Transitional blue tile and mosaic tile single-sink alcove shower photo in San Francisco with medium tone wood cabinets, beige walls, marble countertops, white countertops, a niche and a freestanding vanity

“Compelling.” That’s how one of our judges characterized this stair, which manages to embody both reassuring solidity and airy weightlessness. Architect Mahdad Saniee specified beefy maple treads—each laminated from two boards, to resist twisting and cupping—and supported them at the wall with hidden steel hangers. “We wanted to make them look like they are floating,” he says, “so they sit away from the wall by about half an inch.” The stainless steel rods that seem to pierce the treads’ opposite ends are, in fact, joined by threaded couplings hidden within the thickness of the wood. The result is an assembly whose stiffness underfoot defies expectation, Saniee says. “It feels very solid, much more solid than average stairs.” With the rods working in tension from above and compression below, “it’s very hard for those pieces of wood to move.” The interplay of wood and steel makes abstract reference to a Steinway concert grand, Saniee notes. “It’s taking elements of a piano and playing with them.” A gently curved soffit in the ceiling reinforces the visual rhyme. The jury admired the effect but was equally impressed with the technical acumen required to achieve it. “The rhythm established by the vertical rods sets up a rigorous discipline that works with the intricacies of stair dimensions,” observed one judge. “That’s really hard to do.”

Custom kitchen with Danby Marble and Pietra Cardosa Counters - Breakfast nook with built in banquette
Country kitchen photo in Boston

Cutrona
Claw-foot bathtub - mid-sized coastal master white tile and mosaic tile mosaic tile floor claw-foot bathtub idea in Boston with an undermount sink, white cabinets, marble countertops, a one-piece toilet, gray walls and recessed-panel cabinets

Oak cabinetry is stained a deep deep green and then paired with honed Danby marble. Beyond is the staircase which wraps around a screen evocative of the site's many trees amongst the winter snow.

Living room - large contemporary formal and open concept marble floor and beige floor living room idea in Miami with white walls, no fireplace and no tv

Kitchen - small modern l-shaped ceramic tile and black floor kitchen idea in Richmond with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Grey stained cabinetry compliments the white perimeter cabinetry and carerra countertops. Cement backsplash by Original Mission tile in "Nantes" in soft grey and white add flair to the muted palette. Kitchen design and custom cabinetry by Sarah Robertson of Studio Dearborn. Refrigerator by LIebherr. Cooktop by Wolf. Bosch dishwasher. Farmhouse sink by Blanco. Cabinetry pulls by Jeffrey Alexander Belcastle collection. Photo credit: Neil Landino

Elegant dark wood floor kitchen photo in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Coastal contemporary finishes and furniture designed by Interior Designer and Realtor Jessica Koltun in Dallas, TX. #designingdreams
Example of a huge beach style kitchen/dining room combo design in Dallas

Larry Malvin Photography
Kitchen - traditional u-shaped kitchen idea in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, wood countertops, beige backsplash, subway tile backsplash and paneled appliances

The picture perfect home
Example of a large transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Example of a mountain style u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen design with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

This modern kitchen has statement lighting above the island with a dropped wood soffit with wood slats. The island has waterfall ends and most of the appliances are stainless steel. The refrigerator and freezer are paneled with a flush application. The counters, backsplash and hood are all quartzite.

joy coakley photographer
Open concept kitchen - mid-sized transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen idea in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, blue backsplash, ceramic backsplash, an island, stainless steel appliances and gray countertops

Alise O'Brien Photography Space planning by Mitchell Wall Architects Construction by PK Construction
Powder room - small traditional medium tone wood floor powder room idea in St Louis with a one-piece toilet, black walls, an undermount sink and marble countertops

This photo: For a couple's house in Paradise Valley, architect C.P. Drewett created a sleek modern kitchen with Caesarstone counters and tile backsplashes from Art Stone LLC. Porcelain-tile floors from Villagio Tile & Stone provide contrast to the dark-stained vertical-grain white-oak cabinetry fabricated by Reliance Custom Cabinets. Positioned near the base of iconic Camelback Mountain, “Outside In” is a modernist home celebrating the love of outdoor living Arizonans crave. The design inspiration was honoring early territorial architecture while applying modernist design principles. Dressed with undulating negra cantera stone, the massing elements of “Outside In” bring an artistic stature to the project’s design hierarchy. This home boasts a first (never seen before feature) — a re-entrant pocketing door which unveils virtually the entire home’s living space to the exterior pool and view terrace. A timeless chocolate and white palette makes this home both elegant and refined. Oriented south, the spectacular interior natural light illuminates what promises to become another timeless piece of architecture for the Paradise Valley landscape. Project Details | Outside In Architect: CP Drewett, AIA, NCARB, Drewett Works Builder: Bedbrock Developers Interior Designer: Ownby Design Photographer: Werner Segarra Publications: Luxe Interiors & Design, Jan/Feb 2018, "Outside In: Optimized for Entertaining, a Paradise Valley Home Connects with its Desert Surrounds" Awards: Gold Nugget Awards - 2018 Award of Merit – Best Indoor/Outdoor Lifestyle for a Home – Custom The Nationals - 2017 Silver Award -- Best Architectural Design of a One of a Kind Home - Custom or Spec http://www.drewettworks.com/outside-in/

Beach style bathroom photo in San Diego

Kitchen design and remodel with black and white cabinetry, gray and white leathered quartzite countertop and slab backsplash, a marble niche, polished nickel fixtures and a butcher block walnut, Sub-Zero Wolf gas range top, stainless steel double oven, and refrigerator. Nearby fireplace has a newly designed mantel, tile surround and hearth, and painted to match black kitchen cabinetry.