Example of a classic patio design in New York

The front porch is a show stopper with original oak hardwood door (restained) and original hardware. The large porch provides the opportunity to decorate for the holidays.

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

This modern yet cozy front porch creates an inviting place to relax and an opportunity to visit with neighbors.
This is an example of a mid-sized mid-century modern stucco and clapboard gray front porch design in San Francisco with a hip roof, a gray roof and a roof extension.

You can't put baby in a corner if there isn't one... This table is a massive 78 inches in diameter which means it can seat up to 10 people comfortably. Since theres no corners, each of those 10 people have equal opportunity to join in on the conversation. It is made of birch, stained a subtle brown color, and sealed with Danish oil for a natural looking finish.

We love our neighbors on Main St in Downtown Rowlett. We're at home with this community over here. Our neighbors and friends at the Village of Rowlett Apartments invited us to design one of their model apartments and we couldn't have been more excited for the opportunity. Here's a peak at the space. The living room is so cozy and we LOVE how it turned out. The blue tones have been something we can't get enough of lately.

Life is too short…not to love where you live. Who wouldn’t want the opportunity to purchase a stunning, magazine-featured, mid-century modern Eichler home? This living room is the perfect place to showcase your Mid Century Modern furniture and take in the veiws of teh outside back patio space.

Beach style dining room photo in New York

Modern Italian Wall Unit Velvet Composition 111 by Artigian Mobili. Velvet is a new line of italian wall units and entertainment centers that creates flexible living areas taking into account you individual needs. Smart furniture capable of performing different functions. An abundance of units gives limitless opportunities to realize any project design and adapt to any space. Color is not a problem anymore - each unit can be ordered in ANY RAL COLOR you want! You can select from our pre-designed compositions or build your own according to your sketches and interior project. Please contact our office regarding customization of this wall unit composition. MATERIAL/CONSTRUCTION: 18 mm thick wooden particles melamine panels The lacquered structures and fronts are made of REAL POLISH SCRATCH PROOF LACQUERING, which is non toxic and non allergic products. The starting price is for the Wall Unit Composition as shown in the main picture in Gessato Canapa finish / Quercia finish / Corten finish. Dimensions: Wall Unit: W141.7" x D14.5"/19.7" x H89.4" TV Space: W70.8" x H35.4"

A small sink and cabinetry surround makes this the perfect opportunity for a wet bar or coffee bar.
Inspiration for a large timeless l-shaped dark wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Boston with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Pro-Fit® Alpine Ledgestone provides a rustic outdoor look that's easy to install. This precise, rugged Ledgestone texture provides color and shadow creation for a variety of design opportunities.

A small bathroom is given a clean, bright, and contemporary look. Storage was key to this design, so we made sure to give our clients plenty of hidden space throughout the room. We installed a full-height linen closet which, thanks to the pull-out shelves, stays conveniently tucked away as well as vanity with U-shaped drawers, perfect for storing smaller items. The shower also provides our clients with storage opportunity, with two large shower niches - one with four built-in glass shelves. For a bit of sparkle and contrast to the all-white interior, we added a copper glass tile accent to the second niche. Designed by Chi Renovation & Design who serve Chicago and it's surrounding suburbs, with an emphasis on the North Side and North Shore. You'll find their work from the Loop through Lincoln Park, Skokie, Evanston, and all of the way up to Lake Forest. For more about Chi Renovation & Design, click here: https://www.chirenovation.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.chirenovation.com/portfolio/northshore-bathroom-renovation/

An amazing customer contacted us about making sliding barn doors for their lake front cabin home. (We designed a custom Emerson Trestle Table and Bench to match the doors.) I am excited to share this space!

A mosaic tile shark from 3D Pool Tile. Color coordinated grout lines and 3D design allowes the home owner the opportunity to really transform a boring pool to something fun!

Photos by Valerie Wilcox
Inspiration for a mid-sized scandinavian 3/4 white tile and ceramic tile gray floor and ceramic tile alcove shower remodel in Toronto with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white walls, a hinged shower door and a wall-mount sink

This kitchen renovation started when the ceiling light began to flicker on and off. Realizing the age of that light fixture brought the homeowners to wonder just how long the rest of their appliances would last. The kitchen was more than fifteen years old. Remodeling the kitchen was the opportunity they needed to create the space they desperately wanted. First on the list was an area to entertain and cook, second was that is be Kid friendly for their grandchildren, and third, they wanted the kitchen to open up to their adjacent living room. All new appliances, quality Fieldstone cabinets, and new hardwood flooring throughout the first floor brought this kitchen up to speed. They liked the idea of extending the counter to create a large seating area. This turned out to be the best loved feature of their new kitchen. Working with the designer and the granite company, they made a unique “tear drop” extension of the counter for seating. The old “breakfast” table moved out! Bright, airy and beautiful- the homeowners are thrilled.

Even the smallest architectural niches present an opportunity to do something fun. This space serves as a highly purposeful entryway drop zone—the perfect spot for keys and sunglasses after a day out on the water.

Designed by Lina Meile of Closet Works As well as catering to a mudroom design, this same room housed the washer and dryer allowing the opportunity to design a cohesive look for the opposite in this room.

Since entertaining is a priority, bar stools are provided at each "island" of the galley section so the cook has plenty of opportunity to mix with guests. If having a quiet evening, the cook has a direct view of the entertainment area while cooking.