The 800 square-foot guest cottage is located on the footprint of a slightly smaller original cottage that was built three generations ago. With a failing structural system, the existing cottage had a very low sloping roof, did not provide for a lot of natural light and was not energy efficient. Utilizing high performing windows, doors and insulation, a total transformation of the structure occurred. A combination of clapboard and shingle siding, with standout touches of modern elegance, welcomes guests to their cozy retreat. The cottage consists of the main living area, a small galley style kitchen, master bedroom, bathroom and sleeping loft above. The loft construction was a timber frame system utilizing recycled timbers from the Balsams Resort in northern New Hampshire. The stones for the front steps and hearth of the fireplace came from the existing cottage’s granite chimney. Stylistically, the design is a mix of both a “Cottage” style of architecture with some clean and simple “Tech” style features, such as the air-craft cable and metal railing system. The color red was used as a highlight feature, accentuated on the shed dormer window exterior frames, the vintage looking range, the sliding doors and other interior elements. Photographer: John Hession

Living room - large contemporary formal dark wood floor living room idea in San Francisco with white walls and a two-sided fireplace

Cella Architecture - Erich Karp, AIA Laurelhurst Portland, OR This new Tudor Revival styled home, situated in Portland’s Laurelhurst area, was designed to blend with one of the city’s distinctive old neighborhoods. While there are a variety of existing house styles along the nearby streets, the Tudor Revival style with its characteristic steeply pitched roof lines, arched doorways, and heavy chimneys occurs throughout the neighborhood and was the ideal style choice for the new home. The house was conceived with a steeply pitched asymmetric gable facing the street with the longer rake sweeping down in a gentle arc to stop near the entry. The front door is sheltered by a gracefully arched canopy supported by twin wooden corbels. Additional details such as the stuccoed walls with their decorative banding that wraps the house or the flare of the stucco hood over the second floor windows or the use of unique materials such as the Old Carolina brick window sills and entry porch paving add to the character of the house. But while the form and details for the home are drawn from styles of the last century, the home is certainly of this era with noticeably cleaner lines, details, and configuration than would occur in older variants of the style.

Freestanding bathtub - modern master gray floor freestanding bathtub idea in Toronto with white walls and a hinged shower door

Lagoon-side property in the Bel Marin Keys, Novato, CA. Entertaining and enjoying the views were a primary design goal for this project along with replacing the lawn with CA native and low water plants and a total renovation. The project includes a large camaru deck with built-in seating. The concrete steps and pavers lead down to the water's edge. I included a sunken patio on one side and a beautiful Buddha statue on the other, surrounded by succulents and other low-water, contemporary plantings. I also used Dymondia ground cover to create a natural pathways within the garden. Photo: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design. Design Eileen Kelly

Photography by Laura Moss
Eat-in kitchen - coastal l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in New York with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, paneled appliances, granite countertops, beige walls and an island

Cabana with Murphy beds down. Photography by Lucas Henning.
Example of a small trendy guest concrete floor and gray floor bedroom design in Seattle with brown walls

Large mountain style l-shaped travertine floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen photo in Denver with recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash and matchstick tile backsplash

Michael J. Lee Photography
Kitchen - coastal kitchen idea in Boston with a double-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, beige backsplash, paneled appliances and gray walls

©2012 stockstudiophotography.com Built by Moore Construction, Inc.
Example of a large arts and crafts brown three-story wood exterior home design in Burlington with a hip roof

Steel and glass house railing by Keuka Studios, inc.
Example of a minimalist staircase design in New York

Brian Thomas Jones
Inspiration for a contemporary backyard stone patio remodel in Los Angeles with a fire pit and no cover

10x12 Studio Shed home office - Lifestyle Interior plus our added height option. The standard height of most models is 8'6" but you can choose to add 1 or even 2 extra feet of ceiling height. Our small kit "Pinyon" sits perpendicular to the office, holding garden tools and other supplies in a 4x8 footprint. The concrete pad, which extends to serve as the interior floor as well, was poured and stained by the home owner once the design phase of his project was complete.

Modern kitchen with rift-cut white oak cabinetry and a natural stone island.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary light wood floor and beige floor kitchen remodel in Minneapolis with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, beige backsplash, quartz backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and beige countertops

View from the home's entry area to the street.
This is an example of a traditional shade landscaping in San Francisco for spring.

Photos by Valerie Wilcox
Enclosed kitchen - mid-sized traditional u-shaped medium tone wood floor enclosed kitchen idea in Toronto with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, shaker cabinets, marble countertops, multicolored backsplash, stone tile backsplash and an island

Richard Leo Johnson Wall & Trim Color: Sherwin Williams - Extra White 7006 Chairs: CR Laine - Brooklyn Swivel Chair w/ Lenno-Indigo linen fabric Pillows: Schumacher, Miles Reed - Celadon Side Table: Farmhouse Pottery, Vermont Wood Stump - 18" White Coffee Table: Vintage Seagrass Rug & Runner: Design Materials Inc., Hilo w/ basket-weave linen trim in Mocha Ladder: Asher + Rye, TineKHome Throw Blanket: Asher + Rye, Distant Echo

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard patio remodel in Melbourne with decking, a pergola and a bbq area

The owners acquired an adjacent property and called on our firm and a team of consultants to join the properties into one seamless private park like setting complete with a Pool Pavilion and Pool. A study of light and space, The Pavilion offers different experiences at different times of the day. The optimum display of light and transparency occurs at dusk. At that hour, one can catch the reflections in the pool and the glowing of this small jewel within in the landscape. Amenities include an air conditioned lounging area with TV and kitchen/bar, a laundry and changing room, a private bathroom with shower, an additional outdoor shower and a full basement for storage of pool toys and equipment. The contemporary approach combines rich woods, stainless steel, and concrete with marble, glass tile and natural stones. Cedar shingles, a nod to the main house, recede into the landscape while the soaring glass windows and doors flood the space with light and views back into the landscape. The building also features a bead board ceiling and exposed structure. This blend of materials yields a sophisticated modern design that is calm and cheerful while providing conditioned entertaining space for the Owner’s family and friends. The client gushes “I feel like I am transported-- on vacation-- every time I open the doors and enter the space.” Robert Glasgow Photography