San Marino based clients were interested in developing a property that had been in their family for generations. This was an exciting proposition as it was one of the last surviving bayside double lots on the scenic Coronado peninsula in San Diego. They desired a holiday home that would be a gathering place for their large, close- knit family. San Marino based clients were interested in developing a property that had been in their family for generations. This was an exciting proposition as it was one of the last surviving bayside double lots on the scenic Coronado peninsula in San Diego. They desired a holiday home that would be a gathering place for their large, close-knit family. Facing the Back Bay, overlooking downtown and the Bay Bridge, this property presented us with a unique opportunity to design a vacation home with a dual personality. One side faces a bustling harbor with a constant parade of yachts, cargo vessels and military ships while the other opens onto a deep, quiet contemplative garden. The home’s shingle-style influence carries on the historical Coronado tradition of clapboard and Craftsman bungalows built in the shadow of the great Hotel Del Coronado which was erected at the turn of the last century. In order to create an informal feel to the residence, we devised a concept that eliminated the need for a “front door”. Instead, one walks through the garden and enters the “Great Hall” through either one of two French doors flanking a walk-in stone fireplace. Both two-story bedroom wings bookend this central wood beam vaulted room which serves as the “heart of the home”, and opens to both views. Three sets of stairs are discretely tucked away inside the bedroom wings. In lieu of a formal dining room, the family convenes and dines around a beautiful table and banquette set into a circular window bay off the kitchen which overlooks the lights of the city beyond the harbor. Working with noted interior designer Betty Ann Marshall, we designed a unique kitchen that was inspired by the colors and textures of a fossil the couple found on a honeymoon trip to the quarries of Montana. We set that ancient fossil into a matte glass backsplash behind the professional cook’s stove. A warm library with walnut paneling and a bayed window seat affords a refuge for the family to read or play board games. The couple’s fine craft and folk art collection is on prominent display throughout the house and helps to set an intimate and whimsical tone. Another architectural feature devoted to family is the play room lit by a dramatic cupola which beacons the older grandchildren and their friends. Below the play room is a four car garage that allows the patriarch space to refurbish an antique fire truck, a mahogany launch boat and several vintage cars. Their jet skis and kayaks are housed in another garage designed for that purpose. Lattice covered skylights that allow dappled sunlight to bathe the loggia affords a comfortable refuge to watch the kids swim and gaze out upon the rushing water, the Coronado Bay Bridge and the romantic downtown San Diego skyline. Architect: Ward Jewell Architect, AIA Interior Design: Betty Ann Marshall Construction: Bill Lyons Photographer: Laura Hull Styling: Zale Design Studio

Example of a mid-sized trendy medium tone wood floor and beige floor great room design in Austin with white walls and no fireplace

The owners of this beautiful historic farmhouse had been painstakingly restoring it bit by bit. One of the last items on their list was to create a wrap-around front porch to create a more distinct and obvious entrance to the front of their home. Aside from the functional reasons for the new porch, our client also had very specific ideas for its design. She wanted to recreate her grandmother’s porch so that she could carry on the same wonderful traditions with her own grandchildren someday. Key requirements for this front porch remodel included: - Creating a seamless connection to the main house. - A floorplan with areas for dining, reading, having coffee and playing games. - Respecting and maintaining the historic details of the home and making sure the addition felt authentic. Upon entering, you will notice the authentic real pine porch decking. Real windows were used instead of three season porch windows which also have molding around them to match the existing home’s windows. The left wing of the porch includes a dining area and a game and craft space. Ceiling fans provide light and additional comfort in the summer months. Iron wall sconces supply additional lighting throughout. Exposed rafters with hidden fasteners were used in the ceiling. Handmade shiplap graces the walls. On the left side of the front porch, a reading area enjoys plenty of natural light from the windows. The new porch blends perfectly with the existing home much nicer front facade. There is a clear front entrance to the home, where previously guests weren’t sure where to enter. We successfully created a place for the client to enjoy with her future grandchildren that’s filled with nostalgic nods to the memories she made with her own grandmother. "We have had many people who asked us what changed on the house but did not know what we did. When we told them we put the porch on, all of them made the statement that they did not notice it was a new addition and fit into the house perfectly.” – Homeowner

Upon entering the home you notice the soaring wood architecture with floor to ceiling windows, providing incredible views to the lake. The living room is comfortable and sophisticated with plenty of seating for a crew. Rustic wood accents along with matte black and brushed gold add character and softness to the overall space and is the thread found throughout the home. Photo: Peter G. Morneau Photography

Sean Litchfield
Great room - contemporary dark wood floor and brown floor great room idea in New York with gray walls

Aimee Mazzenga Photography
Example of a mid-sized eclectic enclosed and formal light wood floor and brown floor living room design in Chicago with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace and no tv

Kitchen - mid-sized mediterranean galley gray floor kitchen idea in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, quartz countertops, multicolored backsplash, stainless steel appliances and gray cabinets

Inspiration for a contemporary concrete floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Burlington with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island and concrete countertops

water features, water falls, stone walkway, stone stairway, seat walls, outdoor living space, landscape design
This is an example of a large mediterranean partial sun backyard stone water fountain landscape in Portland for spring.

This dramatic dining room combines elegant silk drapery with contrast lining, minimalist dining arrangement, crystal chandelier, stone fireplace, and oriental rug atop a rustic wood floor. Scenic views add to the appeal making this large dining room the perfect place to entertain. Photography: Robert Radifera Staging: Charlotte Safavi

Open great room with a large motorized door opening the space to the outdoor patio and pool area / Builder - Platinum Custom Homes / Photo by ©Thompson Photographic.com 2018 / Tate Studio Architects

Halkin Mason Photography
Inspiration for a large coastal open concept medium tone wood floor living room remodel in Other with gray walls, a stone fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and a ribbon fireplace

A simple upgrade with new materials and fixtures made this space a remodel that young children could easily grow into.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary kids' bathroom remodel in Los Angeles

The Kitchen showing its maple europly cabinetry with Caesarstone Airy Concrete countertop. Appliances by Bosch, Kitchen faucet by Grohe. Backsplash by Cle tile. Living and dining space shown in the background.

Mid-sized transitional u-shaped light wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen photo in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, stone slab backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and gray countertops

Instead of a basic doorway between the master bedroom and bath, we designed a divider wall that visually enlarges the space. ©David Lauer Photography

A small enclosed kitchen is very common in many homes such as the home that we remodeled here. Opening a wall to allow natural light to penetrate the space is a must. When budget is important the solution can be as you see in this project - the wall was opened and removed but a structural post remained and it was incorporated in the design. The blue modern flat paneled cabinets was a perfect choice to contras the very familiar gray scale color scheme but it’s still compliments it since blue is in the correct cold color spectrum. Notice the great black windows and the fantastic awning window facing the pool. The awning window is great to be able to serve the exterior sitting area near the pool. Opening the wall also allowed us to compliment the kitchen with a nice bar/island sitting area without having an actual island in the space. The best part of this kitchen is the large built-in pantry wall with a tall wine fridge and a lovely coffee area that we built in the sitting area made the kitchen expend into the breakfast nook and doubled the area that is now considered to be the kitchen.

Photo: Carolyn Reyes © 2016 Houzz
Bathroom - contemporary bathroom idea in Los Angeles

The same materials and wood-wrapped wall detail used in the bedroom are carried through to the office, which has enough room for two separate work stations. Ample shelving provides a showcase for art and books. Photo by Scott Norsworthy