This Winchester home was love at first sight for this young family of four. The layout lacked function, had no master suite to speak of, an antiquated kitchen, non-existent connection to the outdoor living space and an absentee mud room… yes, true love. Windhill Builders to the rescue! Design and build a sanctuary that accommodates the daily, sometimes chaotic lifestyle of a busy family that provides practical function, exceptional finishes and pure comfort. We think the photos tell the story of this happy ending. Feast your eyes on the kitchen with its crisp, clean finishes and black accents that carry throughout the home. The Imperial Danby Honed Marble countertops, floating shelves, contrasting island painted in Benjamin Moore Timberwolfe add drama to this beautiful space. Flow around the kitchen, cozy family room, coffee & wine station, pantry, and work space all invite and connect you to the magnificent outdoor living room complete with gilded iron statement fixture. It’s irresistible! The master suite indulges with its dreamy slumber shades of grey, walk-in closet perfect for a princess and a glorious bath to wash away the day. Once an absentee mudroom, now steals the show with its black built-ins, gold leaf pendant lighting and unique cement tile. The picture-book New England front porch, adorned with rocking chairs provides the classic setting for ‘summering’ with a glass of cold lemonade. Joyelle West Photography

Bedroom - large contemporary master dark wood floor and brown floor bedroom idea in Austin with white walls and no fireplace

Example of a mid-sized trendy master white tile gray floor bathroom design in Seattle with an undermount tub and white walls

Transitional master multicolored tile and mosaic tile beige floor bathroom photo in Orlando with recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door and white countertops

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.

Liz Glasgow
Mid-sized cottage chic master painted wood floor bedroom photo in New York with gray walls and no fireplace

Lake Cabin Home Addition - Master Bathroom
Example of a large transitional master beige tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile, beige floor and double-sink bathroom design in Atlanta with recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, blue walls, an undermount sink, granite countertops, a hinged shower door, brown countertops and a built-in vanity

The freestanding tub encourages a feeling of elegance as this provides a place to relax and offer comfort to the homeowners.
Example of a large classic master porcelain tile and white floor bathroom design in Toronto with white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, brown countertops and a hinged shower door

Example of a mid-sized tuscan master carpeted and beige floor bedroom design in Miami with beige walls and no fireplace

Transitional white two-story brick exterior home idea in Houston

Bathroom - large traditional master white tile and subway tile marble floor and beige floor bathroom idea in New York with white cabinets, an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, beige walls, solid surface countertops and a hinged shower door

Previous work sample courtesy of workshop/apd, Photography by Donna Dotan.
Bedroom - mid-sized modern master carpeted bedroom idea in Boston with blue walls and no fireplace

Beach style master light wood floor bedroom photo in Other with gray walls and no fireplace

Designer: Astro Design Centre, Ottawa Canada Photos: JVL Photography The theme for this design was clean lines, symmetry and harmony. They played up the natural beauty surrounding the house, by enhancing the natural light and introducing new textures that would give the space a modern look. Being centred in a wooden lot, we chose to carry natural materials like walnut, marble and slate into the room. However, to add drama and contrast, the elements are juxtaposed with industrial lighting, square high-polished fixtures and a factory-style barn door.

Bedroom - large transitional master light wood floor and brown floor bedroom idea in Atlanta with gray walls

Interior Design by Blackband Design www.blackbanddesign.com Home Design | Build | Materials by Graystone Custom Builders.
Bedroom - large coastal master dark wood floor bedroom idea in Orange County with white walls and a standard fireplace

This modern lake house is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The residence overlooks a mountain lake with expansive mountain views beyond. The design ties the home to its surroundings and enhances the ability to experience both home and nature together. The entry level serves as the primary living space and is situated into three groupings; the Great Room, the Guest Suite and the Master Suite. A glass connector links the Master Suite, providing privacy and the opportunity for terrace and garden areas. Won a 2013 AIANC Design Award. Featured in the Austrian magazine, More Than Design. Featured in Carolina Home and Garden, Summer 2015.

Restoration and interior design : Richard and Dina Dwyer. Photo : Michael Hospelt
Example of a classic master medium tone wood floor bedroom design in San Francisco with white walls

Primary bedroom at W Penthouse condo. Fabric bed wall by Phillip Jeffries. Bed by Holly Hunt upholstered in nubuck suede. Chandelier by Baker. Pendant lighting by Fuse Lighting. Nightstands by BDDW.