This highrise apartment had been designed and beautifully appointed back in the early 90’s but was desperate for an update. This Master Bath had an awkward angled shower with an enclosed toilet room that made it feel small and cramped. By eliminating the toilet room and squaring off the shower for a larger footprint, we gained physical space. The sleek modern design was enhanced by using a single large format tile type throughout. The Duravit soaking tub has a “reading shelf” built into the side of the plinth facing the toilet - necessary, yet hidden. The tub was designed to be a feature as you walk into the room – allowing the homeowner to feature a favorite piece of art.

Example of a mid-sized classic master white tile and subway tile marble floor doorless shower design in Raleigh with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray walls and an undermount sink

A couple wanted a weekend retreat without spending a majority of their getaway in an automobile. Therefore, a lot was purchased along the Rocky River with the vision of creating a nearby escape less than five miles away from their home. This 1,300 sf 24’ x 24’ dwelling is divided into a four square quadrant with the goal to create a variety of interior and exterior experiences while maintaining a rather small footprint. Typically, when going on a weekend retreat one has the drive time to decompress. However, without this, the goal was to create a procession from the car to the house to signify such change of context. This concept was achieved through the use of a wood slatted screen wall which must be passed through. After winding around a collection of poured concrete steps and walls one comes to a wood plank bridge and crosses over a Japanese garden leaving all the stresses of the daily world behind. The house is structured around a nine column steel frame grid, which reinforces the impression one gets of the four quadrants. The two rear quadrants intentionally house enclosed program space but once passed through, the floor plan completely opens to long views down to the mouth of the river into Lake Erie. On the second floor the four square grid is stacked with one quadrant removed for the two story living area on the first floor to capture heightened views down the river. In a move to create complete separation there is a one quadrant roof top office with surrounding roof top garden space. The rooftop office is accessed through a unique approach by exiting onto a steel grated staircase which wraps up the exterior facade of the house. This experience provides an additional retreat within their weekend getaway, and serves as the apex of the house where one can completely enjoy the views of Lake Erie disappearing over the horizon. Visually the house extends into the riverside site, but the four quadrant axis also physically extends creating a series of experiences out on the property. The Northeast kitchen quadrant extends out to become an exterior kitchen & dining space. The two-story Northwest living room quadrant extends out to a series of wrap around steps and lounge seating. A fire pit sits in this quadrant as well farther out in the lawn. A fruit and vegetable garden sits out in the Southwest quadrant in near proximity to the shed, and the entry sequence is contained within the Southeast quadrant extension. Internally and externally the whole house is organized in a simple and concise way and achieves the ultimate goal of creating many different experiences within a rationally sized footprint. Photo: Sergiu Stoian

The Crystal Keyline island, range-hood and accessible cooktop area are focal points, finished in Antique Ivory w/Brown Highlights, that contrast nicely with Crystal Keyline Toasted Rye w/Brown Highlights cabinetry. The Bayfield door style unifies the design. Typhoon Bordeaux granite countertops are layered in staggered heights for added visual interest. The on-set of a neuromuscular disorder was the basis for this custom kitchen and required the complete customization of this space to the specific needs of the client, as well as to his wife who does most the cooking on a daily basis. The layout was designed for the couple to be able to work together in the kitchen, or independently. An accessible prep area next to the stove allows plenty of room for multiple cooks in the kitchen. Note the placement of the microwave is not only ideal for wheelchair accessibility, but eliminates potentially dangerous overhead lifting of hot or heavy containers. Although largely dictated by the husband's need for accessibility, the universal design of this kitchen is also extremely friendly for a person of smaller stature (his wife!) The couple feels at home in this kitchen yet, it’s not obvious that someone with physical limitations utilizes this space.

