An all-electric kitchen. Sunlight spills into the high ceilings through skylights and transom windows so artificial lighting use can be minimized. All appliances are electric, materials are natural and durable.

Sitting aside the slopes of Windham Ski Resort in the Catskills, this is a stunning example of what happens when everything gels — from the homeowners’ vision, the property, the design, the decorating, and the workmanship involved throughout. An outstanding finished home materializes like a complex magic trick. You start with a piece of land and an undefined vision. Maybe you know it’s a timber frame, maybe not. But soon you gather a team and you have this wide range of inter-dependent ideas swirling around everyone’s heads — architects, engineers, designers, decorators — and like alchemy you’re just not 100% sure that all the ingredients will work. And when they do, you end up with a home like this. The architectural design and engineering is based on our versatile Olive layout. Our field team installed the ultra-efficient shell of Insulspan SIP wall and roof panels, local tradesmen did a great job on the rest. And in the end the homeowners made us all look like first-ballot-hall-of-famers by commissioning Design Bar by Kathy Kuo for the interior design. Doesn’t hurt to send the best photographer we know to capture it all. Pics from Kim Smith Photo.

Small transitional porcelain tile powder room photo in Chicago with a wall-mount sink and black walls

Steve Lerum
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary one-car garage workshop remodel in Orange County

“The floating bamboo ceiling references the vertical reed-like wallpaper behind the LED candles in the niches of the chiseled stone.” - San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles August 2013 James Brady Photography

-Available in Gray, Black, and Tan Lid Models -Create clear, uniform smooth arches of moving water -At night, the arches are lit up with vibrant colors -Beautiful and entertaining water effect -Water streams can reach up to 7 ft high and 8 ft outward into your pool, spa, or other body of water -Energy efficient LED with an extensive spectrum of color choices -Features advanced technology to hold a steady color or rotate automatically through colors -Installation is "hidden" -- seamless and safe -Includes 100' of electrical cable -Water streams are fully adjustable in height and arc shape. Left/Right Direction can be adjusted up to 60 degrees total.

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

Screened porch is 14'x20'. photos by Ryann Ford
Elegant screened-in porch photo in Austin with decking and a roof extension

We developed a new, more functional floor plan by removing the wall between the kitchen and laundry room. All walls in the new kitchen space were taken down to their studs. New plumbing, electrical, and lighting were installed and a new gas line was relocated. The exterior laundry room door was changed to a window. All new energy saving windows were installed. A new tankless, energy efficient water heater replaced the old one, which was installed, more appropriately on an exterior wall. We installed the new sink and faucet under the windows but moved the range to the west end wall. In working with the existing exterior and interior door locations, we placed the microwave/oven combination on the wall between these doors. At the dining room doorway, the new 42” refrigerator begins the run of tall storage with a pantry. As you turn the corner, the new washer and dryer are now situated under new upper cabinets. Seating is provided at the end of the granite counter in front of the window to maximize and create an efficient work space. The finishes were chosen to add color and keep the design in the same time period as the house. Custom colored ceramic tiles at the range wall reflect the homeowner’s love of flowers: these are complimented with the tile back splash that continues along the length of peacock green granite. The cork floor was chosen to blend with the adjacent oak floors and provide a comfortable surface throughout the year. The white shaker style cabinets provide a neutral background to compliment the new finishes and the owner’s decorative pieces which show nicely behind the seed-glass cabinet doors. Task lighting was installed under the cabinets and recessed LED lights were placed for function in the ceiling. The owner’s antique lights were installed over the sink area to reflect her interest in antiques. An outdated, small and difficult kitchen and laundry room were made into a beautiful and functional space that will provide many years of service and enjoyment to this family in their home.

