Photographer: Ryan Gamma
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary full sun side yard concrete paver garden path in Tampa for winter.

This was a gut remodel of a 1950’s 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1200-square-foot home. The main house was composed of two bedrooms with one bathroom, and a separate studio unit with a full bathroom was located in the backyard. The new owners, a family of 4, wanted to remove the studio unit and increase the square footage of the main house to include a new master suite, family room, and powder room while leaving enough space for the possible addition of a pool in the backyard down the road. We also expanded the kitchen and remodeled the kids’ shared bathroom. White Sands advised during the architectural stage of the project to perfect the layout and ensure enough space was carved out for the new kitchen, family room, and master bedroom. We designed a modified galley kitchen with a large eat-in island in the center. Custom cabinetry was key in making the layout work. To provide ample storage, we created a European-style larder pantry, which is flanked by full-height glass hutches and appliance garages to keep countertop gadgets concealed. The family room is anchored by a new fireplace, complete with custom built-ins flanking each side. The client’s goal for the overall aesthetic is very simple, classic coastal cottage. They wanted cutesy charm. They did not want anything fussy or fancy, requesting selections to be pared down and approachable. All tile and counter finishes selected were in timeless shapes and color palettes. We brought in color and personality with the accessories- cabinet hardware, mirrors, wallcoverings, and styling accessories.

Entry and main hall. The prior space had dated wallpaper. The addition of the blue grass cloth adds amazing texture and comfort to the space. Nest Interior Decor

This timeless kitchen gets a fresh modern look with teh clean lines of the Briarstone door style and Manor Flat drawer fronts in Benjamin Moore White Dove enamel.

Transforming key spaces in a home can really change the overall look and feel, especially in main living areas such as a kitchen or primary bathroom! Our goal was to create a bright, fresh, and timeless design in each space. We accomplished this by incorporating white cabinetry and by swapping out the small, seemingly useless island for a large and much more functional peninsula. And to transform the primary bathroom into a serene sanctuary, we incorporated a new open and spacious glass shower enclosure as well as a luxurious free-standing soaking tub, perfect for ultimate relaxation.

Example of a transitional entryway design in New York

Möbius was designed with intention of breaking away from architectural norms, including repeating right angles, and standard roof designs and connections. Nestled into a serene landscape on the barrier island of Casey Key, the home features protected, navigable waters with a dock on the rear side, and a private beach and Gulf views on the front. Materials like cypress, coquina, and shell tabby are used throughout the home to root the home to its place. This image shows the main level stair, from the owner's entry to the main living level. The covered patio is visible beyond. Photo by Ryan Gamma

On this project, our aim was to maximize storage and organization in the pantry for this family of five. This family previously had the common complaint that their pantry was always message and that they could never find what they wanted. To address this, we created provided a large amount of shelving, including key sections that slide out to provide better access to the items in the back. In addition, since their refrigerator didn't fit in the space that was created for it, we converted that into a pantry nook for even more storage. White melamine was used to mange cost and create a clean look, and the barn door on the main pantry provides a nice accent.

Möbius was designed with intention of breaking away from architectural norms, including repeating right angles, and standard roof designs and connections. Nestled into a serene landscape on the barrier island of Casey Key, the home features protected, navigable waters with a dock on the rear side, and a private beach and Gulf views on the front. Materials like cypress, coquina, and shell tabby are used throughout the home to root the home to its place. This image shows the main level stair, from the owner's entry to the main living level. The covered patio is visible beyond. Photo by Ryan Gamma

A contemporary aesthetic going back to the cozy warmth of the family home. Calx offers the perfect combination of past and present.
Example of an urban bathroom design in New York

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

C. L. Fry
Bathroom - transitional bathroom idea in Austin

Tessa Neustadt
Entryway - mid-sized coastal dark wood floor entryway idea in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, wood countertops, white walls and a stacked washer/dryer

Courtyard entry greets you to the main entrance
Arts and crafts home design photo in Phoenix

Möbius was designed with intention of breaking away from architectural norms, including repeating right angles, and standard roof designs and connections. Nestled into a serene landscape on the barrier island of Casey Key, the home features protected, navigable waters with a dock on the rear side, and a private beach and Gulf views on the front. Materials like cypress, coquina, and shell tabby are used throughout the home to root the home to its place. This image shows the main level stair, from the owner's entry to the main living level. The covered patio is visible beyond. Photo by Ryan Gamma

When ascending stair #3, you cross a frosted glass bridge onto the main level.
Inspiration for a large modern glass l-shaped open and glass railing staircase remodel in Tampa

In the main sitting area attention to detail was key to bring out the many features and pops of interesting accents this space has. The same Brick material from the kitchen was also designed into the main sitting area to tie in both spaces. On the adjacent wall a door also has the same shiplap material to make the area more cohesive. Built in display cases were installed with pocket lighting to showcase the homeowners love for football, as well as color lighting that surrounds the TV to add to the enjoyment.

A modern interior renovation. New custom white oak cabinets, limestone fireplace with custom steel trim and hearth. Custom banquette seating and steel and stone table. Photo by: Chad Holder

In Southern California there are pockets of darling cottages built in the early 20th century that we like to call jewelry boxes. They are quaint, full of charm and usually a bit cramped. Our clients have a growing family and needed a modern, functional home. They opted for a renovation that directly addressed their concerns. When we first saw this 2,170 square-foot 3-bedroom beach cottage, the front door opened directly into a staircase and a dead-end hallway. The kitchen was cramped, the living room was claustrophobic and everything felt dark and dated. The big picture items included pitching the living room ceiling to create space and taking down a kitchen wall. We added a French oven and luxury range that the wife had always dreamed about, a custom vent hood, and custom-paneled appliances. We added a downstairs half-bath for guests (entirely designed around its whimsical wallpaper) and converted one of the existing bathrooms into a Jack-and-Jill, connecting the kids’ bedrooms, with double sinks and a closed-off toilet and shower for privacy. In the bathrooms, we added white marble floors and wainscoting. We created storage throughout the home with custom-cabinets, new closets and built-ins, such as bookcases, desks and shelving. White Sands Design/Build furnished the entire cottage mostly with commissioned pieces, including a custom dining table and upholstered chairs. We updated light fixtures and added brass hardware throughout, to create a vintage, bo-ho vibe. The best thing about this cottage is the charming backyard accessory dwelling unit (ADU), designed in the same style as the larger structure. In order to keep the ADU it was necessary to renovate less than 50% of the main home, which took some serious strategy, otherwise the non-conforming ADU would need to be torn out. We renovated the bathroom with white walls and pine flooring, transforming it into a get-away that will grow with the girls.