Located in the Midtown East neighborhood of Turtle Bay, this project involved combining two separate units to create a duplex three bedroom apartment. The upper unit required a gut renovation to provide a new Master Bedroom suite, including the replacement of an existing Kitchen with a Master Bathroom, remodeling a second bathroom, and adding new closets and cabinetry throughout. An opening was made in the steel floor structure between the units to install a new stair. The lower unit had been renovated recently and only needed work in the Living/Dining area to accommodate the new staircase. Given the long and narrow proportion of the apartment footprint, it was important that the stair be spatially efficient while creating a focal element to unify the apartment. The stair structure takes the concept of a spine beam and splits it into two thin steel plates, which support horizontal plates recessed into the underside of the treads. The wall adjacent to the stair was clad with vertical wood slats to physically connect the two levels and define a double height space. Whitewashed oak flooring runs through both floors, with solid white oak for the stair treads and window countertops. The blackened steel stair structure contrasts with white satin lacquer finishes to the slat wall and built-in cabinetry. On the upper floor, full height electrolytic glass panels bring natural light into the stair hall from the Master Bedroom, while providing privacy when needed. archphoto.com

Location: Denver, CO, USA THE CHALLENGE: Elevate a modern residence that struggled with temperature both aesthetically and physically – the home was cold to the touch, and cold to the eye. THE SOLUTION: Natural wood finishes were added through flooring and window and door details that give the architecture a warmer aesthetic. Bold wall coverings and murals were painted throughout the space, while classic modern furniture with warm textures added the finishing touches. Dado Interior Design DAVID LAUER PHOTOGRAPHY

The Belfast Residence in Ohio is a new construction, custom modern house situated on a 150 acre farm. Panda solved the challenge of extending the intimate space of the kitchen into the expansiveness of the backyard by installing fully retractable TS.60 All Aluminum Thermally Broken Folding Door Systems. Custom designed for this space, this elegant and durable folding door system spans the entire wall of the kitchen. This door system uses cutting-edge aluminum extrusions with a polyamide bar to connect the frame together while reducing heat or cold transfer. When closed, this Bi-Fold door system provides a protective barrier that lowers u-factors, limits condensation, increases energy performance, and most of all reduces thermal conductivity. The architectural firm, Drawing Dept. designed a cantilevered roof reaching out over the pool on axis with a sunken fire pit, drawing the geometry of the house further out into the landscape. As a result, the heart of the home unrestrictedly extends toward the fire pit for optimal physical and visual connection. Impressive architectural design intertwined with Panda’s custom Bi-Fold doors can create unimaginable opportunities. No wonder this home was awarded the 2013 Merit Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Cincinnati and the 2013 Honor Award from the CDA + Cincinnati Magazine for its exterior space! Panda’s custom designed Bi-Fold Doors ensure that a homeowner can equally and cohesively enjoy their interior and exterior spaces. Views from the house and views of the house should hold equal merit. To view more of Panda’s Bi-Fold Doors, please check out our gallery http://www.panda-windows.com/products/by-type/folding-doors. Architect: Drawing Dept. Contractor: Camery Hensley Construction Photography: Ross Van Pelt

Living room - large transitional formal and open concept dark wood floor and brown floor living room idea in DC Metro with beige walls and no fireplace

Often times some of the best features cannot be seen or captured on film. That is the case with this indoor water adventure. At Shehan Luxury Pools we know that some like to swim for exercise and others like to swim for pleasure - why not offer both? Hidden just to the right of the beach entry is a "Shehan" solution: A powerful commercial Swim-Jet. The purpose of the Swim-Jet is to provide a strong endless current of water. The result is an infinite swimming distance and duration in a location where space is limited. Problem solved! Now for pleasure and fun. Hidden by design, this pool sports a fast-glide, contoured free-form speed slide. The more adventurous guests board the slide from a set of simulated rock stairs located to the left of the waterfall area. After climbing fourteen feet in elevation, riders will launch themselves down a tube of pure exhilaration. Seconds later, the swimmers are saturated with hundreds of gallons of water carrying them quickly back to the tropical lagoon where they first began; and then do it all over again. If your goals are physical fitness, aesthetics, or family pleasure, the professionals at Shehan Luxury Pools will exceed your expectation.

