A young family with a wooded, triangular lot in Ipswich, Massachusetts wanted to take on a highly creative, organic, and unrushed process in designing their new home. The parents of three boys had contemporary ideas for living, including phasing the construction of different structures over time as the kids grew so they could maximize the options for use on their land. They hoped to build a net zero energy home that would be cozy on the very coldest days of winter, using cost-efficient methods of home building. The house needed to be sited to minimize impact on the land and trees, and it was critical to respect a conservation easement on the south border of the lot. Finally, the design would be contemporary in form and feel, but it would also need to fit into a classic New England context, both in terms of materials used and durability. We were asked to honor the notions of “surprise and delight,” and that inspired everything we designed for the family. The highly unique home consists of a three-story form, composed mostly of bedrooms and baths on the top two floors and a cross axis of shared living spaces on the first level. This axis extends out to an oversized covered porch, open to the south and west. The porch connects to a two-story garage with flex space above, used as a guest house, play room, and yoga studio depending on the day. A floor-to-ceiling ribbon of glass wraps the south and west walls of the lower level, bringing in an abundance of natural light and linking the entire open plan to the yard beyond. The master suite takes up the entire top floor, and includes an outdoor deck with a shower. The middle floor has extra height to accommodate a variety of multi-level play scenarios in the kids’ rooms. Many of the materials used in this house are made from recycled or environmentally friendly content, or they come from local sources. The high performance home has triple glazed windows and all materials, adhesives, and sealants are low toxicity and safe for growing kids. Photographer credit: Irvin Serrano

Country home design photo in San Diego

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern 3/4 stone slab dark wood floor doorless shower remodel in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, beige walls, a drop-in sink and solid surface countertops

Landscape contracting by Avid Landscape. Carpentry by Contemporary Homestead. Photograph by Meghan Montgomery.
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional full sun backyard gravel vegetable garden landscape in Seattle.

Home design - traditional home design idea

This is a recently completed project in Lancaster County, PA consisting of natural stone steps with a limestone boulder retaining wall and a 15′ pondless waterfall with 5 LED landscape lights in the stream. The video was shot with our GoPro Hero. Below are some still shots of the waterfalls and stream.

Example of a mid-sized guest bedroom design with purple walls

Julie J. Mayhew
Inspiration for a small timeless white tile and stone tile marble floor home design remodel in Milwaukee with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, green walls, an undermount sink and marble countertops

Emily Kolaczek
Large elegant walk-out medium tone wood floor home design photo in Calgary with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a metal fireplace

Brooklyn townhouse garden. Janus et Cie table. Restoration Hardware couch and daybed. Custom made French blue farm doors. Perennial garden
Design ideas for a mid-sized farmhouse full sun backyard stone formal garden in New York.

The Laurel was a project that required a rigorous lesson in southern architectural vernacular. The site being located in the hot climate of the Carolina shoreline, the client was eager to capture cross breezes and utilize outdoor entertainment spaces. The home was designed with three covered porches, one partially covered courtyard, and one screened porch, all accessed by way of French doors and extra tall double-hung windows. The open main level floor plan centers on common livings spaces, while still leaving room for a luxurious master suite. The upstairs loft includes two individual bed and bath suites, providing ample room for guests. Native materials were used in construction, including a metal roof and local timber.

This luxurious retreat located on a hillside with extreme elevation change. This project features Pavestone retaining walls and decks, cast stone coping, tile interior finish, sun ledges, and vanishing edge fountain feature

Herringbone tile floor pattern

Close-up of the faux walnut--would you think this is paint?!
Example of a country home office design in Dallas

Bedroom - traditional medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom idea in St Louis