Example of a transitional l-shaped light wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in New Orleans with a single-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, solid surface countertops, gray backsplash, porcelain backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Mid-sized transitional light wood floor and brown floor bedroom photo in Baltimore with blue walls and no fireplace

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.

Inspiration for a large timeless walk-out carpeted and beige floor basement remodel in Calgary with gray walls and no fireplace

Example of a large classic walk-out carpeted and beige floor basement design in Calgary with gray walls and no fireplace

Example of a minimalist staircase design in Edmonton

Simple textured wall paper, geometric shapes and double doors in baby blue walk you through this hallway gallery.
Example of a mid-sized minimalist medium tone wood floor, brown floor and wallpaper hallway design in New York with beige walls

Open plan closet space backing onto louvered built-ins.
Example of a mid-sized urban closet design in Calgary

Q Avenue Photo
Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in Nashville

Mid-sized elegant green one-story wood gable roof photo in Vancouver with a shingle roof

Example of a mid-sized transitional carpeted and beige floor bedroom design in Baltimore with gray walls and no fireplace

Photos are of one of our customers' finished project. We did over 90 beams for use throughout their home :) When choosing beams for your project, there are many things to think about. One important consideration is the weight of the beam, especially if you want to affix it to your ceiling. Choosing a solid beam may not be the best choice since some of them can weigh upwards of 1000 lbs. Our craftsmen have several solutions for this common problem. One such solution is to fabricate a ceiling beam using veneer that is "sliced" from the outside of an existing beam. Our craftsmen then carefully miter the edges and create a lighter weight, 3 sided solution. Another common method is "hogging out" the beam. We hollow out the beam leaving the original outer character of three sides intact. (Hogging out is a good method to use when one side of the beam is less than attractive.) Our 3-sided and Hogged out beams are available in Reclaimed or Old Growth woods.

Bedroom - large contemporary master dark wood floor and brown floor bedroom idea in Baltimore with multicolored walls, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround

Tub/shower combo with offset faucet and transom window with black shluter trim.
Example of a mid-sized urban bathroom design in Calgary

Suggested products do not represent the products used in this image. Design featured is proprietary and contains custom work. (Dan Piassick, Photographer)

Spacious and grand open concept.
Example of a mid-sized urban dining room design in Calgary

Beautiful industrial kitchen with brushed brass hardware that accents the white La Corue range.
Mid-sized urban kitchen photo in Calgary

Example of a large trendy master dark wood floor and brown floor bedroom design in Baltimore with multicolored walls, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround

Photo: Margot Hartford © 2015 Houzz Landscape Design: Chris Kukula http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/56354604/list/my-houzz-backyard-cottage-office-and-an-artful-low-water-garden