Holger Obenaus
Example of a transitional living room design in Charleston with a standard fireplace

This game room provides everyone space but also allows guests to get together in smaller groups!
Inspiration for a huge modern open concept carpeted game room remodel in Tampa with gray walls and a wall-mounted tv

This family asked for a game room for family fun and we gave them exactly what they wanted. We love the wainscoting, wood flooring, custom molding, and millwork throughout, and the recessed mood lighting.

Game Room: For many of our guests, the game room takes a close second only to the outdoor features of "Evermore". Centered around a massive floor to ceiling, wood burning, fieldstone fireplace, the game room features a working & authentic, iron & wood crank game table. A multitude of games, playing cards, professional poker chips & books are provided for your entertainment as is a very special pool table from American Heritage. With the lake framed by soaring 19ft windows, the game room is a terrific location to turn on the Bose® wave system , stoke up a fire & spend time with family & friends. Photo Credit: Chris Potoski

Game Room: For many of our guests, the game room takes a close second only to the outdoor features of "Evermore". Centered around a massive floor to ceiling, wood burning, fieldstone fireplace, the game room features a working & authentic, iron & wood crank game table. A multitude of games, playing cards, professional poker chips & books are provided for your entertainment as is a very special pool table from American Heritage. With the lake framed by soaring 19ft windows, the game room is a terrific location to turn on the Bose® wave system , stoke up a fire & spend time with family & friends. Photo Credit: Chris Potoski

Game Room: For many of our guests, the game room takes a close second only to the outdoor features of "Evermore". Centered around a massive floor to ceiling, wood burning, fieldstone fireplace, the game room features a working & authentic, iron & wood crank game table. A multitude of games, playing cards, professional poker chips & books are provided for your entertainment as is a very special pool table from American Heritage. With the lake framed by soaring 19ft windows, the game room is a terrific location to turn on the Bose® wave system , stoke up a fire & spend time with family & friends. Photo Credit: Chris Potoski

Game Room: For many of our guests, the game room takes a close second only to the outdoor features of "Evermore". Centered around a massive floor to ceiling, wood burning, fieldstone fireplace, the game room features a working & authentic, iron & wood crank game table. A multitude of games, playing cards, professional poker chips & books are provided for your entertainment as is a very special pool table from American Heritage. With the lake framed by soaring 19ft windows, the game room is a terrific location to turn on the Bose® wave system , stoke up a fire & spend time with family & friends. Photo Credit: Chris Potoski

This two story cottage built by Pat Achee of Achee Properties, Inc. is the Baldwin County Home builders Association's Showcase Home for 2009. Designed by Bob Chatham, it is the first BCHA Showcase Home to be built as a National Association Of Home Builders "Green Certified" home. Located in The Waters of Fairhope, Alabama only minutes from downtown Fairhope. The recycled wood, open rafter tails, screened porches and stone skirting make up some of the natural hues that give this house it's casual appeal. The separate guest suite can be a multifunctional area that provides privacy from the main house. The screened side porch with it's stone fireplace and flat screen TV is a great place to hang out and watch the games. Furnishings provided by Malouf Furniture and Design in Foley, AL.

View of Modern barn doors with oak fronts in the open position Photography by: Jeffrey Tryon
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern light wood floor and brown floor hallway remodel in New York with white walls

This two story cottage built by Pat Achee of Achee Properties, Inc. is the Baldwin County Home builders Association's Showcase Home for 2009. Designed by Bob Chatham, it is the first BCHA Showcase Home to be built as a National Association Of Home Builders "Green Certified" home. Located in The Waters of Fairhope, Alabama only minutes from downtown Fairhope. The recycled wood, open rafter tails, screened porches and stone skirting make up some of the natural hues that give this house it's casual appeal. The separate guest suite can be a multifunctional area that provides privacy from the main house. The screened side porch with it's stone fireplace and flat screen TV is a great place to hang out and watch the games. Furnishings provided by Malouf Furniture and Design in Foley, AL.

