The functionality of this spacious kitchen is a far cry from its humble beginnings as a lackluster 9 x 12 foot stretch. The exterior wall was blown out to allow for a 10 ft addition. The daring slab of Calacatta Vagli marble with intrepid British racing green veining was the inspiration for the expansion. Spanish Revival pendants reclaimed from a local restaurant, long forgotten, are a pinnacle feature over the island. Reclaimed wood drawers, juxtaposed with custom glass cupboards add gobs of storage. Cabinets are painted the same luxe green hue and the warmth of butcher block counters create a hard working bar area begging for character-worn use. The perimeter of the kitchen features soapstone counters and that nicely balance the whisper of mushroom-colored custom cabinets. Hand-made 4x4 zellige tiles, hung in a running bond pattern, pay sweet homage to the 1950’s era of the home. A large window flanked by antique brass sconces adds bonus natural light over the sink. Textural, centuries-old barn wood surrounding the range hood adds a cozy surprise element. Matte white appliances with brushed bronze and copper hardware tie in the mixed metals throughout the kitchen helping meld the overall dramatic design.

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Delicate green and pink wallpaper and accents tie this young girl's bathroom to her ensuite bedroom decor, partially seen in the mirror. Green glass edged with white glass pencil tiles create a coordinated mirror frame. Green glass floral hardware adds interest to the vanity.

Jeffrey Totaro, Photographer
Inspiration for a large cottage green three-story mixed siding gable roof remodel in Philadelphia

Photographs by Jim Fuhrmann, Built by Blansfield Builders
Example of a large mountain style backyard deck design in New York with no cover

Rustic Canyon Kitchen. Photo by Douglas Hill
Mountain style u-shaped terra-cotta tile and orange floor kitchen photo in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, stainless steel countertops, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

Guest bathroom remodel in Upstate New York Photography by Matthew Niemann
Example of a classic white two-story brick house exterior design in Dallas with a shingle roof

Matt Harrer
Kitchen - traditional l-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen idea in St Louis with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island and soapstone countertops

Shot for MainStreet Design Build, Birmingham, MI
Inspiration for a traditional front yard landscaping in Detroit.

The goal of this bath was to create a spa-like feel. Opting for the dominant color of white accented by sage green contributed to the successful outcome. A 54” white vanity with double sinks topped with Carrera marble continued the monochromatic color scheme. The Eva collection of Moen brand fixtures in a brushed nickel finish were selected for the faucet, towel ring, paper holder, and towel bars. Double bands of glass mosaic tile and niche backing accented the 3x6 Brennero Carrera tile on the shower walls. A Moentrol valve faucet was installed in the shower in order to have force and flow balance.

Dining room - eclectic beige floor dining room idea in Raleigh with multicolored walls

Inspiration for a coastal bedroom remodel in Miami with no fireplace and blue walls

Elegant bathroom photo in Minneapolis with green cabinets and multicolored walls

Inspiration for a farmhouse u-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen remodel in Phoenix with raised-panel cabinets, green cabinets, green backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

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.

Built by Adelaine Construction, Inc. in Harbor Springs, Michigan. Drafted by ZKE Designs in Oden, Michigan and photographed by Speckman Photography in Rapid City, Michigan.

Example of a large trendy open concept dark wood floor and brown floor family room design in Chicago with white walls, a standard fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

The second floor living room features a fireplace clad in natural spa-white quartzite. Full-height sliding doors flood the space with natural light. A multiple globe chandelier anchors the room and references the early 1960s era of the house. Photograph © Jeffrey Totaro

Cottage white tile and subway tile ceramic tile and multicolored floor bathroom photo in DC Metro with a one-piece toilet, green cabinets, white walls, a drop-in sink and flat-panel cabinets