Hulya Kolabas
Bathroom - mid-sized traditional kids' white tile and subway tile marble floor bathroom idea in New York with a wall-mount sink, white walls, marble countertops and a wall-mount toilet

Winner of the 2016 NARI Charlotte Chapter Contractor of the Year Award for Best Residential Kitchen from $100,001-$150,000 and Best of Show. © Deborah Scannell Photography.

Mid-sized beach style 3/4 white tile and subway tile slate floor and gray floor alcove shower photo in New York with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, a two-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops and a hinged shower door

Huge mediterranean white two-story stucco house exterior idea in Los Angeles with a hip roof and a shingle roof

Fine Focus Photography
Transitional l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen photo in Austin with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, beige backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Huge tuscan white two-story stucco house exterior photo in Los Angeles with a hip roof and a shingle roof

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.

Challenge: Not too many! Homeowners were a joy to work with, and the home was build on a large estate lot along the Concho River. We wanted to ensure all views of interiors were oriented to the backyard, pool and river. We also wanted to capture the feeling of the ruggedness of the land and serenity of the river, elegantly and simply. Solution: Hiring a great architect is always the perfect beginning. The base design took great advantage of the views of the beauty around. External stone was also carried inside, cladding a wall that slices through the center of the house in the living room and beyond through patio. Cutting into this wall is a fireplace in the living room, and a fireplace in the patio. The stone became the launch pad for the color scheme. We decided to keep design elements softly modern, even organic, to connect visual and tactile senses to nature. All textiles are natural fibers. In the wonderfully open kitchen/living/dining space, we left the support beams rough and stained them with a bit of gray glaze. The vent hood is iron; the back splash is a glazed brick; roman shade embroidered. Book shelving in dining is painted a metallic bronze. Island has a leathered quartzite top and cabinetry is stained. Master bed and bath offer quiet drama- colors are soft grays, but arrangement of tile surrounding the fireplace above soaking tub is quite attention getting. The custom 7' master bed is upholstered in gray velvet. Fit for a queen!

Ron Putnam
Mid-sized urban master white tile and porcelain tile brown floor and porcelain tile bathroom photo in Other with raised-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, a two-piece toilet, beige walls, an undermount sink, wood countertops and beige countertops

Lepere Studio
Home office - large transitional medium tone wood floor home office idea in Santa Barbara with white walls

Huge tuscan white two-story stucco house exterior photo in Los Angeles with a hip roof and a shingle roof

Example of a large transitional beige three-story exterior home design in New York with a shingle roof

david gilbert
Transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen photo in New York with a farmhouse sink, marble countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, beige cabinets, subway tile backsplash and raised-panel cabinets

Photo Credit: Moment In Time Photography
Kitchen - contemporary l-shaped kitchen idea in Kansas City with stainless steel appliances, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and matchstick tile backsplash

A large window was placed over the sink with an extra deep sill to provide a spot for decorative pieces. Shown in the picture are pots of herbs. The classic white farmhouse sink, the chrome faucet, and the white subway tile all bring framhouse elements to this new build kitchen.

Example of a huge tuscan white two-story stucco house exterior design in Los Angeles with a hip roof and a shingle roof

Eric Roth
Kitchen - large farmhouse l-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen idea in Boston with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, granite countertops, brown backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and shaker cabinets

Large traditional green two-story brick house exterior idea in Other with a clipped gable roof and a tile roof

Karyn Millet
Trendy eat-in kitchen photo in Orange County with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, solid surface countertops, beige backsplash, glass tile backsplash, an island and paneled appliances