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

This project is a new 5,900 sf. primary residence for a couple with three children. The site is slightly elevated above the residential street and enjoys winter views of the Potomac River. The family’s requirements included five bedrooms, five full baths, a powder room, family room, dining room, eat-in kitchen, walk-in pantry, mudroom, lower level recreation room, exercise room, media room and numerous storage spaces. Also included was the request for an outdoor terrace and adequate outdoor storage, including provision for the storage of bikes and kayaks. The family needed a home that would have two entrances, the primary entrance, and a mudroom entry that would provide generous storage spaces for the family’s active lifestyle. Due to the small lot size, the challenge was to accommodate the family’s requirements, while remaining sympathetic to the scale of neighboring homes. The residence employs a “T” shaped plan to aid in minimizing the massing visible from the street, while organizing interior spaces around a private outdoor terrace space accessible from the living and dining spaces. A generous front porch and a gambrel roof diminish the home’s scale, providing a welcoming view along the street front. A path along the right side of the residence leads to the family entrance and a small outbuilding that provides ready access to the bikes and kayaks while shielding the rear terrace from view of neighboring homes. The two entrances join a central stair hall that leads to the eat-in kitchen overlooking the great room. Window seats and a custom built banquette provide gathering spaces, while the French doors connect the great room to the terrace where the arbor transitions to the garden. A first floor guest suite, separate from the family areas of the home, affords privacy for both guests and hosts alike. The second floor Master Suite enjoys views of the Potomac River through a second floor arched balcony visible from the front. The exterior is composed of a board and batten first floor with a cedar shingled second floor and gambrel roof. These two contrasting materials and the inclusion of a partially recessed front porch contribute to the perceived diminution of the home’s scale relative to its smaller neighbors. The overall intention was to create a close fit between the residence and the neighboring context, both built and natural. Builder: E.H. Johnstone Builders Anice Hoachlander Photography

Inspiration for a transitional bathroom remodel in Philadelphia

Trendy kitchen photo in Sydney

his timeless home was built in 1909 in Seattle’s Capitol Hill historic district. The house features gorgeous architectural details from the turn of the century including sculpted moldings, custom wood cutouts, and hand-made tiles. The kitchen was previously remodeled in a style that departed from the home’s historic period. Each room was thoughtfully curated to ensure aesthetic beauty inspired by the home’s original style. We renovated the kitchen, powder room, and restored the butler’s pantry with period details. Generous casement windows were added in the kitchen that flood the room with sunlight. The kitchen design needed to be functional for a family of eight, so we paid great attention to appliance placement, storage, and flow. The furniture and light fixtures selected throughout the home are simple and elegant, allowing the detailed architectural features to shine.

The emphasis for this recent Ray Morrow Design / Build project in Irvine California was to create an environment that offered a very clean sophisticated feel and yet is still infused with textures and interactive relatable spaces. Within this modest sized yard there are multiple built in amenities : Cooking and Outdoor Dining / Bar space , Communal Fire Pit and relaxation area , Thematic Fountains in two separate zones , Combination Raised Patio Area with Contemporary Style Open Beam Structure , Presenting a perfect mixed use space for entertaining , in addition to the custom hardscape elements , This yard also showcases a harmonious plant palette with generous space to mature and embrace the permanent build in venues.

Brunswick Parlour transforms a Victorian cottage into a hard-working, personalised home for a family of four. Our clients loved the character of their Brunswick terrace home, but not its inefficient floor plan and poor year-round thermal control. They didn't need more space, they just needed their space to work harder. The front bedrooms remain largely untouched, retaining their Victorian features and only introducing new cabinetry. Meanwhile, the main bedroom’s previously pokey en suite and wardrobe have been expanded, adorned with custom cabinetry and illuminated via a generous skylight. At the rear of the house, we reimagined the floor plan to establish shared spaces suited to the family’s lifestyle. Flanked by the dining and living rooms, the kitchen has been reoriented into a more efficient layout and features custom cabinetry that uses every available inch. In the dining room, the Swiss Army Knife of utility cabinets unfolds to reveal a laundry, more custom cabinetry, and a craft station with a retractable desk. Beautiful materiality throughout infuses the home with warmth and personality, featuring Blackbutt timber flooring and cabinetry, and selective pops of green and pink tones. The house now works hard in a thermal sense too. Insulation and glazing were updated to best practice standard, and we’ve introduced several temperature control tools. Hydronic heating installed throughout the house is complemented by an evaporative cooling system and operable skylight. The result is a lush, tactile home that increases the effectiveness of every existing inch to enhance daily life for our clients, proving that good design doesn’t need to add space to add value.

