A mix of fun fresh fabrics in coral, green, tan, and more comes together in the functional, fun family room. Comfortable couches in different fabric create a lot of seating. Patterned ottomans add a splash of color. Floor to ceiling curved windows run the length of the room creating a view to die for. Replica antique furniture accents. Unique area rug straight from India and a fireplace with brick surround for cold winter nights. The lighting elevates this family room to the next level.

Copying a 1930s Fluted Casing // We had to duplicate an elliptical opening and match the fluted casing to the original. This opening is in a wall between the butler’s pantry and dining room. We recreated a casing that mirrors the home’s original detail found at the other dining room entryway. // The fluting on the windows was different than the fluting on the elliptical, which required us to make two separate knives to recreate the both designs.

Entering the great room, this spacious living and dining room was inspired by and duplicates the salon of the Italian Villa Florio. This stunning space used steel beams that were then clad in wood. The perfect example of a legacy property built to the highest architectural and construction standards. I love the rows of high windows that lift the visual height of the room and the series of 3 oversized French doors that lead out to the lanai.

Photo: Amy Bartlam
Study room - large contemporary built-in desk light wood floor study room idea in Los Angeles with white walls and no fireplace

Ornamental koi can be a peaceful addition to water gardens, but rarely are they seen cascading down a wall inside the home. In the sunroom of the Adamsleigh Estate in Greensboro, N.C., the koi water feature inspired the colors and mood of the spa-like design and serves as the focal point of the room. The designer, Bradshaw Orrell, created a calm ambiance through the use of a symmetrical layout and a custom designed Sunbrella rug from Colonial Mills which adds a layer of softness to the terracotta floor. Two directional chaises with upholstered cushions in Meridian Frost sit on either side of an upholstered ottoman in Savvy Sunset by Joe Ruggiero. Throw pillows in Spectrum Peacock, Canvas Birdseye and Savvy Sunset reflect the colors of a koi pond and add depth and comfort for lounging. The abundant sunshine reveals the subtle asymmetry of the framed prints flanking the koi while a Sunbrella throw by Textillery Weavers adds a soft touch to this relaxing oasis.

A large, contemporary painting in the poker room helps set a fun tone in the space. The inviting room welcomes players to the round table as it blends modern elements with traditional architecture. A Bonisolli Photography

Mediterranean Neoclassical facade designed by Haleh Design. Photo: Gordon Beall
Huge elegant beige two-story stone exterior home photo in DC Metro with a hip roof

Living room - transitional living room idea in Atlanta

Inspiration for a large contemporary master light wood floor and beige floor bedroom remodel in New York with orange walls and no fireplace

Stansbury Photography View the dramatic video of this captivating home here: http://bit.ly/22rjvjP

Melissa Clark Photography
Design ideas for a traditional shade stone garden path in DC Metro.

From Kitchen to Living Room. We do that.
Mid-sized minimalist galley concrete floor and gray floor open concept kitchen photo in San Francisco with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, wood countertops, black appliances, an island and brown countertops

This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income. DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request. MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic. RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income. ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them. URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances. OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values. Photography: Eric Roth Photo

Allison Cartwright
Example of a trendy guest concrete floor bedroom design in Austin with brown walls

With enormous rectangular beams and round log posts, the Spanish Peaks House is a spectacular study in contrasts. Even the exterior—with horizontal log slab siding and vertical wood paneling—mixes textures and styles beautifully. An outdoor rock fireplace, built-in stone grill and ample seating enable the owners to make the most of the mountain-top setting. Inside, the owners relied on Blue Ribbon Builders to capture the natural feel of the home’s surroundings. A massive boulder makes up the hearth in the great room, and provides ideal fireside seating. A custom-made stone replica of Lone Peak is the backsplash in a distinctive powder room; and a giant slab of granite adds the finishing touch to the home’s enviable wood, tile and granite kitchen. In the daylight basement, brushed concrete flooring adds both texture and durability. Roger Wade

Small 1940's kitchen remodeled with off-white cabinets, honed granite, and dark hardwood flooring.
Inspiration for a small contemporary l-shaped dark wood floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, blue walls, no island and subway tile backsplash

Todd Wright
Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic guest bedroom remodel with blue walls and no fireplace

Example of a mid-sized mid-century modern enclosed slate floor and gray floor family room design in Vancouver with white walls, no fireplace and a media wall