Mid-sized classic stone back porch idea in Little Rock with a fire pit and a roof extension

Photography: Rett Peek
Mid-sized elegant backyard gravel patio photo in Little Rock with a pergola

Designed by KBK Interior Design KBKInteriorDesign.com Photo by Peter Rymwid
Bedroom - traditional bedroom idea in New York with green walls

Brooklyn backyard patio design in Prospect Heights for a young, professional couple who loves to both entertain and relax! This space includes a West Elm outdoor sectional and round concrete outdoor coffee table.

This modern green home offers both a vacation destination on Cape Cod near local family members and an opportunity for rental income. FAMILY ROOTS. A West Coast couple living in the San Francisco Bay Area sought a permanent East Coast vacation home near family members living on Cape Cod. As academic professionals focused on sustainability, they sought a green, energy efficient home that was well-aligned with their values. With no green homes available for sale on Cape Cod, they decided to purchase land near their family and build their own. SLOPED SITE. Comprised of a 3/4 acre lot nestled in the pines, the steeply sloping terrain called for a plan that embraced and took advantage of the slope. Of equal priority was optimizing solar exposure, preserving privacy from abutters, and creating outdoor living space. The design accomplished these goals with a simple, rectilinear form, offering living space on the both entry and lower/basement levels. The stepped foundation allows for a walk-out basement level with light-filled living space on the down-hill side of the home. The traditional basement on the eastern, up-hill side houses mechanical equipment and a home gym. The house welcomes natural light throughout, captures views of the forest, and delivers entertainment space that connects indoor living space to outdoor deck and dining patio. MODERN VISION. The clean building form and uncomplicated finishes pay homage to the modern architectural legacy on the outer Cape. Durable and economical fiber cement panels, fixed with aluminum channels, clad the primary form. Cedar clapboards provide a visual accent at the south-facing living room, which extends a single roof plane to cover the entry porch. SMART USE OF SPACE. On the entry level, the “L”-shaped living, dining, and kitchen space connects to the exterior living, dining, and grilling spaces to effectively double the home’s summertime entertainment area. Placed at the western end of the entry level (where it can retain privacy but still claim expansive downhill views) is the master suite with a built-in study. The lower level has two guest bedrooms, a second full bathroom, and laundry. The flexibility of the space—crucial in a house with a modest footprint—emerges in one of the guest bedrooms, which doubles as home office by opening the barn-style double doors to connect it to the bright, airy open stair leading up to the entry level. Thoughtful design, generous ceiling heights and large windows transform the modest 1,100 sf* footprint into a well-lit, spacious home. *(total finished space is 1800 sf) RENTAL INCOME. The property works for its owners by netting rental income when the owners are home in San Francisco. The house especially caters to vacationers bound for nearby Mayo Beach and includes an outdoor shower adjacent to the lower level entry door. In contrast to the bare bones cottages that are typically available on the Cape, this home offers prospective tenants a modern aesthetic, paired with luxurious and green features. Durable finishes inside and out will ensure longevity with the heavier use that comes with a rental property. COMFORT YEAR-ROUND. The home is super-insulated and air-tight, with mechanical ventilation to provide continuous fresh air from the outside. High performance triple-paned windows complement the building enclosure and maximize passive solar gain while ensuring a warm, draft-free winter, even when sitting close to the glass. A properly sized air source heat pump offers efficient heating & cooling, and includes a carefully designed the duct distribution system to provide even comfort throughout the house. The super-insulated envelope allows us to significantly reduce the equipment capacity, duct size, and airflow quantities, while maintaining unparalleled thermal comfort. ENERGY EFFICIENT. The building’s shell and mechanical systems play instrumental roles in the home’s exceptional performance. The building enclosure reduces the most significant energy glutton: heating. Continuous super-insulation, thorough air sealing, triple-pane windows, and passive solar gain work together to yield a miniscule heating load. All active energy consumers are extremely efficient: an air source heat pump for heating and cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation (ERV), and high efficiency appliances. The result is a home that uses 70% less energy than a similar new home built to code requirements. OVERALL. The home embodies the owners’ goals and values while comprehensively enabling thermal comfort, energy efficiency, a vacation respite, and supplementary income. PROJECT TEAM ZeroEnergy Design - Architect & Mechanical Designer A.F. Hultin & Co. - Contractor Pamet Valley Landscape Design - Landscape & Masonry Lisa Finch - Original Artwork European Architectural Supply - Windows Eric Roth Photography - Photography

