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.

Example of a mid-sized transitional girl carpeted nursery design in New York with pink walls

This fence was constructed to provide safety, security, and curb appeal to the exposed front yard of this family home situated on busy Lincoln Drive in Paradise Valley, Arizona. The fence was designed as a modular panel system utilizing solid panels parallel to the road to block traffic noise. The solid panels weave between large palo verde trees and landscaping, and are supported by welded steel mesh sections that double as trellises for bougainvillea. The landscape lighting illuminates the undersides of the tree canopies in front of dark fence panels, while smaller plants are presented as textural silhouettes before a light washed wall.

Laundry room - farmhouse medium tone wood floor and brown floor laundry room idea in Salt Lake City with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, multicolored walls and white countertops

The Sequel Corner Desk makes full use of the corner of a room. The micro-etched glass top provides a smooth work surface and the neoprene-lined multifunction drawer holds supplies, a keyboard & mouse and/or rechargeable items. The Corner Desk attaches securely to Cabinets 6014, 6015, 6016 & 6017 with steel supports located under the glass top. Wire management channels are integrated into the steel frame and the support column conceals wires, a power strip and/or a router (not included). Available in left and right-facing models, the Sequel Peninsula is perfect for a collaborative work environment with a chair on either side. The micro-etched glass top provides a smooth and durable work surface. The Peninsula attaches securely to Cabinets 6014, 6015, 6016 & 6017 with steel supports located under the glass top. Wire management channels are integrated into the steel frame and legs to keep cables organized and out of sight. Model 6018R is right-facing, 6018L is left-facing.

Need Security Bars in Vancouver or Whistler? When you think of security bars, do you think of some awkward apparatus that you attach to the outside of your window or door? Do you feel consigned to a design that turns your home or business into a prison? It doesn’t have to be that way. At Riverside Ironworks Canada Inc., we provide you with many custom options that’ll give your home style and sophistication, not an atmosphere of oppression. If you don’t want or require a standard design for your security bars, then you’ve come to the right place. We can match the style of your grilles to the exterior of your home or business. These bars will add class to your facade instead of detracting from it.

Need Security Bars in Vancouver or Whistler? When you think of security bars, do you think of some awkward apparatus that you attach to the outside of your window or door? Do you feel consigned to a design that turns your home or business into a prison? It doesn’t have to be that way. At Riverside Ironworks Canada Inc., we provide you with many custom options that’ll give your home style and sophistication, not an atmosphere of oppression. If you don’t want or require a standard design for your security bars, then you’ve come to the right place. We can match the style of your grilles to the exterior of your home or business. These bars will add class to your facade instead of detracting from it.

The PPG Pittsburgh Paints®, 2016 Paint Color of the Year Paradise Found provides a backdrop of nature-inspired color on the ceiling. The space is balanced with wood in natural tones, while Delicate White assists in creating a more passive and soothing feel. Drawn from consumers’ increasing desire for safety & security, the minimalist elements of this design theme work together to convey calming, relaxing environments.

Andy Warren Photography
Home office - traditional home office idea in Other with gray walls

This old farmhouse (ca. late 18th century) has undergone many renovations over the years. Spring Creek Design added its stamp in 2008, with a small mudroom addition and a complete interior renovation. The addition encompasses a 1st floor mudroom with extensive cabinetry and closetry. Upon entering the space from the driveway, cabinet and countertop space is provided to accommodate incoming grocery bags. Next in line are a series of “lockers” and cubbies - just right for coats, hats and book bags. Further inside is a wrap-around window seat with cedar shoe racks beneath. A stainless steel dog feeding station rounds out the amenities - all built atop a natural Vermont slate floor. On the lower level, the addition features a full bathroom and a “Dude Pod” - a compact work and play space for the resident code monkey. Outfitted with a stand-up desk and an electronic drum kit, one needs only emerge for Mountain Dew refills and familial visits. Within the existing space, we added an ensuite bathroom for the third floor bedroom. The second floor bathroom and first floor powder room were also gutted and remodeled. The master bedroom was extensively remodeled - given a vaulted ceiling and a wall of floor-to-roof built-ins accessed with a rolling ladder. An extensive, multi-level deck and screen house was added to provide outdoor living space, with secure, dry storage below. Design Criteria: - Update house with a high sustainability standard. - Provide bathroom for daughters’ third floor bedroom. - Update remaining bathrooms - Update cramped, low ceilinged master bedroom - Provide mudroom/entryway solutions. - Provide a window seating space with good visibility of back and side yards – to keep an eye on the kids at play. - Replace old deck with a updated deck/screen porch combination. - Update sitting room with a wood stove and mantle. Special Features: - Insulated Concrete Forms used for Dude Pod foundation. - Soy-based spray foam insulation used in the addition and master bedroom. - Paperstone countertops in mudroom. - Zero-VOC paints and finishes used throughout the project. - All decking and trim for the deck/screen porch is made from 100% recycled HDPE (milk jugs, soda, water bottles) - High efficiency combination washer/dryer.

