These clients came to my office looking for an architect who could design their "empty nest" home that would be the focus of their soon to be extended family. A place where the kids and grand kids would want to hang out: with a pool, open family room/ kitchen, garden; but also one-story so there wouldn't be any unnecessary stairs to climb. They wanted the design to feel like "old Pasadena" with the coziness and attention to detail that the era embraced. My sensibilities led me to recall the wonderful classic mansions of San Marino, so I designed a manor house clad in trim Bluestone with a steep French slate roof and clean white entry, eave and dormer moldings that would blend organically with the future hardscape plan and thoughtfully landscaped grounds. The site was a deep, flat lot that had been half of the old Joan Crawford estate; the part that had an abandoned swimming pool and small cabana. I envisioned a pavilion filled with natural light set in a beautifully planted park with garden views from all sides. Having a one-story house allowed for tall and interesting shaped ceilings that carved into the sheer angles of the roof. The most private area of the house would be the central loggia with skylights ensconced in a deep woodwork lattice grid and would be reminiscent of the outdoor “Salas” found in early Californian homes. The family would soon gather there and enjoy warm afternoons and the wonderfully cool evening hours together. Working with interior designer Jeffrey Hitchcock, we designed an open family room/kitchen with high dark wood beamed ceilings, dormer windows for daylight, custom raised panel cabinetry, granite counters and a textured glass tile splash. Natural light and gentle breezes flow through the many French doors and windows located to accommodate not only the garden views, but the prevailing sun and wind as well. The graceful living room features a dramatic vaulted white painted wood ceiling and grand fireplace flanked by generous double hung French windows and elegant drapery. A deeply cased opening draws one into the wainscot paneled dining room that is highlighted by hand painted scenic wallpaper and a barrel vaulted ceiling. The walnut paneled library opens up to reveal the waterfall feature in the back garden. Equally picturesque and restful is the view from the rotunda in the master bedroom suite. Architect: Ward Jewell Architect, AIA Interior Design: Jeffrey Hitchcock Enterprises Contractor: Synergy General Contractors, Inc. Landscape Design: LZ Design Group, Inc. Photography: Laura Hull

Gridley+Graves Photographers
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized country single-wall brick floor and red floor eat-in kitchen idea in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, an island, beige cabinets, concrete countertops, paneled appliances and gray countertops

Larry Falke
Inspiration for a contemporary infinity pool remodel in Orange County

Karuna Passive House designed by Holst Architecture and built by Hammer & Hand. This high performance home meets the world's most demanding green building certifications. Photo by Jeremy Bittermann.

whit preston
Example of a trendy straight staircase design in Austin

Jessie Preza Photography
Large trendy multicolored two-story mixed siding house exterior photo in Jacksonville with a metal roof and a hip roof

Streeterville Residence, Jessica Lagrange Interiors LLC, Photo by Nathan Kirkman
Mid-sized transitional enclosed dark wood floor and brown floor living room photo in Chicago with no fireplace, a media wall and beige walls

AZEK Deck's Silver Oak has the aged look of teak with the rich personality of weathered wood. And, paired with white AZEK Premier Rail, it creates a warm and inviting space. All low maintenance, stain- and scratch-resistant AZEK Deck products carry a limited lifetime warranty and are designed to last beautifully. Available in 17 colors and several grain textures, AZEK Deck has a color to complement any housing exterior allowing you to personalize your backyard experience. Consider topping off your AZEK Deck with a pergola made of AZEK Trim to create a gorgeous and completely low maintenance outdoor space.

Example of a beach style master white tile brown floor bathroom design in Philadelphia with distressed cabinets, an undermount sink, white walls, white countertops and flat-panel cabinets

Example of a trendy family room library design in San Francisco with a concealed tv

MA Peterson www.mapeterson.com
Inspiration for a small transitional single-wall medium tone wood floor laundry closet remodel in Minneapolis with open cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, white walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer

Michael Glassman
Hot tub - mediterranean hot tub idea in Sacramento

Example of an eclectic l-shaped gray floor kitchen design in New York with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, white backsplash, brick backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Trying to find a quiet corner in one's house for an office can be tough, but it also can be an adventure! Reworking spaces in our homes so that they work better for our families as they grow and change is something we all need to do from time to time-- and it can give your house a new lease on life. One room that took on a new identity in this old farmhouse was the third floor attic space--a room that is much like a treehouse with its small footprint, high perch, lofty views of the landscape, and sloping ceiling. The space has been many things over the past two decades- a bedroom, a guest room, a hang-out for kids... but NOW it is the 'world headquarters' for my client's business. :) Adding all the funky touches that make it a cozy personal space made all the difference...like lots of live green plants, vintage original artwork, architectural salvage window sashes, a repurposed and repainted dresser from the 1940's, and, of course, my client's favorite photos.

Organized Living Reveal components complement freedomRail organizing systems perfectly. Components snap in to freedomRail Uprights and slide to give you full access to your belongings. Available in white and nickel at OrganizedLiving.com.

Gallery to Master Suite includes custom artwork and ample storage - Interior Architecture: HAUS | Architecture + LEVEL Interiors - Photo: Ryan Kurtz

Picture Perfect House
Inspiration for a country exterior home remodel in Chicago

Example of a large trendy light wood floor kitchen design in Boston with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartzite countertops, an island, white countertops and white cabinets

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern light wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in San Francisco with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, an island, marble countertops, white appliances and gray countertops