made by a Denver artisan. This space is truly a retreat for our clients! We also completely transformed the laundry room, back storage room, basement master bathroom, and two bedrooms. This home’s massive scope and ever-evolving challenges were thrilling and exciting to work with, and the result is absolutely amazing. At the end of the day, this home offers a look and feel that the clients love. Above all, though, the clients feel the spirit of their family home and have a welcoming environment for all members of the family to enjoy for years to come.

Close up view of tilt out drawer recharging station, customized by Arbor Mills cabinetry
Example of a transitional kitchen design in Chicago

Peter McMenamin
Mudroom - coastal gray floor mudroom idea in Los Angeles with white walls and a yellow front door

Although it embodies an emotive, humanistic form, Pixo, at it’s conceptual core, is an ultra-efficient task light. Functionality and necessity drive its design. It makes the most of its frame and its space through every feature: Pixo’s swiveling light shade and highly maneuverable arm lend it maximum utility within a minimal footprint. Its compact, energy-saving LED light is infinitely adjustable, allowing the user to focus warm, glare-free light wherever needed. For added convenience, the elegant form factor features full-range dimming via its easy to use optical switch. The base integrates a USB port for charging mobile devices. Even more, the upper and lower pieces ship detached from one another to reduce packing materials and shipping costs. Pixo is 97% recyclable. Photo credits to Pablo Designs.

Ryan Bent
Example of a cottage exterior home design in Burlington

The 2,400 s.f. net-zero corten house occupies a quarter-acre site transected by a small creek. Platted as a legal lot-of-record in the area’s original subdivision in 1910, the site remained undeveloped due to steep terrain and difficulties crossing the creek for access. Additionally all areas of the site are within the creek’s 25’, 50’ and 75’ riparian stream buffers. By necessity, the house, with considerable jurisdictional involvement, was constructed entirely within the 75’ stream buffer. Bridge/drive design complying with City of Atlanta Watershed regulations and State of Georgia EPD criteria was an essential component in realizing the project.

What started as a full gut-to-studs renovation turned into a one-of-a-kind, personality-packed bathroom. The client craved color and drama, leading to a bold design anchored by a striking faux blue marble shower—instantly creating a luxe, high-impact focal point. To balance the energy of the shower tile, a soft, textured wallpaper in a shimmering blue hue was added to the main walls, offering depth, elegance, and a calming contrast. The shimmer in the wallpaper catches the light beautifully and sets the tone for the rest of the space. But the true showstopper? A fully custom-designed floating sink, sculpted specifically for this layout. What began as a functional necessity—maximizing counter space while preserving a clear walkway—evolved into a stunning design feature. With graceful curves and a sleek, transitional profile, the sink blends utility and artistry, proving that thoughtful design can elevate even the most practical elements. This bathroom is now a perfect blend of boldness and balance, where every material and detail serves a purpose—and turns heads.

What started as a full gut-to-studs renovation turned into a one-of-a-kind, personality-packed bathroom. The client craved color and drama, leading to a bold design anchored by a striking faux blue marble shower—instantly creating a luxe, high-impact focal point. To balance the energy of the shower tile, a soft, textured wallpaper in a shimmering blue hue was added to the main walls, offering depth, elegance, and a calming contrast. The shimmer in the wallpaper catches the light beautifully and sets the tone for the rest of the space. But the true showstopper? A fully custom-designed floating sink, sculpted specifically for this layout. What began as a functional necessity—maximizing counter space while preserving a clear walkway—evolved into a stunning design feature. With graceful curves and a sleek, transitional profile, the sink blends utility and artistry, proving that thoughtful design can elevate even the most practical elements. This bathroom is now a perfect blend of boldness and balance, where every material and detail serves a purpose—and turns heads.

