Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Kids Room Photo by Tre Dunham
Mid-sized transitional boy dark wood floor and brown floor nursery photo in Austin with blue walls

Eichler in Marinwood - In conjunction to the porous programmatic kitchen block as a connective element, the walls along the main corridor add to the sense of bringing outside in. The fin wall adjacent to the entry has been detailed to have the siding slip past the glass, while the living, kitchen and dining room are all connected by a walnut veneer feature wall running the length of the house. This wall also echoes the lush surroundings of lucas valley as well as the original mahogany plywood panels used within eichlers. photo: scott hargis

Inspiration for a huge cottage u-shaped light wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in New York with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, white countertops and shaker cabinets

This was an incredible patio home remodel we completed in the Fall of 2013. The original interior was straight from the early 1980s. We brought the property every luxury of a 21st century kitchen - slow close drawer glides, farmhouse sink, panel-front dishwasher and refrigerator, beaded inset cabinets, island with eat-in barstools....the list goes on. Every room on the first floor was transformed with newly installed hardwood floors, crown molding, and fresh paint. The two-sided fireplace was refaced on either side as well as given brand new molding, mantles, and recessed lighting. An alder wood bookshelf was installed in the dining room. The master bath received a full-size laundry closet (in lieu of the former laundry closet which was in the kitchen where we now have a built-in and TV!). We expanded the shower to give room for a seat. The original vanity was ripped out and replaced with custom-built vanities, new lighting, mirrors, etc. Every inch of this patio home has been elevated! Interior Design by Bonnie Taylor Photo by Chad Jackson Remodeled by Scovell Wolfe and Associates, Inc.

Living room - traditional formal medium tone wood floor living room idea in Little Rock with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Filippo Ballerini www.fbshot.it
Walk-in closet - contemporary men's light wood floor walk-in closet idea in Venice

Mid-sized mid-century modern guest carpeted and gray floor bedroom photo in Los Angeles with white walls and no fireplace

William Maccollum, Art Grey Photography
Example of a trendy formal and open concept living room design in Los Angeles with a ribbon fireplace and a tv stand

Staircase - traditional wooden curved staircase idea in Detroit with painted risers

Ben Hill
Alcove shower - contemporary beige tile alcove shower idea in Houston with a vessel sink and wood countertops

Arch Studio, Inc. Architecture & Interiors 2018
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional master white tile and stone slab porcelain tile and gray floor bathroom remodel in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

Inspiration for a huge rustic formal brown floor living room remodel in Austin with white walls, a standard fireplace and a tv stand

Photo by Karen Melvin
Example of a classic formal dark wood floor living room design in Minneapolis with beige walls and a standard fireplace

Roger Wade Studio
Inspiration for a rustic entryway remodel in Other

Dan Cutrona Photography
Family room - transitional open concept family room idea in Miami with gray walls, no fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Photography by Derek Robinson
Mid-sized transitional galley open concept kitchen photo in Dublin with recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, black appliances and an island

Cabinetry provided by A&C Kitchens Work completed by Bellweather Construction
Kitchen - large transitional l-shaped porcelain tile kitchen idea in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white backsplash, glass tile backsplash, an island, white cabinets, quartzite countertops and stainless steel appliances

Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Custom Furniture Design, AV Design, Landscape Architecture, & Art Curation by Chango & Co. Photography by Ball & Albanese