Photo by Jay Sifford
Design ideas for an asian landscaping in Charlotte.

This master bathroom has everything you need to get you ready for the day. The beautiful backsplash has a mixture of brown tones that add dimension and texture to the focal wall. The lighting blends well with the other bathroom fixtures and the cabinets provide plenty of storage while demonstrating a simply beautiful style. Brad Knipstein was the photographer.

Inspiration for a large contemporary u-shaped porcelain tile and white floor dedicated laundry room remodel in Toronto with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, gray backsplash, porcelain backsplash, white walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops

Kat Alves
Minimalist bathroom photo in Sacramento

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard kidney-shaped and concrete hot tub remodel in Phoenix

©StevenPaulWhitsitt_Photography Bath Design by Hampton Kitchens of Raleigh http://www.hamptonkitchens.com/default.htm

This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income. DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request. MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic. RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income. ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them. URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances. OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values. Eric Roth Photo

Open Kitchen with expansive views to open meadow below home. 3 level Island with multiple areas for storage and baking center. Counters are Fireslate and Granite. David Patterson Photography

Example of a minimalist laundry room design in Toronto

Hoi Ning Wong
Photo of a traditional full sun formal garden in San Francisco.

Gibeon Photography
Bedroom - contemporary cork floor bedroom idea with gray walls

This is an example of a traditional backyard brick landscaping in Atlanta.

Building Design, Plans, and Interior Finishes by: Fluidesign Studio I Builder: Structural Dimensions Inc. I Photographer: Seth Benn Photography
Inspiration for a large timeless beige two-story concrete fiberboard gable roof remodel in Minneapolis

Beach style ground level mixed material railing deck photo in San Francisco with no cover

Elegant freestanding desk dark wood floor study room photo in New York with green walls

Photo by Shanna Hickman
Transitional master porcelain tile porcelain tile and double-sink freestanding bathtub photo in Austin with light wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops, a niche and flat-panel cabinets

Custom hood with faux finish Reflex Photo
Example of a large cottage l-shaped porcelain tile eat-in kitchen design in New York with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and an undermount sink

This dark and dated feeling kitchen and bar were completely renovated for this multi-generational global family. By re-configuring the space and incorporating the bar, removing several heavy columns and a wall, it made the kitchen open and accessible to the adjacent rooms and visible from the front door. Everything was lightened and brightened with new cabinetry, counter tops, appliances, flooring, paint, better windows, electrical and lighting. The old range top and down draft were enclosed in a massive brick structure, with no prep space, by removing it and centering the new range on the wall with a custom hood and full height stone back splash, a stunning focal point was created. The position of other key appliances and plumbing were moved or added to create several work stations throughout the large space, such as the refrigeration, full prep sink, coffee bar, baking station, cocktail bar and clean up island. Another special feature of this kitchen was roll out table from the end of the serving island. Specialty features include: A roll out table for eating, prep or serving; coffee bar and drink service area with beverage center; full size prep sink adjacent to refrigeration and cooking areas; steam oven and baking station; microwave/warming drawer; dual fuel range with double ovens, 6 burners and a griddle top; two separate islands, one for serving large family meals, one for clean up; specialty spice storage inserts and pull outs; corner turn outs for large items; two double pull outs for trash and recycling; stacked cabinetry with glass display at the top to take advantage of the 14' ceilings.

Large transitional l-shaped vinyl floor and brown floor wet bar photo in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, quartz countertops and beige countertops