Bill Taylor
Example of a classic formal and open concept dark wood floor and coffered ceiling living room design in Boston with white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Project Overview: This intensively-designed small project by MQ Architecture expanded on a functional outbuilding to make something beautiful, matching the fantastic wooded location directly across the Hudson River from West Point. From MQ Architecture: “This project entitled a surgical demolition of an existing shed and the erection of a small ancillary building. The old structure housed the electrical and communications utilities of a large compound, and the new project had to preserve the location and function of all this equipment, therefore some walls and floor levels are set from the beginning. The program required two different type of users, therefore we decided to split the building in two, allowing for a separate circulation for each group. The upper piece houses the electrical room and the team quarters, while the lower portion holds two individual restrooms for visitors. The project sits in the middle of the forest therefore we chose charred wood to make it blend with the surrounding nature. On the other hand, the polycarbonate façade brings natural light and privacy to the interior. All floors are made of polished concrete for easy maintenance and a radiant slab keeps an optimal temperature during extreme winters.” Product: Gendai 1×6 select grade shiplap Prefinish: Black Application: Residential – Exterior SF: 1100SF Designer: Miguel Quismondo (MQ Architecture) Builder: Miguel Quismondo Date: August 2018 Location: Garrison, NY

Example of a mid-sized mountain style brown two-story wood exterior home design in Denver

Homeowners aimed to bring the lovely outdoors into better view when they removed the two 90's dated columns that divided the kitchen from the family room and eat-in area. They also transformed the range wall when they added two wood encasement windows which frame the custom zinc hood and allow a soft light to penetrate the kitchen. Custom beaded inset cabinetry was designed with a busy family of 5 in mind. A coffee station hides behind the appliance garage, the paper towel holder is partially concealed in a rolling drawer and three custom pullout drawers with soft close hinges hold many items that would otherwise be located on the countertop or under the sink. A 48" Viking gas range took the place of a 30" electric cooktop and a Bosch microwave drawer is now located in the island to make space for the newly added beverage cooler. Due to size and budget constaints, we kept the basic footprint so every space was carefully planned for function and design. The family stayed true to their casual lifestyle with the black honed countertops but added a little bling with the rustic crystal chandelier, crystal prism arched sconces and calcutta gold herringbone backsplash. But the owner's favorite add was the custom island designed as an antique furniture piece with the essenza blue quartzite countertop cut with a demi-bull stepout. The kids can now sit at the ample sized counter and enjoy breakfast or finish homework in the comfortable cherry red swivel chairs which add a pop to the otherwise understated tones. This newly remodeled kitchen checked all the homeowner's desires.

Rick Lee Photography
Mountain style kitchen photo in Charleston with a farmhouse sink

Eames House, Case Study House No. 8 (1949), Pacific Palisades, California, designed by Charles and Ray Eames Photograph: Lauren Manning's photostream on flickr, used under the Creative Commons license.

Originally built in 1929, this simple two story center hall white wood clapboard colonial satisfied all of the early 20th century requirements; formal front elevation with full porch, central foyer/stair hall bounded by formal rooms, private bedroom space on the second floor, and, no relationship to the backyard. Americans love their early century houses, but they do not love the way they function, forsaking usable modern first floor spaces such as kitchen, mudroom, family room, powder room, and a strong connection to the back yard. In this case, the solid house ignored the backyard with its original 1920’s kitchen dumping out onto the left side of the house; there was a total lack of connection. The project program asked for a new kitchen and the other missing pieces, but most importantly, a clear, strong connection to the vast rear lawn with an assemblage of spaces starting with the kitchen flowing into the family room, then flowing into the screened porch that spilled onto the rear porch, and then culminates to the hardscape and softscape of the vast lush lawn. The new architecture is simple like the house; a new gabled volume of open space for the family room that feels connected and then disengaged from the house by a gasket addition holding the kitchen and utility entrance; a strong center access through the spaces carrying the focus from indoors to outdoors; traditional forms creating a crisp modern aesthetic of material, light, form and detail. The addition is respectful to the original house, but not without imposing its own place in time, commanding the rear elevation in a diminutive manner. All photos by Hoachlander Davis Photography.

Kitchen and butler's pantry with 18th century re-purposed pantry doors from a Spanish monastery. Butler's pantry includes coffee prep and small sink with wall mount faucet. Refrigerator drawers in the background kitchen hold fresh fruit. Photos by Erika Bierman www.erikabiermanphotography.com

Huge trendy master white tile and marble tile marble floor bathroom photo in Chicago with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, marble countertops, an undermount tub and gray walls

Unglazed porcelain – There is no glazing or any other coating applied to the tile. Their color is the same on the face of the tile as it is on the back resulting in very durable tiles that do not show the effects of heavy traffic. The most common unglazed tiles are the red quarry tiles or the granite looking porcelain ceramic tiles used in heavy commercial areas. Historic matches to the original tiles made from 1890 - 1930's. Subway Ceramic floor tiles are made of the highest quality unglazed porcelain and carefully arranged on a fiber mesh as one square foot sheets. A complimentary black hex is also in stock in both sizes and available by the sheet for creating borders and accent designs. Subway Ceramics offers vintage tile is 3/8" thick, with a flat surface and square edges. The Subway Ceramics collection of traditional subway tile, moldings and accessories.

