Windows and door panels reaching for the 12 foot ceilings flood this kitchen with natural light. Custom stainless cabinetry with an integral sink and commercial style faucet carry out the industrial theme of the space. Photo by Lincoln Barber

Dennis Mayer, Photographer
Mediterranean exterior home idea in San Francisco

Large trendy black two-story metal exterior home photo in Burlington with a metal roof

View of the new entrance to the historical John Randal McDonald designed home. We were retained for the landscape design partially because of our background in architecture and our understanding of the mid-century aesthetic. Renn Kuhnen Photography

Photographer: John Sutton
Inspiration for a timeless entryway remodel in San Francisco

Patio - mid-sized mediterranean backyard tile patio idea in Los Angeles with no cover

Exterior of all new home built on original foundation. Builder: Blue Sound Construction, Inc. Design: MAKE Design Photo: Miranda Estes Photography
Example of a large farmhouse white three-story mixed siding and board and batten exterior home design in Seattle with a metal roof and a gray roof

Jason Lindberg
Dining room - contemporary dark wood floor dining room idea in New York with gray walls

The Asheville 8 Victorian/Greek Revival The Asheville 8 shows how historic styles meld as one style lost favor and another takes its place. This house would be seen in the 1840’s and ‘50s as the Greek Revival style was waning and the decorative and asymmetrical Victorian style emerged. The brackets at the roof eave, the two-over-two windows with capped trim, and four-panel door are all commonly seen in Italianate Victorian homes, while the lunette window in the gable and low-pedimented gable are remnants of the Greek Revival’s influence.

l . a .  p a u l  &  a s s o c i a t e s Havanan Residence "Feng-suei" Style Sausalito, California   Exterior Interior   East meets West in this exciting, contemporary single-family residence high in the hills of Sausalito , California . Marrying modern building technology with philosophical principles from the Orient was the challenge posed by the owners, a young, professional couple. They asked that their home be designed according to ‘Feng-suei’ (Wind and Water), ancient Buddhist ideals for living, take maximum advantage of their panoramic views while respecting their neighbors’, and that the house become one with the site. The solution took final shape after a year of study, exploring various alternatives with the owners and their Feng-suei consultant, who analyzed every aspect of the design for its favorable and unfavorable influences. The architect, becoming familiar with this philosophy, quickly realized that many of those same principles are ones embodied in classic architectural design, albeit from a different approach. Due to stringent zoning restrictions for a small, hillside lot, the house is only 2,600 sq. ft. on three levels, though appearing much larger. The lower level contains the formal entry, a guest suite, and the 500 sq. ft. garage. The generous entry stairway leads to the intermediate level above, with living, dining, kitchen, pantry and laundry. Another monumental stair leads to the upper level, with the master suite, two additional bedrooms and a fourth bath. The master suite is oriented to a rear garden, connected by the adjacent sunroom (for the owners’ orchids) and has a superb view across the double-height living room to the panorama of upper San Francisco Bay . This dramatic view is the focus of the entire house, emphasized and enhanced by the extraordinary, two-story, “waterfall” solarium that articulates the entire house.

This family room was given a fresh face with a new fireplace featuring natural stone and wood paneling. The asymmetrical fireplace provides an ideal location to display art above the natural stone cladding, as well as an ideal spot for the TV. Credits: Hamilton-Gray Design, San Diego

