Large banquet-sized dining rooms pose significant design challenges. Any room of this vast size requires that all elements are in correct scale and proportion. In this case, that also includes the bold custom wall treatment. Atlanta interior designer, Heather Means, was inspired by the dynamic design style of Kelly Wearstler. Known for her “maximalist design style” she explains, “Often the calmest and most favored room in a home is a result of bold choices.”

This Houston outdoor kitchen and entertaining area offers a modern take on Mediterranean style. Designed and built by Outdoor Homescapes of Houston, this fully loaded family and entertaining space echoes the stucco, travertine tile patio and Mediterranean style of the existing home while exuding a more modern, transitional style. “This was a high-profile client – both VPs of different oil and gas companies who entertain affluent guests on a regular basis – so they wanted to make sure they had high-end appliances and all the latest amenities they could order,” says Lisha Maxey, senior designer for Outdoor Homescapes and owner of LGH Design Services in Houston. “They also have two kids, ages 7 and 10, and wanted a family gathering space that better accompanied their new, luxurious pool.” What really sets apart this outside kitchen design idea, however, is the way the elements are used throughout the space. “Usually, outdoor kitchen designs for a backyard are grouped into one island or cabinet,” explains Outdoor Homescapes of Houston owner Wayne Franks. “But here, the patio, roof and fireplace were all in place, separated by stucco columns, and the outdoor kitchen elements had to work around them.” A 14-foot-long cooking island houses a built-in Fire Magic grill with a Magic View Window (allows the chef to check on food without lifting the lid and losing valuable heat). The island, the countertop of which is "Carnaval" granite from Lackstone, also features a Fire Magic power burner, warming drawer and trash drawer. On one side of the fireplace, forming an “L” with the cooking island, sits a built-in Primo ceramic grill. On the other side of the fireplace is a 3-foot-long cabinet housing a bar with a wine cooler, ice maker and upper cabinet. And finally, just outside the patio door is a 7-foot-long cabinet with a modern Kohler sink with a high-arc Moen faucet (sink and faucet from Faucets Direct), a trash drawer and another upper cabinet. Outdoor Homescapes of Houston, by the way, outfitted both cabinets with glass inserts, custom pulls and three-way sensor lighting. “At the beginning, this was basically a blank space with a fireplace in the middle,” says Maxey. So Outdoor Homescapes upgraded the fireplace with Austin Stack Stone in white (No. 401) from Colorstonescreenshot vickers mosaic tile rectangle. "The stone added that pop,” notes Maxey. The fireplace’s espresso-colored, distressed wood mantel (from Mantels.com) and upper wood cabinets were both stained with the Minwax color Jacobean. The ceiling fans were also updated with ones featuring similarly espresso-colored, wooden fan blades, to match. The table in the middle - a cast-iron, Mediterranean style gem with hand-forged scrollwork designs from Patio 1 in Houston – seats 10. “We wanted this kind of Mediterranean feel,” says Maxey. “We wanted rustic, but the appliance package was so new, with all its stainless steel, so we kept a the cabinets and the columns stucco instead of stone for a more clean, modern look and then did the custom tile backsplash and mosaic in more of a rustic, Mediterranean look." The backsplash is a 1-inch travertine tile background with 4-inch square metallic insets, both from Floor & Decor. The tile for the 18-by-24-inch rectangle mosaic came from Great Britain Tile Co. and included a Dianno Reale tumbled border and background. The bronze, diamond-shaped insets are tumbled Dark Emperdor tile and the scrolls are tumbled Noce tile. The client, who admits they have high standards, was more than pleased with the project – especially browsing through Outdoor Homescapes’ vast library of patio kitchen design ideas, the 3D virtual video tour that let them preview the project from every angle before construction. They also liked the personalized design consultation. "OH provides a very neat service where one of their designers will either shop/buy for you or shop with you for the more detailed pieces that will finish your home," reads the client's review on Houzz. "This was a very positive, personalized feature ... Lisha helped narrow down an enormous marketplace of materials and finishes to a few we could choose from."

