The pantry area features some glass- fronted BODBYN upper cabinetry which holds dishes and display items, which is next to the IKEA NUTID refrigerator and convection oven, as well as additional tall cabinetry on the opposite side. After agreeing on a white kitchen design theme, William claims the hardest part of the install was getting the kitchen itself structurally ready for cabinet installation. In particular, the age of the house was a unique challenge. So, since the house was originally constructed in 1915, the walls were not exactly plumb or square, he says. Therefore, they needed to move gas and water lines, and run new electrical. He adds that they removed some very old vinyl flooring, added drywall to walls which had severe plaster damage, and added light fixtures to the ceiling. “The IKEA cabinets themselves were rather easy to install, it was just challenging to get the filler panels to fit our walls, floors, and ceilings!” he notes. Complementing the white cabinetry is Atlantic Salt KASKER quartz countertops from IKEA. “We liked the look of the quartz better than granite, and IKEA actually had the countertops on sale when we purchased the kitchen” he says. The quartz countertops are seen on the end run by the sink as well as throughout the peninsula island that features the five-burner stove and ample space for dishes while cooking. Notably, a small peninsula area was included, providing even more storage options. William also points out that he used IKEA’s cabinet lighting system for above the countertops and a row of glass front cabinets as well. “I’m very pleased with the install and the ease of controlling the lights with the remote control” he notes. For William, there is some sound advice he wants to share with future IKEA remodelers. “The first thing is to join IKEA’s Family Program — and keep all your receipts! Our kitchen install had over 250 boxes, so even after checking upon delivery, we had some damaged items. Our IKEA store gladly exchanged these items with the receipts. We also utilized IKEA’s 90-day Price Protection Program through the IKEA Family Program” he says. And, he quickly adds, to keep your eyes out for the next IKEA sales event. “We had a feeling that a kitchen sale was up coming, but made our purchases before one was actually announced. However, when the sale was announced about a month later, we took our receipts back in, and were refunded almost $3,000 for items that had been put on sale after we bought them!” William says. He adds: “I also recommend that you try to understand the installation process for an IKEA kitchen, even if you aren’t installing the kitchen yourself. A great resource is YouTube, where there are many videos from contractors walking through IKEA kitchen installations.” These approaches will save you time, money and stress – and repeated trips to IKEA as well, he concludes.

The Control/Shift House is perched on the high side of the site which takes advantage of the view to the southeast. A gradual descending path navigates the change in terrain from the street to the entry of the house. A series of low retaining walls/planter beds gather and release the earth upon the descent resulting in a fairly flat level for the house to sit on the top one third of the site. The entry axis is aligned with the celebrated stair volume and then re-centers on the actual entry axis once you approach the forecourt of the house. The initial desire was for an “H” scheme house with common entertaining spaces bridging the gap between the more private spaces. After an investigation considering the site, program, and view, a key move was made: unfold the east wing of the “H” scheme to open all rooms to the southeast view resulting in a “T” scheme. The new derivation allows for both a swim pool which is on axis with the entry and main gathering space and a lap pool which occurs on the cross axis extending along the lengthy edge of the master suite, providing direct access for morning exercise and a view of the water throughout the day. The Control/Shift House was derived from a clever way of following the “rules.” Strict HOA guidelines required very specific exterior massing restrictions which limits the lengths of unbroken elevations and promotes varying sizes of masses. The solution most often used in this neighborhood is one of addition - an aggregation of masses and program randomly attached to the inner core of the house which often results in a parasitic plan. The approach taken with the Control/Shift House was to push and pull program/massing to delineate and define the layout of the house. Massing is intentional and reiterated by the careful selection of materiality that tracks through the house. Voids and relief in the plan are a natural result of this method and allow for light and air to circulate throughout every space of the house, even into the most inner core. Photography: Charles Davis Smith

This is an example of a craftsman landscaping in Indianapolis.

Perched in the foothills of Edna Valley, this single family residence was designed to fulfill the clients’ desire for seamless indoor-outdoor living. Much of the program and architectural forms were driven by the picturesque views of Edna Valley vineyards, visible from every room in the house. Ample amounts of glazing brighten the interior of the home, while framing the classic Central California landscape. Large pocketing sliding doors disappear when open, to effortlessly blend the main interior living spaces with the outdoor patios. The stone spine wall runs from the exterior through the home, housing two different fireplaces that can be enjoyed indoors and out. Because the clients work from home, the plan was outfitted with two offices that provide bright and calm work spaces separate from the main living area. The interior of the home features a floating glass stair, a glass entry tower and two master decks outfitted with a hot tub and outdoor shower. Through working closely with the landscape architect, this rather contemporary home blends into the site to maximize the beauty of the surrounding rural area.

Example of a tuscan entryway design in Los Angeles

LEICHT, www.LeichtFL.com, www.Leicht.com, http://www.leicht.com/en-us/find-a-showroom/ Photo: Kuo-Min Lee Program: TOBIA/ H 220h oak anthracite Handles: 770.000 SensoMatic 860.413 vertical recessed handle Countertop: AP E 2 stainless steel / Silestone Sink: Artinox Faucet: Dornbracht, model: Tara Ultra Electrical Appliances: Electrolux/ Liebherr

Solid Apollo LED. In this new European inspired home, the designers wanted to create a lively living and entertainment room by installing color changing RGB LED Strip Lights in the ceiling coves created by the ceiling accent blocks. The LED Strip Light is installed facing down, to project the most light possible. The design of the LED Strip Light ensures there are no hot spots and only a seamless linear light is shown. The lights are controlled by the Glass Touch In-Wall RGB LED Controller for simple color selection and color changing pre-programmed programs.

