This is an example of a large traditional full sun backyard concrete paver outdoor basketball/tennis/multi-game court in Sacramento.

Wally Sears, Julia Starr Sanford, Mark David Major
Family room - coastal family room idea in Jacksonville

Tucked away on a large, private lot, this home's landscape disguises the fact that it is in the middle of an urban neighborhood. The homeowner is an avid gardener, and the landscape is constantly evolving as he puts his touch on the plants and new phases of the master plan are implemented. The entry is lushly planted, offering a welcoming array of shapes and colors. The trees and shrubs further privatize the space as they mature.

We wanted to create a natural outdoor living space with elevation change and an open feel. The first time we met they wanted to add a small kitchen and a 200 square foot pergola to the existing concrete. This beautifully evolved into what we eventually built. By adding an elevated deck to the left of the structure it created the perfect opportunity to elevate the sitting walls. Whether you’re sitting on the deck or over by the travertine sitting wall ...it is the exact same distance off of the floor. By creating a seamless transition from one space to the other no matter where you are, you're always a part of the party. A 650 square foot cedar pergola, 92 feet of stone sitting walls, travertine flooring, composite decking and summer kitchen. With plenty of accent lighting this space lights up and highlights all of the natural materials. Appliances: Fire Magic Diamond Echelon series 660 Pergola: Solid Cedar Flooring: Travertine Flooring/ Composite decking Stone: Rattle Snake with 2.25” Cream limestone capping Photo Credit: TK Images

The new laundry room has evolved into a multi use room, as in the combo laundry with craft table and wrapping station we see here. The wrapping station has extra cubicles for storage, helping keep the wooden countertop neat and clean. We also have an undermount white porcelain sink and plenty of cabinet space above the raised washer and dryer.

This house outside Boston was built of Chester County fieldstone to evoke Pennsylvania stone farmhouses the owners had admired when they were growing up around Philadelphia. The house and outbuildings, though new, have the feeling of having grown and evolved over time.

What started as a kitchen and two-bathroom remodel evolved into a full home renovation plus conversion of the downstairs unfinished basement into a permitted first story addition, complete with family room, guest suite, mudroom, and a new front entrance. We married the midcentury modern architecture with vintage, eclectic details and thoughtful materials.

Plan 4 Courtyard
Inspiration for a contemporary exterior home remodel in Orange County

The pergola is a structure that provides shade, but not shelter. It is a landscape element designed to support vines and an open passageway to connect separate buildings. Originally constructed from organic materials to form a series of arches for the comfort of royalty as they passed from one building to the next, the pergola has evolved into a distinct element of architectural interest.

Builder: Streeter Custom Builder Interiors: Harris Weldon Interiors Landscape: Keenan & Sveiven Photos: Scott Amundson
Elegant wet bar photo in Minneapolis with blue cabinets

What started as a kitchen and two-bathroom remodel evolved into a full home renovation plus conversion of the downstairs unfinished basement into a permitted first story addition, complete with family room, guest suite, mudroom, and a new front entrance. We married the midcentury modern architecture with vintage, eclectic details and thoughtful materials.

What started out as a simple pool and spa remodel evolved into an entire backyard renovation as the homeowners discovered their new vision for their Paradise Valley outdoor living space.

Plan 4 Master Bedroom
Inspiration for a contemporary bedroom remodel in Orange County

From a tear-down cottage to a stunning farmhouse, this house evolved into a dream space complete with horses, goats, chickens & a miniature pony. Take the tour with Southern Living. http://ow.ly/YMkb30pu4In Featured Lanterns: http://ow.ly/pjP230pu4LH | http://ow.ly/x5By30pu4M1 | http://ow.ly/ruen30pu4Mh

  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

Photography: Nanne Springer
Example of a danish black three-story flat roof design in Toronto

What started as a kitchen and two-bathroom remodel evolved into a full home renovation plus conversion of the downstairs unfinished basement into a permitted first story addition, complete with family room, guest suite, mudroom, and a new front entrance. We married the midcentury modern architecture with vintage, eclectic details and thoughtful materials.

Living room - living room idea in Orange County

What started as a kitchen and two-bathroom remodel evolved into a full home renovation plus conversion of the downstairs unfinished basement into a permitted first story addition, complete with family room, guest suite, mudroom, and a new front entrance. We married the midcentury modern architecture with vintage, eclectic details and thoughtful materials.