Despite the grand size of the 300-square-foot den and its cathedral ceiling, the room remains cozy and welcoming. The casual living space is a respite from the white walls and trim that illuminate most of the main level. Instead, natural cherry built-in shelving and paneling span the fireplace wall and fill the room with a warm masculine sensibility. The hearth surround of the gas fireplace exhibits prosperity for detail. The herringbone pattern is constructed of small, tumbled-slate tiles and topped with a simple natural cherry mantel. There are integrated windows into the design of the fireplace wall. The small, high sidelights are joined by three grand windows that fill most of the room's back wall and offer an inviting view of the backyard. Comfortable twin chairs and a classic-style sofa provide ideal spots to relax, read or enjoy a show on the TV, which is hidden in the corner behind vintage shutters.

Transitional single-wall dark wood floor wet bar photo in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets and multicolored backsplash

In the den, Royal Theater Design integrated a flat screen television above the fireplace, flush mounted speakers in the ceiling and hid all remaining system components in custom cabinetry to minimize the visibility of the technology.

The owners, inspired by mid-century modern architecture, hired Klopf Architecture to design an Eichler-inspired 21st-Century, energy efficient new home that would replace a dilapidated 1940s home. The home follows the gentle slope of the hillside while the overarching post-and-beam roof above provides an unchanging datum line. The changing moods of nature animate the house because of views through large glass walls at nearly every vantage point. Every square foot of the house remains close to the ground creating and adding to the sense of connection with nature. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, Geoff Campen, Angela Todorova, and Jeff Prose Structural Engineer: Alex Rood, SE, Fulcrum Engineering (now Pivot Engineering) Landscape Designer (atrium): Yoshi Chiba, Chiba's Gardening Landscape Designer (rear lawn): Aldo Sepulveda, Sepulveda Landscaping Contractor: Augie Peccei, Coast to Coast Construction Photography ©2015 Mariko Reed Location: Belmont, CA Year completed: 2015

Farmhouse kitchen photo in Milwaukee

Situated on the edge of a hillside, the fire pit area takes in the views while remaining connected to the rest of the landscape. Basalt columns form retaining walls with an integrated custom metal firewood enclosure.

This was a challenging project for very discerning clients. The home was originally owned by the client’s father, and she inherited it when he passed. Care was taken to preserve the history in the home while upgrading it for the current owners. This home exceeds current energy codes, and all mechanical and electrical systems have been completely replaced. The clients remained in the home for the duration of the reno, so it was completed in two phases. Phase 1 involved gutting the basement, removing all asbestos containing materials (flooring, plaster), and replacing all mechanical and electrical systems, new spray foam insulation, and complete new finishing. The clients lived upstairs while we did the basement, and in the basement while we did the main floor. They left on a vacation while we did the asbestos work. Phase 2 involved a rock retaining wall on the rear of the property that required a lengthy approval process including municipal, fisheries, First Nations, and environmental authorities. The home had a new rear covered deck, garage, new roofline, all new interior and exterior finishing, new mechanical and electrical systems, new insulation and drywall. Phase 2 also involved an extensive asbestos abatement to remove Asbestos-containing materials in the flooring, plaster, insulation, and mastics. Photography by Carsten Arnold Photography.

A small guest bath in this Lakewood mid century was updated to be much more user friendly but remain true to the aesthetic of the home. A custom wall-hung walnut vanity with linear asymmetrical holly inlays sits beneath a custom blue concrete sinktop. The entire vanity wall and shower is tiled in a unique textured Porcelanosa tile in white. Tim Gormley, TG Image

A nice formal Living Space with a cool way to integrate a TV/Surround System. Speakers are built into the cabinet behind transparent audio cloth so you can hear them but not see them. All of the electronics are hidden behind closed doors. Because the remote is radio frequency, it will work the equipment even if the doors remain closed.

Design by Aline Designs
Inspiration for a country kitchen remodel in Oklahoma City

Tom Grimes
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized traditional u-shaped limestone floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen idea in New York with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, beige backsplash, terra-cotta backsplash, white appliances, an island and white countertops

The Ulisse Desk by Clei is a vertically opening Queen bed with a desk on the front that ingeniously remains parallel to the floor as the bed is opened. Integrates with Clei modular shelving and storage systems and available through Resource Furniture. Photo courtesy of Clei / Resource Furniture

While the addition of the second floor to this existing ranch involved an extensive amount of work, the existing first floor remained largely unchanged other than interior modifications to the kitchen, dining room, and entry. While all the windows in the house were replaced, the challenge to this project was integrating the new second floor windows, roofline, and details to make the house feel as if it has been there for 100 years.

Bathroom - transitional bathroom idea

A small enclosed kitchen is very common in many homes such as the home that we remodeled here. Opening a wall to allow natural light to penetrate the space is a must. When budget is important the solution can be as you see in this project - the wall was opened and removed but a structural post remained and it was incorporated in the design. The blue modern flat paneled cabinets was a perfect choice to contras the very familiar gray scale color scheme but it’s still compliments it since blue is in the correct cold color spectrum. Notice the great black windows and the fantastic awning window facing the pool. The awning window is great to be able to serve the exterior sitting area near the pool. Opening the wall also allowed us to compliment the kitchen with a nice bar/island sitting area without having an actual island in the space. The best part of this kitchen is the large built-in pantry wall with a tall wine fridge and a lovely coffee area that we built in the sitting area made the kitchen expend into the breakfast nook and doubled the area that is now considered to be the kitchen.

A young couple with three small children purchased this full floor loft in Tribeca in need of a gut renovation. The existing apartment was plagued with awkward spaces, limited natural light and an outdated décor. It was also lacking the required third child’s bedroom desperately needed for their newly expanded family. StudioLAB aimed for a fluid open-plan layout in the larger public spaces while creating smaller, tighter quarters in the rear private spaces to satisfy the family’s programmatic wishes. 3 small children’s bedrooms were carved out of the rear lower level connected by a communal playroom and a shared kid’s bathroom. Upstairs, the master bedroom and master bathroom float above the kid’s rooms on a mezzanine accessed by a newly built staircase. Ample new storage was built underneath the staircase as an extension of the open kitchen and dining areas. A custom pull out drawer containing the food and water bowls was installed for the family’s two dogs to be hidden away out of site when not in use. All wall surfaces, existing and new, were limited to a bright but warm white finish to create a seamless integration in the ceiling and wall structures allowing the spatial progression of the space and sculptural quality of the midcentury modern furniture pieces and colorful original artwork, painted by the wife’s brother, to enhance the space. The existing tin ceiling was left in the living room to maximize ceiling heights and remain a reminder of the historical details of the original construction. A new central AC system was added with an exposed cylindrical duct running along the long living room wall. A small office nook was built next to the elevator tucked away to be out of site.

This young couple spends part of the year in Japan and part of the year in the US. Their request was to fit a traditional Japanese bathroom into their tight space on a budget and create additional storage. The footprint remained the same on the vanity/toilet side of the room. In the place of the existing shower, we created a linen closet and in the place of the original built in tub we created a wet room with a shower area and a deep soaking tub.

The landscape architect transformed the property into a series of beautifully terraced outdoor rooms, thoughtfully integrating the home's original dining terrace and fireplace into the new design. Through furnishings, styling, and functional planning, each destination was given its own personality while remaining visually connected to the next. The result is an effortless indoor-outdoor experience where every space invites gathering, relaxation, and movement throughout the landscape.