Photo of a North Dallas kitchen after the family room wall was completely removed. The result is a game-changing complete transformation into "Todays lifestyle." Removing walls partially or totally is in demand due to the changes in our modern architecture and quickly demonstrates how far your home can escape the 70's, 80's and 90's. Design and construction by USI. **See before images @ www.usiremodeling.com

Los Angeles, CA - Garage conversions are in high demand in the LA metropolitan area. Homeowners are turning their garages into home offices, playrooms, entertainment rooms as well as home gyms etc. The biggest challenge of a conversion is the garage door. Most homes have rollup garage doors or tilt ups that are an eye sore and make the room feel just like a garage! Our custom carriage doors are designed with the utmost attention to detail and functionality. They are built to work like entry doors with a full perimeter seal and ease of use. Unlimited design options and materials are available. This particular carriage garage door is a two-car opening with two large carriage door leafs that open at the center. Additionally, we built fully functional awning windows that make it a breeze to work in the newly converted garage (no pun intended). The design was a traditional craftsman style to harmonize with the home's traditional architecture. Our carriage doors are all one-of-a-kind and can be replicated for your home or our in-house designers can design a whole new design just for you! Design Center: (855) 343-3667 International Shipping is Available

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.

Example of a trendy l-shaped concrete floor and gray floor eat-in kitchen design in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Karuna Passive House designed by Holst Architecture and built by Hammer & Hand. This high performance home meets the world's most demanding green building certifications. Photo by Jeremy Bittermann.

Colorful and lush flowers create a magnificent border along the front of the home. We combine both hardy-in-Texas perennials with season color so your landscape is beautiful each season. The beautiful traditional architecture of this home demanded a lush English style garden design. The deep landscape beds accommodate an abundance of color and foliage interested throughout the year. The clean, contemporary pool design complements the more traditional architecture and landscape design. Put it all together and you have a beautiful and lush retreat for relaxing and entertaining in style.

Casey Dunn
Family room - contemporary medium tone wood floor family room idea in Austin with white walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace

Revamping the laundry room brings a blend of functionality and style to an often-overlooked space. Upgrading appliances to energy-efficient models enhances efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. Custom cabinetry and shelving solutions maximize storage for detergents, cleaning supplies, and laundry essentials, promoting an organized and clutter-free environment. Consideration of ergonomic design, such as a folding counter or ironing station, streamlines tasks and adds a touch of convenience. Thoughtful lighting choices, perhaps with LED fixtures or natural light sources, contribute to a bright and inviting atmosphere. Flooring upgrades for durability, such as water-resistant tiles or easy-to-clean materials, can withstand the demands of laundry tasks. Ultimately, a remodeled laundry room not only elevates its practical functionality but also transforms it into a well-designed, efficient space that makes the often-dreaded chore of laundry a more pleasant experience.

Karuna Passive House designed by Holst Architecture and built by Hammer & Hand. This high performance home meets the world's most demanding green building certifications. Photo by Jeremy Bittermann.

Jeremy Witteveen
Kitchen - traditional galley gray floor kitchen idea in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, blue backsplash, colored appliances, an island and white countertops

Welcome Home! Gorgeous split-level home in a high demand Bloomington neighborhood.
Traditional white split-level mixed siding exterior home idea in Minneapolis

Mid-sized minimalist travertine floor and gray floor sunroom photo in Chicago with a standard ceiling and no fireplace

DeCesare Design Group Werner Segarra Photography, Inc.
Inspiration for a timeless freestanding desk dark wood floor study room remodel in Phoenix with gray walls and no fireplace

The kitchen living room open concept is in high demand when it comes to space planning and very accommodating for large families. We love the sophisticated yet comfortable vibes this space projects.

Bathroom - contemporary white tile and mosaic tile gray floor bathroom idea in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink and black countertops

Welcome Home! Beautiful two-story home in high demand Apple Valley neighborhood!
Craftsman two-story mixed siding exterior home idea in Minneapolis

Inspiration for a transitional dark wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Charlotte with gray walls, no fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Master Bedroom with Lights On Photo
Large elegant guest dark wood floor and beige floor bedroom photo in San Francisco with blue walls and no fireplace

High efficiency heating solution with premium on-demand domestic hot water system