Modern Desert Home | Guest House | Imbue Design
Small trendy white one-story metal exterior home photo in Salt Lake City with a shed roof

For this kitchen and bath remodel in San Francisco's Cole Valley, our client wanted us to open the kitchen up to the living room and create a new modern feel for all of the remodeled areas. Opening the kitchen to the living area provided a structural challenge as the wall we had to remove was load-bearing and there was a separately owned condo on the floor below. Working closely with a structural engineer, we created a strategy to carry the weight to the exterior walls of the building. In order to do this we had to tear off the entire roof and rebuild it with new structural joists which could span from property line to property line. To achieve a dramatic daylighting effect, we created a slot skylight over the back wall of the kitchen with the beams running through the skylight. Cerulean blue, back-painted glass for the backsplash and a thick waterfall edge for the island add more distinctive touches to this kitchen design. In the master bath we created a sinuous counter edge which tracks its way to the floor to create a curb for the shower. Green tile imported from Morocco adds a pop of color in the shower and a custom built indirect LED lighting cove creates a glow of light around the mirror. Photography by Christopher Stark.

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW As with most projects, it all started with the kitchen layout. The home owners came to us wanting to upgrade their kitchen and overall aesthetic in their suburban home, with a combination of fresh paint, updated finishes, and improved flow for more ease when doing everyday activities. A monochromatic, earth-toned palette left the kitchen feeling uninspired. It lacked the brightness they wanted from their space. An eat-in table underutilized the available square footage. The butler’s pantry was out of the way and hard to access, and the dining room felt detached from the kitchen. Lead Designer, Stephanie Cole, saw an improved layout for the spaces that were no longer working for this family. By eliminating an existing wall between the kitchen and dining room, and relocating the bar area to the dining room, we opened up the kitchen, providing all the space we needed to create a dreamy and functional layout. A new perimeter configuration promoted circulation while also making space for a large and functional island loaded with seating – a must for any family. Because an island that isn’t big enough for everyone (and a few more) is a recipe for disaster. The light white cabinetry is fresh and contrasts with the deeper tones in the wood flooring, creating a modern aesthetic that is elevated, yet approachable for everyday living. With better flow as the overarching goal, we made some structural changes too. To remove a bottleneck in the entryway, we angled one of the dining room walls to create more natural separation between rooms and facilitate ease of movement throughout the large space. At The Kitchen Studio, we believe a well-designed kitchen uses every square inch to the fullest. By starting from scratch, it was possible to rethink the entire kitchen layout and design the space according to how it is used, because the kitchen shouldn’t make it harder to feed the family. A new location for the existing range, flanked by a new column refrigerator and freezer on each side, worked to anchor the space. The very large and very spacious island (a dream island if we do say so ourselves) now houses the primary sink and provides ample space for food prep and family gathering. The new kitchen table and coordinating banquette seating provide a cozy nook for quick breakfasts before school or work, and evening homework sessions. Elegant gold details catch the natural light, elevating the aesthetic. The dining room was transformed into one of this client’s favorite spaces and we couldn’t agree more. We saw an opportunity to give the dining room a more distinguished identity by closing off the entrance from the foyer. The relocated wet bar enhances the sophisticated vibe of this gathering space, complete with beautiful antique mirror tiles and open shelving encased by moody built-in cabinets. Updated furnishings add warmth. A rich walnut table is paired with custom chairs in a muted coral fabric. The large, transitional chandelier grounds the room, pairing beautifully with the gold finishes prevalent in the faucet and cabinet hardware. Linen-inspired wallpaper and cream-toned window treatments add to the glamorous feel of this entertainment space. There is no way around it. The laundry room was cramped. The large washer and dryer blocked access to the sink and left little room for the space to serve its other essential function – as a mudroom. Because we reworked the kitchen layout to create more space overall, we could rethink the mudroom too – an essential for any busy family. The first step was moving the washer and dryer to an existing area on the second floor, where most of the family’s laundry lives (no one wants to carry laundry up and down the stairs if they don’t have to anyway). This is a more functional solution and opened up the space for all the mudroom necessities – including the existing kitchen refrigerator, loads of built-in cubbies, and a bench. It’s hard to not fall in love with every detail of a new space, especially when it serves your day-to-day life. But that doesn’t mean the clients didn’t have their favorite features they use on the daily. This remodel was focused largely on function with a new kitchen layout. And it’s the functional features that have the biggest impact. The large island provides much needed workspace in the kitchen and is a spot where everyone gathers together – it grounds the space and the family. And the custom counter stools are the icing on the cake. The nearby mudroom has everything their previous space was lacking – ample storage, space for everyone’s essentials, and the beloved cement floor tiles that are both durable and artistic.

