Search results for "Ingenuity" in Home Design Ideas

Photography by Caryn B. Davis
Located in the Cornfield Point area of Old Saybrook along Long Island Sound, this project brought a classic, yet forgotten beach house back to life. Through a little detective work and some creative ingenuity, we restored and enhanced the exterior to it’s former glory and transformed the interior to a highly efficient and functional home all the while uplifting its quaint cottage charm. On the exterior, we recreated a wonderful, airy front porch with cozy bench seats that look out to the water. The white cedar shingle siding is pre-bleached with a subtle flair at the bottom and a delicate break at mid-elevation. The asphalt shingles are not only beautifully matched with the siding, but offer superior reflective qualities to dissipate the heat of the summer sun. On the interior, we joined the front seasonal porch with the family room to form a larger, open living and dining space with paneled walls and ceilings anchored by the original round stone fireplace. In the rear, we carefully crafted a galley kitchen and laundry space with an adjacent first floor master suite. The diminutive house and property posed multiple practical and regulatory challenges which were overcome by a strong team effort, due diligence, and a commitment to the process.
John R. Schroeder, AIA is a professional design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and planning. We have over 30 years experience with projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. Because we love what we do, we approach our work with enthusiasm and dedication. We are committed to the highest level of design and service on each and every project. We engage our clients in positive and rewarding collaborations. We strive to exceed expectations through our attention to detail, our understanding of the “big picture”, and our ability to effectively manage a team of design professionals, industry representatives, and building contractors. We carefully analyze budgets and project objectives to assist clients with wise fund allocation.
We continually monitor and research advances in technology, materials, and construction methods, both sustainable and otherwise, to provide a responsible, well-suited, and cost effective product. Our design solutions are highly functional using both innovative and traditional approaches. Our aesthetic style is flexible and open, blending cues from client desires, building function, site context, and material properties, making each project unique, personalized, and enduring.

Calligaris' distinctive table designs and dynamic extension systems have the ability to transform a simple table into a striking piece of design. The Omnia table is an excellent example of style and ingenuity. With a very thin, almost fluctuating top and distinctively shaped legs, this table fuses modern appeal with traditional craftsmanship. This versatile table is available in different sizes and combinations. Choose from a wood or ceramic glass table top, as well as fixed or extendible versions.
The Sami Chair pairs perfectly with the Omnia Dining Table. With its padded shell, Sami recalls remotely vintage atmospheres, but reinvents them completely. The Sami is available with hardwood ash or beech legs, and a padded multilayer shell, upholstered in either fabric or Gummy, a soft and washable synthetic material.

The original structure at Yankee Point was a simple 1970s home with “good bones.” Unfortunately, it was also a case where less-than-poetic considerations threatened to eclipse design. Setbacks, height and footprint restrictions and other building regulations had boxed in the renovation to the point where there was literally nowhere left to build. Fortunately, the house sat 6' above grade on the ocean side. With some three-dimensional ingenuity, this ultimately provided ample space to add a new full height lower level without exceeding stringent lot coverage limitations. Today, upon entering the residence, you catch a quick glimpse of the ocean views and of the cascading roof lines designed to echo the motions of ocean waves beyond. The space opens up as you move toward the ocean to reveal a panoramic view.
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Ribbon Designer Coffee Table is a nexus between manufacturing precision and artistic innovation, featuring age old materials as a backdrop against modern ingenuity. Designed by Mauro Lipparini for Bonaldo and manufactured in Italy, Ribbon Coffee Table features a White Carrara marble base with a curved dimensional top in smoky or transparent glass. Ribbon Contemporary Coffee Table is available in two square sizes.

