Photo Credit Landmark Photography. This house was designed to fit the shores of Lake Minnetonka’s Stubbs Bay. The exterior architecture has the feel of an old lake cottage home that’s been there for a century with modern day finishes. The interior has large Marvin windows with expansive views of the lake, walnut floors, extensive wood detailing in the custom cabinets, wainscot, beamed ceilings, and fireplace. Step out of the kitchen to a covered out door porch with phantom screens overlooking the lake. The master bedroom has a large private roof deck overlooking the lake as well. There is a private master bonus room accessed through the master closet. The four levels of the home are accessible by an elevator. The working butler’s pantry, which is accessible by both sides of the kitchen has a secondary sink, dishwasher, refrigerator, lots of storage, and yes windows for natural light, views of the lake, and air flow.

Cottage medium tone wood floor, brown floor, exposed beam, shiplap ceiling and vaulted ceiling living room photo in San Francisco with gray walls and a standard fireplace

This beautiful, all-cedar privacy fence warmly welcomes visitors and keeps the eyes looking around the yard. The arbor extends over the patio to continue the green-black trim to better frame the white house. The HVAC units have been fenced in with a visual screen that lets airflow through - and the panels are removable for maintenance access. We also replaced the old planter boxes on the front windows.

When my client had to move from her company office to work at home, she set up in the dining room. Despite her best efforts, this was not the long-term solution she was looking for. My client realized she needed a dedicated space not on the main floor of the home. On one hand, having your office space right next to the kitchen is handy. On the other hand, it made separating work and home life was not that easy. The house was a ranch. In essence, the basement would run entire length of the home. As we came down the steps, we entered a time capsule. The house was built in the 1950’s. The walls were covered with original knotty pine paneling. There was a wood burning fireplace and considering this was a basement, high ceilings. In addition, there was everything her family could not store at their own homes. As we wound though the space, I though “wow this has potential”, Eventually, after walking through the laundry room we came to a small nicely lit room. This would be the office. My client looked at me and asked what I thought. Undoubtedly, I said, this can be a great workspace, but do you really want to walk through this basement and laundry to get here? Without reservation, my client said where do we start? Once the design was in place, we started the renovation. The knotty pine paneling had to go. Specifically, to add some insulation and control the dampness and humidity. The laundry room wall was relocated to create a hallway to the office. At the far end of the room, we designated a workout zone. Weights, mats, exercise bike and television are at the ready for morning or afternoon workouts. The space can be concealed by a folding screen for party time. Doors to an old closet under the stairs were relocated to the workout area for hidden storage. Now we had nice wall for a beautiful console and mirror for storage and serving during parties. In order to add architectural details, we covered the old ugly support columns with simple recessed millwork panels. This detail created a visual division between the bar area and the seating area in front of the fireplace. The old red brick on the fireplace surround was replaced with stack stone. A mantle was made from reclaimed wood. Additional reclaimed wood floating shelves left and right of the fireplace provides decorative display while maintaining a rustic element balancing the copper end table and leather swivel rocker. We found an amazing rug which tied all of the colors together further defining the gathering space. Russet and burnt orange became the accent color unifying each space. With a bit of whimsy, a rather unusual light fixture which looks like roots from a tree growing through the ceiling is a conversation piece. The office space is quite and removed from the main part of the basement. There is a desk large enough for multiple screens, a small bookcase holding office supplies and a comfortable chair for conference calls. Because working from home requires many online meetings, we added a shiplap wall painted in Hale Navy to contrast with the orange fabric on the chair. We finished the décor with a painting from my client’s father. This is the background online visitors will see. The last and best part of the renovation is the beautiful bar. My client is an avid collector of wine. She already had the EuroCave refrigerator, so I incorporated it into the design. The cabinets are painted Temptation Grey from Benjamin Moore. The counter tops are my favorite hard working quartzite Brown Fantasy. The backsplash is a combination of rustic wood and old tin ceiling like porcelain tiles. Together with the textures of the reclaimed wood and hide poofs balanced against the smooth finish of the cabinets, we created a comfortable luxury for relaxing. There is ample storage for bottles, cans, glasses, and anything else you can think of for a great party. In addition to the wine storage, we incorporated a beverage refrigerator, an ice maker, and a sink. Floating shelves with integrated lighting illuminate the back bar. The raised height of the front bar provides the perfect wine tasting and paring spot. I especially love the pendant lights which look like wine glasses. Finally, I selected carpet for the stairs and office. It is perfect for noise reduction. Meanwhile for the overall flooring, I specifically selected a high-performance vinyl plank floor. We often use this product as it is perfect to install on a concrete floor. It is soft to walk on, easy to clean and does not reduce the overall height of the space.

Michael Hsu
Large trendy open concept medium tone wood floor living room photo in Austin with white walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace and no tv

Example of a huge mountain style backyard concrete patio design with a fire pit and a roof extension

Barnes Walker Ltd
Photo of a traditional partial sun stone garden path in Manchester.

This outdoor retreat features -- what else -- but low-maintenance Fiberon composite decking! Barn doors cover the outdoor TV, while the heat lamp and fireplace provide comfort when the temperature drops. Find out where to buy Fiberon at https://www.fiberondecking.com/start-your-project/where-to-buy

Hidden doors in a wall unit.
Inspiration for a contemporary basement remodel in New York

Freestanding bathtub - coastal master white tile ceramic tile freestanding bathtub idea in Providence with multicolored walls

This project won in the 2013 Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh Housing Excellence Award for Best Urban Renewal Renovation Project. The glass bowl was made in the glass studio owned by the owner which is adjacent to the residence. The mirror is a repurposed window. The door is repurposed from a boarding house. George Mendel

photos by Applesteam Limited

KuDa Photography
Mudroom - traditional mudroom idea in Portland with white walls and a glass front door

Alisa’s interior design embraces the elegance of minimalism with rich, natural textures and Mediterranean influences. The walls, finished with a soft beige plastered effect, create a soothing backdrop to the space, while an overhead ceiling fan adds a touch of movement and comfort. The dining area features wooden tables, each topped with handcrafted zellige tiles, adding a unique touch of artistry and texture. The natural elements are enhanced by sculptural oversized vintage terracotta lamps, each a giant vessel transformed into a work of art, their handwoven wild lampshades casting a softened special glow. The design continues with carefully curated details that pay homage to Mediterranean charm. A rich array of hand-formed tiles lines the walls of the fireplace, offering texture and depth, while a wooden wine cellar offers an expansive variety of wines, inviting guests to explore the restaurant's carefully selected wine offerings. Aged brass elements throughout the space, from light fixtures to small accents, introduce a vintage feel, and a collection of wall art, including seashell-shaped clay objects, evokes the essence of the sea. The overall effect is a space where earthy tones, blue accents, and a timeless design come together, creating the perfect environment for every gathering—whether it's a romantic evening, a family dinner, or a gathering of friends.

This double shower was designed to create a "calming enclosure" within which to start or end the day. A beautifully soft and neutral glazed tile, ample storage space with double niches, and a hassle-free solid surface floor successfully accomplished this feeling.

It is very hard to find proper seating in a small galley kitchen. This was a brilliant way of converting an old and dreary banquet into a luxury Demi-lune dinette with elegant swivel bar height seating in silver and black.

Example of a minimalist basement design in Cleveland