porch
This is an example of a victorian porch design in Charleston with decking and a roof extension.

Lawrence Taylor Photography
Staircase - large mediterranean wooden curved metal railing staircase idea in Orlando with tile risers

Box vault ceilings with archways. Engineered wood floor. Entry way flows into living and dining spaces. Photography by Spacecrafting.
Example of a large transitional great room design in Minneapolis with gray walls, engineered wood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard patio remodel in Melbourne with decking, a pergola and a bbq area

Photo Credit: Andy Beasley Sliding doors lead onto a tucked away patio area with wood clad wall. Texture and materials create an exciting space with a contrast to the large format grey floor tiles. Exposed brick walls are a great way to make a feature in any space this client did not want to use brick slips so real brick was exposed and the variation in tones makes for a warm and dynamic dining area. The wrap around glazing and slot window makes the space feel lightweight without overexposing the area. Wall Colour - Farrow & Ball Strong White. Floor tiles - Worlds End Tiles (Around £45sqm)

Large trendy open concept medium tone wood floor living room photo in Minneapolis with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace and no tv

Michael Moran
Example of a trendy white floor hallway design in DC Metro with white walls

Example of an arts and crafts master medium tone wood floor home design design with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a one-piece toilet and green walls

Photos by Tony Murray
Elegant front door photo in London with a glass front door

This home was featured in the July 2011 issue of “Log Cabin Homes.” It proves efficiency doesn’t have to be sacrificed when designing grand elegance. Even with its cathedral ceilings and many windows it earned a 5 Star Plus Energy Star® rating. http://www.coventryloghomes.com/ourDesigns/craftsmanSeries/BearRock/model.html Roger Wade

Amadeus Leitner
Inspiration for a mediterranean l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen remodel in Albuquerque with a double-bowl sink, raised-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, marble countertops, stainless steel appliances, beige walls, an island and stone slab backsplash

Built with family in mind, this living room has space for family and friends to gather and play games.
Living room - craftsman living room idea in New York

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2014 Houzz
Kitchen - eclectic u-shaped light wood floor kitchen idea in New York with a peninsula and medium tone wood cabinets

Craig Baranowski
Contemporary gray two-story mixed siding exterior home idea in Miami with a shed roof

Mike Dean
Mountain style living room photo with yellow walls

An old stone mansion built in 1924 had seen a number of renovations over the decades and the time had finally come to address a growing list of issues. Rather than continue with a patchwork of fixes, the owners engaged us to conduct a full house renovation to bring this home back to its former glory and in line with its status as an international consulate residence where dignitaries are hosted on a regular basis. One of the biggest projects was remodeling the expansive 365 SF kitchen; the main kitchen needed to be both a workhorse for the weekly catered events as well as serve as the residents’ primary hub. We made adjustments to the kitchen layout to maximize countertop and storage space as well as enhance overall functionality, being mindful of the dual purposes this kitchen serves. To add visual interest to the large space we used two toned cabinets – classic white along the perimeter and a deep blue to distinguish the two islands and tall pantry. Brushed brass accents echo the original brass hardware and fixtures throughout the home. A kitchen this large needed a statement when it came to the countertops so we selected a stunning Nuvolato quartzite with distinctive veining that complements the blue cabinets. We restored and refinished the original Heart of Pine floors, letting the natural character of the wood shine through. A custom antique Heart of Pine wood top was commissioned for the fixed island – the warmth of wood was preferable to stone for the informal seating area. The second island serves as both prep area and staging space for dinners and events. This mobile island can be pushed flush with the stationary island to provide a generous area for the caterers to expedite service. Adjacent to the main kitchen, we added a second service kitchen for the live-in staff and their family. This room used to be a catch-all laundry/storage/mudroom so we had to get creative in order to incorporate all of those features while adding a fully functioning eat-in kitchen. Using smaller appliances allowed us to capture more space for cabinetry and by stacking the cabinets and washer/dryer (relocated to the rear service foyer) we managed to meet all the requirements. We installed salvaged Heart of Pine floors to match the originals in the adjacent kitchen and chose a neutral finish palette that will be easy to maintain. These kitchens weren’t the only projects we undertook in the historic stone mansion. Other renovations include 7 bathrooms, flooring throughout (hardwoods, custom carpets/runners/wall-to-wall), custom drapery and window treatments, new lighting/electric, as well as paint/trim and custom closet and cabinetry.