The spa case the clients’ chose for their Bullfrog Spa perfectly matches their new Trex Deck and Trex Railing. www.longislandhottub.com
Example of a mid-sized transitional backyard deck design with a fire pit and no cover

Inspiration for a coastal bathroom remodel in Los Angeles

Steps from Riverside Park, the existing apartment had previously not been renovated for 30 years and was in dire need of a complete overhaul. StudioLAB was presented with the challenge of re-designing the space to fit a modern family’s lifestyle today with the flexibility to adjust as they evolve into their tomorrow. The existing formal closed kitchen and dining room were combined and opened up to allow the owners to entertain in an open living environment and allow natural light to permeate throughout different exposures of the apartment. Bathrooms were gutted, enlarged and reconfigured. Central air conditioning was added with minimal ducting as to be hidden and not seem clunky. Built-in bookshelves run the length of the perimeter walls below windows, concealing radiators and providing extra valuable storage in every room. A neutral color palette, minimalist details, and refined materials create a warm, modern atmosphere. Light brown oak veneered archways as well as LED cove ceilings are used to separate programmatic spaces visually without the use of physical partitions. A charcoal stained cube built-in was designed with in the foyer to create deep storage while continuing into the kitchen to hide the built-in refrigerator and pantry visually connecting the two spaces. The family’s two children share one large bedroom in order to create a playroom in the other which can also serves as a guest room when needed. The master bedroom features a full height grey stained ash veneered wall unit that serves as the predominant clothes storage. A panel housing the TV slides to reveal more clothes storage behind. To utilize the exiting formal maid’s room behind the kitchen, a small study and powder room were created that house laundry machines as well.

What is an ADU: Accessory Dwelling Units: An accessory dwelling unit, usually just called an ADU, is a secondary housing unit on a single-family residential lot. The term “accessory dwelling unit” is a institutional-sounding name, but it’s the most commonly-used term across the country to describe this type of housing. While the full name is a mouthful, the shorthand “ADU” is better. ADUs vary in their physical form quite a bit, as there are detached ADU, attached ADU, second story ADU (above garage or work shop), addition ADU, internal ADU. IMPORTANT: There’s simply too few permitted ADUs to make a real difference in the housing stock. But, even if they aren’t going to solve all a city’s problems, they may help homeowners solve some of their problems. The most common motivation for ADU development is rental income potential, followed by the prospect of flexible living space for multigenerational households. We at FIDELITY GENERAL CONTRACTORS, providing a single point of contact to homeowners interested in this product, from conceptual stage including plans, city legwork, project managing of the construction stage including assistance with material purchase and other coordination, all the way to completion. (this project showcases a detached ADU, 400 SQ.)

A couple wanted a weekend retreat without spending a majority of their getaway in an automobile. Therefore, a lot was purchased along the Rocky River with the vision of creating a nearby escape less than five miles away from their home. This 1,300 sf 24’ x 24’ dwelling is divided into a four square quadrant with the goal to create a variety of interior and exterior experiences while maintaining a rather small footprint. Typically, when going on a weekend retreat one has the drive time to decompress. However, without this, the goal was to create a procession from the car to the house to signify such change of context. This concept was achieved through the use of a wood slatted screen wall which must be passed through. After winding around a collection of poured concrete steps and walls one comes to a wood plank bridge and crosses over a Japanese garden leaving all the stresses of the daily world behind. The house is structured around a nine column steel frame grid, which reinforces the impression one gets of the four quadrants. The two rear quadrants intentionally house enclosed program space but once passed through, the floor plan completely opens to long views down to the mouth of the river into Lake Erie. On the second floor the four square grid is stacked with one quadrant removed for the two story living area on the first floor to capture heightened views down the river. In a move to create complete separation there is a one quadrant roof top office with surrounding roof top garden space. The rooftop office is accessed through a unique approach by exiting onto a steel grated staircase which wraps up the exterior facade of the house. This experience provides an additional retreat within their weekend getaway, and serves as the apex of the house where one can completely enjoy the views of Lake Erie disappearing over the horizon. Visually the house extends into the riverside site, but the four quadrant axis also physically extends creating a series of experiences out on the property. The Northeast kitchen quadrant extends out to become an exterior kitchen & dining space. The two-story Northwest living room quadrant extends out to a series of wrap around steps and lounge seating. A fire pit sits in this quadrant as well farther out in the lawn. A fruit and vegetable garden sits out in the Southwest quadrant in near proximity to the shed, and the entry sequence is contained within the Southeast quadrant extension. Internally and externally the whole house is organized in a simple and concise way and achieves the ultimate goal of creating many different experiences within a rationally sized footprint. Photo: Sergiu Stoian

