A fresh and modern vision for English country living with exacting attention to custom details such as herringbone floors, lamp shades, drapery and a custom-built banquette that provides a hint of the modern in the midst of classic country refinement. From arresting open-back chairs curated for their sculptural quality to carefully rusticated wall finishes that provide a palette for aged-glass mirrors flanking the entrance to the library, no small detail is left unattended. Design inspiration for this petite living room emerged from an emphasis on creating compelling vistas and marrying form and function between this little charmer and its adjoining library, foyer and dining room. For a client who required a fresh take on the charm and subtle sophistication of an English country living room without any of the stuffiness, only the most impeccable design choices would suffice. Peter Rymwid

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Inspiration for a small transitional open concept light wood floor and beige floor living room remodel in Vancouver with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace and a media wall

The 2021 Southern Living Idea House is inspiring on multiple levels—from the stunning location in Louisville, Kentucky overlooking the Ohio river, to the design-driven home that marries European countryside vibes with a timeless aesthetic. Dubbed the “forever home,” the concept was to design for all stages of life, with thoughtful spaces that meet the ever-evolving needs of families today. The 5,545-square-foot, Colonial Greek Revival Cottage-style home is located in The Breakers at Prospect community and is the collective effort of many. While it may have formerly been a trend to embrace open layout living spaces, following the pandemic families are seeking spaces in the home that feel separated, to allow for privacy. Rooms with clear intentions allow more options for areas in which to spend time, depending on your mood, and this home perfectly balances livable and lively ideas. Marvin products were chosen for this project to maximize the use of natural light, allow airflow from outdoors to indoors, and provide expansive views that overlook the Ohio River. MARVIN PRODUCTS USED: Marvin Awaken Skylight Marvin Ultimate Casement Window Marvin Ultimate Double Hung G2 Window Marvin Ultimate Picture Window Marvin Ultimate Direct Glaze Round Top Window Marvin Ultimate Swinging French Door G2 BUILDER: Jason Black and Jimmy King of Artisan Signature Homes ARCHITECT: Brandon Ingram of C. Brandon Ingram Design INTERIOR DESIGNER: Sarah Bartholomew, Sarah Bartholomew Design LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: Josh Myers of Myers & Co. Landscape Architecture PHOTOGRAPHY: Laurey W. Glenn, Marta Xochilt Perez, and Kriech-Higdon Photography for Southern Living

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Clean lines and a refined material palette transformed the Moss Hill House master bath into an open, light-filled space appropriate to its 1960 modern character. Underlying the design is a thoughtful intent to maximize opportunities within the long narrow footprint. Minimizing project cost and disruption, fixture locations were generally maintained. All interior walls and existing soaking tub were removed, making room for a large walk-in shower. Large planes of glass provide definition and maintain desired openness, allowing daylight from clerestory windows to fill the space. Light-toned finishes and large format tiles throughout offer an uncluttered vision. Polished marble “circles” provide textural contrast and small-scale detail, while an oak veneered vanity adds additional warmth. In-floor radiant heat, reclaimed veneer, dimming controls, and ample daylighting are important sustainable features. This renovation converted a well-worn room into one with a modern functionality and a visual timelessness that will take it into the future. Photographed by: place, inc

John Woodcock Photography
Inspiration for a transitional formal living room remodel in Phoenix with beige walls

Kirkland clients, Shayna and Anthony had a lovely home with a beautiful view of Lake Washington. However, the waterfront side of their home didn’t offer an ideal set-up to fully enjoy the magnificence that their lot provides. They desired more year-round use of their home in the form of an outdoor covered living room, along with more overall functionality from their outdoor spaces. Their formal living area had a door to the outside that the couple never used. The McAdams Remodeling & Design team replaced the sliding door with a window that still offered plenty of natural light but enclosed the space providing more options for furniture placement. The room’s exterior stairs and landing were removed. The exterior siding was matched, and the new landscaping along with an arbor installed, was created in tandem during the remodel by a local landscape architecture firm, ensuring the change looked natural. Past the seating around the gas firepit, a new large deck was constructed, half of which was covered, to replace the smaller, dated version. The metal railing was exchanged for a new composite one, and a new Dutch back door leading from the kitchen offers an alternative option for ingress and egress along with fresh air on nice days. The covered deck area adjacent to the family room provides protection from the weather and now houses the outdoor kitchen they desired for entertaining family and friends. The outdoor kitchen includes a built-in gas grill, stone gas fireplace, refrigerator for food and beverages, and a garbage receptacle. A ceiling fan and heaters are incorporated into the outdoor living space design to provide year-round comfort. Finally, retractable shades were installed so that the couple can enclose the space if desired. A small upstairs bedroom was used as a den for relaxation and reading but also contains one of the best views in the home. The McAdams team removed the windows and base bulkhead, adding floor to ceiling windows and a glass door for an unobstructed view. The new medium-sized deck above the covered outdoor living space gives Shayna and Anthony the opportunity to entertain or relax while highlighting their view of the lake. Finally, their Juliet balcony off the primary bedroom received a re-coated railing and new decking, while the home was repainted to offer a classy craftsman feel and pull all of the changes into one cohesive home design. Shayna and Anthony love their new entertainment spaces and expect to use them often.

