Alex Tarajano Resident Photographer for Intelligent Construction
Inspiration for a contemporary dining room remodel in Miami with gray walls

When this suburban family decided to renovate their kitchen, they knew that they wanted a little more space. Advance Design worked together with the homeowner to design a kitchen that would work for a large family who loved to gather regularly and always ended up in the kitchen! So the project began with extending out an exterior wall to accommodate a larger island and more moving-around space between the island and the perimeter cabinetry. Style was important to the cook, who began collecting accessories and photos of the look she loved for months prior to the project design. She was drawn to the brightness of whites and grays, and the design accentuated this color palette brilliantly with the incorporation of a warm shade of brown woods that originated from a dining room table that was a family favorite. Classic gray and white cabinetry from Dura Supreme hits the mark creating a perfect balance between bright and subdued. Hints of gray appear in the bead board detail peeking just behind glass doors, and in the application of the handsome floating wood shelves between cabinets. White subway tile is made extra interesting with the application of dark gray grout lines causing it to be a subtle but noticeable detail worthy of attention. Suede quartz Silestone graces the countertops with a soft matte hint of color that contrasts nicely with the presence of white painted cabinetry finished smartly with the brightness of a milky white farm sink. Old melds nicely with new, as antique bronze accents are sprinkled throughout hardware and fixtures, and work together unassumingly with the sleekness of stainless steel appliances. The grace and timelessness of this sparkling new kitchen maintains the charm and character of a space that has seen generations past. And now this family will enjoy this new space for many more generations to come in the future with the help of the team at Advance Design Studio. Dura Supreme Cabinetry Photographer: Joe Nowak

Transitional sunroom photo in Boston with a skylight

Photos credited to Imagesmith- Scott Smith Entertain with an open and functional kitchen/ dining room. The structural Douglas Fir post and ceiling beams set the tone along with the stain matched 2x6 pine tongue and groove ceiling –this also serves as the finished floor surface at the loft above. Dreaming a cozy feel at the kitchen/dining area a darker stain was used to visual provide a shorter ceiling height to a 9’ plate line. The knotty Alder floating shelves and wall cabinetry share their own natural finish with a chocolate glazing. The island cabinet was of painted maple with a chocolate glaze as well, this unit wanted to look like a piece of furniture that was brought into the ‘cabin’ rather than built-in, again with a value minded approach. The flooring is a pre-finished engineered ½” Oak flooring, and again with the darker shade we wanted to emotionally deliver the cozier feel for the space. Additionally, lighting is essential to a cook’s –and kitchen’s- performance. We needed there to be ample lighting but only wanted to draw attention to the pendants above the island and the dining chandelier. We opted to wash the back splash and the counter tops with hidden LED strips. We then elected to use track lighting over the cooking area with as small of heads as possible and in black to make them ‘go away’ or get lost in the sauce.

Reynolds Cabinetry and Millwork -- Photography by Nathan Kirkman
Study room - traditional built-in desk dark wood floor study room idea in Chicago with white walls

Living room - large contemporary open concept medium tone wood floor living room idea in San Francisco with a standard fireplace, a stacked stone fireplace and no tv

The pergola, above the uppermost horizontal 'strip' of cedar, is a bronze poly-carbonate, which allows light to come through, but which blocks UV rays and keeps out the rain. It's also available in clear, and a few more colors.

Living room - large zen formal and open concept carpeted and beige floor living room idea in San Diego with yellow walls, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace and no tv

Adrienne DeRosa © 2014 Houzz Inc. Sharing a pass through with the kitchen. the tv room is flooded with light. Its modest size makes it the coziest area of the house, and because of that it is the couple's favorite wintertime spot. "It's so comfortable to just lay around in," Jennifer says. "You sit down and all of a sudden you're falling asleep." The Milo Baughman settee is currently Jennifer's favorite piece. A recent birthday gift from Raymond, Jennifer found the tufted leather sofa on Etsy and drove 10 hours across Pennsylvania to pick it up. Always up for a design adventure, "It was well worth it," she says. "It's amazing." Martini SIde Table, in brass: West Elm Photo: Adrienne DeRosa © 2014 Houzz

Skylight filters light onto back stair, oak bookcase serves as storage and guardrail, giant barn doors frame entry to master suite ... all while cat negotiates pocket door concealing master closets - Architecture/Interiors: HAUS | Architecture - Construction Management: WERK | Build - Photo: HAUS | Architecture

This family-friendly bathroom highlights the balance of color, texture, and timeless charm. A bold floral wallpaper adds whimsy above classic beadboard wainscoting, while vintage stained glass brings character and filtered natural light. The custom vanity, repurposed from a mid-century dresser, pairs with marble-look porcelain tile and a Persian runner for an elevated, layered feel. Designed for daily function and long-term enjoyment, this space reflects our passion for creating homes with heart and history.