Winner 2015 Ingenuity Top Treatments, Tina Fontana.
Playroom - traditional girl dark wood floor playroom idea in Baltimore with pink walls
Playroom - traditional girl dark wood floor playroom idea in Baltimore with pink walls

This modest home was in desperate need of TLC and creative ingenuity.
Solution: Heath tile, concrete mantel and a new high performance fireplace sets the stage for this mid-century modern mountain home

Brandner Design purchased this 1955 mill workers house next to Story Mill and designed a full remodel in a very unique contemporary industrial design. The intent with this design was to compliment the Mill District style of the Bozeman North side. A mix of materials, clean lines and Industrial ingenuity….

Packing a lot of function into a small space requires ingenuity and skill, exactly what was needed for this one-bedroom gut in the Meatpacking District. When Axis Mundi was done, all that remained was the expansive arched window. Now one enters onto a pristine white-walled loft warmed by new zebrano plank floors. A new powder room and kitchen are at right. On the left, the lean profile of a folded steel stair cantilevered off the wall allows access to the bedroom above without eating up valuable floor space. Beyond, a living room basks in ample natural light. To allow that light to penetrate to the darkest corners of the bedroom, while also affording the owner privacy, the façade of the master bath, as well as the railing at the edge of the mezzanine space, are sandblasted glass. Finally, colorful furnishings, accessories and photography animate the simply articulated architectural envelope.
Project Team: John Beckmann, Nick Messerlian and Richard Rosenbloom
Photographer: Mikiko Kikuyama
© Axis Mundi Design LLC

Packing a lot of function into a small space requires ingenuity and skill, exactly what was needed for this one-bedroom gut in the Meatpacking District. When Axis Mundi was done, all that remained was the expansive arched window. Now one enters onto a pristine white-walled loft warmed by new zebrano plank floors. A new powder room and kitchen are at right. On the left, the lean profile of a folded steel stair cantilevered off the wall allows access to the bedroom above without eating up valuable floor space. Beyond, a living room basks in ample natural light. To allow that light to penetrate to the darkest corners of the bedroom, while also affording the owner privacy, the façade of the master bath, as well as the railing at the edge of the mezzanine space, are sandblasted glass. Finally, colorful furnishings, accessories and photography animate the simply articulated architectural envelope.
Project Team: John Beckmann, Nick Messerlian and Richard Rosenbloom
Photographer: Mikiko Kikuyama
Contractor: Vered
© Axis Mundi Design LLC.

Packing a lot of function into a small space requires ingenuity and skill, exactly what was needed for this one-bedroom gut in the Meatpacking District. When Axis Mundi was done, all that remained was the expansive arched window. Now one enters onto a pristine white-walled loft warmed by new zebrano plank floors. A new powder room and kitchen are at right. On the left, the lean profile of a folded steel stair cantilevered off the wall allows access to the bedroom above without eating up valuable floor space. Beyond, a living room basks in ample natural light. To allow that light to penetrate to the darkest corners of the bedroom, while also affording the owner privacy, the façade of the master bath, as well as the railing at the edge of the mezzanine space, are sandblasted glass. Finally, colorful furnishings, accessories and photography animate the simply articulated architectural envelope.
Project Team: John Beckmann, Nick Messerlian and Richard Rosenbloom
Photographer: Mikiko Kikuyama
Contractor: Vered
© Axis Mundi Design LLC.