Inspiration for a coastal family room remodel in Miami

The bar features an extraordinary back lit sliced geode slab. The cabinets are inset with crocodile. Photo by Sam Smeed
Inspiration for a contemporary u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor home bar remodel in Houston with beige backsplash and black countertops

This unique city-home is designed with a center entry, flanked by formal living and dining rooms on either side. An expansive gourmet kitchen / great room spans the rear of the main floor, opening onto a terraced outdoor space comprised of more than 700SF. The home also boasts an open, four-story staircase flooded with natural, southern light, as well as a lower level family room, four bedrooms (including two en-suite) on the second floor, and an additional two bedrooms and study on the third floor. A spacious, 500SF roof deck is accessible from the top of the staircase, providing additional outdoor space for play and entertainment. Due to the location and shape of the site, there is a 2-car, heated garage under the house, providing direct entry from the garage into the lower level mudroom. Two additional off-street parking spots are also provided in the covered driveway leading to the garage. Designed with family living in mind, the home has also been designed for entertaining and to embrace life's creature comforts. Pre-wired with HD Video, Audio and comprehensive low-voltage services, the home is able to accommodate and distribute any low voltage services requested by the homeowner. This home was pre-sold during construction. Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing

Photography: Rett Peek
This is an example of a traditional stone landscaping in Little Rock with a fireplace.

Committing to a kosher kitchen is quite a daunting undertaking and when you are also taking on a complete remodel, it can be overwhelming. It does not, however, have to be insurmountable. There are many resources to help guide you through the experience. Check out the internet and magazines to guide you. Once you have done the initial research, contact your Rabi with questions and for clarification on a kosher kitchen. Kosher requirements can vary differently between Orthodox, Conservatism, Ultra Orthodox and Reform Judaism. Your Rabi most likely will have a list of rules and guidelines. Also, hire a professional kitchen designer. They will not only be able to design the needs of a kosher kitchen but also make it personal to your needs and beautiful too. If the space and the budget allow, two distinct kitchens within one space is a possibility. A kosher kitchen requires stringent separation of meat and dairy items. Depending on the sect of Judaism you practice ------ Storage: The Storage areas need space for two sets of dishes, pots and pans, flatware, cups and utensils. You can combine the storage areas as long as there is a separation and that you do not mix service ware. A good recommendation is to color code your plates, flatware, table linen, pots. For example, red plates, gold-colored flatware, copper pots for meat items while dairy items have white plates, stainless flatware, stainless pots. You may want to label each area so when you have your new sister-in-law help in the kitchen; everything stays in the correct place. Appliances: When selecting appliances look for the STAR-K logo. This will help you determine to what extent an appliance is Kosher. Some ovens will have Sabbath modes where they will turn on automatically at a predetermined time. Once the oven is open, the oven turns off. Some refrigerators also have Sabbath modes where the ice maker turns off on the Sabbath and back on the following day. One refrigerator is usually sufficient provided all foods stay on the proper container in the proper section of the refrigerator. Having an immaculately clean refrigerator is a must if this is the case. You do not want spills from one food source contaminating food from the other. If you decide on two refrigerators, one can be full size while the other is smaller. A good kitchen designer can help assess your family’s needs to determine which is best for you. Dishwashers cannot be Kosher in most cases. You either need two dishwashers, separate compartment dishwashers as in dishwasher drawers or wash by hand. Look at Fisher Pikel or Kitchen Aid for dishwasher drawers. Each drawer is on separate controls. You can dedicate the top drawer for dairy while the bottom drawer is for meat service ware. If you have space and decide to have two dishwashers, you can get two 24” wide dishwashers. Another option is to have one full size dishwasher and supplement it with a small 18” wide dishwasher. Miele makes an 18” wide dishwasher that is super quiet and cleans dishes very well. You may also opt for a single dishwasher drawer in addition to a full sized dishwasher. A single Microwave oven can be used for milk and meat provided that a complete cover is used around the food. You will also need separate plastic plate’s places on the bottom or glass turn table. Keeping the unit clean is very important. Counter tops: Counter tops may or may not be able to be koshered depending on your sect. Simply having sets of trivets for dairy, meat and pareve (not meat or dairy) will provide adequate separation of foods. Sinks: If you can’t have two separate sinks, include three separate tubs to be places in the sink. Color code the tubs for meat, dairy and pareve. If you have one sink or a single divided sink, you will need to be cautious about splashing, to keep the meat and dairy particulates apart. You will also need space for separate dish cloths or sponges and dish towels. Again, color coding is extremely helpful and highly suggested. Must Haves: ~Storage space for two sets of dishes, flatware, pans bowls ~Color Code and label where appropriate ~Separate burners dedicate for either meat or dairy ~Separate clean up areas ~Clean environment to avoid contamination between meat and dairy ~A space that functions for how you cook ~A space that reflects you Design and remodel by Design Studio West Brady Architectural Photography

