Contemporary concrete retaining wall with stucco to match.
Photo of a large contemporary full sun backyard concrete paver landscaping in San Diego with a fire pit for spring.

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.

The challenge for this project was that, while the homeowner desired all of the luxury amenities of a deluxe master bath, space was extremely limited. Therefore efficient space planning was critical in achieving the final design. Use of custom painted cabinetry and carrara marble countertops were the basis for this compact yet luxurious bathroom design. Careful attention was given to the tone of the finishes in order to keep this eastern-exposure bathroom light and bright. White trim and crown moulding was used in contrast to the putty colored walls. In keeping with the era of the home, a hand-glazed white ceramic subway tile was used in the soaking tub alcove. Nickel plated bath, lavatory, tub and shower fixtures in the vintage style were used alongside modern amenities such as recessed halogen lighting, electric towel warmers and radiant-heated tile flooring.

David Duncan Livingston
Alcove shower - mid-sized farmhouse master white tile and subway tile dark wood floor alcove shower idea in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets and white walls

Photo credit: Nolan Painting Interior Design: Raindrum Design
Large trendy eat-in kitchen photo in Philadelphia with white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, glass tile backsplash, an island, an undermount sink, soapstone countertops, black countertops and shaker cabinets

Aventura Magazine said: In the master bedroom, the subtle use of color keeps the mood serene. The modern king-sized bed is from B@B Italia. The Willy Dilly Lamp is by Ingo Maurer and the white Oregani linens were purchased at Luminaire. In order to achieve the luxury of the natural environment, she extensively renovated the front of the house and the back door area leading to the pool. In the front sections, Corredor wanted to look out-doors and see green from wherever she was seated. Throughout the house, she created several architectural siting areas using a variety of architectural and creative devices. One of the sting areas was greatly expanded by adding two marble slabs to extend the room, which leads directly outdoors. From one door next to unique vertical shelf filled with stacked books. Corredor and her husband can pass through paradise to a bedroom/office area.

An original overhead soffit, tile countertops, fluorescent lights and oak cabinets were all removed to create a modern, spa-inspired master bathroom. Color inspiration came from the nearby ocean and was juxtaposed with a custom, expresso-stained vanity, white quartz countertops and new plumbing fixtures. Sources: Wall Paint - Sherwin-Williams, Tide Water @ 120% Faucet - Hans Grohe Tub Deck Set - Hans Grohe Sink - Kohler Ceramic Field Tile - Lanka Tile Glass Accent Tile - G&G Tile Shower Floor/Niche Tile - AKDO Floor Tile - Emser Countertops, shower & tub deck, niche and pony wall cap - Caesarstone Bathroom Scone - George Kovacs Cabinet Hardware - Atlas Medicine Cabinet - Restoration Hardware Photographer - Robert Morning Photography

A small flame in the fireplace warms the living room as do the contemporary area rugs on top of the interior concrete floors which have radiant heat.
Example of a trendy great room design in San Francisco with gray walls

Teal is the operative color here: it's echoed in the overdyed hand knotted Persian rug, glass tile backsplash, velvet ottoman and accent wall. It can also be found in the glass tile barrel vault ceiling, which enlarges this already spacious master bathroom. Design: Wesley-Wayne Interiors Photo: Stephen Karlisch

Photography by: Susan Gilmore
Eat-in kitchen - transitional l-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Chicago with beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, an undermount sink, marble countertops and subway tile backsplash

TEAM Architect: LDa Architecture & Interiors Interior Design: LDa Architecture & Interiors Builder: Denali Construction Landscape Architect: Michelle Crowley Landscape Architecture Photographer: Greg Premru Photography

Designers gave the house a wood-and-steel façade that blends traditional and industrial elements.Photography by Eric Hausman Designers gave the house a wood-and-steel façade that blends traditional and industrial elements. This home’s noteworthy steel shipping container construction material, offers a streamlined aesthetic and industrial vibe, with sustainable attributes and strength. Recycled shipping containers are fireproof, impervious to water and stronger than traditional building materials. Inside, muscular concrete walls, burnished cedar beams and custom oak cabinetry give the living spaces definition, decorative might, and storage and seating options. For more than 40 years, Fredman Design Group has been in the business of Interior Design. Throughout the years, we’ve built long-lasting relationships with our clients through our client-centric approach. When creating designs, our decisions depend on the personality of our clients—their dreams and their aspirations. We manifest their lifestyle by incorporating elements of design with those of our clients to create a unique environment, down to the details of the upholstery and accessories. We love it when a home feels finished and lived in, with various layers and textures. While each of our clients and their stories has varied over the years, they’ve come to trust us with their projects—whether it’s a single room to the larger complete renovation, addition, or new construction. They value the collaborative team that is behind each project, embracing the diversity that each designer is able to bring to their project through their love of art, travel, fashion, nature, history, architecture or film—ultimately falling in love with the nurturing environments we create for them. We are grateful for the opportunity to tell each of clients’ stories through design. What story can we help you tell? Call us today to schedule your complimentary consultation - 312-587-9184

This new 6400 s.f. two-story split-level home lifts upward and orients toward unobstructed views of Windy Hill. The deep overhanging flat roof design with a stepped fascia preserves the classic modern lines of the building while incorporating a Zero-Net Energy photovoltaic panel system. From start to finish, the construction is uniformly energy efficient and follows California Build It Green guidelines. Many sustainable finish materials are used on both the interior and exterior, including recycled old growth cedar and pre-fabricated concrete panel siding. Photo by: www.bernardandre.com

a powder room was created by eliminating the existing hall closet and stealing a little space from the existing bedroom behind. a linen wall covering was added with a nail head detail giving the powder room a polished look. WoodStone Inc, General Contractor Home Interiors, Cortney McDougal, Interior Design Draper White Photography

Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Design | Troy Thies, Photography | Shannon Gale, Photo Styling
Large transitional living room photo in Minneapolis

For this project we were hired to design the residential interiors and common spaces of this new development in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. This project consists of two small sister buildings located on the same lot; both buildings together have 25,000 s.f of residential space which is divided into 13 large condos. The apartment interiors were given a loft-like feel with an industrial edge by keeping exposed concrete ceilings, wide plank oak flooring, and large open living/kitchen spaces. All hardware, plumbing fixtures and cabinetry are black adding a dramatic accent to the otherwise mostly white spaces; the spaces still feel light and airy due to their ceiling heights and large expansive windows. All of the apartments have some outdoor space, large terraces on the second floor units, balconies on the middle floors and roof decks at the penthouse level. In the lobby we accentuated the overall industrial theme of the building by keeping raw concrete floors; tiling the walls in a concrete-like large vertical tile, cladding the mailroom in Shou Sugi Ban, Japanese charred wood, and using a large blackened steel chandelier to accent the space.

Tricia Shay Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary gray two-story mixed siding house exterior remodel in Milwaukee with a shed roof

Fu-Tung Cheng, CHENG Design • View of Interior staircase of Concrete and Wood house, House 7 House 7, named the "Concrete Village Home", is Cheng Design's seventh custom home project. With inspiration of a "small village" home, this project brings in dwellings of different size and shape that support and intertwine with one another. Featuring a sculpted, concrete geological wall, pleated butterfly roof, and rainwater installations, House 7 exemplifies an interconnectedness and energetic relationship between home and the natural elements. Photography: Matthew Millman

Beyond Beige Interior Design | www.beyondbeige.com | Ph: 604-876-3800 | Photography By Provoke Studios | Furniture Purchased From The Living Lab Furniture Co