Like most growing families, this client wanted to lure everyone outside. And when the family went outdoors, they were hoping to find flamboyant color, delicious fragrance, freshly grilled food, fun play-spaces, and comfy entertaining areas waiting. Privacy was an imperative. Seems basic enough. But a heap of challenges stood in the way between what they were given upon arrival and the family's ultimate dreamscape. Primary among the impediments was the fact that the house stands on a busy corner lot. Plus, the breakneck slope was definitely not playground-friendly. Fortunately, Westover Landscape Design rode to the rescue and literally leveled the playing field. Furthermore, flowing from space to space is a thoroughly enjoyable, ever-changing journey given the blossom-filled, year-around-splendiferous gardens that now hug the walkway and stretch out to the property lines. Soft evergreen hedges and billowing flowering shrubs muffle street noise, giving the garden within a sense of embrace. A fully functional (and frequently used) convenient outdoor kitchen/dining area/living room expand the house's floorplan into a relaxing, nature-infused on-site vacationland. Mission accomplished. With the addition of the stunning old-world stone fireplace and pergola, this amazing property is a welcome retreat for year round enjoyment. Mission accomplished. Rob Cardillo for Westover Landscape Design, Inc.

Example of a tuscan medium tone wood floor dining room design in Denver with brown walls

This 264 square foot prefab home was packaged and brought to the client’s property as just 64 flatpacked components, and assembled from start to finish in six weeks. AVAVA believes that beautiful design and a commitment to sustainability can work together with the efficiency of prefab to deliver the highest quality housing that the average citizen can afford. This project is intended as a future retirement retreat for a professional couple currently living in San Francisco. It was permitted as a residential secondary dwelling unit according to the planning code in the city of Livermore. Named Britespace, our prefab models feature a 12’x16’ window wall, and a 14’ ceiling that fills the home with natural light. The interior can be fitted with a full kitchen or simple counter and wetbar, and a full or half bath – or left open for office or guest bedroom use. The Britespace is available in 264, 352, and 480 square foot sizes, and comes in a limited number of design options for interior and exterior finishes. AVAVA Systems is a full-service prefab flatpack home provider specializing in Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) products, and delivering projects from planning and permitting through construction.

This project represents the evolution of a 10 acre space over more than three decades. It began with the pool and space around it. As the vegetable garden grew, the orchard was established and the display gardens blossomed. The prairie was restored and a kitchen was added to complete the space. Although, it continues to change with a pond next on the design plan. Photo credit: Linda Oyama Bryan

Creative Sources Photography, Rion Rizzo
Mid-sized beach style master medium tone wood floor bedroom photo in Charleston with beige walls

Transitional dark wood floor living room photo in Toronto with white walls, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a tv stand

Tessa Neustadt
Trendy dining room photo in New York with white walls

Lakota™ Santa Fe Coneflower / Echinacea hybrid

The landscape of this home honors the formality of Spanish Colonial / Santa Barbara Style early homes in the Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix. By re-grading the lot and allowing for terraced opportunities, we featured a variety of hardscape stone, brick, and decorative tiles that reinforce the eclectic Spanish Colonial feel. Cantera and La Negra volcanic stone, brick, natural field stone, and handcrafted Spanish decorative tiles are used to establish interest throughout the property. A front courtyard patio includes a hand painted tile fountain and sitting area near the outdoor fire place. This patio features formal Boxwood hedges, Hibiscus, and a rose garden set in pea gravel. The living room of the home opens to an outdoor living area which is raised three feet above the pool. This allowed for opportunity to feature handcrafted Spanish tiles and raised planters. The side courtyard, with stepping stones and Dichondra grass, surrounds a focal Crape Myrtle tree. One focal point of the back patio is a 24-foot hand-hammered wrought iron trellis, anchored with a stone wall water feature. We added a pizza oven and barbecue, bistro lights, and hanging flower baskets to complete the intimate outdoor dining space. Project Details: Landscape Architect: Greey|Pickett Architect: Higgins Architects Landscape Contractor: Premier Environments Photography: Sam Rosenbaum