“This design originated with the client’s desire to duplicate the warmth of Tuscan Architecture,” says Stolz. “The vision that South Coast Architects set forth was to create the feel of an old Tuscan Village as a private residence at their golf community, ‘The Hideaway’ in La Quinta, California. However, we had to keep in mind that we were still designing for a desert lifestyle, which meant an emphasis on indoor/outdoor living and capturing the spectacular views of the golf course and neighboring mountains,” Stolz adds. “The owners had spent a lot of time in Europe and knew exactly what they wanted when it came to the overall look of the home, especially the stone,” says Muth. “The mason ended up creating a dozen mock-ups of various stone profiles and blends to help the family decide what really worked for them. Ultimately, they selected Eldorado Stone’s Orchard Cypress Ridge profile that offers a beautiful blend of stone sizes and colors.” “The generous use of Eldorado Stone with brick detailing over the majority of the exterior of the home added the authenticity and timelessness that we were striving for in the design,” says Stolz. “Our clients want the very best, but if we can duplicate something and save money, what client would say no? That’s why we use Eldorado Stone whenever we can. It gives us the opportunity to save money and gives clients exactly the look they desire so we can use more of their budget in other areas.” Stolz explained that Eldorado Stone was also brought into the interior to continue that feel of authenticity and historical accuracy. Stone is used floor to ceiling in the kitchen for a pizza oven, as well as on the fireplace in the Great Room and on an entire wall in the master bedroom. “Using a material like Eldorado Stone allows for the seamless continuation of space” says Stolz. “Stone is what made the house so authentic-looking” says Muth. “It’s such an integral part of the house that it either was going to be a make or break scenario if we made the wrong choice. Luckily, Eldorado Stone really made it!” Eldorado Stone Profile Featured: Orchard Cypress Ridge with a khaki grout color (overgrout technique) Eldorado Brick Profile Featured: Cassis ModenaBrick with a khaki grout color (overgrout technique) Architect: South Coast Architects Website: www.southcoastarchitects.com Builder: Andrew Pierce Corporation, Palm Desert, CA Website: www. andrewpiercecorp.com Mason: RAS Masonry, Inc. Bob Serna, Corona, CA Phone: 760-774-0090 Photography: Eric Figge Photography, Inc.

Living room - mid-sized 1950s open concept porcelain tile and gray floor living room idea in Phoenix with white walls and a wall-mounted tv

Example of a large classic gray three-story wood gable roof design in New York with a shingle roof

Following the trend of making alterations to and revamping existing houses, the owners of this home enlisted the expertise of Nico van der Meulen Architects for a modern upgrade. “They liked the current trend in our work towards a mix of steel construction and concrete framing,” explains Nico van der Meulen of Nico van der Meulen Architects.

http://www.newoutlooks.com/portfolio/botwood-laundry-basement/

Inspiration for a contemporary concrete floor and gray floor great room remodel in Austin with white walls, a ribbon fireplace and a tile fireplace

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2017 Houzz
Trendy light wood floor bedroom photo in New York with gray walls

Following the trend of making alterations to and revamping existing houses, the owners of this home enlisted the expertise of Nico van der Meulen Architects for a modern upgrade. “They liked the current trend in our work towards a mix of steel construction and concrete framing,” explains Nico van der Meulen of Nico van der Meulen Architects.

Photo: Jane Vorbrodt © 2016 Houzz
Staircase - contemporary staircase idea in Vancouver

Close-up of the granite counter-top, with custom cut/finished butcher block Folded Laundry Board. Note handles on Laundry Board are a must due to the weight of the board when lifting into place or removing, as slippery urethane finish made it tough to hold otherwise. 2nd Note: The key to getting a support edge for the butcher-block on the Farm Sink is to have the granite installers measure to the center of the top edge of the farm sink, so that half of the top edge holds the granite, and the other half of the top edge holds the butcher block laundry board. By and large, most all granite installers will always cover the edge of any sink, so you need to specify exactly half, and explain why you need it that way. Photo taken by homeowner.

Great room - mid-sized craftsman medium tone wood floor great room idea with beige walls and no fireplace

Photo: Mina Brinkey © 2014 Houzz
Inspiration for a contemporary bedroom remodel in Tampa

Photo by William Enos
Bathroom - small craftsman master multicolored tile porcelain tile bathroom idea in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz countertops and beige walls

Photo: Margot Hartford © 2017 Houzz
Family room - family room idea in San Francisco

Photography by Ann Hiner
Inspiration for a contemporary l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor open concept kitchen remodel in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, black backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Kitchen - contemporary l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen idea in Salt Lake City with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, gray backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

Living room library - coastal living room library idea in Houston with blue walls, no fireplace and no tv