A sleeping alcove tucked into one end of a guest room just off the main living area provides respite even when the rest of the home is busy. Images | Kurt Jordan Photography

Marshall Morgan Erb Design Inc. Photo: Nick Johnson
Kitchen - traditional medium tone wood floor kitchen idea in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island

Yorgos Efthymiadis
Hallway - coastal light wood floor hallway idea in New York with white walls

Inspiration for a timeless family room remodel in San Francisco with beige walls and no tv

Wall Framing Provide and install wood or metal stud framing as per the approved plans. Ensure all framing is plumb, level, and secured per structural requirements. Install necessary blocking, bracing, and fire stops. Coordinate with other trades as needed. Drywall Installation per Plans Provide and install drywall per project specifications. Include necessary taping, mudding, and sanding for a smooth finish. Install moisture-resistant drywall where required. Ensure all seams and joints are properly finished for paint application. Insulation per Plans Supply and install insulation as specified in the project plans. Ensure proper R-values for thermal and acoustic performance. Install vapor barriers where required. Ensure all insulation is properly fitted and secured. Interior Painting per Plans Prep all surfaces, including priming where necessary. Apply paint per specifications, ensuring even coverage and smooth finish. Use high-quality paint as specified by the client. Protect surrounding surfaces and clean up upon completion. Acoustical Ceilings per Plans Provide and install acoustical ceiling grid and tiles per project specifications. Ensure level and secure installation. Coordinate with electrical and mechanical trades as needed. Baseboards Supply and install baseboards as per project requirements. Ensure precise cuts and seamless installation. Caulk and paint/stain as necessary. Flooring Labor Perform labor for flooring installation as per client-provided material. Ensure proper subfloor preparation. Install flooring per manufacturer guidelines. Provide final cleanup and ensure smooth finish. New Siding Remove existing siding if necessary. Supply and install new siding as per project specifications. Ensure proper flashing and weatherproofing. Seal all joints and ensure a finished look.

Photo by: Jacob Hand
Bedroom - small contemporary master medium tone wood floor bedroom idea in Philadelphia with white walls and no fireplace

Transitional light wood floor living room library photo in Nashville with white walls, no fireplace and no tv

Christian Garibaldi
Mid-sized trendy gender-neutral dark wood floor nursery photo in New York with multicolored walls

Robert Granoff
Elegant medium tone wood floor walk-in closet photo in Denver

Jim Scmid
Example of a classic medium tone wood floor kitchen design in Charlotte with stainless steel appliances

What our clients needed: • Create a garden folly that doubles as a well-built shed for crafts and storage. • Size the structure large enough for comfortable storage without dominating the garden. • Discreetly locate the shed in the far corner of the rear yard while maintaining existing trees. • Ensure that the structure is protected from the weather and carefully detailed to deter access of wildlife and rodents. FUNCTION • Construct the shed slab close to grade to permit easy access for bicycle storage, while building shed walls above grade to ensure against termites and dryrot. • Install a French door and operable casement windows to admit plenty of daylight and provide views to the garden. • Include rugged built-in work bench, shelves, bike racks and tool storage for a rustic well-organized and efficient space. • Incorporate GFIC electrical service for safe access to power at this distant corner of the yard. • Position energy-efficient interior lighting to ensure space can be used year-round. • Switch control of exterior light from house and from shed for ease of command. AESTHETICS • Design and detail the shed to coordinate with the Arts and Crafts style house. • Include an arbor for future flowering vines, further softening the shed’s garden presence. • Simple and rustic interior surfaces ensure that the space is easy to clean. • Create an aged and softly weathered appearance, and protect the exterior siding by finishing the cedar with a custom-colored semi-transparent stain. INNOVATIVE MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION • Factory-built components were pre-assembled to allow for a speedy assembly and for a shorter on-site construction schedule. • Each component was easily transported through the yard without disturbing garden features. • Decorative exterior trim frames the door and windows, while a simpler trim is used inside the unadorned shed. OBSTACLE OVERCOME • The structure is located in the corner of the yard to avoid disturbance of a curly willow tree. • The low-profile structure is positioned close to property lines while staying beneath the allowable daylight plane for structures. • To comply with daylight plane close to fence, the roof form combines hip and gable forms, with door located at gable end. • The height of the modest interior is maximized, without exceeding the allowable building height. CRAFTSMANSHIP • The concrete slab was precisely formed and finished for ease of shed assembly before the factory-built components were delivered to site. • Precision planning meant the pre-framed door fit exactly between raised concrete curb.