Example of a classic medium tone wood floor, brown floor and wallpaper family room design in New York with beige walls

This thoughtfully layered bedroom blends classic elements with playful color and texture. A sculptural wire light fixture adds visual interest overhead, complemented by woven Roman shades that softly filter natural light. A black painted nightstand is styled with a brick red table lamp and blue print artwork in a warm wood frame. An off-white upholstered headboard with nailhead trim anchors the space, while blue and orange patterned pillows, a chunky knit throw, and a traditional rug with blue accents create a cozy, inviting retreat. Photo by Suzanna Scott.

From natural stone to tone-on-tone, this master bath is now a soothing space to start and end the day.
Example of a large transitional master subway tile and gray tile marble floor and beige floor bathroom design in Other with shaker cabinets, black cabinets, white walls, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, beige countertops and an undermount sink

Devereux Beach House Our client presented Flavin Architects with a unique challenge. On a site that previously hosted two houses, our client asked us to design a modestly sized house and separate art studio. Both structures reduce the height and bulk of the original buildings. The modern concrete house we designed is situated on the brow of a steep cliff overlooking Marblehead harbor. The concrete visually anchors the house to stone outcroppings on the property, and the low profile ensures the structure doesn’t conflict with the surround of traditional, gabled homes. Three primary concrete walls run north to south in parallel, forming the structural walls of the home. The entry sequence is carefully considered. The front door is hidden from view from the street. An entry path leads to an intimate courtyard, from which the front door is first visible. Upon entering, the visitor gets the first glimpse of the sea, framed by a portal of cast-in-place concrete. The kitchen, living, and dining space have a soaring 10-foot ceiling creating an especially spacious sense of interiority. A cantilevered deck runs the length of the living room, with a solid railing providing privacy from beach below. Where the house grows from a single to a two-story structure, the concrete walls rise magisterially to the full height of the building. The exterior concrete walls are accented with zinc gutters and downspouts, and wooden Ipe slats which softly filter light through the windows.

Our introduction to the Tahoe site was in late winter, on a clear sunny day with filtered light and long shadows through snow-laden fir and pine bows. It made a strong impression, stored for future consideration but the impetus for the design came soon after the spring snow melt. A powerful sense of horizontal layering of vegetation and various stages of decomposing downed timber on the two-acre site, juxtaposed with pine and fir trees and the dense canopy of the surrounding forest. The site is located near the historic 1960 Olympic Nordic track, situated on the edge of wetlands and seasonal streams. The homeowners were previous clients and dreamt of having a retreat in the Sierras away from their home base in Berkeley, CA. Among skiers, bike riders, hikers, and boaters, they found the ideal central location for their home base near Lake Tahoe. The home is organized as a series of linked spaces, each providing a unique sensory experience and connection to different parts of the site, both vertically and horizontally. The design includes extensive use of glass to create a true indoor/outdoor connection and maximize natural light. At the center of the site are two large fir trees, which the building respectfully wraps around in an L shape to create a focal point in the landscaped courtyard. A refined, context-driven palette of natural materials including cedar, oak, fir, and steel is used to harmoniously blend in among the surroundings. The construction includes advanced details such as thermally broken steel beams supporting layered roof planes engineered to hold snow rather than shed it. Designed to resist significant load, we exposed the steel structure as a recurring element in the interior spaces. The resulting columns and support beams contribute to the familiar design aspects of each room and provide a better understanding of how the building was constructed. The second floor features cantilevered volumes that reach out into the nearby evergreen limbs, likening the experience to being in a tree house. The house incorporates features such as radiant heating, solar panels, and operable windows for passive cooling. Fire safety measures include the use of naturally fire-resistant materials, a Class A roof construction, sprinklers, and drought-tolerant landscaping beyond the defensible space.

Photography: Travis Rhoads Photography
Example of a small trendy backyard deck design in San Francisco with a fire pit

Filling a large great room is always a challenge. I used two large matching sofas and designed a large cocktail table to service both sofas. The table was made by Seth Woods. The sofa fabric is contract grade to be child and pet friendly. The rug is polypropylene and very stain resistant as well. The window treatments are sheer lined with sheer to filter the light and frame the window nicely. The sofa table is a custom design. We wanted to bring a metal finish into the room and we wanted to place the 2 storage benches under it to conceal toys. The arched stretcher in the design allows for that. This was fabricated by Small Axe Forge and Daylight Cabinetry. We used neutral tones and textures to keep the room calm and serene. The red accents were brought in to add warmth and depth.

Inspiration for a contemporary great room remodel in New York with white walls, a ribbon fireplace and a stone fireplace