Photography by Paul Rollins
Example of a large trendy open concept and formal living room design in San Francisco with gray walls

Artwork selection by Fresh Paint Art Advisors
Entryway - contemporary entryway idea in Los Angeles with white walls and a dark wood front door

Living room opens to front deck. Scott Hargis Photography building Lab is a design build firm specialized in modern architecture.
Example of a large 1950s open concept light wood floor and vaulted ceiling living room design in San Francisco with white walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace

Transitional dark wood floor and brown floor entryway photo in Seattle with white walls and a black front door

Inspiration for a rustic gray floor entryway remodel in Seattle with a glass front door

Example of a beach style two-story wood exterior home design in Vancouver with a gambrel roof

Paint is Sherwin-Williams Snowbound, wallpaper is Black Crow Studios, console is Plexi-Craft, Sconces are Robert Abbey, Doors and banquette are custom. Chandelier is RoShamBeaux. Stools are Phillips Collection

Rustic Zen Residence by Locati Architects, Interior Design by Cashmere Interior, Photography by Audrey Hall
Inspiration for a rustic family room remodel in Other with a standard fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

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.

Street and front yard view.
Modern brown two-story mixed siding exterior home idea in San Francisco with a metal roof

Jonathan Reece
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional brown two-story wood exterior home remodel in Portland Maine with a metal roof

The Ranch Pass Project consisted of architectural design services for a new home of around 3,400 square feet. The design of the new house includes four bedrooms, one office, a living room, dining room, kitchen, scullery, laundry/mud room, upstairs children’s playroom and a three-car garage, including the design of built-in cabinets throughout. The design style is traditional with Northeast turn-of-the-century architectural elements and a white brick exterior. Design challenges encountered with this project included working with a flood plain encroachment in the property as well as situating the house appropriately in relation to the street and everyday use of the site. The design solution was to site the home to the east of the property, to allow easy vehicle access, views of the site and minimal tree disturbance while accommodating the flood plain accordingly.

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern entryway remodel in Orange County with brown walls and a medium wood front door

Example of a large classic medium tone wood floor entryway design in Charleston with a red front door and gray walls

The unique design of this lake home and the surrounding natural landscape complement each other perfectly, resulting in beautiful lake views and a spacious, comfortable living area that welcomes guests. The interior features a mix of stained alder and white enamel cabinetry and woodwork, a vaulted great room with masonry fireplace, and an owners’ suite with a high ceiling, built-ins, and expansive lake views. One of the favorite spaces of the home is the beautiful lakeside porch & patio for entertaining, grilling and includes automated screens and vinyl shades for year-round enjoyment.

Entryway - french country medium tone wood floor, brown floor, exposed beam and wood ceiling entryway idea in Austin with white walls and a glass front door

Hallway - small rustic medium tone wood floor and brown floor hallway idea in Toronto with beige walls

Robert Reck Photography looking out from the contemporary portal light plays across the custom woven steel gate and stone forest granite fountain set in the middle of the xeriscaped courtyard

Jordan Kokel
Example of a mid-sized trendy wooden u-shaped open and cable railing staircase design in Dallas