Informal dining and living area in the Great Room with wood beams on vaulted ceiling Photography: Garett + Carrie Buell of Studiobuell/ studiobuell.com.

Example of a large minimalist dark wood floor and gray floor eat-in kitchen design in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Transitional l-shaped pool house photo in Austin

Mid-sized tuscan backyard brick patio photo in Houston with a roof extension

Mid-sized cottage l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in New York with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, granite countertops, brown backsplash, brick backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Porte-cochere
Traditional gray two-story mixed siding exterior home idea in New York

This hallway was part of a larger remodel of an attic space which included the hall, master bedroom, bathroom and nursery. Painted a brilliant white and borrowing light from the frosted, glass inset nursery and bedroom doors, this light hardwood space is lined on one side with custom, built-in storage. Making the most of the sloping eave space and pony wall, there is room for stacking, hanging and multiple drawer depths, very versatile storage. The cut-out pulls and toe-kick registers keep the floor and walkway clear of any extrusions. The hall acts as an extension of the bedrooms, with the narrow bench providing a resting place while getting ready in the morning. All photos: Josh Partee Photography

Inspiration for a transitional white tile pebble tile floor and black floor freestanding bathtub remodel in San Diego with gray walls, an undermount sink, black countertops and a niche

Family room - large open concept light wood floor family room idea in Boston with gray walls and a wall-mounted tv

Living room - rustic living room idea in San Diego

When my client had to move from her company office to work at home, she set up in the dining room. Despite her best efforts, this was not the long-term solution she was looking for. My client realized she needed a dedicated space not on the main floor of the home. On one hand, having your office space right next to the kitchen is handy. On the other hand, it made separating work and home life was not that easy. The house was a ranch. In essence, the basement would run entire length of the home. As we came down the steps, we entered a time capsule. The house was built in the 1950’s. The walls were covered with original knotty pine paneling. There was a wood burning fireplace and considering this was a basement, high ceilings. In addition, there was everything her family could not store at their own homes. As we wound though the space, I though “wow this has potential”, Eventually, after walking through the laundry room we came to a small nicely lit room. This would be the office. My client looked at me and asked what I thought. Undoubtedly, I said, this can be a great workspace, but do you really want to walk through this basement and laundry to get here? Without reservation, my client said where do we start? Once the design was in place, we started the renovation. The knotty pine paneling had to go. Specifically, to add some insulation and control the dampness and humidity. The laundry room wall was relocated to create a hallway to the office. At the far end of the room, we designated a workout zone. Weights, mats, exercise bike and television are at the ready for morning or afternoon workouts. The space can be concealed by a folding screen for party time. Doors to an old closet under the stairs were relocated to the workout area for hidden storage. Now we had nice wall for a beautiful console and mirror for storage and serving during parties. In order to add architectural details, we covered the old ugly support columns with simple recessed millwork panels. This detail created a visual division between the bar area and the seating area in front of the fireplace. The old red brick on the fireplace surround was replaced with stack stone. A mantle was made from reclaimed wood. Additional reclaimed wood floating shelves left and right of the fireplace provides decorative display while maintaining a rustic element balancing the copper end table and leather swivel rocker. We found an amazing rug which tied all of the colors together further defining the gathering space. Russet and burnt orange became the accent color unifying each space. With a bit of whimsy, a rather unusual light fixture which looks like roots from a tree growing through the ceiling is a conversation piece. The office space is quite and removed from the main part of the basement. There is a desk large enough for multiple screens, a small bookcase holding office supplies and a comfortable chair for conference calls. Because working from home requires many online meetings, we added a shiplap wall painted in Hale Navy to contrast with the orange fabric on the chair. We finished the décor with a painting from my client’s father. This is the background online visitors will see. The last and best part of the renovation is the beautiful bar. My client is an avid collector of wine. She already had the EuroCave refrigerator, so I incorporated it into the design. The cabinets are painted Temptation Grey from Benjamin Moore. The counter tops are my favorite hard working quartzite Brown Fantasy. The backsplash is a combination of rustic wood and old tin ceiling like porcelain tiles. Together with the textures of the reclaimed wood and hide poofs balanced against the smooth finish of the cabinets, we created a comfortable luxury for relaxing. There is ample storage for bottles, cans, glasses, and anything else you can think of for a great party. In addition to the wine storage, we incorporated a beverage refrigerator, an ice maker, and a sink. Floating shelves with integrated lighting illuminate the back bar. The raised height of the front bar provides the perfect wine tasting and paring spot. I especially love the pendant lights which look like wine glasses. Finally, I selected carpet for the stairs and office. It is perfect for noise reduction. Meanwhile for the overall flooring, I specifically selected a high-performance vinyl plank floor. We often use this product as it is perfect to install on a concrete floor. It is soft to walk on, easy to clean and does not reduce the overall height of the space.

