This home bar fits perfectly in an under utilized great room niche featuring a dedicated area for wine, coffee and other specialty beverages. Ed Russell Photography.

Arc Photography
Mid-sized transitional galley medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Columbus with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

The existing U-shaped kitchen was tucked away in a small corner while the dining table was swimming in a room much too large for its size. The client’s needs and the architecture of the home made it apparent that the perfect design solution for the home was to swap the spaces. The homeowners entertain frequently and wanted the new layout to accommodate a lot of counter seating, a bar/buffet for serving hors d’oeuvres, an island with prep sink, and all new appliances. They had a strong preference that the hood be a focal point and wanted to go beyond a typical white color scheme even though they wanted white cabinets. While moving the kitchen to the dining space gave us a generous amount of real estate to work with, two of the exterior walls are occupied with full-height glass creating a challenge how best to fulfill their wish list. We used one available wall for the needed tall appliances, taking advantage of its height to create the hood as a focal point. We opted for both a peninsula and island instead of one large island in order to maximize the seating requirements and create a barrier when entertaining so guests do not flow directly into the work area of the kitchen. This also made it possible to add a second sink as requested. Lastly, the peninsula sets up a well-defined path to the new dining room without feeling like you are walking through the kitchen. We used the remaining fourth wall for the bar/buffet. Black cabinetry adds strong contrast in several areas of the new kitchen. Wire mesh wall cabinet doors at the bar and gold accents on the hardware, light fixtures, faucets and furniture add further drama to the concept. The focal point is definitely the black hood, looking both dramatic and cohesive at the same time.

This large sprawling yard is highlighted by the house with a dry creek bed flowing under a see through corridor in the house.
Inspiration for a large contemporary beige two-story mixed siding exterior home remodel in Dallas with a shed roof

“Compelling.” That’s how one of our judges characterized this stair, which manages to embody both reassuring solidity and airy weightlessness. Architect Mahdad Saniee specified beefy maple treads—each laminated from two boards, to resist twisting and cupping—and supported them at the wall with hidden steel hangers. “We wanted to make them look like they are floating,” he says, “so they sit away from the wall by about half an inch.” The stainless steel rods that seem to pierce the treads’ opposite ends are, in fact, joined by threaded couplings hidden within the thickness of the wood. The result is an assembly whose stiffness underfoot defies expectation, Saniee says. “It feels very solid, much more solid than average stairs.” With the rods working in tension from above and compression below, “it’s very hard for those pieces of wood to move.” The interplay of wood and steel makes abstract reference to a Steinway concert grand, Saniee notes. “It’s taking elements of a piano and playing with them.” A gently curved soffit in the ceiling reinforces the visual rhyme. The jury admired the effect but was equally impressed with the technical acumen required to achieve it. “The rhythm established by the vertical rods sets up a rigorous discipline that works with the intricacies of stair dimensions,” observed one judge. “That’s really hard to do.”

The east-west axial view at 8 a.m.Photo by Jay Sifford.
Photo of an eclectic landscaping in Charlotte.

Mid-sized beach style enclosed and formal medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room photo in Boston with white walls, a standard fireplace, no tv and a wood fireplace surround

This primary bathroom has every amenity of a spa without leaving home. A free standing soaking tub is centered between his and her vanities in the bay window to the floor open and airy.

J Weiland
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional backyard garden path with decking.

Photo by Ellen Sousa

Inspiration for a contemporary formal light wood floor living room remodel in Boston with white walls and a wall-mounted tv

Photo: Sarah Greenman © 2013 Houzz
Elegant porch photo in Dallas with a fire pit and decking

The homeowners were ready to renovate this basement to add more living space for the entire family. Before, the basement was used as a playroom, guest room and dark laundry room! In order to give the illusion of higher ceilings, the acoustical ceiling tiles were removed and everything was painted white. The renovated space is now used not only as extra living space, but also a room to entertain in. Photo Credit: Natan Shar of BHAMTOURS

Inspiration for a contemporary home office remodel in Los Angeles

Heated, 2,000 square foot detached garage with stucco and stone exterior. This man cave offers a loft for loafing and is the perfect place to host poker night. It is equipped with a bathroom, refrigerator, t.v., built-in cabinetry, and a clean out station for the R.V. enthusiast. The concrete floor has an epoxy finish on it for fast and easy clean-up. Paul Kohlman Photography

Large minimalist backyard concrete deck photo in Portland with a roof extension

The curvaceous shape of the Carson Gooseneck Wall Mount is a classic in wall-mounted warehouse fixtures. The up-and-over nature of the arm works particularly well for illuminating doorways and signs. Originally made from heavy iron, our lightweight, durable aluminum version comes in three different projection lengths.

Jennifer Cardiff
Family room - transitional family room idea in San Francisco