Matt Herp Photography
Inspiration for a large transitional master dark wood floor bedroom remodel in Louisville with beige walls

Inspiration for a timeless powder room remodel in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets and dark wood cabinets

The planning phase of this modern retreat was an intense collaboration that took place over the course of more than two years. While the initial design concept exceeded the clients' expectations, it also exceeded their budget beyond the point of comfort. The next several months were spent modifying the design, in attempts to lower the budget. Ultimately, the decision was made that they would hold off on the project until they could budget for the original design, rather than compromising the vision. About a year later, we repeated that same process, which resulted in the same outcome. After another year-long hiatus, we met once again. We revisited design thoughts, each of us bringing to the table new ideas and options. Each thought simply solidified the fact that the initial vision was absolutely what we all wanted to see come to fruition, and the decision was finally made to move forward. The main challenge of the site was elevation. The Southeast corner of the lot stands 5'6" above the threshold of the rear door, while the Northeast corner dropped a full 2' below the threshold of the door. The backyard was also long and narrow, sloping side-to-side and toward the house. The key to the design concept was to deftly place the project into the slope and utilize the elevation changes, without allowing them to dominate the yard, or overwhelm the senses. The unseen challenge on this project came in the form of hitting every underground issue possible. We had to relocate the sewer main, the gas line, and the electrical service; and since rock was sitting about 6" below the surface, all of these had to be chiseled through many feet of dense rock, adding to our projected timeline and budget. As you enter the space, your first stop is an outdoor living area. Smooth finished concrete, colored to match the 'Leuder' limestone coping, has a subtle saw-cut pattern aligned with the edges of the recessed fire pit. In small spaces, it is important to consider a multi-purpose approach. So, the recessed fire pit has been fitted with an aluminum cover that allows our client to set up tables and chairs for entertaining, right over the top of the fire pit. From here, it;s two steps up to the pool elevation, and the floating 'Leuder' limestone stepper pads that lead across the pool and hide the dam wall of the flush spa. The main retaining wall to the Southeast is a poured concrete wall with an integrated sheer descent waterfall into the spa. To bring in some depth and texture, a 'Brownstone' ledgestone was used to face both the dropped beam on the pool, and the raised beam of the water feature wall. The main water feature is comprised of five custom made stainless steel scuppers, supplied by a dedicated booster pump. Colored concrete stepper pads lead to the 'Ipe' wood deck at the far end of the pool. The placement of this wood deck allowed us to minimize our use of retaining walls on the Northeast end of the yard, since it drops off over three feet below the elevation of the pool beam. One of the most unique features on this project has to be the structure over the dining area. With a unique combination of steel and wood, the clean modern aesthetic of this structure creates a visual stamp in the space that standard structure could not accomplish. 4" steel posts, painted charcoal grey, are set on an angle, 4' into the bedrock, to anchor the structure. Steel I-beams painted in green-yellow color--aptly called "frolic"--act as the base to the hefty cedar rafters of the roof structure, which has a slight pitch toward the rear. A hidden gutter on the back of the roof sends water down a copper rain chain, and into the drainage system. The backdrop for both this dining area , as well as the living area, is the horizontal screen panel, created with alternating sizes of cedar planks, stained to a calm hue of dove grey.

Our poster project for The Three P's, this small midcentury home south of campus has great bones but lacked vibrancy - a je ne sais quoi that the clients were searching to savoir once and for all. SYI worked with them to nail down a design direction and furniture plan, and they decided to invest in the big-impact items first: built-ins and lighting and a fresh paint job that included a beautiful deep blue-green line around the windows. The vintage rug was an Etsy score at an awesome price, but only after the client spent months scouring options and sources online that matched the vision and dimensions of the plan. A good year later, the West Elm sofa went on sale, so the client took advantage; some time after that, they painted the kitchen, created the drop zone / bench area, and rounded out the room with occasional tables and accessories. Their lesson: in patience, and details, there is beauty. Photography by Gina Rogers Photography

Example of a cottage gray floor sunroom design in Austin with a standard ceiling

Photo by Amy Bartlam
Example of a small eclectic galley multicolored floor and cement tile floor kitchen design in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, no island, a farmhouse sink, green cabinets, multicolored backsplash, white appliances and white countertops

This playful powder room features a floating white console and Scalamandre’s Zebra wallpaper in black and gold.
Example of a mid-sized trendy kids' bathroom design in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, multicolored walls, an integrated sink and white countertops

To create a welcoming gathering space and a stronger connection the outdoors, the kitchen was reconfigured and opened up to the front entry of the home. To improve traffic flow, an additional doorway to the adjacent family room was added.

Bedroom - coastal bedroom idea in Charleston

photography by Joe Dodd
Inspiration for a contemporary landscaping in San Francisco.

Location: Austin, Texas, United States 5,400 sf house in the Texas Hill Country outside Austin. The house sits that the start of a narrow ravine that opens up to views of the hills to the north. The entry and approach to the house is purposely modest and the house reveals itself as one enters. The great room features 10' tall sliding glass doors and a 14' high ceiling. James Bruce Photography

Upper East Side Duplex contractor: Mullins Interiors photography by Patrick Cline
Mid-sized transitional enclosed dark wood floor and brown floor family room photo in New York with white walls, a media wall and no fireplace

Rustic modern integrated industrial kitchen design is detailed with "V" groove subway tile, pipe framed open wood shelved, multiple burner range, San Vincete Quartz countertops, Boos butcher block island and all highlighted with recessed and adjustable retro lighting. Buras Photography #wood #lighting #kitchendesign #subwaytile #quartzcountertops #kitchendesigns #butchersblock #blockisland #boo #range #pipes #recess #integrated #detailed #framed #burner #highlight

Reagen Taylor Photography
Bathroom - contemporary kids' gray floor bathroom idea in Houston with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, multicolored walls and an undermount sink

Inspiration for a rustic gray floor single front door remodel with white walls and a medium wood front door

Small entry garden and patio space at Northwest beach house.
Photo of a modern landscaping in Seattle.

Kim Grant, Architect; Elizabeth Barkett, Interior Designer - Ross Thiele & Sons Ltd.; Gail Owens, Photographer
Open concept kitchen - coastal galley medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen idea in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and marble countertops

Mid-sized beach style medium tone wood floor kitchen/dining room combo photo in Boston with white walls and no fireplace

Pool - traditional backyard rectangular pool idea in New York