Photo: Ashley Camper Photography © 2014 Houzz
Island style light wood floor deck photo in Hawaii with no fireplace

A rustic, yet elegant and timeless kitchen design for a cottage home. Design: Astro Design Centre Photography: DoubleSpace Location: Ottawa, ON Canada

The trellised terrace opens up to a quieter view of a magnificent existing redwood grove. A bluestone footbridge crosses a bioswale filled with clusters of ornamental grasses and perennials. In the distance, an existing below-grade greenhouse, renovated as part of the project program. Photography by Marion Brenner

Natural cedar 5x5 raised beds are rugged, rot-resistent, and attractive. They reduce the need to bend over and make great seats while working in your garden, too. Also, note the fully-protected berry enclosure in the background--perfect for securing your highly desirable crops from over-eager animals.

KuDa Photography
Mudroom - traditional mudroom idea in Portland with white walls and a glass front door

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

Texas Hill Country Photography
Large tuscan galley medium tone wood floor kitchen photo in Austin with white cabinets, paneled appliances, an island, recessed-panel cabinets and white backsplash

Sarah Reynolds
Minimalist home office photo in Dublin

Freestanding bathtub - large modern master freestanding bathtub idea with white walls, a hinged shower door, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, an integrated sink, solid surface countertops and white countertops

Architects: Turnbull Griffin Haesloop Photography: Matthew Millman
Example of a large trendy open concept concrete floor and gray floor sunroom design in San Francisco with a standard ceiling

View from house entry. Rustic floor finish and clean white walls reflect any incoming light from the exterior windows which provides natural lighting yet also reducing heat build up yet will which reduces energy usage on cooling. Door to left helps create an air barrier reducing cool/warm air depending on the season.

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

Photo of a contemporary landscaping in Austin.

Key Sustainable Design Features: - Photovoltaic Solar panels substantially reduce the house’s energy needs and the owners dependence on the energy grid. - Timber Frame Construction, means less energy loss and a warmer house. - Solar gains, thereby reducing the need for energy needed to heat the house. - Superior levels of insulation using cellulose recycled newspaper insulation reduce energy required to heat the house. Cellulose also has an increased density which holds the heat better. - High performance glazing not only reduces energy loss, but also reduces the cold radiant feel of windows. - A wood burning stove providing space heating and additional water heating. Wood is a renewable source and is carbon neutral. - The use of vegetation and landscaping to protect the house against dominant prevailing winds.

The owners of this gorgeous Central Halifax home chose Hunter Douglas LiteRise® Applause shades. The Applause shades are in the Origins fabric, and the colour is called Calm E26-766. This selection of window coverings invokes a soft lighting effect that reduces heat and cold depending on the season.

By incorporating Lutron and new LED lighting, we were successful in reducing the average light wattage by 75%. The decision to install Lutron lighting control across all 7,250+ square feet and four stories of this home was a no-brainer given their reputation for creating products that are backed by performance, dependability, and serviceability.

Addison Hill Photography
Example of a mid-sized classic dark wood floor mudroom design in Atlanta with white walls

Architecture & Interior Design: David Heide Design Studio Photo: Susan Gilmore Photography
Inspiration for a coastal master medium tone wood floor family room library remodel in Minneapolis with green walls, no fireplace and no tv

Our designer has achieved a stylish look by combining dark cabinets and light-colored marbles.