The sunroom addition extends the entertaining space and allows the homeowners to comfortably use the room year-round. It features a coffered ceiling and a Rumford fireplace composed of repurposed barn beams and fieldstone to tie into the home's exterior. The large windows provide natural light and showcase the pastoral views (note the red barn). Photo Credit: David Bader Interior Design Partner: Becky Howley

This remodel took this 1950s Arcadia neighborhood bungalow back to its mid-century modern roots while providing the owners with a brand new modern kitchen and spacious great room. By using insulated horizontal metal siding, and large expanses of glass this low slung desert home stays both cool and bright. In this image, the low modern bed is set in an alcove of floor to ceiling windows, with the lower three-quarters frosted for privacy and the top windows allowing the stunning Camelback Mountain views to shine through. Photography by Dayvid Lemmon

Joe Fletcher Atop a ridge in the Santa Lucia mountains of Carmel, California, an oak tree stands elevated above the fog and wrapped at its base in this ranch retreat. The weekend home’s design grew around the 100-year-old Valley Oak to form a horseshoe-shaped house that gathers ridgeline views of Oak, Madrone, and Redwood groves at its exterior and nestles around the tree at its center. The home’s orientation offers both the shade of the oak canopy in the courtyard and the sun flowing into the great room at the house’s rear façades. This modern take on a traditional ranch home offers contemporary materials and landscaping to a classic typology. From the main entry in the courtyard, one enters the home’s great room and immediately experiences the dramatic westward views across the 70 foot pool at the house’s rear. In this expansive public area, programmatic needs flow and connect - from the kitchen, whose windows face the courtyard, to the dining room, whose doors slide seamlessly into walls to create an outdoor dining pavilion. The primary circulation axes flank the internal courtyard, anchoring the house to its site and heightening the sense of scale by extending views outward at each of the corridor’s ends. Guest suites, complete with private kitchen and living room, and the garage are housed in auxiliary wings connected to the main house by covered walkways. Building materials including pre-weathered corrugated steel cladding, buff limestone walls, and large aluminum apertures, and the interior palette of cedar-clad ceilings, oil-rubbed steel, and exposed concrete floors soften the modern aesthetics into a refined but rugged ranch home.

Although this great room has 20' ceilings, it feels comfy and cozy thanks to the neutral colors, natural textures, architectural elements, and mix of vintage furniture.

This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income. DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request. MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic. RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income. ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them. URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances. OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values. Eric Roth Photo

As a conceptual urban infill project, the Wexley is designed for a narrow lot in the center of a city block. The 26’x48’ floor plan is divided into thirds from front to back and from left to right. In plan, the left third is reserved for circulation spaces and is reflected in elevation by a monolithic block wall in three shades of gray. Punching through this block wall, in three distinct parts, are the main levels windows for the stair tower, bathroom, and patio. The right two-thirds of the main level are reserved for the living room, kitchen, and dining room. At 16’ long, front to back, these three rooms align perfectly with the three-part block wall façade. It’s this interplay between plan and elevation that creates cohesion between each façade, no matter where it’s viewed. Given that this project would have neighbors on either side, great care was taken in crafting desirable vistas for the living, dining, and master bedroom. Upstairs, with a view to the street, the master bedroom has a pair of closets and a skillfully planned bathroom complete with soaker tub and separate tiled shower. Main level cabinetry and built-ins serve as dividing elements between rooms and framing elements for views outside. Architect: Visbeen Architects Builder: J. Peterson Homes Photographer: Ashley Avila Photography

The raised back patio is just two steps down from the great room/kitchen. On the left is the mudroom which links the house to the garage and home theater. Just out of view is an outdoor fireplace.

James Kruger, LandMark Photography Interior Design: Martha O'Hara Interiors Architect: Sharratt Design & Company
Inspiration for a large french country open concept and formal dark wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Minneapolis with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

The E. F. San Juan team created custom exterior brackets for this beautiful home tucked into the natural setting of Burnt Pine Golf Club in Miramar Beach, Florida. We provided Marvin Integrity windows and doors, along with a Marvin Ultimate Multi-slide door system connecting the great room to the outdoor kitchen and dining area, which features upper louvered privacy panels above the grill area and a custom mahogany screen door. Our team also designed the interior trim package and doors. Challenges: With many pieces coming together to complete this project, working closely with architect Geoff Chick, builder Chase Green, and interior designer Allyson Runnels was paramount to a successful install. Creating cohesive details that would highlight the simple elegance of this beautiful home was a must. The homeowners desired a level of privacy for their outdoor dining area, so one challenge of creating the louvered panels in that space was making sure they perfectly aligned with the horizontal members of the porch. Solution: Our team worked together internally and with the design team to ensure each door, window, piece of trim, and bracket was a perfect match. The large custom exterior brackets beautifully set off the front elevation of the home. One of the standout elements inside is a pair of large glass barn doors with matching transoms. They frame the front entry vestibule and create interest as well as privacy. Adjacent to those is a large custom cypress barn door, also with matching transoms. The outdoor kitchen and dining area is a highlight of the home, with the great room opening to this space. E. F. San Juan provided a beautiful Marvin Ultimate Multi-slide door system that creates a seamless transition from indoor to outdoor living. The desire for privacy outside gave us the opportunity to create the upper louvered panels and mahogany screen door on the porch, allowing the homeowners and guests to enjoy a meal or time together free from worry, harsh sunlight, and bugs. We are proud to have worked with such a fantastic team of architects, designers, and builders on this beautiful home and to share the result here! --- Photography by Jack Gardner

This cream and beige great room interior design in a Rancho Santa Fe home features natural fabrics, exposed beams, hand-selected accessories, custom lighting and fine furniture. Interior designer Susan Spath, Kern & Co.

