photo: Mark Pinkerton, VI360
Trendy exterior home photo in San Francisco

© Hester Barnard - http://ctrlcreativestudio.com/
Inspiration for a huge contemporary open concept light wood floor living room remodel in Toronto with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Large minimalist enclosed medium tone wood floor living room photo in New York with gray walls, no fireplace and no tv

Home office - transitional home office idea in St Louis

A captivating transformation in the coveted neighborhood of University Park, Dallas The heart of this home lies in the kitchen, where we embarked on a design endeavor that would leave anyone speechless. By opening up the main kitchen wall, we created a magnificent window system that floods the space with natural light and offers a breathtaking view of the picturesque surroundings. Suspended from the ceiling, a steel-framed marble vent hood floats a few inches from the window, showcasing a mesmerizing Lilac Marble. The same marble is skillfully applied to the backsplash and island, featuring a bold combination of color and pattern that exudes elegance. Adding to the kitchen's allure is the Italian range, which not only serves as a showstopper but offers robust culinary features for even the savviest of cooks. However, the true masterpiece of the kitchen lies in the honed reeded marble-faced island. Each marble strip was meticulously cut and crafted by artisans to achieve a half-rounded profile, resulting in an island that is nothing short of breathtaking. This intricate process took several months, but the end result speaks for itself. To complement the grandeur of the kitchen, we designed a combination of stain-grade and paint-grade cabinets in a thin raised panel door style. This choice adds an elegant yet simple look to the overall design. Inside each cabinet and drawer, custom interiors were meticulously designed to provide maximum functionality and organization for the day-to-day cooking activities. A vintage Turkish runner dating back to the 1960s, evokes a sense of history and character. The breakfast nook boasts a stunning, vivid, and colorful artwork created by one of Dallas' top artist, Kyle Steed, who is revered for his mastery of his craft. Some of our favorite art pieces from the inspiring Haylee Yale grace the coffee station and media console, adding the perfect moment to pause and loose yourself in the story of her art. The project extends beyond the kitchen into the living room, where the family's changing needs and growing children demanded a new design approach. Accommodating their new lifestyle, we incorporated a large sectional for family bonding moments while watching TV. The living room now boasts bolder colors, striking artwork a coffered accent wall, and cayenne velvet curtains that create an inviting atmosphere. Completing the room is a custom 22' x 15' rug, adding warmth and comfort to the space. A hidden coat closet door integrated into the feature wall adds an element of surprise and functionality. This project is not just about aesthetics; it's about pushing the boundaries of design and showcasing the possibilities. By curating an out-of-the-box approach, we bring texture and depth to the space, employing different materials and original applications. The layered design achieved through repeated use of the same material in various forms, shapes, and locations demonstrates that unexpected elements can create breathtaking results. The reason behind this redesign and remodel was the homeowners' desire to have a kitchen that not only provided functionality but also served as a beautiful backdrop to their cherished family moments. The previous kitchen lacked the "wow" factor they desired, prompting them to seek our expertise in creating a space that would be a source of joy and inspiration. Inspired by well-curated European vignettes, sculptural elements, clean lines, and a natural color scheme with pops of color, this design reflects an elegant organic modern style. Mixing metals, contrasting textures, and utilizing clean lines were key elements in achieving the desired aesthetic. The living room introduces bolder moments and a carefully chosen color scheme that adds character and personality. The client's must-haves were clear: they wanted a show stopping centerpiece for their home, enhanced natural light in the kitchen, and a design that reflected their family's dynamic. With the transformation of the range wall into a wall of windows, we fulfilled their desire for abundant natural light and breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Our favorite rooms and design elements are numerous, but the kitchen remains a standout feature. The painstaking process of hand-cutting and crafting each reeded panel in the island to match the marble's veining resulted in a labor of love that emanates warmth and hospitality to all who enter. In conclusion, this tastefully lux project in University Park, Dallas is an extraordinary example of a full gut remodel that has surpassed all expectations. The meticulous attention to detail, the masterful use of materials, and the seamless blend of functionality and aesthetics create an unforgettable space. It serves as a testament to the power of design and the transformative impact it can have on a home and its inhabitants. Project by Texas' Urbanology Designs. Their North Richland Hills-based interior design studio serves Dallas, Highland Park, University Park, Fort Worth, and upscale clients nationwide.

