Janis Nicolay, Photographer \ Stylist Leslie Shewring \ Location: Moonrise Creative, Victoria, Canada
Mountain style home design photo in Boston

The porch’s distinctive 30-foot peak is discernible from a great distance, and its rhythmic horizontal cypress slats are a contemporary interpretation of traditional vented gables. Photo by Paul Finkel | Piston Design

Michale Downs, photographer
Open concept kitchen - large modern l-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen idea in Oklahoma City with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Photo: Sarah Greenman © 2013 Houzz
Example of a trendy home office design in Dallas

Blending contemporary forms and lush plantings, this Garden maximizes the sensory experience of the materials and planting from inside and outside the home. The garden occupies an interior courtyard framed by four interior walls. The home, designed by Architect Cliff May was built in 1948 and the following year was featured in House Beautiful Magazine. The clients list of needs and desires was brief. They wanted a space that would complement the mid century modern home and provide visual interest from inside the home. Some form of water was also requested. They had a budget of $30,000. In order to stay within their budget the clients performed the demolition of the old garden. The designer’s intent was to create a garden that would possess a clear sculptural quality and would be as visually striking from inside the home as it would be from inside the courtyard. The strategy behind the design was to use hardscape materials characterized by simple geometric forms and a planting palette that would emphasize form over color, and then to arrange the materials to achieve an interpretation of modern aesthetic. The views from inside the homes three main living rooms present the garden as a graphic composition of space, hardscape materials and planting. Inside the courtyard the edges are defined by stone and planting. The floor is composed of rectangular slabs of Teakwood flagstone with a counterpoint of Mexican beach pebbles set within the joints and around the edges. Concrete along the edges of the Teakwood pads reduces migration of the modified stone and sand base. The contrast of the Mexican beach pebbles accentuates the pattern of the flagstone. The outside perimeter of the pebbles is contained with low profile edging. An existing catch drain was utilized for storm water runoff. A concrete block pier set on a concrete footing is covered with black stucco and provides a perch for a custom made copper bowl that circulates water into the L shaped water feature. The water features subterranean basin is constructed of pressure treated wood with a custom box liner insert. Since the Teakwood flagstone was unavailable as coping for the water feature, the designer chose Shawnee Buff stone to complement the Teakwood flagstone. The subtle sound of water spilling from the copper bowl and the reflective qualities of the water help to create an atmosphere of relaxation. The planting is composed of shades of green with white flowers in order to accentuate the graphic design. ‘Justin Brouwer’ Boxwood, ‘Sum and Substance’ Hosta, white Anemones, black bamboo and ornamental grasses contrast dramatically with the clean lines of the hardscape elements. The black bamboo is set in 30” diameter concrete containers to control the vigorous plant from spreading. The construction of the interior courtyard space challenged the building team. They set up baffles between the front door and the door to the courtyard as well as temporary protection over the floor to allow the process to move forward without too much disturbance to the client’s lives. All of the materials were shuffled through the temporary portal. The clients love the space and recently said that “the design is so well thought out and simple that they would never get tired of it.” The designs sculptural quality compliments the modern feel of the home and creates a sublime yet dramatic view from within the house or within the courtyard. The clients plan to purchase two black Bertoia Diamond chairs with red cushions which should perfectly integrate with the space.

Subtle curves and circle patterns repeat throughout the home as seen in the custom fireplace screen, and drapes made from hand embroidered fabric imported from India. The silhouettes of the custom upholstered sofa and armchairs also pick up the curvilinear beat. Notice the detailing of the back of the chairs. It is cream lacquer with a bronze metal “X” to give this perspective of the room from the dining room that much more interest for the eye. The room’s original wood trimmed windows give the home an airy quality and the open flow modernizes the Craftsman style while still retaining its old world charm. Take a close look at the painting to the left of the entry. This landscape of Tuscany was painted by the owner’s mother. The large painting to the right of the entry is a commissioned piece and is a modern interpretation of a landscape. This room is filled with treasures from the homeowner’s travels. From the hand glazed ceramics on the mantle to the many items on the gold hand-painted metal étagère in the corner, there are wonderful stories and memories associated with each of them.

