Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen remodel in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and solid surface countertops

I am so excited to finally share my Spring 2018 One Room Challenge! For those of you who don't know me, I'm Natasha Habermann. I am a full-time interior designer and blogger living in North Salem, NY. Last Fall, I participated as a guest in the Fall 2017 ORC and was selected by Sophie Dow, editor in chief of House Beautiful to participate as a featured designer in the Spring 2018 ORC. I've religiously followed the ORC for years, so being selected as a featured designer was a tremendous honor.

Home office - transitional freestanding desk dark wood floor home office idea in New York with gray walls

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

Two-Tone Coastal Kitchen with Blue Island and Brass Pendants. A custom two-tone kitchen with wood accents in a Ponte Vedra Beach new build by 2 Chicks Design Co. A mid-tone blue island with quartz counter, brass pendants and faucets, accent beam separating the eat-in dining area, and a dramatic hood anchor an open kitchen, dining and family area designed for entertaining. Tags: Transitional Kitchen, Coastal Kitchen, Blue Kitchen Island, Two-Tone Kitchen, Brass Pendant, Open Kitchen, Beam Ceiling

This expansive Victorian had tremendous historic charm but hadn’t seen a kitchen renovation since the 1950s. The homeowners wanted to take advantage of their views of the backyard and raised the roof and pushed the kitchen into the back of the house, where expansive windows could allow southern light into the kitchen all day. A warm historic gray/beige was chosen for the cabinetry, which was contrasted with character oak cabinetry on the appliance wall and bar in a modern chevron detail. Kitchen Design: Sarah Robertson, Studio Dearborn Architect: Ned Stoll, Interior finishes Tami Wassong Interiors

Ronnie Bruce Photography Bellweather Construction, LLC is a trained and certified remodeling and home improvement general contractor that specializes in period-appropriate renovations and energy efficiency improvements. Bellweather's managing partner, William Giesey, has over 20 years of experience providing construction management and design services for high-quality home renovations in Philadelphia and its Main Line suburbs. Will is a BPI-certified building analyst, NARI-certified kitchen and bath remodeler, and active member of his local NARI chapter. He is the acting chairman of a local historical commission and has participated in award-winning restoration and historic preservation projects. His work has been showcased on home tours and featured in magazines.

The Island Prep area features a snow white Krion countertop with integrated Krion sinks. An integrated Miele Dishwasher, and a four compartment trash / recycle drawer operating with a touch servo for when your hands are wet or full. The 80mm thick raised walnut top provides a nice "stand up" area to allow guests to gather and participate in the preparation of food, whilst adding another dimensional element and texture to the space.

Bedroom - transitional master bedroom idea in Austin with beige walls

The design promotes healthy lifestyles by providing primary living on one floor, no materials containing volatile organic compounds, energy recovery ventilation systems, radon elimination systems, extension of interior spaces into the natural environment of the site, strong and direct physical and visual connections to nature, daylighting techniques providing occupants full integration into a natural, endogenous circadian rhythm. Incorporation¬¬¬ of daylighting with clerestories and solar tubes reduce daytime lighting requirements. Ground source geothermal heat pumps and superior-to-code insulation ensure minimal space-conditioning costs. Corten steel siding and concrete foundation walls satisfy client requirements for low maintenance and durability. All lighting fixtures are LEDs.

The challenge of merging contemporary design with a classic traditional interior is emblematic of the vitality experienced in the evolution of Philadelphia’s urban fabric. The design of this Center City apartment engages a rich discourse between the new and the existing, focusing on areas of the residence that contradicted the new owners’ aesthetic and lifestyle. The elevator opens to the center of the spacious living area that includes the foyer, kitchen and living room. The serene, geometric character of the foyer enhances the sense of arrival – offering a moment to contemplate the owners’ art, the interplay of the old and the new, and the subtleties of light. The kitchen, while fully functional, willingly and quietly participates in the composition. Symmetry and asymmetry are seamlessly woven. The depth and endurance of daily experiences are the ingredients that transform architecture into a vital framework for living. As it relates to a home, the framework requires a resonate balance of comfort and drama, achieved here with a cast of dynamic materials and details that subtly collaborate in simple composition. Barry Halkin and Todd Mason Photography

Photo: Hoi Ning Wong © 2014 Houzz
Photo of a mid-century modern landscaping in San Francisco.

A large island with a waterfall countertop provides work space for multiple cooks and seating for the grandchildren.
Example of a large transitional porcelain tile and beige floor eat-in kitchen design in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Paul Dyer
Great room - contemporary concrete floor great room idea in San Francisco with gray walls

Photo: Claire Esparros for Homepolish
Home yoga studio - home yoga studio idea in New York

Eat-in kitchen - large southwestern l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Albuquerque with flat-panel cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island, an undermount sink, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash and subway tile backsplash

Photo: Hoi Ning Wong © 2014 Houzz
Design ideas for a mid-century modern landscaping in San Francisco.

Ronnie Bruce Photography Bellweather Construction, LLC is a trained and certified remodeling and home improvement general contractor that specializes in period-appropriate renovations and energy efficiency improvements. Bellweather's managing partner, William Giesey, has over 20 years of experience providing construction management and design services for high-quality home renovations in Philadelphia and its Main Line suburbs. Will is a BPI-certified building analyst, NARI-certified kitchen and bath remodeler, and active member of his local NARI chapter. He is the acting chairman of a local historical commission and has participated in award-winning restoration and historic preservation projects. His work has been showcased on home tours and featured in magazines.

This Family Room is designed for quality family time with plenty of function. A full wall of JWH Custom Cabinetry created balance and symmetry around the existing fireplace. The storage and display cabinets, wall panels, and built-in desk transformed this space. Space planning and cabinetry: Jennifer Howard, JWH Cabinet Installation: JWH Construction Management Photography: Tim Lenz.