This is a great house. Perched high on a private, heavily wooded site, it has a rustic contemporary aesthetic. Vaulted ceilings, sky lights, large windows and natural materials punctuate the main spaces. The existing large format mosaic slate floor grabs your attention upon entering the home extending throughout the foyer, kitchen, and family room. Specific requirements included a larger island with workspace for each of the homeowners featuring a homemade pasta station which requires small appliances on lift-up mechanisms as well as a custom-designed pasta drying rack. Both chefs wanted their own prep sink on the island complete with a garbage “shoot” which we concealed below sliding cutting boards. A second and overwhelming requirement was storage for a large collection of dishes, serving platters, specialty utensils, cooking equipment and such. To meet those needs we took the opportunity to get creative with storage: sliding doors were designed for a coffee station adjacent to the main sink; hid the steam oven, microwave and toaster oven within a stainless steel niche hidden behind pantry doors; added a narrow base cabinet adjacent to the range for their large spice collection; concealed a small broom closet behind the refrigerator; and filled the only available wall with full-height storage complete with a small niche for charging phones and organizing mail. We added 48” high base cabinets behind the main sink to function as a bar/buffet counter as well as overflow for kitchen items. The client’s existing vintage commercial grade Wolf stove and hood commands attention with a tall backdrop of exposed brick from the fireplace in the adjacent living room. We loved the rustic appeal of the brick along with the existing wood beams, and complimented those elements with wired brushed white oak cabinets. The grayish stain ties in the floor color while the slab door style brings a modern element to the space. We lightened the color scheme with a mix of white marble and quartz countertops. The waterfall countertop adjacent to the dining table shows off the amazing veining of the marble while adding contrast to the floor. Special materials are used throughout, featured on the textured leather-wrapped pantry doors, patina zinc bar countertop, and hand-stitched leather cabinet hardware. We took advantage of the tall ceilings by adding two walnut linear pendants over the island that create a sculptural effect and coordinated them with the new dining pendant and three wall sconces on the beam over the main sink.

Wing Wong/Memories TTL
Transitional home design photo in New York

Inspiration for a rustic dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen remodel with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

The Treehouse is the home I share with my daughter Miss Noa. It is our sanctuary and our refuge, our playhouse and our house of rest. It is carved out of the roof of a 100 year old craftsman home, so the spaces are all unique, and intimate, which I love. The colors I chose for the space are all slightly weathered as though they spent years in the sun. The vibe is bohemian, with all sorts of collected (Faith) and created (Noa) art. I have a passion for small spaces- they are just fun and playful, so to accentuate the element of play in the space we painted the ceiling with circus tent stripes in muted tones and turned my bedroom into a bedouin tent! Photographed by Dabito

The three-level Mediterranean revival home started as a 1930s summer cottage that expanded downward and upward over time. We used a clean, crisp white wall plaster with bronze hardware throughout the interiors to give the house continuity. A neutral color palette and minimalist furnishings create a sense of calm restraint. Subtle and nuanced textures and variations in tints add visual interest. The stair risers from the living room to the primary suite are hand-painted terra cotta tile in gray and off-white. We used the same tile resource in the kitchen for the island's toe kick.

Photo: Mina Brinkey © 2013 Houzz
Mudroom - transitional mudroom idea in Tampa with gray walls

All of the indoor and outdoor lighting in this home is controlled by keypads and mobile devices. Control system designed by Big Fish Automation.
Inspiration for a timeless exterior home remodel in Salt Lake City

Home office - contemporary built-in desk carpeted home office idea in Salt Lake City

alyssa kirsten
Example of a mid-sized trendy loft-style medium tone wood floor living room library design in New York with white walls, no fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Security cameras cover the entire perimeter of the home, and their pictures are easily viewed from anywhere in the world through an iPad app. An access-controlled gate allows the client to manage entry to the home even when away. All devices were inconspicuously placed, and custom Lutron drapes were installed to control daylight. We also staged multiple variations of light fixtures and bulbs to find the optimal combination to meet the client’s taste. Photography: Bruce Van Inwegen

