Praised for its visually appealing, modern yet comfortable design, this Scottsdale residence took home the gold in the 2014 Design Awards from Professional Builder magazine. Built by Calvis Wyant Luxury Homes, the 5,877-square-foot residence features an open floor plan that includes Western Window Systems’ multi-slide pocket doors to allow for optimal inside-to-outside flow. Tropical influences such as covered patios, a pool, and reflecting ponds give the home a lush, resort-style feel.

The Tice Residences replace a run-down and aging duplex with two separate, modern, Santa Barbara homes. Although the unique creek-side site (which the client’s original home looked toward across a small ravine) proposed significant challenges, the clients were certain they wanted to live on the lush “Riviera” hillside. The challenges presented were ultimately overcome through a thorough and careful study of site conditions. With an extremely efficient use of space and strategic placement of windows and decks, privacy is maintained while affording expansive views from each home to the creek, downtown Santa Barbara and Pacific Ocean beyond. Both homes appear to have far more openness than their compact lots afford. The solution strikes a balance between enclosure and openness. Walls and landscape elements divide and protect two private domains, and are in turn, carefully penetrated to reveal views. Both homes are variations on one consistent theme: elegant composition of contemporary, “warm” materials; strong roof planes punctuated by vertical masses; and floating decks. The project forms an intimate connection with its setting by using site-excavated stone, terracing landscape planters with native plantings, and utilizing the shade provided by its ancient Riviera Oak trees. 2012 AIA Santa Barbara Chapter Merit Award Jim Bartsch Photography

Richard Leo Johnson
Inspiration for a rustic screened-in porch remodel in Atlanta

A machined hood, custom stainless cabinetry and exposed ducting harkens to a commercial vibe. The 5'x10' marble topped island wears many hats. It serves as a large work surface, tons of storage, informal seating, and a visual line that separates the eating and cooking areas. Photo by Lincoln Barber

AFTER - Randy Angell, Designer Updated pool and spa with outdoor fireplace and awning addition
Inspiration for a timeless custom-shaped pool remodel in Dallas

Reverse Shed Eichler This project is part tear-down, part remodel. The original L-shaped plan allowed the living/ dining/ kitchen wing to be completely re-built while retaining the shell of the bedroom wing virtually intact. The rebuilt entertainment wing was enlarged 50% and covered with a low-slope reverse-shed roof sloping from eleven to thirteen feet. The shed roof floats on a continuous glass clerestory with eight foot transom. Cantilevered steel frames support wood roof beams with eaves of up to ten feet. An interior glass clerestory separates the kitchen and livingroom for sound control. A wall-to-wall skylight illuminates the north wall of the kitchen/family room. New additions at the back of the house add several “sliding” wall planes, where interior walls continue past full-height windows to the exterior, complimenting the typical Eichler indoor-outdoor ceiling and floor planes. The existing bedroom wing has been re-configured on the interior, changing three small bedrooms into two larger ones, and adding a guest suite in part of the original garage. A previous den addition provided the perfect spot for a large master ensuite bath and walk-in closet. Natural materials predominate, with fir ceilings, limestone veneer fireplace walls, anigre veneer cabinets, fir sliding windows and interior doors, bamboo floors, and concrete patios and walks. Landscape design by Bernard Trainor: www.bernardtrainor.com (see “Concrete Jungle” in April 2014 edition of Dwell magazine). Microsoft Media Center installation of the Year, 2008: www.cybermanor.com/ultimate_install.html (automated shades, radiant heating system, and lights, as well as security & sound).

Adam Latham, Belair Photography
Example of a transitional open concept medium tone wood floor family room design in Los Angeles with beige walls

Mid-century modern living room with open plan and floor to ceiling windows for indoor-outdoor ambiance, redwood paneled walls, exposed wood beam ceiling, wood flooring and mid-century modern style furniture, in Berkeley, California. - Photo by Bruce Damonte.

Point West at Macatawa Park J. Visser Design Insignia Homes
Inspiration for a coastal mudroom remodel in Grand Rapids

Soft, neutral, elegant baby nursery interior. Crib by #Restorationhardwarekids and changing table by #AFK furniture. Photography courtesy of Brent Tinsley.

Jim Bartsch
Example of a trendy master beige tile and travertine tile travertine floor drop-in bathtub design in Denver with a vessel sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble countertops and beige walls

Trendy gray tile gray floor alcove shower photo in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, gray walls, an integrated sink and a hinged shower door

Inspiration for a small transitional 3/4 white tile and subway tile porcelain tile, single-sink and multicolored floor alcove bathtub remodel in Phoenix with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, white countertops and a built-in vanity

Ryann Ford
Inspiration for a mediterranean dark wood floor vestibule remodel in Austin with white walls and a glass front door

Photography by Richard Mandelkorn
Mudroom - large traditional slate floor mudroom idea in Boston with beige walls

Utility room - traditional galley brown floor utility room idea in Denver with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and brown countertops

Large minimalist concrete paver screened-in back porch photo in Dallas with a roof extension

Roger Wade Studio
Mountain style u-shaped eat-in kitchen photo with recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, wood countertops and gray backsplash

Inspiration for a country single-wall gray floor dedicated laundry room remodel in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, gray walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops