This family of 5 was quickly out-growing their 1,220sf ranch home on a beautiful corner lot. Rather than adding a 2nd floor, the decision was made to extend the existing ranch plan into the back yard, adding a new 2-car garage below the new space - for a new total of 2,520sf. With a previous addition of a 1-car garage and a small kitchen removed, a large addition was added for Master Bedroom Suite, a 4th bedroom, hall bath, and a completely remodeled living, dining and new Kitchen, open to large new Family Room. The new lower level includes the new Garage and Mudroom. The existing fireplace and chimney remain - with beautifully exposed brick. The homeowners love contemporary design, and finished the home with a gorgeous mix of color, pattern and materials. The project was completed in 2011. Unfortunately, 2 years later, they suffered a massive house fire. The house was then rebuilt again, using the same plans and finishes as the original build, adding only a secondary laundry closet on the main level.

This 1990s brick home had decent square footage and a massive front yard, but no way to enjoy it. Each room needed an update, so the entire house was renovated and remodeled, and an addition was put on over the existing garage to create a symmetrical front. The old brown brick was painted a distressed white. The 500sf 2nd floor addition includes 2 new bedrooms for their teen children, and the 12'x30' front porch lanai with standing seam metal roof is a nod to the homeowners' love for the Islands. Each room is beautifully appointed with large windows, wood floors, white walls, white bead board ceilings, glass doors and knobs, and interior wood details reminiscent of Hawaiian plantation architecture. The kitchen was remodeled to increase width and flow, and a new laundry / mudroom was added in the back of the existing garage. The master bath was completely remodeled. Every room is filled with books, and shelves, many made by the homeowner. Project photography by Kmiecik Imagery.

This family of 5 was quickly out-growing their 1,220sf ranch home on a beautiful corner lot. Rather than adding a 2nd floor, the decision was made to extend the existing ranch plan into the back yard, adding a new 2-car garage below the new space - for a new total of 2,520sf. With a previous addition of a 1-car garage and a small kitchen removed, a large addition was added for Master Bedroom Suite, a 4th bedroom, hall bath, and a completely remodeled living, dining and new Kitchen, open to large new Family Room. The new lower level includes the new Garage and Mudroom. The existing fireplace and chimney remain - with beautifully exposed brick. The homeowners love contemporary design, and finished the home with a gorgeous mix of color, pattern and materials. The project was completed in 2011. Unfortunately, 2 years later, they suffered a massive house fire. The house was then rebuilt again, using the same plans and finishes as the original build, adding only a secondary laundry closet on the main level.

View of the new entry of the Madrona Residence after the addition and renovation. Paul Bardagjy
Elegant entryway photo in Austin with a red front door

Straignt on view of the Gold Swirling Lines design painted on a contemporary American Standard pedestal lavatory in a navy blue powder room with white accessories and matching towel holder. by decoratedbathroom.com

The front facade of Haddonfield House features large expanses of glass to provide ample natural lighting to interior spaces. A central glass space connects the two structures into one cohesive modern home. Photography (c) Jeffrey Totaro, 2021

This eclectic kitchen design in Mission Viejo-Lake View brings light into the space through a large window, which is then beautifully reflected in the mirror paneled pantry doors. The mirrors add depth and light to the space, giving the kitchen a bright, airy feel. Glass pendant lights, recessed lighting, and under- and in-cabinet lights complete the multi-layered lighting design. The Columbia Cabinetry recessed panel kitchen cabinets bring a traditional foundation to the kitchen design. White perimeter cabinetry includes glass front upper cabinets with in cabinet lighting, offering the perfect place to display dishes and glassware. This is beautifully contrasted by gray island cabinetry, all accented by Top Knobs cabinet hardware. The island incorporates seating for casual dining and an angled undercounter power strip. A white engineered quartz countertop is a stylish and practical complement to the cabinetry. The white and gray theme carries through in the marble backsplash, which brings the natural texture and color of this material to the design. A porcelain tile wood look floor brings warmth to the color scheme, in a durable and easy to maintain material. Stainless steel appliances feature throughout the design, including the LG refrigerator and range, Sharp microwave drawer, and Zephyr chimney vent hood. A backsplash tile feature design adds a focal point above the range. The beverage center incorporates a Zephyr wine refrigerator. An Allia by Rohl white fireclay undermount sink is positioned facing the large kitchen window that overlooks a stunning view and is accompanied by a pull-down sprayer faucet. This Mission Viejo-Lake View kitchen design brings together materials, textures, lighting, and complementary colors to create a stunning space. This kitchen is sure to be the center of life in the home, perfect for daily family life, casual dining, sipping a glass of wine while enjoying the view, and entertaining friends. Photos by Jeri Koegel

Large beach style side yard deck photo in Miami with a roof extension

Photos: Josh Caldwell
Inspiration for a large contemporary white two-story concrete house exterior remodel in Salt Lake City with a shed roof and a metal roof

Classic San Francisco residence facade which had Deco influences with the beautifully made circular window details which were preserved. Built by Conscious Construction with photos by Treve Johnson Photography.

Front entry
Entryway - large traditional medium tone wood floor and brown floor entryway idea in Los Angeles with white walls and a blue front door

Elegant gray two-story wood house exterior photo in San Francisco with a hip roof and a shingle roof

GARDEN PROS
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary drought-tolerant and full sun front yard concrete paver garden path in Orange County.

Example of a mid-sized multicolored two-story concrete fiberboard and clapboard house exterior design in Chicago with a hip roof, a shingle roof and a gray roof

Mid-sized multicolored two-story concrete fiberboard and clapboard house exterior photo in Chicago with a hip roof, a shingle roof and a gray roof

Inspiration for a mid-sized multicolored two-story concrete fiberboard and clapboard house exterior remodel in Chicago with a hip roof, a shingle roof and a gray roof

Mid-sized craftsman multicolored two-story concrete fiberboard and clapboard house exterior idea in Chicago with a hip roof, a shingle roof and a gray roof

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Large transitional backyard deck photo in San Francisco with no cover