Photo: Nanette Wong © 2014 Houzz
Small eclectic medium tone wood floor living room photo in San Francisco with a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace, white walls and no tv

LQ Interiors & Landscapes, photo credit: Sebastian Bach
Inspiration for a scandinavian open concept light wood floor living room remodel in New York with white walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace and no tv

Mid-sized cottage l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, multicolored backsplash, terra-cotta backsplash, stainless steel appliances, two islands and white countertops

John Evans
Inspiration for a timeless white tile and marble tile bathroom remodel in Columbus with gray walls

Master Bedroom. New cornice designed to replicate original exterior profiles. New marble fireplace mantel and applied mouldings. Mako Builders and Clark Robins Design/ Build Sheila Gunst- design consultant Photography by Ansel Olson

Matthew Niemann Photography
Example of a transitional u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen design in Austin with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, gray backsplash, paneled appliances, an island, white countertops, quartz countertops, white cabinets and stone tile backsplash

This project combines high end earthy elements with elegant, modern furnishings. We wanted to re invent the beach house concept and create an home which is not your typical coastal retreat. By combining stronger colors and textures, we gave the spaces a bolder and more permanent feel. Yet, as you travel through each room, you can't help but feel invited and at home.

Large tuscan enclosed carpeted family room photo in San Diego with white walls, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv

Condominium home with a mid-century modern flair, bright white with plenty of natural light, and colorful accents. This home is sprinkled with evidence that the owner is an avid world traveler and has an appreciation for various arts.

Inspiration for a contemporary formal and enclosed black floor living room remodel in Philadelphia with beige walls and a standard fireplace

Large transitional porcelain tile and gray floor sunroom photo in Other with a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Kids' room - mid-sized contemporary gender-neutral dark wood floor kids' room idea in New York with white walls

Architecture, Construction Management, Interior Design, Art Curation & Real Estate Advisement by Chango & Co. Construction by MXA Development, Inc. Photography by Sarah Elliott See the home tour feature in Domino Magazine

Transitional enclosed medium tone wood floor, brown floor and wall paneling family room library photo in New York with blue walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Living room - dark wood floor living room idea in Other with white walls, a standard fireplace and no tv

Robert Clark Photography
Inspiration for a transitional carpeted dining room remodel in Orlando with a standard fireplace and beige walls

Photographer: Northlight Photography / Remodeler: Bob Bethke
Elegant medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Seattle with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble countertops, stainless steel appliances and white backsplash

Inspiration for an eclectic medium tone wood floor living room remodel in New York with white walls, a standard fireplace and a tv stand

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.