Inspiration for a transitional bedroom remodel in Other with gray walls

THEME The theme in this space is defined by the design and flow of the rest of this beautiful contemporary home. They needed the space to blend with the home while still providing the youngest family members with all the enjoyment of a dedicated play room. FOCUS The focus of this space changes with the configuration of the modular pieces around the room. One configuration could put focus on the television for movie night, another could create a stage for a musical performance, while another could close off the kids play area all together keeping the focus on adult conversation. Every configuration provides focus on the activity or plans for that moment. STORAGE Each of the modular pieces includes multiple storage options. The multimedia section ensures that all electronic equipment and remote devices have a dedicated home no matter where the section is placed. The large dedicated storage unit provides open blocks that can be filled with baskets of toys or books while creating the perfect wall in any configuration. The magnetic section allows for display of artwork or calendars while the lower box provides closed storage and a cushioned seating area. GROWTH These modular pieces will always be a useful and functional addition to this space providing the family with endless configuration options ensuring that the space will mature with the family. SAFETY Safety is always a concern and modular pieces require added attention to stability and security to ensure that they will provide the desired flexible functionality along with the safety of built in elements. Custom made brackets lock the sections together at multiple points to keep them linked once placed and the rolling castors under each section also lock into place to ensure that they will not continue to move across the floor.

Northern Michigan is the ultimate getaway destination with serene views and abundance of outdoor recreation. This remote Up North house offers nothing short of that. With the nearest major town almost 45 minutes away, it was essential this vacation home offered all the amenities for entertainment and relaxation. Spire worked with the client to create the perfect lake house retreat with comfort and convenience during any season or weather. The living room with an attached game room is a versatile space that offers endless entertainment. A 65” TV was installed over the fireplace in the custom stone wall. The adjustable mount allows the TV to lower for comfortable viewing from either the couch or pool table. A pair of Meridian Audio DSP7200 custom color matched speakers equipped with a Meridian Audio 218 digital controller were strategically installed on each side of the fireplace. The floor-standing speakers compliment the natural stone while providing astonishingly life-like sound, perfect for streaming live concerts. The powerful audio extends to the upper level of the home. Spire installed B&W 700 series bookshelf speakers in the executive office and a Triad custom speaker bar in the master bedroom. These speakers are ideal for smaller rooms, while elevating the TV experience. The large living room windows offer beautiful lake views and ample lighting. Lutron Palladiom shades were installed to easily control the natural light in the living room, master bedroom and bathroom. They are custom designed and fully automated to let in the morning sun or achieve partial shading or complete privacy. Whether set on a schedule or controlled from an iPad, the shades operate quietly and seamlessly. The technology was designed to be enjoyed just as much indoors as outdoors. With the whole home audio system, high-quality sound can flow throughout the indoor rooms as well as the outdoor patio. While the location may be remote, Spire ensured the WiFi and network connection is strong both throughout the yard and inside the home. A Lutron HomeWorks QS system integrates the control of all the interior and exterior lighting including motion sensing for the exterior pathway. Since this is not a permanent residence, a control and security system was very important. A personalized Savant system was integrated for full home control of lighting, climate, entertainment and security from anywhere with a smart device . This includes the ability to control the multiple landscape light zones with timed scenes. The Doorbird cameras and chimes with the integration of camera feeds into the Savant Control provides remote communication with visitors at any of the exterior doors. Remote access also allows rebooting of all essential systems from any location.

High-resolution audio extends outside with a Sonance outdoor speaker systems surrounding the entire lakeside porch. Hidden among the landscape, Sonance Rock Speakers were added next to the firepit for perfectly-even coverage. The homeowners enjoy the complete control of their home using the Savant Control System by using multiple devices including an iPad, Savant touchscreen remotes and multiple in-wall digital keypads. Photos by Jessie Zevalkink.

We anchored the kitchen with a large custom island that features a gorgeous single hand-hammered copper sink, bronze faucets and two dish washers. Along the wall is a French culinary handmade La Cornue stove and custom-built range hood that creates a stunning focal point. It’s surrounded by classic white stacked cabinetry—the left- and right-side cabinets flush with the countertops. The top row of cabinets is designed with glass-paneled doors and in-cabinet lighting perfect for highlighting kitchen collectibles. A convenient way to save valuable counter space, and help provide a clean, clutter-free look for the kitchen, we installed an appliance garage with plenty of storage. The large, walk-in pantry was designed with convenient roll out shelves. The kitchen countertops were topped with Taj Mahal quartzite, which were polished in a leathered finish to create the rustic feel our clients were looking for. Two large refrigerator/freezer combo units were designed into the space to provide plenty of food storage, both fresh and frozen. A convenient “Command Center” was added to one end of the refrigerator wall, concealed behind the cabinet doors, to store mail, a kid’s activity calendar, school papers, a bulletin board, etc. The base cabinet between the kitchen and great room was designed with plenty of drawers and a high-power docking station for charging multiple devices, including tablets, phones, reading devices, and headsets.

