Blau-Thompson Residence This Civil War era, 1680-square-foot three-story row house is located in the Italian Market section of Philadelphia. The BluPath Design principals and their young child were the clients. The project goal was to upgrade a traditional housing type to meet a contemporary lifestyle, applying both sustainable criteria and clean, modern yet sensual aesthetics. The challenge of the property (only 830 square feet in lot size) was to create a design that was small, but smart. The structure formerly housed a luncheonette with two apartments above. The interior was gutted and renovated into a single family home. The construction of a small rear addition added a new kitchen on the first floor and new bathrooms on the second and third levels. The east-west orientation of the home was ideal for the roof-mounted solar collectors, which were installed to provide domestic hot water and supplement the new radiant floor heating system. Exterior sensors improve the efficiency of the heating system's response to fluctuations in outside temperature. A new white-coated, rubber membrane roof reduced the structure's heat gain by 20 percent. A water catch system collects rainwater and air conditioner condensation to water the home's small rear garden. Large windows and skylights bring light deep into the row house and reduce the use of light fixtures. The rear yard garden features ipe decking (a dense, water-repellent hardwood) on permeable compacted gravel to minimize storm water runoff. BluPath Design’s principals used the project to demonstrate how sustainability can be integrated with beauty and function, with sensual materials and colors, well-proportioned and light-filled rooms, economic use of space, and thoughtful details. Cherry flooring and custom stairs complement the Indian slate tile in the kitchen and bathrooms. The kitchen features custom walnut cabinets with blue granite counters and backsplashes. The first floor dining area is illuminated by a BluPath-designed fiber-optic chandelier. Ipe hardwood is also used for the master bath tub-surround and shower floor. Sliding frosted glass panels separating the master bath from other living areas allows light from the corner windows to naturally illuminate the adjacent room. Awards Honorable Mention for Sustainability and Energy Efficiency IIDA Philadelphia City Center Chapter 3rd Annual Interior Design Awards, June 2007 Bronze 2006 Commonwealth Design Award 10,000 Friends of PA, May 2006 Media HGTV ‘What You Get for the Money’ February 2007 Philadelphia Style Magazine March/April 2007 Philadelphia Inquirer June 11, 2006 Philadelphia CityPaper September 25-October 2, 2003 Photography by Barry Halkin

Example of a minimalist home design design in Miami

The kitchen island includes details like this one along the base of the island. The blue cabinetry features a distressed finish that adds character and charm to this kitchen.

• Geometric pool featuring a raised spa with copper scuppers and tanning ledge • In-floor cleaning system • PebbleSheen in French Grey • Classic Pool Tile in Thames Earth • Ivory travertine paver deck in offset diamond pattern • Pool cabana with outdoor kitchen featuring U-Line and Asko products • Cedar pergola

Cottage home design photo in Albuquerque

Yuriy Manchick
Inspiration for a transitional bedroom remodel in Seattle

Example of a minimalist staircase design in Tampa

Flush bamboo door, six panel, vertical grain natural.
Home design - modern home design idea in San Luis Obispo

3/4" x 3/4" glass mosaic by Trend custom blend: Shining 750/754 and Vitreo 160/208
Alcove shower - small modern master black and white tile and glass tile porcelain tile alcove shower idea in Vancouver with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink and solid surface countertops

Master bathroom renovation in Westifled, NJ
Alcove bathtub - huge modern master white tile gray floor and double-sink alcove bathtub idea in New York with recessed-panel cabinets, black cabinets, white walls, white countertops and a built-in vanity

Custom Surface Solutions (www.css-tile.com) - Owner Craig Thompson (512) 430-1215. This project shows the remodel of a master bathroom with before and after pictures of the project. 32" x 16" tile was used on the walls and 32 x 8" tile on the floor. The accent and shower pan tile is flat pebble stones. The faucets are Delta.

Transitional laundry room photo in Birmingham

Joel Patterson
Inspiration for an eclectic landscaping in Santa Barbara.

Paige Nicolle Photography
Example of a minimalist hallway design in Salt Lake City

Cabinet detail. JD Urban Photography
Eat-in kitchen - large eclectic l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Boston with a double-bowl sink, beaded inset cabinets, red cabinets, laminate countertops, gray backsplash, white appliances and an island

Philip Slowiak

arch. Marco Despini
Example of a minimalist living room design in Milan