At night the skin and the reflecting pool glow while the entrance is highlighted with a single light. The living room ceiling plane floats above it all due to up lighting. Photography by Andrew Fabin

The kitchen is laid out to maximize efficiency and storage while retaining an open layout so that it serves both as a space for cooking, and a space for living and entertaining guests. Brass metal accents throughout the kitchen subtly catch the eye and compliment the blue backsplash tile against an otherwise clean, white palette. Photo by Scott Norsworthy

A harmonious blend of rustic and refined, the warm palette of natural materials and finishes like beautifully aged white oak floors, seedy glass transoms and classic built-ins, create a relaxed space that never loses its polished sense of style. Photography credit: Ashley Avila

This sophisticated luxury master bath features his and her vanities that are separated by floor to cielng cabinets. The deep drawers were notched around the plumbing to maximize storage. Integrated lighting highlights the open shelving below the drawers. The curvilinear stiles and rails of Rutt’s exclusive Prairie door style combined with the soft grey paint color give this room a luxury spa feel. design by drury design

Inspiration for a timeless kitchen remodel in Boston with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, green cabinets, black backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and black countertops

Example of a tuscan 3/4 white tile blue floor bathroom design in Portland with medium tone wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, beige walls, an undermount sink, white countertops and flat-panel cabinets

Maximizing space and light while making the space feel luxurious was the goal of this master bath remodel. Eliminating the wall between the bedroom and bath and replacing it with sliding cherry and glass shoji screens brought more light into each room.

Antique Coastal farmhouse laundry room with floating shelves, quartz counters, wall mounted drying rack and custom storage cabinet. Rustic casual style.

The present project, with its clear and simple forms, looks for the interaction with the rural environment and the contact with the surrounding buildings. The simplicity and architectural dialogue between form and function are the theme for inside and outside. Kitchen and dining area are facing each other. The isle leads to a made-to-measure corner bench that stretches under the wide windows along the entire length of the house and connects to the kitchen across the corner. Above the tall units with their integrated appliances, the window continues as a narrow band. The white high gloss acrylic surface of the kitchen fronts forms a decorative contrast to the wood of the floor and bench. White lacquered recessed handles provide a tranquil, two-dimensional effect.

bruce damonte
Example of a large minimalist 3/4 beige tile alcove shower design in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and a hinged shower door

Photo: Lucy Call © 2014 Houzz Design: Imbue Design
Inspiration for a contemporary open concept concrete floor living room remodel in Salt Lake City with blue walls, no fireplace and no tv

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!

Holly Hill, a retirement home, whose owner's hobbies are gardening and restoration of classic cars, is nestled into the site contours to maximize views of the lake and minimize impact on the site. Holly Hill is comprised of three wings joined by bridges: A wing facing a master garden to the east, another wing with workshop and a central activity, living, dining wing. Similar to a radiator the design increases the amount of exterior wall maximizing opportunities for natural ventilation during temperate months. Other passive solar design features will include extensive eaves, sheltering porches and high-albedo roofs, as strategies for considerably reducing solar heat gain. Daylighting with clerestories and solar tubes reduce daytime lighting requirements. Ground source geothermal heat pumps and superior to code insulation ensure minimal space conditioning costs. Corten steel siding and concrete foundation walls satisfy client requirements for low maintenance and durability. All light fixtures are LEDs. Open and screened porches are strategically located to allow pleasant outdoor use at any time of day, particular season or, if necessary, insect challenge. Dramatic cantilevers allow the porches to project into the site’s beautiful mixed hardwood tree canopy without damaging root systems. Guest arrive by vehicle with glimpses of the house and grounds through penetrations in the concrete wall enclosing the garden. One parked they are led through a garden composed of pavers, a fountain, benches, sculpture and plants. Views of the lake can be seen through and below the bridges. Primary client goals were a sustainable low-maintenance house, primarily single floor living, orientation to views, natural light to interiors, maximization of individual privacy, creation of a formal outdoor space for gardening, incorporation of a full workshop for cars, generous indoor and outdoor social space for guests and parties.

What our clients needed: • Create a garden folly that doubles as a well-built shed for crafts and storage. • Size the structure large enough for comfortable storage without dominating the garden. • Discreetly locate the shed in the far corner of the rear yard while maintaining existing trees. • Ensure that the structure is protected from the weather and carefully detailed to deter access of wildlife and rodents. FUNCTION • Construct the shed slab close to grade to permit easy access for bicycle storage, while building shed walls above grade to ensure against termites and dryrot. • Install a French door and operable casement windows to admit plenty of daylight and provide views to the garden. • Include rugged built-in work bench, shelves, bike racks and tool storage for a rustic well-organized and efficient space. • Incorporate GFIC electrical service for safe access to power at this distant corner of the yard. • Position energy-efficient interior lighting to ensure space can be used year-round. • Switch control of exterior light from house and from shed for ease of command. AESTHETICS • Design and detail the shed to coordinate with the Arts and Crafts style house. • Include an arbor for future flowering vines, further softening the shed’s garden presence. • Simple and rustic interior surfaces ensure that the space is easy to clean. • Create an aged and softly weathered appearance, and protect the exterior siding by finishing the cedar with a custom-colored semi-transparent stain. INNOVATIVE MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION • Factory-built components were pre-assembled to allow for a speedy assembly and for a shorter on-site construction schedule. • Each component was easily transported through the yard without disturbing garden features. • Decorative exterior trim frames the door and windows, while a simpler trim is used inside the unadorned shed. OBSTACLE OVERCOME • The structure is located in the corner of the yard to avoid disturbance of a curly willow tree. • The low-profile structure is positioned close to property lines while staying beneath the allowable daylight plane for structures. • To comply with daylight plane close to fence, the roof form combines hip and gable forms, with door located at gable end. • The height of the modest interior is maximized, without exceeding the allowable building height. CRAFTSMANSHIP • The concrete slab was precisely formed and finished for ease of shed assembly before the factory-built components were delivered to site. • Precision planning meant the pre-framed door fit exactly between raised concrete curb.

Kerri Fukkai
Minimalist light wood floor and beige floor great room photo in Salt Lake City with white walls

http://chrisandmalissa.com/
Inspiration for a rustic white tile bathroom remodel in Seattle

10K designed this new construction home for a family of four who relocated to a serene, tranquil, and heavily wooded lot in Shorewood. Careful siting of the home preserves existing trees, is sympathetic to existing topography and drainage of the site, and maximizes views from gathering spaces and bedrooms to the lake. Simple forms with a bold black exterior finish contrast the light and airy interior spaces and finishes. Sublime moments and connections to nature are created through the use of floor to ceiling windows, long axial sight lines through the house, skylights, a breezeway between buildings, and a variety of spaces for work, play, and relaxation.

Célia Foussé
Trendy gender-neutral dark wood floor kids' room photo in Orange County with white walls

Stoffer Photography
Example of a mid-sized transitional light wood floor kitchen/dining room combo design in Chicago with white walls and no fireplace