Great room - mid-sized coastal great room idea in Nashville with white walls and no fireplace

Step into a contemporary luxury bathroom featuring a spacious walk-in shower with an innovative indoor-outdoor design, complete with a natural wood slat accent wall and a luxurious rain showerhead. This tranquil space boasts minimalist aesthetics, a floating vanity with a sleek white countertop and undermount sink, and stylish gray tile flooring, perfect for modern living and serene retreats.

Country white one-story exterior home idea in Milwaukee with a shingle roof

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2013 Houzz
Living room - eclectic open concept living room idea in New York with white walls

Photograph © Sharon Risedorph
Living room - large contemporary formal and open concept light wood floor living room idea in San Francisco with white walls, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace and no tv

Laurel Way Beverly Hills modern home zen garden under floating stairs. Photo by William MacCollum.
This is an example of a small asian partial sun courtyard gravel and stone fence landscaping in Los Angeles.

This itty bitty kitchen in a historic Richmond row house had been closed in by unnecessary walls, creating a tight, dysfunctional galley style kitchen with very little storage space. Working alongside our artist and cabinetry making clients, we created a custom design with handmade, custom cabinetry pieces while opening up the kitchen to the dining area, making the space feel exponentially larger. The result is a clean, modern, functional and big energy kitchen.

Set in Montana's tranquil Shields River Valley, the Shilo Ranch Compound is a collection of structures that were specifically built on a relatively smaller scale, to maximize efficiency. The main house has two bedrooms, a living area, dining and kitchen, bath and adjacent greenhouse, while two guest homes within the compound can sleep a total of 12 friends and family. There's also a common gathering hall, for dinners, games, and time together. The overall feel here is of sophisticated simplicity, with plaster walls, concrete and wood floors, and weathered boards for exteriors. The placement of each building was considered closely when envisioning how people would move through the property, based on anticipated needs and interests. Sustainability and consumption was also taken into consideration, as evidenced by the photovoltaic panels on roof of the garage, and the capability to shut down any of the compound's buildings when not in use.

Photography by Bernard André www.bernardandre.com
Inspiration for a country backyard patio remodel in Los Angeles with a pergola

Nestled in the hills of Orinda, California, this 1951 residence is one of only seven extant homes, now known as “The Magnificent Seven”, designed by architect Olof Dahlstrand, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright. With its low-slung rooflines, natural materials, and deep integration with the sloping landscape, the home is a pristine example of mid-century modern design inspired by Wright’s organic principles. Over the years, prior homeowners have emphasized preservation, ensuring that the house remained relatively untouched. Each owner has respected the original architecture and stayed true to Dahlstrand’s intent. When a family of five—two college-aged sons and a middle school-aged daughter—acquired the property, they were captivated by its history, legacy of care, and architectural significance. While they appreciated Dahlstrand’s original vision, they also recognized the need to adapt the home for contemporary living while preserving its design integrity. The remodel was conceived as a thoughtful response to the past—an effort to bring the house into the 21st century without compromising its soul. The primary mandate was to maintain architectural continuity while improving the functionality, comfort, and livability for a modern family. The design team—architects and contractor alike—worked with a shared reverence for the original architecture, allowing that mindset to guide even the most technical or pragmatic decisions. A key objective was to increase natural light in the kitchen—a departure from Wrightian principles of enclosed, intimate cooking spaces—while maintaining the home’s architectural language. The kitchen was reconfigured to foster a stronger connection to adjacent living spaces while retaining the underlying concept of spatial separation. One of the most transformative architectural changes was the removal of a ridge beam that was originally planned to remain visible through the kitchen. During construction, the team collaborated on a better solution: a wide-flanged steel beam concealed within the roof envelope. This subtle move preserved the clean lines and ceiling continuity, a modern update carried out with utmost respect for the existing framework. The home’s original powder room, previously accessible only through the kitchen, was relocated for better flow and privacy. A new powder room was carved out of former kitchen cabinetry—a narrow, interior space that could have felt dark and enclosed. To avoid this, the design extended the line of original transom windows into the new powder room and added a skylight above the vanity. The result is a bright and airy space that feels consistent with the rest of the home. Other updates included the installation of new solid-core interior doors with veneers carefully matched to the original mahogany, enhancing the continuity of the interiors. Even smaller decisions, such as placing the door knobs at 42 inches high, mirrored the original proportions. Every choice reflected a shared belief between the architect, contractor, and client: that new work should serve the integrity of the old. The home’s extensive interior redwood millwork and paneling was meticulously restored. Where new materials were introduced—such as the replacement redwood soffit paneling—the contractor took pains to find finish nails that matched the original, rather than using modern equivalents. This level of craftsmanship and collaboration defined the project. It extended even to the detailing of a blind door to the new powder room, which had to disappear into the existing redwood board-and-batten wall. It was a team effort: the owner found a suitable handle, the architects devised the custom in-swing mechanism, and the contractor executed it so the door aligned precisely with the battens. Throughout, the homeowners were deeply engaged in the design process. One, a meticulous design enthusiast, focused on aesthetic integrity and historic detail. The other brought a practical and function-driven perspective, ensuring that new fixtures and materials would be durable and require minimal maintenance. While the home’s location posed no major site challenges, sustainability was a key concern. The team upgraded the roof insulation, installed solar panels with battery storage, and added ductless mini-split cooling systems. Lighting was another area where modern technology was woven into a historic framework: new square LED fixtures echo the original custom perimeter soffit lights, maintaining the design language while offering advanced performance. A planned expansion of a bedroom into suite with a bathroom had to be shelved due to budget constraints and the high cost of below-grade foundation work. Still, the team focused their efforts on making the most of the existing footprint, resolving constraints through design ingenuity rather than adding square footage. This renovation represents a collaborative achievement in preserving and evolving a historically significant home. Every decision was shaped by a shared ethos among clients, architects, and contractor: to maintain the home’s architectural soul while updating it for contemporary life. The result is a timeless modernist residence that continues Olof Dahlstrand’s legacy, remaining grounded in nature, craftsmanship, and human-scale design. Klopf Architecture Team: John Klopf, AIA, Klara Kevane, Fernanda Bernardes
Interior Architectural Design: Klopf Architecture
Structural Engineer: Daniel Bastiao
Contractor: Don Larwood, Larwood Construction Photography: Mariko Reed Year Completed: 2022

