The homeowner turned an otherwise useless space under the stairs into a charming niche by hanging a bent wood swing. Design by Mary Kirk Menefee; installation by Merrifield Garden Center. Photo: Mary Kirk Menefee

Joanne Kostecky Petito This outdoor living room was created from a flat bare property in a new development. The waterfall and pond are in the background. The shade structure adds dimension to the space and provides filter shade.

Large transitional dark wood floor foyer photo with white walls and a glass front door

Adrienne DeRosa © 2014 Houzz Inc. While the formal dining room takes on a different feeling than the living space, it maintains the same sense of curated detail. Jennifer goes on to explain, "When I decorate my home I don't feel I have a style. I believe what ever you put in your home is what you should love, and that way it creates its own style ... I've been collecting for so long that a lot of my treasures have come together because I love them and eventually it will all make sense. I don't like one 'way'; that's why all my rooms are different." The dining table was found in an old flower shop. Originally it was a worktable with very tall legs, so Raymond and Jennifer cut them down to modify it for its current use. The chairs received Jennifer's creative touch as well. Purchased at a garage sale for $1 each, they are originally from an ice cream parlor in the basement of the historical Higbee's Company department store. Once she got them home, Jennifer reupholstered them with a cow-hide rug that she was no longer using. Wall color: Modern Grey, Super Paint by Sherwin Williams Photo: Adrienne DeRosa © 2014 Houzz

Space Crafting
Example of a transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room design in Minneapolis with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace

Example of a large mountain style master carpeted, beige floor and wood ceiling bedroom design with gray walls and no fireplace

Longview Studios

The stair from the deck leads to the yard. Steel wire adds function and openness to the space while greenery softens and enlivens the outdoor deck and yard. A tenant apartment has easy access to the yard.. Photo: Michel Arnaud

Example of a tuscan patio design in San Diego with a roof extension

Eric Roth - Photo INSIDE OUT, OUTSIDE IN – IPSWICH, MA Downsizing from their sprawling country estate in Hamilton, MA, this retiring couple knew they found utopia when they purchased this already picturesque marsh-view home complete with ocean breezes, privacy and endless views. It was only a matter of putting their personal stamp on it with an emphasis on outdoor living to suit their evolving lifestyle with grandchildren. That vision included a natural screened porch that would invite the landscape inside and provide a vibrant space for maximized outdoor entertaining complete with electric ceiling heaters, adjacent wet bar & beverage station that all integrated seamlessly with the custom-built inground pool. Aside from providing the perfect getaway & entertainment mecca for their large family, this couple planned their forever home thoughtfully by adding square footage to accommodate single-level living. Sunrises are now magical from their first-floor master suite, luxury bath with soaker tub and laundry room, all with a view! Growing older will be more enjoyable with sleeping quarters, laundry and bath just steps from one another. With walls removed, utilities updated, a gas fireplace installed, and plentiful built-ins added, the sun-filled kitchen/dining/living combination eases entertaining and makes for a happy hang-out. This Ipswich home is drenched in conscious details, intentional planning and surrounded by a bucolic landscape, the perfect setting for peaceful enjoyment and harmonious living

Photography: Tim William 8,000 SF single family residence in Kings Point, NY with views overlooking the Long Island Sound.
Elegant medium tone wood floor living room photo in New York with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace

Living room - rustic light wood floor and beige floor living room idea with brown walls

Example of a mid-sized tuscan open concept medium tone wood floor, beige floor and coffered ceiling family room design in Phoenix with beige walls and no tv

KITCHEN Cabinets: The kitchen perimeter features Elmwood Full Access all wood cabinetry with the perimeter in Coventry 3" Rail 3/8" Panel door style, Paint Grade cabinets, and a finish of Dove White Matte paint. The island is a Malpensa 3" Rail Raised Panel door style, Maplewood, and a finish of Dove White Matte paint. Countertop: The 3cm countertops on the perimeter is a 2 cm Caesarstone Calacatta Nuvo, with the island in a 1-1/2” Teak Butcher Block. Backsplash: The main backsplash tile is a Renaissance Tile, 6x6 Mercer Bead Board, White finish, in straight lay. Above the range we have Renaissance Tile, PTMT-66XE 6x6, in a custom color. The border is a Renaissance tile PTDC-VDot rail. Fixtures and Fittings: From Blanco, we have 30” Cerana Fireclay apron front single bowl sink in White. From Newport Brass, a Chesterfield Kitchen Faucet with Side Spray 943 15S in Satin Nickel, Chesterfield Pot Filler- wall mount 9482 15S in Satin Nickel, and a Chesterfield Hot & Cold Water Dispenser 108 15S in Satin Nickel. MASTER BATH Cabinets: The cabinets feature Elmwood Full Access All Wood, Chamberlain door style, Paint Grade cabinets, with a finish of Dove White matte paint. Countertop: The 3cm countertops are a 2 cm Caesarstone Calacatta Nuvo. Tile: The bath and vanity area floor features Arizona Tile Manhattan Marble 12-1/4"x12-1/4" Polished Cordoba Pattern mesh in a straight lay. The walls feature Arizona Tile Manhattan Marble 12x12 Polished tile cut to 6 x12 tile in a brick lay pattern, and a Arizona Tile Manhattan Marble 2x12 ogee molding as chair rail. Fixtures and Fittings: From Kohler, Iron Plains Dual-mount bath sinks K-5400-0 in White. From Newport brass, Jacobean Widespread Lavatory Faucets 2470 15S in Satin Nickel, Jacobean Exposed Tub & Hand Shower Set - Wall Mount 2400-4283 15S in Satin Nickel, Fairfield Floor Riser Kit for Exposed Tub & Hand Shower Set 3-196 in Satin Nickel, Fairfield Stabilizer 2-734 15S- Satin Nickel; 3/4" Shut off valves for 3-196 and 3-226 (1 pair) 3-192 15S in Satin Nickel, and Brass Tank Lever/Faucet Handle 2-645 15S in Satin Nickel. From Victoria and Albert, a Shropshire Tub with Brushed nickel feet SHR-N-SW and Brushed Nickel Drain STD-UNIBN. Lastly, from TOTO, Eco Promenade® Two-Piece Toilet, 1.28 GPF, Elongated Bowl CST424EFG#01 in Cotton, and a SoftClose® Toilet Seat - Elongated SS114#01 in Cotton

Located in Highland Park, Texas just off the Katy Trail, is this outdoor patio project that took a stale, harsh exterior space and turned it into an inviting and private space for the owner to enjoy. The project featured custom planters, led lighting, privacy screen plantings, ipe wood deck and an outdoor fire pit with comfortable exterior furniture for relaxing and entertaining.

Example of a large trendy wooden floating open and glass railing staircase design in Portland

Outdoor fireplace with concrete caps with a smooth finish, to match new concrete on patio. Coastal reef veneers tone from El Dorado to face new Outdoor fire pit. Vintage string lights on top to create the perfect ambiance.

Example of a transitional master multicolored tile and mosaic tile drop-in bathtub design in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, beige walls and an undermount sink