Photo Credit Dustin Halleck
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Chicago with a music area, gray walls, a ribbon fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Tony Soluri Photography http://www.soluriphotography.com/

This living area was transformed into a show-stopping piano room, for a modern-minded family. The sleek lacquer black of the piano is a perfect contrast to the bright turquoise, chartreuse and white of the artwork, fabrics, lighting and area rug.

These clients came to my office looking for an architect who could design their "empty nest" home that would be the focus of their soon to be extended family. A place where the kids and grand kids would want to hang out: with a pool, open family room/ kitchen, garden; but also one-story so there wouldn't be any unnecessary stairs to climb. They wanted the design to feel like "old Pasadena" with the coziness and attention to detail that the era embraced. My sensibilities led me to recall the wonderful classic mansions of San Marino, so I designed a manor house clad in trim Bluestone with a steep French slate roof and clean white entry, eave and dormer moldings that would blend organically with the future hardscape plan and thoughtfully landscaped grounds. The site was a deep, flat lot that had been half of the old Joan Crawford estate; the part that had an abandoned swimming pool and small cabana. I envisioned a pavilion filled with natural light set in a beautifully planted park with garden views from all sides. Having a one-story house allowed for tall and interesting shaped ceilings that carved into the sheer angles of the roof. The most private area of the house would be the central loggia with skylights ensconced in a deep woodwork lattice grid and would be reminiscent of the outdoor “Salas” found in early Californian homes. The family would soon gather there and enjoy warm afternoons and the wonderfully cool evening hours together. Working with interior designer Jeffrey Hitchcock, we designed an open family room/kitchen with high dark wood beamed ceilings, dormer windows for daylight, custom raised panel cabinetry, granite counters and a textured glass tile splash. Natural light and gentle breezes flow through the many French doors and windows located to accommodate not only the garden views, but the prevailing sun and wind as well. The graceful living room features a dramatic vaulted white painted wood ceiling and grand fireplace flanked by generous double hung French windows and elegant drapery. A deeply cased opening draws one into the wainscot paneled dining room that is highlighted by hand painted scenic wallpaper and a barrel vaulted ceiling. The walnut paneled library opens up to reveal the waterfall feature in the back garden. Equally picturesque and restful is the view from the rotunda in the master bedroom suite. Architect: Ward Jewell Architect, AIA Interior Design: Jeffrey Hitchcock Enterprises Contractor: Synergy General Contractors, Inc. Landscape Design: LZ Design Group, Inc. Photography: Laura Hull

The new vaulted and high ceiling living room has large aluminum framed windows of the San Francisco bay with see-through glass railings. Owner-sourced artwork, live edge wood and acrylic coffee table, Eames chair and grand piano complete the space.

Photo by Vance Fox showing the dramatic Great Room, which is open to the Kitchen and Dining (not shown) & Rec Loft above. A large sliding glass door wall spills out onto both covered and uncovered terrace areas, for dining, relaxing by the fire or in the sunken spa.

Scott Moore Photography
Inspiration for a timeless living room remodel in Atlanta with a music area and gray walls

Jessica Klewicki Glynn
Inspiration for a large timeless enclosed living room remodel in Miami with a music area, beige walls and a standard fireplace

Inspiration for a large contemporary open concept travertine floor living room remodel in San Diego with a two-sided fireplace, a music area and a wall-mounted tv

Tuscan dark wood floor living room photo in Los Angeles with a music area, white walls and a standard fireplace

Powder room - transitional medium tone wood floor powder room idea in Nashville with an undermount sink, gray cabinets, a two-piece toilet, multicolored walls, flat-panel cabinets and white countertops

Piston Design
Example of a mid-sized trendy kids' room design in Houston

Photo: Hilary Walker © 2013 Houzz
Playroom - contemporary playroom idea in Dallas

Whit Preston
Home studio - mid-sized contemporary built-in desk concrete floor and gray floor home studio idea in Austin with white walls and no fireplace

Large transitional open concept medium tone wood floor living room photo in Orange County with a music area, white walls, no fireplace and no tv

Living room - mid-sized traditional enclosed medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room idea in New York with gray walls, a music area, no fireplace and no tv

Photo by: Joshua Caldwell
Large elegant enclosed light wood floor and brown floor living room photo in Salt Lake City with a music area, beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Inspiration for a large rustic brown two-story mixed siding gable roof remodel

Transitional dark wood floor living room photo in Toronto with a music area, gray walls and a standard fireplace