The Abba Patio 11' Offset Cantilever Patio Umbrella is ideal for covering large patio dining sets, conversation seating,or pool or spa areas. This 11' offset cantilever umbrella offers so much versatility with placement. The fade-resistant Olefin fabric keeps the color for years and offers UV protection. The strong aluminum pole with a cross base allows for stability and strength. With the rotating device and vertical tilt mechanism, this large shade umbrella can offer multiple options, no matter the time of day, so you'll always be shaded and cool! Specification: - Type: Roma Umbrella with cross base - Size: 11 feet (Shade is about 95 square feet of material) - Fabric: Fade-resistant Olefin - Pole Material: Rust-free, Powder-coated Aluminum - Pole Diameter: Oval tube 3.15" L x 2.09" W (80x53mm) - Frame: Powder coated in dark grey color finish - Ribs: 8 aluminum ribs,0.57x0.91 inch - Air vent:Yes to provide basic wind and heat venting - Weatherable:Yes - Commercial/Residential:Both

Photo: Bonnie McCarthy © 2015 Houzz
Inspiration for a contemporary home office remodel in Los Angeles

Our clients wanted to update their kitchen and create more storage space. They also needed a desk area in the kitchen and a display area for family keepsakes. With small children, they were not using the breakfast bar on the island, so we chose when redesigning the island to add storage instead of having the countertop overhang for seating. We extended the height of the cabinetry also. A desk area with 2 file drawers and mail sorting cubbies was created so the homeowners could have a place to organize their bills, charge their electronics, and pay bills. We also installed 2 plugs into the narrow bookcase to the right of the desk area with USB plugs for charging phones and tablets. Our clients chose a cherry craftsman cabinet style with simple cups and knobs in brushed stainless steel. For the countertops, Silestone Copper Mist was chosen. It is a gorgeous slate blue hue with copper flecks. To compliment this choice, I custom designed this slate backsplash using multiple colors of slate. This unique, natural stone, geometric backsplash complemented the countertops and the cabinetry style perfectly. We installed a pot filler over the cooktop and a pull-out spice cabinet to the right of the cooktop. To utilize counterspace, the microwave was installed into a wall cabinet to the right of the cooktop. We moved the sink and dishwasher into the island and placed a pull-out garbage and recycling drawer to the left of the sink. An appliance lift was also installed for a Kitchenaid mixer to be stored easily without ever having to lift it. To improve the lighting in the kitchen and great room which has a vaulted pine tongue and groove ceiling, we designed and installed hollow beams to run the electricity through from the kitchen to the fireplace. For the island we installed 3 pendants and 4 down lights to provide ample lighting at the island. All lighting was put onto dimmer switches. We installed new down lighting along the cooktop wall. For the great room, we installed track lighting and attached it to the sides of the beams and used directional lights to provide lighting for the great room and to light up the fireplace. The beautiful home in the woods, now has an updated, modern kitchen and fantastic lighting which our clients love.

We anchored the kitchen with a large custom island that features a gorgeous single hand-hammered copper sink, bronze faucets and two dish washers. Along the wall is a French culinary handmade La Cornue stove and custom-built range hood that creates a stunning focal point. It’s surrounded by classic white stacked cabinetry—the left- and right-side cabinets flush with the countertops. The top row of cabinets is designed with glass-paneled doors and in-cabinet lighting perfect for highlighting kitchen collectibles. A convenient way to save valuable counter space, and help provide a clean, clutter-free look for the kitchen, we installed an appliance garage with plenty of storage. The large, walk-in pantry was designed with convenient roll out shelves. The kitchen countertops were topped with Taj Mahal quartzite, which were polished in a leathered finish to create the rustic feel our clients were looking for. Two large refrigerator/freezer combo units were designed into the space to provide plenty of food storage, both fresh and frozen. A convenient “Command Center” was added to one end of the refrigerator wall, concealed behind the cabinet doors, to store mail, a kid’s activity calendar, school papers, a bulletin board, etc. The base cabinet between the kitchen and great room was designed with plenty of drawers and a high-power docking station for charging multiple devices, including tablets, phones, reading devices, and headsets.