The challenge with this project was to transform a very traditional house into something more modern and suited to the lifestyle of a young couple just starting a new family. We achieved this by lightening the overall color palette with soft grays and neutrals. Then we replaced the traditional dark colored wood and tile flooring with lighter wide plank hardwood and stone floors. Next we redesigned the kitchen into a more workable open plan and used top of the line professional level appliances and light pigmented oil stained oak cabinetry. Finally we painted the heavily carved stained wood moldings and library and den cabinetry with a fresh coat of soft pale light reflecting gloss paint. Photographer: James Koch

A new second story was added with a home office/ loft space. The new structural ceiling beams were all exposed and painted. The room is lined with custom bookshelves that have uplighting hidden behind the crown. The railing is a custom design in painted wood. Photo by Lee Manning Photography

Transitional bathroom photo in Louisville

ZeroEnergy Design (ZED) created this modern home for a progressive family in the desirable community of Lexington. Thoughtful Land Connection. The residence is carefully sited on the infill lot so as to create privacy from the road and neighbors, while cultivating a side yard that captures the southern sun. The terraced grade rises to meet the house, allowing for it to maintain a structured connection with the ground while also sitting above the high water table. The elevated outdoor living space maintains a strong connection with the indoor living space, while the stepped edge ties it back to the true ground plane. Siting and outdoor connections were completed by ZED in collaboration with landscape designer Soren Deniord Design Studio. Exterior Finishes and Solar. The exterior finish materials include a palette of shiplapped wood siding, through-colored fiber cement panels and stucco. A rooftop parapet hides the solar panels above, while a gutter and site drainage system directs rainwater into an irrigation cistern and dry wells that recharge the groundwater. Cooking, Dining, Living. Inside, the kitchen, fabricated by Henrybuilt, is located between the indoor and outdoor dining areas. The expansive south-facing sliding door opens to seamlessly connect the spaces, using a retractable awning to provide shade during the summer while still admitting the warming winter sun. The indoor living space continues from the dining areas across to the sunken living area, with a view that returns again to the outside through the corner wall of glass. Accessible Guest Suite. The design of the first level guest suite provides for both aging in place and guests who regularly visit for extended stays. The patio off the north side of the house affords guests their own private outdoor space, and privacy from the neighbor. Similarly, the second level master suite opens to an outdoor private roof deck. Light and Access. The wide open interior stair with a glass panel rail leads from the top level down to the well insulated basement. The design of the basement, used as an away/play space, addresses the need for both natural light and easy access. In addition to the open stairwell, light is admitted to the north side of the area with a high performance, Passive House (PHI) certified skylight, covering a six by sixteen foot area. On the south side, a unique roof hatch set flush with the deck opens to reveal a glass door at the base of the stairwell which provides additional light and access from the deck above down to the play space. Energy. Energy consumption is reduced by the high performance building envelope, high efficiency mechanical systems, and then offset with renewable energy. All windows and doors are made of high performance triple paned glass with thermally broken aluminum frames. The exterior wall assembly employs dense pack cellulose in the stud cavity, a continuous air barrier, and four inches exterior rigid foam insulation. The 10kW rooftop solar electric system provides clean energy production. The final air leakage testing yielded 0.6 ACH 50 - an extremely air tight house, a testament to the well-designed details, progress testing and quality construction. When compared to a new house built to code requirements, this home consumes only 19% of the energy. Architecture & Energy Consulting: ZeroEnergy Design Landscape Design: Soren Deniord Design Paintings: Bernd Haussmann Studio Photos: Eric Roth Photography

Jeffrey Lendrum / Lendrum Photography LLC
Country screened-in porch idea in Other with decking

Excuse me....this is the laundry room? OMG I could stay in here all day and do laundry.
Laundry room - traditional beige floor laundry room idea in Portland with beige cabinets and beige countertops

Mark Woods
Mid-sized trendy detached shed photo in Seattle

Large trendy master gray tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and gray floor bathroom photo in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, solid surface countertops and an integrated sink

Dan Cutrona
Bathroom - traditional bathroom idea in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet and gray walls

Mid-sized mountain style built-in desk concrete floor and gray floor home office library photo in San Francisco with brown walls

Huge transitional light wood floor and beige floor open concept kitchen photo in Houston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, an island, white countertops and medium tone wood cabinets

Light and airy guest bedroom with a soothing moss green accent wall. Styled with a custom gallery wall with black and white art, acrylic console, and DWR mantis wall sconce.

Dale Lang
Mid-sized trendy l-shaped bamboo floor open concept kitchen photo in Seattle with an island, flat-panel cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, light wood cabinets, blue backsplash and glass sheet backsplash

Small elegant ceramic tile kitchen photo in Other with white cabinets

Farmhouse style with an industrial, contemporary feel.
Mid-sized cottage master carpeted bedroom photo in San Francisco with green walls

Example of a minimalist u-shaped concrete floor, gray floor and wood ceiling kitchen design in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Merrick Ales Photography
Bedroom - contemporary master dark wood floor bedroom idea in Austin with blue walls and no fireplace

Family room library - eclectic family room library idea in Boston

OnSite Studios
Farmhouse front porch photo in Boston with decking