Completed in 2011 this 4 BR, 3 1/2 bath custom home is situated on a very tight urban infill lot in Northern, Virginia. Our clients were relocating to the D.C. area from New England and wanted to retain some of the New England vernacular they were familiar with in their new home. Due to heavy zoning restrictions, stylistic CCR's and a large program of almost 7000 sf, our design response is a modern take on a traditional hipped 4-square. We intentionally kept the skin and form of the building simple in order to contain cost and allow for a higher level of interior finish. The main level employs our favorite Great Room scheme that merges cooking, eating and entertaining into one seamless space that flows onto an expansive deck overlooking the rear yard. The entry elevation welcomes guests with a traditional front porch and stone path that passes by a small rain garden. The basement accommodates a guest room, media room, exercise area, and full shop while the upper level orients 2 kid's bedrooms, a Jack-n-Jill bath and the master suite toward a territorial view of the rear yard. All of this program is housed beneath a hipped roof that minimizes the scale of the house while presenting a thoughtful appearance toward the street and neighbors.

This state-of-the-art residence in Chicago presents a timeless front facade of limestone accents, lime-washed brick and a standing seam metal roof. As the building program leads from a classic entry to the rear terrace, the materials and details open the interiors to direct natural light and highly landscaped indoor-outdoor living spaces. The formal approach transitions into an open, contemporary experience.

SDH Studio - Architecture and Design Location: Golden Beach, Florida, USA Set on a narrow radial lot in Golden Beach, the architectural intent of this home was to maximize outdoor living areas while respecting a detailed program for the interior of the home. Overlapping volumes cantilever over the landscape to create opportunities for outdoor entertaining. Project in collaboration with Oona Architecture. Argentina.

Inspiration for a transitional freestanding desk carpeted, exposed beam and vaulted ceiling study room remodel in Minneapolis with beige walls

A new Home in Leschi, Seattle, designed for a couple who enjoy cooking, entertaining and a variety of water recreation. This new home is situated in a very active neighborhood. Visual and sound features are used to create a calm, and privacy from the street, while large windows and bi - folding doors open to views of the beautiful gardens and the lake. Program includes a wine cellar with a refurbished bank - safe door, radiant floors, rain harvesting system that feeds the water feature and garden irrigation, custom designed steel staircase and other artisanal touches. to maximize the value of such prime property, the house is oriented for optimal lake views and designed to the maximum height and lot coverage allowable by code. Permitting involved obtaining a height variance, as well as a complex ECA exemption.

Example of an urban open concept medium tone wood floor family room design in Louisville with gray walls, no fireplace and a tv stand

Elegant bathroom photo in Denver

Completed in 2011 this 4 BR, 3 1/2 bath custom home is situated on a very tight urban infill lot in Northern, Virginia. Our clients were relocating to the D.C. area from New England and wanted to retain some of the New England vernacular they were familiar with in their new home. Due to heavy zoning restrictions, stylistic CCR's and a large program of almost 7000 sf, our design response is a modern take on a traditional hipped 4-square. We intentionally kept the skin and form of the building simple in order to contain cost and allow for a higher level of interior finish. The main level employs our favorite Great Room scheme that merges cooking, eating and entertaining into one seamless space that flows onto an expansive deck overlooking the rear yard. The entry elevation welcomes guests with a traditional front porch and stone path that passes by a small rain garden. The basement accommodates a guest room, media room, exercise area, and full shop while the upper level orients 2 kid's bedrooms, a Jack-n-Jill bath and the master suite toward a territorial view of the rear yard. All of this program is housed beneath a hipped roof that minimizes the scale of the house while presenting a thoughtful appearance toward the street and neighbors.

Perched in the foothills of Edna Valley, this single family residence was designed to fulfill the clients’ desire for seamless indoor-outdoor living. Much of the program and architectural forms were driven by the picturesque views of Edna Valley vineyards, visible from every room in the house. Ample amounts of glazing brighten the interior of the home, while framing the classic Central California landscape. Large pocketing sliding doors disappear when open, to effortlessly blend the main interior living spaces with the outdoor patios. The stone spine wall runs from the exterior through the home, housing two different fireplaces that can be enjoyed indoors and out. Because the clients work from home, the plan was outfitted with two offices that provide bright and calm work spaces separate from the main living area. The interior of the home features a floating glass stair, a glass entry tower and two master decks outfitted with a hot tub and outdoor shower. Through working closely with the landscape architect, this rather contemporary home blends into the site to maximize the beauty of the surrounding rural area.

LEICHT, www.leichtFL.com, www.leicht.com, http://www.leicht.com/en-us/find-a-showroom/ , Michael Schnell Program 01: AVANCE-FG / FG 120 frosty white Program 02: AVANCE-FG/FG 277 black Handle: 888.413, 777.000 Countertop: Granite, color: star galaxy, polished 6 cm or 2 cm Sink: Blanco, model: Blancoclaron Faucet: Dornbracht, model: Elio Electrical appliances: Miele/ Bosch/ Gutmann

Arianne Love is the new modular program of Fama. A model that extends the range of options that its predecessor Arianne: new measures of modules, round poufs, new module and corner tables with lift top, the new options are included in this modular addition of new finish on the seat. Furthermore, the modular Love Ariane program has several chairs that fit perfectly in any combination. Product Specifications

LEICHT, www.leichtFL.com, www.leicht.com, http://www.leicht.com/en-us/find-a-showroom/ , Michael Schnell Program 01: AVANCE-FG / FG 120 frosty white Program 02: AVANCE-FG/FG 277 black Handle: 888.413, 777.000 Countertop: Granite, color: star galaxy, polished 6 cm or 2 cm Sink: Blanco, model: Blancoclaron Faucet: Dornbracht, model: Elio Electrical appliances: Miele/ Bosch/ Gutmann