Search results for "Reduce host" in Home Design Ideas

The owner of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Oscar Balch House (Oak Park, 1911) approached TBDA to help steward the property through the 21st century, including pursuing a path to Net Zero energy.
Historic Preservation principles, building science, and decarbonization strategies are combined to maintain the integrity of the architecture while radically reducing the carbon footprint. In keeping with owner’s mission to share the project and process (see Balch House on Instagram), you can view the free webinar hosted by Illinois Green Alliance where Tom Bassett-Dilley, builder Doug Freerksen (Von Dreele-Freerksen Construction Company), and mechanical engineer Mark Nussbaum (Architectural Consulting Engineers) discussed tradeoffs, long-term planning, energy modeling, and more. We hope this leaves viewers with a better understanding of the techniques and challenges of decarbonizing historic homes while maintaining their character.

Devereux Beach House
Our client presented Flavin Architects with a unique challenge. On a site that previously hosted two houses, our client asked us to design a modestly sized house and separate art studio. Both structures reduce the height and bulk of the original buildings. The modern concrete house we designed is situated on the brow of a steep cliff overlooking Marblehead harbor. The concrete visually anchors the house to stone outcroppings on the property, and the low profile ensures the structure doesn’t conflict with the surround of traditional, gabled homes.
Three primary concrete walls run north to south in parallel, forming the structural walls of the home. The entry sequence is carefully considered. The front door is hidden from view from the street. An entry path leads to an intimate courtyard, from which the front door is first visible. Upon entering, the visitor gets the first glimpse of the sea, framed by a portal of cast-in-place concrete. The kitchen, living, and dining space have a soaring 10-foot ceiling creating an especially spacious sense of interiority. A cantilevered deck runs the length of the living room, with a solid railing providing privacy from beach below. Where the house grows from a single to a two-story structure, the concrete walls rise magisterially to the full height of the building. The exterior concrete walls are accented with zinc gutters and downspouts, and wooden Ipe slats which softly filter light through the windows.

Located on a narrow urban infill lot, this single-family residence with attached ADU was fashioned for a food brand designer and restaurateur with an affinity for pre-war Parisian apartments. Use of minimal form and materials, on a cost-conscious budget, was intended to achieve a maximum atmospheric interior result.
The daylight filled interior focuses on an easterly, inward facing courtyard through a rhythm of punched openings, western light is introduced for balancing only. The home is classically proportioned with subtle drywall details which recall decorative mouldings. From the primary room the Owner teaches cooking classes, entertains, and samples potential menu items while hosting dinner parties. The walls are adorned with her own paintings (made for her first restaurant with no budget).
Health-conscious decisions were made both inside and out, selecting no V.O.C. finishes, wall- board and sheathing which prohibit mold and protective exterior coatings which prevent EMFs from penetrating the building envelope.
The home is designed to nurture aging-in-place; maintenance friendly materials and plans for a future solar array will reduce overhead expenses in coming years.
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Devereux Beach House
Our client presented Flavin Architects with a unique challenge. On a site that previously hosted two houses, our client asked us to design a modestly sized house and separate art studio. Both structures reduce the height and bulk of the original buildings. The modern concrete house we designed is situated on the brow of a steep cliff overlooking Marblehead harbor. The concrete visually anchors the house to stone outcroppings on the property, and the low profile ensures the structure doesn’t conflict with the surround of traditional, gabled homes.
Three primary concrete walls run north to south in parallel, forming the structural walls of the home. The entry sequence is carefully considered. The front door is hidden from view from the street. An entry path leads to an intimate courtyard, from which the front door is first visible. Upon entering, the visitor gets the first glimpse of the sea, framed by a portal of cast-in-place concrete. The kitchen, living, and dining space have a soaring 10-foot ceiling creating an especially spacious sense of interiority. A cantilevered deck runs the length of the living room, with a solid railing providing privacy from beach below. Where the house grows from a single to a two-story structure, the concrete walls rise magisterially to the full height of the building. The exterior concrete walls are accented with zinc gutters and downspouts, and wooden Ipe slats which softly filter light through the windows.

