Reynolds Cabinetry & Millwork -- Photography by Nathan Kirkman
Example of a transitional u-shaped dark wood floor kitchen design in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Example of a large transitional wooden curved staircase design in New York with painted risers

Tim Bies
Mountain style living room photo in Seattle

Toronto’s Upside Development completed this interior contemporary remodeling project. Nestled in Oakville’s tree lined ravine, a mid-century home was discovered by new owners returning from Europe. A modern Renovation with a Scandinavian flare unique to the area was envisioned and achieved.

New custom estate home situated on two and a half, full walk-street lots in the Sand Section of Manhattan Beach, CA.
Large tuscan enclosed carpeted home theater photo in Los Angeles with a projector screen

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Example of a large transitional white two-story mixed siding house exterior design in Orange County with a hip roof and a shingle roof

Horne Visual Media
Small trendy medium tone wood floor entryway photo in Boston with green walls

Inspiration for a huge mediterranean single front door remodel in Austin with beige walls

Tamley Architectural Design
Large traditional beige three-story stucco exterior home idea in San Francisco

New custom house in the Tree Section of Manhattan Beach, California. Custom built and interior design by Titan&Co. Modern Farmhouse
Inspiration for a mid-sized farmhouse guest medium tone wood floor bedroom remodel in Los Angeles with gray walls and no fireplace

Elegant entryway photo in Chicago with a dark wood front door

Example of a mid-sized trendy brown two-story wood exterior home design in Phoenix

Country dining room photo in San Francisco

Example of a tuscan u-shaped terra-cotta tile and orange floor eat-in kitchen design in Austin with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, multicolored backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and beige countertops

Bedroom - contemporary master dark wood floor and brown floor bedroom idea in Miami with gray walls

Photos: Paul Finkel, Piston Design GC: Hudson Design Development, Inc.
Large cottage white two-story wood exterior home idea in Austin with a mixed material roof and a black roof

Photos: Paul Finkel, Piston Design GC: Hudson Design Development, Inc.
Large farmhouse white two-story wood exterior home idea in Austin with a mixed material roof

Kids' room - eclectic kids' room idea in Boston