The objective was to create a warm neutral space to later customize to a specific colour palate/preference of the end user for this new construction home being built to sell. A high-end contemporary feel was requested to attract buyers in the area. An impressive kitchen that exuded high class and made an impact on guests as they entered the home, without being overbearing. The space offers an appealing open floorplan conducive to entertaining with indoor-outdoor flow. Due to the spec nature of this house, the home had to remain appealing to the builder, while keeping a broad audience of potential buyers in mind. The challenge lay in creating a unique look, with visually interesting materials and finishes, while not being so unique that potential owners couldn’t envision making it their own. The focus on key elements elevates the look, while other features blend and offer support to these striking components. As the home was built for sale, profitability was important; materials were sourced at best value, while retaining high-end appeal. Adaptations to the home’s original design plan improve flow and usability within the kitchen-greatroom. The client desired a rich dark finish. The chosen colours tie the kitchen to the rest of the home (creating unity as combination, colours and materials, is repeated throughout). Photos- Paul Grdina

The objective was to create a warm neutral space to later customize to a specific colour palate/preference of the end user for this new construction home being built to sell. A high-end contemporary feel was requested to attract buyers in the area. An impressive kitchen that exuded high class and made an impact on guests as they entered the home, without being overbearing. The space offers an appealing open floorplan conducive to entertaining with indoor-outdoor flow. Due to the spec nature of this house, the home had to remain appealing to the builder, while keeping a broad audience of potential buyers in mind. The challenge lay in creating a unique look, with visually interesting materials and finishes, while not being so unique that potential owners couldn’t envision making it their own. The focus on key elements elevates the look, while other features blend and offer support to these striking components. As the home was built for sale, profitability was important; materials were sourced at best value, while retaining high-end appeal. Adaptations to the home’s original design plan improve flow and usability within the kitchen-greatroom. The client desired a rich dark finish. The chosen colours tie the kitchen to the rest of the home (creating unity as combination, colours and materials, is repeated throughout). Photos- Paul Grdina

Reservoir House is a custom home with 12-foot-high ceilings and overhangs specially designed to protect the house from direct sun during summer. The entire home enjoys spectacular views—even from all the bedrooms. As a central hub for the family, the L-shaped great room is designed to focus on the views, and sits under Douglas-fir laminated beams. The main level includes a full suite for future single-level living or for guests to use, a den for movie nights, and a screened porch that sits just off the dining room, with direct access to the pool patio. With relaxation and retreat being the main driving factors of this project, the upper floor features a generous master suite with a roof deck for taking in views from an even more private setting.

Are you into traditional kitchens with a bit of a contemporary appeal? Take a peek at this recently completed kitchen in the Fort Myers area and let us know what you think! Cabinetry: Kith Kitchens | Door Style: Whitfield | Color: Alabaster w/ Chocolate Glaze Countertops: Granite | Typhoon Bordeaux

Exterior image of the home situated in the Sonoran desert. Architecture and Interiors - Tate Studio, Builder - Peak Ventures - Glen Ernst, Photography - Thompson Photographic.

Entryway - large transitional entryway idea in Atlanta with a metal front door

Pillar Homes and Landmark Photography
Inspiration for an industrial home bar remodel in Minneapolis

Minimalist two-story concrete flat roof photo in San Diego

Contemporary white two-story exterior home idea in San Diego

This custom residential home located in the Oakland Hills highlights the intricate attention to detail and high level of craftsmanship that a seamless collaboration between designers and builders can produce. The challenging sloped site necessitated an extensive stepped concrete foundation and retaining wall. The foundation provided opportunities to celebrate craft, with exposed board-formed concrete walls on the interior.

Living room - contemporary living room idea in Seattle

Mid-sized tuscan medium tone wood floor dining room photo in Oklahoma City with beige walls

Example of a large transitional entryway design in Atlanta with a metal front door

Casey Woods
Transitional patio photo in Austin

Peter McMenamin
Example of a trendy open concept light wood floor living room design in Los Angeles with gray walls and a standard fireplace

Kitchen
Open concept kitchen - eclectic painted wood floor open concept kitchen idea in Los Angeles with white cabinets, wood countertops, ceramic backsplash, colored appliances and shaker cabinets

Sartori Custom Homes - Rear of french country home with timber frame gables
Mountain style brown one-story gable roof photo in Calgary

The Twin Peaks Passive House + ADU was designed and built to remain resilient in the face of natural disasters. Fortunately, the same great building strategies and design that provide resilience also provide a home that is incredibly comfortable and healthy while also visually stunning. This home’s journey began with a desire to design and build a house that meets the rigorous standards of Passive House. Before beginning the design/ construction process, the homeowners had already spent countless hours researching ways to minimize their global climate change footprint. As with any Passive House, a large portion of this research was focused on building envelope design and construction. The wall assembly is combination of six inch Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) and 2x6 stick frame construction filled with blown in insulation. The roof assembly is a combination of twelve inch SIPs and 2x12 stick frame construction filled with batt insulation. The pairing of SIPs and traditional stick framing allowed for easy air sealing details and a continuous thermal break between the panels and the wall framing. Beyond the building envelope, a number of other high performance strategies were used in constructing this home and ADU such as: battery storage of solar energy, ground source heat pump technology, Heat Recovery Ventilation, LED lighting, and heat pump water heating technology. In addition to the time and energy spent on reaching Passivhaus Standards, thoughtful design and carefully chosen interior finishes coalesce at the Twin Peaks Passive House + ADU into stunning interiors with modern farmhouse appeal. The result is a graceful combination of innovation, durability, and aesthetics that will last for a century to come. Despite the requirements of adhering to some of the most rigorous environmental standards in construction today, the homeowners chose to certify both their main home and their ADU to Passive House Standards. From a meticulously designed building envelope that tested at 0.62 ACH50, to the extensive solar array/ battery bank combination that allows designated circuits to function, uninterrupted for at least 48 hours, the Twin Peaks Passive House has a long list of high performance features that contributed to the completion of this arduous certification process. The ADU was also designed and built with these high standards in mind. Both homes have the same wall and roof assembly ,an HRV, and a Passive House Certified window and doors package. While the main home includes a ground source heat pump that warms both the radiant floors and domestic hot water tank, the more compact ADU is heated with a mini-split ductless heat pump. The end result is a home and ADU built to last, both of which are a testament to owners’ commitment to lessen their impact on the environment.

Bruce Damonte
Example of a huge trendy light wood floor great room design in San Francisco with white walls