The 800 square-foot guest cottage is located on the footprint of a slightly smaller original cottage that was built three generations ago. With a failing structural system, the existing cottage had a very low sloping roof, did not provide for a lot of natural light and was not energy efficient. Utilizing high performing windows, doors and insulation, a total transformation of the structure occurred. A combination of clapboard and shingle siding, with standout touches of modern elegance, welcomes guests to their cozy retreat. The cottage consists of the main living area, a small galley style kitchen, master bedroom, bathroom and sleeping loft above. The loft construction was a timber frame system utilizing recycled timbers from the Balsams Resort in northern New Hampshire. The stones for the front steps and hearth of the fireplace came from the existing cottage’s granite chimney. Stylistically, the design is a mix of both a “Cottage” style of architecture with some clean and simple “Tech” style features, such as the air-craft cable and metal railing system. The color red was used as a highlight feature, accentuated on the shed dormer window exterior frames, the vintage looking range, the sliding doors and other interior elements. Photographer: John Hession

Devereux Beach House Our client presented Flavin Architects with a unique challenge. On a site that previously hosted two houses, our client asked us to design a modestly sized house and separate art studio. Both structures reduce the height and bulk of the original buildings. The modern concrete house we designed is situated on the brow of a steep cliff overlooking Marblehead harbor. The concrete visually anchors the house to stone outcroppings on the property, and the low profile ensures the structure doesn’t conflict with the surround of traditional, gabled homes. Three primary concrete walls run north to south in parallel, forming the structural walls of the home. The entry sequence is carefully considered. The front door is hidden from view from the street. An entry path leads to an intimate courtyard, from which the front door is first visible. Upon entering, the visitor gets the first glimpse of the sea, framed by a portal of cast-in-place concrete. The kitchen, living, and dining space have a soaring 10-foot ceiling creating an especially spacious sense of interiority. A cantilevered deck runs the length of the living room, with a solid railing providing privacy from beach below. Where the house grows from a single to a two-story structure, the concrete walls rise magisterially to the full height of the building. The exterior concrete walls are accented with zinc gutters and downspouts, and wooden Ipe slats which softly filter light through the windows.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped vinyl floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Orange County with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and gray countertops

In this middle size town house the kitchen is a very important, central place and it had undergone a full structural remodel. The client had requested a neutral color palette with subdued natural tones. The designer had used two level counter tops to give a hint of separation between kitchen and dining areas but consistency in material gave it a united look.

Vaulted ceiling and reclaimed beams elevate this Kitchen from ordinary to extraordinary. Holger Obenaus Photography
Elegant l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen photo in Charleston with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

A modern, bright and white galley kitchen with large wooden island and a tile backsplash wall. The pantry and sink are to the side, making the kitchen a place for the family to spend. A new interpretation of utilitarian farm structures. This mountain modern home sits in the foothills of North Carolina and brings a distinctly modern element to a rural working farm. It got its name because it was built to structurally support a series of hammocks that can be hung when the homeowners family comes for extended stays biannually. The hammocks can easily be taken down or moved to a different location and allows the home to hold many people comfortably under one roof. 2016 Todd Crawford Photography

Classic, timeless and ideally positioned on a sprawling corner lot set high above the street, discover this designer dream home by Jessica Koltun. The blend of traditional architecture and contemporary finishes evokes feelings of warmth while understated elegance remains constant throughout this Midway Hollow masterpiece unlike no other. This extraordinary home is at the pinnacle of prestige and lifestyle with a convenient address to all that Dallas has to offer.

