Search results for "Level playing" in Home Design Ideas
![Ipswich Hill](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/pictures/kitchens/ipswich-hill-kaplan-thompson-architects-img~ff21b2da0af08e40_5877-1-df53a21-w360-h360-b0-p0.jpg)
![Kaplan Thompson Architects](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/8f63c3cb0ea5875e_7950-w32-h32-b0-p0--.jpg)
A young family with a wooded, triangular lot in Ipswich, Massachusetts wanted to take on a highly creative, organic, and unrushed process in designing their new home. The parents of three boys had contemporary ideas for living, including phasing the construction of different structures over time as the kids grew so they could maximize the options for use on their land.
They hoped to build a net zero energy home that would be cozy on the very coldest days of winter, using cost-efficient methods of home building. The house needed to be sited to minimize impact on the land and trees, and it was critical to respect a conservation easement on the south border of the lot.
Finally, the design would be contemporary in form and feel, but it would also need to fit into a classic New England context, both in terms of materials used and durability. We were asked to honor the notions of “surprise and delight,” and that inspired everything we designed for the family.
The highly unique home consists of a three-story form, composed mostly of bedrooms and baths on the top two floors and a cross axis of shared living spaces on the first level. This axis extends out to an oversized covered porch, open to the south and west. The porch connects to a two-story garage with flex space above, used as a guest house, play room, and yoga studio depending on the day.
A floor-to-ceiling ribbon of glass wraps the south and west walls of the lower level, bringing in an abundance of natural light and linking the entire open plan to the yard beyond. The master suite takes up the entire top floor, and includes an outdoor deck with a shower. The middle floor has extra height to accommodate a variety of multi-level play scenarios in the kids’ rooms.
Many of the materials used in this house are made from recycled or environmentally friendly content, or they come from local sources. The high performance home has triple glazed windows and all materials, adhesives, and sealants are low toxicity and safe for growing kids.
Photographer credit: Irvin Serrano
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![Knoll House](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/pictures/kids-rooms/knoll-house-elizabeth-herrmann-architecture-design-img~63a14267075dd497_0043-1-a97433d-w360-h360-b0-p0.jpg)
![Elizabeth Herrmann architecture + design](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/b8a3f61f030f77e1_9353-w32-h32-b0-p0--.jpg)
Jim Westphalen
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary gender-neutral concrete floor and gray floor kids' room remodel in Burlington with white walls
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary gender-neutral concrete floor and gray floor kids' room remodel in Burlington with white walls
![South Spokane Valley Lodge](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/pictures/landscapes/south-spokane-valley-lodge-clearwater-summit-group-img~59a1ec65020a3833_0879-1-cbac90e-w360-h360-b0-p0.jpg)
![Clearwater Summit Group](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/49f3a3b701153150_9158-w32-h32-b0-p0--.jpg)
Clearwater Summit Group, inc.
Inspiration for a traditional outdoor playset in Seattle.
Inspiration for a traditional outdoor playset in Seattle.
![Greenwich Village Loft](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/pictures/kids-rooms/greenwich-village-loft-raad-studio-img~f961677f044184b0_2809-1-9b229f8-w360-h360-b0-p0.jpg)
![Raad Studio](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/3cd3415c038b2963_7044-w32-h32-b0-p0--.jpg)
Daniel Shea
Large trendy gender-neutral light wood floor playroom photo in New York with black walls
Large trendy gender-neutral light wood floor playroom photo in New York with black walls
![Dwarf hinoiki cypress accents unique play house & garden shed](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/pictures/landscapes/dwarf-hinoiki-cypress-accents-unique-play-house-and-garden-shed-home-and-garden-design-atlanta-danna-cain-asla-img~a641086a00ddde92_4610-1-ca0f954-w360-h360-b0-p0.jpg)
![Home & Garden Design, Atlanta - Danna Cain, ASLA](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/cac308770f5b4ebb_1802-w32-h32-b0-p0--.jpg)
Dwarf Hinoiki cypress accents and softens the view of this play house and garden shed. On this level, the structure is two story structure is a play house. Below is a garden shed, adjacent to the swimming pool that houses tools and pool equipment. I did not design this awesome structure but I sure felt special to be able to design the plants around it, enter it, play and dream! The cypress is Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Gracilis' also known as a slender hinoiki false cypress. It is extremely slow growing eventually reaching a height of 8-15'. Photographer: Danna Cain, Home & Garden Design, Inc.
