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.

While the Southern California drought is keeping homeowners water usage to a minimum, there are an abundance of plants that thrive on minimal water. A combination of drip irrigation systems and drought tolerant plants can keep your exterior spaces green and beautiful as well as water efficient. This image features our design a few months down the road. With the addition of a few spring flowers, this front yard is officially ready for the Spring and Summer season.

Example of a southwest bathroom design in Phoenix

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.

Photo by Casey Dunn
Example of a small farmhouse white two-story metal gable roof design in Austin

Jon W. Miller Photography
Inspiration for a transitional galley medium tone wood floor laundry room remodel in DC Metro with shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite countertops, an undermount sink and beige walls

Jerusalem Heights Carrera and black marble create a backdrop for timeless Waterworks fixtures, including a polished nickel mirror and cross-handle faucet. Gus Cantavero Photography

Where the bath was originally, a wall was placed allowing for a walk-in shower. Even though the shower is very tight, the client was delighted. In between the shower and basin another towel rail was placed (for bath mat). There is a small glass wing to reduce the splash, with fall back to rear of shower space. The rear wall is a dark green tile as the floor and this was done to visually bring the rear wall forward, so the space does not appear so narrow. Photo's by Ben Wrigley Photohub

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

Example of a mid-sized trendy backyard tile patio design in Miami with a roof extension

Inspiration for a large timeless kitchen remodel in Chicago with an island

StudioBell
Inspiration for an industrial galley dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen remodel in Nashville with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, black backsplash, no island and black countertops

John Magnoski Photography Builder: John Kraemer & Sons
Arts and crafts dark wood floor hallway photo in Minneapolis with yellow walls

Men's socks were placed into acrylic dividers inside of the drawer, and folded in a way that does not stretch the material. All socks are now clearly visible which reduces disorganization and increases the likelihood of unused/undesired socks being discarded.

Hüper Optik Select films provide maximum protection with unrivaled high heat rejection performance. Due to the films’ spectrally selective technology, visibility is not compromised. These films reject damaging infra-red and ultra-violet light rays that cause heat and fading, all without significantly reducing visible light transmittance. They are also 100% dye-free and will not fade over time. Unlike conventional hybrid metallized films that use dyed polyester layers or apply dye in adhesives to tone down the metallic look, Hüper Optik Select films offer a neutral, soft tone that does not appear metallic or shiny.

Marion Brenner Photography
Design ideas for a large modern drought-tolerant and full sun front yard concrete paver garden path in San Francisco.

The homeowner of this traditional home requested a traditional pool and spa with a resort-like style and finishes. AquaTerra was able to create this wonderful outdoor environment with all they could have asked for. While the pool and spa may be simple on the surface, extensive planning went into this environment to incorporate the intricate deck pattern. During site layout and during construction, extreme attention to detail was required to make sure nothing compromised the precise deck layout. The pool is 42'x19' and includes a custom water feature wall, glass waterline tile and a fully tiled lounge with bubblers. The separate spa is fully glass tiled and is designed to be a water feature with custom spillways when not in use. LED lighting is used in both the pool and spa to create dramatic lighting that can be enjoyed at night. The pool/spa deck is made of 2'x2' travertine stones, four to a square, creating a 4'x4' grid that is rotated 45 degrees in relation to the pool. In between all of the stones is synthetic turf that ties into the synthetic turf putting green that is adjacent to the deck. Underneath all of this decking and turf is a concrete sub-deck to support and drain the entire system. Finishes and details that increase the aesthetic appeal for project include: -All glass tile spa and spa basin -Travertine deck -Tiled sun lounge with bubblers -Custom water feature wall -LED lighting -Synthetic turf This traditional pool and all the intricate details make it a perfect environment for the homeowners to live, relax and play! Photography: Daniel Driensky

Glass - If “the eyes are the windows to the soul,” then “glass windows are the soul of your sunroom.” Nothing lets the light in (or keeps the bugs and the elements out) better than glass, and it’s not just any glass. The new high-tech performance glass blocks up to 90-percent of UV rays, and reduces energy costs. Depending on your needs and budget, a variety of glass options can be utilized in any Carolina Home Exteriors Sunroom. Single-Pane glass windows are the most affordable and will provide a durable, clear view to the outside. If you’re adding a Four Seasons Sunroom you’ll want to use Energy Star-rated insulted double-pane windows to maximize energy efficiency, reducing heating and cooling costs. Further, Carolina Home Exteriors installs tempered glass, which is the same formula used in automobile glass. It resists breaking, but if it does it shatters into tiny pieces, reducing the risk of injury and damage to surrounding materials. Energy Star is a U.S. Government-recognized classification designed to help consumers know the true cost of everything from appliances to HVAC, and even windows.

The most compact opening system from MilcasaStore has a self-explanatory name - COMPACK. Interior doors are equipped with a pivoting and sliding mechanism that simultaneously solves 2 problems - saving space and creating a modern interior. When opened, each door leaf is folded in half and placed along the wall, occupying an area 2 times less than its own surface. This is convenient when furniture and decor items are located close to the opening. Its undeniable advantages: ☑️ in the closed position does not lose sound insulation ☑️ does not reduce the light opening ☑️ moves smoothly and silently ☑️takes up 2 times less space in comparison with a conventional door