Design ideas for a mid-century modern landscaping in Los Angeles.

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.)

Designer Sarah Robertson of Studio Dearborn helped a neighbor and friend to update a “builder grade” kitchen into a personal, family space that feels luxurious and inviting. The homeowner wanted to solve a number of storage and flow problems in the kitchen, including a wasted area dedicated to a desk, too-little pantry storage, and her wish for a kitchen bar. The all white builder kitchen lacked character, and the client wanted to inject color, texture and personality into the kitchen while keeping it classic.

3" FILLER SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE SPICE PULL-OUT ACCESSORY.....NORMALLY MUST BE INSTALLED BETWEEN 2 CABS. BUT USE OF 3/4" END PANEL (BY STOVE) SOLVES PROBLEM.....9" TRAY-DIVIDER CABINET IS ALWAYS VERY USEFUL BUT SO OFTEN FORGOTTEN.....REFR. END PANEL NOT ONLY HIDES UNATTRACTIVE SIDE OF FRIDGE BUT PROVIDES SURFACE FOR GRANITE TO BUTT UP TO.....ELIMINATES OPEN SPACE FOR FOOD TO DROP THROUGH.

Nancy Neil
Small trendy powder room photo in Santa Barbara with beige walls and a pedestal sink

professional photography by Adrian Shellard
Inspiration for a scandinavian laundry room remodel in Calgary

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.)

Jacob Lilley Architects Location: Lexington, MA, USA A new garage, kids play room above and a mudroom met the need for more space. A renovated kitchen, bedroom and other living spaces created a refreshed sense of home. The strategic location of the mudroom as an intermediary connector solved problems with this 19th-century home siting seven feet above the ground with limited access to the rear yard. The connector between the garage and existing house is a stair that unifies the various levels and develops a strong connection to the yard. Photographed by: Eric Roth

Mid-sized rustic brown one-story mixed siding gable roof idea

Our traditional Palmerston shed will help you solve your most unusual household problems? Need both a shed and a pool house at the same time? We are here for you

Photo: A Darling Felicity Photography © 2015 Houzz
Example of a mid-sized country porcelain tile mudroom design in Seattle with green walls

Raleigh remodel featuring a transitional kitchen, laundry room, and bathrooms. Custom cabinetry, timeless finishes, and thoughtful layouts create spaces that are both beautiful and functional. Designed by House of Maevie, each room blends modern comfort with classic style for lasting appeal.

The room, architecture and decor did not lend itself to a place for electronic equipment. The homeowner did not want to see any black boxes within the room. So we mounted the equipment vertically behind the 75" Sony XBR TV with Flagship Triad Soundbar on a articulating arm TV mount able to be easily moved out for access and service. Subwoofer mounted in the ceiling shown upper right of TV and Triad side/rear channels not shown. All easily controlled by a Control 4 SR260 remote or Control 4 7" Touchpanel within the room. Problems solved again and again!

The Lynville Farm Bedswing made from 100 year old barn wood in Nashville, TN. Ships all over the U.S! This is not your ordinary bed swing. Have you realized that you cannot stuff enough pillows behind your back to get comfortable on the oversized bedswings? We'll, we've solved that problem. Our back has two positions - one for napping and one for sitting. All our bedswing have this feature. The Lynnville Bedswing is made from 100 year barn wood - off the family farm near Lynnville, TN . Granny would be pleased. Available at www.porchco.com/products/bed-swings/ Photo by J. Paul Moore Photography (Granny is his mother)

The daughter of an existing client relocated to Tulsa and purchased a home with a dated interior and multiple structural problems. Our work included adding a hobby room and totally renovating the utility room, master bathroom, kitchen, play room, bedrooms, two additional bathrooms and living room. One of the major structural issues that had to be addressed was the tendency of the house to flood during major rain storms. By creating a landscaped stream both in front and on the side of the house we were able to eliminate the flooding problem and provide a rather unique landscape feature. With its completion the owner could with the flick of a switch create a bubbling stream that went under a large natural stone bridge around the perimeter of the house. Once the flooding problems were solved strategically placed piers stabilized the home and allowed us to complete the balance of the renovations.

This compact DC kitchen was in dire need of space saving tricks and we used several. The kitchen features two tip-on toe kick drawers, sink tilt out, lazy susan, blind corner cabinet and custom vertical wood dividers over the frig. The original kitchen layout was L shaped because space did not allow for full depth base cabinets on the right wall. Problem solved -- we simply built cabinets that were 18" deep which still provide loads of storage as well as much needed counter top space.

Food, movies, shoes, or a mixture of all three. You can hang anything on the Organized Living Over The Door system. It's a great way to maximize space in any room and gives you easy access to the items you use most often.

Bob Schatz
Cottage white three-story exterior home photo in Burlington

This compact DC kitchen was in dire need of space saving tricks and we used several. The kitchen features two tip-on toe kick drawers, sink tilt out, lazy susan, blind corner cabinet and custom vertical wood dividers over the frig. The original kitchen layout was L shaped because space did not allow for full depth base cabinets on the right wall. Problem solved -- we simply built cabinets that were 18" deep which still provide loads of storage as well as much needed counter top space.