Integrity from Marvin Windows and Doors open this tiny house up to a larger-than-life ocean view.
Small farmhouse white two-story exterior home idea in Portland Maine with a metal roof

THE SETUP Client Background: Our clients, a couple who have transitioned into the empty nest phase, have cherished their home for over three decades without undergoing any significant renovations. With a newfound desire to adapt their living space to better suit their current lifestyle, they’ve embarked on a journey to reimagine their kitchen — the heart of their home. Their aspiration is to cultivate a serene, neutral-toned sanctuary on the first floor that seamlessly merges with their family room, ensuring a harmonious and inviting environment. Design Inspiration: The renovation is inspired by the couple’s penchant for soft, calming neutrals, using their cherished family room and the kitchen’s existing tile flooring as the cornerstone for the color scheme. This approach aims to foster a sense of warmth and tranquility throughout. Design Objectives: Harmonize the kitchen with the family room by adopting a soothing, neutral color scheme, ensuring a seamless flow across the first floor. Enhance kitchen functionality with thoughtfully designed cabinetry, providing a designated place for every item and maximizing storage efficiency. Cultivate an inviting and comfortable atmosphere that reflects the homeowners’ desire for a calm and relaxing space. Design Challenges: The homeowners wish to retain the existing kitchen tile flooring and integrate it into a refreshed, modern design. Accommodating a dining area spacious enough for family visits without compromising the kitchen’s open feel or functional layout. Despite liking the current placement of plumbing and appliances, the homeowners aspire for a more open floor plan to facilitate better movement and interaction. The need to amplify natural light in the kitchen, especially around the sink area, where existing lighting is insufficient. Preserving the half-wall between the kitchen and family room, a feature the homeowners want to keep, while ensuring it complements the new design. THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: By choosing a neutral color palette that complements the existing tile, the design unifies the kitchen with the adjacent spaces. The tile’s grout was cleaned and restored, enhancing the floor’s appearance and integrating it seamlessly with the new kitchen aesthetic. The inclusion of a larger island with seating for two, alongside maintaining a substantial dining table, was achieved by optimizing the spatial layout. This allowed for a sociable yet functional kitchen, accommodating large family gatherings without feeling crowded. Minor adjustments to the kitchen’s layout maintained the preferred locations for plumbing and appliances while introducing an ‘open’ design concept. Strategic modifications, such as angling the pantry wall, improved the flow and accessibility within the space. Replacing the garden window with a broader, standard window significantly increased natural light, transforming the sink area into a bright, welcoming space with enhanced views of the outdoors. The decision to keep the half-wall was ingeniously leveraged to define the dining area while maintaining an open connection to the family room. This feature not only serves as a visual separator but also ties the two spaces together through the shared color scheme and design elements. The homeowners are thrilled with their newly remodeled kitchen, which has become a hub of warmth and hospitality. Hosting a wedding shower and a birthday party, they have shared their renewed space with friends and family, who have been equally enamored. This remodel has not only met their functional and aesthetic desires but has also enriched their home with a fresh sense of serenity and joy. The upstairs part of the home is shaping up nicely. Here’s their newly remodeled primary bathroom.

Paul Dyer Photography
Inspiration for a timeless gray tile and glass tile mosaic tile floor corner shower remodel in San Francisco with an undermount sink, white cabinets, an undermount tub, gray walls and recessed-panel cabinets

Layered in timeless blues, soft greens, and warm creams, this space balances tradition with everyday comfort. Thoughtfully designed with family in mind, the room invites both connection and quiet moments—ample seating encourages gathering, while a dedicated game table sets the stage for friendly competition and shared memories. A traditional secretary desk adds a functional, collected touch, perfect for homework, correspondence, or simply keeping life organized. Comfortable, classic, and meant to be lived in—this is a living room where style and family life coexist beautifully.

Example of a southwest laundry room design in New Orleans with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, wood countertops, gray walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and beige countertops

This modern custom home is a beautiful blend of thoughtful design and comfortable living. No detail was left untouched during the design and build process. Taking inspiration from the Pacific Northwest, this home in the Washington D.C suburbs features a black exterior with warm natural woods. The home combines natural elements with modern architecture and features clean lines, open floor plans with a focus on functional living.

Example of a large transitional home gym design in Minneapolis

Cottage laundry room photo in Salt Lake City