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.

Double shower - mid-sized transitional master white tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile double shower idea in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink and quartz countertops

Inspiration for a farmhouse dark wood floor bedroom remodel in Boston with beige walls

This 1927 Spanish Colonial home was in dire need of an upgraded Master bathroom. We completely gut the bathroom and re-framed the floor because the house had settled over time. The client selected hand crafted 3x6 white tile and we installed them over a full mortar bed in a Subway pattern. We reused the original pedestal sink and tub, but had the tub re-glazed. The shower rod is also original, but we had it dipped in Polish Chrome. We added two wall sconces and a store bought medicine cabinet. Photos by Jessica Abler, Los Angeles, CA

Home office - rustic home office idea in New York

Ample storage and function were an important feature for the homeowner. Beth worked in unison with the contractor to design a custom hanging, pull-out system. The functional shelf glides out when needed, and stores neatly away when not in use. The contractor also installed a hanging rod above the washer and dryer. You can never have too much hanging space! Beth purchased mesh laundry baskets on wheels to alleviate the musty smell of dirty laundry, and a broom closet for cleaning items. There is even a cozy little nook for the family dog.

Bathroom - modern bathroom idea in Austin

Photo Courtesy of Architectural Tile & Stone, designed by Amanda Stephenson of Design Studio 2010 | Polanco 6 in mocka & charcoal on off white
Example of a tuscan master multicolored tile bathroom design in Phoenix with a vessel sink, dark wood cabinets, wood countertops, an undermount tub and white walls

Example of a classic multicolored floor powder room design in New York with recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, blue walls and an undermount sink

Master Bedroom retreat in soft gray, taupe, brown and white . Jon Encarnacion-photographer Jon Encarnacion-photographer
Bedroom - mid-sized contemporary master medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom idea in Los Angeles with gray walls and no fireplace

Example of a mid-sized transitional master white tile and subway tile gray floor and cement tile floor freestanding bathtub design in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, an integrated sink, white countertops and white walls

Example of a transitional master gray tile alcove bathtub design in New Orleans with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, blue walls, an undermount sink and marble countertops

Julie Soefer
Transitional bathroom photo in Houston

Inspiration for a contemporary master beige tile beige floor freestanding bathtub remodel in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, beige walls, an undermount sink and a hinged shower door

Danny Piassick
Country bedroom photo in Dallas with green walls, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace

Photography by Karl Rogers and Victoria Pilcher
Inspiration for a contemporary beige tile beige floor bathroom remodel with a trough sink, open cabinets and dark wood cabinets

The contemporary master suite features a standout custom upholstered headboard with wood headboard frame and upholstered bed frame. The owners of this home, completed in 2017, also installed blind pockets, to allow them to darken the room with blackout shades when needed, that also conceal sheer custom drapery that showcases the lake views from full floor to ceiling windows while also softening the look and feel of the room. The cove ceiling includes hidden LED lighting which adds architectural detail and function. The intimate sitting area in front of the floor to ceiling windows gives an added warmth to the room while the wide plank French oak floors in a neutral palate allow the elements of this room to really shine.

Lane Dittoe Photographs [FIXE] design house interors
Freestanding bathtub - mid-sized 1960s master white tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile and black floor freestanding bathtub idea in Orange County with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white walls, a vessel sink, quartz countertops and a hinged shower door

85'' Sony 4K TV
Inspiration for a large contemporary formal and open concept light wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Orange County with beige walls, no fireplace and a wall-mounted tv