Inspiration for a transitional beige floor dining room remodel in San Francisco with gray walls

lisa pétrole
Example of an eclectic open concept white floor living room design in Toronto with white walls and no tv

The project’s goal is to introduce more affordable contemporary homes for Triangle Area housing. This 1,800 SF modern ranch-style residence takes its shape from the archetypal gable form and helps to integrate itself into the neighborhood. Although the house presents a modern intervention, the project’s scale and proportional parameters integrate into its context. Natural light and ventilation are passive goals for the project. A strong indoor-outdoor connection was sought by establishing views toward the wooded landscape and having a deck structure weave into the public area. North Carolina’s natural textures are represented in the simple black and tan palette of the facade.

The landscape design for this property in an established New York City suburb marries stately elegance with relaxed outdoor living. The greatest challenge of the site was a considerable grade change over a small area (a third of an acre). We replaced overgrown shrubs and crumbling stonework with a clean hardscape design that clearly defines the flow around the property. A long play lawn in front is linked to a sideyard patio space and natural-gas campfire with broad bluestone block steps. A cozy dining terrace behind the house is hugged by a retaining wall that showcases friendly flowering plants and edibles. Set into the terrace wall is a custom water feature that brings sound and movement to the seating area. Exposed ledge in the backyard provides a fun playspace for adventurous kids, with a rope bridge leading to a playhouse.

Wine cubes double as a household organization center. Mullion-style Aristokraft Winstead glass-panel cabinet doors showcase the prettiest of serving dishes.

Large trendy white two-story stucco exterior home photo in New York

Bedroom - contemporary bedroom idea in Chicago with black walls

Northeast Portland is full of great old neighborhoods and houses bursting with character. The owners of this particular home had enjoyed their pink and blue bathroom’s quirky charm for years, but had finally outgrown its awkward layout and lack of functionality. The Goal: Create a fresh, bright look for this bathroom that is both functional and fits the style of the home. Step one was to establish the color scheme and style for our clients’ new bathroom. Bright whites and classic elements like marble, subway tile and penny-rounds helped establish a transitional style that didn’t feel “too modern” for the home. When it comes to creating a more functional space, storage is key. The original bathroom featured a pedestal sink with no practical storage options. We designed a custom-built vanity with plenty of storage and useable counter space. And by opting for a durable, low-maintenance quartz countertop, we were able to create a beautiful marble-look without the hefty price-tag. Next, we got rid of the old tub (and awkward shower outlet), and moved the entire shower-area to the back wall. This created a far more practical layout for this bathroom, providing more space for the large new vanity and the open, walk-in shower our clients were looking for.

Hollywood regency meets beach bungalow in this living room. Natural wood and greenery comes together with gold accents and light neutral tones.
Example of a beach style open concept light wood floor and beige floor living room design in Sacramento with white walls, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround

The remodeling of the kitchen and bathroom forms the core of this interior renovation. The existing peninsula design and cabinetry broke up the ‘great room’ and stood the kitchen as a distinct element within the room. Our design strategy operates more on a principle of integration. As such, we created a galley condition with a spine of cabinetry and appliances that anchors to the long wall of the room. The feature design element is the solid Caesarstone backsplash which appears to be carved from the wall itself. The particular challenge in the windowless bathroom was how to create an inviting, expanded sense of depth without a resulting cave-like feel. Removal of a half wall, soffit and tub unified the space overall. We reinforced the unification with the deployment of a single large format tile spec. Smaller details such as touch latch cabinetry hardware and flush conditions between tile, wall and mirror further the principle that simpler is bigger, deeper and more inviting. We were also charged with elevating what was a pedestrian 1990’s townhouse to something more sophisticated and engaging. Our approach was to first remove builder grade detailing around windows and railings. Then, we introduced simplified profiles and glass guardrails that would extend a consistency established in the new kitchen and bathroom designs. photo by Scott Hargis