With its modern angles and superior ergonomoics, the Metris Single Hole kitchen faucet is the best faucet for your kitchen. The Metris kitchen faucet will fuel your passion in the kitchen with the distinctive, angular design featuring a unique, intuitive pull-out hand spray.

Our Oakland studio went ultra bold with the design of the guest suite at the Kips Bay Designer Showhouse. We chose the theme of a harmonious union of the physical and virtual universe through thoughtful, curated design. We used a dichromatic color theme in the bedroom to create a soothing sanctuary. Luxurious bedding, stylish fabrics, and soft velvet window treatments add a distinctive touch. In the bathroom, we added the classic black and white color theme with stylish tiles and attractive fixtures, creating a beautiful, bold contrast. The whole project emphasizes the past-meets-present-meets-future concept resulting in our most daring design yet! ---Designed by Oakland interior design studio Joy Street Design. Serving Alameda, Berkeley, Orinda, Walnut Creek, Piedmont, and San Francisco. For more about Joy Street Design, click here: https://www.joystreetdesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.joystreetdesign.com/portfolio/kips-bay-showhouse-guest-suite

The open concept Great Room includes the Kitchen, Breakfast, Dining, and Living spaces. The dining room is visually and physically separated by built-in shelves and a coffered ceiling. Windows and french doors open from this space into the adjacent Sunroom. The wood cabinets and trim detail present throughout the rest of the home are highlighted here, brightened by the many windows, with views to the lush back yard. The large island features a pull-out marble prep table for baking, and the counter is home to the grocery pass-through to the Mudroom / Butler's Pantry.

A couple wanted a weekend retreat without spending a majority of their getaway in an automobile. Therefore, a lot was purchased along the Rocky River with the vision of creating a nearby escape less than five miles away from their home. This 1,300 sf 24’ x 24’ dwelling is divided into a four square quadrant with the goal to create a variety of interior and exterior experiences while maintaining a rather small footprint. Typically, when going on a weekend retreat one has the drive time to decompress. However, without this, the goal was to create a procession from the car to the house to signify such change of context. This concept was achieved through the use of a wood slatted screen wall which must be passed through. After winding around a collection of poured concrete steps and walls one comes to a wood plank bridge and crosses over a Japanese garden leaving all the stresses of the daily world behind. The house is structured around a nine column steel frame grid, which reinforces the impression one gets of the four quadrants. The two rear quadrants intentionally house enclosed program space but once passed through, the floor plan completely opens to long views down to the mouth of the river into Lake Erie. On the second floor the four square grid is stacked with one quadrant removed for the two story living area on the first floor to capture heightened views down the river. In a move to create complete separation there is a one quadrant roof top office with surrounding roof top garden space. The rooftop office is accessed through a unique approach by exiting onto a steel grated staircase which wraps up the exterior facade of the house. This experience provides an additional retreat within their weekend getaway, and serves as the apex of the house where one can completely enjoy the views of Lake Erie disappearing over the horizon. Visually the house extends into the riverside site, but the four quadrant axis also physically extends creating a series of experiences out on the property. The Northeast kitchen quadrant extends out to become an exterior kitchen & dining space. The two-story Northwest living room quadrant extends out to a series of wrap around steps and lounge seating. A fire pit sits in this quadrant as well farther out in the lawn. A fruit and vegetable garden sits out in the Southwest quadrant in near proximity to the shed, and the entry sequence is contained within the Southeast quadrant extension. Internally and externally the whole house is organized in a simple and concise way and achieves the ultimate goal of creating many different experiences within a rationally sized footprint. Photo: Sergiu Stoian