Published in Coastal Lifestyle Magazine, March 2021 www.coastallifestylemagazine.com/alys-beach-home Photography by Colleen Duffley When Marianne Temple and Robyn Prince, the principals of Home Design Group of Atlanta and Santa Rosa Beach, were brought in to work their magic on a home in Alys Beach, the design phase and much of the construction was complete. They welcomed the opportunity to get involved in the important final stage and to bring fun and whimsy along with casual elegance to the project. The owners – a young family with children and dogs – knew what they were looking for in a long-term vacation destination. They had engaged the services of Domin Bock Architects of Rosemary Beach and general contractor Hufham Farris Construction of Santa Rosa Beach to design and build a home that is child-friendly and low maintenance, but timeless and welcoming at the same time. When Temple and Prince came aboard, their mission was to make the Alys Beach home a reflection of the owners’ personality and lifestyle. “I like to think we were successful,” says Temple. “We were able to source all the bedding, draperies, and other soft goods, and to assist in selecting lighting, art, and accessories throughout the home.” The home is located on the south side of 30A and enjoys access to all of the Alys Beach amenities. In addition, it has a pool, which quite literally seems to be the center – and the heart – of the home. The square pool can be accessed directly by steps from the private courtyard patio and is anchored by a stunning water wall and oversize stepping stones along one side. The expansive great room has unobstructed views of the pool through floor-to-ceiling glass panels. The room is furnished with low, plush upholstered pieces with rich blue accents, and an oval dining table with a stunning chandelier above. The bleached pecky cypress ceilings by E.F. San Juan are punctuated with substantial white-painted beams. Set apart by a sleek oversized island with a farmhouse sink, the open kitchen provides plenty of room for gathering or dining and is topped off by three matching gold-trimmed white pendant lights. The restaurant-quality six-burner cooktop in the arched wall opposite is flanked by tall cabinets and topped by four clerestory windows that admit wonderful light to the entire space. There is one guest bedroom on the main level, with a full bath, spacious closet, and a private sitting area. E. F. San Juan of Youngstown, Florida, supplied all the woodwork details that provide finishing touches to the residence’s crisp white canvas in this quintessential courtyard home. Like many of the community’s buildings, this private residence contains minimal woodwork, maintaining the clean, elegant Alys Beach vision; still, the interior and exterior trim and brackets offer a sleek yet natural feel reflecting the beaches that are steps away from the front door. Their team worked with Weather Shield to provide stunning and functional custom impact-rated windows and Loewen to create custom doors that protect the house from the Gulf Coast elements. “We have had the privilege of creating wood parts and custom doors, railings, and gates for many of the gorgeous homes in Alys Beach,” says E. F. San Juan president Edward A. San Juan. “This home’s minimal trim makes the other wood elements stand out, like the pecky cypress ceilings. The windows and doors are often-overlooked elements that we love collaborating on with our vendors like Loewen and Weather Shield because they make such good-looking products. They open up this home to the beautiful natural light, the courtyard pool, and the stunning views of the town just outside while also protecting from high winds, rain, and U.V. rays.” The broad wooden staircase with open metal handrails leads to the sleeping quarters. The second floor houses the master suite with custom barn doors, also by E.F. San Juan, leading into the master bathroom with its luxurious bath and unique freestanding tub. A second guest room with a king-size bed and full bath also occupy the second floor. “The master bath is definitely my favorite feature of the home,” says Temple. “It is beyond all expectation – a true luxury.” The adult bedrooms are serene and sophisticated, with sleek lines and restful blue hues throughout. Cathedral ceilings, arched openings for the beds, sun-drenched sitting areas, plenty of natural light, and luxurious baths contribute to the feeling of peaceful elegance. The children’s areas are in direct and happy contrast to the adults’ retreats. The bunk room, also on the second level, is just plain fun, with two sets of custom-built marine blue bunks piled high with pillows and whimsical stuffed animals, flanking a tall set of shelves full of toys and books. Oversize baskets provide storage for more toys, and colorful throw rugs provide plenty of sitting space for floor playtime. This kid-friendly space can grow and change with the children who occupy it – it will work well for tweens, teens, and beyond. “We designed the bunk room,” says Prince, “and I think it is a huge success. It may be my favorite feature of the home.” The top floor is dedicated to the children’s den/playroom/media room and the dramatic rooftop lounge. The children’s space is furnished with beanbag chairs, a low game table, a big-screen television mounted on a custom-fabricated aqua wall, and arched French doors leading to the rooftop lounge area. “This area is, quite literally, the icing on the cake,” says Temple. “It boasts a view of the Gulf and great views down South Charles Street.” This secluded deck features a gas fireplace and comfy furnishings for enjoying beautiful evenings year-round. HOME DESIGN GROUP (229) 347-6052 homedesigngrp.com E.F. SAN JUAN (850) 722-4830 efsanjuan.com

This two story cottage built by Pat Achee of Achee Properties, Inc. is the Baldwin County Home builders Association's Showcase Home for 2009. Designed by Bob Chatham, it is the first BCHA Showcase Home to be built as a National Association Of Home Builders "Green Certified" home. Located in The Waters of Fairhope, Alabama only minutes from downtown Fairhope. The recycled wood, open rafter tails, screened porches and stone skirting make up some of the natural hues that give this house it's casual appeal. The separate guest suite can be a multifunctional area that provides privacy from the main house. The screened side porch with it's stone fireplace and flat screen TV is a great place to hang out and watch the games. Furnishings provided by Malouf Furniture and Design in Foley, AL.

