Consideration of how a room will be used must happen before any seating arrangement or furniture needs can be determined. This great room is the central gathering hub for the recreational center and needed to function for a small event or large party. This neccesitated ample seating. Two sofas, fireside chairs, occasional chairs and bar seating ensure that everyone will be able to gather around for fellowship or simply watching a great movie. A combination of textures in the space adds variety and interest. Velvet on the sofas, leather barstools, a hair-on-hide rug, and embossed leather panels around the stone fireplace surround balance out the harder surfaces of stone, wood, metal, and plaster. Photos by: Julie Soefer

Double story windows flood the exercise room with natural light which makes the space feel expansive and inviting. Keeping the flooring, walls and ceiling toned to each other makes the space feel more like an upscale spa than a typical gym environment. The client provided state of the art exercise equipment. Photos by: Julie Soefer

Photos by: Julie Soefer
Home bar - large transitional home bar idea in Houston

Creating an entry that feels welcoming and expansive can sometimes be a challenge. In this instance, double entry doors made of a wood frame with glass panes allows light to flood the entry foyer. The natural light brightens and balances the visually heavier stone and wood finishes. A special plaster treatment on the walls and ceiling adds depth and interest to space. The wood beams on the ceiling tie in with the wood entry doors and the hand scraped wood flooring. Photos by: Julie Soefer

The ladies powder room is the perfect place to freshen up after a swim or session in the exercise room. The custom wall treatment adds drama the this smaller space while also setting the tone for the color scheme. A quartzite counter at the vanity imparts the elegance of marble but with a much more durable surface. An expansive wall-to-wall mirror at the vanity helps the room to feel more spacious and also provides a glimpse of the adjacent vanity and the beautiful artwork selected for the space. Photos by: Julie Soefer

Originally built in 1929 and designed by famed architect Albert Farr who was responsible for the Wolf House that was built for Jack London in Glen Ellen, this building has always had tremendous historical significance. In keeping with tradition, the new design incorporates intricate plaster crown moulding details throughout with a splash of contemporary finishes lining the corridors. From venetian plaster finishes to German engineered wood flooring this house exhibits a delightful mix of traditional and contemporary styles. Many of the rooms contain reclaimed wood paneling, discretely faux-finished Trufig outlets and a completely integrated Savant Home Automation system. Equipped with radiant flooring and forced air-conditioning on the upper floors as well as a full fitness, sauna and spa recreation center at the basement level, this home truly contains all the amenities of modern-day living. The primary suite area is outfitted with floor to ceiling Calacatta stone with an uninterrupted view of the Golden Gate bridge from the bathtub. This building is a truly iconic and revitalized space.

Originally built in 1929 and designed by famed architect Albert Farr who was responsible for the Wolf House that was built for Jack London in Glen Ellen, this building has always had tremendous historical significance. In keeping with tradition, the new design incorporates intricate plaster crown moulding details throughout with a splash of contemporary finishes lining the corridors. From venetian plaster finishes to German engineered wood flooring this house exhibits a delightful mix of traditional and contemporary styles. Many of the rooms contain reclaimed wood paneling, discretely faux-finished Trufig outlets and a completely integrated Savant Home Automation system. Equipped with radiant flooring and forced air-conditioning on the upper floors as well as a full fitness, sauna and spa recreation center at the basement level, this home truly contains all the amenities of modern-day living. The primary suite area is outfitted with floor to ceiling Calacatta stone with an uninterrupted view of the Golden Gate bridge from the bathtub. This building is a truly iconic and revitalized space.

The blue agate stone countertop steals the show in the bar area. Photos by: Julie Soefer
Large transitional home bar photo in Houston

Adding functionality to a front entry can be as simple as the inclusion of a console table or additional seating. Here a bench is used for an alternate spot to place items or take a seat. The bench is given additional visual weight by adding a stunning piece of original art on the wall above. The coloration in the art at the entry give a preview of the colors to come as you pass into the great room. Photos by: Julie Soefer

Originally built in 1929 and designed by famed architect Albert Farr who was responsible for the Wolf House that was built for Jack London in Glen Ellen, this building has always had tremendous historical significance. In keeping with tradition, the new design incorporates intricate plaster crown moulding details throughout with a splash of contemporary finishes lining the corridors. From venetian plaster finishes to German engineered wood flooring this house exhibits a delightful mix of traditional and contemporary styles. Many of the rooms contain reclaimed wood paneling, discretely faux-finished Trufig outlets and a completely integrated Savant Home Automation system. Equipped with radiant flooring and forced air-conditioning on the upper floors as well as a full fitness, sauna and spa recreation center at the basement level, this home truly contains all the amenities of modern-day living. The primary suite area is outfitted with floor to ceiling Calacatta stone with an uninterrupted view of the Golden Gate bridge from the bathtub. This building is a truly iconic and revitalized space.

The custom designed chesterfield sofa upholstered in a combination of blue velvet and gray leather is rich and inviting. Tying the spaces together, the blue agate stone on the bar and the soft blue notes in artwork above the back banquet echo the colorations of the family room. Photos by: Julie Soefer

Photos by: Julie Soefer
Example of a large transitional home bar design in Houston

A Perfect home for a big lovely family. Prime location mins. from 45/1960/Houston Students attend Spring ISD. Area amenities include *a park, pavilion, pool, and recreation center.

Photos by: Julie Soefer
Huge tuscan backyard stone patio photo in Houston with a roof extension

©Finished Basement Company
Huge transitional walk-out vinyl floor and brown floor basement photo in Denver with beige walls, a corner fireplace and a stone fireplace

Settled into the open prairie space of the residential Watauga, TX neighborhood, the Watauga Community Center looms smaller than it really is. Its design language of stepped clerestory linear windows bring the mass of the gymnasium scale down to a friendly, inviting scale. Architect Eric N. Rohlfing, in collaboration with LBL Architects, designed the 20ksf Watauga Community Center and park master plan. Amenities include: lobby, gymnasium, weight room, multi-purpose room, game room, art-craft-kiln room, classrooms, locker rooms, offices, lobby, exterior walkways, terrace and parking among existing native oaks. The 15 acre park site also features an existing senior center facility and proposed future natatorium, soccer fields and additional parking. The linear organization of the recreation center lobby will link to the future expansion and is abundantly lit with a ribbon of clerestory windows and skylights. The transparency between spaces via glass partitioning, facilitates natural lighting, exterior views, spaciousness, security, and the interconnection of activity between rooms. Likewise, the gymnasium, weight room and control center are also visually connected to each other and to the exterior with north glazing, glass partitions and clerestory windows. Surfaced-ground, exposed aggregate concrete block, brick, aluminum storefront glazing, standing seam galvanized roofing, exposed structural steel, stainless steel hardware, and clear varnished wood millwork comprise the Texas contemporary palette of materials.

Example of a mountain style exterior home design in Denver

A pair of gray washed wood tables provide additional seating for eating or recreational fun. The space is designed to be flexible and allows for the tables to be moved or reconfigured to suit the needs of the client. Photos by: Julie Soefer

Huge transitional carpeted and brown floor family room photo in Detroit with gray walls and no fireplace