Photo by Gillean Proctor
Inspiration for a contemporary exterior home remodel in Vancouver

The Kiguchi family moved into their Austin, Texas home in 1994. Built in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood development, they happily raised their family here but longed for something more contemporary. Once they became empty nesters, they decided it was time for a major remodel. After spending many years visiting Austin AIA Home Tours that highlight contemporary residential architecture, they had a lot of ideas and in 2013 were ready to interview architects and get their renovation underway. The project turned into a major remodel due to an unstable foundation. Architects Ben Arbib and Ed Hughey, of Arbib Hughey Design were hired to solve the structural issue and look for inspiration in the bones of the house, which sat on top of a hillside and was surrounded by great views. Unfortunately, with the old floor plan, the beautiful views were hidden by small windows that were poorly placed. In order to bring more natural light into the house the window sizes and configurations had to be addressed, all while keeping in mind the homeowners desire for a modern look and feel. To achieve a more contemporary and sophisticated front of house, a new entry was designed that included removing a two-story bay window and porch. The entrance of the home also became more integrated with the landscape creating a template for new foliage to be planted. Older exterior materials were updated to incorporate a more muted palette of colors with a metal roof, dark grey siding in the back and white stucco in the front. Deep eaves were added over many of the new large windows for clean lines and sun protection. “Inside it was about opening up the floor plan, expanding the views throughout the house, and updating the material palette to get a modern look that was also warm and inviting,” said Ben from Arbib Hughey Design. “Prior to the remodel, the house had the typical separation of rooms. We removed the walls between them and changed all of the windows to Milgard Thermally Improved Aluminum to connect the inside with the outside. No matter where you are you get nice views and natural light.” The architects wanted to create some drama, which they accomplished with the window placement and opening up the interior floor plan to an open concept approach. Cabinetry was used to help delineate intimate spaces. To add warmth to an all-white living room, white-washed oak wood floors were installed and pine planks were used around the fireplace. The large windows served as artwork bringing the color of nature into the space. An octagon shaped, elevated dining room, (named “the turret”), had a big impact on the design of the house. They architects rounded the corners and added larger window openings overlooking a new sunken garden. The great room was also softened by rounding out the corners and that circular theme continued throughout the house, being picked up in skylight wells and kitchen cabinetry. A staircase leading to a catwalk was added and the result was a two-story window wall that flooded the home with natural light. When asked why Milgard® Thermally Improved Aluminum windows were selected, the architectural team listed many reasons: 1) Aesthetics: “We liked the slim profiles and narrow sightlines. The window frames never get in the way of the view and that was important to us. They also have a very contemporary look that went well with our design.” 2) Options: “We liked that we could get large sliding doors that matched the windows, giving us a very cohesive look and feel throughout the project.” 3) Cost Effective: “Milgard windows are affordable. You get a good product at a good price.” 4) Custom Sizes: “Milgard windows are customizable, which allowed us to get the right window for each location.” Ready to take on your own traditional to modern home remodeling project? Arbib Hughey Design advises, “Work with a good architect. That means picking a team that is creative, communicative, listens well and is responsive. We think it’s important for an architect to listen to their clients and give them something they want, not something the architect thinks they should have. At the same time you want an architect who is willing and able to think outside the box and offer up design options that you may not have considered. Design is about a lot of back and forth, trying out ideas, getting feedback and trying again.” The home was completely transformed into a unique, contemporary house perfectly integrated with its site. Internally the home has a natural flow for the occupants and externally it is integrated with the surroundings taking advantage of great natural light. As a side note, it was highly praised as part of the Austin AIA homes tour.