Nehal Shangavi, Founder and Principal Designer at Vedanth Design Studio in Bangalore, holds high regard for incredible clients Ankita and Anil, designing whose 4000 sq. ft., 2 storey villa was an easy victory. The clients who come from diverse cultural backgrounds, spent most of their childhood growing up in Chennai. The influence stayed with them through the years and they wanted to incorporate that form of architecture in their home while also keeping it simple and clean. “Wood and brass are key to our aesthetic and we loved the way it has been woven through the house. Nehal helped us embrace our style while pushing us to experiment with clean, defined décor” shares Ankita. "They were looking forward to modernity with a traditional flair. They were looking for a blend of modernism that comes from the Mid-century style with hits of traditional Chettinad touches. Hence we pull together room ideas with neutral colors for a subdued functionality and combine them with natural material combinations like brass-wood and the client's antique decor accents collected over time.” “The minimal interiors, along muted and earthy colour schemes, were grounded on the concept that ‘less is more.’ Therefore, simplicity, subtle sophistication, and minimalist patterns, dictate this modernist home . Though contemporary design does hold a strong emphasis on it, there are a few defining characteristics that are influences of traditional Chettinad.” adds Nehal. LIVING ROOM Where calm and composure reside / Embodiment of quietude and stillness The Living space imparts a stillness and tranquility that is warm and inviting. The handsome interiors of the room feel classic, yet current. The intention was to tend to favour a simple, uncluttered space with artistic flair. "These seemingly different points of view is not only a hallmark of my own design aesthetic but what I find to be most interesting and enduring. The homeowners sought to make their abode feel fresh and crisp as opposed to making an old home look brand new with a rich, layered colour palette and style." says Nehal FAMILY ROOM It is important to note that modern spaces can include a mashup of furniture styles like traditional and modern and two of those unexpected styles look amazing together, giving a rustic and neo-traditional vibe with colours used sparingly yet effectively. The clients who grew up in Chennai, were no stranger to the Chettinad theme. They loved the idea of having an antique teak pillar that is full of character and soaked in so much charm. The pillars were sourced from Geetanjali, Pondicherry. To exemplify these characteristics and to carry the traditional aesthetic further, you will also witness rich artisanal craftsmanship in the form of stunning antique wooden windows sourced from The Purple Turtles that adorn the wall behind the sofa. Also spotted is the heirloom plantation chair aka the Planter's Chair, a low, easy chair with an inclined seat and arms that fold in and out. These arms extend out to form the leg rests. Rattan weave seating is comfortably contoured thereby making it extremely comfortable to sit in. The mastery of colours and texture, best of both furniture worlds evokes a contemporary version with traditional accents and minimal ornamentation. DINING ROOM A niche is carved The space in the Dining area has undergone a massive facelift. It had a rectangular dining table in there that made the dining room look small and too boxy. We thought a round table would balance the space out a little more, seamlessly combining curved surfaces and subtle linear patterns to evoke a light and airy feel. It has been decked up by a fluted round teak dining table by Lap & Dado lending a rich warm wooden colour palette in co-ordinance with the background. The table is flanked by classic rattan backed chairs that are sleek enough to fit in and around small spaces. The visual interest is enhanced by Australian Honne rafters on the ceiling, adorned by glass pendant lights from The White Teak Company that provide both function and style. Rafters put up a charming traditional ambience and an added rustic charm and warmth. Also love how the subtropical evergreen plant, Draco from Make My Garden in the gorgeous sublime concrete planter from Beruru creates an impression by making the space more appealing and alive. In many abodes, niches serve either a decorative or functional purpose. The niche make-over that started with a small cosmetic change, ended up on quite an amusing and pleasant note. The niche had existing modular cabinets which underwent a facelift with a look of teak veneer on them. And above them, we decided to have open shelves end to end. The client was convinced on how open shelves inside the niche would look and add a great aesthetic value. But boy! Do they also require timely attention and maintenance? Yes! Exposing the chaos/ clutter sometimes to the world is downright terrifying right? A big yes! After a point, when my client pondered a bit on the practicality of it and resisted the idea, I suggested we cover the open shelves that were already installed with rattan cabinet shutters, having a totally win-win and an advantageous situation. The client was in a happy place and we do believe it was the best decision that led to this neat, complete, well-balanced and contained look. KITCHEN The dining space to the main kitchen area was a result of thoughtful, intentional decor with a wide floor plan that says a lot with a little. The kitchen came with modular cabinets that were in great working condition. So we decided on giving it a facelift. Clean lines and simple design, with minimalism, flat-front cabinetry, sleek fixtures, and wood accents is the underlying theme of this kitchen. Simplicity and subtle sophistication. Your attention is naturally drawn by the Heritage tiles on the flooring lending a bit of traditional interest to this space. I vividly remember how we spent hours looking for that perfect tile at Ceramique, Bangalore. Knew we wanted something unique, interesting and heritage. And then we saw what we have now and got the ‘happywala feeling’! And that stuck for the rest of the project and remained our code word for all pieces/designs that got approved thereafter. Had to have the ‘happywala feeling’ :) And for the backsplash tiles… It's no surprise subway tiles are popular for kitchen backsplashes. They're easy to clean, low maintenance, endlessly versatile, and arguably the most timeless option no matter what environment they're in, subway tiles never seem to look dated. The tall unit was crafted and tailor-made from scratch to hold kitchen appliances. And so were the hardwood floating shelves that were provided alongside. MASTER ROOM Bedroom being our sanctuary after a long day of work, it's all about coming down to the basics without being too over the top. Just the main essentials along with our few things which spark joy. Anil and Ankita's bedroom is just that. The first thing which catches your attention once you enter, is the beautiful four poster teak bed. It transports you to another era! The style of this gorgeous bed is married beautifully with the handsome Mid-century Modern bedside tables and a gorgeous dresser made all made of hardwood. This combination is so classic yet so chic and it perfectly reflects the vibe of our wonderful clients.

