Great room - contemporary concrete floor great room idea in San Francisco

Elliott Kaufman Photography
Modern metal exterior home idea in San Francisco

Inspiration for a contemporary beige tile and matchstick tile bathroom remodel in Baltimore with dark wood cabinets and beige walls

Complete Bathroom Renovation & Remodel
Alcove bathtub - small modern master gray tile and stone tile porcelain tile alcove bathtub idea in New York with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet and brown walls

Eating my cereal while looking out at the bay is quite rewarding to me,” says the Owner, who desired a kitchen not only beautiful, but highly functional. The island seats six. The counter around the bar sink is black walnut. (Benjamin Benschneider / The Seattle Times)

A couple wanted a weekend retreat without spending a majority of their getaway in an automobile. Therefore, a lot was purchased along the Rocky River with the vision of creating a nearby escape less than five miles away from their home. This 1,300 sf 24’ x 24’ dwelling is divided into a four square quadrant with the goal to create a variety of interior and exterior experiences while maintaining a rather small footprint. Typically, when going on a weekend retreat one has the drive time to decompress. However, without this, the goal was to create a procession from the car to the house to signify such change of context. This concept was achieved through the use of a wood slatted screen wall which must be passed through. After winding around a collection of poured concrete steps and walls one comes to a wood plank bridge and crosses over a Japanese garden leaving all the stresses of the daily world behind. The house is structured around a nine column steel frame grid, which reinforces the impression one gets of the four quadrants. The two rear quadrants intentionally house enclosed program space but once passed through, the floor plan completely opens to long views down to the mouth of the river into Lake Erie. On the second floor the four square grid is stacked with one quadrant removed for the two story living area on the first floor to capture heightened views down the river. In a move to create complete separation there is a one quadrant roof top office with surrounding roof top garden space. The rooftop office is accessed through a unique approach by exiting onto a steel grated staircase which wraps up the exterior facade of the house. This experience provides an additional retreat within their weekend getaway, and serves as the apex of the house where one can completely enjoy the views of Lake Erie disappearing over the horizon. Visually the house extends into the riverside site, but the four quadrant axis also physically extends creating a series of experiences out on the property. The Northeast kitchen quadrant extends out to become an exterior kitchen & dining space. The two-story Northwest living room quadrant extends out to a series of wrap around steps and lounge seating. A fire pit sits in this quadrant as well farther out in the lawn. A fruit and vegetable garden sits out in the Southwest quadrant in near proximity to the shed, and the entry sequence is contained within the Southeast quadrant extension. Internally and externally the whole house is organized in a simple and concise way and achieves the ultimate goal of creating many different experiences within a rationally sized footprint.

Example of a transitional built-in desk light wood floor and beige floor study room design in Phoenix with white walls

Island style master medium tone wood floor bedroom photo in Orange County

Julie Mikos Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless white two-story stucco exterior home remodel in San Francisco with a tile roof

Inspiration for a large transitional open concept light wood floor and beige floor living room remodel in New York with white walls, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and a stone fireplace

Dan Cutrona
Huge elegant gray three-story wood exterior home photo in Boston

Mid-sized minimalist metal railing balcony photo in Tampa with a roof extension

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards In general, Bryan and Connie Rellinger loved the charm of the old cottage they purchased on a Crooked Lake peninsula, north of Petoskey. Specifically, however, the presence of a live-well in the kitchen (a huge cement basin with running water for keeping fish alive was right in the kitchen entryway, seriously), rickety staircase and green shag carpet, not so much. An extreme renovation was the only solution. The downside? The rebuild would have to fit into the smallish nonconforming footprint. The upside? That footprint was built when folks could place a building close enough to the water to feel like they could dive in from the house. Ahhh... Stephanie Baldwin of Edgewater Design helped the Rellingers come up with a timeless cottage design that breathes efficiency into every nook and cranny. It also expresses the synergy of Bryan, Connie and Stephanie, who emailed each other links to products they liked throughout the building process. That teamwork resulted in an interior that sports a young take on classic cottage. Highlights include a brass sink and light fixtures, coffered ceilings with wide beadboard planks, leathered granite kitchen counters and a way-cool floor made of American chestnut planks from an old barn. Thanks to an abundant use of windows that deliver a grand view of Crooked Lake, the home feels airy and much larger than it is. Bryan and Connie also love how well the layout functions for their family - especially when they are entertaining. The kids' bedrooms are off a large landing at the top of the stairs - roomy enough to double as an entertainment room. When the adults are enjoying cocktail hour or a dinner party downstairs, they can pull a sliding door across the kitchen/great room area to seal it off from the kids' ruckus upstairs (or vice versa!). From its gray-shingled dormers to its sweet white window boxes, this charmer on Crooked Lake is packed with ideas! - Jacqueline Southby Photography

Example of a country medium tone wood floor and brown floor hallway design in Seattle with gray walls

Refresh your entire exterior with custom insulated glass windows and an ornate door with intricate scrollwork. Each panel and detail is handcrafted to suit your unique motif and style.

Ben Benschneider
Trendy wood exterior home photo in Seattle

Example of a mid-sized trendy master brown tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile and brown floor alcove shower design in New York with shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, beige walls, an undermount sink, granite countertops and a hinged shower door

Mike Dean
Inspiration for a small transitional gray one-story mixed siding house exterior remodel in Other with a shed roof and a shingle roof

Inspiration for a timeless formal and open concept dark wood floor living room remodel in Columbus with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a media wall