This recessed, wood burning fire pit is a great destination to hang out with friends and family on a cool fall evening. Photography Credit: Wade Griffith

Example of a large trendy formal and open concept medium tone wood floor and gray floor living room design in Other with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace and no tv

Example of a large minimalist open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor family room design in Phoenix with gray walls, a ribbon fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Inspiration for a large modern formal and open concept carpeted living room remodel in Miami with gray walls, no fireplace and no tv

Small minimalist 3/4 gray tile and marble tile marble floor and gray floor bathroom photo in Toronto with white walls

The minimalistic design of the pool compliments the basic shape of the house. Close attention was paid to the details of the pool and surrounding deck. Photography Credit: Wade Griffith

Inspiration for a scandinavian bathroom remodel in Phoenix

Inspiration for a small modern galley light wood floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Toronto with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, quartz countertops, beige backsplash, wood backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island and gray countertops

The Twin Peaks Passive House + ADU was designed and built to remain resilient in the face of natural disasters. Fortunately, the same great building strategies and design that provide resilience also provide a home that is incredibly comfortable and healthy while also visually stunning. This home’s journey began with a desire to design and build a house that meets the rigorous standards of Passive House. Before beginning the design/ construction process, the homeowners had already spent countless hours researching ways to minimize their global climate change footprint. As with any Passive House, a large portion of this research was focused on building envelope design and construction. The wall assembly is combination of six inch Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) and 2x6 stick frame construction filled with blown in insulation. The roof assembly is a combination of twelve inch SIPs and 2x12 stick frame construction filled with batt insulation. The pairing of SIPs and traditional stick framing allowed for easy air sealing details and a continuous thermal break between the panels and the wall framing. Beyond the building envelope, a number of other high performance strategies were used in constructing this home and ADU such as: battery storage of solar energy, ground source heat pump technology, Heat Recovery Ventilation, LED lighting, and heat pump water heating technology. In addition to the time and energy spent on reaching Passivhaus Standards, thoughtful design and carefully chosen interior finishes coalesce at the Twin Peaks Passive House + ADU into stunning interiors with modern farmhouse appeal. The result is a graceful combination of innovation, durability, and aesthetics that will last for a century to come. Despite the requirements of adhering to some of the most rigorous environmental standards in construction today, the homeowners chose to certify both their main home and their ADU to Passive House Standards. From a meticulously designed building envelope that tested at 0.62 ACH50, to the extensive solar array/ battery bank combination that allows designated circuits to function, uninterrupted for at least 48 hours, the Twin Peaks Passive House has a long list of high performance features that contributed to the completion of this arduous certification process. The ADU was also designed and built with these high standards in mind. Both homes have the same wall and roof assembly ,an HRV, and a Passive House Certified window and doors package. While the main home includes a ground source heat pump that warms both the radiant floors and domestic hot water tank, the more compact ADU is heated with a mini-split ductless heat pump. The end result is a home and ADU built to last, both of which are a testament to owners’ commitment to lessen their impact on the environment.

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern single-wall medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen remodel in Other with an island, an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, concrete countertops, paneled appliances and gray countertops

Example of a mid-sized minimalist galley open concept kitchen design in Orlando with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, wood countertops, gray backsplash, black appliances, an island and white countertops

Small minimalist gray tile powder room photo in San Francisco with a one-piece toilet, gray walls and a vessel sink

Bathroom - large modern master beige tile and brown tile porcelain tile and beige floor bathroom idea in Houston with flat-panel cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink and quartzite countertops

Example of a minimalist kitchen design in Mumbai

Staircase - large southwestern wooden floating open and glass railing staircase idea in Phoenix

Inspiration for a contemporary bedroom remodel in Los Angeles

THE SETUP Upon moving to Glen Ellyn, the homeowners were eager to infuse their new residence with a style that resonated with their modern aesthetic sensibilities. The primary bathroom, while spacious and structurally impressive with its dramatic high ceilings, presented a dated, overly traditional appearance that clashed with their vision. Design objectives: Transform the space into a serene, modern spa-like sanctuary. Integrate a palette of deep, earthy tones to create a rich, enveloping ambiance. Employ a blend of organic and natural textures to foster a connection with nature. THE REMODEL Design challenges: Take full advantage of the vaulted ceiling Source unique marble that is more grounding than fanciful Design minimal, modern cabinetry with a natural, organic finish Offer a unique lighting plan to create a sexy, Zen vibe Design solutions: To highlight the vaulted ceiling, we extended the shower tile to the ceiling and added a skylight to bathe the area in natural light. Sourced unique marble with raw, chiseled edges that provide a tactile, earthy element. Our custom-designed cabinetry in a minimal, modern style features a natural finish, complementing the organic theme. A truly creative layered lighting strategy dials in the perfect Zen-like atmosphere. The wavy protruding wall tile lights triggered our inspiration but came with an unintended harsh direct-light effect so we sourced a solution: bespoke diffusers measured and cut for the top and bottom of each tile light gap. THE RENEWED SPACE The homeowners dreamed of a tranquil, luxurious retreat that embraced natural materials and a captivating color scheme. Our collaborative effort brought this vision to life, creating a bathroom that not only meets the clients’ functional needs but also serves as a daily sanctuary. The carefully chosen materials and lighting design enable the space to shift its character with the changing light of day. “Trust the process and it will all come together,” the home owners shared. “Sometimes we just stand here and think, ‘Wow, this is lovely!'”

Kim Pritchard
Transitional master dark wood floor and brown floor bedroom photo in Los Angeles with white walls

This historic Piedmont home is reimagined by relocating the kitchen to the center of the home and by opening it to the previously disconnected rear yard through elegant light-filled doors. Soft gray tones throughout the house set the backdrop for a vibrant green tile wall that speaks to the newly planted yard. Minimal light fixtures, floating metal shelves, and an interactive faucet infuse the space with modern touches. Informal seating for the family of three is neatly tucked into the extended countertops.