After. The far wall of the Kitchen provided the perfect space for this coffee station and prep area! The maple cabinets and floating shelves (also from Adelphi) were stained in the color “Honey” which plays off the existing window frames, wooden beam and load-bearing column.

This was the most frequently used phrase in the collaboration of 3 energies that resulted with this masterpiece "Cozy Elegance". The builder, the client, and the architect shared a common vision inspired by the spectacular lake front homesite. Elegant, refined, authentic; every space was carefully thought out to capture and exude the understated significance of blending nature with the home, while expressing the heritage of the owners’ life’s journey. It is a place that will inspire new memories for generations to come.

ASID Design Excellence First Place Residential – Whole House Under 2,500 SF: Michael Merrill Design Studio completely remodeled this Edwardian penthouse which includes four bedrooms, an eat-in kitchen, and two full bathrooms. Bathroom and kitchen floors are heated for year round comfort. As the owner is a novelist, one of the bedrooms is used as a working library. To create a sense of serenity, the walls are covered in suede cloth from Jack Lenor Larsen. As the owner travels frequently, all of the exterior plantings are delightfully artificial. (2010-2012) Photos © Paul Dyer Photography

Gina Wolfrum of Finishes by Gina whose specialty is incredible ceiling design and creation. Using both Modello® Designs and Royal Design Studio stencils, she frequently creates a glam mix of pattern and color for all her sophisticated surfaces such as stenciled ceilings.

Perched on a forested hillside above Missoula, the Pattee Canyon Residence provides a series of bright, light filled spaces for a young family of six. Set into the hillside, the home appears humble from the street while opening up to panoramic views towards the valley. The family frequently puts on large gatherings for friends of all ages; thus, multiple “eddy out” spaces were created throughout the home for more intimate chats. Exposed steel structural ribs and generous glazing in the great room create a rhythm and draw one’s gaze to the folding horizon. Smaller windows on the lower level frame intimate portraits of nature. Cedar siding and dark shingle roofing help the home blend in with its piney surroundings. Inside, rough sawn cabinetry and nature inspired tile provide a textural balance with the bright white spaces and contemporary fixtures.

In this mud room, Waypoint Living Spaces 650F Painted Silk/Cherry Bordeaux cabinets and lockers were installed. The countertop is Wilsonart Laminate in Golden Juparana with self edge and 4” backsplash.

Two large pantry cabinets provide plenty of storage for food, vases, linens, candles etc.. Roll out shelves ensure that everything is readily accessible. Most of the base cabinets are drawers for pots/pans storage and plates and bowls. No inch was left unused with a magic corner that works as a baking center at one end of the kitchen and a super susan in the opposite corner to store small appliances and frequently used items. photo by Nita Torrey

Photo by Brian Flaherty

Hummingbird Sage is like catnip for hummingbirds! The wand-like blooms are frequently surrounded by them! Its fragrance is distinctive and sweet. Because the fragrance is in both the bloom and its thick, leathery, evergreen leaves, it can be enjoyed year round. The foliage spreads well and enjoys both shade and sun. It is useful in retaining shallow slopes, an area where it grows naturally in LA's mountains. Photo: Lesly Hall Photography

The addition of a bas-relief drywall element climbing the main wall of the two-story space and turning into a ceiling feature that sponsors recessed, pendant and cove LED lighting, adds a dramatic feature to the loft space. A wall mounted TV is nestled in the large niche across the sofa. Modern furniture, a concrete Cha-Cha table on wheels and the iconic Egg chair in white leather complete the mod feel of the space. A small bar on the right is a great feature for frequent parties! Photography: Geoffrey Hodgdon

Off the main entry, enter the mud room to access four built-in lockers with a window seat, making getting in and out the door a breeze. Custom barn doors flank the doorway and add a warm farmhouse flavor.

For more photos of this project visit our website: https://wendyobrienid.com.

