Bruce Bettis Photography
Example of a classic entryway design in Boston with white walls and a green front door

Exterior and Landscape Lighting of Chicago Urban Space.
Inspiration for a timeless patio remodel in Chicago

Photography by Jared Kuzia
Inspiration for a farmhouse mosaic tile floor bathroom remodel in Boston with blue walls and a trough sink

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2014 Houzz
Inspiration for a contemporary gray tile doorless shower remodel in New York with an undermount tub and a hinged shower door

The Oak Street renovation has completely transformed the 70’s era split level home into a sophisticated modern oasis! By extending the kitchen into the existing dining room space, we’re able to maximize functionality and flow between the kitchen and new dining room area. By opening up the wall to create a large pass-through between kitchen and dining, we’ve created the perfect solution to visibly combine all areas and make an ideal design solution for entertaining while providing plenty of seating around the peninsula. High vaulted ceilings exaggerate the ceiling height and work beautifully with the tall cabinetry which brings the down the human scale of vertical space. Slick black Cambria Black quartz countertops and dark metal finishes provide high contrast against the white cabinets and create a high end look. A warm gray stained oak hardwood flooring adds warmth to the space keeping the overall look light and soft. It’s easy to see why this beautiful kitchen transformation has become the heart of the home with a new functional, modern design for the whole family.

Example of a mid-sized transitional built-in desk ceramic tile study room design in Calgary with gray walls

Love how this kitchen renovation creates an open feel for our clients to their dining room and office and a better transition to back yard!
Inspiration for a transitional dark wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen remodel in Raleigh with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray backsplash, marble backsplash, an island, white countertops, stainless steel appliances and black cabinets

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

Large tuscan master travertine floor and beige floor freestanding bathtub photo in San Diego with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white walls and dark wood cabinets

Modern touches with up-to-date appointments make this a comfortable, striking master bath.
Huge ornate master beige tile and porcelain tile travertine floor bathroom photo in Baltimore with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, gray walls and granite countertops

Classic Shaker Kitchen In A Small Space. Design by Mari Kushino Design, Cabinets by South Shore Cabinetry, Photography by Tony Colangelo Photography.

The concept of a modern design was created through the use of two-toned acrylic Grabill cabinets, stainless appliances, quartz countertops and a glass tile backsplash. The simple stainless hood installed in front of large format Porcelanosa tile creates a striking focal point, while a monochromatic color palette of grays and whites achieve the feel of a cohesive and airy space. Additionally, ample amounts of artificial light, was designed to keep this kitchen bright and inviting.

TEAM: Architect: LDa Architecture & Interiors Builder (Kitchen/ Mudroom Addition): Shanks Engineering & Construction Builder (Master Suite Addition): Hampden Design Photographer: Greg Premru

Joshua Lawrence
Bathroom - mid-sized contemporary 3/4 cement tile floor and gray floor bathroom idea in Vancouver with gray cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, a vessel sink, quartzite countertops, white countertops and flat-panel cabinets

This is a redesigned studio apartment we recently renovated. The goal was to increase function and increase the feeling of separate functions. Luckily, this studio is of an impressive size and we were able to increase function via a large kitchen, dining area, home office, and bedroom area. Each separated area serves its own purpose and gives the feeling that the apartment, though small, has plenty of space for differing tasks. The result is a highly functioning studio that doesn’t feel cramped, but rather like a one bed apartment. Designed by Chi Renovation & Design who serve Chicago and its surrounding suburbs, with an emphasis on the North Side and North Shore. You'll find their work from the Loop through Lincoln Park, Skokie, Wilmette, and all the way up to Lake Forest. For more about Chi Renovation & Design, click here: https://www.chirenovation.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.chirenovation.com/portfolio/upscale-chicago-studio-renovation-design/

David Duncan Livingston
Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic master black tile and subway tile porcelain tile bathroom remodel in San Francisco with white walls

Bucks County farmhouse features raised panel, beaded inset cabinetry with a paint and glaze finish. Wolf rangetop compliments the stylish hearth which features pullout spices left and right. Dinnerware display right of the Sub-Zero is both attractive and functional. Peninsula offers seating for two and features an undermount cast iron second sink. Photo by Jerry Hankins

The existing quirky floor plan of this 17 year old kitchen created 4 work areas and left no room for a proper laundry and utility room. We actually made this kitchen smaller to make it function better. We took the cramped u-shaped area that housed the stove and refrigerator and walled it off to create a new more generous laundry room with room for ironing & sewing. The now rectangular shaped kitchen was reoriented by installing new windows with higher sills we were able to line the exterior wall with cabinets and counter, giving the sink a nice view to the side yard. To create the Victorian look the owners desired in their 1920’s home, we used wall cabinets with inset doors and beaded panels, for economy the base cabinets are full overlay doors & drawers all in the same finish, Nordic White. The owner selected a gorgeous serene white river granite for the counters and we selected a taupe glass subway tile to pull the palette together. Another special feature of this kitchen is the custom pocket dog door. The owner’s had a salvaged door that we incorporated in a pocket in the peninsula to corale the dogs when the owner aren’t home. Tina Colebrook

Trendy u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and gray countertops