Originally built in 1929, this simple two story center hall white wood clapboard colonial satisfied all of the early 20th century requirements; formal front elevation with full porch, central foyer/stair hall bounded by formal rooms, private bedroom space on the second floor, and, no relationship to the backyard. American’s love their early century houses, but they do not love the way they function, forsaking usable modern first floor spaces such as kitchen, mudroom, family room, powder room, and a strong connection to the back yard. In this case, the solid house ignored the backyard with its original 1920’s kitchen dumping out onto the left side of the house; there was a total lack of connection. The project program asked for a new kitchen and the other missing pieces, but most importantly, a clear, strong connection to the vast rear lawn with an assemblage of spaces starting with the kitchen flowing into the family room, then flowing into the screened porch that spilled onto the rear porch, and then culminates to the hardscape and softscape of the vast lush lawn. The new architecture is simple like the house; a new gabled volume of open space for the family room that feels connected and then disengaged from the house by a gasket addition holding the kitchen and utility entrance; a strong center access through the spaces carrying the focus from indoors to outdoors; traditional forms creating a crisp modern aesthetic of material, light, form and detail. The addition is respectful to the original house, but not without imposing its own place in time, commanding the rear elevation in a diminutive manner. All photos by Hoachlander Davis Photography.

Integrity from Marvin Windows and Doors open this tiny house up to a larger-than-life ocean view.
Living room - small cottage open concept light wood floor and beige floor living room idea in Portland Maine with blue walls, no fireplace and no tv

Originally built in 1929, this simple two story center hall white wood clapboard colonial satisfied all of the early 20th century requirements; formal front elevation with full porch, central foyer/stair hall bounded by formal rooms, private bedroom space on the second floor, and, no relationship to the backyard. American’s love their early century houses, but they do not love the way they function, forsaking usable modern first floor spaces such as kitchen, mudroom, family room, powder room, and a strong connection to the back yard. In this case, the solid house ignored the backyard with its original 1920’s kitchen dumping out onto the left side of the house; there was a total lack of connection. The project program asked for a new kitchen and the other missing pieces, but most importantly, a clear, strong connection to the vast rear lawn with an assemblage of spaces starting with the kitchen flowing into the family room, then flowing into the screened porch that spilled onto the rear porch, and then culminates to the hardscape and softscape of the vast lush lawn. The new architecture is simple like the house; a new gabled volume of open space for the family room that feels connected and then disengaged from the house by a gasket addition holding the kitchen and utility entrance; a strong center access through the spaces carrying the focus from indoors to outdoors; traditional forms creating a crisp modern aesthetic of material, light, form and detail. The addition is respectful to the original house, but not without imposing its own place in time, commanding the rear elevation in a diminutive manner. All photos by Hoachlander Davis Photography.

Tricia Shay Photography
Mid-sized contemporary gray two-story mixed siding house exterior idea in Milwaukee with a shed roof

Project Overview: This intensively-designed small project by MQ Architecture expanded on a functional outbuilding to make something beautiful, matching the fantastic wooded location directly across the Hudson River from West Point. From MQ Architecture: “This project entitled a surgical demolition of an existing shed and the erection of a small ancillary building. The old structure housed the electrical and communications utilities of a large compound, and the new project had to preserve the location and function of all this equipment, therefore some walls and floor levels are set from the beginning. The program required two different type of users, therefore we decided to split the building in two, allowing for a separate circulation for each group. The upper piece houses the electrical room and the team quarters, while the lower portion holds two individual restrooms for visitors. The project sits in the middle of the forest therefore we chose charred wood to make it blend with the surrounding nature. On the other hand, the polycarbonate façade brings natural light and privacy to the interior. All floors are made of polished concrete for easy maintenance and a radiant slab keeps an optimal temperature during extreme winters.” Product: Gendai 1×6 select grade shiplap Prefinish: Black Application: Residential – Exterior SF: 1100SF Designer: Miguel Quismondo (MQ Architecture) Builder: Miguel Quismondo Date: August 2018 Location: Garrison, NY

www.robertlowellphotography.com
Bedroom - traditional medium tone wood floor bedroom idea in New York with blue walls

Project Overview: This intensively-designed small project by MQ Architecture expanded on a functional outbuilding to make something beautiful, matching the fantastic wooded location directly across the Hudson River from West Point. From MQ Architecture: “This project entitled a surgical demolition of an existing shed and the erection of a small ancillary building. The old structure housed the electrical and communications utilities of a large compound, and the new project had to preserve the location and function of all this equipment, therefore some walls and floor levels are set from the beginning. The program required two different type of users, therefore we decided to split the building in two, allowing for a separate circulation for each group. The upper piece houses the electrical room and the team quarters, while the lower portion holds two individual restrooms for visitors. The project sits in the middle of the forest therefore we chose charred wood to make it blend with the surrounding nature. On the other hand, the polycarbonate façade brings natural light and privacy to the interior. All floors are made of polished concrete for easy maintenance and a radiant slab keeps an optimal temperature during extreme winters.” Product: Gendai 1×6 select grade shiplap Prefinish: Black Application: Residential – Exterior SF: 1100SF Designer: Miguel Quismondo (MQ Architecture) Builder: Miguel Quismondo Date: August 2018 Location: Garrison, NY

Frederick C. Robie House (Frank Lloyd Wright, 1908-10), Chicago, IL A masterpiece of the Prairie style and an icon of modern architecture. Courtesy of Frank Lloyd Wright. Photographer: Tim Long