The living area has an open floor plan with kitchen, living area, and entertainment corner. The ceilings are vertical grain Douglas Fir. French Oak is found in the walls and the TV entertainment system shelves. Flooring in this main area of the home is Jerusalem Gold tile. The built in desk nook allows for every day practicals and the built in nooks and shelves allow for art and knick-knacks to be tastefully displayed. The fireplace is a linear fireplace with custom concrete facade and a walnut mantle. There is a live-edge walnut cantilever indoor/outdoor table with sliding glass barn doors on either side that allows access to the outdoor living-cooking area. The tall frosted-glass pivot doors lead to a separate office and a play room, both off the main living area. The kitchen boasts a custom Spekva counter with waterfall edge. The cabinetry is custom made walnut. There is a breakfast bar with pendant lighting above as well as a kitchen-breakfast nook. (Photo by: Bernard Andre)

2-story floor to ceiling Neolith Fireplace surround. Pattern matching between multiple slabs. Mitred corners to run the veins in a 'waterfall' like effect. GaleRisa Photography

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

Tricia Shay Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary concrete floor and brown floor great room remodel in Milwaukee with a two-sided fireplace and white walls

Michael was looking for ideas to design his floor-to-ceiling fireplace, and he chose GenStone's Kenai Stacked Stone panels to do it, creating a stunning centerpiece for his living room.

Living room - transitional dark wood floor living room idea in Austin with beige walls, a ribbon fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Forget just one room with a view—Lochley has almost an entire house dedicated to capturing nature’s best views and vistas. Make the most of a waterside or lakefront lot in this economical yet elegant floor plan, which was tailored to fit a narrow lot and has more than 1,600 square feet of main floor living space as well as almost as much on its upper and lower levels. A dovecote over the garage, multiple peaks and interesting roof lines greet guests at the street side, where a pergola over the front door provides a warm welcome and fitting intro to the interesting design. Other exterior features include trusses and transoms over multiple windows, siding, shutters and stone accents throughout the home’s three stories. The water side includes a lower-level walkout, a lower patio, an upper enclosed porch and walls of windows, all designed to take full advantage of the sun-filled site. The floor plan is all about relaxation – the kitchen includes an oversized island designed for gathering family and friends, a u-shaped butler’s pantry with a convenient second sink, while the nearby great room has built-ins and a central natural fireplace. Distinctive details include decorative wood beams in the living and kitchen areas, a dining area with sloped ceiling and decorative trusses and built-in window seat, and another window seat with built-in storage in the den, perfect for relaxing or using as a home office. A first-floor laundry and space for future elevator make it as convenient as attractive. Upstairs, an additional 1,200 square feet of living space include a master bedroom suite with a sloped 13-foot ceiling with decorative trusses and a corner natural fireplace, a master bath with two sinks and a large walk-in closet with built-in bench near the window. Also included is are two additional bedrooms and access to a third-floor loft, which could functions as a third bedroom if needed. Two more bedrooms with walk-in closets and a bath are found in the 1,300-square foot lower level, which also includes a secondary kitchen with bar, a fitness room overlooking the lake, a recreation/family room with built-in TV and a wine bar perfect for toasting the beautiful view beyond.

Builder: John Kraemer & Sons | Architect: SKD Architects | Photography: Landmark Photography | Landscaping: TOPO LLC
Inspiration for a craftsman open concept medium tone wood floor living room remodel in Minneapolis with a music area, beige walls, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Angie Seckinger
Example of a large classic enclosed vaulted ceiling living room design in DC Metro with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Roxanne Gutierrez
Bedroom - transitional master medium tone wood floor and orange floor bedroom idea in Austin with gray walls and a standard fireplace

The mixture of grey green cabinets with the distressed wood floors and ceilings, gives this farmhouse kitchen a feeling of warmth. Cabinets: Brookhaven and the color is Green Stone Benjamin Moore paint color: There's not an exact match for Green Stone, but Gettysburg Grey, HC 107 is close. Sink: Krauss, model KHF200-30, stainless steel Faucet: Kraus, modelKPF-1602 Hardware: Restoration hardware, Dakota cup and Dakota round knob. The finish was either the chestnut or iron. Windows: Bloomberg is the manufacturer the hardware is from Restoration hardware--Dakota cup and Dakota round knob. The finish was either the chestnut or iron. Floors: European Oak that is wired brushed. The company is Provenza, Pompeii collection and the color is Amiata. Distressed wood: The wood is cedar that's been treated to look distressed! My client is brilliant , so he did some googling (is that a word?) and came across several sites that had a recipe to do just that. He put a steel wool pad into a jar of vinegar and let it sit for a bit. In another jar, he mixed black tea with water. Brush the tea on first and let it dry. Then brush on the steel wool/vinegar (don't forget to strain the wool). Voila, the wood turns dark. Andrew McKinney Photography

Soft light reveals every fine detail in the custom cabinetry, illuminating the way along the naturally colored floor patterns. This view shows the arched floor to ceiling windows, exposed wooden beams, built in wooden cabinetry complete with a bar fridge and the 30 foot long sliding door that opens to the outdoors.

Lake Front Country Estate Living Room, designed by Tom Markalunas, built by Resort Custom Homes. Photography by Rachael Boling.
Inspiration for a timeless formal and open concept medium tone wood floor living room remodel in Other with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Michael Hsu
Large trendy open concept medium tone wood floor living room photo in Austin with white walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace and no tv

Uneek Image
Example of a mid-sized classic open concept dark wood floor living room design in Orlando with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

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Living room - transitional formal dark wood floor living room idea in Cedar Rapids with gray walls, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace and a tv stand

2-story floor to ceiling Neolith Fireplace surround. Pattern matching between multiple slabs. Mitred corners to run the veins in a 'waterfall' like effect. GaleRisa Photography

Our clients desired an organic and airy look for their kitchen and living room areas. Our team began by painting the entire home a creamy white and installing all new white oak floors throughout. The former dark wood kitchen cabinets were removed to make room for the new light wood and white kitchen. The clients originally requested an "all white" kitchen, but the designer suggested bringing in light wood accents to give the kitchen some additional contrast. The wood ceiling cloud helps to anchor the space and echoes the new wood ceiling beams in the adjacent living area. To further incorporate the wood into the design, the designer framed each cabinetry wall with white oak "frames" that coordinate with the wood flooring. Woven barstools, textural throw pillows and olive trees complete the organic look. The original large fireplace stones were replaced with a linear ripple effect stone tile to add modern texture. Cozy accents and a few additional furniture pieces were added to the clients existing sectional sofa and chairs to round out the casually sophisticated space.

The new cupola washes the Great Room billiards table in natural light. Robert Benson Photography
Example of a huge cottage dark wood floor game room design in New York with white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace