The Gold Fork is a contemporary mid-century design with clean lines, large windows, and the perfect mix of stone and wood. Taking that design aesthetic to an open floor plan offers great opportunities for functional living spaces, smart storage solutions, and beautifully appointed finishes. With a nod to modern lifestyle, the tech room is centrally located to create an exciting mixed-use space for the ability to work and live. Always the heart of the home, the kitchen is sleek in design with a full-service butler pantry complete with a refrigerator and loads of storage space.

Example of a minimalist u-shaped gray floor kitchen design in New York with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, concrete countertops, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances and gray countertops

The Mazama house is located in the Methow Valley of Washington State, a secluded mountain valley on the eastern edge of the North Cascades, about 200 miles northeast of Seattle. The house has been carefully placed in a copse of trees at the easterly end of a large meadow. Two major building volumes indicate the house organization. A grounded 2-story bedroom wing anchors a raised living pavilion that is lifted off the ground by a series of exposed steel columns. Seen from the access road, the large meadow in front of the house continues right under the main living space, making the living pavilion into a kind of bridge structure spanning over the meadow grass, with the house touching the ground lightly on six steel columns. The raised floor level provides enhanced views as well as keeping the main living level well above the 3-4 feet of winter snow accumulation that is typical for the upper Methow Valley. To further emphasize the idea of lightness, the exposed wood structure of the living pavilion roof changes pitch along its length, so the roof warps upward at each end. The interior exposed wood beams appear like an unfolding fan as the roof pitch changes. The main interior bearing columns are steel with a tapered “V”-shape, recalling the lightness of a dancer. The house reflects the continuing FINNE investigation into the idea of crafted modernism, with cast bronze inserts at the front door, variegated laser-cut steel railing panels, a curvilinear cast-glass kitchen counter, waterjet-cut aluminum light fixtures, and many custom furniture pieces. The house interior has been designed to be completely integral with the exterior. The living pavilion contains more than twelve pieces of custom furniture and lighting, creating a totality of the designed environment that recalls the idea of Gesamtkunstverk, as seen in the work of Josef Hoffman and the Viennese Secessionist movement in the early 20th century. The house has been designed from the start as a sustainable structure, with 40% higher insulation values than required by code, radiant concrete slab heating, efficient natural ventilation, large amounts of natural lighting, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and locally sourced materials. Windows have high-performance LowE insulated glazing and are equipped with concealed shades. A radiant hydronic heat system with exposed concrete floors allows lower operating temperatures and higher occupant comfort levels. The concrete slabs conserve heat and provide great warmth and comfort for the feet. Deep roof overhangs, built-in shades and high operating clerestory windows are used to reduce heat gain in summer months. During the winter, the lower sun angle is able to penetrate into living spaces and passively warm the exposed concrete floor. Low VOC paints and stains have been used throughout the house. The high level of craft evident in the house reflects another key principle of sustainable design: build it well and make it last for many years! Photo by Benjamin Benschneider

Daniel Kelleghan
Inspiration for a transitional beige tile bathroom remodel in Chicago with an undermount sink, dark wood cabinets and beaded inset cabinets

Designed by Johnson Squared, Bainbridge Is., WA © 2013 John Granen
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept concrete floor and brown floor family room remodel in Seattle with white walls, a wall-mounted tv and no fireplace

This custom garage cabinetry system includes a high gloss red, black, and wire bronze finishes to achieve a modern high end car connoisseur look. The countertops were finished with a Mayan dyed copper metal laminate and all drawer boxes were lined with a black and red speckled vulcanized high impact rubber matting. Some added features include: integrated seating bench, personal beverage center, concealed hot/cold water retractable hose reel, and a wet/dry shop vacuum system. The TV was also equipped with its own high gloss surround cabinet with tiered picture frame to further accent the garage colors. The TV cabinet has LED back lighting to make the TV appear as though it is floating in space. Red and Black moulding were added to the upper soffit area to conceal a multi-color LED lighting for added ambiance. To finish things off two car lifts were installed for more "good boy" toys. Bill Curran/Closet Organizing Systems/Owner & Designer

Seth Hannula
Large elegant single-wall medium tone wood floor enclosed kitchen photo in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Zen-like kitchen has white kitchen walls & backsplash with contrasting light shades of beige and brown & modern flat panel touch latch cabinetry. Custom cabinetry made in the Benvenuti and Stein Evanston cabinet shop. Norman Sizemore-Photographer

Example of a transitional gray floor and wainscoting single front door design in Milwaukee with beige walls and a dark wood front door

Inspiration for a contemporary l-shaped light wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen remodel in Toronto with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and an undermount sink

Property marketed by Hudson Place Realty - Chic & contemporary 2 bedroom 2 bathroom with private Ipe’ deck & Freedom Tower views in Hoboken's landmark boutique building. Formerly a coconut warehouse, now an in demand visionary LEED GOLD certified building. With 1550 sq. ft. & floor to ceiling windows, this swanky south facing condo has it all; fantastic light, a sleek Italian Valcucine kitchen, Viking refrigerator, integrated Miele DW, Viking 6 burner range with fully vented hood, Viking wine cooler & tempered glass counters. Master suite with walk in closet & spa bath featuring imported Zen soaking tub, separate shower, linen closet, Duravit double sink & Lightolier sconces. Sonos music system, custom closets throughout, bamboo floors, planted green living roof with residents area featuring fabulous NYC & Hudson River views, filtered fresh air system, private storage & bike room. Concrete sub floors and Quiet Rock insulation for soundproofing. Absolutely ideal location, bordered on the western side by the newly established Garden Street Mews pedestrian area, parks, shopping, waterfront and all transportation. NYC bus at door & only 3 blocks to ferry. LEED certified GOLD building.

Inspiration for a mid-sized rustic beige floor mudroom remodel in Other with brown walls

Master Shower project featuring Moen Kingsley fixtures in wrought iron. Capri mosaic and Sandlewood Travertine subway tile, cathedral niche, threshold inserts for shelves, chair rail, and edge stone from The Tile Shop. Travertine thresholds and ledge top, Coffee leathered granite corner bench seat; all from Bison Countertops. Custom glass enclosure by Nashville Glass Company. Photo by Mindy Jo Gilmore

Surrounded by 30 year old trees, the homeowners were looking for an organic, modern, low maintenance finish to their outdoor environment. Utilizing the pre-existing mature apple tree in the backyard VisionScapes developed a tranquil retreat that extended the sq.ft of the home through a series of terraced concrete and wood decks. Pathways and patio systems were locally sourced from a quarry on the edge of the Rocky Mountains. Photo credit: Jamen Rhodes

A pair of Good Flock Aurora Lamps give this master bathroom a bit of character. A custom floating vanity with drawers hold a pair of Ikea sinks. The cedar plank wood wall holds an integrated built-in medicine cabinet and makes the whole room glow. Hexagonal tile feels good on your feet. All photos: Josh Partee Photography

Shoberg Homes- Contractor Studio Seiders - Interior Design Ryann Ford Photography, LLC
Kitchen - contemporary l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen idea in Austin with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Adriana Solmson Interiors
Kitchen - large contemporary u-shaped brown floor and dark wood floor kitchen idea in New York with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and beige countertops

Small transitional single-wall medium tone wood floor and brown floor wet bar photo in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz countertops, black backsplash and black countertops

David Burroughs
Mountain style galley kitchen photo in Baltimore with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, stone tile backsplash and an island