In this asymmetrical dining room, the unused niche is now the home for a custom modern two-tone bar, featuring natural walnut and rift-cut oak with a deep java stain. The natural walnut cabinetry highlights carved integrated pulls and a backsplash with an unexpected random wave pattern. The java stained framing and interior lighting create drama. The cabinet base houses two refrigerators and generous liquor drawers, with rich modern satin bronze hardware. This custom bar brings high function and a unique modern element to our traditional New England home.

Freestanding bathtub - contemporary 3/4 white tile freestanding bathtub idea in New York with white walls and a wall-mount sink

Before we redesigned the basement of this charming but compact 1950's North Vancouver home, this space was an unfinished utility room that housed nothing more than an outdated furnace and hot water tank. Since space was at a premium we recommended replacing the furnace with a high efficiency model and converting the hot water tank to an on-demand system, both of which could be housed in the adjacent crawl space. That left room for a generous laundry room conveniently located at the back entrance of the house where family members returning from a mountain bike ride can undress, drop muddy clothes into the washing machine and proceed to shower in the bathroom just across the hall. Interior Design by Lori Steeves of Simply Home Decorating. Photos by Tracey Ayton Photography.

The now updated primary bathroom feels much more open, purposeful, and the shower footprint has tripled. Modern whites and creamy neutrals give this attractive bathroom a calming Zen yet chic aesthetic. Custom Walnut cabinetry adds depth and richness, providing generous storage while complementing the leathered Taj Mahal stone surface and polished nickel fixtures. A double niche was incorporated in the design for convenient space- saving storage and a smart toilet bidet was necessary for comfort. Every material was chosen for its beauty and function, resulting in a serene, spa-like environment that invites daily relaxation and doesn’t fall into a single style category.

THE SETUP Once these empty nest homeowners decided to stay put, they knew a new kitchen was in order. Passionate about cooking, entertaining, and hosting holiday gatherings, they found their existing kitchen inadequate. The space, with its traditional style and outdated layout, was far from ideal. They longed for an elegant, timeless kitchen that was not only show-stopping but also functional, seamlessly catering to both their daily routines and special occasions with friends and family. Another key factor was its future appeal to potential buyers, as they’re ready to enjoy their new kitchen while also considering downsizing in the future. Design Objectives: Create a more streamlined, open space Eliminate traditional elements Improve flow for entertaining and everyday use Omit dated posts and soffits Include storage for small appliances to keep counters clutter-free Address mail organization and phone charging concerns THE REMODEL Design Challenges: Compensate for lost storage from omitted wall cabinets Revise floorplan to feature a single, spacious island Enhance island seating proximity for a more engaging atmosphere Address awkward space above existing built-ins Improve natural light blocked by wall cabinet near the window Create a highly functional space tailored for entertaining Design Solutions: Tall cabinetry and pull-outs maximize storage efficiency A generous single island promotes seamless flow and ample prep space Strategic island seating arrangement fosters easy conversation New built-ins fill arched openings, ensuring a custom, clutter-free look Replace wall cabinet with lighted open shelves for an airy feel Galley Dresser and Workstation offer impeccable organization and versatility, creating the perfect setup for entertaining with everything easily accessible. THE RENEWED SPACE The new kitchen exceeded every expectation, thrilling the clients with its revitalized, expansive design and thoughtful functionality. The transformation brought to life an open space adorned with marble accents, a state-of-the-art steam oven, and the seamless integration of the Galley Dresser, crafting a kitchen not just to be used, but to be cherished. This is more than a culinary space; it’s a new heart of their home, ready to host countless memories and culinary adventures.

This house is sited on the steep, north facing slope of Snow King Mountain. The main living spaces are located on the top level to take advantage of the sweeping views of the Tetons and National Elk Refuge. Arrival at this top level is through a stair atrium generously illuminated with skylights, which filter daylight throughout the interior – critical to a site deep in the trees with no direct sun during the winter months.

Remodel and addition to classic California bungalow.
Mid-century modern kids' yellow tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and gray floor bathroom photo in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, white countertops and pink cabinets

Bedroom - mid-sized contemporary master light wood floor bedroom idea in Los Angeles with white walls

Transitional kitchen photo in Calgary

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Mid-sized trendy medium tone wood floor kitchen/dining room combo photo in New York with white walls

Beautifully renovated, Path-friendly, parlor level home with private backyard on downtown Bloomfield St. Open kitchen features stainless steel appliances, custom Thomasville cabinets, soft-close drawers, under-mount lighting, granite counters and island with additional storage. Ample living room offers recessed lighting, exposed brick, hardwood floors, custom radiator covers, and wood-burning fireplace. Both bedrooms are generous with great closet space. Indulgent bath with custom tile work, quartzite counters, heated floors and frameless glass shower enclosure. Out back, your oasis - a very private garden surrounded by a lush canopy perfect for grilling and relaxing. All this minutes from the Path train and surrounded by southern Hoboken’s most dynamic shops, restaurants and parks.

Example of a minimalist home design design in Seattle