Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2016 Houzz
Inspiration for an eclectic kitchen remodel in New York

James Alfred Photography
Country home design photo in Vancouver

A beautiful contemporary kitchen designed by the great team at Hacin + Associates / Builder: Sleeping Dog Properties / Photography by Michael Stavaridis

Photography, Dennis Mayer
Dedicated laundry room - mid-sized traditional medium tone wood floor dedicated laundry room idea in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, marble countertops, gray walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white cabinets

Example of a transitional u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen design in New York with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

This Boulder, Colorado remodel by fuentesdesign demonstrates the possibility of renewal in American suburbs, and Passive House design principles. Once an inefficient single story 1,000 square-foot ranch house with a forced air furnace, has been transformed into a two-story, solar powered 2500 square-foot three bedroom home ready for the next generation. The new design for the home is modern with a sustainable theme, incorporating a palette of natural materials including; reclaimed wood finishes, FSC-certified pine Zola windows and doors, and natural earth and lime plasters that soften the interior and crisp contemporary exterior with a flavor of the west. A Ninety-percent efficient energy recovery fresh air ventilation system provides constant filtered fresh air to every room. The existing interior brick was removed and replaced with insulation. The remaining heating and cooling loads are easily met with the highest degree of comfort via a mini-split heat pump, the peak heat load has been cut by a factor of 4, despite the house doubling in size. During the coldest part of the Colorado winter, a wood stove for ambiance and low carbon back up heat creates a special place in both the living and kitchen area, and upstairs loft. This ultra energy efficient home relies on extremely high levels of insulation, air-tight detailing and construction, and the implementation of high performance, custom made European windows and doors by Zola Windows. Zola’s ThermoPlus Clad line, which boasts R-11 triple glazing and is thermally broken with a layer of patented German Purenit®, was selected for the project. These windows also provide a seamless indoor/outdoor connection, with 9′ wide folding doors from the dining area and a matching 9′ wide custom countertop folding window that opens the kitchen up to a grassy court where mature trees provide shade and extend the living space during the summer months. With air-tight construction, this home meets the Passive House Retrofit (EnerPHit) air-tightness standard of

Inspiration for a large coastal three-story concrete exterior home remodel in Charleston with a hip roof

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.

Photo: Aaron Leitz
Living room - modern open concept living room idea in Seattle with beige walls and a two-sided fireplace

Inspiration for a coastal ceramic tile and gray floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Orange County with a farmhouse sink, light wood cabinets, marble countertops, stainless steel appliances, marble backsplash and an island

Parade of Homes Gold Winner This 7,500 modern farmhouse style home was designed for a busy family with young children. The family lives over three floors including home theater, gym, playroom, and a hallway with individual desk for each child. From the farmhouse front, the house transitions to a contemporary oasis with large modern windows, a covered patio, and room for a pool.

The phrase "luxury master suite" brings this room to mind. With a double shower, double hinged glass door and free standing tub, this water room is the hallmark of simple luxury. It also features a drop down lighting, a hemlock ceiling and brushed nickel fixtures paired with a majestic view. Photo by Azevedo Photo

Referred to inside H&H as “the basement of dreams,” this project transformed a raw, dark, unfinished basement into a bright living space flooded with daylight. Working with architect Sean Barnett of Polymath Studio, Hammer & Hand added several 4’ windows to the perimeter of the basement, a new entrance, and wired the unit for future ADU conversion. This basement is filled with custom touches reflecting the young family’s project goals. H&H milled custom trim to match the existing home’s trim, making the basement feel original to the historic house. The H&H shop crafted a barn door with an inlaid chalkboard for their toddler to draw on, while the rest of the H&H team designed a custom closet with movable hanging racks to store and dry their camping gear. Photography by Jeff Amram.

1950s medium tone wood floor living room photo in Philadelphia with gray walls and a tv stand

Dedicated laundry room - large transitional single-wall medium tone wood floor and gray floor dedicated laundry room idea in Atlanta with an utility sink, gray walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer

ArcherShot Photography
Mid-century modern galley eat-in kitchen photo in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and orange countertops

Cynthia Lynn Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary ceramic tile closet remodel in Chicago with open cabinets and white cabinets

Example of a mountain style one-story exterior home design in Other with a shingle roof

Example of a mountain style dark wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen design in Other with medium tone wood cabinets, gray backsplash, an island and raised-panel cabinets