Ron Ruscio
Example of a mountain style kids' green tile and glass tile doorless shower design in Denver with a drop-in sink, furniture-like cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz countertops and beige walls

Mid-Century Remodel on Tabor Hill This sensitively sited house was designed by Robert Coolidge, a renowned architect and grandson of President Calvin Coolidge. The house features a symmetrical gable roof and beautiful floor to ceiling glass facing due south, smartly oriented for passive solar heating. Situated on a steep lot, the house is primarily a single story that steps down to a family room. This lower level opens to a New England exterior. Our goals for this project were to maintain the integrity of the original design while creating more modern spaces. Our design team worked to envision what Coolidge himself might have designed if he'd had access to modern materials and fixtures. With the aim of creating a signature space that ties together the living, dining, and kitchen areas, we designed a variation on the 1950's "floating kitchen." In this inviting assembly, the kitchen is located away from exterior walls, which allows views from the floor-to-ceiling glass to remain uninterrupted by cabinetry. We updated rooms throughout the house; installing modern features that pay homage to the fine, sleek lines of the original design. Finally, we opened the family room to a terrace featuring a fire pit. Since a hallmark of our design is the diminishment of the hard line between interior and exterior, we were especially pleased for the opportunity to update this classic work.

This spacious, multi-level backyard in San Luis Obispo, CA, once completely underutilized and overtaken by weeds, was converted into the ultimate outdoor entertainment space with a custom pool and spa as the centerpiece. A cabana with a built-in storage bench, outdoor TV and wet bar provide a protected place to chill during hot pool days, and a screened outdoor shower nearby is perfect for rinsing off after a dip. A hammock attached to the master deck and the adjacent pool deck are ideal for relaxing and soaking up some rays. The stone veneer-faced water feature wall acts as a backdrop for the pool area, and transitions into a retaining wall dividing the upper and lower levels. An outdoor sectional surrounds a gas fire bowl to create a cozy spot to entertain in the evenings, with string lights overhead for ambiance. A Belgard paver patio connects the lounge area to the outdoor kitchen with a Bull gas grill and cabinetry, polished concrete counter tops, and a wood bar top with seating. The outdoor kitchen is tucked in next to the main deck, one of the only existing elements that remain from the previous space, which now functions as an outdoor dining area overlooking the entire yard. Finishing touches included low-voltage LED landscape lighting, pea gravel mulch, and lush planting areas and outdoor decor.

Example of a transitional laundry room design in Minneapolis

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

This pool and spa is built in an affluent neighborhood with many new homes that are traditional in design but have modern, clean details. Similar to the homes, this pool takes a traditional pool and gives it a clean, modern twist. The site proved to be perfect for a long lap pool that the client desired with plenty of room for a separate spa. The two bodies of water, though separate, are visually linked together by a custom limestone raised water feature wall with 10 custom Bobe water scuppers. Quality workmanship as required throughout the entire build to ensure the automatic pool cover would remain square the entire 50 foot length of the pool. Features of this pool and environment that enhance the aesthetic appeal of this project include: -Glass waterline tile -Glass seat and bench tile -Glass tile swim lane marking on pool floor -Custom limestone coping and deck -PebbleTec pool finish -Synthetic Turf Lawn This outdoor environment cohesively brings the clean & modern finishes of the home seamlessly to the outdoors to a pool and spa for play, exercise and relaxation. Photography: Daniel Driensky

Joe Fletcher
Open concept kitchen - mid-sized contemporary single-wall open concept kitchen idea in New York with flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, concrete countertops, gray backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a farmhouse sink and no island

This modern porch swing was designed for an recently remodeled 105 year old home. The exterior of the home remains the same as it was- but the interior has a sleek modern style and the client wanted a piece of that represented at the porch. The seat is made from bent plywood and has a steel frame.

