Michael Patrick Porter, AIA
Example of a trendy l-shaped kitchen design in Santa Barbara with a double-bowl sink, glass-front cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, metallic backsplash and metal backsplash

Inspiration for a large timeless galley carpeted seated home bar remodel in Minneapolis with raised-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets and mirror backsplash

photo: Morgan Howarth Photography
Eat-in kitchen - contemporary eat-in kitchen idea in DC Metro

William Quarrels
Kitchen - mid-sized transitional l-shaped light wood floor kitchen idea in Charleston with a double-bowl sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Barry Grossman Photography
Trendy dining room photo in Miami

Staircase - contemporary wooden u-shaped staircase idea in Calgary with wooden risers

This great room should really be called the 'grand room'. Spanning over 320 sq ft and with 19 ft ceilings, this room is bathed with sunlight from four huge horizontal windows. Built-ins feature a 100" Napoleon fireplace and floating shelves complete with LED lighting. Built-ins painted Distant Gray (2125-10) and the back pannels are Black Panther (OC-68), both are Benjamin Moore colors. Rough-ins for TV and media. Walls painted in Benjamin Moore American White (2112-70). Flooring supplied by Torlys (Colossia Pelzer Oak).

In this 90's cape cod home, we used the space from an overly large bedroom, an oddly deep but narrow closet and the existing garden-tub focused master bath with two dormers, to create a master suite trio that was perfectly proportioned to the client's needs. They wanted a much larger closet but also wanted a large dual shower, and a better-proportioned tub. We stuck with pedestal sinks but upgraded them to large recessed medicine cabinets, vintage styled. And they loved the idea of a concrete floor and large stone walls with low maintenance. For the walls, we brought in a European product that is new for the U.S. - Porcelain Panels that are an eye-popping 5.5 ft. x 10.5 ft. We used a 2ft x 4ft concrete-look porcelain tile for the floor. This bathroom has a mix of low and high ceilings, but a functional arrangement instead of the dreaded “vault-for-no-purpose-bathroom”. We used 8.5 ft ceiling areas for both the shower and the vanity’s producing a symmetry about the toilet room door. The right runner-rug in the center of this bath (not shown yet unfortunately), completes the functional layout, and will look pretty good too. Of course, no design is close to finished without plenty of well thought out light. The bathroom uses all low-heat, high lumen, LED, 7” low profile surface mounting lighting (whoa that’s a mouthful- but, lighting is critical!). Two 7” LED fixtures light up the shower and the tub and we added two heat lamps for this open shower design. The shower also has a super-quiet moisture-exhaust fan. The customized (ikea) closet has the same lighting and the vanity space has both flanking and overhead LED lighting at 3500K temperature. Natural Light? Yes, and lot’s of it. On the second floor facing the woods, we added custom-sized operable casement windows in the shower, and custom antiqued expansive 4-lite doors on both the toilet room door and the main bath entry which is also a pocket door with a transom over it. We incorporated the trim style: fluted trims and door pediments, that was already throughout the home into these spaces, and we blended vintage and classic elements using modern proportions & patterns along with mix of metal finishes that were in tonal agreement with a simple color scheme. We added teak shower shelves and custom antiqued pine doors, adding these natural wood accents for that subtle warm contrast – and we presented! Oh btw – we also matched the expansive doors we put in the master bath, on the front entry door, and added some gas lanterns on either side. We also replaced all the carpet in the home and upgraded their stairs with metal balusters and new handrails and coloring. This client couple, they’re in love again!

Our design vision was to create a home that was one of a kind, and fit each and every need of the client. We created an open floor plan on the first floor with 10 ft ceilings and expansive views out to the main floor balcony. The first floor also features a primary suite, also referred to as “the apartment” where our homeowners have a primary bath, walk-in closet, coffee bar and laundry room. The primary bedroom includes a vaulted ceiling with direct access to the outside deck and an accent trim wall. The primary bath features a large open shower with multiple showering options and separate water closet. The second floor has unique elements for each of their children. As you walk up the stairs, there is a bonus room and study area for them. The second floor features a unique split level design, giving the bonus room a 10 ft ceiling. As you continue down the hallway there are individual bedrooms, second floor laundry, and a bathroom that won’t slow anyone down while getting ready in the morning.

Mid-sized trendy l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

John Evans
Huge elegant u-shaped dark wood floor kitchen photo in Columbus with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, stone tile backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

This single family home sits on a tight, sloped site. Within a modest budget, the goal was to provide direct access to grade at both the front and back of the house. The solution is a multi-split-level home with unconventional relationships between floor levels. Between the entrance level and the lower level of the family room, the kitchen and dining room are located on an interstitial level. Within the stair space “floats” a small bathroom. The generous stair is celebrated with a back-painted red glass wall which treats users to changing refractive ambient light throughout the house. Black brick, grey-tinted glass and mirrors contribute to the reasonably compact massing of the home. A cantilevered upper volume shades south facing windows and the home’s limited material palette meant a more efficient construction process. Cautious landscaping retains water run-off on the sloping site and home offices reduce the client’s use of their vehicle. The house achieves its vision within a modest footprint and with a design restraint that will ensure it becomes a long-lasting asset in the community. Photo by Tom Arban

Cati Teague Photography for Gina Sims Designs
Inspiration for a contemporary l-shaped gray floor kitchen remodel in Atlanta with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Large mountain style u-shaped brick floor eat-in kitchen photo in Houston with flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

The two-story great room features custom modern fireplace and modern chandelier. Voluptuous windows let in the beautiful PNW light.
Example of a large trendy open concept medium tone wood floor and beige floor living room design in Seattle with white walls, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and a stone fireplace

© Jeff Herr Photography
Elegant l-shaped kitchen photo in Atlanta with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash and paneled appliances

MIKE KASKEL
Kitchen - transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen idea in Chicago with recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, multicolored backsplash and an island

On a hillside property in Santa Monica hidden behind trees stands our brand new constructed from the grounds up guest unit. This unit is only 300sq. but the layout makes it feel as large as a small apartment. Vaulted 12' ceilings and lots of natural light makes the space feel light and airy. A small kitchenette gives you all you would need for cooking something for yourself, notice the baby blue color of the appliances contrasting against the clean white cabinets and counter top. The wood flooring give warmth to the neutral white colored walls and ceilings. A nice sized bathroom bosting a 3'x3' shower with a corner double door entrance with all the high quality finishes you would expect in a master bathroom. The exterior of the unit was perfectly matched to the existing main house. These ADU (accessory dwelling unit) also called guest units and the famous term "Mother in law unit" are becoming more and more popular in California and in LA in particular.

Gorgeous townhouse with stylish black windows, 10 ft. ceilings on the first floor, first-floor guest suite with full bath and 2-car dedicated parking off the alley. Dining area with wainscoting opens into kitchen featuring large, quartz island, soft-close cabinets and stainless steel appliances. Uniquely-located, white, porcelain farmhouse sink overlooks the family room, so you can converse while you clean up! Spacious family room sports linear, contemporary fireplace, built-in bookcases and upgraded wall trim. Drop zone at rear door (with keyless entry) leads out to stamped, concrete patio. Upstairs features 9 ft. ceilings, hall utility room set up for side-by-side washer and dryer, two, large secondary bedrooms with oversized closets and dual sinks in shared full bath. Owner’s suite, with crisp, white wainscoting, has three, oversized windows and two walk-in closets. Owner’s bath has double vanity and large walk-in shower with dual showerheads and floor-to-ceiling glass panel. Home also features attic storage and tankless water heater, as well as abundant recessed lighting and contemporary fixtures throughout.