This project is a client case located in France. The client's residence spans 130 square meters. Having grown up in France, the client's aesthetic has been influenced by the country's classical style. Their preferred decor style leans towards French countryside vintage, adorned with vibrant decorative pieces and lush greenery, reflecting a deep appreciation for nature's freshness. For this project, the client aimed to select suitable lighting fixtures for the dining room and bedroom. They favored bamboo and rattan weaving as materials, but wanted to incorporate a range of colors beyond the natural tones of bamboo and rattan. We recommended a three-tiered bamboo and rattan pendant light, accented with black and red tones. Upon receiving the products, the client expressed how perfectly the lighting fixtures aligned with their vision, conveying their satisfaction. We are delighted to share this case study, hoping it inspires and provides ideas for your own home decor endeavors.

This small rear garden, measuring just 65 m2, was dominated by a large Gleditsia tree that was dying and therefore required removal. Fortunately, this created the opportunity for the whole space to be completely re-designed to better meet the client's needs. The decision was taken early on to also get rid of an old wooden shed and small log cabin in favour of a more modern garden building that would serve as both a home office and additional space in which to relax or entertain. The design objective was to create a contemporary low-maintenance garden for outdoor dining and time-out. The change in ground levels was dealt with by creating two wide steps leading from the lower dining patio up to the new garden studio zone. A contemporary garden studio was installed which, at 4m x 3m, perfectly fitted the available space. The client's existing garden furniture was retained and this influenced the choice and colour of hard landscaping materials to ensure a cohesive look and feel. Existing boundary fencing and willow hurdle screens were replaced where necessary and all were painted black to create a uniform backdrop for new plants. Raised beds constructed in rendered concrete blocks were painted a dark grey to match the anthracite grey of the garden studio and further extend the dramatic contrast with perennial planting. Plants are a low-maintenance mix of evergreens with Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Golf Ball' and Nandina domestica delivering year-round structure while summer stunners Verbena bonariensis, Salvia nemorosa Caradonna and Euphorbia martinii provide the pops of colour. The drama is heightened after dark with garden lighting in the steps and raised beds. The result is a space that ticks all the client's boxes: a contemporary, low maintenance courtyard with separate spaces for entertaining and home working, all softened with ornamental planting.

This small rear garden, measuring just 65 m2, was dominated by a large Gleditsia tree that was dying and therefore required removal. Fortunately, this created the opportunity for the whole space to be completely re-designed to better meet the client's needs. The decision was taken early on to also get rid of an old wooden shed and small log cabin in favour of a more modern garden building that would serve as both a home office and additional space in which to relax or entertain. The design objective was to create a contemporary low-maintenance garden for outdoor dining and time-out. The change in ground levels was dealt with by creating two wide steps leading from the lower dining patio up to the new garden studio zone. A contemporary garden studio was installed which, at 4m x 3m, perfectly fitted the available space. The client's existing garden furniture was retained and this influenced the choice and colour of hard landscaping materials to ensure a cohesive look and feel. Existing boundary fencing and willow hurdle screens were replaced where necessary and all were painted black to create a uniform backdrop for new plants. Raised beds constructed in rendered concrete blocks were painted a dark grey to match the anthracite grey of the garden studio and further extend the dramatic contrast with perennial planting. Plants are a low-maintenance mix of evergreens with Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Golf Ball' and Nandina domestica delivering year-round structure while summer stunners Verbena bonariensis, Salvia nemorosa Caradonna and Euphorbia martinii provide the pops of colour. The drama is heightened after dark with garden lighting in the steps and raised beds. The result is a space that ticks all the client's boxes: a contemporary, low maintenance courtyard with separate spaces for entertaining and home working, all softened with ornamental planting.

This project is a client case located in France. The client's residence spans 130 square meters. Having grown up in France, the client's aesthetic has been influenced by the country's classical style. Their preferred decor style leans towards French countryside vintage, adorned with vibrant decorative pieces and lush greenery, reflecting a deep appreciation for nature's freshness. For this project, the client aimed to select suitable lighting fixtures for the dining room and bedroom. They favored bamboo and rattan weaving as materials, but wanted to incorporate a range of colors beyond the natural tones of bamboo and rattan. We recommended a three-tiered bamboo and rattan pendant light, accented with black and red tones. Upon receiving the products, the client expressed how perfectly the lighting fixtures aligned with their vision, conveying their satisfaction. We are delighted to share this case study, hoping it inspires and provides ideas for your own home decor endeavors.

