The bold curvalinear petite chairs creates visual interest that coordinates with the teal accent wall and supplies additional seating within the living room. Julian McRoberts Photography Art courtesy of Elizabeth Sadoff Art Advisory

This exterior landing was one of the beta tests for a brand new treatment of concrete. The Rockview Interior floor was where Tom Ralston Concrete developed a special technique to fashion concrete to look like ocean shelves and craggy ocean cliffs. Because of its fanfare the Rockview House has been used again and again for Architectural Tours as well as being used to host special events. The Rockview concrete won a National Award for best specialty finish in Las Vegas at the World of Concrete in 2011. The floors are a unique blend of aquarium sand, beach glass, sea shells, and multiple acid stains. The National recognition from the Rockview project served to bring international work to Tom Ralston Concrete. Similar floors were constructed by Tom Ralston Concrete in Boca Del Toro, a small island off the coast of Panama on the Caribbean Sea. Tom Ralston

LEED Certification Level: Platinum. Builder: R & S Engineering & Construction. The Cavanaugh Residence is a contemporary split level with a split personality. Totally designed from the ground up to minimize impact and maximize energy and water efficiency, its beautiful facade belies its hard-working, high-producing systems, earning it a LEED Platinum score of 116.5, and a HERS rating of minus 22. The 2774 square foot home produces over 100 per cent of its power with a 10.8 kw pv system, and captures 100 per cent of its freshwater needs from the curved metal roofs through an engineered collection and purification system, stored in an integrated concrete cistern. Constructed of locally made SIP panels on an infill waterfront lot, the home is oriented to maximize the production of the pv panels. Six inch SIP panels work together with a highly reflective, highly emmisive cool standing seam roof, icynene insulation in ceiling and floors, and carefully placed high efficiency windows and doors to create a tightly sealed environment. The 17-seer Trane heat pump variable speed compressors and TAM 7 air handlers, along with a whole house dehumidifier and fresh air intake provide a comfortable, clean indoor environment while using little energy. In the shoulder seasons, natural ventilation cools the home with fresh breezes drawn from lower windows in each room flowing through the curved ceilings to clerestory windows at the top of the house. Natural daylighting, with windows placed in corners and high clerestories, bounce the abundant natural light so that the owners use the interior LED lighting primarily at night. Windows were sited to frame views of the neighboring park and water, and capture the light, but represent a very low percentage of glazing to wall to conserve energy. Primarily native, xeriscaped turfless landscaping sips reclaimed water from its drip and bubbler irrigiation system, and requires little trimming or chemicals. Established trees, protected during construction, shade the home, FSC certified decks, and yard, providing a cool place to enjoy the outdoors at any time of the day, even in Florida's summer heat. Rainwater is diverted from the bay through the engineered collection and filtration system to an integrated concrete cistern hidden beneath the decks. Abundant Florida rainwater supplies 100 per cent of the home's needs, including drinking, bathing, and cleaning. Naturally soft, the highly filtered and UV purified water requires no chemical treatment or water softener. Coupled with minimal hardscape and permeable drive and walkways, almost all ground water remains on the lot, and out of storm sewers and bay runoffs. Designed as a forever home for this active retired couple, an open floor plan provides diagonal interior views along with great circulation space. Wide hallways and doors, curbless showers, an elevator, and extra blocking in the walls for grab rails insures the couple of being able to use their home even if physical disabilities arise. The home's footprint is minimized by building over the conditioned crawlspace and over-sized garage, and the finished floor height, at least two feet above flood code requirements, significantly reduces insurance costs while maximizing storage space for camping and water sports equipment. Materials, fixtures and appliances were carefully selected for energy and water efficiency, local production where possible, recycled content/recyclability, durability, and cost-effectiveness. The owners were very involved in vetting and materials selections, and assisted in just-in-time purchasing to minimize waste. Scrap materials were sorted daily for re-use elsewhere in the project (blocking, concrete forms, drywall scraps as acoustical insulation in interior walls, etc.), resulting in a tiny waste pile at the end of a dumpster-free project. Concrete waste was hauled to a local recycler to become road base, and extra useable materials were returned to the vendor or donated to Habitat Restore. Cost-effective choices, and careful planning, saved significant dollars in construction cost as well as landfill space. One of the biggest challenges was finding qualified subcontractors who would work within the guidelines. With the help of our LEED consultant and meetings and explanations, most subcontractors not only bought into the ideas readily, but offered up new ideas. Highly skilled and professional, the team of subs, LEED consultant, and contractor proved that LEED construction is excellent construction. The team, the owners, and I also found that LEED construction makes great economic sense. Most materials (other than increased insulation and photovoltaic panels) cost no more, and sometimes less, than those employed in construction of a lesser standard. The owners have been living in the home for a year now, and are thrilled with the results. No power bill. No water bill. Extremely low insurance bill. Minimal ground maintenance. No fabric softener. Reduced use of soap, detergents, and shampoos and cleaning supplies. Less time cleaning with spot-free rainwater. Careful planning and materials selection brought the project in under budget, and the home operates at an extremely low cost, both to the homeowners, and the environment. Who wouldn't be thrilled?

