Hand hewn wood beams throughout the house provide the classical Spanish motif and structural integrity of this Spanish Hacienda in Corona del Mar, California

Tony Soluri Photography
Design ideas for a contemporary backyard landscaping with decking.

A couple wanted a weekend retreat without spending a majority of their getaway in an automobile. Therefore, a lot was purchased along the Rocky River with the vision of creating a nearby escape less than five miles away from their home. This 1,300 sf 24’ x 24’ dwelling is divided into a four square quadrant with the goal to create a variety of interior and exterior experiences while maintaining a rather small footprint. Typically, when going on a weekend retreat one has the drive time to decompress. However, without this, the goal was to create a procession from the car to the house to signify such change of context. This concept was achieved through the use of a wood slatted screen wall which must be passed through. After winding around a collection of poured concrete steps and walls one comes to a wood plank bridge and crosses over a Japanese garden leaving all the stresses of the daily world behind. The house is structured around a nine column steel frame grid, which reinforces the impression one gets of the four quadrants. The two rear quadrants intentionally house enclosed program space but once passed through, the floor plan completely opens to long views down to the mouth of the river into Lake Erie. On the second floor the four square grid is stacked with one quadrant removed for the two story living area on the first floor to capture heightened views down the river. In a move to create complete separation there is a one quadrant roof top office with surrounding roof top garden space. The rooftop office is accessed through a unique approach by exiting onto a steel grated staircase which wraps up the exterior facade of the house. This experience provides an additional retreat within their weekend getaway, and serves as the apex of the house where one can completely enjoy the views of Lake Erie disappearing over the horizon. Visually the house extends into the riverside site, but the four quadrant axis also physically extends creating a series of experiences out on the property. The Northeast kitchen quadrant extends out to become an exterior kitchen & dining space. The two-story Northwest living room quadrant extends out to a series of wrap around steps and lounge seating. A fire pit sits in this quadrant as well farther out in the lawn. A fruit and vegetable garden sits out in the Southwest quadrant in near proximity to the shed, and the entry sequence is contained within the Southeast quadrant extension. Internally and externally the whole house is organized in a simple and concise way and achieves the ultimate goal of creating many different experiences within a rationally sized footprint. Photo: Sergiu Stoian

Casey Dunn
Example of a trendy exterior home design in Houston

Mira Garden Trellis by TerraTrellis in summer edible and ornamental garden supporting a Trumpet Vine with Artichoke and Rosemary plants. TerraTrellis.com

This room needed to serve two purposes for the homeowners - a spare room for guests and a home office for work. A custom murphy bed is the ideal solution to be functional for a weekend visit them promptly put away for Monday meetings.

Photo: Margot Hartford © 2016 Houzz
Inspiration for a contemporary dining room remodel in San Francisco

Cesar Rubio
Alcove bathtub - mid-sized industrial white tile alcove bathtub idea in San Francisco with a vessel sink, flat-panel cabinets, a wall-mount toilet, white walls and yellow cabinets

photography by Rob Karosis
Mid-sized elegant screened-in front porch photo in Portland Maine with decking and a roof extension

Lincoln Barbour
Elegant mosaic tile floor bathroom photo in Portland with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets and white walls

A guest bath lavatory area by Doug Walter , Architect. Custom alder cabinetry holds a copper vessel sink. Twin sconces provide generous lighting, and are supplemented by downlights on dimmers as well. Slate floors carry through the rustic Colorado theme. Construction by Cadre Construction, cabinets fabricated by Genesis Innovations. Photography by Emily Minton Redfield

A radical remodel of a modest beach bungalow originally built in 1913 and relocated in 1920 to its current location, blocks from the ocean. The exterior of the Bay Street Residence remains true to form, preserving its inherent street presence. The interior has been fully renovated to create a streamline connection between each interior space and the rear yard. A 2-story rear addition provides a master suite and deck above while simultaneously creating a unique space below that serves as a terraced indoor dining and living area open to the outdoors. Photographer: Taiyo Watanabe

Design ideas for a contemporary raised garden bed in Vancouver.

This 3200 square foot home features a maintenance free exterior of LP Smartside, corrugated aluminum roofing, and native prairie landscaping. The design of the structure is intended to mimic the architectural lines of classic farm buildings. The outdoor living areas are as important to this home as the interior spaces; covered and exposed porches, field stone patios and an enclosed screen porch all offer expansive views of the surrounding meadow and tree line. The home’s interior combines rustic timbers and soaring spaces which would have traditionally been reserved for the barn and outbuildings, with classic finishes customarily found in the family homestead. Walls of windows and cathedral ceilings invite the outdoors in. Locally sourced reclaimed posts and beams, wide plank white oak flooring and a Door County fieldstone fireplace juxtapose with classic white cabinetry and millwork, tongue and groove wainscoting and a color palate of softened paint hues, tiles and fabrics to create a completely unique Door County homestead. Mitch Wise Design, Inc. Richard Steinberger Photography

Envisioned as a country retreat for New York based clients, this collection of buildings was designed by MossCreek to meet the clients' wishes of using historical and antique structures. Serving as a country getaway, as well as a unique home for their art treasures, this was both an enjoyable and satisfying project for MossCreek and our clients. Photo by Bjorn Wallander.

Reproduction windsor chairs complete a cozy corner in this Bucks County farmhouse. An unlikely pairing of silk velvet drapes and English tweed shades provide the rich background while a leopard ottoman presents itself as a welcome guest to the antique gate-leg table. Photography: Yelena Strokin http://www.houzz.com/pro/yelena-strokin/melangery

This beautiful custom stone cottage was tastefully designed by the architects of TS Adams Studio Architects. “Garden Cottage” is located in Highlands, North Carolina, located on a plateau in the southern Appalachian Mountains and nestled within the Nantahala National Forest. Highlands is a hidden gem of a town providing community charm, luxury mountain living and world-class golf. The unique and elegant details are evident throughout the interior and exterior of this Morgan-Keefe luxury custom home. Beautiful landscape, a slate roof, arched ceilings and shiplap walls are just a few of the features that make the Garden Cottage a work of art. J. Weiland

Example of a large transitional dark wood floor and brown floor family room design in Boston with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a concealed tv

DRM Design Group provided Landscape Architecture services for a Local Austin, Texas residence. We worked closely with Redbud Custom Homes and Tim Brown Architecture to create a custom low maintenance- low water use contemporary landscape design. This Eco friendly design has a simple and crisp look with great contrasting colors that really accentuate the existing trees. www.redbudaustin.com www.timbrownarch.com