This custom living room unit and media center was designed to provide all that a Manhattan family needs for entertaining lots of guests or to just kick back, relax and watch some TV. The wall unit also shows off some of our favorite new material finishes with a combination of wood veneer, matte glass, and high gloss. Color played a big role in the design of this entertainment center. It contrasts a radiant high gloss orange with a warm Smoked Walnut wood grain for a balanced and modern look. The orange high gloss adds an artistic accent to the unit, while keeping the design free from chaotic lines and color schemes. Our no-handle design is made possible by a brushed aluminum J-channel that provides a clean look and makes the drawers easy to access. Flat style doors and drawer fronts also contribute to the smooth and modern European look of the media center. Our space saving entertainment system also delivers an abundant amount of floor to ceiling storage, both open and in drawers. There is ample room to store and display books, sculptures and home decor. Bottom cabinets are a suitable place to conceal and store media equipment. 1.5 inch thick floating shelves above the television and the box shelves alongside, featured in Midnight Ash, provide definition to the design and balance the high intensity orange elements. Top shelves provide space to arrange fragile keepsakes while bottom shelves can be used to display your favorite reads. Opposite the open shelving is a matte black glass fronted cabinet to house your favorite drinks and glassware for quick entertaining. The black satin glass is defined by an aluminum door frame. Clear glass shelves are found within the glass door cabinet and provide a useful place for storing dry bar essentials like rocks glasses and your preferred liquor selection. The cabinet includes vertical profile LED strip lights on both side panels that illuminate when the door is opened. The lighting shines through the shelves and sparkles off the glassware, silver ice bucket and colorful drinks you might keep there. The unit contains a sliding door that alternately hides a flat screen television and reveals a shelf. This feature paired with our wire management system helps keep your wall unit and your living area looking neat and tidy. The hidden hardware adds a unique function to this design without drawing the eye. Short arm flap stays and drop-down flap hinges allow for the soft, almost automatic opening of the long panel faces that conceal the drawers behind. The drawers are easy to access and provide the storage of multiple drawers without cluttering the look of the media center. This design is completed with integrated LED lighting. Behind the floating backing panel, adjustable LED lighting enhances the spacious look of the unit and provide mood lights for the living room. The shelves are equipped with recessed LED lights that make the orange high gloss color pop and showcase your displayed possessions. The floating shelves are equipped with horizontal profile LED strip lights to give the whole unit a warm glow. Our lighting systems offer features such as touch switches and dimmers, which add light, comfort and convenience to your living space. Tell us what you want in your living room media center.

We built a shower stall that provides privacy yet allows the client to feel connected to the outdoors with this full length frosted glass wall. 2x4 cypress rainscreen breaks up the occupants silhouette while in the shower. Photo by Paul Bardagjy

Brooklyn backyard patio design in Prospect Heights for a young, professional couple who loves to both entertain and relax! This space includes a West Elm outdoor sectional and round concrete outdoor coffee table.

Accoya was used for all the superior decking and facades throughout the ‘Jungle House’ on Guarujá Beach. Accoya wood was also used for some of the interior paneling and room furniture as well as for unique MUXARABI joineries. This is a special type of joinery used by architects to enhance the aestetic design of a project as the joinery acts as a light filter providing varying projections of light throughout the day. The architect chose not to apply any colour, leaving Accoya in its natural grey state therefore complimenting the beautiful surroundings of the project. Accoya was also chosen due to its incredible durability to withstand Brazil’s intense heat and humidity. Credits as follows: Architectural Project – Studio mk27 (marcio kogan + samanta cafardo), Interior design – studio mk27 (márcio kogan + diana radomysler), Photos – fernando guerra (Photographer).

