Example of a large classic master porcelain tile and gray floor powder room design in Nashville with recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, gray countertops and white walls

Photography by Peter Vanderwarker This Second Empire house is a narrative woven about its circulation. At the street, a quietly fanciful stoop reaches to greet one's arrival. Inside and out, Victorian details are playfully reinterpreted and celebrated in fabulous and whimsical spaces for a growing family - Double story kitchen with open cylindrical breakfast room Parents' and Children's libraries Secret playspaces Top floor sky-lit courtyard Writing room and hidden library Basement parking Media Room Landscape of exterior rooms: The site is conceived as a string of rooms: a landscaped drive-way court, a lawn for play, a sunken court, a serene shade garden, a New England flower garden. The stair grows out of the garden level ordering the surrounding rooms as it rises to a light filled courtyard at the Master suite on the top floor. On each level the rooms are arranged in a circuit around the stair core, making a series of distinct suites for the children, for the parents, and for their common activities.

This beautifully restored interior exemplifies Santa Fe Style Architecture, where warm adobe walls and hand-hewn vigas evoke the timeless spirit of the region. The thoughtful balance of rustic textures with vibrant furnishings highlights the artistry of Adobe Architecture, while the preservation of historic details underscores the home’s place within the Downtown Santa Fe Historic District. Designed with an eye for both heritage and livability, this space reflects the principles of Custom Residential Design Santa Fe, blending authenticity with comfort. Through careful Historic Preservation Santa Fe, the room stands as a welcoming and elegant example of how traditional materials and cultural narratives can shape a refined yet inviting home.

A diamond in the rough was polished to a new brilliance in this remodel. Moving the kitchen to be front and center of everything was the key to this remodel. Carrying the motif of less is more, this remodel emphasized the qualities this Parisian-styled home had with a modern open floor plan. Working through different design studies with the client, we identified the optimum layout and created space for an additional bedroom. Fusing old world details with contemporary living, we ensured the rehabilitation pays homage to its original detailing while expressing a bold narrative, delicately balanced within the original structural framework. Careful detailing of the structural elements ensured the work could proceed without affecting the unit below. Completed in 2014, this home now offers its young family the full urban experience of stylish San Francisco living.

Located on a sprawling 50-acre equestrian estate in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, a historic barn ruin was meticulously transformed into a luxurious, one-of-a-kind residence. This exquisite home beautifully marries the rustic charm of traditional post-and-beam construction with the elegance of modern luxury. Central to the design is a deep respect for the site’s heritage. The home incorporates reclaimed wood and stone salvaged from the property alongside new materials, carefully integrated into the architecture to preserve the narrative of a Pennsylvania bank barn. The thoughtful use of materials ensures the legacy of the barn is honored while elevating it to meet the standards of modern living. Serving as a testament to timeless craftsmanship, the converted barn residence features post-and-beam construction. The home’s design offers a harmonious blend of intimate living spaces and expansive entertaining areas. Four comfortable bedrooms provide ample accommodation, while the open concept main level seamlessly connects to a lower level entertainment space. The lower level opens to the courtyard and pool deck, creating a resort-like retreat within the estate’s pastoral landscape. Indoor-outdoor flow makes it an ideal setting for gatherings and large-scale entertaining, all set against the backdrop of rural Bucks County’s serene surroundings.

As you come close to the pieces, the intimate quality of their structure is generously revealed; welding points and traces of pigment narrate their story.

This wider view of the kitchen nook reveals its contextual relationship to the adjacent wine storage and open cabinetry—the marble desk surface extends gracefully above a built-in wine rack, with open shelving displaying dishware above. The velvet accent chair and bay window complete the vignette, demonstrating how even utilitarian kitchen elements can achieve a design-forward expression. An understated but highly functional moment in the overall design narrative.

Old world elements including oriental rugs combine with a classic Chesterfield sofa representing together Georgian influences Arts & Crafts, I interpret as a visual extension of Folklore & Mythology, and is seen here with a Parisian bistro table; Thonet-type chairs, a library console, along with William Morris bedding and a Stag by the Stream lace panel The Modernist Period is represented by influences from pioneer furniture designer Eileen Gray and Gropius’s Bauhaus. And with Counter Culture, tie-dyed drapery is fun; against organic furniture forms, adjacent to Janis Joplin, whose final concert was at Harvard Stadium. I love the cross-pollination of culture. New stories reveal themselves while balancing a blend of narratives.

Located in Argyle, Texas, this comprehensive whole-home renovation was conceived by USI Design & Remodeling who reimagined the home's interior architecture, transforming a collection of compartmentalized rooms into a cohesive environment designed for modern living, entertaining, and daily comfort. The project encompassed the kitchen, family room, dining room, lounge, office, primary bathroom, and supporting circulation spaces, creating a unified experience that feels both expansive and intentional. Throughout the home, refined materials, custom millwork, and carefully curated finishes establish a sense of understated luxury while maintaining warmth and livability. At the heart of the renovation is a completely reconfigured kitchen and gathering space designed around functionality, hospitality, and visual connection. Architectural barriers were removed to improve sightlines and circulation, allowing the kitchen, dining, and family spaces to function as a single integrated living environment. A dramatic five-foot workstation sink anchors the kitchen, while custom cabinetry and furniture-inspired details elevate the space beyond conventional residential design. Adjacent to the kitchen, the former pantry, laundry, and service corridor were reimagined as a hybrid scullery and utility suite, creating a highly functional support space that discreetly accommodates food preparation, storage, organization, and household operations without compromising the elegance of the primary living areas. The renovation extends beyond aesthetics to create a home tailored to the family's evolving needs. The primary bathroom was transformed into a spa-inspired retreat, while the lounge, office, and dining spaces were redesigned to support both everyday living and entertaining. Consistent architectural detailing, layered textures, and thoughtful proportions establish continuity throughout the residence, allowing each room to feel connected to the larger design narrative. The result is a sophisticated yet approachable home that balances practical performance with timeless design, delivering a renewed living experience that is both highly functional and distinctly luxurious.

