This study off the kitchen acts as a control center for the family. Kids work on computers in open spaces, not in their rooms. Green linoleum covers the desk for a durable and cleanable surface. The cabinets were custom built for the space. The chairs are from Overstock.com. photo: David Duncan Livingston

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

Photo: Margot Hartford Photography © 2014 Houzz Design: Jennifer Jones, Niche Interiors
Inspiration for a transitional home office remodel in San Francisco

Known for their effortlessly chic eclectic style, Robert and Cortney incorporate many items from flea markets and antique stores into their designs. They found the Venetian glass chandelier in a French market and had it shipped home where it spent many years in storage. After discussing that it would be out of reach for the kids, the couple decided to put it up so that they could finally appreciate it. "It is my favorite piece", says Cortney. Also designed by Robert and Cortney, the artwork in the kitchen speaks volumes of what this home is all about. Playing off of the chandelier, its bright colors round out the palette for the room. Photo: Adrienne DeRosa Photography © 2014 Houzz Design: Cortney and Robert Novogratz

Ron Rosenzwweig
Example of a mid-sized transitional built-in desk porcelain tile home design design in Miami with beige walls and no fireplace

mercer INTERIOR created an upholstered tack board to help hide computer and phone wires. We went wireless wherever possible elsewhere. A detail of the brushed brass pulls is shown. Photo by Emily Gilbert

Elfa shelving is the perfect storage solution to make the most of your space. A combination of file boxes and canvas bins provide functional, yet artful, storage.

Home office. Custom cabinetry with wood top. Lateral files on each side. Custom bookcase. Furniture and accessories by Irma Shaw Designs.
Mid-sized tuscan freestanding desk carpeted study room photo in San Diego with yellow walls and no fireplace

In New York City every bit of space counts. The rear hall of this Upper West Side apartment was generous, but underutilized. Custom built-ins transformed a hallway into an office that can be shut out of site when work is done or company comes. The cabinetry contains a drop down desk, filing cabinets, storage for office and computer equipment, thin shelves for paperback books, and deep shelves for the display of art and objects brought back from the client’s trips abroad. Photography - Ken Hild

Royal Kitchen Corp
Mid-sized elegant built-in desk medium tone wood floor home design photo in New York with beige walls

File it away while still on colorful display with our Bisley File Cabinets. Perfect for a home office that needs a little touch of color.
Small trendy light wood floor home office photo with yellow walls

Elegant built-in desk study room photo

3 Lateral Files, 6 utility drawers, 2 pen drawers make organization a breeze. The Warm Knotty Alder Cabinetry combined with an efficient design make working at home a pleasure. Plenty of storage behind doors & drawers to keep thinks neat but accessible. Open adjustable shelving for displaying your prized artsy stuff. Photo by UDCC

Hanging file drawers provide easy access to your most important documents. Home Office built out of White Melamine with Raised Panel vinyl door and drawer faces. Countertops are stained wood with a solid wood edge. Brushed Nickel hardware. Designed by Michelle Langley and fabricated and installed by Closet Factory Washington DC #closetfactory #closetfactorydc

North Dakota artisans hand-select the finest wood veneers to craft Copenhagen, a storage collection that offers modern solutions with design details like mitered corners and a steel or wheeled base. Copenhagen lateral file credenzas offer functional and stylish office storage.

Inspiration for a transitional home design remodel in Los Angeles

Photo: Corynne Pless Photography © 2014 Houzz
Example of a study space farmhouse gender-neutral kids' study room design in New York with white walls

Inspiration for a mid-century modern home office remodel in Denver

This gorgeous 100yr old piece made from tiger oak belonged to the homeowner's father and had been sitting in an attic. (The age of the piece was determined from original manufacturer's marks and locating the store in Austin where it was purchased from) When we did their home remodel after Hurricane Harvey, she wanted it relocated to their home office, to sit next to her husband's antique roll-top desk. The base had been lost over time, so we constructed a new one from white oak, stained it to match, cleaned and waxed the cabinet, and cleaned/polished the beautiful brass hardware.