Photo: Sarah Greenman © 2016 Houzz
Example of a mountain style shed design in Portland

Trendy backyard deck photo in San Diego with a pergola and a fire pit

Mid-sized elegant l-shaped light wood floor open concept kitchen photo in Atlanta with an undermount sink, white cabinets, beige backsplash, an island, beaded inset cabinets, granite countertops, porcelain backsplash and paneled appliances

Mid-sized transitional l-shaped slate floor open concept kitchen photo in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and marble countertops

Project Developer John Audet Designer Kate Adams Photography by Stacy Zarin Goldberg
Example of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in DC Metro with stainless steel appliances, an island, a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash and gray countertops

A large stained glass window adds color and light. It is also backlit for nighttime ambiance when sitting in the hot tub. Design and photos by Bob Trainor

Jonathan Reece
Mid-sized transitional brown backyard and two-story gravel and wood gable roof photo in Portland Maine with a fire pit, no cover and a metal roof

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.

Photo by Rod Foster
Large transitional l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen photo in Orange County with white cabinets, solid surface countertops, gray backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a farmhouse sink, an island and recessed-panel cabinets

Example of a transitional concrete floor and gray floor dining room design in Austin

Best of Houzz Kitchen Design 2016 winner. A custom kitchen remodel was one of the final projects for this beautiful Georgian Century Home. All the details were part of the effort to maintain the feel of an old kitchen but with all the most current conveniences. Notice the glass cabinet hung in front of a window, granite counter top repeated as the back splash, porcelain tiles that mimic wood and marble on the floor, a stunning island light and the coffered ceiling. Michael Jacob Photography

These clients came to my office looking for an architect who could design their "empty nest" home that would be the focus of their soon to be extended family. A place where the kids and grand kids would want to hang out: with a pool, open family room/ kitchen, garden; but also one-story so there wouldn't be any unnecessary stairs to climb. They wanted the design to feel like "old Pasadena" with the coziness and attention to detail that the era embraced. My sensibilities led me to recall the wonderful classic mansions of San Marino, so I designed a manor house clad in trim Bluestone with a steep French slate roof and clean white entry, eave and dormer moldings that would blend organically with the future hardscape plan and thoughtfully landscaped grounds. The site was a deep, flat lot that had been half of the old Joan Crawford estate; the part that had an abandoned swimming pool and small cabana. I envisioned a pavilion filled with natural light set in a beautifully planted park with garden views from all sides. Having a one-story house allowed for tall and interesting shaped ceilings that carved into the sheer angles of the roof. The most private area of the house would be the central loggia with skylights ensconced in a deep woodwork lattice grid and would be reminiscent of the outdoor “Salas” found in early Californian homes. The family would soon gather there and enjoy warm afternoons and the wonderfully cool evening hours together. Working with interior designer Jeffrey Hitchcock, we designed an open family room/kitchen with high dark wood beamed ceilings, dormer windows for daylight, custom raised panel cabinetry, granite counters and a textured glass tile splash. Natural light and gentle breezes flow through the many French doors and windows located to accommodate not only the garden views, but the prevailing sun and wind as well. The graceful living room features a dramatic vaulted white painted wood ceiling and grand fireplace flanked by generous double hung French windows and elegant drapery. A deeply cased opening draws one into the wainscot paneled dining room that is highlighted by hand painted scenic wallpaper and a barrel vaulted ceiling. The walnut paneled library opens up to reveal the waterfall feature in the back garden. Equally picturesque and restful is the view from the rotunda in the master bedroom suite. Architect: Ward Jewell Architect, AIA Interior Design: Jeffrey Hitchcock Enterprises Contractor: Synergy General Contractors, Inc. Landscape Design: LZ Design Group, Inc. Photography: Laura Hull

Michal Utterback
Home office - modern built-in desk concrete floor home office idea in Los Angeles

Minimalist dining room photo in Orlando

Assen Emilov
Dining room - contemporary dark wood floor dining room idea in London with a two-sided fireplace

RUSTIC RIVER™ HARDWOOD from Carpet One Floor & Home adds richness and genuine warmth to any room within your home. This comprehensive collection of rustic wood flooring delivers varying styles from high character to seasoned and weathered looks in bold textures and traditional colors. In this image you can see how adding a pop of color to your kitchen can make a big difference. We love how the light blue cabinetry combines with the natural rustic flooring.

Example of a cottage carpeted bedroom design in Denver with beige walls

Charles Hilton Architects & Renee Byers LAPC From grand estates, to exquisite country homes, to whole house renovations, the quality and attention to detail of a "Significant Homes" custom home is immediately apparent. Full time on-site supervision, a dedicated office staff and hand picked professional craftsmen are the team that take you from groundbreaking to occupancy. Every "Significant Homes" project represents 45 years of luxury homebuilding experience, and a commitment to quality widely recognized by architects, the press and, most of all....thoroughly satisfied homeowners. Our projects have been published in Architectural Digest 6 times along with many other publications and books. Though the lion share of our work has been in Fairfield and Westchester counties, we have built homes in Palm Beach, Aspen, Maine, Nantucket and Long Island.

This kitchen remodel is an entertainers dream! The new open floor plan is surrounded by dark wall cabinets with a contrasting white island. Custom touches such as brass cabinet hardware, custom range hood, brass pendants, roman shades, and so much more!