2 story traditional wood paneled library with classical fireplace. Cottage Style home on coveted Bluff Drive in Harbor Springs, Michigan, overlooking the Main Street and Little Traverse Bay. Architect - Stillwater Architecture, LLC Construction - Dick Collie Construction

Home office - traditional freestanding desk wall paneling home office idea in Philadelphia with blue walls

© Gavin Peters Photography. All rights reserved.
Inspiration for a mid-sized mediterranean built-in desk medium tone wood floor home office library remodel in Wichita

Photos by Emily Gilbert
Living room library - small eclectic enclosed dark wood floor and brown floor living room library idea in New York with beige walls, no fireplace and no tv

Example of a mid-sized beach style built-in desk medium tone wood floor, brown floor, coffered ceiling and wall paneling home office library design in Seattle with a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

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

Steven Dewall
Example of a large classic freestanding desk dark wood floor home office library design in Los Angeles with brown walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Will Calhoun - photo The thrust of the rooms renovation was to edit some book cases, repair an inadequate support structure over the firebox which supported a flush beam mid ceiling, install new window, door and baseboard trim, refinish the floors and repair all wall and ceiling surfaces and repaint. The effect is a unifying color scheme with a sense of flow between the rooms for easy and comfortable living for a family of four with guests.

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless enclosed living room library remodel in Dallas with brown walls

His Office - a fully wood panelled "library like" finish. Totally custom built-ins and panelling. Client's own desk and chairs.
Mid-sized beach style freestanding desk medium tone wood floor and brown floor study room photo in Seattle with brown walls

Gordon Wang © 2014
Mid-sized 1950s medium tone wood floor living room library photo in Seattle with beige walls, a standard fireplace and no tv

Elegant beige floor family room library photo in Seattle with brown walls and a standard fireplace

A bright but neutral tone permeates through the library’s American Cherry paneling, built-in cases, French doors, double-hung windows and beam ceilings with v-groove board coffers. James Merrell Photography

Mark Roskams Photography
Inspiration for a coastal carpeted and blue floor family room library remodel in Miami with beige walls, no fireplace and no tv

Elegant enclosed medium tone wood floor and brown floor family room library photo in Miami with white walls

Library with oak paneling and marble fireplace.
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless open concept medium tone wood floor living room library remodel in Boston with a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace, brown walls and no tv

photo by Nick McGinn White inset kitchen with shaker doors and beaded panels Subzero integrated refrigerator Alder island with distressed finish Library Ladder

Living room - mid-sized traditional light wood floor living room idea in Boston with beige walls

Mid-sized elegant freestanding desk travertine floor and beige floor home office library photo in Providence with green walls