This Boulder, Colorado remodel by fuentesdesign demonstrates the possibility of renewal in American suburbs, and Passive House design principles. Once an inefficient single story 1,000 square-foot ranch house with a forced air furnace, has been transformed into a two-story, solar powered 2500 square-foot three bedroom home ready for the next generation. The new design for the home is modern with a sustainable theme, incorporating a palette of natural materials including; reclaimed wood finishes, FSC-certified pine Zola windows and doors, and natural earth and lime plasters that soften the interior and crisp contemporary exterior with a flavor of the west. A Ninety-percent efficient energy recovery fresh air ventilation system provides constant filtered fresh air to every room. The existing interior brick was removed and replaced with insulation. The remaining heating and cooling loads are easily met with the highest degree of comfort via a mini-split heat pump, the peak heat load has been cut by a factor of 4, despite the house doubling in size. During the coldest part of the Colorado winter, a wood stove for ambiance and low carbon back up heat creates a special place in both the living and kitchen area, and upstairs loft. http://www.zolawindows.com/thermo-plus-clad/ This ultra energy efficient home relies on extremely high levels of insulation, air-tight detailing and construction, and the implementation of high performance, custom made European windows and doors by Zola Windows. Zola’s ThermoPlus Clad line, which boasts R-11 triple glazing and is thermally broken with a layer of patented German Purenit®, was selected for the project. These windows also provide a seamless indoor/outdoor connection, with 9′ wide folding doors from the dining area and a matching 9′ wide custom countertop folding window that opens the kitchen up to a grassy court where mature trees provide shade and extend the living space during the summer months. With air-tight construction, this home meets the Passive House Retrofit (EnerPHit) air-tightness standard of

Close-up of bottom level fire lounge seating area. This area includes a custom white poured-in-place fireplace with tumbled lava rock and a concrete counter top with Ipe cladding. The entire lounge area is covered with a cable trellis that will provide shade when the bower vines grow up and over the top of the cables. Photography: Brett Hilton

Architectural Design Services Provided - Existing interior wall between kitchen and dining room was removed to create an open plan concept. Custom cabinetry layout was designed to meet Client's specific cooking and entertaining needs. New, larger open plan space will accommodate guest while entertaining. New custom fireplace surround was designed which includes intricate beaded mouldings to compliment the home's original Colonial Style. Second floor bathroom was renovated and includes modern fixtures, finishes and colors that are pleasing to the eye.

The award-winning 2,040 sq ft Brittany is known for its overall appearance and charm. The open-concept style and incredible natural light provide luxurious and spacious rooms fit for the entire family. With a centralized kitchen including counter-height seating, the surrounding great room with fireplace, dinette, and mudroom are all within view. The master suite showcases a spacious walk-in closet and master bath with his and her sinks. The two additional bedrooms include generously sized closets and a shared bath just around the corner. The conveniently located 3 car garage provides direct access to the mudroom, laundry room, and additional bath. Ideal for families that are on the go, The Brittany has everything a growing family needs.

We gave this rather dated farmhouse some dramatic upgrades that brought together the feminine with the masculine, combining rustic wood with softer elements. In terms of style her tastes leaned toward traditional and elegant and his toward the rustic and outdoorsy. The result was the perfect fit for this family of 4 plus 2 dogs and their very special farmhouse in Ipswich, MA. Character details create a visual statement, showcasing the melding of both rustic and traditional elements without too much formality. The new master suite is one of the most potent examples of the blending of styles. The bath, with white carrara honed marble countertops and backsplash, beaded wainscoting, matching pale green vanities with make-up table offset by the black center cabinet expand function of the space exquisitely while the salvaged rustic beams create an eye-catching contrast that picks up on the earthy tones of the wood. The luxurious walk-in shower drenched in white carrara floor and wall tile replaced the obsolete Jacuzzi tub. Wardrobe care and organization is a joy in the massive walk-in closet complete with custom gliding library ladder to access the additional storage above. The space serves double duty as a peaceful laundry room complete with roll-out ironing center. The cozy reading nook now graces the bay-window-with-a-view and storage abounds with a surplus of built-ins including bookcases and in-home entertainment center. You can’t help but feel pampered the moment you step into this ensuite. The pantry, with its painted barn door, slate floor, custom shelving and black walnut countertop provide much needed storage designed to fit the family’s needs precisely, including a pull out bin for dog food. During this phase of the project, the powder room was relocated and treated to a reclaimed wood vanity with reclaimed white oak countertop along with custom vessel soapstone sink and wide board paneling. Design elements effectively married rustic and traditional styles and the home now has the character to match the country setting and the improved layout and storage the family so desperately needed. And did you see the barn? Photo credit: Eric Roth

