Remaining Connected - Photos & Ideas

As a part of a larger transformation, the kitchen served as an anchor for rethinking how the home could feel and function. The goal was to create a space that felt truly integrated, flowed naturally within itself, and connected seamlessly to the outdoors. Storage was a top priority, with an emphasis on keeping countertops clean and the space feeling calm and open. Flow was equally important. What began as a layout optimized for entertaining evolved into a more intentional approach, where every sightline and transition was thoughtfully considered. The clients also needed the kitchen to work hard for their lifestyle, with a commercial-size refrigerator and freezer, generous prep space, and room to gather. The challenge was to bring purpose and polish to a space that didn’t quite feel like it belonged. The result is a kitchen that’s not only highly functional but finally feels like part of the home. Project challenges: - Maximizing storage was a primary challenge, especially with the inclusion of a commercial-sized fridge and freezer that occupied valuable cabinetry space. - The need for clean, uninterrupted lines throughout the kitchen required thoughtful detailing, especially around cabinetry transitions and appliance integration. - The oversized island design required two stone slabs and waterfall edges on both sides which posed both visual and logistical challenges. - Incorporating electrical outlets into the island in a way that felt intentional and unobtrusive demanded creative problem-solving. - The unique rooflines created strong visual angles that required a considered design approach to ensure the space felt cohesive rather than disjointed. - Balancing symmetry and flow in a kitchen with structural constraints required precise layout planning to maintain a cohesive visual rhythm. - Creating an intentional indoor/outdoor living flow, especially in the transitional space between the sliding doors to the backyard and the kitchen. Project solutions: - To balance the visual weight of the commercial-grade fridge and freezer, we flanked the range and hood with full-height pocket cabinetry, which created symmetry while reclaiming storage space. We also took a look into internal organization and carefully mapped out where every kitchen item would live. This allowed us to make informed decisions about drawer versus door configurations, and when to incorporate features like roll-out shelving to maximize accessibility and function. - Linear light fixtures above the island were chosen for their low visual impact, allowing sightlines to remain clear and emphasizing the thoughtful spatial layout. - The oversized island was carefully executed using two coordinated slabs, with a subtle brass inlay detail between them to turn a logistical challenge into a design feature. - Pop-up electrical outlets were integrated into the island to keep surfaces clutter-free while maintaining easy access, which combined form and function seamlessly. - With multiple focal points and a peaked vaulted ceiling, layout precision was key. The island, hood, and adjacent staircase were all perfectly centered on the vault, creating a sense of alignment across the open space. - In the transitional area between kitchen and backyard, we added a wet bar that visually and functionally connects the indoor space with the outdoors. This addition provides extra storage and creates a dedicated entertainment spot for guests, enhancing the overall flow and usability of the home.

Corner Villa

Arash Madani Design House

The "Corner Villa" design principles are meticulously crafted to create communal spaces for celebrations and gatherings while catering to the owner's need for private sanctuaries and privacy. One unique feature of the villa is the courtyard at the back of the building, separated from the main facade and parking area. This placement ensures that the courtyard and private areas of the villa remain secluded and at the center of the structure. In addition, the desire for a peaceful space away from the main reception and party hall led to more secluded private spaces and bedrooms on a single floor. These spaces are connected by a deep balcony, allowing for different activities to take place simultaneously, making the villa more energy-efficient during periods of lower occupancy and contributing to reduced energy consumption. The villa's shape features broken lines and geometric lozenges that create corners. This design not only allows for expansive balconies but also provides captivating views. The broken lines also serve the purpose of shading areas that receive intense sunlight, ensuring thermal comfort. Addressing the client's crucial need for a serene and tranquil space detached from the main reception and party hall led to the creation of more secluded private spaces and bedrooms on a single floor due to building restrictions. A deep balcony was introduced as a connecting point between these spaces. This arrangement enables various activities, such as parties and relaxation, to occur simultaneously, contributing to energy-efficient practices during periods of lower occupancy, thus aiding in reduced energy consumption.

Streetside Vantage Rise

Rochelle Cote Interior Design

This residence embraces a light, open, and contemporary aesthetic, defined by warmth, simplicity, and a sense of effortless sophistication. A soft, neutral palette is layered with natural materials, subtle textures, and thoughtfully considered accents, creating an interior that feels fresh, inviting, and refined. The home's modern exterior transitions seamlessly into bright, airy interiors, where clean lines, generous natural light, and carefully selected furnishings create a sense of openness and calm. Intentional spatial planning, understated lighting, and a balance of form and function allow each space to feel cohesive, comfortable, and elevated while remaining warm and approachable. Designed with a modern young family in mind, the home balances contemporary refinement with the ease and energy of everyday life. Open, flexible spaces encourage connection, creativity, and togetherness, while a natural relationship between the interior and exterior creates a seamless flow throughout the home. Thoughtful transitions between shared living areas and outdoor spaces invite family gatherings, quiet moments, and everyday activities to unfold naturally. The result is a home that feels bright, welcoming, and timeless—designed to support connection, comfort, and the evolving rhythms of family life.

