Rett Peek
Example of an eclectic medium tone wood floor and brown floor dining room design in Little Rock with blue walls

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.

Example of a large trendy master light wood floor and beige floor bedroom design in Other with white walls and no fireplace

The Master Bath is complete with his and hers matching vanities, a steam shower, soaking tub, separate toilet room and it own coffee bar. The double shower is a steam-shower with the equipment conveniently placed in the cabinetry under the window. Moser Inset Cabinetry, Circa Lighting, Ann Sacks Mosaic Marble Floors, Phylrich Faucets, Mr. Steam Shower, Kohler Tub, silent run fans and Top Knob Cabinetry Hardware make this a bathroom that will last for ages.

Inspiration for a contemporary kitchen remodel in San Diego with stainless steel appliances

Using concrete tied the interiors to the building. “Millwork” was created using rough raw concrete pre-polished, and the fireplace and bookshelves run wall to wall. Oasis Chairs from Crate and Barrel slipcovered down. Custom walnut platform bed floating in the middle of the room and behind it is a desk. Colors of walls are concrete and stone colors to minimize the appearance of the huge existing concrete columns. Photo Credit: Tony Soluri

Photo by Bruce Frame The clients were adamant about not changing out the tub or any of the granite throughout the bathroom so we did what we do! We worked with the rich veins of color running through the granite and lightened the space with the soft goods, like the wallpaper, rug, and whimsical fabric on the vanity chair.

This spacious Master Bath was once a series of three small rooms. Walls were removed and the layout redesigned to create an open, luxurious bath, with a curbless shower, heated floor, folding shower bench, body spray shower heads as well as a hand-held shower head. Storage for hair-dryer etc. is tucked behind the cabinet doors, along with hidden electrical outlets. - Sally Painter Photography, Portland, Oregon

This stunning master bath remodel is a place of peace and solitude from the soft muted hues of white, gray and blue to the luxurious deep soaking tub and shower area with a combination of multiple shower heads and body jets. The frameless glass shower enclosure furthers the open feel of the room, and showcases the shower’s glittering mosaic marble and polished nickel fixtures.

Mali Azima
Inspiration for a large transitional master bedroom remodel in Atlanta with gray walls

Example of a mid-sized transitional master gray tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and gray floor bathroom design in Chicago with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and white countertops

A luxurious and accessible bathroom that will enable our clients to Live-in-Place for many years. The design and layout allows for ease of use and room to maneuver for someone physically challenged and a caretaker.

Jaime Alvarez jaimephoto.com
Example of an urban black and white tile mosaic tile floor and black floor bathroom design in Philadelphia with a wall-mount sink and white walls

Inspiration for a large industrial master gray tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile bathroom remodel in DC Metro with a trough sink, open cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz countertops and gray walls

Example of a mid-sized beach style master dark wood floor, brown floor, shiplap ceiling and tray ceiling bedroom design in Grand Rapids with no fireplace and gray walls

Example of a danish light wood floor bedroom design in Providence with white walls

Bathroom - large country master marble floor, gray floor, double-sink, exposed beam and wall paneling bathroom idea in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops, a hinged shower door, gray countertops and a freestanding vanity

The master bathroom remodel was done in continuation of the color scheme that was done throughout the house. Large format tile was used for the floor to eliminate as many grout lines and to showcase the large open space that is present in the bathroom. All 3 walls were tiles with large format tile as well with 3 decorative lines running in parallel with 1 tile spacing between them. The deck of the tub that also acts as the bench in the shower was covered with the same quartz stone material that was used for the vanity countertop, notice for its running continuously from the vanity to the waterfall to the tub deck and its step. Another great use for the countertop was the ledge of the shampoo niche.

Photo by Christopher Carter
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional master gray tile and marble tile porcelain tile and gray floor bathroom remodel in Denver with a hinged shower door, black walls, marble countertops and gray countertops