Offering a beautiful view through a large window into the backyard, we knew we would highlight the window and design a new kitchen layout, around that window. The former kitchen felt closed in with super dark cabinets. Along with the homeowner, our team designed a light and airy kitchen, including a new pass through to the dining room. Closed off from the kitchen before, the pass through not only allows light to flow in from the beautiful bay window in the dining room, but if offers a functional countertop used for entertaining and serving guests. Not pictured is a drop zone, located immediately when you enter from the mudroom. Drop zones are fantastic for everyday items like keys, wallets, dog gear and more. We added an additional opening to the living room, right off the kitchen as well as a wet bar strategically placed outside the ever day kitchen work zone. Wet bars are fantastic for holding entertainment dishware, barware and appetizers! We finished the space with beautiful new hardwood floors throughout the entire first floor, except the tile in the mudroom.

A striking 36-ft by 18-ft. four-season pavilion profiled in the September 2015 issue of Fine Homebuilding magazine. To read the article, go to http://www.carolinatimberworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Glass-in-the-Garden_September-2015-Fine-Homebuilding-Cover-and-article.pdf. Operable steel doors and windows. Douglas Fir and reclaimed Hemlock ceiling boards. © Carolina Timberworks

The new kitchen space was greatly enlarged by changing the location and light floods the space with the new vaulted ceiling and skylights. The patio is easily accessed for entertaining through the new french doors and the cantina window with counter to outside seating.

Jonathan Edwards
Example of a large beach style marble floor home design design with a drop-in sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, laminate countertops, blue walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer

The owners, inspired by mid-century modern architecture, hired Klopf Architecture to design an Eichler-inspired 21st-Century, energy efficient new home that would replace a dilapidated 1940s home. The home follows the gentle slope of the hillside while the overarching post-and-beam roof above provides an unchanging datum line. The changing moods of nature animate the house because of views through large glass walls at nearly every vantage point. Every square foot of the house remains close to the ground creating and adding to the sense of connection with nature. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, Geoff Campen, Angela Todorova, and Jeff Prose Structural Engineer: Alex Rood, SE, Fulcrum Engineering (now Pivot Engineering) Landscape Designer (atrium): Yoshi Chiba, Chiba's Gardening Landscape Designer (rear lawn): Aldo Sepulveda, Sepulveda Landscaping Contractor: Augie Peccei, Coast to Coast Construction Photography ©2015 Mariko Reed Location: Belmont, CA Year completed: 2015

Mariko Reed
Example of a trendy two-story mixed siding exterior home design in San Francisco

William Lesch Photography
Mid-sized trendy u-shaped porcelain tile and beige floor eat-in kitchen photo in Phoenix with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, white walls and an island

Designed by Interior Designer, A. Lantz Design, this Lake Charlevoix project was featured on the cover of Traditional Home magazine! Hop off the boat! The bar is open! A little apres (water) ski refreshment is being served! This back patio is located on the lower-level of the home and allows for the best indoor-outdoor entertaining space! These comfortable teak bar stools allow for comfort and casual conversations in swim suits. The windows easily open to allow conversations to pour in while waiting for another glass of Rose. We love the stone design in the bar and counter tops - a great mixture of warm and cool. You can't go wrong with a classic, nautical, navy and white cedar shake exterior. Oh, and the concrete tiles are heated for the cooler months. ;)

Example of a large trendy light wood floor great room design in San Francisco with white walls, a two-sided fireplace and a concrete fireplace

Dining room - contemporary dining room idea in Denver

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Our clients and their three teenage kids had outgrown the footprint of their existing home and felt they needed some space to spread out. They came in with a couple of sets of drawings from different architects that were not quite what they were looking for, so we set out to really listen and try to provide a design that would meet their objectives given what the space could offer. We started by agreeing that a bump out was the best way to go and then decided on the size and the floor plan locations of the mudroom, powder room and butler pantry which were all part of the project. We also planned for an eat-in banquette that is neatly tucked into the corner and surrounded by windows providing a lovely spot for daily meals. The kitchen itself is L-shaped with the refrigerator and range along one wall, and the new sink along the exterior wall with a large window overlooking the backyard. A large island, with seating for five, houses a prep sink and microwave. A new opening space between the kitchen and dining room includes a butler pantry/bar in one section and a large kitchen pantry in the other. Through the door to the left of the main sink is access to the new mudroom and powder room and existing attached garage. White inset cabinets, quartzite countertops, subway tile and nickel accents provide a traditional feel. The gray island is a needed contrast to the dark wood flooring. Last but not least, professional appliances provide the tools of the trade needed to make this one hardworking kitchen. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Mike Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Example of a beach style medium tone wood floor family room design in Los Angeles with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

The back patio is an entertainer's dream, with special features that allow guests to enjoy year-round comfort. The ceiling contains recessed heating panels, providing warmth in cool months, while rotating fans cool in hot months. A garage door style window enables pass through of food and drink, opening the space to the kitchen.

Oliver Irwin - Architectural - Real- Estate Photography - Spokane WA
Outdoor kitchen deck - large contemporary backyard outdoor kitchen deck idea with a roof extension

The kitchen pass-through window features a folding window that stacks on one side, a beverage faucet & sink, and a counter top bar on the outside.
Beach style kitchen photo in Los Angeles

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless galley medium tone wood floor kitchen pantry remodel in Charlotte with raised-panel cabinets, gray cabinets and wood countertops

photos by Huntwood
Inspiration for a timeless kitchen remodel in Seattle with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and stone tile backsplash

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional built-in desk dark wood floor home office remodel in Minneapolis with gray walls and no fireplace

Looking at this home today, you would never know that the project began as a poorly maintained duplex. Luckily, the homeowners saw past the worn façade and engaged our team to uncover and update the Victorian gem that lay underneath. Taking special care to preserve the historical integrity of the 100-year-old floor plan, we returned the home back to its original glory as a grand, single family home. The project included many renovations, both small and large, including the addition of a a wraparound porch to bring the façade closer to the street, a gable with custom scrollwork to accent the new front door, and a more substantial balustrade. Windows were added to bring in more light and some interior walls were removed to open up the public spaces to accommodate the family’s lifestyle. You can read more about the transformation of this home in Old House Journal: http://www.cummingsarchitects.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Old-House-Journal-Dec.-2009.pdf Photo Credit: Eric Roth