This pool and spa is built in an affluent neighborhood with many new homes that are traditional in design but have modern, clean details. Similar to the homes, this pool takes a traditional pool and gives it a clean, modern twist. The site proved to be perfect for a long lap pool that the client desired with plenty of room for a separate spa. The two bodies of water, though separate, are visually linked together by a custom limestone raised water feature wall with 10 custom Bobe water scuppers. Quality workmanship as required throughout the entire build to ensure the automatic pool cover would remain square the entire 50 foot length of the pool. Features of this pool and environment that enhance the aesthetic appeal of this project include: -Glass waterline tile -Glass seat and bench tile -Glass tile swim lane marking on pool floor -Custom limestone coping and deck -PebbleTec pool finish -Synthetic Turf Lawn This outdoor environment cohesively brings the clean & modern finishes of the home seamlessly to the outdoors to a pool and spa for play, exercise and relaxation. Photography: Daniel Driensky

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 radical remodel of a modest beach bungalow originally built in 1913 and relocated in 1920 to its current location, blocks from the ocean. The exterior of the Bay Street Residence remains true to form, preserving its inherent street presence. The interior has been fully renovated to create a streamline connection between each interior space and the rear yard. A 2-story rear addition provides a master suite and deck above while simultaneously creating a unique space below that serves as a terraced indoor dining and living area open to the outdoors. Photographer: Taiyo Watanabe

Originally a nearly three-story tall 1920’s European-styled home was turned into a modern villa for work and home. A series of low concrete retaining wall planters and steps gradually takes you up to the second level entry, grounding or anchoring the house into the site, as does a new wrap around veranda and trellis. Large eave overhangs on the upper roof were designed to give the home presence and were accented with a Mid-century orange color. The new master bedroom addition white box creates a better sense of entry and opens to the wrap around veranda at the opposite side. Inside the owners live on the lower floor and work on the upper floor with the garage basement for storage, archives and a ceramics studio. New windows and open spaces were created for the graphic designer owners; displaying their mid-century modern furnishings collection. A lot of effort went into attempting to lower the house visually by bringing the ground plane higher with the concrete retaining wall planters, steps, wrap around veranda and trellis, and the prominent roof with exaggerated overhangs. That the eaves were painted orange is a cool reflection of the owner’s Dutch heritage. Budget was a driver for the project and it was determined that the footprint of the home should have minimal extensions and that the new windows remain in the same relative locations as the old ones. Wall removal was utilized versus moving and building new walls where possible. Photo Credit: John Sutton Photography.