Studio 1820, a New York City interior design firm, remodeled the seminar room at the Lebanese American University (LAU) New York office in six weeks. The room hosts board of trustees meetings and public events, so it needed to feel welcoming and sound good. A floor-to-ceiling wall of walnut-toned acoustic slat panels absorbs echo and adds warmth, while slim vertical LED lights set into the slats create a soft architectural glow. Black-and-white framed photographs bring history and character, and charcoal carpet tiles reduce noise underfoot. The result is a warm contemporary meeting space that works for both formal gatherings and events.

Design:
This Boulder family loved their home in Frasier Meadows for its generous yard and welcoming spirit. Set on nearly a third of an acre, it was a place for gardening, neighborhood connection, and board game nights with kids and friends. But while the property had heart, the interior felt dark in winter, disconnected from the backyard, and no longer aligned with how they lived.
The kitchen was the biggest challenge. It lacked functionality, prep space, and the thoughtful storage needed for a family that hosts often. Through this Boulder home remodel, we made a bold move, relocating the kitchen to the opposite side of the house. This allowed us to create a hybrid enclosed kitchen with glass dividers: light-filled, but tucked away enough to reduce noise and conceal clutter.
Designed in a Japandi-meets-cottage aesthetic, the kitchen balances warmth and minimalism with layered woods and soft greens. Appliance garages, ceiling-height cabinetry, hidden outlets, spice storage, pull-out trash bins, and a generous island ensure everything has its place. The dining and living spaces were reoriented to strengthen flow to the backyard, while a new genkan-inspired entry and custom mudroom cabinetry support their love of gardening.
Build:
As a design build Boulder team, collaboration guided every step. The homeowners knew exactly how they wanted to use their space; they simply needed the right structural and layout changes to bring it to life.
Expanding the primary bedroom over the garage was transformative. The added square footage made room for built-in wardrobes, relocated laundry, and a Japanese-inspired ensuite featuring a wet room with a soaking tub. This expansion solved their need for space while creating a true retreat within the home.
By moving the kitchen and enhancing indoor-outdoor flow, we addressed both function and feeling. The home now feels brighter, more connected to the yard, and better equipped for hosting, whether it’s casual weeknight dinners or full-house game nights. This thoughtful Boulder home remodel reflects a home that works beautifully as it gathers people together.

Inquire About Our Design Services
What we did:
I started with a floor plan. I knew the success of this design rested in how the space was mapped out.
Lisa and Charles love modern furniture, but they couldn’t seem give each room the warmth they were looking for with modern furnishings, despite their best efforts. I was inspired by photos that they gave me and certain elements in the home that they LOVED.
One thing they mentioned was the fireplace and its color. I decided that the fireplace had to be the starting point of the room design, and based the color palette off of that beautiful, earthy orange color.
Here’s the highlights of the rest of the project:
Charted out the furniture plan for each room.
Created blueprints for shelving above Cabinet Storage area. Lisa is an avid reader and my home girl needs a library!
Custom designed the sofas, chairs, and an ottoman for the living area.
Selected all furnishings, accessories, and art.
Created storage for the kids. They are now able to stash their toys when they’re not using them, reducing clutter and keeping the space nice and open.
What I love:
They gave me the green light to have fun with the fabrics and patterns in the family room. I had a ton of fun with the sofas!
That AH-mazing coffee table. It is very unique, and I cannot lie… I secretly wanted it for myself.
The art in their living room (very dramatic). With the scale of the room, I knew it was either go big or go home!
Total time - 12.5 months

Devereux Beach House
Our client presented Flavin Architects with a unique challenge. On a site that previously hosted two houses, our client asked us to design a modestly sized house and separate art studio. Both structures reduce the height and bulk of the original buildings. The modern concrete house we designed is situated on the brow of a steep cliff overlooking Marblehead harbor. The concrete visually anchors the house to stone outcroppings on the property, and the low profile ensures the structure doesn’t conflict with the surround of traditional, gabled homes.
Three primary concrete walls run north to south in parallel, forming the structural walls of the home. The entry sequence is carefully considered. The front door is hidden from view from the street. An entry path leads to an intimate courtyard, from which the front door is first visible. Upon entering, the visitor gets the first glimpse of the sea, framed by a portal of cast-in-place concrete. The kitchen, living, and dining space have a soaring 10-foot ceiling creating an especially spacious sense of interiority. A cantilevered deck runs the length of the living room, with a solid railing providing privacy from beach below. Where the house grows from a single to a two-story structure, the concrete walls rise magisterially to the full height of the building. The exterior concrete walls are accented with zinc gutters and downspouts, and wooden Ipe slats which softly filter light through the windows.