Conceived as a remodel and addition, the final design iteration for this home is uniquely multifaceted. Structural considerations required a more extensive tear down, however the clients wanted the entire remodel design kept intact, essentially recreating much of the existing home. The overall floor plan design centers on maximizing the views, while extensive glazing is carefully placed to frame and enhance them. The residence opens up to the outdoor living and views from multiple spaces and visually connects interior spaces in the inner court. The client, who also specializes in residential interiors, had a vision of ‘transitional’ style for the home, marrying clean and contemporary elements with touches of antique charm. Energy efficient materials along with reclaimed architectural wood details were seamlessly integrated, adding sustainable design elements to this transitional design. The architect and client collaboration strived to achieve modern, clean spaces playfully interjecting rustic elements throughout the home. Greenbelt Homes Glynis Wood Interiors Photography by Bryant Hill

The goal of this project was to upgrade the builder grade finishes and create an ergonomic space that had a contemporary feel. This bathroom transformed from a standard, builder grade bathroom to a contemporary urban oasis. This was one of my favorite projects, I know I say that about most of my projects but this one really took an amazing transformation. By removing the walls surrounding the shower and relocating the toilet it visually opened up the space. Creating a deeper shower allowed for the tub to be incorporated into the wet area. Adding a LED panel in the back of the shower gave the illusion of a depth and created a unique storage ledge. A custom vanity keeps a clean front with different storage options and linear limestone draws the eye towards the stacked stone accent wall. Houzz Write Up: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/inside-houzz-a-chopped-up-bathroom-goes-streamlined-and-swank-stsetivw-vs~27263720 The layout of this bathroom was opened up to get rid of the hallway effect, being only 7 foot wide, this bathroom needed all the width it could muster. Using light flooring in the form of natural lime stone 12x24 tiles with a linear pattern, it really draws the eye down the length of the room which is what we needed. Then, breaking up the space a little with the stone pebble flooring in the shower, this client enjoyed his time living in Japan and wanted to incorporate some of the elements that he appreciated while living there. The dark stacked stone feature wall behind the tub is the perfect backdrop for the LED panel, giving the illusion of a window and also creates a cool storage shelf for the tub. A narrow, but tasteful, oval freestanding tub fit effortlessly in the back of the shower. With a sloped floor, ensuring no standing water either in the shower floor or behind the tub, every thought went into engineering this Atlanta bathroom to last the test of time. With now adequate space in the shower, there was space for adjacent shower heads controlled by Kohler digital valves. A hand wand was added for use and convenience of cleaning as well. On the vanity are semi-vessel sinks which give the appearance of vessel sinks, but with the added benefit of a deeper, rounded basin to avoid splashing. Wall mounted faucets add sophistication as well as less cleaning maintenance over time. The custom vanity is streamlined with drawers, doors and a pull out for a can or hamper. A wonderful project and equally wonderful client. I really enjoyed working with this client and the creative direction of this project. Brushed nickel shower head with digital shower valve, freestanding bathtub, curbless shower with hidden shower drain, flat pebble shower floor, shelf over tub with LED lighting, gray vanity with drawer fronts, white square ceramic sinks, wall mount faucets and lighting under vanity. Hidden Drain shower system. Atlanta Bathroom.

Inspiration for a transitional eat-in kitchen remodel in Los Angeles

Tony Soluri
Large trendy master gray tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and gray floor bathroom photo in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, solid surface countertops and an integrated sink

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.

Example of a large country master white tile and marble tile marble floor and white floor bathroom design in Chicago with white cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops and recessed-panel cabinets

Eric Roth
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized transitional u-shaped cork floor eat-in kitchen idea in Jacksonville with recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, an island, marble countertops and green countertops

Master Suite’s full-wall customized bed/nightstand feature unites knotted charcoal wool-upholstered panels with satin brass inlays, walnut cut-out bookcase with LED strip light inlays and articulating sconces.

Williamson Photography
Kitchen pantry - coastal dark wood floor kitchen pantry idea in Other

this dog wash is a great place to clean up your pets and give them the spa treatment they deserve. There is even an area to relax for your pet under the counter in the padded cabinet.