Lissa Gotwals Photography
Inspiration for a large timeless screened-in back porch remodel in Raleigh with decking and a roof extension

Family room - mid-sized cottage enclosed medium tone wood floor and orange floor family room idea in Boston with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace

Josh Goetz Photography
Transitional white tile and subway tile gray floor alcove shower photo in New York with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink and white countertops

McManus Photography
Example of a mid-sized classic master dark wood floor bedroom design in Charleston with beige walls

Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Design | John Kraemer & Sons, Builder | Troy Thies, Photography | Shannon Gale, Photo Styling
Kids' room - contemporary kids' room idea in Minneapolis

Reclaimed original patina hand hewn © Carolina Timberworks
Open concept kitchen - mid-sized rustic u-shaped concrete floor open concept kitchen idea in Charlotte with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, red cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Overlooking the kitchen, dining and living room of this timber framed home that was repurpsoed from an old tobacco barn. The herringbone brick and wide plank floors certainly mix well with the timbers, stone, metals. Timber Framer: Lancaster County Timber Frames /General Contractor: Historic Restorations

This project presented unique opportunities that are not often found in residential landscaping. The homeowners were not only restoring their 1840's era farmhouse, a piece of their family’s history, but also enlarging and updating the home for modern living. The landscape designers continued this idea by creating a space that is a modern day interpretation of an 1840s era farm rather then a strict recreation. The resulting design combines elements of farm living from that time, as well as acknowledging the property’s history as a horse farm, with staples of 21st century landscapes such as space for outdoor living, lighting, and newer plant varieties. Guests approach from the main driveway which winds through the property and ends at the main barn. There is secondary gated driveway just for the homeowners. Connected to this main driveway is a narrower gravel lane which leads directly to the residence. The lane passes near fruit trees planted in broken rows to give the illusion that they are the remains of an orchard that once existed on the site. The lane widens at the entrance to the gardens where there is a hitching post built into the fence that surrounds the gardens and a watering trough. The widened section is intended as a place to park a golf cart or, in a nod to the home’s past, tie up horses before entering. The gravel lane passes between two stone pillars and then ends at a square gravel court edged in cobblestones. The gravel court transitions into a wide flagstone walk bordered with yew hedges and lavender leading to the front door. Directly to the right, upon entering the gravel court, is located a gravel and cobblestone edged walk leading to a secondary entrance into the residence. The walk is gated where it connects with the gravel court to close it off so as not to confuse visitors and guests to the main residence and to emphasize the primary entrance. An area for a bench is provided along this walk to encourage stopping to view and enjoy the gardens. On either side of the front door, gravel and cobblestone walks branch off into the garden spaces. The one on the right leads to a flagstone with cobblestone border patio space. Since the home has no designated backyard like most modern suburban homes the outdoor living space had to be placed in what would traditionally be thought of as the front of the house. The patio is separated from the entrance walk by the yew hedge and further enclosed by three Amelanchiers and a variety of plantings including modern cultivars of old fashioned plants such as Itea and Hydrangea. A third entrance, the original front door to the 1840’s era section, connects to the patio from the home’s kitchen, making the space ideal for outdoor dining. The gravel and cobblestone walk branching off to the left of the front door leads to the vegetable and perennial gardens. The idea for the vegetable garden was to recreate the tradition of a kitchen garden which would have been planted close to the residence for easy access. The vegetable garden is surrounded by mixed perennial beds along the inside of the wood picket fence which surrounds the entire garden space. Another area designated for a bench is provided here to encourage stopping and viewing. The home’s original smokehouse, completely restored and used as a garden shed, provides a strong architectural focal point to the vegetable garden. Behind the smokehouse is planted lilacs and other plants to give mass and balance to the corner and help screen the garden from the neighboring subdivision. At the rear corner of the garden a wood arbor was constructed to provide a structure on which to grow grapes or other vines should the homeowners choose to. The landscape and gardens for this restored farmhouse and property are a thoughtfully designed and planned recreation of a historic landscape reinterpreted for modern living. The idea was to give a sense of timelessness when walking through the gardens as if they had been there for years but had possibly been updated and rejuvenated as lifestyles changed. The attention to materials and craftsmanship blend seamlessly with the residence and insure the gardens and landscape remain an integral part of the property. The farm has been in the homeowner’s family for many years and they are thrilled at the results and happy to see respect given to the home’s history and to its meticulous restoration.

The bedroom loft is directly over the kitchen and bathroom. Phot: Eileen Descallar Ringwald
Example of a small trendy loft-style medium tone wood floor bedroom design in Los Angeles with white walls and no fireplace

New guesthouse for a historic landmark estate that echoes the design of the main residence. Photo by: Jim Bartsch
Example of a small tuscan white one-story stucco exterior home design in Los Angeles

John Gessner
Example of a small country medium tone wood floor kitchen/dining room combo design in Raleigh with white walls

E Kretschmer
Example of a large arts and crafts green two-story vinyl gable roof design in San Francisco with a shingle roof

Eat-in kitchen - huge traditional l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, gray backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and white walls

Eric Roth
Cottage gray two-story stone gable roof photo in Philadelphia with a shingle roof

The roof line comes down low on the second floor to reduce the height of the house and create an interesting roof form without losing too much floor space on the second floor. Pushing the shed dormers out flush with exterior walls helps accomplish these goals. This is Phase-1 of a 2 phase project. The future Phase-2 addition will enclose the fireplace with a matching bedroom wing that will complete the symmetry centered on the front porch. The windows on the gable wall will move out to the new gable wall.

Kim Grant, Architect; Elizabeth Barkett, Interior Designer - Ross Thiele & Sons Ltd.; Gail Owens, Photographer
Open concept kitchen - coastal galley medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen idea in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and marble countertops

Inspiration for a mediterranean freestanding bathtub remodel in Los Angeles

The beautiful, old barn on this Topsfield estate was at risk of being demolished. Before approaching Mathew Cummings, the homeowner had met with several architects about the structure, and they had all told her that it needed to be torn down. Thankfully, for the sake of the barn and the owner, Cummings Architects has a long and distinguished history of preserving some of the oldest timber framed homes and barns in the U.S. Once the homeowner realized that the barn was not only salvageable, but could be transformed into a new living space that was as utilitarian as it was stunning, the design ideas began flowing fast. In the end, the design came together in a way that met all the family’s needs with all the warmth and style you’d expect in such a venerable, old building. On the ground level of this 200-year old structure, a garage offers ample room for three cars, including one loaded up with kids and groceries. Just off the garage is the mudroom – a large but quaint space with an exposed wood ceiling, custom-built seat with period detailing, and a powder room. The vanity in the powder room features a vanity that was built using salvaged wood and reclaimed bluestone sourced right on the property. Original, exposed timbers frame an expansive, two-story family room that leads, through classic French doors, to a new deck adjacent to the large, open backyard. On the second floor, salvaged barn doors lead to the master suite which features a bright bedroom and bath as well as a custom walk-in closet with his and hers areas separated by a black walnut island. In the master bath, hand-beaded boards surround a claw-foot tub, the perfect place to relax after a long day. In addition, the newly restored and renovated barn features a mid-level exercise studio and a children’s playroom that connects to the main house. From a derelict relic that was slated for demolition to a warmly inviting and beautifully utilitarian living space, this barn has undergone an almost magical transformation to become a beautiful addition and asset to this stately home.

Eric Roth Photography
Mid-sized cottage l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and black countertops