Dutch front door - country brick floor dutch front door idea in Birmingham

Screen porch overlooking coastal marsh. Julia Lynn Photography
Beach style screened-in back porch idea in Charleston with a roof extension

The chance to build a lakeside weekend home in rural NC provided this Chapel Hill family with an opportunity to ditch convention and think outside the box. For instance, we traded the traditional boat dock with what's become known as the "party dock"… a floating lounge of sorts, complete with wet bar, TV, swimmer's platform, and plenty of spots for watching the water fun. Inside, we turned one bedroom into a gym with climbing wall - and dropped the idea of a dining room, in favor of a deep upholstered niche and shuffleboard table. Outdoor drapery helped blur the lines between indoor spaces and exterior porches filled with upholstery, swings, and places for lazy napping. And after the sun goes down....smores, anyone? John Bessler

Example of a classic stone patio kitchen design in Wilmington with a gazebo

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern backyard tile and rectangular infinity pool house remodel in Orange County

Elliott Johnson Photographer
Farmhouse gray two-story gable roof idea in San Luis Obispo

Green Hill Project Photo Credit : Nat Rea
Mid-sized beach style backyard deck photo in Providence with no cover

Evening exterior view of main building and master bedroom building. There is a screened porch off the master bedroom visible in the photo. Photo by © Trent Bell

Firepit with built in bench seating.Construction by Shearer Landscaping Photography by VS3studios
Elegant patio photo in Columbus with a fire pit

photography by Rob Karosis
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless white two-story wood exterior home remodel in Portland Maine

This brick and limestone, 6,000-square-foot residence exemplifies understated elegance. Located in the award-wining Blaine School District and within close proximity to the Southport Corridor, this is city living at its finest! The foyer, with herringbone wood floors, leads to a dramatic, hand-milled oval staircase; an architectural element that allows sunlight to cascade down from skylights and to filter throughout the house. The floor plan has stately-proportioned rooms and includes formal Living and Dining Rooms; an expansive, eat-in, gourmet Kitchen/Great Room; four bedrooms on the second level with three additional bedrooms and a Family Room on the lower level; a Penthouse Playroom leading to a roof-top deck and green roof; and an attached, heated 3-car garage. Additional features include hardwood flooring throughout the main level and upper two floors; sophisticated architectural detailing throughout the house including coffered ceiling details, barrel and groin vaulted ceilings; painted, glazed and wood paneling; laundry rooms on the bedroom level and on the lower level; five fireplaces, including one outdoors; and HD Video, Audio and Surround Sound pre-wire distribution through the house and grounds. The home also features extensively landscaped exterior spaces, designed by Prassas Landscape Studio. This home went under contract within 90 days during the Great Recession. Featured in Chicago Magazine: http://goo.gl/Gl8lRm Jim Yochum

Neil Michael - Axiom Photography
Inspiration for a small modern shade courtyard outdoor basketball/tennis/multi-game court in Sacramento with decking.

Ocean Collection sofa with ironwood arms. Romeo club chairs with Sunbrella cushions. Dekton top side tables and coffee table.
Patio - large contemporary backyard tile patio idea in Phoenix with a roof extension and a fireplace

Large four-season sun room; with floor to ceiling windows, bead board ceiling, heated slate floor, and an uninterrupted view to the close shores of Lake Ontario. Photo by © Daniel Vaughan (vaughangroup.ca)

Large beach style screened-in back porch idea with decking and a roof extension

Example of a large trendy master medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom design in Phoenix with gray walls

Porch
Country home design photo in Minneapolis

Richard Mandelkorn A newly connected hallway leading to the master suite had the added benefit of a new laundry closet squeezed in; the original home had a cramped closet in the kitchen downstairs. The space was made efficient with a countertop for folding, a hanging drying rack and cabinet for storage. All is concealed by a traditional barn door, and lit by a new expansive window opposite.

Photo Credit Landmark Photography. This house was designed to fit the shores of Lake Minnetonka’s Stubbs Bay. The exterior architecture has the feel of an old lake cottage home that’s been there for a century with modern day finishes. The interior has large Marvin windows with expansive views of the lake, walnut floors, extensive wood detailing in the custom cabinets, wainscot, beamed ceilings, and fireplace. Step out of the kitchen to a covered out door porch with phantom screens overlooking the lake. The master bedroom has a large private roof deck overlooking the lake as well. There is a private master bonus room accessed through the master closet. The four levels of the home are accessible by an elevator. The working butler’s pantry, which is accessible by both sides of the kitchen has a secondary sink, dishwasher, refrigerator, lots of storage, and yes windows for natural light, views of the lake, and air flow.