A 43” diameter heritage pecan guided the plan of this neighborhood-scaled, modestly-priced, single-story, L-shaped house. In Austin’s seemingly perpetual drought, the goal was to create a symbiotic relationship between house and tree: to complement, not combat each other. The roof’s east/west parallel ridges create a valley directly across from the base, where water is collected at a grate, nourishing the tree. The roof also maximizes south facing surfaces, elevated at 15 degrees for future solar collection. The open, public spaces of the home maximize the north-south light. The private zone of the bedrooms and bathrooms include a generous gallery; its angled walls and large sliding doors are faceted about the tree. The pecan becomes a central focus for indoor and outdoor living, participating in the house in both plan and section. The design welcomes and nurtures the tree as integral to its success. Photo Credit: Chris Diaz

Inspiration for a contemporary walk-in closet remodel in Cincinnati with open cabinets and white cabinets

Inspiration for a rustic kitchen remodel in Sacramento

Kids' room - mid-sized contemporary gender-neutral dark wood floor kids' room idea in New York with white walls

Trendy master porcelain tile bedroom photo in Miami with white walls

Trendy bathroom photo in Chicago

Alan Dabach – (818) 235-9300 – Vision Realty Group Get these lights at: www.maximlighting.com www.et2online.com
Inspiration for a timeless living room remodel in Los Angeles with a bar and gray 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.

Our clients came to us wanting to maximize the space they had. They were not planning on moving anytime soon, as they loved their neighborhood. They wanted to renovate the front of their house, which included the front atrium, living room, kitchen, and powder bath. They hated their kitchen because it was completely closed off, had low ceilings, was dark and outdated, not to mention the floors were different in each of these rooms! The pantry was in the breakfast area and the kitchen table became a junk catcher, being the first thing you see when coming in from the garage/laundry room. In their living room, they wanted the spaces on either side of the fireplace to be symmetrical, whether that be bookshelves, a wet bar or closed off. Both parents are working professionals with no time and/or desire to design, create and figure this out on their own. They needed help figuring out how to reconfigure their current space in order to maximize what they already had, as they could not see an obvious solution. They could not envision how it would look so the fact that our designers were able to show them their new kitchen in 3D was pertinent. We removed the pass-through windows that surrounded the atrium and front dining room, as well as the entire kitchen wall, completely opening up those two rooms. We removed a hall that used to lead between the kitchen and the living room since it was a complete waste of space! The ceilings were raised to 10’ in the kitchen and we were able to leave the skylight, letting in that natural light they wanted. We were able to give them a much larger pantry with tons of shelving and increase the size of their laundry room by utilizing the space of their old breakfast nook. We relocated the door to the garage into their new elongated laundry room, built a wet bar across from their new larger pantry (with a pocket door) and the flow and functionality of these new spaces is just perfect! All new Waypoint cabinets were installed one two main kitchen surrounding walls painted Linen. Calacatta Bianco Polished Porcelain Tile 4x12 was used for the backsplash. A large eat-at island was installed, painted Stone, where the family can now gather for homework, meals, and mingling. The soft champagne bronze hardware and accent lighting really give this white and gray kitchen a soft classic look. In the living room, we removed the built-in bookshelves to the left of the fireplace and closed off the wet-bar on the other side, giving them more space in their master suite. White Oak wood flooring, stained Putney, was installed throughout the entire new space, giving it the continuity they were looking for. In the guest bathroom, Carrara white herringbone marble mosaic 12x12 tile was used on the shower floor and niche, while basic marble Bianco polished 12x24 porcelain tile was used on the walls. Luxart polished chrome traditional hardware gives this timeless bathroom the perfect shine. Our clients are so happy with the new functionality and look of their space. It has definitely changed their lives in a way they could have never imagined!

This mudroom drop zone is a masterclass in blending organic textures with high-functioning design for a busy household. The space is defined by expansive, custom warm wood built-ins—likely white oak—featuring vertical beadboard backing and a seamless wrap-around bench. The design balances natural elements with playful pops of color, seen in the teal variegated hexagon floor tiles and the primary-colored wall hooks. Storage is maximized through a combination of open upper cubbies with woven seagrass baskets, deep inset drawers with brass hardware,

A small bathroom gets a major face lift, custom vanity that fits perfectly and maximizes space and storage.
Example of a mid-sized eclectic multicolored tile and mirror tile mosaic tile floor, white floor and single-sink drop-in bathtub design in New York with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops, beige countertops and a built-in vanity

Trendy bathroom photo in Los Angeles

Relocating from their home in Brisbane, Australia with ocean views to the Pacific, our clients envisioned a refresh for their new lakefront cottage on Pine Lake in West Bloomfield, Michigan. Completed in July 2024, we created new spaces, reimagined old ones, and even swapped places for a primary bedroom and its en suite bath. Our goal was to create a serene and soothing spa- like experience for the bathroom, all while maintaining gorgeous lake views. But this reconfiguration presented some challenges. The primary bedroom was oversized, while its adjacent bath was tiny and crowded. We completely flipped the locations of the bedroom and bathroom, even rerouting plumbing over the bar in the lower level to accommodate the freestanding tub. To maximize space, we designed large, walk-in dressing pantries that are as functional as they are beautiful, and lead to the large dual custom vanity. The vanity itself is freestanding to provide access for hand towel bath hardware on its sides. The his-and-hers unit contains built-in dividers, laundry hampers and trash pullouts to maximize its function. An enclosed water closet allows for privacy in the open concept bathroom, and is placed beyond the cabinetry. The star of this space is the large enclosed wet room. As the focal point of the bathroom, its oversized tiled walls and deep built-in bench allow for a steam or soaking in the tub while enjoying stunning lake views. The wet room is spacious and serene, and perfect for an end to a Michigan winter day.

Designed by: Studio Revolution Photography by: Thomas Kuoh
Family room - scandinavian carpeted family room idea in San Francisco with white walls

Scott DuBose Photography
Example of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in San Francisco with quartz countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island, white countertops, a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets and gray cabinets

Hafele Lemans corner storage unit provides flexible storage for pots and pans close to the range. Kate Falconer Photography
Mid-sized beach style l-shaped medium tone wood floor and yellow floor open concept kitchen photo with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets, quartz countertops, blue backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

T.C. Geist Photography
Example of a small transitional boy dark wood floor kids' room design in New York with gray walls

Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in Chicago

Example of a minimalist u-shaped concrete floor, gray floor and wood ceiling kitchen design in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops