Example of a transitional galley medium tone wood floor, brown floor and wallpaper utility room design in Salt Lake City with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, gray walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops

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.

Jane Beiles
Mid-sized elegant beige floor and light wood floor mudroom photo in DC Metro with beige walls and a white front door

A better interior view of the right cabin, showing the kitchen, shelving and grocery store area.

Trendy kitchen photo in New York

Large farmhouse u-shaped concrete floor and gray floor kitchen pantry photo in Jackson with a farmhouse sink, open cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Example of a transitional kitchen design in Cincinnati

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional two-car garage remodel in Philadelphia

Enclosed kitchen - small traditional galley medium tone wood floor enclosed kitchen idea in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

Pamper the cook in your kitchen with a beautiful walk-in pantry. Shown here in Driftwood, it blends gracefully into your home, multiplying your storage space to keep countertops clear and make way for prepping food and entertaining. Tall shelving towers and deep corner shelves can be stocked with your favorite groceries, small appliances, and cookbooks. A built-in wine rack and stemware holder stores bottles above and glasses below, keeping them safe and convenient to reach. Tray dividers store cookie sheets, cutting boards, and platters on their sides to maximize storage space, and slide-out wire baskets keep produce visible and easily accessible.

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen pantry remodel in New York with dark wood cabinets and solid surface countertops

Large transitional dark wood floor kitchen pantry photo in Orange County with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets and solid surface countertops

Example of a small eclectic kitchen pantry design in Boston

Farm Boy grocery store seamlessly marries rustic charm and contemporary allure. Enhanced by Westman Steel's 7/8 corrugated steel siding accents, the building radiates a unique character.

Susan Teare
Example of a mountain style tiny house design in Burlington

Discover sustainable everyday living with our Cotton Produce Bags, thoughtfully designed for eco-friendly grocery shopping and kitchen organization. Made from breathable cotton mesh fabric, these reusable bags are lightweight, durable, and perfect for storing fruits, vegetables, and pantry essentials while reducing single-use plastic waste.

Photo: Mina Brinkey © 2013 Houzz
Transitional laundry room photo in Tampa

U-shaped industrial style kitchen with stainless steel cabinets, backsplash, and floating shelves. Restaurant grade appliances with center worktable. Heart pine wood flooring in a modern farmhouse style home on a ranch in Idaho. Photo by Tory Taglio Photography