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Plan # FB1037

Southernwood Homes

This opulent, newly constructed four-bedroom, three and a half bath residence is situated on a sprawling 1-acre lot within an exclusive gated community. Boasting an elegant exterior of four-sided brick complemented by white-washed stone accents, this home features numerous spacious living areas, each graced by a cozy fireplace and seamlessly connected to the open-concept kitchen. The shared spaces are adorned with exquisite site-finished hardwood flooring and adorned with wood-beamed ceilings, creating a warm and inviting ambiance throughout. The impeccably designed kitchen features custom white cabinetry adorned with brushed gold hardware, stunning quartz countertops that seamlessly extend up the backsplash, a truly breathtaking Waterfall Kitchen Center Island, and top-of-the-line KitchenAid stainless steel appliances, including a separate gas cooktop and a convenient pot-filler. A striking office is conveniently situated just off the entry foyer, exuding an elevated sense of style with its Board and Batten walls and upgraded lighting. Whether you prefer to unwind in the expansive screened-in porch with its elegant flagstone flooring, brick fireplace, and charming tongue-and-groove ceiling, which overlooks the spacious backyard, or relax on the front porch with similar high-quality finishes, you'll find outdoor living at its finest. The main level hosts the primary suite, featuring hardwood flooring, a wood-beamed ceiling, and a walk-in closet equipped with custom shelving for optimal organization. The primary spa retreat offers a luxurious standing tub, a beautifully tiled shower, and double vanities complemented by a quartz countertop tower. Upstairs, you'll discover three more bedrooms, including a guest suite with its private bathroom, as well as two additional bedrooms connected by a convenient Jack and Jill bathroom. The upper level also boasts a generously sized bonus room, adding extra flexibility and living space to this exceptional home. This residence radiates elegant detailing and offers limitless possibilities to accommodate today's lifestyles. The partially finished Terrace Level is graced by a double-sided fireplace, and the builder has thoughtfully included all HVAC, electrical, drywall, and rough plumbing required for a full bathroom and powder room. The property's landscape is professionally designed and features an underground irrigation system to ensure the grounds remain beautifully maintained.

The Denali floor plan is designed to bring warmth into every home by supporting the unique needs of multigenerational families. Its ample size and well-planned layout ensure every generation has space to feel both connected and comfortably independent. The main floor includes a full in-law suite designed with accessibility in mind, allowing aging parents or visiting relatives to live with ease while remaining close to family life. Generous bedrooms throughout the home provide room for growing families, while a large flex room offers adaptable space for work, play, or retreat. The basement is intentionally planned for future expansion, with an additional bedroom and bathroom and direct basement garage access allowing for private, self-contained living suitable for adult children, or extended family. Across the home, openness and connection are balanced with thoughtful privacy. Whether gathering in shared spaces or retreating to quieter areas, each generation can enjoy comfort, dignity, and belonging. The Denali is crafted to evolve with families, offering warm, functional, and future-ready home for every stage of life.

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Plan # FB1037

Southernwood Homes

W.L. Martin Home Designs House Plan #24378

W.L. Martin Home Designs

Smart Space, Warm Design: A Family-Focused 4-Bedroom Home Home Plan #24378 delivers an efficient and comfortable single-story layout ideal for developers or homeowners who appreciate modern features without excess square footage. With 2,107 square feet of thoughtfully arranged space, this 4-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom plan offers an ideal footprint for a wide range of lot sizes in suburban or semi-rural settings. Open Concept with Everyday Functionality At the heart of this home is a large open-concept living room that connects seamlessly to the kitchen and rear dining area. The kitchen features a central island with bar seating, perfect for casual meals, homework sessions, or entertaining. With clear sightlines from the kitchen into the living room and dining area, this space is designed to keep families connected. Well-Planned Bedroom Layout for Privacy and Comfort The primary suite is tucked away for privacy and features a large en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower, double vanity, and a spacious walk-in closet. One of the secondary bedrooms includes a private full bathroom, making it a great option for guests or an older child. The remaining two bedrooms share a third full bath, complete with double sinks to simplify busy mornings. Convenient Extras A half bathroom is located off the main hallway near the entrance foyer — an ideal placement for guests and day-to-day use. The home also includes a generously sized front porch that not only enhances the curb appeal but also provides a comfortable outdoor space for relaxing or welcoming guests. Attached Garage and Storage Potential The attached two-car garage provides plenty of room for vehicles, tools, and extra storage. With direct access into the home, it adds everyday convenience and functionality. Perfect for Modern Families or Efficient Developments Plan #24378 strikes the right balance between open living spaces and private retreats. With its compact, efficient layout and flexible bedroom arrangements, it’s an excellent fit for families, multi-generational living, or developers seeking to offer high-demand floor plans in neighborhoods across North America.