Our new Onde bathtub tray and floor mat incorporate the rich, warm tones of pure, solid, natural Iroko/Teak wood crafted in a very modern, uber chic design that exudes style. These are the ideal accessories for our Purescape 748 bathtubs, as they reflect the same interpretation of function in cleverly designed and beautifully rendered form. The solid wood is 100% natural and has been treated with a teak oil to ensure waterproof impermeability and long life. It drains and self-dries freely. A perfect alternative to Onde bathtub tray will be our new Tidal tray which is the ideal accessory for the most of Aquatica's bathtubs.

Gulf Building recently completed the “ New Orleans Chic” custom Estate in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The aptly named estate stays true to inspiration rooted from New Orleans, Louisiana. The stately entrance is fueled by the column’s, welcoming any guest to the future of custom estates that integrate modern features while keeping one foot in the past. The lamps hanging from the ceiling along the kitchen of the interior is a chic twist of the antique, tying in with the exposed brick overlaying the exterior. These staple fixtures of New Orleans style, transport you to an era bursting with life along the French founded streets. This two-story single-family residence includes five bedrooms, six and a half baths, and is approximately 8,210 square feet in size. The one of a kind three car garage fits his and her vehicles with ample room for a collector car as well. The kitchen is beautifully appointed with white and grey cabinets that are overlaid with white marble countertops which in turn are contrasted by the cool earth tones of the wood floors. The coffered ceilings, Armoire style refrigerator and a custom gunmetal hood lend sophistication to the kitchen. The high ceilings in the living room are accentuated by deep brown high beams that complement the cool tones of the living area. An antique wooden barn door tucked in the corner of the living room leads to a mancave with a bespoke bar and a lounge area, reminiscent of a speakeasy from another era. In a nod to the modern practicality that is desired by families with young kids, a massive laundry room also functions as a mudroom with locker style cubbies and a homework and crafts area for kids. The custom staircase leads to another vintage barn door on the 2nd floor that opens to reveal provides a wonderful family loft with another hidden gem: a secret attic playroom for kids! Rounding out the exterior, massive balconies with French patterned railing overlook a huge backyard with a custom pool and spa that is secluded from the hustle and bustle of the city. All in all, this estate captures the perfect modern interpretation of New Orleans French traditional design. Welcome to New Orleans Chic of Fort Lauderdale, Florida!

Saturday, August 8, 9:00 to 10:30am | Aspen | DBX3 by Sheri Sanzone and Christine Shine of Bluegreen A modern residential community with a storied past, the Double Bar X Ranch is steeped in the rich history of Colorado’s mining and agrarian roots. Today the site of a contemporary, ranch-inspired community, this rustic landscape was once part of the largest silver-producing mining district in the U.S. It later supported an array of intensive, agricultural activities. From the gentle rise of tilled-rubble walls and the patterning of open meadow, to the remnants of sculpted earthworks, evidence of the site’s prior use abounds. Winding foot trails allow visitors to experience panoramic views of the timbered landscape and structural features reminiscent of the historic ranch, including the large, wooden water trough that serves as a central focal point of the property. The design of the current landscape celebrates this juxtaposition of past and present; it revels in its contemporary context while embracing a historically minded design intent and honoring its latent history through selected materials and textures. The result of this mindful effort is an expression of thoughtful transition from the bygone, ranch of yesterday to a modern-day interpretation of the agrarian homestead. Photo by Jason Dewey Photography, courtesy Bluegreen

The clients’ love for their native California home needed to be appropriately interpreted for their new Texas residence. Textural elements, a monochromatic color palette, and organic influences are primary in their spaces. The family room is large and easily handles the double chaise sectional while still feeling amazingly intimate. Clean lines on the stack stone fireplace wall and supple wood grain speak simplicity in the room. The light fixture’s unique styling punctuates the room with an unexpected twist to keep the room lively. Our wood elements, fireplace and water views create the zen-style environment my clients adore. With a nod to the West Coast, the contemporary formal living space home features hints of Asian influence and the clients love for California sunsets. The two-story ceiling height allowed us to use large scale furnishings and appointments with bold colors to create an amazing impact in the sleek space. The honed marble floors cast some formality throughout the home, but keep it from feeling pretentious. Because the home has a southern exposure, it’s flooded with indirect light, enabling us to forego window treatments and keep the open view to the pool and golf course.

