built custom frames to fit pillars made from actual tree trunks, and sourced Solaire automated retractable solar shades by Awnco Retractables. These shades will retain heat in the winter produced by strategically placed outdoor heaters. They will also reduce the amount of heat allowed to enter the Veranda in the summer. Fitting the tree trunks was no small feat. Each vertical board was hand whittled to match the texture of the trees.

Keeping the walls light and bright reduce the contrast between the white ceiling, giving the bedroom a large, airy feel. Slip covered headboards allow for the decor to be switched out seasonally.

Reinforced lawn allows for guest parking and reducing the reflective heat accompanied with paving

We constructed a convenient retractable shelf for a mixer. The shelf neatly tucks away into the cabinetry, reducing visual clutter and conserving counter top space. This clever design detail allows the soapstone cabinet to shine and discretely hide regularly used kitchen equipment.

Build On Your Own Lot...Costa's New Life Home Building Program allows you to build on your lot or ours. We eliminate the fear of surprise costs and reduce stress while helping to save time and money.

Instead of building a half wall, we used full height base cabinets, reduced to 6" deep, to create the bar area. Allows for more storage in this compact kitchen. Lee Monarch

A southern view from the entry. Interior walls and ceilings were removed for new spatial considerations, allowing daylight to enter the depths of the entry hall, dining area, kitchen, and living area. There is radiant floor heating under the porcelain tile and cherry wood flooring to reduce the overall energy load with the inclusion of geo-thermal wells.

Lara Swimmer Photography
Southwestern stone flat roof idea in Houston

Inspiration for a contemporary l-shaped kitchen remodel in Montreal with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets and gray cabinets

Wide and tall pull out rack for optimal pantry storage. Kitchen design and photography by Jennifer Hayes of Castle Kitchens and Interiors.
Inspiration for a large craftsman l-shaped kitchen pantry remodel in Denver with shaker cabinets and light wood cabinets

We expanded the mudroom 8' into the garage to reduce how crowded the space is when the whole family arrives home at once. 4 closed off locker spaces keep this room looking clean and organized. This room also functions as the laundry room with stacked washer and dryer to save space next to the white farmhouse apron sink with aberesque tile backsplash. At the end of the room we added a full height closet style cabinet for additional coats, boots and shoes. A light grey herringbone tile on the floor helps the whole room flow together. Walnut bench and accent shelf provide striking pops of bold color to the room.

The 864 TRV gas fireplace combines convective heat, radiant heat and reduced depth dimension, making this unit ideal for small to mid-sized homes or for zone heating in bedrooms, living rooms and outdoor spaces. This gas fireplace features high quality, high clarity glass that comes standard with the 2015 ANSI-compliant invisible safety screen, increasing the overall safety of this unit for you and your family. The 864 TRV gas fireplace comes standard with the very popular accent light for an added glow when the fireplace is on or off, which really showcases the fireplace in every setting. The 864 TRV gas fireplace allows you the option of adding the revolutionary GreenSmart® 2 Wall Mounted Remote Control, which gives you the ability to control virtually every function of this fireplace from the comfort of your couch. The 864 TRV GS2 also allows to the ability to add the Power Heat Duct Kit to move heat to an adjoining room - up to 25 feet away.

Chris Foster Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized country front porch remodel in Miami with decking and a roof extension

Sally Painter
Large trendy black three-story wood flat roof photo in Portland with a metal roof

Remodeled bathroom was slightly reduced in size to allow laundry room to be brought up to the main level. Existing tub was refinished as it was in great shape. New vanity, flooring, toilet, and tile surround were installed. Shelves were built-in to the tile surround at the end opposite the showerhead. Shower panel was used and includes a tub filler spout at bottom.

With major functions located on one side of the island, the opposite wall is reserved for storage and work surface. Solid doors conceal pantry goods and a microwave while glass doors are used to display the homeowners dishes and glassware. Andrea Rugg Photography

Oliver Irwin Photography www.oliveriphoto.com Park Lane Residence is a single family house designed in a unique, northwest modern style. The goal of the project is to create a space that allows the family to entertain their guests in a welcoming one-of-a-kind environment. Uptic Studios took into consideration the relation between the exterior and interior spaces creating a smooth transition with an open concept design and celebrating the natural environment. The Clean geometry and contrast in materials creates an integrative design that is both artistic, functional and in harmony with its surroundings. Uptic Studios provided the privacy needed, while also opening the space to the surrounding environment with large floor to ceiling windows. The large overhangs and trellises reduce solar exposure in the summer, while provides protection from the elements and letting in daylight in the winter. The crisp hardwood, metal and stone blends the exterior with the beautiful surrounding nature.

Inspiration for a large traditional shade front yard mulch driveway in Jackson for summer.

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.