Michael Moran/OTTO photography We took a predictable suburban spec house and transformed it into a unique home of enduring value and family-centered design. The existing footprint was expanded where it needed it most: in the family and kitchen area, creating a large square room with open views to a protected nature preserve abutting the property. An unexpected glass canopy and teak entry door are clues that what lies beyond is hardly commonplace. The design challenge was to infuse modern-day functionality and architectural quality into a spec house. Working in partnership with Gary Cruz Studio, we designed the pared down, art-filled interiors with the goal of creating comfortable, purposeful living environments. We also sought to integrate the existing pool and rear deck into the overall building design, extending the usable space outside as a screened-in porch, a dining terrace, and a seating area around a stone fire pit.

Example of a tuscan beige floor double front door design in Orange County with a glass front door

Example of a classic gray three-story exterior home design in Charleston

Baulinder Haus is located just a few houses down from a landmark Kansas City area home designed by Bauhaus architect Marcel Breuer. Baulinder Haus draws inspiration from the details of the neighboring home. Vertically oriented wood siding, simple forms, and overhanging masses—these were part of Breuer’s modernist palette. The house’s form consists of a series of stacked boxes, with public spaces on the ground level and private spaces in the boxes above. The boxes are oriented in a U-shaped plan to create a generous private courtyard. This was designed as an extension of the interior living space, blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. Floor-to-ceiling south facing windows in the courtyard are shaded by the overhanging second floor above to prohibit solar heat gain, but allow for passive solar heating in the winter. Other sustainable elements of the home include a geothermal heat pump HVAC system, energy efficient windows and sprayed foam insulation. The exterior wood is a vertical shiplap siding milled from FSC certified Machiche. Baulinder Haus was designed to meet and exceed requirements put forward by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for their Indoor airPLUS qualified homes, and is working toward Energy Star qualification. Machiche and steel screening elements provide depth and texture to front facade.

Elegant mudroom photo in New York with multicolored walls and a glass front door

Inspiration for a large country white two-story wood gable roof remodel in Baltimore with a metal roof

Elegant detached two-car garage photo in New York

Inspiration for a coastal medium tone wood floor and brown floor single front door remodel in Miami with white walls and a medium wood front door

Amazing front porch of a modern farmhouse built by Steve Powell Homes (www.stevepowellhomes.com). Photo Credit: David Cannon Photography (www.davidcannonphotography.com)

Benny Chan
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept concrete floor living room remodel in Los Angeles with white walls, a wood fireplace surround and a concealed tv

Extensive protected natural light at dining room. Out door dining room is adjacent to this space.
Inspiration for a mediterranean terra-cotta tile dining room remodel in Phoenix

C.L. Fry Photo - www.clfryphoto.com
Inspiration for a cottage porch remodel in Austin

Take a look at this perfect 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, Barn house plan featuring 3,205 sq. ft. of living space. This design offers a large covered, wrap around porch with magnificent space for outdoor living. The exterior also includes a front entry garage, and the rear entry garage feature.

EDGEMOOR HOUSE Located in the Edgemoor neighborhood in Bethesda, Maryland, this new home draws influence from the Bauhaus movement. Clean crisp spaces with oversized steel doors and windows pull the outside in to create spaces filled with light and warmth. Photo Credit: Tom Arban Photography

An amazing place to sit and enjoy the views of the lake. Custom lighting hangs perfectly from the traditional timber truss. Photos: Copyright Heidi Long, Longview Studios, Inc.

Klopf Architecture, Arterra Landscape Architects, and Flegels Construction updated a classic Eichler open, indoor-outdoor home. Expanding on the original walls of glass and connection to nature that is common in mid-century modern homes. The completely openable walls allow the homeowners to truly open up the living space of the house, transforming it into an open air pavilion, extending the living area outdoors to the private side yards, and taking maximum advantage of indoor-outdoor living opportunities. Taking the concept of borrowed landscape from traditional Japanese architecture, the fountain, concrete bench wall, and natural landscaping bound the indoor-outdoor space. The Truly Open Eichler is a remodeled single-family house in Palo Alto. This 1,712 square foot, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom is located in the heart of the Silicon Valley. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, Geoff Campen, and Angela Todorova Landscape Architect: Arterra Landscape Architects Structural Engineer: Brian Dotson Consulting Engineers Contractor: Flegels Construction Photography ©2014 Mariko Reed Location: Palo Alto, CA Year completed: 2014

A successful design build project by Red House. This home underwent a complete interior and exterior renovation including a shed dormer addition on the rear. All new finishes, windows, cabinets, insulation, and mechanical systems. Photo by Nat Rea Instagram: @redhousedesignbuild

This Arts and Crafts styled sprawling ranch has so much to offer the modern homeowner. A three car garage with extra storage adds space for a third automobile, workshop, or golf cart. Inside, each bedroom features elegant ceiling treatments, a walk-in closet and an adjacent full bathroom. A large utility room with a sink is conveniently placed down the hall from the secondary bedrooms. The large, gourmet kitchen includes a walk-in pantry and a large central island. The spacious dining room offers large windows and a buffet nook for furniture. Custom-style details abound in this luxurious plan with built-ins in the great room and breakfast areas. The well-appointed master suite includes a secluded sitting room that enjoys rear views, porch access and dual walk-in closets. The master bathroom is a spa-like retreat with dual vanities, a large walk-in shower, built-ins and a vaulted ceiling. The screened porch offers the best in year round outdoor living with a fireplace. A bonus space over the garage has nearly 800 square feet of space for future expansion, a large hobby space, home theatre or exercise room.

Tony Giammarino
Entryway - traditional entryway idea in Richmond with a glass front door