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.

Wall paint: Simply White, Benjamin Moore; hardwood floor: Southern Pecan Natural, Home Depot; cabinets: Veddinge, Ikea; sink: Undermount Deep Single Bowl, Zuhne; faucet: Ringskär, Ikea; range hood: Luftig, Ikea; shelves: Reclaimed Wood Shelving + Brackets, West Elm; backsplash: Retro 2" x 2" Hex Porcelain Mosaic Tile in Glossy White, EliteTile; hardware: Edgecliff Pull - Natural Brass, Schoolhouse Electric; dinnerware: Coupe Line in Opaque White, Heath Ceramics; countertop: Carrara Marble, The Stone Collection; pendant lights: Luna Pendant, Schoolhouse Electric Photo: Allie Crafton © 2016 Houzz Design: Annabode + Co

We were so honored to design this minimal, bright, and peaceful animal-themed nursery for a couple expecting their first baby! It warms our hearts to think of all of the cozy and sweet (and sleepless!) moments that will happen in this room. - Interior design & styling by Parlour & Palm - Photos by Misha Cohen Photography

Staircase - contemporary wooden u-shaped cable railing staircase idea in Austin

Halkin/Mason Photography
Inspiration for a small mediterranean master medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom remodel in Philadelphia with brown walls and no fireplace

Huge trendy master dark wood floor and brown floor bedroom photo in Miami with gray walls and no fireplace

This couple purchased a second home as a respite from city living. Living primarily in downtown Chicago the couple desired a place to connect with nature. The home is located on 80 acres and is situated far back on a wooded lot with a pond, pool and a detached rec room. The home includes four bedrooms and one bunkroom along with five full baths. The home was stripped down to the studs, a total gut. Linc modified the exterior and created a modern look by removing the balconies on the exterior, removing the roof overhang, adding vertical siding and painting the structure black. The garage was converted into a detached rec room and a new pool was added complete with outdoor shower, concrete pavers, ipe wood wall and a limestone surround. 1st Floor Master Bathroom Details: Features a picture window, custom vanity in white oak, curb less shower and a freestanding tub. Showerhead, tile and tub all from Porcelainosa.

Tatum Brown Custom Homes {Architect: Stocker Hoesterey Montenegro} {Photography: Nathan Schroder}
Inspiration for a contemporary gender-neutral light wood floor kids' room remodel in Dallas with white walls

The design of this home was driven by the owners’ desire for a three-bedroom waterfront home that showcased the spectacular views and park-like setting. As nature lovers, they wanted their home to be organic, minimize any environmental impact on the sensitive site and embrace nature. This unique home is sited on a high ridge with a 45° slope to the water on the right and a deep ravine on the left. The five-acre site is completely wooded and tree preservation was a major emphasis. Very few trees were removed and special care was taken to protect the trees and environment throughout the project. To further minimize disturbance, grades were not changed and the home was designed to take full advantage of the site’s natural topography. Oak from the home site was re-purposed for the mantle, powder room counter and select furniture. The visually powerful twin pavilions were born from the need for level ground and parking on an otherwise challenging site. Fill dirt excavated from the main home provided the foundation. All structures are anchored with a natural stone base and exterior materials include timber framing, fir ceilings, shingle siding, a partial metal roof and corten steel walls. Stone, wood, metal and glass transition the exterior to the interior and large wood windows flood the home with light and showcase the setting. Interior finishes include reclaimed heart pine floors, Douglas fir trim, dry-stacked stone, rustic cherry cabinets and soapstone counters. Exterior spaces include a timber-framed porch, stone patio with fire pit and commanding views of the Occoquan reservoir. A second porch overlooks the ravine and a breezeway connects the garage to the home. Numerous energy-saving features have been incorporated, including LED lighting, on-demand gas water heating and special insulation. Smart technology helps manage and control the entire house. Greg Hadley Photography

Photo-Jim Westphalen
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary boy medium tone wood floor and brown floor kids' room remodel in Other with blue walls

Casey Shea
Mid-sized minimalist light wood floor great room photo in New York with white walls and a ribbon fireplace

Photo Jim Bartsch.
Huge mediterranean white three-story stucco apartment exterior idea in Santa Barbara

NBCUniversal, Inc + Lukas Machnik Design
Beach style dark wood floor great room photo in Los Angeles with white walls

Large minimalist white one-story stucco exterior home photo in Las Vegas

Interior Design: Beth Armijo, Armijo Design Group (armijodesigngroup.com) Kitchen Design: Terri Rose, Exquisite Kitchen Design (myekdesign.com) Contractor: Steven Hillson, Boa Construction (boaaaa.com) Photography: David Lauer (davidlauerphotography.com)

Inspiration for a country light wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Salt Lake City with open cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Open concept kitchen - large rustic l-shaped gray floor open concept kitchen idea in Denver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, stainless steel appliances, wood countertops, gray backsplash, stone slab backsplash, an island and brown countertops

Inspiration for a contemporary partial sun side yard concrete paver water fountain landscape in Orange County.

Example of a small minimalist 3/4 white tile and mosaic tile mosaic tile floor and white floor bathroom design in New York with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink and quartzite countertops