Devereux Beach House
Our client presented Flavin Architects with a unique challenge. On a site that previously hosted two houses, our client asked us to design a modestly sized house and separate art studio. Both structures reduce the height and bulk of the original buildings. The modern concrete house we designed is situated on the brow of a steep cliff overlooking Marblehead harbor. The concrete visually anchors the house to stone outcroppings on the property, and the low profile ensures the structure doesn’t conflict with the surround of traditional, gabled homes.
Three primary concrete walls run north to south in parallel, forming the structural walls of the home. The entry sequence is carefully considered. The front door is hidden from view from the street. An entry path leads to an intimate courtyard, from which the front door is first visible. Upon entering, the visitor gets the first glimpse of the sea, framed by a portal of cast-in-place concrete. The kitchen, living, and dining space have a soaring 10-foot ceiling creating an especially spacious sense of interiority. A cantilevered deck runs the length of the living room, with a solid railing providing privacy from beach below. Where the house grows from a single to a two-story structure, the concrete walls rise magisterially to the full height of the building. The exterior concrete walls are accented with zinc gutters and downspouts, and wooden Ipe slats which softly filter light through the windows.

Devereux Beach House
Our client presented Flavin Architects with a unique challenge. On a site that previously hosted two houses, our client asked us to design a modestly sized house and separate art studio. Both structures reduce the height and bulk of the original buildings. The modern concrete house we designed is situated on the brow of a steep cliff overlooking Marblehead harbor. The concrete visually anchors the house to stone outcroppings on the property, and the low profile ensures the structure doesn’t conflict with the surround of traditional, gabled homes.
Three primary concrete walls run north to south in parallel, forming the structural walls of the home. The entry sequence is carefully considered. The front door is hidden from view from the street. An entry path leads to an intimate courtyard, from which the front door is first visible. Upon entering, the visitor gets the first glimpse of the sea, framed by a portal of cast-in-place concrete. The kitchen, living, and dining space have a soaring 10-foot ceiling creating an especially spacious sense of interiority. A cantilevered deck runs the length of the living room, with a solid railing providing privacy from beach below. Where the house grows from a single to a two-story structure, the concrete walls rise magisterially to the full height of the building. The exterior concrete walls are accented with zinc gutters and downspouts, and wooden Ipe slats which softly filter light through the windows.

Devereux Beach House
Our client presented Flavin Architects with a unique challenge. On a site that previously hosted two houses, our client asked us to design a modestly sized house and separate art studio. Both structures reduce the height and bulk of the original buildings. The modern concrete house we designed is situated on the brow of a steep cliff overlooking Marblehead harbor. The concrete visually anchors the house to stone outcroppings on the property, and the low profile ensures the structure doesn’t conflict with the surround of traditional, gabled homes.
Three primary concrete walls run north to south in parallel, forming the structural walls of the home. The entry sequence is carefully considered. The front door is hidden from view from the street. An entry path leads to an intimate courtyard, from which the front door is first visible. Upon entering, the visitor gets the first glimpse of the sea, framed by a portal of cast-in-place concrete. The kitchen, living, and dining space have a soaring 10-foot ceiling creating an especially spacious sense of interiority. A cantilevered deck runs the length of the living room, with a solid railing providing privacy from beach below. Where the house grows from a single to a two-story structure, the concrete walls rise magisterially to the full height of the building. The exterior concrete walls are accented with zinc gutters and downspouts, and wooden Ipe slats which softly filter light through the windows.