Available in different fabrics and colors. All products are custom made. We chose the top-rated "Gennius Awning" for our FlexRoof. The FlexRoof is a roller-roof system, from KE Durasol Awnings, one of the best rated awning companies. The FlexRoof is more unique than traditional awnings on the market, such as retractable awnings. The FlexRoof is built onto a pergola-type frame (or mounted onto a FlexRoom) which aesthetically enhances your outdoor space and adds function as an outdoor room. The FlexRoof provides overhead protection from outdoor elements with design and innovation. Our FlexRoof can be installed together with or separately from a FlexRoom. All FlexRoofs are custom designed and are available in a variety of frame options, fabrics, and colors. Lights and/or speaker installations are optional.

Bathroom - coastal bathroom idea in Atlanta

Tasteful update to classic Henry Hill mid-century modern in the Berkeley Hills designed by Fischer Architecture in 2017. The project was featured by Curbed.com. Construction work required updating all systems to modern standards and code. Project included full master bedroom with ensuite bath, kitchen remodel, new roofing and windows, plumbing and electrical update, security system and modern technology updates. All materials were specified by the team at Fisher Architecture to provide modern equivalents to the originals. Photography: Leslie Williamson

Patio - contemporary patio idea in Phoenix with a fire pit and no cover

Reverse Shed Eichler This project is part tear-down, part remodel. The original L-shaped plan allowed the living/ dining/ kitchen wing to be completely re-built while retaining the shell of the bedroom wing virtually intact. The rebuilt entertainment wing was enlarged 50% and covered with a low-slope reverse-shed roof sloping from eleven to thirteen feet. The shed roof floats on a continuous glass clerestory with eight foot transom. Cantilevered steel frames support wood roof beams with eaves of up to ten feet. An interior glass clerestory separates the kitchen and livingroom for sound control. A wall-to-wall skylight illuminates the north wall of the kitchen/family room. New additions at the back of the house add several “sliding” wall planes, where interior walls continue past full-height windows to the exterior, complimenting the typical Eichler indoor-outdoor ceiling and floor planes. The existing bedroom wing has been re-configured on the interior, changing three small bedrooms into two larger ones, and adding a guest suite in part of the original garage. A previous den addition provided the perfect spot for a large master ensuite bath and walk-in closet. Natural materials predominate, with fir ceilings, limestone veneer fireplace walls, anigre veneer cabinets, fir sliding windows and interior doors, bamboo floors, and concrete patios and walks. Landscape design by Bernard Trainor: www.bernardtrainor.com (see “Concrete Jungle” in April 2014 edition of Dwell magazine). Microsoft Media Center installation of the Year, 2008: www.cybermanor.com/ultimate_install.html (automated shades, radiant heating system, and lights, as well as security & sound).

Master bedroom luxury awaits at this smart house. Music, TV, lights, shades, fireplace, and security systems are all controlled by a simple touchscreen.

Adriano Pecchio
Inspiration for a contemporary single-wall light wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Florence with a peninsula, stainless steel appliances, glass-front cabinets and black cabinets

Available in different fabrics and colors. All products are custom made. We chose the top-rated "Gennius Awning" for our FlexRoof. The FlexRoof is a roller-roof system, from KE Durasol Awnings, one of the best rated awning companies. The FlexRoof is more unique than traditional awnings on the market, such as retractable awnings. The FlexRoof is built onto a pergola-type frame (or mounted onto a FlexRoom) which aesthetically enhances your outdoor space and adds function as an outdoor room. The FlexRoof provides overhead protection from outdoor elements with design and innovation. Our FlexRoof can be installed together with or separately from a FlexRoom. All FlexRoofs are custom designed and are available in a variety of frame options, fabrics, and colors. Lights and/or speaker installations are optional.

Dining room - transitional dark wood floor and brown floor dining room idea in Denver with gray walls