Photography by Valve Interactive: https://valveinteractive.com/

Set upon an oversized and highly sought-after creekside lot in Brentwood, this ​two story home and full guest home exude a casual, contemporary farmhouse style and vibe. The main residence boasts 5 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms, each ensuite with thoughtful touches that accentuate the home’s overall classic finishes. The master retreat opens to a large balcony overlooking the yard accented by mature bamboo and palms. Other features of the main house include European white oak floors, recessed lighting, built in speaker system, attached 2-car garage and a laundry room with 2 sets of state-of-the-art Samsung washers and dryers. The bedroom suite on the first floor enjoys its own entrance, making it ideal for guests. The open concept kitchen features Calacatta marble countertops, Wolf appliances, wine storage, dual sinks and dishwashers and a walk-in butler’s pantry. The loggia is accessed via La Cantina bi-fold doors that fully open for year-round alfresco dining on the terrace, complete with an outdoor fireplace. The wonderfully imagined yard contains a sparkling pool and spa and a crisp green lawn and lovely deck and patio areas. Step down further to find the detached guest home, which was recognized with a Decade Honor Award by the Los Angeles Chapter of the AIA in 2006, and, in fact, was a frequent haunt of Frank Gehry who inspired its cubist design. The guest house has a bedroom and bathroom, living area, a newly updated kitchen and is surrounded by lush landscaping that maximizes its creekside setting, creating a truly serene oasis.

We transformed a 1920s French Provincial-style home to accommodate a family of five with guest quarters. The family frequently entertains and loves to cook. This, along with their extensive modern art collection and Scandinavian aesthetic informed the clean, lively palette.

A triple sliding door seals off a studio space, office, or (when necessary) a drop down Murphy Bed for guests. Fun, Eclectic, and a Great new basement-level space has emerged for frequent use and play.

The expansive basement entertainment area features a tv room, a kitchenette and a custom bar for entertaining. The custom entertainment center and bar areas feature bright blue cabinets with white oak accents. Lucite and gold cabinet hardware adds a modern touch. The sitting area features a comfortable sectional sofa and geometric accent pillows that mimic the design of the kitchenette backsplash tile. The kitchenette features a beverage fridge, a sink, a dishwasher and an undercounter microwave drawer. The large island is a favorite hangout spot for the clients' teenage children and family friends. The convenient kitchenette is located on the basement level to prevent frequent trips upstairs to the main kitchen. The custom bar features lots of storage for bar ware, glass display cabinets and white oak display shelves. Locking liquor cabinets keep the alcohol out of reach for the younger generation.

A row of open cubes atop base cabinets create storage cubbies for small, frequently used items.
Home design - transitional home design idea in Sacramento

This Cobble Hill Brownstone for a family of five is a fun and captivating design, the perfect blend of the wife’s love of English country style and the husband’s preference for modern. The young power couple, her the co-founder of Maisonette and him an investor, have three children and a dog, requiring that all the surfaces, finishes and, materials used throughout the home are both beautiful and durable to make every room a carefree space the whole family can enjoy. The primary design challenge for this project was creating both distinct places for the family to live their day to day lives and also a whole floor dedicated to formal entertainment. The clients entertain large dinners on a monthly basis as part of their profession. We solved this by adding an extension on the Garden and Parlor levels. This allowed the Garden level to function as the daily family operations center and the Parlor level to be party central. The kitchen on the garden level is large enough to dine in and accommodate a large catering crew. On the parlor level, we created a large double parlor in the front of the house; this space is dedicated to cocktail hour and after-dinner drinks. The rear of the parlor is a spacious formal dining room that can seat up to 14 guests. The middle "library" space contains a bar and facilitates access to both the front and rear rooms; in this way, it can double as a staging area for the parties. The remaining three floors are sleeping quarters for the family and frequent out of town guests. Designing a row house for private and public functions programmatically returns the building to a configuration in line with its original design. This project was published in Architectural Digest. Photography by Sam Frost

Photo: Corynne Pless Photography © 2015 Houzz
Example of a transitional living room design in Los Angeles

Open storage can be both form and function! In this case, the homeowner highlights a couple gingerbread houses she's made as well as some frequently used (or maybe snacked upon?) candies.