Devereux Beach House
Our client presented Flavin Architects with a unique challenge. On a site that previously hosted two houses, our client asked us to design a modestly sized house and separate art studio. Both structures reduce the height and bulk of the original buildings. The modern concrete house we designed is situated on the brow of a steep cliff overlooking Marblehead harbor. The concrete visually anchors the house to stone outcroppings on the property, and the low profile ensures the structure doesn’t conflict with the surround of traditional, gabled homes.
Three primary concrete walls run north to south in parallel, forming the structural walls of the home. The entry sequence is carefully considered. The front door is hidden from view from the street. An entry path leads to an intimate courtyard, from which the front door is first visible. Upon entering, the visitor gets the first glimpse of the sea, framed by a portal of cast-in-place concrete. The kitchen, living, and dining space have a soaring 10-foot ceiling creating an especially spacious sense of interiority. A cantilevered deck runs the length of the living room, with a solid railing providing privacy from beach below. Where the house grows from a single to a two-story structure, the concrete walls rise magisterially to the full height of the building. The exterior concrete walls are accented with zinc gutters and downspouts, and wooden Ipe slats which softly filter light through the windows.

Inquire About Our Design Services
What we did:
I started with a floor plan. I knew the success of this design rested in how the space was mapped out.
Lisa and Charles love modern furniture, but they couldn’t seem give each room the warmth they were looking for with modern furnishings, despite their best efforts. I was inspired by photos that they gave me and certain elements in the home that they LOVED.
One thing they mentioned was the fireplace and its color. I decided that the fireplace had to be the starting point of the room design, and based the color palette off of that beautiful, earthy orange color.
Here’s the highlights of the rest of the project:
Charted out the furniture plan for each room.
Created blueprints for shelving above Cabinet Storage area. Lisa is an avid reader and my home girl needs a library!
Custom designed the sofas, chairs, and an ottoman for the living area.
Selected all furnishings, accessories, and art.
Created storage for the kids. They are now able to stash their toys when they’re not using them, reducing clutter and keeping the space nice and open.
What I love:
They gave me the green light to have fun with the fabrics and patterns in the family room. I had a ton of fun with the sofas!
That AH-mazing coffee table. It is very unique, and I cannot lie… I secretly wanted it for myself.
The art in their living room (very dramatic). With the scale of the room, I knew it was either go big or go home!
Total time - 12.5 months

Inquire About Our Design Services
What we did:
I started with a floor plan. I knew the success of this design rested in how the space was mapped out.
Lisa and Charles love modern furniture, but they couldn’t seem give each room the warmth they were looking for with modern furnishings, despite their best efforts. I was inspired by photos that they gave me and certain elements in the home that they LOVED.
One thing they mentioned was the fireplace and its color. I decided that the fireplace had to be the starting point of the room design, and based the color palette off of that beautiful, earthy orange color.
Here’s the highlights of the rest of the project:
Charted out the furniture plan for each room.
Created blueprints for shelving above Cabinet Storage area. Lisa is an avid reader and my home girl needs a library!
Custom designed the sofas, chairs, and an ottoman for the living area.
Selected all furnishings, accessories, and art.
Created storage for the kids. They are now able to stash their toys when they’re not using them, reducing clutter and keeping the space nice and open.
What I love:
They gave me the green light to have fun with the fabrics and patterns in the family room. I had a ton of fun with the sofas!
That AH-mazing coffee table. It is very unique, and I cannot lie… I secretly wanted it for myself.
The art in their living room (very dramatic). With the scale of the room, I knew it was either go big or go home!
Total time - 12.5 months

Inquire About Our Design Services
What we did:
I started with a floor plan. I knew the success of this design rested in how the space was mapped out.
Lisa and Charles love modern furniture, but they couldn’t seem give each room the warmth they were looking for with modern furnishings, despite their best efforts. I was inspired by photos that they gave me and certain elements in the home that they LOVED.
One thing they mentioned was the fireplace and its color. I decided that the fireplace had to be the starting point of the room design, and based the color palette off of that beautiful, earthy orange color.
Here’s the highlights of the rest of the project:
Charted out the furniture plan for each room.
Created blueprints for shelving above Cabinet Storage area. Lisa is an avid reader and my home girl needs a library!
Custom designed the sofas, chairs, and an ottoman for the living area.
Selected all furnishings, accessories, and art.
Created storage for the kids. They are now able to stash their toys when they’re not using them, reducing clutter and keeping the space nice and open.
What I love:
They gave me the green light to have fun with the fabrics and patterns in the family room. I had a ton of fun with the sofas!
That AH-mazing coffee table. It is very unique, and I cannot lie… I secretly wanted it for myself.
The art in their living room (very dramatic). With the scale of the room, I knew it was either go big or go home!
Total time - 12.5 months

