In this narrow powder room, texture creates impact without relying on bold colour. Three-dimensional white wall tile transforms the far wall into a sculptural focal point, drawing the eye through the room and giving the compact footprint a greater sense of depth. A vertical walnut feature visually emphasizes the ceiling height while supporting the wall-mounted sink, open ledges and contemporary sconce. Together, the streamlined fixtures and layered materials make the small space feel considered rather than constrained.

Design by Joanna Hartman Photography by Ryann Ford Styling by Adam Fortner This bath features 3cm Bianco Carrera Marble at the vanities, Restoration Hardware, Ann Sacks "Savoy" 3X6 and 2x4 tile in Dove on shower walls and backsplash, D190 Payette Liner for shower walls and niche, 3" Carrara Hex honed and polished floor and shower floor tile, Benjamin Moore "River Reflections" paint, and Restoration Hardware chrome Dillon sconces.

Ryann Ford
Example of a farmhouse claw-foot bathtub design in Austin

Julie Mifsud Interior Design www.juliemifsuddesign.com/
Inspiration for a timeless gray tile freestanding bathtub remodel in San Francisco with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets and gray walls

Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Design | L. Cramer Builders + Remodelers, Builder | Troy Thies, Photography | Shannon Gale, Photo Styling Please Note: All “related,” “similar,” and “sponsored” products tagged or listed by Houzz are not actual products pictured. They have not been approved by Martha O’Hara Interiors nor any of the professionals credited. For information about our work, please contact design@oharainteriors.com.

The Clients contacted Cecil Baker + Partners to reconfigure and remodel the top floor of a prominent Philadelphia high-rise into an urban pied-a-terre. The forty-five story apartment building, overlooking Washington Square Park and its surrounding neighborhoods, provided a modern shell for this truly contemporary renovation. Originally configured as three penthouse units, the 8,700 sf interior, as well as 2,500 square feet of terrace space, was to become a single residence with sweeping views of the city in all directions. The Client’s mission was to create a city home for collecting and displaying contemporary glass crafts. Their stated desire was to cast an urban home that was, in itself, a gallery. While they enjoy a very vital family life, this home was targeted to their urban activities - entertainment being a central element. The living areas are designed to be open and to flow into each other, with pockets of secondary functions. At large social events, guests feel free to access all areas of the penthouse, including the master bedroom suite. A main gallery was created in order to house unique, travelling art shows. Stemming from their desire to entertain, the penthouse was built around the need for elaborate food preparation. Cooking would be visible from several entertainment areas with a “show” kitchen, provided for their renowned chef. Secondary preparation and cleaning facilities were tucked away. The architects crafted a distinctive residence that is framed around the gallery experience, while also incorporating softer residential moments. Cecil Baker + Partners embraced every element of the new penthouse design beyond those normally associated with an architect’s sphere, from all material selections, furniture selections, furniture design, and art placement. Barry Halkin and Todd Mason Photography

photos by Steve Chenn
Example of a classic patio design in Houston

A concrete garden wall serves as a planter and provides privacy to the interior courtyard from the street. Photographer: Greg Thomas, http://optphotography.com/

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.

Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal garden shed remodel in DC Metro

Martha O’Hara Interiors, Interior Design & Photo Styling | John Kraemer & Sons, Builder | Troy Thies, Photography | Ben Nelson, Designer | Please Note: All “related,” “similar,” and “sponsored” products tagged or listed by Houzz are not actual products pictured. They have not been approved by Martha O’Hara Interiors nor any of the professionals credited. For info about our work: design@oharainteriors.com

Phillip Ennis
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern backyard rectangular pool house remodel in New York

Atlantic Archives, Inc./Richard Leo Johnson Paragon Custom Construction LLC
Large beach style formal and enclosed medium tone wood floor living room photo in Charleston with gray walls and no tv

Tricia Shay Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary wooden straight concrete floor, open and cable railing staircase remodel in Milwaukee

Architecture: Sutro Architects Contractor: Larsen Builders Photography: David Duncan Livingston
Tub/shower combo - mid-sized transitional kids' beige tile tub/shower combo idea in San Francisco with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, an undermount tub and blue walls

Custom Concrete Countertops by Hard Topix. Perimeter is a light grind finish and the Island is a darker natural/textured finish.
Urban l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen photo in Grand Rapids with a double-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, concrete countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island

Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Design | L. Cramer Builders + Remodelers, Builder | Troy Thies, Photography | Shannon Gale, Photo Styling Please Note: All “related,” “similar,” and “sponsored” products tagged or listed by Houzz are not actual products pictured. They have not been approved by Martha O’Hara Interiors nor any of the professionals credited. For information about our work, please contact design@oharainteriors.com.

Accent walls don't need to be small. Check out this teal painted wall that ties the dining area and living space together in this Ottawa town home.
Dining room - contemporary dark wood floor dining room idea in Ottawa with blue walls and no fireplace

Popular Scandinavian-style interiors blog 'These Four Walls' has collaborated with Kährs for a scandi-inspired, soft and minimalist living room makeover. Kährs worked with founder Abi Dare to find the perfect hard wearing and stylish floor to work alongside minimalist decor. Kährs' ultra matt 'Oak Sky' engineered wood floor design was the perfect fit. "I was keen on the idea of pale Nordic oak and ordered all sorts of samples, but none seemed quite right – until a package arrived from Swedish brand Kährs, that is. As soon as I took a peek at ‘Oak Sky’ ultra matt lacquered boards I knew they were the right choice – light but not overly so, with a balance of ashen and warmer tones and a beautiful grain. It creates the light, Scandinavian vibe that I love, but it doesn’t look out of place in our Victorian house; it also works brilliantly with the grey walls. I also love the matte finish, which is very hard wearing but has none of the shininess normally associated with lacquer" says Abi. Oak Sky is the lightest oak design from the Kährs Lux collection of one-strip ultra matt lacquer floors. The semi-transparent white stain and light and dark contrasts in the wood makes the floor ideal for a scandi-chic inspired interior. The innovative surface treatment is non-reflective; enhancing the colour of the floor while giving it a silky, yet strong shield against wear and tear. Kährs' Lux collection won 'Best Flooring' at the House Beautiful Awards 2017. Kährs have collaborated with These Four Walls and feature in two blog posts; My soft, minimalist living room makeover reveal and How to choose wooden flooring. All photography by Abi Dare, Founder of These Four Walls