A home on top of a hill with amazing lake views provide the perfect setting for a beautiful "mountain mine" inspired pool with multiple ways to interact with - this active family will never be bored! There is an antique ore cart and rail system that seems to appear from an old mine and gives the homeowner a unique iced-beverage cart. There are boulder steps that lead up to another "mine" entrance that is actually the entrance to the underground slide. This view shows the flagstone beach entry into the pool and the underground slide exit into the pool. In the background you can see the swim-through grotto and natural boulder waterfall with a 14' diving ledge. Hand cut native stone with boulders integrated into the stone retaining wall provides additional patio space with a fire pit above the pool. Landscape/Pool design and construction by Kelly Caviness and Caviness Landscape Design, Inc. Photography by KO Rinearson

Inspiration for a mid-sized scandinavian single-wall light wood floor, beige floor and exposed beam eat-in kitchen remodel in Toronto with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

The extended bar area of this large great room kitchen provides separate functional entertainment space for guests to relax and interact with the chef during party preparation.

Steve Lerum
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary one-car garage workshop remodel in Orange County

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2015 Houzz

Previously cut off, the living room is now provided an open floor plan that more directly interacts with the kitchen.
Trendy living room photo in Seattle

Aria Bethards
Kids' room - contemporary kids' room idea in Salt Lake City

Leather and brass hardware on the sliding doors provide a more tactile experience to those interacting within the addition.
Home design - small coastal home design idea in Austin

THE SETUP Client Background: Our clients, a couple who have transitioned into the empty nest phase, have cherished their home for over three decades without undergoing any significant renovations. With a newfound desire to adapt their living space to better suit their current lifestyle, they’ve embarked on a journey to reimagine their kitchen — the heart of their home. Their aspiration is to cultivate a serene, neutral-toned sanctuary on the first floor that seamlessly merges with their family room, ensuring a harmonious and inviting environment. Design Inspiration: The renovation is inspired by the couple’s penchant for soft, calming neutrals, using their cherished family room and the kitchen’s existing tile flooring as the cornerstone for the color scheme. This approach aims to foster a sense of warmth and tranquility throughout. Design Objectives: Harmonize the kitchen with the family room by adopting a soothing, neutral color scheme, ensuring a seamless flow across the first floor. Enhance kitchen functionality with thoughtfully designed cabinetry, providing a designated place for every item and maximizing storage efficiency. Cultivate an inviting and comfortable atmosphere that reflects the homeowners’ desire for a calm and relaxing space. Design Challenges: The homeowners wish to retain the existing kitchen tile flooring and integrate it into a refreshed, modern design. Accommodating a dining area spacious enough for family visits without compromising the kitchen’s open feel or functional layout. Despite liking the current placement of plumbing and appliances, the homeowners aspire for a more open floor plan to facilitate better movement and interaction. The need to amplify natural light in the kitchen, especially around the sink area, where existing lighting is insufficient. Preserving the half-wall between the kitchen and family room, a feature the homeowners want to keep, while ensuring it complements the new design. THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: By choosing a neutral color palette that complements the existing tile, the design unifies the kitchen with the adjacent spaces. The tile’s grout was cleaned and restored, enhancing the floor’s appearance and integrating it seamlessly with the new kitchen aesthetic. The inclusion of a larger island with seating for two, alongside maintaining a substantial dining table, was achieved by optimizing the spatial layout. This allowed for a sociable yet functional kitchen, accommodating large family gatherings without feeling crowded. Minor adjustments to the kitchen’s layout maintained the preferred locations for plumbing and appliances while introducing an ‘open’ design concept. Strategic modifications, such as angling the pantry wall, improved the flow and accessibility within the space. Replacing the garden window with a broader, standard window significantly increased natural light, transforming the sink area into a bright, welcoming space with enhanced views of the outdoors. The decision to keep the half-wall was ingeniously leveraged to define the dining area while maintaining an open connection to the family room. This feature not only serves as a visual separator but also ties the two spaces together through the shared color scheme and design elements. The homeowners are thrilled with their newly remodeled kitchen, which has become a hub of warmth and hospitality. Hosting a wedding shower and a birthday party, they have shared their renewed space with friends and family, who have been equally enamored. This remodel has not only met their functional and aesthetic desires but has also enriched their home with a fresh sense of serenity and joy. The upstairs part of the home is shaping up nicely. Here’s their newly remodeled primary bathroom.

Custom outdoor kitchen with teak wood, waterfall concrete countertop and cement tiles. Bluestone pavers and Mexican Beach Pebble ground cover.
Inspiration for a small contemporary backyard stone patio kitchen remodel in San Diego with no cover

A beautiful stone fireplace provides additional ambiance during colder months. A seating area provides the perfect spot for social interactions. Photo: Gregg Willett

A home on top of a hill with amazing lake views provide the perfect setting for a beautiful "mountain mine" inspired pool with multiple ways to interact with - this active family will never be bored! There is an antique ore cart and rail system that seems to appear from an old mine and gives the homeowner a unique iced-beverage cart. There are boulder steps that lead up to another "mine" entrance that is actually the entrance to the underground slide. This view shows the slide exit into the pool. In the background you can see the swim-through grotto and natural boulder waterfall with a 14' diving ledge. Hand cut native stone with boulders integrated into the stone retaining wall provides additional patio space with a fire pit above the pool. Landscape/Pool design and construction by Kelly Caviness and Caviness Landscape Design, Inc. Photography by KO Rinearson

This open-concept Family Game Room overflows from the spacious kitchen area, providing ample space for guests to interact and enjoy.
Example of a classic family room design in Dallas

Modern kitchen with a combination of laminate and walnut cabinet faces and engineered porcelain countertops. All doors and appliances are accessed through touch latch interaction providing a clean handless design.

Modern kitchen with a combination of laminate and walnut cabinet faces and engineered porcelain countertops. All doors and appliances are accessed through touch latch interaction providing a clean handless design.

Modern kitchen with a combination of laminate and walnut cabinet faces and engineered porcelain countertops. All doors and appliances are accessed through touch latch interaction providing a clean handless design.

When plants and fish are added, the whole yard is brought to life. Koi and certain species of goldfish are very interactive; the ideal low-maintenance pet! They can provide hours of visual entertainment for family and guests. Design & Installation: TBO's Green Landscape Systems

A home on top of a hill with amazing lake views provide the perfect setting for a beautiful "mountain mine" inspired pool with multiple ways to interact with - this active family will never be bored! There is an antique ore cart and rail system that seems to appear from an old mine and gives the homeowner a unique iced-beverage cart. There are boulder steps that lead up to another "mine" entrance that is actually the entrance to the underground slide. This view shows the slide exit into the pool. In the background you can see the swim-through grotto and natural boulder waterfall with a 14' diving ledge. Hand cut native stone with boulders integrated into the stone retaining wall provides additional patio space with a fire pit above the pool. Landscape/Pool design and construction by Kelly Caviness and Caviness Landscape Design, Inc. Photography by KO Rinearson

Design ideas for a modern landscaping in San Francisco.