Design- Harry Thompson, Torrey Pines Landscape Co., Inc A San Diego Home and Garden 2014 award winner Maintenance- Torrey Pines Landscape Co., Inc, A CLCA award winner Photo-Martin Mann

This LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood. INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site. EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot. THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place. HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde. YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting. ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements. RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage. OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet. ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings Eric Roth Photography - Photography

Home design - small contemporary home design idea

Kitchen with adjacent bar
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This Siteline Cabinetry tall storage cabinet has roll-out shelves at a height that makes it easy to access. Deep shelves offer ample storage. Photo credit: Dennis Jourdan

Our Modern Santa Barbara Style Kitchen underwent a huge transformation that opened the kitchen to the family room and formal dining room to create spaces that are more livable and functional as well as beautiful.

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photo and landscape: Dave Demers - CYAN Horticulture architecture: Darrell Epp In close collaboration with Darrell Epp, Architect, CYAN Horticulture was invited to maximize use of the very limited space surrounding this newly renovated single-family residence. Perched atop a 75-feet forested ravine and overlooking a protected salmon stream, this low-lying house seems to be floating in the wilderness. On the more exposed side, sunny and connecting to the street, the distinctive silhouette of gingkos and squared-off beeches, mounding lavenders and graphic maiden grasses, play against expanses of raw concrete and accents of reclaimed, century-old barn wood. On the sheltered side, shady and sloping down to the stream, a variety of dark green foliages merge into the surroundings.

Lumber liquidators Solid oak floor dark stain 5" wide 3/4" thick, custom reduced transition to existing tile floor- By Levi homes - 713-922-5715

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Mudroom complete with built in bench system, integrated pantries, cork board backsplash, under mount sink, quartzite countertops, microwave and unique black and white flooring

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Message center reduces clutter by adding an organized drop off area near the kitchen door.
Inspiration for a small craftsman u-shaped enclosed kitchen remodel with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Arlise 100% Blackout Chenille Drapes Experience true darkness and everyday comfort. Crafted from plush chenille fabric, these 100% blackout drapes block light, reduce noise, and help regulate indoor temperature—perfect for bedrooms, living rooms, and home theaters. Custom-made for U.S. homes, designed for better sleep and effortless style.

Photo: Caroline Sharpnack © 2019 Houzz
Cottage chic freestanding desk dark wood floor home studio photo in Nashville with white walls and no fireplace

This contemporary kitchen is the focal point of this main floor rowhouse. It showcases a white on white theme with cool gray walls.
Example of a small trendy single-wall dark wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Cedar Rapids with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and gray walls