Comfy chairs provide seating next to a beautiful pool. Attached kitchen provides space for preparing for events, or storing chilled beverages.
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless backyard stone and rectangular natural pool house remodel in New York

Mid-sized elegant blue two-story mixed siding house exterior photo in Detroit with a shingle roof and a hip roof

The Kiguchi family moved into their Austin, Texas home in 1994. Built in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood development, they happily raised their family here but longed for something more contemporary. Once they became empty nesters, they decided it was time for a major remodel. After spending many years visiting Austin AIA Home Tours that highlight contemporary residential architecture, they had a lot of ideas and in 2013 were ready to interview architects and get their renovation underway. The project turned into a major remodel due to an unstable foundation. Architects Ben Arbib and Ed Hughey, of Arbib Hughey Design were hired to solve the structural issue and look for inspiration in the bones of the house, which sat on top of a hillside and was surrounded by great views. Unfortunately, with the old floor plan, the beautiful views were hidden by small windows that were poorly placed. In order to bring more natural light into the house the window sizes and configurations had to be addressed, all while keeping in mind the homeowners desire for a modern look and feel. To achieve a more contemporary and sophisticated front of house, a new entry was designed that included removing a two-story bay window and porch. The entrance of the home also became more integrated with the landscape creating a template for new foliage to be planted. Older exterior materials were updated to incorporate a more muted palette of colors with a metal roof, dark grey siding in the back and white stucco in the front. Deep eaves were added over many of the new large windows for clean lines and sun protection. “Inside it was about opening up the floor plan, expanding the views throughout the house, and updating the material palette to get a modern look that was also warm and inviting,” said Ben from Arbib Hughey Design. “Prior to the remodel, the house had the typical separation of rooms. We removed the walls between them and changed all of the windows to Milgard Thermally Improved Aluminum to connect the inside with the outside. No matter where you are you get nice views and natural light.” The architects wanted to create some drama, which they accomplished with the window placement and opening up the interior floor plan to an open concept approach. Cabinetry was used to help delineate intimate spaces. To add warmth to an all-white living room, white-washed oak wood floors were installed and pine planks were used around the fireplace. The large windows served as artwork bringing the color of nature into the space. An octagon shaped, elevated dining room, (named “the turret”), had a big impact on the design of the house. They architects rounded the corners and added larger window openings overlooking a new sunken garden. The great room was also softened by rounding out the corners and that circular theme continued throughout the house, being picked up in skylight wells and kitchen cabinetry. A staircase leading to a catwalk was added and the result was a two-story window wall that flooded the home with natural light. When asked why Milgard® Thermally Improved Aluminum windows were selected, the architectural team listed many reasons: 1) Aesthetics: “We liked the slim profiles and narrow sightlines. The window frames never get in the way of the view and that was important to us. They also have a very contemporary look that went well with our design.” 2) Options: “We liked that we could get large sliding doors that matched the windows, giving us a very cohesive look and feel throughout the project.” 3) Cost Effective: “Milgard windows are affordable. You get a good product at a good price.” 4) Custom Sizes: “Milgard windows are customizable, which allowed us to get the right window for each location.” Ready to take on your own traditional to modern home remodeling project? Arbib Hughey Design advises, “Work with a good architect. That means picking a team that is creative, communicative, listens well and is responsive. We think it’s important for an architect to listen to their clients and give them something they want, not something the architect thinks they should have. At the same time you want an architect who is willing and able to think outside the box and offer up design options that you may not have considered. Design is about a lot of back and forth, trying out ideas, getting feedback and trying again.” The home was completely transformed into a unique, contemporary house perfectly integrated with its site. Internally the home has a natural flow for the occupants and externally it is integrated with the surroundings taking advantage of great natural light. As a side note, it was highly praised as part of the Austin AIA homes tour.

Inspiration for a rustic kitchen remodel in Other

Inspiration for a large cottage white two-story vinyl house exterior remodel in Atlanta with a shingle roof and a hip roof

Rustic Canyon Kitchen. Photo by Douglas Hill
Mountain style u-shaped terra-cotta tile and orange floor kitchen photo in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, stainless steel countertops, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

Lincoln Barbour
Living room - mid-sized 1960s open concept living room idea in Portland with orange walls, a wall-mounted tv, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace

Example of a cottage l-shaped kitchen design in Sacramento with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Charming home featuring Tavern Hall brick with Federal White mortar.
Large farmhouse red two-story brick house exterior photo in Other with a shingle roof and a hip roof

The great room of the tiny house is the ultimate multi-purpose: living room, dining room, media room, guest bedroom, and yoga room. Lots of natural light brings the outside in and expand the feeling of space. Photo: Eileen Descallar Ringwald

TMS Architects
Outdoor patio shower - large coastal backyard stone outdoor patio shower idea in Boston with no cover

George Oakley
Inspiration for a contemporary attached two-car garage remodel in Salt Lake City

Large country white three-story wood house exterior idea in San Francisco with a metal roof and a hip roof

Huge tuscan multicolored two-story mixed siding house exterior photo in Orlando with a tile roof and a brown roof

Ron Rosenzweig
Example of a large transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Miami with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and blue cabinets

what a place to throw a party! this is the back loggia with it's wood covered ceiling and slate covered floor and fireplace. the restoration hardware sectional and drapes warm the space and give it a grand living room vibe.

Double shower in bay window. The bench is cantilevered out over the exterior wall below. Design, color scheme, lighting, and installation by Addhouse. Photo by Monkeyboy Productions

Inspiration for a large timeless backyard stone patio remodel in Columbus with a fire pit

Originally built this in 1997 , Fun to reimagine it in 2016
Example of a large classic backyard stone and rectangular natural pool house design in New York