The living and dining area of this renovated midcentury home feature floor-to-ceiling windows; regardless of the season, the homeowners can enjoy the stunning landscapes outside.

Location: Nantucket, MA, USA This classic Nantucket home had not been renovated in several decades and was in serious need of an update. The vision for this summer home was to be a beautiful, light and peaceful family retreat with the ability to entertain guests and extended family. The focal point of the kitchen is the La Canche Chagny Range in Faience with custom hood to match. We love how the tile backsplash on the Prep Sink wall pulls it all together and picks up on the spectacular colors in the White Princess Quartzite countertops. In a nod to traditional Nantucket Craftsmanship, we used Shiplap Panelling on many of the walls including in the Kitchen and Powder Room. We hope you enjoy the quiet and tranquil mood of these images as much as we loved creating this space. Keep your eye out for additional images as we finish up Phase II of this amazing project! Photographed by: Jamie Salomon

These particular clients are from San Francisco and hired us to decorate their second home in Mission Beach. The goal of this project was to decorate in such a way that accommodated the family for their uses, and also renters while they are away. Window treatments, decor, bedding and furniture were strategically procured with both users in mind. Enjoy the pictures!

With porches on every side, the “Georgetown” is designed for enjoying the natural surroundings. The main level of the home is characterized by wide open spaces, with connected kitchen, dining, and living areas, all leading onto the various outdoor patios. The main floor master bedroom occupies one entire wing of the home, along with an additional bedroom suite. The upper level features two bedroom suites and a bunk room, with space over the detached garage providing a private guest suite.

Elizabeth Pedinotti Haynes
Mid-sized mountain style single-wall dark wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo with a drop-in sink, gray cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, gray countertops and shaker cabinets

Today, almost any activity you enjoy inside your home you can bring to the outside. Depending on your budget, your outdoor room can be simple, with a stamped concrete patio, a grill and a table for dining, or more elaborate with a fully functional outdoor kitchen complete with concrete countertops for preparing and serving food, a sink and a refrigerator. You can take the concept even further by adding such amenities as a concrete pizza oven, a fireplace or fire-pit, a concrete bar-top for serving cocktails, an architectural concrete fountain, landscape lighting and concrete statuary. Sunset Construction and Design specializes in creating residential patio retreats, outdoor kitchens with fireplaces and luxurious outdoor living rooms. Our design-build service can turn an ordinary back yard into a natural extension of your home giving you a whole new dimension for entertaining or simply unwinding at the end of the day. If you’re interested in converting a boring back yard or starting from scratch in a new home, give us a call today! A great patio and outdoor living area can easily be yours.

With a sizeable backyard and a love for entertaining, these clients wanted to build a covered outdoor kitchen/bar and seating area. They had one specific area by the side of their pool, with limited space, to build the outdoor kitchen. There were immediate concerns about how to incorporate the two steps in the middle of the patio area; and they really wanted a bar that could seat at least eight people (to include an additional seating area with couches and chairs). This couple also wanted to use their outdoor living space year round. The kitchen needed ample storage and had to be easy to maintain. And last, but not least, they wanted it to look beautiful! This 16 x 26 ft clear span pavilion was a great fit for the area we had to work with. By using wrapped steel columns in the corners in 6-foot piers, carpenter-built trusses, and no ridge beams, we created good space usage underneath the pavilion. The steps were incorporated into the space to make the transition between the kitchen area and seating area, which looked like they were meant to be there. With a little additional flagstone work, we brought the curve of the step to meet the back island, which also created more floor space in the seating area. Two separate islands were created for the outdoor kitchen/bar area, built with galvanized metal studs to allow for more room inside the islands (for appliances and cabinets). We also used backer board and covered the islands with smooth finish stucco. The back island housed the BBQ, a 2-burner cooktop and sink, along with four cabinets, one of which was a pantry style cabinet with pull out shelves (air tight, dust proof and spider proof—also very important to the client). The front island housed the refrigerator, ice maker, and counter top cooler, with another set of pantry style, air tight cabinets. By curving the outside edge of the countertop we maximized the bar area and created seating for eight. In addition, we filled in the curve on the inside of the island with counter top and created two additional seats. In total, there was seating for ten people. Infrared heaters, ceiling fans and shades were added for climate control, so the outdoor living space could be used year round. A TV for sporting events and SONOS for music, were added for entertaining enjoyment. Track lighting, as well as LED tape lights under the backsplash, provided ideal lighting for after dark usage. The clients selected honed, Fantasy Brown Satin Quartzite, with a chipped edge detail for their countertop. This beautiful, linear design marble is very easy to maintain. The base of the islands were completed in stucco and painted satin gray to complement their house color. The posts were painted with Monterey Cliffs, which matched the color of the house shutter trim. The pavilion ceiling consisted of 2 x 6-T & G pine and was stained platinum gray. In the few months since the outdoor living space was built, the clients said they have used it for more than eight parties and can’t wait to use it for the holidays! They also made sure to tell us that the look, feel and maintenance of the area all are perfect!

Photo: A Darling Felicity Photography © 2015 Houzz
Family room - mid-sized eclectic enclosed medium tone wood floor family room idea in Portland with no fireplace and white walls

One of our most popular award-winning kitchens with a dramatic vaulted ceiling exemplifies how simply white is simply stunning! Texture added with distressed white/gray beams that replace the previous heavy beam structure. The expansive island is almost 11' long! Perfect for family and friends to gather 'round! Check out the Before and After white kitchen photos! Enjoy! Photographer Jennifer Siu-Rivera

Photo: Howard Doughty
Trendy u-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen photo in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, metallic backsplash, metal backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Escape the weather but continue to enjoy the outdoors with a Betterliving Sunroom

cutrona
Inspiration for a large coastal open concept dark wood floor living room remodel in Boston with gray walls

Kurtis Miller - KM Pics
Mid-sized mountain style backyard deck photo in Atlanta with a fire pit and a roof extension

This Family Room was made with family in mind. The sectional is in a tan crypton very durable fabric. Blue upholstered chairs in a teflon finish from Duralee. A faux leather ottoman and stain master carpet rug all provide peace of mind with this family. A very kid friendly space that the whole family can enjoy. Wall Color Benjamin Moore Classic Gray OC-23. Bookcase is flanked with family photos and a seaside theme representing where the clients are originally from California.

photo by Seed Studio, editing by TR PhotoStudio
This is an example of a small modern drought-tolerant and full sun backyard gravel landscaping in San Francisco with a fire pit.

Andrew Pogue Photography Located on one of the highest hilltops in Lakeway, this contemporary home enjoys panoramas of the Texas Hill Country. The home employs it’s unique position, surrounded by nature preserve, to integrate views with a variety of interior and outdoor spaces. The all stone entry features two massive pivot doors, front and back to view across the all negative edge pool, and on to the 15 mile view.

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The Klimala’s and their three kids are no strangers to moving, this being their fifth house in the same town over the 20-year period they have lived there. “It must be the 7-year itch, because every seven years, we seem to find ourselves antsy for a new project or a new environment. I think part of it is being a designer, I see my own taste evolve and I want my environment to reflect that. Having easy access to wonderful tradesmen and a knowledge of the process makes it that much easier”. This time, Klimala’s fell in love with a somewhat unlikely candidate. The 1950’s ranch turned cape cod was a bit of a mutt, but it’s location 5 minutes from their design studio and backing up to the high school where their kids can roll out of bed and walk to school, coupled with the charm of its location on a private road and lush landscaping made it an appealing choice for them. “The bones of the house were really charming. It was typical 1,500 square foot ranch that at some point someone added a second floor to. Its sloped roofline and dormered bedrooms gave it some charm.” With the help of architect Maureen McHugh, Klimala’s gutted and reworked the layout to make the house work for them. An open concept kitchen and dining room allows for more frequent casual family dinners and dinner parties that linger. A dingy 3-season room off the back of the original house was insulated, given a vaulted ceiling with skylights and now opens up to the kitchen. This room now houses an 8’ raw edge white oak dining table and functions as an informal dining room. “One of the challenges with these mid-century homes is the 8’ ceilings. I had to have at least one room that had a higher ceiling so that’s how we did it” states Klimala. The kitchen features a 10’ island which houses a 5’0” Galley Sink. The Galley features two faucets, and double tiered rail system to which accessories such as cutting boards and stainless steel bowls can be added for ease of cooking. Across from the large sink is an induction cooktop. “My two teen daughters and I enjoy cooking, and the Galley and induction cooktop make it so easy.” A wall of tall cabinets features a full size refrigerator, freezer, double oven and built in coffeemaker. The area on the opposite end of the kitchen features a pantry with mirrored glass doors and a beverage center below. The rest of the first floor features an entry way, a living room with views to the front yard’s lush landscaping, a family room where the family hangs out to watch TV, a back entry from the garage with a laundry room and mudroom area, one of the home’s four bedrooms and a full bath. There is a double sided fireplace between the family room and living room. The home features pops of color from the living room’s peach grass cloth to purple painted wall in the family room. “I’m definitely a traditionalist at heart but because of the home’s Midcentury roots, I wanted to incorporate some of those elements into the furniture, lighting and accessories which also ended up being really fun. We are not formal people so I wanted a house that my kids would enjoy, have their friends over and feel comfortable.” The second floor houses the master bedroom suite, two of the kids’ bedrooms and a back room nicknamed “the library” because it has turned into a quiet get away area where the girls can study or take a break from the rest of the family. The area was originally unfinished attic, and because the home was short on closet space, this Jack and Jill area off the girls’ bedrooms houses two large walk-in closets and a small sitting area with a makeup vanity. “The girls really wanted to keep the exposed brick of the fireplace that runs up the through the space, so that’s what we did, and I think they feel like they are in their own little loft space in the city when they are up there” says Klimala. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Carlos Vergara For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Located in the exclusive community of Springbank Hill, this magnificent French-Country Bungalow offers spacious luxury living on over 1 acre of land. Upon entrance, the exquisite craftsmanship that went into building this home is apparent, showcasing custom walnut mill work, solid wood beams and cobbled limestone flooring. The close to 9000 sqft of living quarters consist of a gourmet kitchen complete with 11 appliances including a built-in coffee machine, a master suite with a 7 piece bath and extraordinary walk-in closet, and a great room with an impressive floor to ceiling stone fireplace. A theater room with a 15 foot curved screen incorporates the highest quality of components and details and has been designed for family enjoyment. The beautifully landscaped yard provides both privacy and visual enjoyment for you and your guests, with a 3 tiered water pond and incredible city views. Just 15 minutes to downtown, this residence provides a unique country estate lifestyle experience. 4,869 Sq Feet Above Ground 4 Bedrooms, 8 Bath Bungalow, Built in 2009 $ 5,648,000

As entertainers, the homeowners embraced the concept of combining two living spaces into one, which was made possible by installing a PGT sliding door. These doors slide back into themselves, opening up the indoors to the outdoor deck space with fireplace. Guests also enjoy waterway views made possible by the Juliet balcony off the front bedroom of the home, and the very large man-cave under the hom