Situated on the edge of New Hampshire’s beautiful Lake Sunapee, this Craftsman-style shingle lake house peeks out from the towering pine trees that surround it. When the clients approached Cummings Architects, the lot consisted of 3 run-down buildings. The challenge was to create something that enhanced the property without overshadowing the landscape, while adhering to the strict zoning regulations that come with waterfront construction. The result is a design that encompassed all of the clients’ dreams and blends seamlessly into the gorgeous, forested lake-shore, as if the property was meant to have this house all along. The ground floor of the main house is a spacious open concept that flows out to the stone patio area with fire pit. Wood flooring and natural fir bead-board ceilings pay homage to the trees and rugged landscape that surround the home. The gorgeous views are also captured in the upstairs living areas and third floor tower deck. The carriage house structure holds a cozy guest space with additional lake views, so that extended family and friends can all enjoy this vacation retreat together. Photo by Eric Roth

We live in a beautiful region where we are surrounded by blue skies, lush vegetation, and tropical breezes. However, with all this natural beauty comes bugs… and lots of them. Why not surround yourself with the beauty of the Lowcountry without having to deal with those pesky bugs and slithering intruders. Consider adding a screen room or screened enclosure to your home so you can enjoy your yard all year long!

This three story, 9,500+ square foot Modern Spanish beauty features 7 bedrooms, 9 full and 2 half bathrooms, a wine cellar, private gym, guest house, and a poolside outdoor space out of our dreams. I spent nearly two years perfecting every aspect of the design, from flooring and tile to cookware and cutlery. With strong Spanish Colonial architecture, this space beckoned for a more refined design plan, all in keeping with the timeless beauty of Spanish style. This project became a favorite of mine, and I hope you'll enjoy it, too.

What could be better than enjoying a beautiful night in this stunning outdoor living space? It features a stone fireplace, kitchen, several cozy seating areas with a fireplace, and a swim spa with adjacent fire pit. You'll never leave home with a backyard like this. The particular swim spa is a SwimEx pool, model 500 OS. It is a fiberglass pool that can be installed outside or inside. The solid fiberglass shell of this swimming pool, built like a high performance yacht, is impervious to sun, easy to clean, and has an insulated wood core for superior temperature retention.

NSD designed a casual, chic environment for a client who wanted a space that felt relaxed, fun and modern.
Example of a small transitional enclosed dark wood floor living room design with blue walls and no fireplace

Whitten Architects | ARCHITECT Knickerbocker Group | INTERIOR DESIGN Knickerbocker Group | MILLWORK & CABINETRY Knickerbocker Group | CONSTRUCTION Darren Setlow | PHOTOGRAPHER

To optimize the views of the lake and maximize natural ventilation this 8,600 square-foot woodland oasis accomplishes just that and more. A selection of local materials of varying scales for the exterior and interior finishes, complements the surrounding environment and boast a welcoming setting for all to enjoy. A perfect combination of skirl siding and hand dipped shingles unites the exterior palette and allows for the interior finishes of aged pine paneling and douglas fir trim to define the space. This residence, houses a main-level master suite, a guest suite, and two upper-level bedrooms. An open-concept scheme creates a kitchen, dining room, living room and screened porch perfect for large family gatherings at the lake. Whether you want to enjoy the beautiful lake views from the expansive deck or curled up next to the natural stone fireplace, this stunning lodge offers a wide variety of spatial experiences. Photographer: Joseph St. Pierre

Banks of windows in the second-floor rec room give gamers loads of natural light.
Family room - farmhouse open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor family room idea in Indianapolis with brown walls, no fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Example of a transitional family room design in Boston

This landscape of this transitional dwelling aims to compliment the architecture while providing an outdoor space for high end living and entertainment. The outdoor kitchen, hot tub, tiered gardens, living and dining areas as well as a formal lawn provide ample space for enjoyment year round. Photographs courtesy of The Richards Group.

Bright and bold colored Sunbrella® fabrics make it easy to transform your porch or patio so your home can reflect the season. Bright orange pillows and cheerful stripes pop when set against crisp white cushions. Simply lower the shades, take a seat, and enjoy a perfect afternoon.

High in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, this majestic lodge was custom designed by MossCreek to provide rustic elegant living for the extended family of our clients. Featuring four spacious master suites, a massive great room with floor-to-ceiling windows, expansive porches, and a large family room with built-in bar, the home incorporates numerous spaces for sharing good times. Unique to this design is a large wrap-around porch on the main level, and four large distinct and private balconies on the upper level. This provides outdoor living for each of the four master suites. We hope you enjoy viewing the photos of this beautiful home custom designed by MossCreek. Photo by Todd Bush

This living/dining room combined is open and airy to the sliding glass doors leading to the covered patio. A great place to entertain, yet relax and enjoy the beauty.

This timber frame great room features a beautiful stone fireplace, a perfect place to enjoy the cold winter nights while marveling at the beams. Photography by Greg Hubbard

Photo: Heather Banks © 2015 Houzz
Example of an eclectic patio design in Austin

Jeremy Bitterman
Minimalist kitchen photo in Seattle

Example of a tuscan family room design in San Francisco

4 beds 5 baths 4,447 sqft RARE FIND! NEW HIGH-TECH, LAKE FRONT CONSTRUCTION ON HIGHLY DESIRABLE WINDERMERE CHAIN OF LAKES. This unique home site offers the opportunity to enjoy lakefront living on a private cove with the beauty and ambiance of a classic "Old Florida" home. With 150 feet of lake frontage, this is a very private lot with spacious grounds, gorgeous landscaping, and mature oaks. This acre plus parcel offers the beauty of the Butler Chain, no HOA, and turn key convenience. High-tech smart house amenities and the designer furnishings are included. Natural light defines the family area featuring wide plank hickory hardwood flooring, gas fireplace, tongue and groove ceilings, and a rear wall of disappearing glass opening to the covered lanai. The gourmet kitchen features a Wolf cooktop, Sub-Zero refrigerator, and Bosch dishwasher, exotic granite counter tops, a walk in pantry, and custom built cabinetry. The office features wood beamed ceilings. With an emphasis on Florida living the large covered lanai with summer kitchen, complete with Viking grill, fridge, and stone gas fireplace, overlook the sparkling salt system pool and cascading spa with sparkling lake views and dock with lift. The private master suite and luxurious master bath include granite vanities, a vessel tub, and walk in shower. Energy saving and organic with 6-zone HVAC system and Nest thermostats, low E double paned windows, tankless hot water heaters, spray foam insulation, whole house generator, and security with cameras. Property can be gated.

A post-war, Glen Park house was dark and tiny but had good bones and imaginable city views. It was one of those “little boxes on the hillside”. Our design transformed and expanded it into a bright, open, and comfortable four bedroom townhouse with panoramic city views. A huge new sliding skylight/roof hatch above an open staircase illuminates and seamlessly connects the central living and circulation spaces. All bedrooms plus a family room/guest suite are oriented towards the rear and front of house, ensuring direct connection to the out of doors, and privacy from family gathering spaces. The home is modern but has touches of warm traditional styling, anticipating a family with kids, a couple who enjoy entertaining, and or folks who like hunkering down with a good book and a morning cup of coffee. Structural Engineer: Gregory Paul Wallace SE Photographer: Open Homes Photography