LEED Certification Level: Platinum. Builder: R & S Engineering & Construction. The Cavanaugh Residence is a contemporary split level with a split personality. Totally designed from the ground up to minimize impact and maximize energy and water efficiency, its beautiful facade belies its hard-working, high-producing systems, earning it a LEED Platinum score of 116.5, and a HERS rating of minus 22. The 2774 square foot home produces over 100 per cent of its power with a 10.8 kw pv system, and captures 100 per cent of its freshwater needs from the curved metal roofs through an engineered collection and purification system, stored in an integrated concrete cistern. Constructed of locally made SIP panels on an infill waterfront lot, the home is oriented to maximize the production of the pv panels. Six inch SIP panels work together with a highly reflective, highly emmisive cool standing seam roof, icynene insulation in ceiling and floors, and carefully placed high efficiency windows and doors to create a tightly sealed environment. The 17-seer Trane heat pump variable speed compressors and TAM 7 air handlers, along with a whole house dehumidifier and fresh air intake provide a comfortable, clean indoor environment while using little energy. In the shoulder seasons, natural ventilation cools the home with fresh breezes drawn from lower windows in each room flowing through the curved ceilings to clerestory windows at the top of the house. Natural daylighting, with windows placed in corners and high clerestories, bounce the abundant natural light so that the owners use the interior LED lighting primarily at night. Windows were sited to frame views of the neighboring park and water, and capture the light, but represent a very low percentage of glazing to wall to conserve energy. Primarily native, xeriscaped turfless landscaping sips reclaimed water from its drip and bubbler irrigiation system, and requires little trimming or chemicals. Established trees, protected during construction, shade the home, FSC certified decks, and yard, providing a cool place to enjoy the outdoors at any time of the day, even in Florida's summer heat. Rainwater is diverted from the bay through the engineered collection and filtration system to an integrated concrete cistern hidden beneath the decks. Abundant Florida rainwater supplies 100 per cent of the home's needs, including drinking, bathing, and cleaning. Naturally soft, the highly filtered and UV purified water requires no chemical treatment or water softener. Coupled with minimal hardscape and permeable drive and walkways, almost all ground water remains on the lot, and out of storm sewers and bay runoffs. Designed as a forever home for this active retired couple, an open floor plan provides diagonal interior views along with great circulation space. Wide hallways and doors, curbless showers, an elevator, and extra blocking in the walls for grab rails insures the couple of being able to use their home even if physical disabilities arise. The home's footprint is minimized by building over the conditioned crawlspace and over-sized garage, and the finished floor height, at least two feet above flood code requirements, significantly reduces insurance costs while maximizing storage space for camping and water sports equipment. Materials, fixtures and appliances were carefully selected for energy and water efficiency, local production where possible, recycled content/recyclability, durability, and cost-effectiveness. The owners were very involved in vetting and materials selections, and assisted in just-in-time purchasing to minimize waste. Scrap materials were sorted daily for re-use elsewhere in the project (blocking, concrete forms, drywall scraps as acoustical insulation in interior walls, etc.), resulting in a tiny waste pile at the end of a dumpster-free project. Concrete waste was hauled to a local recycler to become road base, and extra useable materials were returned to the vendor or donated to Habitat Restore. Cost-effective choices, and careful planning, saved significant dollars in construction cost as well as landfill space. One of the biggest challenges was finding qualified subcontractors who would work within the guidelines. With the help of our LEED consultant and meetings and explanations, most subcontractors not only bought into the ideas readily, but offered up new ideas. Highly skilled and professional, the team of subs, LEED consultant, and contractor proved that LEED construction is excellent construction. The team, the owners, and I also found that LEED construction makes great economic sense. Most materials (other than increased insulation and photovoltaic panels) cost no more, and sometimes less, than those employed in construction of a lesser standard. The owners have been living in the home for a year now, and are thrilled with the results. No power bill. No water bill. Extremely low insurance bill. Minimal ground maintenance. No fabric softener. Reduced use of soap, detergents, and shampoos and cleaning supplies. Less time cleaning with spot-free rainwater. Careful planning and materials selection brought the project in under budget, and the home operates at an extremely low cost, both to the homeowners, and the environment. Who wouldn't be thrilled?

