Utility room - mid-sized traditional galley dark wood floor and wallpaper ceiling utility room idea with an undermount sink, blue cabinets, quartz countertops, blue backsplash, subway tile backsplash, blue walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops

Jackie Meiring & Simon Devitt

Rob Perry Photography
Example of a trendy two-story exterior home design in Seattle

Canyon views are an integral feature of the interior of the space, with nature acting as one 'wall' of the space. Light filled master bathroom with a elegant tub and generous open shower lined with marble slabs. A floating wood vanity is capped with vessel sinks and wall mounted faucets.

Mark Woods
Shed - contemporary shed idea in Seattle

This large family room offers comfort and an 85" Samsung 4K TV. Speakers are hidden in the ceiling. Notice the tiny indoor security camera.
Inspiration for a large coastal open concept dark wood floor home design remodel in Miami with gray walls and a media wall

Large trendy open concept medium tone wood floor living room photo in Minneapolis with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace and no tv

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. Photography: Eric Roth Photo

The vignette within Barrett Technology’s Design Center is one of its kind in the industry. Built to inspire and inform, this kitchen showcases today’s most innovative solutions in real world settings. All the technology (video, audio, lighting, security and HVAC) is controlled through a single app on the iPad. Even the motorized window shades, task & accent lighting are controlled via the Lutron Lighting Control System. It allows for lighting scene selection at the touch of a single button – including a “Cook” scene which when pressed will activate the lighting to an optimal 100% over the kitchen sink & island areas and will also drop the motorized spice rack from behind the wall cabinet. Project specs: Thermador appliances, Caesarstone countertops in honed Pebble. Single app control system by Savant. Photographer - Bruce Van Inwegen

Photo of a mid-sized traditional partial sun front yard concrete paver driveway in Houston for spring.

Elegant, high-tech home theater features contremporary furnishings, an entertainment center and smart home automation from Control4 to enhance the ambiance and add the ultimate in convenience. Broadcast the music of your choice using a whole-home audio solution, powered by Control4. The recessed smart lighting and access lighting is designed to create the perfect personalized ambiance. Other automation options may include smart appliances, programmable thermostat control for comfort and energy management, home security system integration, shade automation, and full A/V control. And everything can be controlled from virtually anywhere - using your Control4 app with a smart phone or tablet device or a convenient touch screen.

Photo of a traditional side yard stone and wood fence formal garden in New York.

Erin Lau
Design ideas for a traditional landscaping in Seattle.

Large, award winning, raised deck with built-in seating, lighting, and a large fire pit. Design and Construction by Decks by Kiefer. (Photo by Frank Gensheimer)

The enclosed organic vegetable garden has its own watering system, mesh fencing that extends underground to keep critters out and raised beds for all vegetables. The wood is cedar, and a convenient garden shed is attached.

This lovely two-car garage was constructed to secure antique​​​ automobiles. A second story was designed over the garage bays for a home office. The roof is cedar shake. The remote-operated doors are insulated to keep the interior space temperate year round.

Large trendy master light wood floor bedroom photo in Dallas with white walls and no fireplace

Mountain style wet bar photo in Denver with yellow backsplash

Inspiration for a farmhouse full sun gravel vegetable garden landscape in Atlanta.