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.

Transitional dark wood floor bedroom photo in San Francisco with white walls

Example of a bedroom and mid-sized eclectic gender-neutral dark wood floor and brown floor kids' bedroom design in Austin with white walls

Photography by: Susan Gilmore
Example of a transitional ceramic tile and brown floor mudroom design in Chicago with brown walls

Example of a trendy kitchen design in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Example of a cottage formal living room design in Boston with white walls and a standard fireplace

Inspiration for a rustic kitchen remodel in Sacramento

Living Room Photography: Stacy Zarin Goldberg Photography; Interior Design: Kristin Try Interiors; Builder: Harry Braswell, Inc.
Beach style medium tone wood floor and brown floor family room photo in DC Metro with white walls

Converted from an existing Tuff Shed garage, the Beech Haus ADU welcomes short stay guests in the heart of the bustling Williams Corridor neighborhood. Natural light dominates this self-contained unit, with windows on all sides, yet maintains privacy from the primary unit. Double pocket doors between the Living and Bedroom areas offer spatial flexibility to accommodate a variety of guests and preferences. And the open vaulted ceiling makes the space feel airy and interconnected, with a playful nod to its origin as a truss-framed garage. A play on the words Beach House, we approached this space as if it were a cottage on the coast. Durable and functional, with simplicity of form, this home away from home is cozied with curated treasures and accents. We like to personify it as a vacationer: breezy, lively, and carefree.

Michelle Rose Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional enclosed light wood floor and beige floor family room library remodel in New York with white walls, a wall-mounted tv and no fireplace

Small space living solutions are used throughout this contemporary 596 square foot townhome. Adjustable height table in the entry area serves as both a coffee table for socializing and as a dining table for eating. Curved banquette is upholstered in outdoor fabric for durability and maximizes space with hidden storage underneath the seat. Kitchen island has a retractable countertop for additional seating while the living area conceals a work desk and media center behind sliding shoji screens. Calming tones of sand and deep ocean blue fill the tiny bedroom downstairs. Glowing bedside sconces utilize wall-mounting and swing arms to conserve bedside space and maximize flexibility.

Kyle Caldwell
Mid-sized farmhouse carpeted sunroom photo in Boston with a standard ceiling

Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in Chicago

Mid-sized trendy u-shaped slate floor open concept kitchen photo in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, wood countertops, multicolored backsplash, black appliances, a peninsula, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, ceramic backsplash and beige countertops

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

Captivated by South Haven’s natural charm and waterfront beauty, this storybook, waterfront abode is exceptionally true to its lakefront character. Featuring over 3,600 square feet with five bedroom and three-and-a-half baths, the careful design of this open and charming layout paired with grand views from nearly every room, capture all the warmth and playfulness of lakefront living. • A beach friendly fiber cement siding in a cheerful shade of blue blends seamlessly with the water backdrop, while contrasting white trim and darker blue window clad lend definition to the exterior. • An impressive kitchen with stunning Ann Sachs tile backsplash, quartz countertops, richly stained bistro table and Viking Appliances overlook the generous, but clearly defined, living and dining rooms. • Extensive built-ins with extra storage and workspace, such as a distinctive dining serving piece featuring quartz stone and a lake reflecting mirror, maximize space and make entertaining a breeze. • Playful design elements like Thibaut wallpaper, braided hemp cabinet insets and white-washed European white oak floors complement the home’s coastal flair with nautical décor and warm hues. • Fine finishes and rich trim details including wainscot, various painted ceilings, louvered doors on cabinetry, and fireplace surround with kitchen coordinating quartz stone, show off the intricate design gestures. • Skillfully designed upstairs presents a restful master retreat with private balcony, two guest bedrooms, convenient laundry featuring sleek retractable doors and space maximizing built in bunk beds with ultra-clever steps that provide storage. • The lower level’s extra guest quarters, additional laundry, full beach bath with top-to-bottom tiled shower, diligent kitchenette, beach-friendly stained concrete floors, outdoor shower that keeps sand at bay, and direct access to the sugary sands of Lake Michigan. Photography by Chuck Heiney

Inspiration for a large timeless dark wood floor living room remodel in Sydney with white walls

Petr Krejci
Staircase - transitional wooden u-shaped staircase idea in London with wooden risers