Large minimalist white one-story stucco flat roof photo in Las Vegas

Tracy Wyman, Sally Coyle
Inspiration for a coastal outdoor shower deck remodel in Orlando

AV Architects + Builders Location: Falls Church, VA, USA Our clients were a newly-wed couple looking to start a new life together. With a love for the outdoors and theirs dogs and cats, we wanted to create a design that wouldn’t make them sacrifice any of their hobbies or interests. We designed a floor plan to allow for comfortability relaxation, any day of the year. We added a mudroom complete with a dog bath at the entrance of the home to help take care of their pets and track all the mess from outside. We added multiple access points to outdoor covered porches and decks so they can always enjoy the outdoors, not matter the time of year. The second floor comes complete with the master suite, two bedrooms for the kids with a shared bath, and a guest room for when they have family over. The lower level offers all the entertainment whether it’s a large family room for movie nights or an exercise room. Additionally, the home has 4 garages for cars – 3 are attached to the home and one is detached and serves as a workshop for him. The look and feel of the home is informal, casual and earthy as the clients wanted to feel relaxed at home. The materials used are stone, wood, iron and glass and the home has ample natural light. Clean lines, natural materials and simple details for relaxed casual living. Stacy Zarin Photography

This large kitchen was desperately needing a refresh. It was far to traditional for the homeowners taste. Additionally, there was no direct path to the dining room as you needed to enter through a butlers pantry. I opened up two doorways into the kitchen from the dining room, which allowed natural light to flow in. The former butlers pantry was then sealed up and became part of the formerly to small pantry. The homeowners now have a 13' long walk through pantry, accessible from both the new bar area and the kitchen.

Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Phoenix with an undermount sink, white cabinets, quartz countertops, brown backsplash, brick backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, recessed-panel cabinets and white countertops

When the homeowners first purchased the 1925 house, it was compartmentalized, outdated, and completely unfunctional for their growing family. Casework designed the owner's previous kitchen and family room and was brought in to lead up the creative direction for the project. Casework teamed up with architect Paul Crowther and brother sister team Ainslie Davis on the addition and remodel of the Colonial. The existing kitchen and powder bath were demoed and walls expanded to create a new footprint for the home. This created a much larger, more open kitchen and breakfast nook with mudroom, pantry and more private half bath. In the spacious kitchen, a large walnut island perfectly compliments the homes existing oak floors without feeling too heavy. Paired with brass accents, Calcutta Carrera marble countertops, and clean white cabinets and tile, the kitchen feels bright and open - the perfect spot for a glass of wine with friends or dinner with the whole family. There was no official master prior to the renovations. The existing four bedrooms and one separate bathroom became two smaller bedrooms perfectly suited for the client’s two daughters, while the third became the true master complete with walk-in closet and master bath. There are future plans for a second story addition that would transform the current master into a guest suite and build out a master bedroom and bath complete with walk in shower and free standing tub. Overall, a light, neutral palette was incorporated to draw attention to the existing colonial details of the home, like coved ceilings and leaded glass windows, that the homeowners fell in love with. Modern furnishings and art were mixed in to make this space an eclectic haven.

Graced with an abundance of windows, Alexandria’s modern meets traditional exterior boasts stylish stone accents, interesting rooflines and a pillared and welcoming porch. You’ll never lack for style or sunshine in this inspired transitional design perfect for a growing family. The timeless design merges a variety of classic architectural influences and fits perfectly into any neighborhood. A farmhouse feel can be seen in the exterior’s peaked roof, while the shingled accents reference the ever-popular Craftsman style. Inside, an abundance of windows flood the open-plan interior with light. Beyond the custom front door with its eye-catching sidelights is 2,350 square feet of living space on the first level, with a central foyer leading to a large kitchen and walk-in pantry, adjacent 14 by 16-foot hearth room and spacious living room with a natural fireplace. Also featured is a dining area and convenient home management center perfect for keeping your family life organized on the floor plan’s right side and a private study on the left, which lead to two patios, one covered and one open-air. Private spaces are concentrated on the 1,800-square-foot second level, where a large master suite invites relaxation and rest and includes built-ins, a master bath with double vanity and two walk-in closets. Also upstairs is a loft, laundry and two additional family bedrooms as well as 400 square foot of attic storage. The approximately 1,500-square-foot lower level features a 15 by 24-foot family room, a guest bedroom, billiards and refreshment area, and a 15 by 26-foot home theater perfect for movie nights. Photographer: Ashley Avila Photography

The functionality of this spacious kitchen is a far cry from its humble beginnings as a lackluster 9 x 12 foot stretch. The exterior wall was blown out to allow for a 10 ft addition. The daring slab of Calacatta Vagli marble with intrepid British racing green veining was the inspiration for the expansion. Spanish Revival pendants reclaimed from a local restaurant, long forgotten, are a pinnacle feature over the island. Reclaimed wood drawers, juxtaposed with custom glass cupboards add gobs of storage. Cabinets are painted the same luxe green hue and the warmth of butcher block counters create a hard working bar area begging for character-worn use. The perimeter of the kitchen features soapstone counters and that nicely balance the whisper of mushroom-colored custom cabinets. Hand-made 4x4 zellige tiles, hung in a running bond pattern, pay sweet homage to the 1950’s era of the home. A large window flanked by antique brass sconces adds bonus natural light over the sink. Textural, centuries-old barn wood surrounding the range hood adds a cozy surprise element. Matte white appliances with brushed bronze and copper hardware tie in the mixed metals throughout the kitchen helping meld the overall dramatic design.