Eat-in kitchen - large cottage u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Example of a transitional master beige tile brown floor and single-sink bathroom design in Other with light wood cabinets, a bidet, beige walls, an undermount sink, white countertops and a niche

Blackdog Builders tore down the existing home on this property in Thayne's Canyon of Park City, UT. Working alongside the clients, we built this one-of-a-kind contemporary home from the ground up. This home includes many contrasting details. Black steel, marble, white cabinetry, and natural woods are seen throughout. Darryl Dobson Photography

Photo: Adrienne DeRosa © 2015 Houzz Save for a few refinements, the layout of the space took shape exactly as Weiss had envisioned it from day one. Knowing that they were looking to design a loft-like environment, the couple kept to an open layout for the majority of the living space. One of the most fantastic features of the space is a bank of clerestory windows that flood the interior with seemingly endless amounts of daylight. Originally added back when the building served as an artist studio, Weiss and Carpenter agreed that keeping them was a must. "The only original part of the house is the ceiling and the existing skylights and clerestory," Weiss describes. "We basically changed everything else." The ceiling compliments the contents of the environment, but also continues the story of the homeowners' design philosophy. "We loved the original wood and steel ceiling, including steel beams forged at the Carnegie Steel Works," Carpenter explains. "In coming up with our design approach, we wanted to reflect some of the previous uses of the structure ... Keeping elements from the past not only interested us aesthetically." he says, "It was important to us to reuse structures and objects in ways that are close to their originally intended use."

Jim Bartsch
Inspiration for a transitional single-wall dark wood floor kitchen remodel in Santa Barbara with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

A partial remodel of a Marin ranch home, this residence was designed to highlight the incredible views outside its walls. The husband, an avid chef, requested the kitchen be a joyful space that supported his love of cooking. High ceilings, an open floor plan, and new hardware create a warm, comfortable atmosphere. With the concept that “less is more,” we focused on the orientation of each room and the introduction of clean-lined furnishings to highlight the view rather than the decor, while statement lighting, pillows, and textures added a punch to each space.

Bathroom. Photography by Manolo Langis Located at the intersection where Sunset Boulevard meets the Pacific Ocean, this iconic board formed concrete structure was neglected for years. SUBU Design Architecture was brought in to reimagine the space along with a team of professionals. Through a collective effort, this unique structure has been reorganize to fit a variety of lifestyles and commercial needs.

Stylish brewery owners with airline miles that match George Clooney’s decided to hire Regan Baker Design to transform their beloved Duboce Park second home into an organic modern oasis reflecting their modern aesthetic and sustainable, green conscience lifestyle. From hops to floors, we worked extensively with our design savvy clients to provide a new footprint for their kitchen, dining and living room area, redesigned three bathrooms, reconfigured and designed the master suite, and replaced an existing spiral staircase with a new modern, steel staircase. We collaborated with an architect to expedite the permit process, as well as hired a structural engineer to help with the new loads from removing the stairs and load bearing walls in the kitchen and Master bedroom. We also used LED light fixtures, FSC certified cabinetry and low VOC paint finishes. Regan Baker Design was responsible for the overall schematics, design development, construction documentation, construction administration, as well as the selection and procurement of all fixtures, cabinets, equipment, furniture,and accessories. Key Contributors: Green Home Construction; Photography: Sarah Hebenstreit / Modern Kids Co.

Mountain style u-shaped open concept kitchen photo in Boston with open cabinets and yellow cabinets