Pam Rouleau Photography
Mid-sized trendy formal and enclosed carpeted living room photo in New York with beige walls, a two-sided fireplace, a plaster fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Farmhouse dark wood floor and brown floor great room photo in Jacksonville with blue walls

Inspiration for a contemporary entryway remodel in Denver

Approaching this beautiful mountain home is a feast for the eyes. The allure and stunning beauty not only comes from the minute details of the home and landscaping but from the grand vistas that encompass it. Be prepared ….the moment one steps over the threshold all perception of what a typical mountain home can be changes in an instant. A perfect explanation of what is presented is modern meets mountain. The elegant, simply unique home features a fresh approach to mountain living. Consistency and continuity are the fundamental features of this special home. Certain elements run throughout the interior; engineered wide oak flooring, white horizontal plank paneling, and gray fresh split stone adorn the walls and limestone countertops in various rooms. However, as your eye follows the quiet, clean lines they are intermittently interrupted with a dash of splash here and a pop of color there that are placed precisely in the right spots. Photography: Rodger Wade

mountain road view. dogtrot design. black on black.
Minimalist home design photo in Charlotte

Here is a little Feng Shui 5 element creative cycle explanation. The white tiles and fixtures= Metal element, creates water element which is represented by the color black and dark blue. It's seen in the dark blue glass countertops, black colored grout and black colored aluminum-trim. This water element is there to create (grow) the Wood element = green mosaic and plants next to black water element. Makes sense, maybe. The feel is more important and comes from harmonious color selections and their relation with each other.

http://www.dlauphoto.com/david/ David Lau
Example of a large beach style green three-story wood gable roof design in New York

Inspiration for a transitional deck remodel in Denver with a roof extension

Neil Michael - Axiom Photography
Photo of a small modern shade courtyard landscaping in Sacramento with a fire pit.

Approaching this beautiful mountain home is a feast for the eyes. The allure and stunning beauty not only comes from the minute details of the home and landscaping but from the grand vistas that encompass it. Be prepared ….the moment one steps over the threshold all perception of what a typical mountain home can be changes in an instant. A perfect explanation of what is presented is modern meets mountain. The elegant, simply unique home features a fresh approach to mountain living. Consistency and continuity are the fundamental features of this special home. Certain elements run throughout the interior; engineered wide oak flooring, white horizontal plank paneling, and gray fresh split stone adorn the walls and limestone countertops in various rooms. However, as your eye follows the quiet, clean lines they are intermittently interrupted with a dash of splash here and a pop of color there that are placed precisely in the right spots. Photography: Rodger Wade

Morales Construction Company is one of Northeast Florida’s most respected general contractors, and has been listed by The Jacksonville Business Journal as being among Jacksonville’s 25 largest contractors, fastest growing companies and the No. 1 Custom Home Builder in the First Coast area.

Inspiration for a large timeless wooden curved staircase remodel in Baltimore with wooden risers

Example of a transitional living room design in Philadelphia

Approaching this beautiful mountain home is a feast for the eyes. The allure and stunning beauty not only comes from the minute details of the home and landscaping but from the grand vistas that encompass it. Be prepared ….the moment one steps over the threshold all perception of what a typical mountain home can be changes in an instant. A perfect explanation of what is presented is modern meets mountain. The elegant, simply unique home features a fresh approach to mountain living. Consistency and continuity are the fundamental features of this special home. Certain elements run throughout the interior; engineered wide oak flooring, white horizontal plank paneling, and gray fresh split stone adorn the walls and limestone countertops in various rooms. However, as your eye follows the quiet, clean lines they are intermittently interrupted with a dash of splash here and a pop of color there that are placed precisely in the right spots. Photography: Rodger Wade

Approaching this beautiful mountain home is a feast for the eyes. The allure and stunning beauty not only comes from the minute details of the home and landscaping but from the grand vistas that encompass it. Be prepared ….the moment one steps over the threshold all perception of what a typical mountain home can be changes in an instant. A perfect explanation of what is presented is modern meets mountain. The elegant, simply unique home features a fresh approach to mountain living. Consistency and continuity are the fundamental features of this special home. Certain elements run throughout the interior; engineered wide oak flooring, white horizontal plank paneling, and gray fresh split stone adorn the walls and limestone countertops in various rooms. However, as your eye follows the quiet, clean lines they are intermittently interrupted with a dash of splash here and a pop of color there that are placed precisely in the right spots. Photography: Rodger Wade