Photography by Michael J. Lee
Example of a large classic slate floor and gray floor sunroom design in Boston with no fireplace and a glass ceiling

Lutron battery operated solar screens make home automation easy! Because they are battery operated they are non-invasive. In other words, no cutting holes to run wires and yet they synchronize like hard-wired shades. Control the heat, reduce the glare, and maintain your gorgeous views. It's a win, win, WIN!

These Black Solar/Roller shades are powered at the touch of a button by Lutron electronics. No invasive wiring needed. They are battery operated and function with the precision of hardwired shades. Notice how the glare is cut, thus improving visibility through the fabric? That's right; reduce heat & glare and improve your gorgeous view of the Puget Sound in West Seattle.

The master bedroom sitting area. Shelley Zatsky
Bedroom - mid-sized traditional master medium tone wood floor bedroom idea in Boston with blue walls and no fireplace

This beautiful custom built colonial home was designed and built using the latest innovations in building science and technology to significantly reduce energy demand and virtually eliminate exterior maintenance. Plus, with the solar panels on the front and back of the home, you will create clean energy by harnessing renewable power from the sun and cutting down on energy costs.

Material expression and exterior finishes were carefully selected to reduce the apparent size of the house, last through many years, and add warmth and human scale to the home. The unique siding system is made up of different widths and depths of western red cedar, complementing the vision of the structure's wings which are balanced, not symmetrical. The exterior materials include a burn brick base, powder-coated steel, cedar, acid-washed concrete and Corten steel planters.

This project won in the 2013 Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh Housing Excellence Award for Best Urban Renewal Renovation Project. The glass bowl was made in the glass studio owned by the owner which is adjacent to the residence. The mirror is a repurposed window. The door is repurposed from a boarding house. George Mendel

Possibly Cantara’s most important project in terms of true systems integration, Honda Smart Home US is a showcase for environmental innovation, demonstrating Honda’s vision for zero-carbon living and personal mobility. A vision of a lifestyle of renewable energy for home and transportation, HSH features new technologies to greatly reduce the amount of energy consumed by individual households, including the use of solar power to directly charge a Honda Fit EV battery electric vehicle.

These owners know craftsmanship and appreciate high-quality details. The owner hand crafted some of the furniture pieces included in this remodel, including the master bed frame. To update the home and do justice to the owner’s own furniture pieces, we installed a sky light in the upstairs bedroom hallway to bathe the space in light and added new doors with brass hardware. The master bathroom was transformed into an oasis and the kitchen underwent a remodel to make it more functional with modern appliances. Photos by Kimberly Gavin Photography

Walk-in closet - large contemporary gender-neutral white floor walk-in closet idea in Atlanta with flat-panel cabinets and gray cabinets

In a narrow sideyard, a flagstone path leads to the backyard. Ornamental grasses screen views of the A/C units. Mike Crews Photography
Photo of a traditional shade side yard stone landscaping in Chicago for summer.

The battery back-up system supplies power to all the household appliances and lights in the house and will keep them working for four hours during load shedding power outages. This system fits neatly under the staircase. The Italian Piazetta wood oven supplies heat through tubes to the main bedroom, patio, study and needlework rooms while the rest of the home is heated with a heat pump that takes approximately 30% less electricity than the average electrical geyser. A gas geyser was installed to supply the kitchen with warm water and to avoid wastage of using long pipes throughout the house. All outdoor windows and sliding doors where fitted with double glazing. This retains heat that saves energy and lowers the noise levels in the home. LED lights were fitted throughout the house to reduce the electricity usage to less than 10% than conventional light bulbs.

The battery back-up system supplies power to all the household appliances and lights in the house and will keep them working for four hours during load shedding power outages. This system fits neatly under the staircase. The Italian Piazetta wood oven supplies heat through tubes to the main bedroom, patio, study and needlework rooms while the rest of the home is heated with a heat pump that takes approximately 30% less electricity than the average electrical geyser. A gas geyser was installed to supply the kitchen with warm water and to avoid wastage of using long pipes throughout the house. All outdoor windows and sliding doors where fitted with double glazing. This retains heat that saves energy and lowers the noise levels in the home. LED lights were fitted throughout the house to reduce the electricity usage to less than 10% than conventional light bulbs.

