The beautiful, old barn on this Topsfield estate was at risk of being demolished. Before approaching Mathew Cummings, the homeowner had met with several architects about the structure, and they had all told her that it needed to be torn down. Thankfully, for the sake of the barn and the owner, Cummings Architects has a long and distinguished history of preserving some of the oldest timber framed homes and barns in the U.S. Once the homeowner realized that the barn was not only salvageable, but could be transformed into a new living space that was as utilitarian as it was stunning, the design ideas began flowing fast. In the end, the design came together in a way that met all the family’s needs with all the warmth and style you’d expect in such a venerable, old building. On the ground level of this 200-year old structure, a garage offers ample room for three cars, including one loaded up with kids and groceries. Just off the garage is the mudroom – a large but quaint space with an exposed wood ceiling, custom-built seat with period detailing, and a powder room. The vanity in the powder room features a vanity that was built using salvaged wood and reclaimed bluestone sourced right on the property. Original, exposed timbers frame an expansive, two-story family room that leads, through classic French doors, to a new deck adjacent to the large, open backyard. On the second floor, salvaged barn doors lead to the master suite which features a bright bedroom and bath as well as a custom walk-in closet with his and hers areas separated by a black walnut island. In the master bath, hand-beaded boards surround a claw-foot tub, the perfect place to relax after a long day. In addition, the newly restored and renovated barn features a mid-level exercise studio and a children’s playroom that connects to the main house. From a derelict relic that was slated for demolition to a warmly inviting and beautifully utilitarian living space, this barn has undergone an almost magical transformation to become a beautiful addition and asset to this stately home.

Home gym - large mediterranean gray floor home gym idea in Dallas with white walls

Photographer: Isabelle Eubanks Interiors: Modern Organic Interiors, Architect: Simpson Design Group, Builder: Milne Design and Build Art Consulting by Geremia Design

Larry Falke
Bedroom - large contemporary master bedroom idea in Orange County with white walls and no fireplace

Open shelves keep cookbooks and everyday tableware close at hand. John Wilbanks Photography
Kitchen - craftsman single-wall kitchen idea in Seattle with an undermount sink, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and shaker cabinets

Elegant white tile and subway tile brown floor alcove shower photo in Minneapolis with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door and white countertops

To obtain sources, copy and paste this link into your browser. http://carlaaston.com/designed/before-after-the-extraordinary-remodel-of-an-ordinary-custom-builder-home / Photographer, Tori Aston

Example of a classic living room design in Salt Lake City with beige walls and a tile fireplace

The living room seamlessly opens up to the kitchen. Photo credit: Open Source Architecture
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Los Angeles with white walls, a standard fireplace and a concrete fireplace

The Mazama house is located in the Methow Valley of Washington State, a secluded mountain valley on the eastern edge of the North Cascades, about 200 miles northeast of Seattle. The house has been carefully placed in a copse of trees at the easterly end of a large meadow. Two major building volumes indicate the house organization. A grounded 2-story bedroom wing anchors a raised living pavilion that is lifted off the ground by a series of exposed steel columns. Seen from the access road, the large meadow in front of the house continues right under the main living space, making the living pavilion into a kind of bridge structure spanning over the meadow grass, with the house touching the ground lightly on six steel columns. The raised floor level provides enhanced views as well as keeping the main living level well above the 3-4 feet of winter snow accumulation that is typical for the upper Methow Valley. To further emphasize the idea of lightness, the exposed wood structure of the living pavilion roof changes pitch along its length, so the roof warps upward at each end. The interior exposed wood beams appear like an unfolding fan as the roof pitch changes. The main interior bearing columns are steel with a tapered “V”-shape, recalling the lightness of a dancer. The house reflects the continuing FINNE investigation into the idea of crafted modernism, with cast bronze inserts at the front door, variegated laser-cut steel railing panels, a curvilinear cast-glass kitchen counter, waterjet-cut aluminum light fixtures, and many custom furniture pieces. The house interior has been designed to be completely integral with the exterior. The living pavilion contains more than twelve pieces of custom furniture and lighting, creating a totality of the designed environment that recalls the idea of Gesamtkunstverk, as seen in the work of Josef Hoffman and the Viennese Secessionist movement in the early 20th century. The house has been designed from the start as a sustainable structure, with 40% higher insulation values than required by code, radiant concrete slab heating, efficient natural ventilation, large amounts of natural lighting, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and locally sourced materials. Windows have high-performance LowE insulated glazing and are equipped with concealed shades. A radiant hydronic heat system with exposed concrete floors allows lower operating temperatures and higher occupant comfort levels. The concrete slabs conserve heat and provide great warmth and comfort for the feet. Deep roof overhangs, built-in shades and high operating clerestory windows are used to reduce heat gain in summer months. During the winter, the lower sun angle is able to penetrate into living spaces and passively warm the exposed concrete floor. Low VOC paints and stains have been used throughout the house. The high level of craft evident in the house reflects another key principle of sustainable design: build it well and make it last for many years! Photo by Benjamin Benschneider

Entryway - coastal entryway idea in Boston

Josh Beeman
Eat-in kitchen - traditional medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Cincinnati with an undermount sink, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and shaker cabinets

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

CUBIK Open walk in closet MADEVAL USA
Inspiration for a large modern gender-neutral ceramic tile home design remodel in Houston with flat-panel cabinets and light wood cabinets

The Family Room has very tall ceilings so white wainscoting was used to visually lower the height of the room when seated around the new gas fireplace. Clean white display accents provide contrast without too much visual clutter. John Wilbanks Photography

Example of a transitional single-wall wet bar design in Phoenix with shaker cabinets and white cabinets

Christy Bredahl
Example of a mid-sized transitional porcelain tile sunroom design in DC Metro with a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a standard ceiling

Point West at Macatawa Park J. Visser Design Insignia Homes
Inspiration for a coastal look-out carpeted and beige floor basement remodel in Grand Rapids with white walls and no fireplace

3. Modern loft in Massachusetts. Open living area and private roof deck with ample natural light. Custom fireplace with warm stone texture paired with functional seamless wall cabinets for clutter free storage. Polished concrete flooring. Durable and easy to clean. Photos by Eric Roth. Construction by Ralph S. Osmond Company. Green architecture by ZeroEnergy Design. http://www.zeroenergy.com