Recessed panel runs the length of the counter to create a finished look and to hide the dog den from guests. Photo Credit: Betsy Bassett
Example of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped light wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Boston with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, matchstick tile backsplash, a peninsula, gray countertops and soapstone countertops

The front entry is unapologetically elegant, utilizing minimalized details balanced with soft curves to maintain a modern, comfortable approach to a formal home. Dark accents contrast the light brick and stone for a warm modern impression. Granite pavers provide a historic European feel, while the smooth saw-cut edges are strict enough to introduce the modern patterns seen throughout the home. The steeply pitched roof descends to the first story level, grounding the archway to the front door at a human scale to create a welcoming experience, with a glimpse of landscape and mature trees beyond.

Example of a mountain style medium tone wood floor powder room design in Other with multicolored walls and a vessel sink

The Lighting in this great room is layered in many different ways. From the trimless square accent lights in the wood above the dining table, to the uplights and cable lights integrated into the trusses the architectural lighting becomes one with the architecture. Decorative fixtures by the interior designer bring this over-scaled great room down to a human scale. Architect: Julie Spinnato, Studio Spinnato http://juliespinnato.com/ Builder: Jeff Cohen, Cohen Construction Interior Designer: Lyon Design Group http://www.interiordesigncolorado.net/ Photographer: http://www.jaygoodrich.com/ Key Words: Great Room Lighting, Modern Kitchen Lighting, Contemporary great room lighting, lighting, lighting designer, lighting design, modern kitchen, contemporary great room, modern great room, contemporary living room, modern living room, contemporary living room lighting, great room lighting, great room lighting design, living room lighting design, great room, great rooms, great room lighting, modern great room, modern great room lighting, lighting for great rooms, lighting for living rooms, cable lighting, decorative lighting, decorative pendants, pendant lighting

Discover a stunning modern minimalist kitchen featuring sleek white simple cabinets paired with warm natural wood open shelving and a waterfall island. This bright, contemporary space boasts a beautiful white marble-patterned backsplash, light wood flooring, and stainless steel appliances, creating a clean, elegant, and highly functional design perfect for any modern home.

The idea for Scandinavian Hardwoods came after years of countless conversations with homeowners, designers, architects, and builders. The consistent theme: they wanted more than just a beautiful floor. They wanted insight into manufacturing locations (not just the seller or importer) and what materials are used and why. They wanted to understand the product’s environmental impact and it’s effect on indoor air quality and human health. They wanted a compelling story to tell guests about the beautiful floor they’ve chosen. At Scandinavian Hardwoods, we bring all of these elements together while making luxury more accessible.

A living room with multiple statement pieces that is not to be outdone by the Manhattan skyline on display. This stunning image captures a sophisticated high-rise living room, showcasing a breathtaking panoramic city skyline and serene water views through expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. The interior features a harmonious blend of modern and eclectic design elements, including a plush sofa and a pair of iconic Jonathan Adler St. Germain Club Chairs. A sleek glass coffee table adds to the contemporary feel, complemented by unique accent decor, like the striking golden dog statue. This urban oasis provides a luxurious and comfortable retreat with an unparalleled backdrop, perfect for inspiring your next apartment renovation or modern living space design project.

From CDK Architects: This is a new home that replaced an existing 1949 home in Rosedale. The design concept for the new house is “Mid Century Modern Meets Modern.” This is clearly a new home, but we wanted to give reverence to the neighborhood and its roots. It was important to us to re-purpose the old home. Rather than demolishing it, we worked with our contractor to disassemble the house piece by piece, eventually donating about 80% of the home to Habitat for Humanity. The wood floors were salvaged and reused on the new fireplace wall. The home contains 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, plus a home office and a music studio, totaling 2,650 square feet. One of the home’s most striking features is its large vaulted ceiling in the Living/Dining/Kitchen area. Substantial clerestory windows provide treetop views and bring dappled light into the space from high above. There’s natural light in every room in the house. Balancing the desire for natural light and privacy was very important, as was the connection to nature. What we hoped to achieve was a fun, flexible home with beautiful light and a nice balance of public and private spaces. We also wanted a home that would adapt to a growing family but would still fit our needs far into the future. The end result is a home with a calming, organic feel to it. Built by R Builders LLC (General Contractor) Interior Design by Becca Stephens Interiors Landscape Design by Seedlings Gardening Photos by Reagen Taylor Photography

There is an intentional elegance to the entry experience of the foyer, keeping it clean and modern, yet welcoming. Dark elements of contrast are brought in through the front door, natural slate floors, sconces, balusters and window sashes. The staircase is a transitional expression through the continuity of the closed stringer and gentle curving handrail that becomes the newel post. The curve of the bottom treads opens up the stair in a welcoming way. An expansive window on the stair landing overlooks the front entry. The 16’ tall window is softened with trimmed drapery and sconces march up the stair to provide a human scale element. The roof line of the exterior brings the ceiling down above the door to create a more intimate entry in a two-story space.