This small rear garden, measuring just 65 m2, was dominated by a large Gleditsia tree that was dying and therefore required removal. Fortunately, this created the opportunity for the whole space to be completely re-designed to better meet the client's needs. The decision was taken early on to also get rid of an old wooden shed and small log cabin in favour of a more modern garden building that would serve as both a home office and additional space in which to relax or entertain. The design objective was to create a contemporary low-maintenance garden for outdoor dining and time-out. The change in ground levels was dealt with by creating two wide steps leading from the lower dining patio up to the new garden studio zone. A contemporary garden studio was installed which, at 4m x 3m, perfectly fitted the available space. The client's existing garden furniture was retained and this influenced the choice and colour of hard landscaping materials to ensure a cohesive look and feel. Existing boundary fencing and willow hurdle screens were replaced where necessary and all were painted black to create a uniform backdrop for new plants. Raised beds constructed in rendered concrete blocks were painted a dark grey to match the anthracite grey of the garden studio and further extend the dramatic contrast with perennial planting. Plants are a low-maintenance mix of evergreens with Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Golf Ball' and Nandina domestica delivering year-round structure while summer stunners Verbena bonariensis, Salvia nemorosa Caradonna and Euphorbia martinii provide the pops of colour. The drama is heightened after dark with garden lighting in the steps and raised beds. The result is a space that ticks all the client's boxes: a contemporary, low maintenance courtyard with separate spaces for entertaining and home working, all softened with ornamental planting.

This small rear garden, measuring just 65 m2, was dominated by a large Gleditsia tree that was dying and therefore required removal. Fortunately, this created the opportunity for the whole space to be completely re-designed to better meet the client's needs. The decision was taken early on to also get rid of an old wooden shed and small log cabin in favour of a more modern garden building that would serve as both a home office and additional space in which to relax or entertain. The design objective was to create a contemporary low-maintenance garden for outdoor dining and time-out. The change in ground levels was dealt with by creating two wide steps leading from the lower dining patio up to the new garden studio zone. A contemporary garden studio was installed which, at 4m x 3m, perfectly fitted the available space. The client's existing garden furniture was retained and this influenced the choice and colour of hard landscaping materials to ensure a cohesive look and feel. Existing boundary fencing and willow hurdle screens were replaced where necessary and all were painted black to create a uniform backdrop for new plants. Raised beds constructed in rendered concrete blocks were painted a dark grey to match the anthracite grey of the garden studio and further extend the dramatic contrast with perennial planting. Plants are a low-maintenance mix of evergreens with Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Golf Ball' and Nandina domestica delivering year-round structure while summer stunners Verbena bonariensis, Salvia nemorosa Caradonna and Euphorbia martinii provide the pops of colour. The drama is heightened after dark with garden lighting in the steps and raised beds. The result is a space that ticks all the client's boxes: a contemporary, low maintenance courtyard with separate spaces for entertaining and home working, all softened with ornamental planting.

This small rear garden, measuring just 65 m2, was dominated by a large Gleditsia tree that was dying and therefore required removal. Fortunately, this created the opportunity for the whole space to be completely re-designed to better meet the client's needs. The decision was taken early on to also get rid of an old wooden shed and small log cabin in favour of a more modern garden building that would serve as both a home office and additional space in which to relax or entertain. The design objective was to create a contemporary low-maintenance garden for outdoor dining and time-out. The change in ground levels was dealt with by creating two wide steps leading from the lower dining patio up to the new garden studio zone. A contemporary garden studio was installed which, at 4m x 3m, perfectly fitted the available space. The client's existing garden furniture was retained and this influenced the choice and colour of hard landscaping materials to ensure a cohesive look and feel. Existing boundary fencing and willow hurdle screens were replaced where necessary and all were painted black to create a uniform backdrop for new plants. Raised beds constructed in rendered concrete blocks were painted a dark grey to match the anthracite grey of the garden studio and further extend the dramatic contrast with perennial planting. Plants are a low-maintenance mix of evergreens with Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Golf Ball' and Nandina domestica delivering year-round structure while summer stunners Verbena bonariensis, Salvia nemorosa Caradonna and Euphorbia martinii provide the pops of colour. The drama is heightened after dark with garden lighting in the steps and raised beds. The result is a space that ticks all the client's boxes: a contemporary, low maintenance courtyard with separate spaces for entertaining and home working, all softened with ornamental planting.