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.

Count & Castle Interior Design
Tuscan master beige floor drop-in bathtub photo in Austin with red walls

Jack Thompson
Hallway - transitional gray floor hallway idea in Houston with white walls

Mariko Reed
Inspiration for a rustic dark wood floor and brown floor bedroom remodel in Sacramento with gray walls

Kids closet with built in storage.
Inspiration for a large modern women's light wood floor and beige floor walk-in closet remodel in Charleston with flat-panel cabinets and white cabinets

Sporty Spa. Texture and pattern from the tile set the backdrop for the soft grey-washed bamboo and custom cast concrete sink. Calm and soothing tones meet active lines and angles- might just be the perfect way to start the day.

Bathroom - contemporary bathroom idea in Chicago

Studio / workshop shed - large farmhouse detached studio / workshop shed idea in New York

Jim Westphalen
Example of a large minimalist formal and open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room design in Burlington with brown walls and no tv

Example of a tuscan master bedroom design in Houston with beige walls

Mid-sized danish 3/4 white tile and subway tile mosaic tile floor and white floor alcove shower photo in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door, quartzite countertops and gray countertops

photo: Mark Pinkerton, VI360
Inspiration for a contemporary gender-neutral light wood floor and beige floor walk-in closet remodel in San Francisco with open cabinets and medium tone wood cabinets

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closet, contemporary, contemporary closet, master closet, master closet for her, neat, neat closet, neat method, organize, organized, organized closet, traditional, traditional closet, walk in closet, modern closet

Photos by Neat Method
Closet - closet idea in Phoenix

The piece de resistance of the master bath just might be the over sized freestanding tub. Its generous proportions fit right in with the scale of the space, and whether bathing small children or taking a relaxing soak, it is the place to be. An original artwork by friend and artist Ann Carrington adorns the wall above the tub. Constructed of buttons sewn onto black velvet, the piece is from her Pearly Queens series. The shimmering opalescent buttons catch light from the window, adding a sense of pure luxury to this corner of the room. Beyond the tub is an antique brass candelabra that Cortney has repurposed into a rack for her necklace collection. Bath tub: Boffi Photo: Adrienne DeRosa Photography © 2014 Houzz Design: Cortney and Robert Novogratz