Nestled in the hills of Orinda, California, this 1951 residence is one of only seven extant homes, now known as “The Magnificent Seven”, designed by architect Olof Dahlstrand, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright. With its low-slung rooflines, natural materials, and deep integration with the sloping landscape, the home is a pristine example of mid-century modern design inspired by Wright’s organic principles. Over the years, prior homeowners have emphasized preservation, ensuring that the house remained relatively untouched. Each owner has respected the original architecture and stayed true to Dahlstrand’s intent. When a family of five—two college-aged sons and a middle school-aged daughter—acquired the property, they were captivated by its history, legacy of care, and architectural significance. While they appreciated Dahlstrand’s original vision, they also recognized the need to adapt the home for contemporary living while preserving its design integrity.
The remodel was conceived as a thoughtful response to the past—an effort to bring the house into the 21st century without compromising its soul. The primary mandate was to maintain architectural continuity while improving the functionality, comfort, and livability for a modern family. The design team—architects and contractor alike—worked with a shared reverence for the original architecture, allowing that mindset to guide even the most technical or pragmatic decisions.
A key objective was to increase natural light in the kitchen—a departure from Wrightian principles of enclosed, intimate cooking spaces—while maintaining the home’s architectural language. The kitchen was reconfigured to foster a stronger connection to adjacent living spaces while retaining the underlying concept of spatial separation. One of the most transformative architectural changes was the removal of a ridge beam that was originally planned to remain visible through the kitchen. During construction, the team collaborated on a better solution: a wide-flanged steel beam concealed within the roof envelope. This subtle move preserved the clean lines and ceiling continuity, a modern update carried out with utmost respect for the existing framework.
The home’s original powder room, previously accessible only through the kitchen, was relocated for better flow and privacy. A new powder room was carved out of former kitchen cabinetry—a narrow, interior space that could have felt dark and enclosed. To avoid this, the design extended the line of original transom windows into the new powder room and added a skylight above the vanity. The result is a bright and airy space that feels consistent with the rest of the home. Other updates included the installation of new solid-core interior doors with veneers carefully matched to the original mahogany, enhancing the continuity of the interiors. Even smaller decisions, such as placing the door knobs at 42 inches high, mirrored the original proportions. Every choice reflected a shared belief between the architect, contractor, and client: that new work should serve the integrity of the old.
The home’s extensive interior redwood millwork and paneling was meticulously restored. Where new materials were introduced—such as the replacement redwood soffit paneling—the contractor took pains to find finish nails that matched the original, rather than using modern equivalents. This level of craftsmanship and collaboration defined the project. It extended even to the detailing of a blind door to the new powder room, which had to disappear into the existing redwood board-and-batten wall. It was a team effort: the owner found a suitable handle, the architects devised the custom in-swing mechanism, and the contractor executed it so the door aligned precisely with the battens. Throughout, the homeowners were deeply engaged in the design process. One, a meticulous design enthusiast, focused on aesthetic integrity and historic detail. The other brought a practical and function-driven perspective, ensuring that new fixtures and materials would be durable and require minimal maintenance.
While the home’s location posed no major site challenges, sustainability was a key concern. The team upgraded the roof insulation, installed solar panels with battery storage, and added ductless mini-split cooling systems. Lighting was another area where modern technology was woven into a historic framework: new square LED fixtures echo the original custom perimeter soffit lights, maintaining the design language while offering advanced performance.
A planned expansion of a bedroom into suite with a bathroom had to be shelved due to budget constraints and the high cost of below-grade foundation work. Still, the team focused their efforts on making the most of the existing footprint, resolving constraints through design ingenuity rather than adding square footage. This renovation represents a collaborative achievement in preserving and evolving a historically significant home. Every decision was shaped by a shared ethos among clients, architects, and contractor: to maintain the home’s architectural soul while updating it for contemporary life. The result is a timeless modernist residence that continues Olof Dahlstrand’s legacy, remaining grounded in nature, craftsmanship, and human-scale design.
Klopf Architecture Team: John Klopf, AIA, Klara Kevane, Fernanda Bernardes
Interior Architectural Design: Klopf Architecture
Structural Engineer: Daniel Bastiao
Contractor: Don Larwood, Larwood Construction
Photography: Mariko Reed
Year Completed: 2022

This 3,850-square-foot single-family home in New Jersey exemplifies modern design and architectural ingenuity. Built on a tight lot with stringent zoning regulations, the project posed unique challenges that were met with innovative solutions to deliver a truly