The battery back-up system supplies power to all the household appliances and lights in the house and will keep them working for four hours during load shedding power outages. This system fits neatly under the staircase. The Italian Piazetta wood oven supplies heat through tubes to the main bedroom, patio, study and needlework rooms while the rest of the home is heated with a heat pump that takes approximately 30% less electricity than the average electrical geyser. A gas geyser was installed to supply the kitchen with warm water and to avoid wastage of using long pipes throughout the house. All outdoor windows and sliding doors where fitted with double glazing. This retains heat that saves energy and lowers the noise levels in the home. LED lights were fitted throughout the house to reduce the electricity usage to less than 10% than conventional light bulbs.

The battery back-up system supplies power to all the household appliances and lights in the house and will keep them working for four hours during load shedding power outages. This system fits neatly under the staircase. The Italian Piazetta wood oven supplies heat through tubes to the main bedroom, patio, study and needlework rooms while the rest of the home is heated with a heat pump that takes approximately 30% less electricity than the average electrical geyser. A gas geyser was installed to supply the kitchen with warm water and to avoid wastage of using long pipes throughout the house. All outdoor windows and sliding doors where fitted with double glazing. This retains heat that saves energy and lowers the noise levels in the home. LED lights were fitted throughout the house to reduce the electricity usage to less than 10% than conventional light bulbs.

This 5,400-square-foot custom home in Atlanta’s Morningside neighborhood combines refined transitional architecture with advanced high-performance construction. Built by Eco Custom Homes, the residence was designed to significantly reduce energy consumption while providing the comfort, craftsmanship, and amenities expected in a luxury Atlanta custom home. The home’s energy system includes a 20 kW solar array paired with 40 kWh of battery storage, providing substantial on-site renewable energy generation and backup power capability. The project combines energy efficiency, building science, and resilient home technology with extensive outdoor living and entertainment areas designed for Atlanta’s climate. The Morningside Net Zero Home demonstrates Eco Custom Homes’ approach to high-performance construction: creating architecturally distinctive homes that are not only beautiful, but more efficient, comfortable, resilient, and designed to perform for generations.

This 5,400-square-foot custom home in Atlanta’s Morningside neighborhood combines refined transitional architecture with advanced high-performance construction. Built by Eco Custom Homes, the residence was designed to significantly reduce energy consumption while providing the comfort, craftsmanship, and amenities expected in a luxury Atlanta custom home. The home’s energy system includes a 20 kW solar array paired with 40 kWh of battery storage, providing substantial on-site renewable energy generation and backup power capability. The project combines energy efficiency, building science, and resilient home technology with extensive outdoor living and entertainment areas designed for Atlanta’s climate. The Morningside Net Zero Home demonstrates Eco Custom Homes’ approach to high-performance construction: creating architecturally distinctive homes that are not only beautiful, but more efficient, comfortable, resilient, and designed to perform for generations.

The battery back-up system supplies power to all the household appliances and lights in the house and will keep them working for four hours during load shedding power outages. This system fits neatly under the staircase. The Italian Piazetta wood oven supplies heat through tubes to the main bedroom, patio, study and needlework rooms while the rest of the home is heated with a heat pump that takes approximately 30% less electricity than the average electrical geyser. A gas geyser was installed to supply the kitchen with warm water and to avoid wastage of using long pipes throughout the house. All outdoor windows and sliding doors where fitted with double glazing. This retains heat that saves energy and lowers the noise levels in the home. LED lights were fitted throughout the house to reduce the electricity usage to less than 10% than conventional light bulbs.

The battery back-up system supplies power to all the household appliances and lights in the house and will keep them working for four hours during load shedding power outages. This system fits neatly under the staircase. The Italian Piazetta wood oven supplies heat through tubes to the main bedroom, patio, study and needlework rooms while the rest of the home is heated with a heat pump that takes approximately 30% less electricity than the average electrical geyser. A gas geyser was installed to supply the kitchen with warm water and to avoid wastage of using long pipes throughout the house. All outdoor windows and sliding doors where fitted with double glazing. This retains heat that saves energy and lowers the noise levels in the home. LED lights were fitted throughout the house to reduce the electricity usage to less than 10% than conventional light bulbs.