Example of a mid-sized classic backyard brick patio design in Columbus with a fire pit and a roof extension

C.L. Fry Photography
Example of a small transitional gray tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile corner shower design in Austin with gray walls

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern partial sun backyard concrete paver landscaping in DC Metro with a fire pit.

Kristin Widman
Example of a small transitional master white tile marble floor bathroom design in Seattle with white cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink and recessed-panel cabinets

A classic farm sink is topped with Brazilian Granite named Utopia... It could be! photo by: Jason Hulet
Inspiration for a coastal kitchen remodel in Other

Inspiration for a timeless living room remodel in Los Angeles

Bathroom - large craftsman master white tile and porcelain tile ceramic tile and beige floor bathroom idea in Other with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

A large custom built 3-bin compost bin is tucked into a corner of the yard. Patricia Larenas, Urban Artichoke
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary partial sun backyard mulch vegetable garden landscape in San Francisco.

Mediterranean style is a beautiful blend of ornate detailing and rough organic stone work. It's worn and rustic while still being sumptuous and refined. The details of this bathroom remodel combine all the right elements to create a comfortable and gorgeous space. Tumbled stone mixed with scrolling cabinet details, oil-rubbed bronze mixed with the glazed cabinet finish and mottled granite in varying shades of brown are expertly mingled to create a bathroom that's truly a place to get away from the troubles of the day.

This hall bath, prior to the remodel, was a 2 part bath with tub and toilet in one, and the vanity in the other part separated by a wall with a door. We turned it into one sinlge space. and with the use of handmade (irregular) subway tile and Carrara marble turned it into a monochromatic yet fresh and elegant hall bath with a soothing Spa-like ambience. Here you see how the herringbone band is carried across into and around the tub area. Photo: Sabine Klingler Kane, KK Design Koncepts, Laguna Niguel, CA

We decided on a retro look for our new kitchen with lots of display shelving, happy colors, laminate counters (no cracking!), a chubby old stove, period details and “linoleum” flooring.

Courtney Apple Photography
Inspiration for a small coastal master porcelain tile and gray tile porcelain tile bathroom remodel in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, a one-piece toilet and gray walls

A cabin in Western Wisconsin is transformed from within to become a serene and modern retreat. In a past life, this cabin was a fishing cottage which was part of a resort built in the 1920’s on a small lake not far from the Twin Cities. The cabin has had multiple additions over the years so improving flow to the outdoor space, creating a family friendly kitchen, and relocating a bigger master bedroom on the lake side were priorities. The solution was to bring the kitchen from the back of the cabin up to the front, reduce the size of an overly large bedroom in the back in order to create a more generous front entry way/mudroom adjacent to the kitchen, and add a fireplace in the center of the main floor. Photographer: Wing Ta Interior Design: Jennaea Gearhart Design

Photo by Carolyn Bates
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary blue two-story wood house exterior remodel in Burlington with a shed roof and a metal roof

Shelby Wood Design & Southland & Building co.
Contemporary exterior home idea in Other

This open space was turned into a perfect area for entertaining. a few punches of color makes for a vibrant, fun space. An indoor/outdoor rug is a breeze for busy families. Photo by: Melodie Hayes

When you open the back doors of the home of Nancy and Jeremy Campbell in Granville, you don’t just step out onto a patio. You enter an extension of a modern living space that just happens to be outdoors. Their patio’s unique design and setting provides the comfort and style of indoors while enjoying the natural beauty and fresh air of outdoors. It all started with a rather desolate back yard. “It was completely blank, there was nothing back there,” Nancy remembers of the patio space of this 1972 split-level house they bought five years ago. With a blank slate to work with, the Campbells knew the key elements of what they wanted for their new outdoor space when they sat down with Travis Ketron of Ketron Custom Builders to design it. “We knew we wanted something covered so we could use it in the rain, and in the winter, and we knew we wanted a stone fireplace,” Nancy recalls. Travis translated the Campbells’ vision into a design to satisfy outdoor entertaining and relaxing desires in all seasons. The new outdoor space is reminiscent of a vast, rustic great room complete with a stone fireplace, a vaulted ceiling, skylights, and ceiling fans, yet no walls. The space is completely open to the elements without any glass or doors on any of the sides, except from the house. Furnished like a great room, with a built-in music system as well, it’s truly an extension of indoor living and entertaining space, and one that is unaffected by rain. Jeremy comments, “We haven’t had to cover the furniture yet. It would have to be a pretty strong wind to get wet.” Just outside the covered patio is a quartet of outdoor chairs adorned with plush cushions and colorful pillows, positioned perfectly for users to bask in the sun. In the design process, the fireplace emerged as the anchor of the space and set the stage for the outdoor space both aesthetically and functionally. “We didn’t want it to block the view. Then designing the space with Travis, the fireplace became the center,” remembers Jeremy. Placed directly across from the two sets of French doors leading out from the house, a Rumford fireplace and extended hearth of stone in neutral earth tones is the focal point of this outdoor living room. Seating for entertaining and lounging falls easily into place around it providing optimal viewing of the private, wooded back yard. When temperatures cool off, the fireplace provides ample warmth and a cozy setting to experience the change of seasons. “It’s a great fireplace for the space,” Jeremy says of the unique design of a Rumford style fireplace. “The way you stack the wood in the fireplace is different so as to get more heat. It has a shallower box, burns hotter and puts off more heat. Wood is placed in it vertically, not stacked.” Just in case the fireplace doesn’t provide enough light for late-night soirees, there is additional outdoor lighting mounted from the ceiling to make sure the party always goes on. Travis brought the idea of the Rumford outdoor fireplace to the Campbells. “I learned about it a few years back from some masons, and I was intrigued by the idea then,” he says. “We like to do stuff that’s out of the norm, and this fireplace fits the space and function very well.” Travis adds, “People want unique things that are designed for them. That’s our style to do that for them.” The patio also extends out to an uncovered area set up with patio tables for grilling and dining. Gray pavers flow throughout from the covered space to the open-air area. Their continuous flow mimics the feel of flooring that extends from a living room into a dining room inside a home. Also, the earth tone colors throughout the space on the pavers, fireplace and furnishings help the entire space mesh nicely with its natural surroundings. A little ways off from both the covered and uncovered patio area is a stone fire pit ring. Removed by just the right distance, it provides a separate place for young adults to gather and enjoy the night. Adirondack chairs and matching tables surround the outdoor fire pit, offering seating for anyone who doesn’t wish to stand and a place to set down ingredients for yummy fireside treats like s’mores. Padded chairs outside the reach of the pavilion and the nearby umbrella the perfect place to kick back and relax in the sun. The colorful throw pillows and outdoor furniture cushions add some needed color and a touch of personality. Enjoying the comforts of indoors while being outdoors is exactly what the Campbells are doing now, particularly when lounging on the comfortable wicker furniture that dominate most of the area. “My favorite part of the whole thing is the fireplace,” Nancy says. Jeremy concludes, “There is no television, it would destroy the ambiance out there. We just enjoy listening to music and watching the fire.”

Photography by Nathan Webb, AIA
Study room - small contemporary built-in desk dark wood floor study room idea in DC Metro

David Agnello
Kitchen photo in Other