Drawing from Sarah Susanka's Not-So-Big House principles, we designed the living room to be multi-purpose defined by the grand staircase and our "reading cave" alcove. Knotty hickory flooring, craftsman trim and walnut accents gives the home American character. This home is built to European Passive House standards to drastically reduce our energy use by 70%, then we added solar panels on the garage to become Net-Zero energy use for the year and carbon footprint of Zero for the home. Energy bills for the home are $10.77 per month (the minimum grid connection fee). Photos: Jen G. Pywell

Mid-sized minimalist master dark wood floor and black floor bedroom photo in Chicago with gray walls and no fireplace

Example of a classic kitchen design in Houston with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets and stainless steel appliances

Example of a mid-sized farmhouse white two-story wood house exterior design in Seattle

These drapes really made the room look regal!
Living room - traditional living room idea in San Diego

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   This client was referred to us from a past client. They are a busy 2-career household with young children and enjoy entertaining friends and family in their home. They have a beautiful open concept home but unfortunately the kitchen was not fitting for the rest of the home. They were not quite sure what to do with the space. We talked about trying to refresh it or do more of a minor remodel, but in the end they decided a full gut would get them to where they wanted to be. One problem was there was no place for guests to hang out other than the large and awkward banquette area. The brick wall and tiled hood area were feeling a bit dated and tired. The space was just not functional for their lifestyle. There was no prep space near the cooktop and no landing area for items coming out of the ovens or refrigerator, plus a big dead zone in the center of the room. Banquettes, like the one they previously had in the space, are great for small spaces, but when they get really large like this one, it makes getting in and out of the seating area awkward and uncomfortable. Plus, there was room for a large table, so we eliminated the awkward built in. We started by removing the faux brick wall between the kitchen and back entry. We relocated the entry to the garage over a couple feet in order to get every last inch out of the new kitchen. We also made the decision to close up the primary window that faced the pretty ho hum brick wall of the neighbor’s house. There was plenty of light coming in from the seating area, so we just didn’t feel the window was adding much to the room. Construction went smoothy. There was a bit of rework with electrical, flooring and HVAC, but in the end, we think it was well worth it. The clients really wanted a sleek contemporary look, and we originally had planned for a full height slab backsplash, but due to it’s size, it was a budget buster. Instead, we got creative and settled on large format porcelain tiles that have a similar feel but were a fraction of the cost. We made sure the wall was plumb and level so that the fit and finish would mimic that of slab material. The final space was quite a change. A large prep sink sits directly across from the new pro-style range with plenty additional prep space on the large island. The refrigerator and ovens now have miles of landing space, and a nice tight work triangle makes cooking a breeze. Since we wanted a more contemporary feel, not many wall cabinets were included. Instead, we outfitted some of the drawers for dish storage with a peg system. Two large pantries flanking the refrigerator hold baking supplies and small appliances. Large drawers by the cooktop hold pots and pans, and an appliance garage tucked away to the left of the range hides away miscellaneous items. The large island also houses a microwave drawer and tons of storage, most of which is drawers offering maximum convenience. The island now seats 5-6 people comfortably along with the new table in the seating area which can seat up to 8. Entertaining will be a breeze in this space. With such a clean backdrop, we knew we would need some drama with the lighting, so we chose two sets of staggered pendants, which we adjusted for the right visual balance above the island. We also included a small coffee station to the right of the main kitchen, which helps keep the coffee clutter out of the kitchen proper. Two tones of complimentary gray are featured in this kitchen. The perimeter is a light gray that reads almost white. The island is a gray stain that adds some depth and interest with the visible wood texture. The countertops are clean white quartz, and the hardware, barstools and light fixtures add warm brass tones. I see lots of cooking and entertaining with family and friends in the near future in this bright and airy new space. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Photos by Brice Ferre

David Dietrich
Example of an arts and crafts dark wood floor enclosed dining room design with beige walls

Example of a mountain style dark wood floor dining room design in San Francisco with beige walls

Example of a transitional dining room design in New York

Photo by Damon Landry
Example of a transitional enclosed dining room design in Philadelphia with blue walls

Photography by Doug Holt
Mid-sized elegant master cement tile multicolored floor and cement tile floor alcove shower photo in New York with an undermount sink, marble countertops, a two-piece toilet, white walls and white countertops

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional single-wall wet bar remodel in Indianapolis with shaker cabinets

Amuneal’s kitchens and bars bring unexpected materials and finishes to create truly special installations. This bar uses the old-world technique of hand-burning wood to create a dynamic finish that highlights the organic nature of the raw materials. The charred pine door and drawer faces are juxtaposed with crisp machined hardware and a hand-patinated bronze top to create a look that feels both contemporary and timeless. The 3-Bay Collector’s Shelving unit in gunmetal and bronze is the perfect match to the humble complexity of this unit.

This dining room combines modern, rustic and classic styles. The colors are inspired by the original art work placed on the accent wall. Dining room accessories are understated to compliment the dining room painting. Custom made draperies complete the look. Natural fabric for the upholstery chairs is selected to work with the modern dining room rug. A rustic chandelier is high above the dining room table to showcase the painting. Original painting: Nancy Eckels Photo: Liz. McKay- McKay Imaging

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern formal and enclosed living room remodel in New York

Tim Krueger
Inspiration for a cottage medium tone wood floor and beige floor great room remodel in Orange County with white walls

Francis Dzikowski
Elegant enclosed living room photo in New York with yellow walls, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace

Peter Murdock
Trendy open concept family room photo in New York with a standard fireplace, no tv and multicolored walls