The interior of the home went from Colonial to Classic Lodge without changing the footprint of the home. Columns were removed, fur downs removed that defined space, fireplace relocated, kitchen layout and direction changed, breakfast room and sitting room flip flopped, study reduced in size, entry to master bedroom changed, master suite completely re-arranged and enlarged, custom hand railing designed to open up stairwell, hardwood added to stairs, solid knotty alder 8’ doors added, knotty alder crown moldings added, reclaimed beamed ceiling grid, tongue and groove ceiling in kitchen, knotty alder cabinetry, leather finish to granite, seeded glass insets, custom door to panty to showcase an antique stained glass window from childhood church, custom doors and handles made for study entry, shredded straw added to wall texture, custom glazing done to all walls, wood floor remnants created an antique quilt pattern for the back wall of the powder bath, custom wall treatment created by designer, and a mixture of new and antique furnishing were added, all to create a warm, yet lived in feeling for this special family. A new central stone wall reversed with an over scaled fireplace and reclaimed flooring from the East became the anchor for this level of the home. Removing all the “divisions” of space and using a unified surface made unused rooms, part of the daily living for this family. The desire to entertain large group in a unified space, yet still feel like you are in a cozy environment was the driving force for removing divisions of space. Photos by Randy Colwell

Mid-sized farmhouse carpeted u-shaped wood railing staircase photo in Boise with carpeted risers

This incredible design + build remodel completely transformed this from a builders basic master bath to a destination spa! Floating vanity with dressing area, large format tiles behind the luxurious bath, walk in curbless shower with linear drain. This bathroom is truly fit for relaxing in luxurious comfort.

Neil Michael - Axiom Photography
Inspiration for a small modern shade courtyard outdoor basketball/tennis/multi-game court in Sacramento with decking.

Ryann Ford
This is an example of a contemporary landscaping in Austin.

The trellised terrace opens up to a quieter view of a magnificent existing redwood grove. A bluestone footbridge crosses a bioswale filled with clusters of ornamental grasses and perennials. In the distance, an existing below-grade greenhouse, renovated as part of the project program. Photography by Marion Brenner

Ryann Ford
Design ideas for a contemporary landscaping in Austin.

For this project, we removed the old sod and excavated 3 to 4 inches of topsoil. We capped the sprinklers and then spread a base of crushed aggregate, which was packed down. The artificial turf was laid out and trimmed. Then seamed and staked into place, we spread infill and power broomed the turf so the blades would stand up straight. We used Tigerturf (Tiger Cool) Everglade Fescue. Created by Tencate, a worldwide innovator of space-age yarns for NASA and Boeing, TigerCool® yarns are engineered with heat reflective color pigments and advanced U.V. inhibitors that reduce surface temperatures. A series of solar panel tests indicate that artificial grass featuring TigerCool® technology successfully reduces turf temperatures by 30% and up to 17 degrees! That’s a difference that you can feel. The homeowner also selected a border of river rocks with a slight wave that gives a lush cool grassy Island effect. Photo by Greg Hawks

"Shower Room" GC: Ekren Construction Photo Credit: Tiffany Ringwald
Bathroom - large transitional master white tile and marble tile marble floor, gray floor, single-sink and vaulted ceiling bathroom idea in Charlotte with shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, beige walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops, gray countertops and a freestanding vanity

This is a kitchen remodel in a Craftsman style home located in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA. Photo: Meghan Bob Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized craftsman u-shaped cement tile floor and blue floor enclosed kitchen remodel in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

Example of a beach style bathroom design in Orange County

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW This family from Wheaton was ready to remodel their kitchen, dining room and powder room. The project didn’t call for any structural or space planning changes but the makeover still had a massive impact on their home. The homeowners wanted to change their dated 1990’s brown speckled granite and light maple kitchen. They liked the welcoming feeling they got from the wood and warm tones in their current kitchen, but this style clashed with their vision of a deVOL type kitchen, a London-based furniture company. Their inspiration came from the country homes of the UK that mix the warmth of traditional detail with clean lines and modern updates. To create their vision, we started with all new framed cabinets with a modified overlay painted in beautiful, understated colors. Our clients were adamant about “no white cabinets.” Instead we used an oyster color for the perimeter and a custom color match to a specific shade of green chosen by the homeowner. The use of a simple color pallet reduces the visual noise and allows the space to feel open and welcoming. We also painted the trim above the cabinets the same color to make the cabinets look taller. The room trim was painted a bright clean white to match the ceiling. In true English fashion our clients are not coffee drinkers, but they LOVE tea. We created a tea station for them where they can prepare and serve tea. We added plenty of glass to showcase their tea mugs and adapted the cabinetry below to accommodate storage for their tea items. Function is also key for the English kitchen and the homeowners. They requested a deep farmhouse sink and a cabinet devoted to their heavy mixer because they bake a lot. We then got rid of the stovetop on the island and wall oven and replaced both of them with a range located against the far wall. This gives them plenty of space on the island to roll out dough and prepare any number of baked goods. We then removed the bifold pantry doors and created custom built-ins with plenty of usable storage for all their cooking and baking needs. The client wanted a big change to the dining room but still wanted to use their own furniture and rug. We installed a toile-like wallpaper on the top half of the room and supported it with white wainscot paneling. We also changed out the light fixture, showing us once again that small changes can have a big impact. As the final touch, we also re-did the powder room to be in line with the rest of the first floor. We had the new vanity painted in the same oyster color as the kitchen cabinets and then covered the walls in a whimsical patterned wallpaper. Although the homeowners like subtle neutral colors they were willing to go a bit bold in the powder room for something unexpected. For more design inspiration go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Living room - living room idea in Philadelphia

