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.

We transformed this plain Jane nursery into the a funky fresh and colorful toddler bedroom using DIY know-how, smarty shopping, kids art and current trends. We share our must-haves, steals & deals, and oh yeah see all the details of this super fresh and fun big girl bedroom on our on our blog, including this IKEA bed frame hack using Serena & Lily fabric.

Ryan Garvin
Bedroom beach style guest and gender-neutral light wood floor kids' bedroom photo in Orange County with no fireplace and white walls

Example of a transitional beige floor sunroom design in New York with a skylight

Harvey Smith Photography
Inspiration for a modern exterior home remodel in Orlando

Roger Wade
Example of a mountain style two-story wood gable roof design

Mid-sized elegant garage photo in St Louis

Harvey Smith Photography
Inspiration for a modern patio remodel in Orlando

Looking to escape the heat? Close the louvered roof and enjoy the shade. Want to feel the warmth of summer? Open the louvered roof and feel the sun. An adjustable pergola is the perfect solution for your outdoor seating area.

Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Custom Millwork Design, Furniture Design, Art Curation, & AV Design by Chango & Co. Photography by Sean Litchfield See the feature in Domino Magazine

Example of a large mountain style brown three-story mixed siding gable roof design with a shingle roof

beige banquette, beige curtains, beige dining bench, beige dining chair, beige stripe curtains, grey wall, dark wood floor, dining room, glass door, Gold artwork, gold wall art, small but functional, dining room, white cabinets, semi-gloss white molding, semi-gloss white trim, semi-gloss white wainscoting, Peter Rymwid, Architechtural Photography

Douglas Hill Luxe Family Home | Santa Monica
Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in Los Angeles

Master Bedroom with Red Bed Frame and custom drapery and bedding.
Bedroom - traditional master light wood floor bedroom idea in Charlotte

Olander Garden Design
Design ideas for a contemporary backyard landscaping in Seattle for winter.

Rustic Summer Cottage on Lake Champlain. Simple materials used in a creative and elegant way make for interesting spaces in this 3-season retreat. Photos by Susan Teare

Peter Aaron
Example of a beach style beige three-story gable roof design in New York