The first thing people notice about my kitchen is the gorgeous reclaimed beams on the ceiling. Ironically, they were not part of the original plans, but were added to cover up a mistake. When the final plans arrived, the architect had added a cased opening to the breakfast room and a column that would have come down at the end of the kitchen peninsula. I was adamant that the column would ruin the look of the room, so Ridgewater Homes (my builder) worked with me to add a large ceiling beam for support. They were then able to remove the column from the plans. The builder covered the structurally necessary beam with rustic reclaimed wood, then added the smaller beams across the ceiling of the kitchen to make it look planned.

Example of a trendy open concept dark wood floor living room design in Nashville with a bar, gray walls, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

The distinct spaces can be seen from this overhead view. The dining space is separated from the social space by three large containers on one side and from the fire pit by a low profile planting bed on the other side. A small grill with counter is conveniently located near the three season room. Landscape design by John Algozzini. Photo courtesy of Mike Crews Photography.

The objective was to create a warm neutral space to later customize to a specific colour palate/preference of the end user for this new construction home being built to sell. A high-end contemporary feel was requested to attract buyers in the area. An impressive kitchen that exuded high class and made an impact on guests as they entered the home, without being overbearing. The space offers an appealing open floorplan conducive to entertaining with indoor-outdoor flow. Due to the spec nature of this house, the home had to remain appealing to the builder, while keeping a broad audience of potential buyers in mind. The challenge lay in creating a unique look, with visually interesting materials and finishes, while not being so unique that potential owners couldn’t envision making it their own. The focus on key elements elevates the look, while other features blend and offer support to these striking components. As the home was built for sale, profitability was important; materials were sourced at best value, while retaining high-end appeal. Adaptations to the home’s original design plan improve flow and usability within the kitchen-greatroom. The client desired a rich dark finish. The chosen colours tie the kitchen to the rest of the home (creating unity as combination, colours and materials, is repeated throughout). Photos- Paul Grdina

Paul Bardagjy
Inspiration for a mid-sized cottage open concept and formal concrete floor living room remodel in Austin with white walls

Trendy formal living room photo in Chicago with gray walls

Inspiration for a contemporary kitchen remodel in Orange County

Trendy open concept dark wood floor living room photo in Nashville with a bar, gray walls, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Photo: Charlotte Albers © 2014 Houzz
This is an example of a traditional landscaping in Burlington.

Kat Alves Photography
Example of an urban master freestanding bathtub design in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets and white walls

Example of a beach style l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen design in San Diego with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: LOMA Studios For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

In the West, the premier private destination for world-class skiing is Yellowstone Club. The McKenna Mountain Retreat is owned by a family who loves the outdoors, whether it’s skiing the ‘Private Powder’ at YC, or fly fishing any of the nearby trout rivers. With grown children, they wanted a home that would be a place they could all gather comfortably, pursue their favorite activities together, and enjoy the beauty of their surroundings. Encircled by lodgepole pines, they also benefit for solitude without sacrificing the amenities found at the Club.

Contractor: Naikoon Contracting Ltd Photography: Ema Peter
Eat-in kitchen - large contemporary u-shaped brown floor and medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Vancouver with white cabinets, concrete countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets and gray countertops

Klopf Architecture, Arterra Landscape Architects and Henry Calvert of Calvert Ventures Designed and built a new warm, modern, Eichler-inspired, open, indoor-outdoor home on a deeper-than-usual San Mateo Highlands property where an original Eichler house had burned to the ground. The owners wanted multi-generational living and larger spaces than the original home offered, but all parties agreed that the house should respect the neighborhood and blend in stylistically with the other Eichlers. At first the Klopf team considered re-using what little was left of the original home and expanding on it. But after discussions with the owner and builder, all parties agreed that the last few remaining elements of the house were not practical to re-use, so Klopf Architecture designed a new home that pushes the Eichler approach in new directions. One disadvantage of Eichler production homes is that the house designs were not optimized for each specific lot. A new custom home offered the team a chance to start over. In this case, a longer house that opens up sideways to the south fit the lot better than the original square-ish house that used to open to the rear (west). Accordingly, the Klopf team designed an L-shaped “bar” house with a large glass wall with large sliding glass doors that faces sideways instead of to the rear like a typical Eichler. This glass wall opens to a pool and landscaped yard designed by Arterra Landscape Architects. Driving by the house, one might assume at first glance it is an Eichler because of the horizontality, the overhanging flat roof eaves, the dark gray vertical siding, and orange solid panel front door, but the house is designed for the 21st Century and is not meant to be a “Likeler.” You won't see any posts and beams in this home. Instead, the ceiling decking is a western red cedar that covers over all the beams. Like Eichlers, this cedar runs continuously from inside to out, enhancing the indoor / outdoor feeling of the house, but unlike Eichlers it conceals a cavity for lighting, wiring, and insulation. Ceilings are higher, rooms are larger and more open, the master bathroom is light-filled and more generous, with a separate tub and shower and a separate toilet compartment, and there is plenty of storage. The garage even easily fits two of today's vehicles with room to spare. A massive 49-foot by 12-foot wall of glass and the continuity of materials from inside to outside enhance the inside-outside living concept, so the owners and their guests can flow freely from house to pool deck to BBQ to pool and back. During construction in the rough framing stage, Klopf thought the front of the house appeared too tall even though the house had looked right in the design renderings (probably because the house is uphill from the street). So Klopf Architecture paid the framer to change the roofline from how we had designed it to be lower along the front, allowing the home to blend in better with the neighborhood. One project goal was for people driving up the street to pass the home without immediately noticing there is an "imposter" on this lot, and making that change was essential to achieve that goal. This 2,606 square foot, 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom Eichler-inspired new house is located in San Mateo in the heart of the Silicon Valley. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, Klara Kevane Landscape Architect: Arterra Landscape Architects Contractor: Henry Calvert of Calvert Ventures Photography ©2016 Mariko Reed Location: San Mateo, CA Year completed: 2016

A key element of this home is the utilization of space, seating, and roominess- all necessary for a wonderful getaway vacation spot. The bunk bed with a trundle, as well as the secondary bed offer a ton of slumber options. Light greens, blues, and corals outline the coastal theme that is prevalent throughout this amazing place.

Felix Sanchez
Inspiration for a large country backyard rectangular and tile pool remodel in Houston

Private residence designed by Jana Parker Lee for Wiseman & Gale Interiors. Photography by Laura Moss.
Powder room - mid-sized mediterranean ceramic tile powder room idea in Phoenix with a drop-in sink, beige walls, wood countertops and black countertops