The inviting fire draws you through the garden. Surrounds Inc.
Photo of a large traditional backyard stone landscaping in DC Metro with a fireplace.

Located on a partially wooded lot in Elburn, Illinois, this home needed an eye-catching interior redo to match the unique period exterior. The residence was originally designed by Bow House, a company that reproduces the look of 300-year old bow roof Cape-Cod style homes. Since typical kitchens in old Cape Cod-style homes tend to run a bit small- or as some would like to say, cozy – this kitchen was in need of plenty of efficient storage to house a modern day family of three. Advance Design Studio, Ltd. was able to evaluate the kitchen’s adjacent spaces and determine that there were several walls that could be relocated to allow for more usable space in the kitchen. The refrigerator was moved to the newly excavated space and incorporated into a handsome dinette, an intimate banquette, and a new coffee bar area. This allowed for more countertop and prep space in the primary area of the kitchen. It now became possible to incorporate a ball and claw foot tub and a larger vanity in the elegant new full bath that was once just an adjacent guest powder room. Reclaimed vintage Chicago brick paver flooring was carefully installed in a herringbone pattern to give the space a truly unique touch and feel. And to top off this revamped redo, a handsome custom green-toned island with a distressed black walnut counter top graces the center of the room, the perfect final touch in this charming little kitchen.

Inspired by the surrounding landscape, the Craftsman/Prairie style is one of the few truly American architectural styles. It was developed around the turn of the century by a group of Midwestern architects and continues to be among the most comfortable of all American-designed architecture more than a century later, one of the main reasons it continues to attract architects and homeowners today. Oxbridge builds on that solid reputation, drawing from Craftsman/Prairie and classic Farmhouse styles. Its handsome Shingle-clad exterior includes interesting pitched rooflines, alternating rows of cedar shake siding, stone accents in the foundation and chimney and distinctive decorative brackets. Repeating triple windows add interest to the exterior while keeping interior spaces open and bright. Inside, the floor plan is equally impressive. Columns on the porch and a custom entry door with sidelights and decorative glass leads into a spacious 2,900-square-foot main floor, including a 19 by 24-foot living room with a period-inspired built-ins and a natural fireplace. While inspired by the past, the home lives for the present, with open rooms and plenty of storage throughout. Also included is a 27-foot-wide family-style kitchen with a large island and eat-in dining and a nearby dining room with a beadboard ceiling that leads out onto a relaxing 240-square-foot screen porch that takes full advantage of the nearby outdoors and a private 16 by 20-foot master suite with a sloped ceiling and relaxing personal sitting area. The first floor also includes a large walk-in closet, a home management area and pantry to help you stay organized and a first-floor laundry area. Upstairs, another 1,500 square feet awaits, with a built-ins and a window seat at the top of the stairs that nod to the home’s historic inspiration. Opt for three family bedrooms or use one of the three as a yoga room; the upper level also includes attic access, which offers another 500 square feet, perfect for crafts or a playroom. More space awaits in the lower level, where another 1,500 square feet (and an additional 1,000) include a recreation/family room with nine-foot ceilings, a wine cellar and home office. Photographer: Jeff Garland

Nantucket Architectural Photography
Bathroom - large coastal master white tile and ceramic tile light wood floor bathroom idea in Boston with white walls

Rob Karosis Photography www.robkarosis.com
Example of a classic orange floor mudroom design in Burlington

Dennis Mayer Photographer
Mid-sized tuscan backyard rectangular and concrete paver lap pool photo in San Francisco

Creating an intimate space, when the great room flows to the dining room and kitchen, is felt in the coziness of the details that define each room. The transitional background is layered with furnishing stylings that lean to traditional, with a comfortable elegance. The blue and cream palette is derived from the rug, and blue is brought up to the window drapery to focus and frame the view to exterior. A wood coffee table reflects the caramel ceiling beams, and darker leather ottoman provides contrast and offers durability. Ceiling heights are lowered by perimeter soffits which allow for beams to define the space, and also conceal an automated shade to control the level of natural light. The floor lamp and tree provide additional verticality to ground and define the space from the nearby dining room and kitchen.

Hallway laundry and craft area.
Inspiration for a timeless laundry room remodel in Phoenix with dark wood cabinets

Habor Cottage, www.harborcottagemaine.com, in Martinsville Maine. Renovation by Sheila Narusawa, http://www.sheilanarusawa.com/. Construction by Harbor Builders www.harborbuilders.com. Photography by Justine Hand. For the complete tour see http://designskool.net/harbor-cottage-maine.

Large transitional u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in Houston with white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, stone slab backsplash, recessed-panel cabinets, a double-bowl sink, quartz countertops and white countertops

Living Room blue chairs performance fabric, custom furniture and rugs. Modern Art. Sherwin Williams Crushed Ice.
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional open concept ceramic tile and brown floor living room remodel in Houston with gray walls

Kitchen - contemporary kitchen idea in Sacramento with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Natural light floods this expansive kitchen. Professional grade appliances and upgrades throughout. Jon Huelskamp, Landmark Photography
Huge elegant galley dark wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, green cabinets, paneled appliances, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash, subway tile backsplash and an island

Lap pool addition. Photographer:Reid Dalland
Elegant indoor pool photo in New York

photo by Becky Harris
Cottage exterior home idea in Richmond

Photographer: Tom Crane Made of 300, 10-foot steel blades set upright 8 inches apart, the award winning Cor-Ten Cattails Sculptural fence was designed for a home in Berwyn, Pennsylvania as a yard sculpture that also keeps deer out. Made of COR-TEN, a steel alloy that eliminates the need for painting and maintains a rich, dark rust color without corroding, the fence stanchions were cut with a plasma cutter from sheets of the alloy. Each blade stands 8 feet above grade, set in concrete 3 feet below, weighs 80-90 pounds and is 5/8 inch thick. The profile of the blades is an irregular trapezoid with no horizontal connections or supports. Only the gate has two horizontal bars, and each leaf weighs 1200 pounds.

Furthering her plan to enhance the room's architecture, Suzanne turned one corner of the kitchen into a cheery dining area with an L-shaped built-in bench that mimics the cabinetry. To keep the dining nook cozy (not restaurant-like) she surrounded the metal bistro table with slipcovered armchairs and hung a sparkly chandelier above. Using the same patterned fabric on the window valances and pillows throughout (Montmartre in Clay/Blue from her own collection for Lee Jofa; leejofa.com), Suzanne introduced color and life to the kitchen without taking away from the all-white effect. Photo by Erica George Dines for Southern Living

Mid-sized elegant beige three-story brick house exterior photo in Atlanta with a shingle roof

Jay Greene Photography
Large victorian three-story brick exterior home idea in Philadelphia