The chance to build a lakeside weekend home in rural NC provided this Chapel Hill family with an opportunity to ditch convention and think outside the box. For instance, we traded the traditional boat dock with what's become known as the "party dock"… a floating lounge of sorts, complete with wet bar, TV, swimmer's platform, and plenty of spots for watching the water fun. Inside, we turned one bedroom into a gym with climbing wall - and dropped the idea of a dining room, in favor of a deep upholstered niche and shuffleboard table. Outdoor drapery helped blur the lines between indoor spaces and exterior porches filled with upholstery, swings, and places for lazy napping. And after the sun goes down....smores, anyone? John Bessler

7" Engineered Walnut, slightly rustic with clear satin coat 4" canned recessed lighting En suite wet bar #buildboswell
Inspiration for a large contemporary freestanding desk medium tone wood floor and brown floor study room remodel in Los Angeles with white walls and no fireplace

EVERYONE'S INVITED. The first-floor bedroom and laundry area was replaced by an open family room with fabulous backyard views, perfect for entertaining a large extended family. Photography by Anice Hoachlander

New construction, completed in 2013 Photograph by Geoff Captain Studios
Inspiration for a small contemporary single-wall medium tone wood floor and brown floor seated home bar remodel in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and white backsplash

What do teenager’s need most in their bedroom? Personalized space to make their own, a place to study and do homework, and of course, plenty of storage! This teenage girl’s bedroom not only provides much needed storage and built in desk, but does it with clever interplay of millwork and three-dimensional wall design which provide niches and shelves for books, nik-naks, and all teenage things. What do teenager’s need most in their bedroom? Personalized space to make their own, a place to study and do homework, and of course, plenty of storage! This teenage girl’s bedroom not only provides much needed storage and built in desk, but does it with clever interplay of three-dimensional wall design which provide niches and shelves for books, nik-naks, and all teenage things. While keeping the architectural elements characterizing the entire design of the house, the interior designer provided millwork solution every teenage girl needs. Not only aesthetically pleasing but purely functional. Along the window (a perfect place to study) there is a custom designed L-shaped desk which incorporates bookshelves above countertop, and large recessed into the wall bins that sit on wheels and can be pulled out from underneath the window to access the girl’s belongings. The multiple storage solutions are well hidden to allow for the beauty and neatness of the bedroom and of the millwork with multi-dimensional wall design in drywall. Black out window shades are recessed into the ceiling and prepare room for the night with a touch of a button, and architectural soffits with led lighting crown the room. Cabinetry design by the interior designer is finished in bamboo material and provides warm touch to this light bedroom. Lower cabinetry along the TV wall are equipped with combination of cabinets and drawers and the wall above the millwork is framed out and finished in drywall. Multiple niches and 3-dimensional planes offer interest and more exposed storage. Soft carpeting complements the room giving it much needed acoustical properties and adds to the warmth of this bedroom. This custom storage solution is designed to flow with the architectural elements of the room and the rest of the house. Photography: Craig Denis

Example of a trendy open concept beige floor family room design in Orange County with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Trendy concrete floor family room photo in Chicago with gray walls

Mid-sized transitional open concept and formal dark wood floor living room photo in Nashville with blue walls, a standard fireplace and no tv

Playroom - eclectic gender-neutral carpeted and multicolored floor playroom idea in New York with white walls

Custom Home in Jackson Hole, WY Paul Warchol Photography
Huge trendy built-in desk dark wood floor and black floor home office library photo with brown walls, a ribbon fireplace and a tile fireplace

Amazing open kitchen with white shaker cabinets and stained center island with matching floating shelves. Bronze and brass lighting and marble subway backsplash.

Inspiration for a transitional living room remodel in Minneapolis with brown walls

Photo: Corynne Pless © 2013 Houzz
Danish living room photo in New York with gray walls and a brick fireplace

Chris Little Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary bathroom remodel in Atlanta with open cabinets, dark wood cabinets, beige walls and a niche

Niko Homes
Freestanding bathtub - contemporary master gray tile freestanding bathtub idea in Calgary with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, gray walls and an integrated sink

Inspiration for a small transitional enclosed carpeted and beige floor home theater remodel in San Diego with white walls and a wall-mounted tv

This vanity comes from something of a dream home! What woman wouldn't be happy with something like this?
Alcove shower - mid-sized farmhouse master ceramic tile and black floor alcove shower idea with dark wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, a drop-in sink, marble countertops, a hinged shower door and recessed-panel cabinets

We love the library look for a dining area. Floating bookshelves keep the room open while providing ample space to display books, photographs, and objects. The dining chairs are the Bacco chairs from DWR. Photo: Amy Bartlam

Inspiration for a farmhouse living room remodel in Boise