Inquire About Our Design Services
What we did:
I started with a floor plan. I knew the success of this design rested in how the space was mapped out.
Lisa and Charles love modern furniture, but they couldn’t seem give each room the warmth they were looking for with modern furnishings, despite their best efforts. I was inspired by photos that they gave me and certain elements in the home that they LOVED.
One thing they mentioned was the fireplace and its color. I decided that the fireplace had to be the starting point of the room design, and based the color palette off of that beautiful, earthy orange color.
Here’s the highlights of the rest of the project:
Charted out the furniture plan for each room.
Created blueprints for shelving above Cabinet Storage area. Lisa is an avid reader and my home girl needs a library!
Custom designed the sofas, chairs, and an ottoman for the living area.
Selected all furnishings, accessories, and art.
Created storage for the kids. They are now able to stash their toys when they’re not using them, reducing clutter and keeping the space nice and open.
What I love:
They gave me the green light to have fun with the fabrics and patterns in the family room. I had a ton of fun with the sofas!
That AH-mazing coffee table. It is very unique, and I cannot lie… I secretly wanted it for myself.
The art in their living room (very dramatic). With the scale of the room, I knew it was either go big or go home!
Total time - 12.5 months

www.doughill.com
Example of a mid-sized transitional built-in desk dark wood floor home office design in Los Angeles with gray walls
Example of a mid-sized transitional built-in desk dark wood floor home office design in Los Angeles with gray walls

Inquire About Our Design Services
What we did:
I started with a floor plan. I knew the success of this design rested in how the space was mapped out.
Lisa and Charles love modern furniture, but they couldn’t seem give each room the warmth they were looking for with modern furnishings, despite their best efforts. I was inspired by photos that they gave me and certain elements in the home that they LOVED.
One thing they mentioned was the fireplace and its color. I decided that the fireplace had to be the starting point of the room design, and based the color palette off of that beautiful, earthy orange color.
Here’s the highlights of the rest of the project:
Charted out the furniture plan for each room.
Created blueprints for shelving above Cabinet Storage area. Lisa is an avid reader and my home girl needs a library!
Custom designed the sofas, chairs, and an ottoman for the living area.
Selected all furnishings, accessories, and art.
Created storage for the kids. They are now able to stash their toys when they’re not using them, reducing clutter and keeping the space nice and open.
What I love:
They gave me the green light to have fun with the fabrics and patterns in the family room. I had a ton of fun with the sofas!
That AH-mazing coffee table. It is very unique, and I cannot lie… I secretly wanted it for myself.
The art in their living room (very dramatic). With the scale of the room, I knew it was either go big or go home!
Total time - 12.5 months

Home to the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, the Sagamore Hill National Historic Site is undergoing a three-year, $7.2 million rehabilitation project, including upgrades to the mechanical and electrical systems and lighting, as well as restoration of historic windows, doors, siding and porches to historic preservation standards.
Often referred to as the “Summer White House,” where President Roosevelt would host VIPs from the U.S. and the world during his presidency, the Queen Anne-style home has undergone a patchwork of renovation projects over the years. The current rehabilitation is aimed at avoiding ongoing smaller scale site work in the future.
For replacement of the impressive wraparound porch, the National Park Service (NPS) selected Accoya wood, a Cradle to Cradle-certified material that is durable and stable, and is guaranteed against rot and decay for 50 years in exterior use. In addition, Accoya does not shrink or swell, making it an ideal material for a variety of exterior applications. “In caring for such an important property, we needed to ensure that we used the highest quality, environmentally friendly products that were sympathetic to the environment,” said Susan Sarna, museum curator for the NPS. “In addition, given the negative impact that renovation works have on visitor experience, we wanted to use a product that would allow us to reduce ongoing maintenance at the site.”
Building Type: National Historic Site – Residential
Client: U.S. National Park Service
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