Originally built in 1892, this quaint log cabin has undergone a transformative renovation while preserving its charming character. Located near the Little Deschutes River in Central Oregon, within the historic Vandert Homestead, the home now boasts bright, open spaces for everyday living, complete with flexible aluminum clad folding doors. Working alongside contractor Bales Inc., architect Jeff Klein from Klein Architecture led the renovation with the goal of opening the once dark interior to natural light and the surrounding landscape. Central to the design was transforming a deteriorating garage into a new functional sunroom, creating a light-filled space that reorients the cabin design toward the patio and natural environment. Restoring a Historic Cabin with Aluminum Clad Folding Doors outdoor living with aluminum clad folding door A Revamped Cabin Design for Indoor-Outdoor Living The former garage is now a transitional space between the cabin and a natural stone patio. Positioned along the south elevation, the sunroom captures daylight throughout the day while acting as a buffer between the interior and exterior environments. A revised roof assembly was developed to resolve previous drainage failures. Working with framers, the design team incorporated a sloping roof system with a waterproof membrane to direct water away from the structure. This approach not only protected the log walls but also created access to a rooftop deck from the upper level, adding functional outdoor space without expanding the building footprint. “It was also critical to transform the existing dark, segmented interior spaces by physically opening them up to the new sunroom,” says Klein. “NanaWall systems offered the ideal solution for what we were after.” historical homestead interior Improving Spatial Flow, From the Kitchen to the Sunroom The kitchen remained largely intact during the renovation, retaining many of the elements that had defined the cabin’s character for decades. Features such as the farmhouse sink, concrete countertops, butcher-block island, and built-in seating were retained, creating a perfect blend of old and new. What changed was how the kitchen connects to the surrounding rooms. The layout now flows naturally into an adjacent dining area before extending into the newly added sunroom, delivering a seamless transition from the interiors to the outdoors through aluminum clad folding doors. Historic log cabin with clad folding doors and windows A Light-Filled Sunroom Designed for Gatherings with Aluminum Clad Windows and Doors The newly added sunroom became the centerpiece of the cabin design. Designed as a bright, welcoming space, it connects the historic cabin to the natural stone patio beyond. Interior designer Sue Olson helped create the room's atmosphere by choosing finishes and furnishings that complement the cabin's rustic materials while keeping the space open and inviting. The sunroom captures sunlight throughout the day and serves as a flexible space for dining, relaxing, and entertaining. The addition was designed to sit comfortably alongside the existing log structure while introducing expansive glazing and aluminum clad folding doors that draw daylight deep into the home. NanaWall aluminum clad folding doors and windows Aluminum Clad Folding Doors Open the Sunroom to the Patio A NanaWall aluminum clad folding glass door opens the south wall of the sunroom, creating a direct connection to the natural stone patio. Spanning more than thirteen feet wide and nearly eight feet tall, the system allows the entire façade to open when the panels are folded back. Specified with pine wood frames and simulated divided lites, the door complements the cabin’s traditional materials while introducing the flexibility of modern indoor-outdoor living. When closed, the door frames the view while bringing daylight into the sunroom. When open, the space seamlessly flows into the patio. Plus, customized with double glazed panels, these aluminum clad systems offer an insulated barrier that keeps cold weather out and keeps comfortable interiors year-round. “The NanaWall system was the ideal solution for the proposed design,” says Klein. “The result is a seamless connection between the sheltered interior area and the openness of the outdoor environment.” aluminum clad folding windows A Folding Window Creates an Indoor-Outdoor Bar Complementing the folding door and indoor-outdoor cabin design, a NanaWall aluminum clad folding window was installed at bar height along the sunroom wall facing the patio. Stretching more than thirteen feet across and just over four feet in height, the opening transforms the wall into a casual indoor-outdoor serving counter. Specified with matching pine wood frames and simulated divided lites, the system folds away easily, creating an indoor-outdoor bar that encourages interaction between the sunroom and patio. When open, the counter becomes a flexible gathering point for meals, drinks, and conversation, allowing those inside and outside to share the space comfortably. “The NanaWall door and window systems played a pivotal role in achieving our design objectives,” says Klein. “The connection between the indoor and outdoor environment has become seamless.” inoor-outdoor living with clad folding windows and doors The Flexible Design Solution for Every Home Style Beyond creating large openings, the NanaWall aluminum clad folding doors were chosen for how well they integrate with the cabin’s traditional architecture while delivering modern functionality. The wood clad panels, specified with simulated divided lites, reflect the style and charm of classic window detailing, while panels that fold outward maximize usable space inside the cabin. Minimal frames maximize glass area, drawing natural light deeper into the sunroom and adjacent spaces. Paired with higher weather performance sills, the systems are built to withstand the region’s climate while allowing the sunroom to shift easily between a sheltered interior space and an open-air extension of the patio. Additionally, NanaWall aluminum clad systems feature clip-on cladding technology that allows the wood to breathe in environments where temperatures are extremely hot, humid, or cold. This, in turn, aligns with the renovation’s goal of resolving prior drainage and moisture issues. outdoor living with NanaWall aluminum clad systems Final Thoughts: Historic Cabin Design Reimagined for Modern Living Today, the Vandevert Homestead perfectly blends old-time charm with modern living. The renovation maintains the historic character of the original log structure while introducing brighter, more connected spaces that better engage with the surrounding landscape. With the transformation of the garage into a light-filled sunroom and flexible NanaWall aluminum clad folding doors, everyday living now flows naturally between the kitchen, dining area, sunroom, and patio. The result is a cabin that feels both timeless and renewed, where historic craftsmanship remains intact while the home experience is lighter, more open, and closely tied to the natural beauty of Central Oregon.

The Master Bedroom suite remained the only real neutral room as far as the color palette. This serves the owners need to escape the daily hustle-bustle and recharge, so it must be calm and relaxing. A softer palette with light off-whites and warm tones. Sheers were added to the doors of the balcony so they could blow in the breeze like a resort but not block the view outside. A sitting area with swivel chairs was added for TV viewing, conversation or reading.