When Charlene’s family of four decided to move out of Manhattan, she reached out to Decor Aid, for assistance in furnishing and decorating the family’s new home in Westchester. Although she had already decorated a few upstairs rooms, Charlene needed help in sourcing and decorating the entire bottom floor of her house, and wanted the new home to feel reflective of her young family. The original goal for the project was to infuse three separate design influences. First and foremost, we had to account for Charlene’s personal taste, which is a contemporary take on the mid-century modernist aesthetic. Second, we had to account for the house’s country-modern stylings. And finally, at the request of Charlene’s two young children, we had to incorporate primary colors, to fit the family’s fun and comfortable vibe. Charlene wanted to furnish her home with a blue and grey color scheme, but didn’t want her new space to be stifled by this preference. To keep the home from feeling sterile, we incorporated heavily-textured accessories, fabrics, and rugs. And to contrast the modern with the familial, primary-colored art pieces were set against larger, neutral furnishings. We sourced a custom-made wood dining-room table, and other wood furniture pieces, to bridge the gap between the house’s country-modern vibe and Charlene’s own personal aesthetic. Because of the home’s open floor plan, all of the rooms had to feel continuous, while being differentiated from each-other. So we added large area rugs, in the dining room, living room, and foyer, to distinguish each room. A large sectional sofa faces away from the kitchen, and is backed by a custom-made wood console table, to further separate the rooms. Colorful accent pillows and decorative geometric objects were added throughout the home, to further distinguish each room, and to offset the tasteful, neutral palette. The final effect is a highly elegant and wholly modern interpretation of the American suburban home.

With over 60 years of excellence in manufacturing and design, Presotto Italia continues to reinvent the relationships between form and function by interpreting the evolving consumer lifestyles, tastes and trends. Today, Presotto is one of Italy’s leading manufacturers of top notch, ultra-modern bedrooms and extraordinary, exclusively-designed living room solutions. Best known for its one-of-a-kind Aqua Bed and Zero Round Bed, Presotto Italia is also the source for innovation and edgy product design which includes countless wall unit collections, wardrobes, walk-in closets, dining rooms and bedrooms.

A modern interpretation of a traditional chandelier in antiqued brass. Heidi Zeiger
Example of a large transitional formal and open concept medium tone wood floor living room design in Other with gray walls, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

This master bedroom is a stunning example of interpreting neutrals with a 'twist'. Tonal wall stripes create a simple backdrop, white a pop of 'ginger' orange keeps the room from being anything but bland. The mix of textural items - from nailhead chests - to silky faux bois area rug - and organic rattan lighting pendants (in lieu of traditional lamps) combine to create an especially warm & inviting space.

When Charlene’s family of four decided to move out of Manhattan, she reached out to Decor Aid, for assistance in furnishing and decorating the family’s new home in Westchester. Although she had already decorated a few upstairs rooms, Charlene needed help in sourcing and decorating the entire bottom floor of her house, and wanted the new home to feel reflective of her young family. The original goal for the project was to infuse three separate design influences. First and foremost, we had to account for Charlene’s personal taste, which is a contemporary take on the mid-century modernist aesthetic. Second, we had to account for the house’s country-modern stylings. And finally, at the request of Charlene’s two young children, we had to incorporate primary colors, to fit the family’s fun and comfortable vibe. Charlene wanted to furnish her home with a blue and grey color scheme, but didn’t want her new space to be stifled by this preference. To keep the home from feeling sterile, we incorporated heavily-textured accessories, fabrics, and rugs. And to contrast the modern with the familial, primary-colored art pieces were set against larger, neutral furnishings. We sourced a custom-made wood dining-room table, and other wood furniture pieces, to bridge the gap between the house’s country-modern vibe and Charlene’s own personal aesthetic. Because of the home’s open floor plan, all of the rooms had to feel continuous, while being differentiated from each-other. So we added large area rugs, in the dining room, living room, and foyer, to distinguish each room. A large sectional sofa faces away from the kitchen, and is backed by a custom-made wood console table, to further separate the rooms. Colorful accent pillows and decorative geometric objects were added throughout the home, to further distinguish each room, and to offset the tasteful, neutral palette. The final effect is a highly elegant and wholly modern interpretation of the American suburban home.

