In this beautiful Houston remodel, we took on the exterior AND interior - with a new outdoor kitchen, patio cover and balcony outside and a Mid-Century Modern redesign on the inside: "This project was really unique, not only in the extensive scope of it, but in the number of different elements needing to be coordinated with each other," says Outdoor Homescapes of Houston owner Wayne Franks. "Our entire team really rose to the challenge." OUTSIDE The new outdoor living space includes a 14 x 20-foot patio addition with an outdoor kitchen and balcony. We also extended the roof over the patio between the house and the breezeway (the new section is 26 x 14 feet). On the patio and balcony, we laid about 1,100-square foot of new hardscaping in the place of pea gravel. The new material is a gorgeous, honed-and-filled Nysa travertine tile in a Versailles pattern. We used the same tile for the new pool coping, too. We also added French doors leading to the patio and balcony from a lower bedroom and upper game room, respectively: The outdoor kitchen above features Southern Cream cobblestone facing and a Titanium granite countertop and raised bar. The 8 x 12-foot, L-shaped kitchen island houses an RCS 27-inch grill, plus an RCS ice maker, lowered power burner, fridge and sink. The outdoor ceiling is tongue-and-groove pine boards, done in the Minwax stain "Jacobean." INSIDE Inside, we repainted the entire house from top to bottom, including baseboards, doors, crown molding and cabinets. We also updated the lighting throughout. "Their style before was really non-existent," says Lisha Maxey, senior designer with Outdoor Homescapes and owner of LGH Design Services in Houston. "They did what most families do - got items when they needed them, worrying less about creating a unified style for the home." Other than a new travertine tile floor the client had put in 6 months earlier, the space had never been updated. The drapery had been there for 15 years. And the living room had an enormous leather sectional couch that virtually filled the entire room. In its place, we put all new, Mid-Century Modern furniture from World Market. The drapery fabric and chandelier came from High Fashion Home. All the other new sconces and chandeliers throughout the house came from Pottery Barn and all décor accents from World Market. The couple and their two teenaged sons got bedroom makeovers as well. One of the sons, for instance, started with childish bunk beds and piles of books everywhere. "We gave him a grown-up space he could enjoy well into his high school years," says Lisha. The new bed is also from World Market. We also updated the kitchen by removing all the old wallpaper and window blinds and adding new paint and knobs and pulls for the cabinets. (The family plans to update the backsplash later.) The top handrail on the stairs got a coat of black paint, and we added a console table (from Kirkland's) in the downstairs hallway. In the dining room, we painted the cabinet and mirror frames black and added new drapes, but kept the existing furniture and flooring. "I'm just so pleased with how it turned out - especially Lisha's coordination of all the materials and finishes," says Wayne. "But as a full-service outdoor design team, this is what we do, and our all our great reviews are telling us we're doing it well."

We love the coffered ceiling in this master bedroom sitting area & home office. Talk about a lavish design! We can't get enough of those arched windows, custom window treatments, wall sconces, and chandeliers. We'd definitely be curling up on that chaise lounge in the sitting area in front of the fireplace and mantel with a good book.

Example of a beach style exterior home design in New York

Alison Hodgson
Inspiration for a cottage entryway remodel in Grand Rapids

This partially wooded, acre and a half lot in West Dundee presented many challenges. The clients began working with a Landscape Architect in the early spring, but after not getting the innovative ideas they were seeking, the home builder and Architect suggested the client contact our landscape design/build firm. We immediately hit it off with the charismatic clients. They had a tall order for us: complete the design and implement the construction within a three month period. For many projects this would be a reasonable time frame. However construction delays and the coordination of multiple trades left a very short window to complete the work. Beyond the tight time frame the site required specific care in preserving the many mature surrounding trees, as well as addressing a vast grade change. Over fifteen feet of grade change occurs from one end of this woodland property to the other. All of these constraints proved to be an enormous challenge as we worked to include and coordinate the following elements: the drive layout, a dramatic front entry, various gardens, landscape lighting, irrigation, and a plan for a backyard pool and entertainment space that already had been started without a clear plan. Fortunately, the client loved our design ideas and attention to detail and we were able to mobilize and begin construction. With the seamless coordination between our firm and the builder we implemented all the elements of this grand project. In total eight different crews and five separate trades worked together to complete the landscape. The completed project resulted in a rewarding experience for our firm, the builder and architect, as well as the client. Together we were able to create and construct a perfect oasis for the client that suited the beautiful property and the architecture of this dream home.

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless open concept and formal dark wood floor living room remodel in Minneapolis with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace and no tv

Initially, this 1800 square foot space was completely unfinished with concrete walls. The clients hoped to use this enormous space to fulfill a variety of functions. After the remodel this previously unfinished space contained a perfect entertaining area with a full bar, home theatre, and large living space; a full bathroom with an electrical warming towel warmers; a workout space somewhat separated from the rest of the basement; and a bedroom with a built in window seats and closets with custom shelving. The basement was trimmed out with columns and woodwork to match the existing woodwork in the home so that it appeared as if the remodel took place when the home was built.

In this pirates themed backyard there is so much to do for kids of all ages! Details include a rope swing from an artificial tree, large slide that takes you underground before you enter the pool, an enormous grotto to stay cool under, a rope bridge over the pool, spa and tanning ledge. For those less adventurous, there are two covered deck area as well as a large covered outdoor living area. Photography: Daniel Driensky

This partially wooded, acre and a half lot in West Dundee presented many challenges. The clients began working with a Landscape Architect in the early spring, but after not getting the innovative ideas they were seeking, the home builder and Architect suggested the client contact our landscape design/build firm. We immediately hit it off with the charismatic clients. They had a tall order for us: complete the design and implement the construction within a three month period. For many projects this would be a reasonable time frame. However construction delays and the coordination of multiple trades left a very short window to complete the work. Beyond the tight time frame the site required specific care in preserving the many mature surrounding trees, as well as addressing a vast grade change. Over fifteen feet of grade change occurs from one end of this woodland property to the other. All of these constraints proved to be an enormous challenge as we worked to include and coordinate the following elements: the drive layout, a dramatic front entry, various gardens, landscape lighting, irrigation, and a plan for a backyard pool and entertainment space that already had been started without a clear plan. Fortunately, the client loved our design ideas and attention to detail and we were able to mobilize and begin construction. With the seamless coordination between our firm and the builder we implemented all the elements of this grand project. In total eight different crews and five separate trades worked together to complete the landscape. The completed project resulted in a rewarding experience for our firm, the builder and architect, as well as the client. Together we were able to create and construct a perfect oasis for the client that suited the beautiful property and the architecture of this dream home.

Inspiration for a kitchen remodel in Singapore

Example of a southwest kitchen design in Phoenix

The owner is a single man with an enormous collection of books, so the walls were lined with floor to ceiling bookcases. A rolling ladder makes it possible to reach the upper shelves.

dustin peck photography inc Interior and Kitchen Design by Carolina Design Associates, info@carolinadesignassociates.com
Example of a classic kitchen design in Charlotte

Chefs dream kitchen complete with Viking appliances, and enormous island.
Inspiration for a huge modern travertine floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Tampa with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Our client wanted an open concept space in a long narrow home that left original textures and details untouched. A brick wall was exposed as a walnut kitchen and industrial style floor-to-ceiling glazing were added. The enormous island and brass light fixture from Lindsey Adelman are key features. Construction by Greening Homes

Kids' room - mid-sized coastal boy medium tone wood floor kids' room idea in Los Angeles with multicolored walls

The Bluestone packs four bedrooms and loads of style into a modest footprint. With an open and efficient arrangement of the great room, kitchen, and dining areas, a deluxe master suite well separated from the secondary bedrooms, optional office/study or 4th bedroom, huge laundry room, roomy screen porch with fireplace, skylit porch flooding the interior with natural light, and enormous bonus room over the garage, the Bluestone lives much larger than its square footage, and is the ideal family home. Built by Kent Homes, Inc. http://www.kenthomes.net

Inspiration for a large timeless kitchen remodel in DC Metro

Alyssa Kirsten
Example of a mid-sized minimalist open concept light wood floor living room design in New York with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace and a wall-mounted tv