Inspiration for a timeless living room remodel in Seattle

For a family who believes fitness is not only an essential part of life but also a fun opportunity for the whole family to connect, build and achieve greatness together there is nothing better than a custom designed obstacle course right in your back yard. THEME The theme of this half mile trail through the woods is evident in the fun, creative and all-inclusive obstacles hidden in the natural flow of the land around this amazing family home. The course was created with adults and children, advanced and beginner athletes, competitive and entertaining events all accounted for. Each of the 13 obstacles was designed to be challenging no matter the size, skill or ability of the athlete lucky enough to run the course. FOCUS The focus for this family was to create an outdoor adventure that could be an athletic, social and personal outlet for their entire family while maintaining the natural beauty of the landscape and without altering the sweeping views from the home. The large scale of the challenging obstacles is camouflaged within the landscape using the rolling hills and mature trees as a natural curtain in every season. The beauty of the course does not diminish the functional and demanding nature of the obstacles which are designed to focus on multiple strength, agility, and cardio fitness abilities and intensities. STORAGE The start of the trail includes a raised training area offering a dedicated space clear from the ground to place bags, mats and other equipment used during the run. A small all-terrain storage cart was provided for use with 6 yoga mats, 3 medicine balls of various weights, rings, sprinting cones, and a large digital timer to record laps. GROWTH The course was designed to provide an athletic and fun challenge for children, teens and adults no matter their experience or athletic prowess. This course offers competitive athletes a challenge and budding athletes an opportunity to experience and ignite their passion for physical activity. Initially the concept for the course was focused on the youngest of the family however as the design grew so did the obstacles and now it is a true family experience that will meet their adapting needs for years. Each obstacle is paired with an instructional sign directing the runners in proper use of the obstacle, adaptations for skill levels and tips on form. These signs are all customized for this course and are printed on metal to ensure they last for many years. SAFETY Safety is crucial for all physical activity and an obstacle course of this scale presents unique safety concerns. Children should always be supervised when participating in an adventure on the course however additional care was paid to details on the course to ensure everyone has a great time. All of the course obstacles have been created with pressure treated lumber that will withstand the seasonal poundings. All footer pilings that support obstacles have been placed into the ground between 3 to 4 feet (.9 to 1.2 meters) and each piling has 2 to 3 bags of concrete (totaling over 90 bags used throughout the course) ensuring stability of the structure and safety of the participants. Additionally, all obstacle lumber has been given rounded corners and sanded down offering less splintering and more time for everyone to enjoy the course. This athletic and charismatic family strives to incorporate a healthy active lifestyle into their daily life and this obstacle course offers their family an opportunity to strengthen themselves and host some memorable and active events at their amazing home.

For many of our guests, the game room takes a close second only to the outdoor features of "Evermore". Centered around a massive floor to ceiling, wood burning, fieldstone fireplace, the game room features a working & authentic, iron & wood crank game table. A multitude of games, playing cards, professional poker chips & books are provided for your entertainment as is a very special pool table from American Heritage. With the lake framed by soaring 19ft windows, the game room is a terrific location to turn on the Bose® wave system , stoke up a fire & spend time with family & friends. Photo Credit: Chris Potoski

We started with a blank slate on this basement project where our only obstacles were exposed steel support columns, existing plumbing risers from the concrete slab, and dropped soffits concealing ductwork on the ceiling. It had the advantage of tall ceilings, an existing egress window, and a sliding door leading to a newly constructed patio. This family of five loves the beach and frequents summer beach resorts in the Northeast. Bringing that aesthetic home to enjoy all year long was the inspiration for the décor, as well as creating a family-friendly space for entertaining. Wish list items included room for a billiard table, wet bar, game table, family room, guest bedroom, full bathroom, space for a treadmill and closed storage. The existing structural elements helped to define how best to organize the basement. For instance, we knew we wanted to connect the bar area and billiards table with the patio in order to create an indoor/outdoor entertaining space. It made sense to use the egress window for the guest bedroom for both safety and natural light. The bedroom also would be adjacent to the plumbing risers for easy access to the new bathroom. Since the primary focus of the family room would be for TV viewing, natural light did not need to filter into that space. We made sure to hide the columns inside of newly constructed walls and dropped additional soffits where needed to make the ceiling mechanicals feel less random. In addition to the beach vibe, the homeowner has valuable sports memorabilia that was to be prominently displayed including two seats from the original Yankee stadium. For a coastal feel, shiplap is used on two walls of the family room area. In the bathroom shiplap is used again in a more creative way using wood grain white porcelain tile as the horizontal shiplap “wood”. We connected the tile horizontally with vertical white grout joints and mimicked the horizontal shadow line with dark grey grout. At first glance it looks like we wrapped the shower with real wood shiplap. Materials including a blue and white patterned floor, blue penny tiles and a natural wood vanity checked the list for that seaside feel. A large reclaimed wood door on an exposed sliding barn track separates the family room from the game room where reclaimed beams are punctuated with cable lighting. Cabinetry and a beverage refrigerator are tucked behind the rolling bar cabinet (that doubles as a Blackjack table!). A TV and upright video arcade machine round-out the entertainment in the room. Bar stools, two rotating club chairs, and large square poufs along with the Yankee Stadium seats provide fun places to sit while having a drink, watching billiards or a game on the TV. Signed baseballs can be found behind the bar, adjacent to the billiard table, and on specially designed display shelves next to the poker table in the family room. Thoughtful touches like the surfboards, signage, photographs and accessories make a visitor feel like they are on vacation at a well-appointed beach resort without being cliché.

Family room - traditional family room idea in Cleveland

Photo by Nat Rea
Example of a beach style family room design in Providence

Alternate view of sitting room. Sliding glass doors opens to an uplifting patio adorned with spring flowers. The game table provides evening fun with friends and relaxing morning coffee. Custom game table chairs on wheels upholstered with textured fabric complients the area.