![Needham Kitchen](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/pictures/kitchens/needham-kitchen-venegas-and-company-img~fe41e8170d38618b_5342-1-a93206d-w360-h360-b0-p0.jpg)
![Venegas and Company](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/a6535c340cc77f25_5589-w32-h32-b0-p0--.jpg)
Elegant l-shaped kitchen photo in Boston with stainless steel appliances, a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, white backsplash and subway tile backsplash
![Harlem Brownstone](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/pictures/bathrooms/harlem-brownstone-kimberly-peck-architect-img~03d12d400f66782e_3973-1-d4f094e-w360-h360-b0-p0.jpg)
![kimberly peck architect](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/75238a510edbe21c_0424-w32-h32-b0-p0--.jpg)
This brownstone, located in Harlem, consists of five stories which had been duplexed to create a two story rental unit and a 3 story home for the owners. The owner hired us to do a modern renovation of their home and rear garden. The garden was under utilized, barely visible from the interior and could only be accessed via a small steel stair at the rear of the second floor. We enlarged the owner’s home to include the rear third of the floor below which had walk out access to the garden. The additional square footage became a new family room connected to the living room and kitchen on the floor above via a double height space and a new sculptural stair. The rear facade was completely restructured to allow us to install a wall to wall two story window and door system within the new double height space creating a connection not only between the two floors but with the outside. The garden itself was terraced into two levels, the bottom level of which is directly accessed from the new family room space, the upper level accessed via a few stone clad steps. The upper level of the garden features a playful interplay of stone pavers with wood decking adjacent to a large seating area and a new planting bed. Wet bar cabinetry at the family room level is mirrored by an outside cabinetry/grill configuration as another way to visually tie inside to out. The second floor features the dining room, kitchen and living room in a large open space. Wall to wall builtins from the front to the rear transition from storage to dining display to kitchen; ending at an open shelf display with a fireplace feature in the base. The third floor serves as the children’s floor with two bedrooms and two ensuite baths. The fourth floor is a master suite with a large bedroom and a large bathroom bridged by a walnut clad hall that conceals a closet system and features a built in desk. The master bath consists of a tiled partition wall dividing the space to create a large walkthrough shower for two on one side and showcasing a free standing tub on the other. The house is full of custom modern details such as the recessed, lit handrail at the house’s main stair, floor to ceiling glass partitions separating the halls from the stairs and a whimsical builtin bench in the entry.
![Urban Retreat](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/pictures/landscapes/urban-retreat-southview-design-img~3fd109bf02683137_7505-1-249ab4e-w360-h360-b0-p0.jpg)
![Southview Design](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/2313b9da0f065717_9337-w32-h32-b0-p0--.jpg)
The client wanted patio space for a chair so she could relax in the sun when the mood struck. The only spot in the yard with any sun is near the fence gate. A full-range New York Bluestone patio was added using 30” x 30” slabs. These slabs are dry-set so leveling was a challenge.
![SouthEnd RowHome Kitchen](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/pictures/kitchens/southend-rowhome-kitchen-zeroenergy-design-img~798111c20babd4f2_2503-1-d9e266c-w360-h360-b0-p0.jpg)
![ZeroEnergy Design](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/4b3321830c0e6e45_6280-w32-h32-b0-p0--.jpg)
This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income.
DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request.
MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic.
RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income.
ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them.
URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances.
OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values.
Photography: Eric Roth Photo
![Exterior](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/pictures/exteriors/exterior-knight-construction-design-inc-img~333123010ec2c3ca_3525-1-e24d363-w360-h360-b0-p0.jpg)
![Knight Construction Design Inc.](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/7c2326830e03546a_7855-w32-h32-b0-p0--.jpg)
How do you make a split entry not look like a split entry?
Several challenges presented themselves when designing the new entry/portico. The homeowners wanted to keep the large transom window above the front door and the need to address “where is” the front entry and of course, curb appeal.
With the addition of the new portico, custom built cedar beams and brackets along with new custom made cedar entry and garage doors added warmth and style.
Final touches of natural stone, a paver stoop and walkway, along professionally designed landscaping.
This home went from ordinary to extraordinary!
Architecture was done by KBA Architects in Minneapolis.
![](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/pictures/patios/multi-level-patio-aurea-gardens-img~ed71f7c202fe9544_0603-1-6078eaa-w360-h360-b0-p0.jpg)
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Plain City, OH
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![](https://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/818307b002fd1360_1-7281/_.jpg)
Aurea Gardens
Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures l Franklin County, Ohio
![Treehouses, Ziplines and Playgrounds](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/pictures/landscapes/treehouses-ziplines-and-playgrounds-dabah-landscape-designs-img~0061ecbe0137a855_1591-1-46d449c-w360-h360-b0-p0.jpg)
![Dabah Landscape Designs](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/9043bd3c0134fc66_5939-w32-h32-b0-p0--.jpg)
Dabah Landscape Designs - build a multi-level tree house with swing and climbing rope.
Inspiration for a large traditional backyard brick outdoor playset in New York.
Inspiration for a large traditional backyard brick outdoor playset in New York.
![SouthEnd RowHome Living](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/pictures/living-rooms/southend-rowhome-living-zeroenergy-design-img~52e155df0babd525_0146-1-bc9078d-w360-h360-b0-p0.jpg)
![ZeroEnergy Design](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/4b3321830c0e6e45_6280-w32-h32-b0-p0--.jpg)
This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income.
DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request.
MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic.
RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income.
ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them.
URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances.
OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values.
Eric Roth Photo
![Harlem Brownstone](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/pictures/living-rooms/harlem-brownstone-kimberly-peck-architect-img~090114f20f66781e_4988-1-48579e4-w360-h360-b0-p0.jpg)
![kimberly peck architect](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/75238a510edbe21c_0424-w32-h32-b0-p0--.jpg)
This brownstone, located in Harlem, consists of five stories which had been duplexed to create a two story rental unit and a 3 story home for the owners. The owner hired us to do a modern renovation of their home and rear garden. The garden was under utilized, barely visible from the interior and could only be accessed via a small steel stair at the rear of the second floor. We enlarged the owner’s home to include the rear third of the floor below which had walk out access to the garden. The additional square footage became a new family room connected to the living room and kitchen on the floor above via a double height space and a new sculptural stair. The rear facade was completely restructured to allow us to install a wall to wall two story window and door system within the new double height space creating a connection not only between the two floors but with the outside. The garden itself was terraced into two levels, the bottom level of which is directly accessed from the new family room space, the upper level accessed via a few stone clad steps. The upper level of the garden features a playful interplay of stone pavers with wood decking adjacent to a large seating area and a new planting bed. Wet bar cabinetry at the family room level is mirrored by an outside cabinetry/grill configuration as another way to visually tie inside to out. The second floor features the dining room, kitchen and living room in a large open space. Wall to wall builtins from the front to the rear transition from storage to dining display to kitchen; ending at an open shelf display with a fireplace feature in the base. The third floor serves as the children’s floor with two bedrooms and two ensuite baths. The fourth floor is a master suite with a large bedroom and a large bathroom bridged by a walnut clad hall that conceals a closet system and features a built in desk. The master bath consists of a tiled partition wall dividing the space to create a large walkthrough shower for two on one side and showcasing a free standing tub on the other. The house is full of custom modern details such as the recessed, lit handrail at the house’s main stair, floor to ceiling glass partitions separating the halls from the stairs and a whimsical builtin bench in the entry.
![Greenwich Village Loft](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/pictures/kids-rooms/greenwich-village-loft-raad-studio-img~f7914fb804418524_5378-1-3bbc341-w360-h360-b0-p0.jpg)
![Raad Studio](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/3cd3415c038b2963_7044-w32-h32-b0-p0--.jpg)
Daniel Shea
Inspiration for a large contemporary gender-neutral light wood floor and beige floor kids' room remodel in New York with black walls
Inspiration for a large contemporary gender-neutral light wood floor and beige floor kids' room remodel in New York with black walls
Showing Results for "Level Playing"
![](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/pictures/bedrooms/ferguson-2020-ferguson-bath-kitchen-and-lighting-gallery-img~3071819e0e41c67e_1538-1-2062b3d-w360-h360-b0-p0.jpg)
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![](https://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/11d3345f0f0c514d_1-4658/_.jpg)
Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery
Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery
![Orono Lakehouse](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/pictures/living-rooms/orono-lakehouse-k2-interior-designs-img~4361b7680cab7998_7568-1-a59fda7-w360-h360-b0-p0.jpg)
![K2 Interior Designs](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/1b2325c6026d9949_4155-w32-h32-b0-p0--.jpg)
This project was featured in Midwest Home magazine as the winner of ASID Life in Color. The addition of a kitchen with custom shaker-style cabinetry and a large shiplap island is perfect for entertaining and hosting events for family and friends. Quartz counters that mimic the look of marble were chosen for their durability and ease of maintenance. Open shelving with brass sconces above the sink create a focal point for the large open space.
Putting a modern spin on the traditional nautical/coastal theme was a goal. We took the quintessential palette of navy and white and added pops of green, stylish patterns, and unexpected artwork to create a fresh bright space. Grasscloth on the back of the built in bookshelves and console table along with rattan and the bentwood side table add warm texture. Finishes and furnishings were selected with a practicality to fit their lifestyle and the connection to the outdoors. A large sectional along with the custom cocktail table in the living room area provide ample room for game night or a quiet evening watching movies with the kids.
To learn more visit https://k2interiordesigns.com
To view article in Midwest Home visit https://midwesthome.com/interior-spaces/life-in-color-2019/
Photography - Spacecrafting
![City Chic in the Suburbs...](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/pictures/kids-rooms/city-chic-in-the-suburbs-learn-ique-design-to-learn-img~c581c6320518bf4c_1656-1-08c371f-w360-h360-b0-p0.jpg)
![Learn'ique: Design-to-Learn](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/8e33b0b4036dc05d_8072-w32-h32-b0-p0--.jpg)
Kate Hart
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary gender-neutral carpeted kids' room remodel in New York with white walls
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary gender-neutral carpeted kids' room remodel in New York with white walls
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