The custom design of this staircase houses the fridge, two bookshelves, two cabinets, a cubby, and a small closet for hanging clothes. Hawaiian mango wood stair treads lead up to a generously lofty sleeping area with a custom-built queen bed frame with six built-in storage drawers. Exposed stained ceiling beams add warmth and character to the kitchen. Two seven-foot-long counters extend the kitchen on either side- both with tiled backsplashes and giant awning windows. Because of the showers unique structure, it is paced in the center of the bathroom becoming a beautiful blue-tile focal point. This coastal, contemporary Tiny Home features a warm yet industrial style kitchen with stainless steel counters and husky tool drawers with black cabinets. the silver metal counters are complimented by grey subway tiling as a backsplash against the warmth of the locally sourced curly mango wood windowsill ledge. I mango wood windowsill also acts as a pass-through window to an outdoor bar and seating area on the deck. Entertaining guests right from the kitchen essentially makes this a wet-bar. LED track lighting adds the right amount of accent lighting and brightness to the area. The window is actually a french door that is mirrored on the opposite side of the kitchen. This kitchen has 7-foot long stainless steel counters on either end. There are stainless steel outlet covers to match the industrial look. There are stained exposed beams adding a cozy and stylish feeling to the room. To the back end of the kitchen is a frosted glass pocket door leading to the bathroom. All shelving is made of Hawaiian locally sourced curly mango wood. A stainless steel fridge matches the rest of the style and is built-in to the staircase of this tiny home. Dish drying racks are hung on the wall to conserve space and reduce clutter.

Paul Markert, Markert Photo
Inspiration for a modern laundry room remodel in Minneapolis

Small elegant galley medium tone wood floor enclosed kitchen photo in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

Round custom made steel planter with Angelina sedum surrounded with acanthus and acorus. photo: grant wilds
Design ideas for a modern landscaping in Seattle.

The owners requested that their home harmonize with the spirit of the surrounding Colorado mountain setting and enhance their outdoor recreational lifestyle - while reflecting their contemporary architectural tastes. The site was burdened with a myriad of strict design criteria enforced by the neighborhood covenants and architectural review board. Creating a distinct design challenge, the covenants included a narrow interpretation of a “mountain style” home which established predetermined roof pitches, glazing percentages and material palettes - at direct odds with the client‘s vision of a flat-roofed, glass, “contemporary” home. Our solution finds inspiration and opportunities within the site covenant’s strict definitions. It promotes and celebrates the client’s outdoor lifestyle and resolves the definition of a contemporary “mountain style” home by reducing the architecture to its most basic vernacular forms and relying upon local materials. The home utilizes a simple base, middle and top that echoes the surrounding mountains and vegetation. The massing takes its cues from the prevalent lodgepole pine trees that grow at the mountain’s high altitudes. These pine trees have a distinct growth pattern, highlighted by a single vertical trunk and a peaked, densely foliated growth zone above a sparse base. This growth pattern is referenced by placing the wood-clad body of the home at the second story above an open base composed of wood posts and glass. A simple peaked roof rests lightly atop the home - visually floating above a triangular glass transom. The home itself is neatly inserted amongst an existing grove of lodgepole pines and oriented to take advantage of panoramic views of the adjacent meadow and Continental Divide beyond. The main functions of the house are arranged into public and private areas and this division is made apparent on the home’s exterior. Two large roof forms, clad in pre-patinated zinc, are separated by a sheltering central deck - which signals the main entry to the home. At this connection, the roof deck is opened to allow a cluster of aspen trees to grow – further reinforcing nature as an integral part of arrival. Outdoor living spaces are provided on all levels of the house and are positioned to take advantage of sunrise and sunset moments. The distinction between interior and exterior space is blurred via the use of large expanses of glass. The dry stacked stone base and natural cedar cladding both reappear within the home’s interior spaces. This home offers a unique solution to the client’s requests while satisfying the design requirements of the neighborhood covenants. The house provides a variety of indoor and outdoor living spaces that can be utilized in all seasons. Most importantly, the house takes its cues directly from its natural surroundings and local building traditions to become a prototype solution for the “modern mountain house”. Overview Ranch Creek Ranch Winter Park, Colorado Completion Date October, 2007 Services Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture

The European homeowners wanted to create a space for a new sauna and hot tub, as well as a place to relax afterwards. It needed to be light and bright, and have a warm but modern feel. We built this addition under the existing deck, and spruced up the deck at the same time to enjoy the nice territorial views. The walls of the addition are cedar, with built-ins and deep cabinets for storage. There is a walk-in, tiled shower with built-in bench just off the sauna, and a seating area with tv for relaxing. The floor is stained concrete. The 14-foot wall of windows (including a door to the hot tub), and the secondary window wall that includes french doors allows the maximum amount of light into the space and really creates that spa feeling. The plans evolved during construction to include a larger sauna (thereby reducing the shower size somewhat) and a much larger hot tub than originally planned. The solution was to move the hot tub outside, which had the benefit of opening up more space inside for a yoga/ workout area. The hot tub is covered by a glass roof so it can be enjoyed year-round under the stars.