Traditional styling today is a timeless blend of familiar details combined with unexpected elements. Just like this Trestle Table from Magnolia Home that has a curved metal trestle base in a Blackened Bronze finish that is paired with a thick V-match planked top in their worn and rugged Shop Floor finish. The beautiful Magnolia Home line was designed exclusively by Joanna Gaines to convey her fresh, unique design style that embodies her lifestyle of home and family. Each piece falls onto a specific genre: Boho, Farmhouse, French Inspired, Industrial, Primitive or Traditional. Painted finishes and wood stains are offered that replicate the look of age-worn vintage patinas. This piece is part of her Traditional genre, which is today's interpretation of yesterday's timelessness. It blends traditional lines with unexpected flare. This style's details are familiar, but simplified and freshened with easygoing finishes.

Quinn and Paige, residents of this tired 1960’s tri-level home hated their kitchen. As a matter of fact, prior to making plans to renovate the first floor - they considered selling the home, but were reluctant because of its enviable location near the heart of downtown Barrington which was within walking distance to local stores and all their favorite places. So instead they contacted Advance Design Studio after hearing about them from a neighbor, to rescue their tired home and give it new life. The very first plan was to remove the constricting walls surrounding the original kitchen, and open the expansive first floor living room and dining area to the new heart of the space; a stunning state of the art coastal designed kitchen. Exposing attractive beams in the vaulted ceiling created an interesting structural detail that suits the open plan and salutes the original architecture of the home, further emphasizing the height of the new space enjoyed now by the family as a great room. The stage was set for the seaside feel of this kitchen by pairing crisp white painted maple cabinets with Dura Supreme’s one of kind hand weathered finish on the island in soft blue-green finish. But the authentic feeling of being on your favorite beach was supremely achieved by the matching of unique Mt. Claire marble on the island and the specialty Wareham acid washed stone on the perimeter counter tops. Pictures don’t do justice to the feel of this stone under your hand; its water-washed texture reminds instantly of summer vacations collecting rocks softly etched by hundreds of waves. Stainless steel appliances and satin nickel hardware shine brightly against the backdrop of bright white subway tiles accentuated by subtle grey grout lines contributing to the nautical feel of this comfortable kitchen. Seeded glass door cabinetry reminiscent of beach grasses dress up the space just enough, and a proud 6” stacked crown molding extends above 36” wall cabinets into the expanse of the now taller space; balancing this kitchen nicely within its newly integrated home. Features in this kitchen include a built in standard depth refrigerator, pull out spice racks, tall tray dividers and wood super Susan with double pull out trash and recycling. A cutlery divider holds sharp knives, and an angled cabinet was customized to hold a secret USB charging station. The bright white Kohler farm sink is graced by an elegant bridge faucet in brushed nickel. This now airy and spacious kitchen has room for guest and family to congregate around the large island, complete with stools and attractive hidden storage for seldom used entertainment pieces. “I was sold when I saw the drawings. My designer nailed it, down to every last storage idea and coastal detail I envisioned, it was all in there. It was unbelievable how accurate her interpretation was of what was in my head; working with her made my kitchen renovation so easy, it’s as if she literally read my mind”, said Paige enthusiastically. The woman of the house expressed upon completion not only her love for her fantastic new cooking space, but how renovating her kitchen has given new life to the entire home. Talk of moving has been relegated to the recycling bin, and instead the family is discussing plans to renovate the master bath now that they’ve decided to stay for the long term. Friends who visit the home do a double-take as they recognize the new space’s dramatic transformation from original cramped and closed spaces - to the now amazingly fresh open kitchen that has become the center of every gathering and family meal. Designer: Nicole Ryan Photographer: Joe Nowak

Basement/Recreation Area; Photo Credit: Home Visit Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized craftsman look-out carpeted basement remodel in DC Metro with beige walls

Kitchen - contemporary kitchen idea in San Francisco