This custom living room unit and media center was designed to provide all that a Manhattan family needs for entertaining lots of guests or to just kick back, relax and watch some TV. The wall unit also shows off some of our favorite new material finishes with a combination of wood veneer, matte glass, and high gloss. Color played a big role in the design of this entertainment center. It contrasts a radiant high gloss orange with a warm Smoked Walnut wood grain for a balanced and modern look. The orange high gloss adds an artistic accent to the unit, while keeping the design free from chaotic lines and color schemes. Our no-handle design is made possible by a brushed aluminum J-channel that provides a clean look and makes the drawers easy to access. Flat style doors and drawer fronts also contribute to the smooth and modern European look of the media center. Our space saving entertainment system also delivers an abundant amount of floor to ceiling storage, both open and in drawers. There is ample room to store and display books, sculptures and home decor. Bottom cabinets are a suitable place to conceal and store media equipment. 1.5 inch thick floating shelves above the television and the box shelves alongside, featured in Midnight Ash, provide definition to the design and balance the high intensity orange elements. Top shelves provide space to arrange fragile keepsakes while bottom shelves can be used to display your favorite reads. Opposite the open shelving is a matte black glass fronted cabinet to house your favorite drinks and glassware for quick entertaining. The black satin glass is defined by an aluminum door frame. Clear glass shelves are found within the glass door cabinet and provide a useful place for storing dry bar essentials like rocks glasses and your preferred liquor selection. The cabinet includes vertical profile LED strip lights on both side panels that illuminate when the door is opened. The lighting shines through the shelves and sparkles off the glassware, silver ice bucket and colorful drinks you might keep there. The unit contains a sliding door that alternately hides a flat screen television and reveals a shelf. This feature paired with our wire management system helps keep your wall unit and your living area looking neat and tidy. The hidden hardware adds a unique function to this design without drawing the eye. Short arm flap stays and drop-down flap hinges allow for the soft, almost automatic opening of the long panel faces that conceal the drawers behind. The drawers are easy to access and provide the storage of multiple drawers without cluttering the look of the media center. This design is completed with integrated LED lighting. Behind the floating backing panel, adjustable LED lighting enhances the spacious look of the unit and provide mood lights for the living room. The shelves are equipped with recessed LED lights that make the orange high gloss color pop and showcase your displayed possessions. The floating shelves are equipped with horizontal profile LED strip lights to give the whole unit a warm glow. Our lighting systems offer features such as touch switches and dimmers, which add light, comfort and convenience to your living space. Tell us what you want in your living room media center.

This residence was a complete gut renovation of a 4-story row house in Park Slope, and included a new rear extension and penthouse addition. The owners wished to create a warm, family home using a modern language that would act as a clean canvas to feature rich textiles and items from their world travels. As with most Brooklyn row houses, the existing house suffered from a lack of natural light and connection to exterior spaces, an issue that Principal Brendan Coburn is acutely aware of from his experience re-imagining historic structures in the New York area. The resulting architecture is designed around moments featuring natural light and views to the exterior, of both the private garden and the sky, throughout the house, and a stripped-down language of detailing and finishes allows for the concept of the modern-natural to shine. Upon entering the home, the kitchen and dining space draw you in with views beyond through the large glazed opening at the rear of the house. An extension was built to allow for a large sunken living room that provides a family gathering space connected to the kitchen and dining room, but remains distinctly separate, with a strong visual connection to the rear garden. The open sculptural stair tower was designed to function like that of a traditional row house stair, but with a smaller footprint. By extending it up past the original roof level into the new penthouse, the stair becomes an atmospheric shaft for the spaces surrounding the core. All types of weather – sunshine, rain, lightning, can be sensed throughout the home through this unifying vertical environment. The stair space also strives to foster family communication, making open living spaces visible between floors. At the upper-most level, a free-form bench sits suspended over the stair, just by the new roof deck, which provides at-ease entertaining. Oak was used throughout the home as a unifying material element. As one travels upwards within the house, the oak finishes are bleached to further degrees as a nod to how light enters the home. The owners worked with CWB to add their own personality to the project. The meter of a white oak and blackened steel stair screen was designed by the family to read “I love you” in Morse Code, and tile was selected throughout to reference places that hold special significance to the family. To support the owners’ comfort, the architectural design engages passive house technologies to reduce energy use, while increasing air quality within the home – a strategy which aims to respect the environment while providing a refuge from the harsh elements of urban living. This project was published by Wendy Goodman as her Space of the Week, part of New York Magazine’s Design Hunting on The Cut. Photography by Kevin Kunstadt

Gourmet Kitchen with Extended Island - Hatteras Model
Inspiration for a transitional galley medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Atlanta with stainless steel appliances, an island, an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, white backsplash and gray countertops

Enclosed dining room - mid-sized transitional brown floor and dark wood floor enclosed dining room idea in New York with multicolored walls and no fireplace

Altius Design, Longviews Studios
Inspiration for a rustic medium tone wood floor dining room remodel in Other with white walls