Quality, functionality, and the art of blending with breathtaking aesthetics. Our clients, driven by a vision of waterfront living, entrusted us to craft their dream home—a sanctuary where every detail embodies excellence.
Perched on the tranquil shores of Eagle Harbor, this residence embraces its unique site challenges with ingenuity. Walls of glass invite panoramic views of downtown Windsor Bainbridge Island into the living space, blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors.
The main level, anchored by a central three-sided fireplace, seamlessly integrates kitchen, living, and dining areas. Below, a cozy guest suite and media room offer respite, while an inviting family room beckons for relaxation.
Ascending to the upper levels reveals luxury—a primary bedroom suite, thoughtfully designed office space, and a sprawling covered outdoor roof deck, offering unparalleled views and tranquility.
Materials were carefully selected to complement the natural surroundings, with a limited palette of dark charcoal hues accentuated by warm aged wood accents.
In essence, this residence is a celebration of craftsmanship and the ultimate waterfront living experience—a sanctuary where dreams meet reality. Welcome to a haven where quality, functionality, and breathtaking beauty converge.

Introducing DevArt8's crowning achievement – an awe-inspiring full home remodel that exemplifies the perfect blend of ingenuity, innovation, and masterful craftsmanship. This project surpassed the boundaries of a mere renovation, as it entailed a complete reimagining of the living space. From the project's inception, our team recognized the immense potential to create something truly extraordinary. By skillfully harmonizing contemporary aesthetics with functional design, every facet of the home was thoughtfully tailored to embody the client's distinct style and accommodate their lifestyle seamlessly. With precision, we executed intricate structural modifications, incorporated ingenious space utilization techniques, and meticulously sourced premium materials from trusted suppliers. Throughout the transformative journey, clear communication, meticulous attention to detail, and an unwavering dedication to excellence were paramount. The result? A breathtaking home that not only exceeded the client's expectations but also redefined the standards of modern luxury living. At DevArt8, our passion lies in turning houses into dream homes, and this full home remodel is the epitome of our commitment to transforming spaces into true works of art.

We installed this room divider arrangement for clienst who wished to separate two areas of their basement. Using a sturdy sliding door mechanism, solid pine door panels and a bit of ingenuity, we turned one room in two, and added natural wood beauty as well!

Bedroom - small loft-style light wood floor bedroom idea in New York with beige walls

This pic was taken before we finished, and the color change kit arrived; however, it shows what can be done with some planning and ingenuity.
Large trendy home design photo in DC Metro
Large trendy home design photo in DC Metro

Located in the picturesque landscape of Limassol, Cyprus, residence showcases our experience in blending modern architecture with the rugged beauty of the mountainous terrain. Our approach to this project was guided by the principle of enhancing the natural landscape, rather than imposing on it. The uniqueness of Stone lies in its partial integration into the mountain itself. This design choice not only pays respect to the local geography but also serves practical purposes, offering improved thermal insulation and structural stability.
Thoughtful planning of the residence reflects our understanding of the client’s lifestyle and needs. For example, the main entrance, garage, and a dedicated workspace suited for remote work - an increasingly common aspect of modern life - are located on the ground floor.
The first floor emphasizes privacy and comfort. The master bedroom, kids‘ bedrooms provide personal space for retreat while a shared terrace connects these spaces, offering stunning mountain views.
The basement is where architectural ingenuity truly shines. Envisioned as a space for relaxation and entertaining, this floor seamlessly transitions between indoor and outdoor living. One side of the basement is partially integrated into the mountainside, creating a cozy nook for relaxation, while the other side opens onto a spacious terrace with an open pool and outdoor theater.
Size / 810 sq.m.
Year / 2024
Location / Limassol, Cyprus

This kitchen is the product of thoughtful ingenuity, quality crafts people, and an eye for design brought by the owner.
Inspiration for a mid-sized l-shaped dark wood floor, brown floor and exposed beam eat-in kitchen remodel with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and white countertops
Inspiration for a mid-sized l-shaped dark wood floor, brown floor and exposed beam eat-in kitchen remodel with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and white countertops
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