What started as a full gut-to-studs renovation turned into a one-of-a-kind, personality-packed bathroom. The client craved color and drama, leading to a bold design anchored by a striking faux blue marble shower—instantly creating a luxe, high-impact focal point. To balance the energy of the shower tile, a soft, textured wallpaper in a shimmering blue hue was added to the main walls, offering depth, elegance, and a calming contrast. The shimmer in the wallpaper catches the light beautifully and sets the tone for the rest of the space. But the true showstopper? A fully custom-designed floating sink, sculpted specifically for this layout. What began as a functional necessity—maximizing counter space while preserving a clear walkway—evolved into a stunning design feature. With graceful curves and a sleek, transitional profile, the sink blends utility and artistry, proving that thoughtful design can elevate even the most practical elements. This bathroom is now a perfect blend of boldness and balance, where every material and detail serves a purpose—and turns heads.

What started as a full gut-to-studs renovation turned into a one-of-a-kind, personality-packed bathroom. The client craved color and drama, leading to a bold design anchored by a striking faux blue marble shower—instantly creating a luxe, high-impact focal point. To balance the energy of the shower tile, a soft, textured wallpaper in a shimmering blue hue was added to the main walls, offering depth, elegance, and a calming contrast. The shimmer in the wallpaper catches the light beautifully and sets the tone for the rest of the space. But the true showstopper? A fully custom-designed floating sink, sculpted specifically for this layout. What began as a functional necessity—maximizing counter space while preserving a clear walkway—evolved into a stunning design feature. With graceful curves and a sleek, transitional profile, the sink blends utility and artistry, proving that thoughtful design can elevate even the most practical elements. This bathroom is now a perfect blend of boldness and balance, where every material and detail serves a purpose—and turns heads.

What started as a full gut-to-studs renovation turned into a one-of-a-kind, personality-packed bathroom. The client craved color and drama, leading to a bold design anchored by a striking faux blue marble shower—instantly creating a luxe, high-impact focal point. To balance the energy of the shower tile, a soft, textured wallpaper in a shimmering blue hue was added to the main walls, offering depth, elegance, and a calming contrast. The shimmer in the wallpaper catches the light beautifully and sets the tone for the rest of the space. But the true showstopper? A fully custom-designed floating sink, sculpted specifically for this layout. What began as a functional necessity—maximizing counter space while preserving a clear walkway—evolved into a stunning design feature. With graceful curves and a sleek, transitional profile, the sink blends utility and artistry, proving that thoughtful design can elevate even the most practical elements. This bathroom is now a perfect blend of boldness and balance, where every material and detail serves a purpose—and turns heads.

What started as a full gut-to-studs renovation turned into a one-of-a-kind, personality-packed bathroom. The client craved color and drama, leading to a bold design anchored by a striking faux blue marble shower—instantly creating a luxe, high-impact focal point. To balance the energy of the shower tile, a soft, textured wallpaper in a shimmering blue hue was added to the main walls, offering depth, elegance, and a calming contrast. The shimmer in the wallpaper catches the light beautifully and sets the tone for the rest of the space. But the true showstopper? A fully custom-designed floating sink, sculpted specifically for this layout. What began as a functional necessity—maximizing counter space while preserving a clear walkway—evolved into a stunning design feature. With graceful curves and a sleek, transitional profile, the sink blends utility and artistry, proving that thoughtful design can elevate even the most practical elements. This bathroom is now a perfect blend of boldness and balance, where every material and detail serves a purpose—and turns heads.

What started as a full gut-to-studs renovation turned into a one-of-a-kind, personality-packed bathroom. The client craved color and drama, leading to a bold design anchored by a striking faux blue marble shower—instantly creating a luxe, high-impact focal point. To balance the energy of the shower tile, a soft, textured wallpaper in a shimmering blue hue was added to the main walls, offering depth, elegance, and a calming contrast. The shimmer in the wallpaper catches the light beautifully and sets the tone for the rest of the space. But the true showstopper? A fully custom-designed floating sink, sculpted specifically for this layout. What began as a functional necessity—maximizing counter space while preserving a clear walkway—evolved into a stunning design feature. With graceful curves and a sleek, transitional profile, the sink blends utility and artistry, proving that thoughtful design can elevate even the most practical elements. This bathroom is now a perfect blend of boldness and balance, where every material and detail serves a purpose—and turns heads.