Dale Combelic -view from front door A nineteenth century house that was originally modified to accommodate a "modern" kitchen and baths was updated with an open plan style kitchen. An existing adjacent bath / laundry space was included in the larger kitchen space that also included a new 1/2 bath. The laundry and full tub were added to a 2nd floor bath that had just a small 30" x 30" shower for bathing. Existing window locations in the abandon bath and a new glass door to a side deck provide additional natural light and direct access to the driveway. An existing brick chimney was partially exposed to reduce mass to allow for an enlarged cabinet array and through aisle. Visible connection to the dining area was also provided. Existing sink and cabinets were utilized

Gold and red woven faux finish.

Architectural details in the master suite include Bernhard custom bedding, studded headboard and night stand, and a newly installed tray ceiling with dramatic drum lighting. Anchored by a textured wool rug mirroring the pattern of custom window coverings, a pair of custom designed upholstered side chairs and ottoman provide a cozy place to sit and read in the master suite.

In the great room, we created a feature wall with three tall mirror-backed architectural niches. A television is wall-mounted in the center niche while wood shelving on either side provides display space for objets d'art. Floating base cabinets in each niche provide a foundation for this arrangement. Grimes' seating group includes an oversized sofa and a pair of upholstered club chairs with nail head detail. Two character chairs with open backs viewed from the foyer provide eye-catching flair. Glass accent tables and crystal elements in the chandelier enhance the atmosphere of a light airy space that flows easily to the kitchen. Wide pocketing sliders across the back of the great room open to a covered pool lanai and extraordinary lake views.

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.

Wonderful Cambrian Area home renovation~ Design Matters of Los Gatos was able to provide critical path help to this client mid-construction. We completed the styling and specifications of the kitchen, entry, dining and family room areas including designing and providing all of the furnishings and window coverings to complement the new spaces.

This basic basement finish provided the extra square footage, bed and bath this family was seeking. Finishes included upgraded doors, barn door, custom floating vanity and custom stair rail.

Custom kitchen cabinets with alder wood, arched raised panel door and medium brown stain. Also includes a two-tiered island. Photo provided by: Marrokal Design & Remodeling

The existing patio was expanded for additional seating, including a portable firepit to gather around on winter evenings. A custom "pot" fountain provides soothing sounds of water. Linda Strader

Drive up to practical luxury in this Hill Country Spanish Style home. The home is a classic hacienda architecture layout. It features 5 bedrooms, 2 outdoor living areas, and plenty of land to roam. Classic materials used include: Saltillo Tile - also known as terracotta tile, Spanish tile, Mexican tile, or Quarry tile Cantera Stone - feature in Pinon, Tobacco Brown and Recinto colors Copper sinks and copper sconce lighting Travertine Flooring Cantera Stone tile Brick Pavers Photos Provided by April Mae Creative aprilmaecreative.com Tile provided by Rustico Tile and Stone - RusticoTile.com or call (512) 260-9111 / info@rusticotile.com Construction by MelRay Corporation

See what’s new: 2020 product launch Go ahead and explore! Our 2020 product offering includes cabinet styles that offer a simple approach to design, with a neutral colour palette that provides a comforting organic feel.

Due to the existing rock (estimated at hundreds of years old) this backyard has been elevated and uses the rock as a unique architectural feature. On the level above, a wood patio provides ample entertaining space while a rear turf lawn includes room to play.

This Downtown Sophisticate is a new construction home in Greenwich, CT. We provided complete custom mill work throughout this beautiful house. We installed all cabinets, including kitchen cabinets, built-ins and window seats. Provided installation of wainscoting, all moldings, doors, and anything else wood related.

This primary bathroom features a custom barn door that adds a unique touch to the space. As you enter, you'll find a luxurious soaking tub and a spacious walk-in shower, providing options for relaxation and rejuvenation. The bathroom also includes dual vanities sourced from Restoration Hardware, offering both style and functionality. Adjacent to the bathroom is a convenient walk-in closet, providing ample storage for your belongings. This primary bathroom combines comfort, elegance, and practicality, creating a private oasis within your home.