Sophisticated Suburban Kitchen

Swatch Design Group

Plan # FB1037

Southernwood Homes

A Mid-Century Kitchen That Maximizes Every Inch

MAC Renovations and Design

Not every home can handle teal—but this one absolutely owns it. What could have felt bold instead became the defining feature of a kitchen full of personality, warmth, and confidence. Rooted in a mid-century modern aesthetic that aligns seamlessly with the rest of the home, the design embraces clean lines, thoughtful restraint, and intentional details. Minimal gold hardware delicately cuffs the edges of the slab cabinet doors and drawers, adding just enough contrast to elevate the sleek, streamlined look without overwhelming it. While the renovation remained within the existing footprint, one strategic change made a significant impact—introducing an additional entrance from the front door. This simple move opened up the entire first floor, creating a natural connection between spaces and improving the overall flow of the home. 123 With space at a premium, custom cabinetry became essential. Every inch was maximized with purpose—from a narrow pull-out spice rack to a fully concealed dishwasher, and stretching cabinetry to the ceiling —proving that highly functional design can still feel clean and effortless. And then there are the details that bring it all together. A matte white faucet offers an unexpected, sculptural moment that feels both modern and refined. Overhead, a custom linear light fixture anchors the space, adding a tailored element that the homeowner truly fell in love with. The result is a kitchen that feels cohesive, efficient, and uniquely personal—proof that great design isn’t about more space, but about making every inch count. The result is a space that feels both expressive and efficient, all while remaining timelessly classy. Every material choice brings personality, warmth, and cohesion to the room.

This project was designed, and developed by Rhodes Architecture + Light while Josh Meharry was a team member. Constructed within a rare five acre plot of forested land in Bothell, this house design stemmed from an interest in both creating connections to the surrounding environment as well as carving out an area for communal gathering for this family of 6 to come together with their extended family, friends and community. In response to this desire, the main residence was broken into three separate structures arranged roughly into a “C” confirguration, which formed an inner courtyard where communal gatherings could take place that was adjacent to but felt distinct from the surrounding forest. All three structures support different uses for the residence, but all have views toward and open onto this inner court. Since the residence was located at the low point of a shallow ravine that runs through the site, the two side structures were built into the surrounding hillsides with boardformed concrete retaining walls that are exposed at both the interior and exterior of the house. The central structure that houses the main interior living spaces, bridges over a small stream that flows during the wet season, allowing the site’s natural drainage patterns to remain intact. The spanning portion of this central structure is supported off of two cast in place board-formed concrete chimneys, which also act to define the edges of the main interior spaces and include large double sided fireplaces. This central structure was designed to be very transparent to be as inviting as possible and provide views through the structure to the inner courtyard and into the forest beyond. The simple gabled forms are typical of traditional Pacific Northwest homes and cabins found in forested settings like this, and are preferred for their structural efficiency, and their ability to shed rain, snow and tree debris. The roof forms are vaulted at the interior as well, creating an increased sense of spaciousness. The exterior materials used are extremely durable and will remain maintenance free for many years, with corten standing seam metal roofs, corrugated pre-finished siding, exposed board-formed concrete and powder coated steel.

Plan # FB1037

Southernwood Homes

Entire Home Transformation Second Floor Addition

Cedarstone Group Inc.

Staircase – Custom Detailed Vertical Connection | Second Floor Addition, Toronto This staircase is a key architectural feature of the home, thoughtfully designed as part of the second floor addition to create a seamless and inviting connection between levels. Rather than feeling enclosed or purely functional, the stair was intentionally planned to remain open, light-filled, and visually integrated with the surrounding spaces. The design showcases a custom railing system, combining glass panels with a continuous oak handrail and black metal detailing, striking a balance between warmth and modern contrast. The transparency of the glass allows natural light to flow freely through the stairwell, enhancing sightlines and preventing the vertical transition from feeling closed off. From a construction standpoint, the staircase required precise structural coordination, framing alignment, and finish integration to ensure safety, code compliance, and long-term durability—especially critical when tying a new second storey into an existing home. As part of the full-home transformation, this staircase reflects Cedarstone Group Inc.’s design-build philosophy: every transition space is an opportunity for thoughtful design, craftsmanship, and cohesion, not an afterthought.