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PA Landscape Group INC Project Entry: Mountainside Living 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Hardscaping-Residential $120,000&over Award Level: Silver Photo Description: This residence sits on a mountain side, sloping wooded property. Water was an issue flowing down the mountain, so many rocked swales divert the flow. The area which we are presenting is the rear of the house that will be used to entertain family and friends, a place to unwind in the evenings and weekends. We designed the outdoor areas to meet the needs and desires of the owners. When one walks through the breezeway not only to see an expansive valley view, but a relaxing fireplace and living area below where relaxing begins. Walk down the stairway of natural cut stone, you wonder through a landscaped garden onto the living area patio. Looking to your left is the pool with ample hardscape pool deck; large enough for a party or just the intimacy of two. Separating, yet joining the two areas is the grilling island, bar and outdoor wood burning oven. On the other side of the living area we go down a few steps to the raised planters and conservatory/greenhouse where plant are enjoyed from seedling to flower, or one can read a good book. Each area has it’s own personality for conversation or contemplation. The area is surrounded with plantings to provide color or to silhouette on the gray winter sky.

My team took a fresh approach to traditional style in this home. Inspired by fresh cut blossoms and a crisp palette, we transformed the space with airy elegance. Exquisite natural stones and antique silhouettes coupled with chalky white hues created an understated elegance as romantic as a love poem.

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Beautiful blue living room in the open-concept space that includes custom light blue sofa and navy blue chairs, white coffee table, white fireplace mantel, open wicker shelves and a

This Greek Revival row house in Boerum Hill was previously owned by a local architect who renovated it several times, including the addition of a two-story steel and glass extension at the rear. The new owners came to us seeking to restore the house and its original formality, while adapting it to the modern needs of a family of five. The detailing of the 25 x 36 foot structure had been lost and required some sleuthing into the history of Greek Revival style in historic Brooklyn neighborhoods. In addition to completely re-framing the interior, the house also required a new south-facing brick façade due to significant deterioration. The modern extension was replaced with a more traditionally detailed wood and copper- clad bay, still open to natural light and the garden view without sacrificing comfort. The kitchen was relocated from the first floor to the garden level with an adjacent formal dining room. Both rooms were enlarged from their previous iterations to accommodate weekly dinners with extended family. The kitchen includes a home office and breakfast nook that doubles as a homework station. The cellar level was further excavated to accommodate finished storage space and a playroom where activity can be monitored from the kitchen workspaces. The parlor floor is now reserved for entertaining. New pocket doors can be closed to separate the formal front parlor from the more relaxed back portion, where the family plays games or watches TV together. At the end of the hall, a powder room with brass details, and a luxe bar with antique mirrored backsplash and stone tile flooring, leads to the deck and direct garden access. Because of the property width, the house is able to provide ample space for the interior program within a shorter footprint. This allows the garden to remain expansive, with a small lawn for play, an outdoor food preparation area with a cast-in-place concrete bench, and a place for entertaining towards the rear. The newly designed landscaping will continue to develop, further enhancing the yard’s feeling of escape, and filling-in the views from the kitchen and back parlor above. A less visible, but equally as conscious, addition is a rooftop PV solar array that provides nearly 100% of the daily electrical usage, with the exception of the AC system on hot summer days. The well-appointed interiors connect the traditional backdrop of the home to a youthful take on classic design and functionality. The materials are elegant without being precious, accommodating a young, growing family. Unique colors and patterns provide a feeling of luxury while inviting inhabitants and guests to relax and enjoy this classic Brooklyn brownstone. This project won runner-up in the architecture category for the 2017 NYC&G Innovation in Design Awards and was featured in The American House: 100 Contemporary Homes. Photography by Francis Dzikowski / OTTO

whit preston
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Transitional backyard patio photo in San Francisco with a pergola

The Broome Street Loft is a beautiful example of a classic Soho loft conversion. The design highlights its historic architecture of the space while integrating modern elements. The 14-foot-high tin ceiling, metal Corinthian columns and iconic brick wall are contrasted with clean lines and modern profiles, creating a captivating dialogue between the old and the new. The plan was completely revised: the bedroom was shifted to the side area to combine the living room and kitchen spaces into a larger, open plan space. The bathroom and laundry also shifted to a more efficient layout, which both widened the main living space and created the opportunity to add a new Powder Room. The high ceilings allowed for the creation of a new storage space above the laundry and bathroom, with a sleek, modern stair to provide access. The kitchen seamlessly blends modern detailing with a vintage style. An existing recess in the brick wall serves as a focal point for the relocated Kitchen with the addition of custom bronze, steel and glass shelves. The kitchen island anchors the space, and the knife-edge stone countertop and custom metal legs make it feel more like a table than a built-in piece. The bathroom features the brick wall which runs through the apartment, creating a uniquely Soho experience. The cove lighting throughout creates a bright interior space, and the white and grey tones of the tile provide a neutral counterpoint to the red brick. The space has beautiful stone accents, such as the custom-built tub deck, shower, vanity, and niches. Photo: David Joseph Photography

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