You can see how the family room opens to the kitchen. The peninsula on separating the two rooms is just stone. This detail really personifies open concept.

Barn doors were added to the existing family room, creating the desired theater room feel. The custom barn doors also add the perfect charm to the space and contributes to the Old World style.

Open-concept basement remodeling project designed to create comfortable entertaining and gathering spaces throughout the lower level.
Example of a large minimalist walk-out carpeted and beige floor basement design in Philadelphia with a home theater and gray walls

In this space we removed multiple walls and raised the floor in the sunken living room to create an open concept floor plan. Added a rustic mantle and shiplap to this fireplace to create a design feature.

Open concept floor plan. Painted bookcases.
Example of a large transitional open concept medium tone wood floor, brown floor and vaulted ceiling living room design in Atlanta with white walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace and no tv

This luxurious farmhouse kitchen exudes warmth and sophistication with its open-concept layout and rich detailing. A grand center island, adorned with dark paneled cabinetry and topped with gleaming marble, anchors the space, offering generous seating with rustic industrial-style bar stools. The white perimeter cabinetry, crowned with glass-front uppers and accented with brass hardware, blends classic craftsmanship with modern functionality. Overhead, trio pendant lights with metallic mesh shades cast a soft glow, highlighting the coffered ceiling’s fine detailing. Light oak floors run seamlessly throughout, adding an inviting texture. Built-in double ovens, a statement range hood, and subtle under-cabinet lighting complete this refined yet welcoming heart of the home, perfectly suited for both family gatherings and elegant entertaining.

After: A now open concept staircase that run from the dining area to the basement. originally closed off by a door.
Inspiration for a mid-sized cottage wood railing staircase remodel in Louisville

After: A now open concept staircase that run from the dining area to the basement. originally closed off by a door.
Example of a mid-sized country wood railing staircase design in Louisville

After: A now open concept staircase that run from the dining area to the basement. originally closed off by a door.
Example of a mid-sized farmhouse wood railing staircase design in Louisville

This home is located on a one acre parcel of land near the banks of the Milwaukee River in the older established subdivision of Sleepy Hollow Estates in Mequon, Wisconsin. The inspiration for this Glen Cove Residence was to bring the desired by many, contemporary and modern lifestyle of a down town loft and establish it in a neighborhood in the suburbs amongst traditional style homes. Sleepy Hollow Estates like many older established neighborhoods throughout the North shore and Westside communities of Milwaukee had great local architects such as John Randall McDonald and Russell Barr Williamson, who built contemporary master pieces amongst very traditional style homes. This created diversity in the style of homes in these neighborhoods which for the people living in them and the people just passing by, an experience of harmony and cultural lifestyle. Unfortunately today, many new neighborhood developments lack harmony and cultural lifestyle and don’t allow for homes such as this Glen Cove Residence to be built. And for that matter many of the homes built by John Randall McDonald and Russell Barr Williamson back in the 1950’s. When driving through these new developments, one would experience beautiful traditional style homes, but all the homes tend to look the same. There is no diversity in the styles of homes thus these neighborhoods lack the harmony and a cultural life style for the people who live there or what people are looking for when buying a home that reflects their lifestyle. This Glen Cove Residence is an example that a contemporary home which offers a modern lifestyle that many desires can be established amongst traditional homes while blending in with the neighborhood. Don’t be fooled by the flat roof of this home, building technology has come a long way since Frank Lloyd Wright! The roof system on this home is more energy efficient than most roof systems builders are putting on traditional homes today and it doesn’t leak! This Glen Cove Residence was built using all traditional building materials that you would see in homes being built in new developments today. There is a misconception out there that modern homes are expensive to build. That is not true! This Glen Cove Residence was built for roughly $130 per square foot which is the same price one would pay for a similar builder’s model traditional style home with the same upgrades. This Glen Cove Residence consists of three bedrooms and three and one half baths. All bedrooms are located on second floor with laundry, guest bath and a master suite. Located between the first and second floors off of the landing is an office/den space. The first floor is open concept with the kitchen, dining and living areas located at the rear of the home with expansive windows allowing a great connection to back yard area and outdoors. On the back of the home is a covered deck area allowing for outdoor entertaining without the worry of the elements. The first floor also offers a powder room, mudroom and walk-in pantry off the kitchen area. From the mudroom there is access to an attached four car tandem garage. From the first floor to the finished basement is an open stair allowing the basement area to feel as part of the house and not just a basement? The basement consists of a main living area, game area with wet bar, exercise room, kids play room with 14’ ceilings, full bathroom and mechanical room with storage closets throughout.

After: The finished open-concept kitchen
Kitchen - traditional kitchen idea in DC Metro

minimal, open 2-story, pendant lights, glass dining table, fireplace divider, leather, modern furnishings, black window frames, white walls, natural light, light wood floor, two-sided fireplace, wall of windows, glass sliders, colorful furniture, open concept

This transitional-style open concept living room features reclaimed wood beams, plenty of natural lighting, and an interior fireplace with a custom stone mantel. Custom home built by Southern Green Builders. Interior design & selections by Nest & Cot. Photography by TK Images.

This used to be a completely unfinished basement with concrete floors, cinder block walls, and exposed floor joists above. The homeowners wanted to finish the space to include a wet bar, powder room, separate play room for their daughters, bar seating for watching tv and entertaining, as well as a finished living space with a television with hidden surround sound speakers throughout the space. They also requested some unfinished spaces; one for exercise equipment, and one for HVAC, water heater, and extra storage. With those requests in mind, I designed the basement with the above required spaces, while working with the contractor on what components needed to be moved. The homeowner also loved the idea of sliding barn doors, which we were able to use as at the opening to the unfinished storage/HVAC area.

This open concept kitchen by Thompson Remodeling involved removing walls to allow open flow from the kitchen into the living and dining rooms. The star of this kitchen is the expansive island, anchored by gorgeous columns with features that include plenty of work space, built-in bookshelves, and seating for three. Perimeter cabinets are maple with a caramel, chocolate glaze finish and the island cabinetry is alder with chestnut finish. Other design details include quartz countertops and ceramic tile flooring and backsplash.

This open concept kitchen by Thompson Remodeling involved removing walls to allow open flow from the kitchen into the living and dining rooms. The star of this kitchen is the expansive island, anchored by gorgeous columns with features that include plenty of work space, built-in bookshelves, and seating for three. Perimeter cabinets are maple with a caramel, chocolate glaze finish and the island cabinetry is alder with chestnut finish. Other design details include quartz countertops and ceramic tile flooring and backsplash.

This home underwent a stunning transformation, focusing on the kitchen, back pantry and laundry room. The result? A bright, open and inviting space that meets every goal. The kitchen exudes casual elegance, designed to welcome guests while offering exceptional functionality. It’s a space where mornings begin with coffee in a setting that feels both luxurious and livable. The back pantry is a storage haven, cleverly concealing clutter and providing both style and organization. As for the laundry room, it now boasts a seamless flow, making everyday tasks effortless without the frustration of cramped cabinetry. With transitional finishes and a timeless black-and-white palette, these spaces are not just beautiful but built to remain classic for years to come.

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

Seating area of the open and spacious family room/home theatre. Blue accent wall with stylish furnishings. Lots of room for family and friends.
Inspiration for a large coastal underground medium tone wood floor basement remodel in Ottawa with blue walls