When thinking of having family and friends over for dinner, nothing like having a spacious dining room to accommodate everyone comfortably! Suburban Builders always strive to create a dining space with convenient access to the kitchen and family and/or living rooms. Every detail is important; from the windows and wall panels to flooring and the right lighting. #SuburbanBuilders #CustomHomeBuilderArlingtonVA #CustomHomeBuilderGreatFallsVA #CustomHomeBuilderMcLeanVA #CustomHomeBuilderViennaVA #CustomHomeBuilderFallsChurchVA

A great room for a GREAT family! Many of the furnishings were moved from their former residence- What is new was quickly added by some to the trade resources - I like to custom make pieces but sometimes you just don't have the time to do so- We can quickly outfit your home as well as add the one of a kind pieces we are known for! Notice the walls and ceilings- all gently faux washed with a subtle glaze- it makes a HUGE difference over static flat paint! and Window Treatments really compliment this space- they add that sense of completion

Example of a mountain style open concept brown floor and medium tone wood floor living room design in Other with white walls

This home study room for parents and children is located in this renovated garage, several steps down from the kitchen. The new detached garage is visible through the window. Makeover of the entire exterior of this Wilmette Home. Addition of a Foyer and front porch / portico. Converted Garage into a family study / office. Remodeled mudroom. Patsy McEnroe Photography Cabinetry by Counterpoint-cabinetry-inc

Forget just one room with a view—Lochley has almost an entire house dedicated to capturing nature’s best views and vistas. Make the most of a waterside or lakefront lot in this economical yet elegant floor plan, which was tailored to fit a narrow lot and has more than 1,600 square feet of main floor living space as well as almost as much on its upper and lower levels. A dovecote over the garage, multiple peaks and interesting roof lines greet guests at the street side, where a pergola over the front door provides a warm welcome and fitting intro to the interesting design. Other exterior features include trusses and transoms over multiple windows, siding, shutters and stone accents throughout the home’s three stories. The water side includes a lower-level walkout, a lower patio, an upper enclosed porch and walls of windows, all designed to take full advantage of the sun-filled site. The floor plan is all about relaxation – the kitchen includes an oversized island designed for gathering family and friends, a u-shaped butler’s pantry with a convenient second sink, while the nearby great room has built-ins and a central natural fireplace. Distinctive details include decorative wood beams in the living and kitchen areas, a dining area with sloped ceiling and decorative trusses and built-in window seat, and another window seat with built-in storage in the den, perfect for relaxing or using as a home office. A first-floor laundry and space for future elevator make it as convenient as attractive. Upstairs, an additional 1,200 square feet of living space include a master bedroom suite with a sloped 13-foot ceiling with decorative trusses and a corner natural fireplace, a master bath with two sinks and a large walk-in closet with built-in bench near the window. Also included is are two additional bedrooms and access to a third-floor loft, which could functions as a third bedroom if needed. Two more bedrooms with walk-in closets and a bath are found in the 1,300-square foot lower level, which also includes a secondary kitchen with bar, a fitness room overlooking the lake, a recreation/family room with built-in TV and a wine bar perfect for toasting the beautiful view beyond.

For our client, who had previous experience working with architects, we enlarged, completely gutted and remodeled this Twin Peaks diamond in the rough. The top floor had a rear-sloping ceiling that cut off the amazing view, so our first task was to raise the roof so the great room had a uniformly high ceiling. Clerestory windows bring in light from all directions. In addition, we removed walls, combined rooms, and installed floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall sliding doors in sleek black aluminum at each floor to create generous rooms with expansive views. At the basement, we created a full-floor art studio flooded with light and with an en-suite bathroom for the artist-owner. New exterior decks, stairs and glass railings create outdoor living opportunities at three of the four levels. We designed modern open-riser stairs with glass railings to replace the existing cramped interior stairs. The kitchen features a 16 foot long island which also functions as a dining table. We designed a custom wall-to-wall bookcase in the family room as well as three sleek tiled fireplaces with integrated bookcases. The bathrooms are entirely new and feature floating vanities and a modern freestanding tub in the master. Clean detailing and luxurious, contemporary finishes complete the look.

Winner of People's Choice Award, Best Architecture, and various judges choice awards. Built by McEwan Custom Homes.
Large elegant formal and enclosed carpeted and beige floor living room photo in Salt Lake City with beige walls, no fireplace and no tv

this dog wash is a great place to clean up your pets and give them the spa treatment they deserve. There is even an area to relax for your pet under the counter in the padded cabinet.

Great Room. View plan: https://www.thehousedesigners.com/plan/green-acres-8713/