The traditional style dining area has a view through to the luxurious living room. Built-in cabinetry and picture rails express the history of the home and continue the narrative between rooms, making the entire space feel complete and thought-out, like it always belonged there.

Designed with comfort and style in mind, the guest bedroom offers views of the lush gardens, the swimming pool, and the picturesque Villefranche Bay, with Cap Ferrat serving as a striking backdrop. The colour palette is playful yet sophisticated, with a custom-upholstered headboard that blends seamlessly with the bespoke bedside furniture and built-in wardrobes. This cohesive colour scheme is echoed throughout the bathrooms and the primary bedroom, establishing a unified design narrative. The guest bedroom balances contemporary flair with inviting warmth, ensuring visitors experience the same sense of refinement and attention to detail as the rest of the property.

Photo: A Darling Felicity Photography © 2015 Houzz
Example of a mid-sized eclectic light wood floor home design design in Seattle with black walls

The living room sits at the lowest point of the site, closest to the water. The steps leading down to this space seen on the left allow the vertical height of space to expand as one gets closer to the water's edge and the living room. The fireplace appears precisely carved out of the interior deep partition wall separating the great room from the dining room. An interior palette of natural wood and subtle color shifts mimics the natural site. It also narrates a story of the rough bark (the exterior shell) concealing the warm interior heartwood. Eric Reinholdt - Project Architect/Lead Designer with Elliott, Elliott, Norelius Architecture Photo: Brian Vanden Brink

Clean and soft material palette to bring airiness and lighting inside. We renovated all bathrooms in the house with a modern material selection that adds comfort and style to these areas. Each bathroom has its own identity while keeping a cohesive design narrative throughout the house.

A diamond in the rough was polished to a new brilliance in this remodel. Moving the kitchen to be front and center of everything was the key to this remodel. Carrying the motif of less is more, this remodel emphasized the qualities this Parisian-styled home had with a modern open floor plan. Working through different design studies with the client, we identified the optimum layout and created space for an additional bedroom. Fusing old world details with contemporary living, we ensured the rehabilitation pays homage to its original detailing while expressing a bold narrative, delicately balanced within the original structural framework. Careful detailing of the structural elements ensured the work could proceed without affecting the unit below. Completed in 2014, this home now offers its young family the full urban experience of stylish San Francisco living.

A diamond in the rough was polished to a new brilliance in this remodel. Moving the kitchen to be front and center of everything was the key to this remodel. Carrying the motif of less is more, this remodel emphasized the qualities this Parisian-styled home had with a modern open floor plan. Working through different design studies with the client, we identified the optimum layout and created space for an additional bedroom. Fusing old world details with contemporary living, we ensured the rehabilitation pays homage to its original detailing while expressing a bold narrative, delicately balanced within the original structural framework. Careful detailing of the structural elements ensured the work could proceed without affecting the unit below. Completed in 2014, this home now offers its young family the full urban experience of stylish San Francisco living.

A diamond in the rough was polished to a new brilliance in this remodel. Moving the kitchen to be front and center of everything was the key to this remodel. Carrying the motif of less is more, this remodel emphasized the qualities this Parisian-styled home had with a modern open floor plan. Working through different design studies with the client, we identified the optimum layout and created space for an additional bedroom. Fusing old world details with contemporary living, we ensured the rehabilitation pays homage to its original detailing while expressing a bold narrative, delicately balanced within the original structural framework. Careful detailing of the structural elements ensured the work could proceed without affecting the unit below. Completed in 2014, this home now offers its young family the full urban experience of stylish San Francisco living.

Transforming the historic 17th-century English library into a modern billiards room, the vision was to merge opulance with comfort. Luxurious furnishings and custom fittings breathe new life into this timeless space, creating an inviting ambiance for entertaining. The billiards table became the centerpiece for friendly games, while an intimate seating arrangement by the fireplace provides a cozy retreat. The redefinition of the library's prior narrative transcends time to offer a haven where friends come together, immersed in the allure of history and the comforts of contemporary indulgence.

A diamond in the rough was polished to a new brilliance in this remodel. Moving the kitchen to be front and center of everything was the key to this remodel. Carrying the motif of less is more, this remodel emphasized the qualities this Parisian-styled home had with a modern open floor plan. Working through different design studies with the client, we identified the optimum layout and created space for an additional bedroom. Fusing old world details with contemporary living, we ensured the rehabilitation pays homage to its original detailing while expressing a bold narrative, delicately balanced within the original structural framework. Careful detailing of the structural elements ensured the work could proceed without affecting the unit below. Completed in 2014, this home now offers its young family the full urban experience of stylish San Francisco living.