This prefabricated 1,800 square foot Certified Passive House is designed and built by The Artisans Group, located in the rugged central highlands of Shaw Island, in the San Juan Islands. It is the first Certified Passive House in the San Juans, and the fourth in Washington State. The home was built for $330 per square foot, while construction costs for residential projects in the San Juan market often exceed $600 per square foot. Passive House measures did not increase this projects’ cost of construction. The clients are retired teachers, and desired a low-maintenance, cost-effective, energy-efficient house in which they could age in place; a restful shelter from clutter, stress and over-stimulation. The circular floor plan centers on the prefabricated pod. Radiating from the pod, cabinetry and a minimum of walls defines functions, with a series of sliding and concealable doors providing flexible privacy to the peripheral spaces. The interior palette consists of wind fallen light maple floors, locally made FSC certified cabinets, stainless steel hardware and neutral tiles in black, gray and white. The exterior materials are painted concrete fiberboard lap siding, Ipe wood slats and galvanized metal. The home sits in stunning contrast to its natural environment with no formal landscaping. Photo Credit: Art Gray

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped light wood floor, brown floor and vaulted ceiling eat-in kitchen remodel in Orange County with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

A reduced lawn and shade-tolerant planting create a sustainable landscape rooted in both place and purpose.
This is an example of a french country partial sun backyard river rock and wood fence landscaping in San Francisco for summer.

Photographer Kat Alves
Bathroom - large transitional master white tile and mosaic tile marble floor bathroom idea in Sacramento with white walls

aZürastone is an environmentally responsible, artistic marble wall cladding that is produced from over 80% reclaimed drops from the production of our other product lines and manufactured in easy to install interlocking mesh sheets. The Vanadeco Collection is a 45/45 percent blend of polished and honed pieces, and 10% decorative pieces. aZürastone is very competitively priced compared to other natural and imitation stone products. Stocked at our USA distribution center in Atlanta, Georgia. ABOUT OUR MARBLES: Crema is a classic consistent cream marble with little variation. Grigio is a stunning dense warm grey marble. Savali is a subtle light warm grey marble. Please visit http://azurastoneworks.com to view more commercial and residential installation images or to find a showroom near you. If there is not a showroom near you, please contact us at sales@azurastoneworks.com

Nestled in the hills of Orinda, California, this 1951 residence is one of only seven extant homes, now known as “The Magnificent Seven”, designed by architect Olof Dahlstrand, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright. With its low-slung rooflines, natural materials, and deep integration with the sloping landscape, the home is a pristine example of mid-century modern design inspired by Wright’s organic principles. Over the years, prior homeowners have emphasized preservation, ensuring that the house remained relatively untouched. Each owner has respected the original architecture and stayed true to Dahlstrand’s intent. When a family of five—two college-aged sons and a middle school-aged daughter—acquired the property, they were captivated by its history, legacy of care, and architectural significance. While they appreciated Dahlstrand’s original vision, they also recognized the need to adapt the home for contemporary living while preserving its design integrity. The remodel was conceived as a thoughtful response to the past—an effort to bring the house into the 21st century without compromising its soul. The primary mandate was to maintain architectural continuity while improving the functionality, comfort, and livability for a modern family. The design team—architects and contractor alike—worked with a shared reverence for the original architecture, allowing that mindset to guide even the most technical or pragmatic decisions. A key objective was to increase natural light in the kitchen—a departure from Wrightian principles of enclosed, intimate cooking spaces—while maintaining the home’s architectural language. The kitchen was reconfigured to foster a stronger connection to adjacent living spaces while retaining the underlying concept of spatial separation. One of the most transformative architectural changes was the removal of a ridge beam that was originally planned to remain visible through the kitchen. During construction, the team collaborated on a better solution: a wide-flanged steel beam concealed within the roof envelope. This subtle move preserved the clean lines and ceiling continuity, a modern update carried out with utmost respect for the existing framework. The home’s original powder room, previously accessible only through the kitchen, was relocated for better flow and privacy. A new powder room was carved out of former kitchen cabinetry—a narrow, interior space that could have felt dark and enclosed. To avoid this, the design extended the line of original transom windows into the new powder room and added a skylight above the vanity. The result is a bright and airy space that feels consistent with the rest of the home. Other updates included the installation of new solid-core interior doors with veneers carefully matched to the original mahogany, enhancing the continuity of the interiors. Even smaller decisions, such as placing the door knobs at 42 inches high, mirrored the original proportions. Every choice reflected a shared belief between the architect, contractor, and client: that new work should serve the integrity of the old. The home’s extensive interior redwood millwork and paneling was meticulously restored. Where new materials were introduced—such as the replacement redwood soffit paneling—the contractor took pains to find finish nails that matched the original, rather than using modern equivalents. This level of craftsmanship and collaboration defined the project. It extended even to the detailing of a blind door to the new powder room, which had to disappear into the existing redwood board-and-batten wall. It was a team effort: the owner found a suitable handle, the architects devised the custom in-swing mechanism, and the contractor executed it so the door aligned precisely with the battens. Throughout, the homeowners were deeply engaged in the design process. One, a meticulous design enthusiast, focused on aesthetic integrity and historic detail. The other brought a practical and function-driven perspective, ensuring that new fixtures and materials would be durable and require minimal maintenance. While the home’s location posed no major site challenges, sustainability was a key concern. The team upgraded the roof insulation, installed solar panels with battery storage, and added ductless mini-split cooling systems. Lighting was another area where modern technology was woven into a historic framework: new square LED fixtures echo the original custom perimeter soffit lights, maintaining the design language while offering advanced performance. A planned expansion of a bedroom into suite with a bathroom had to be shelved due to budget constraints and the high cost of below-grade foundation work. Still, the team focused their efforts on making the most of the existing footprint, resolving constraints through design ingenuity rather than adding square footage. This renovation represents a collaborative achievement in preserving and evolving a historically significant home. Every decision was shaped by a shared ethos among clients, architects, and contractor: to maintain the home’s architectural soul while updating it for contemporary life. The result is a timeless modernist residence that continues Olof Dahlstrand’s legacy, remaining grounded in nature, craftsmanship, and human-scale design. Klopf Architecture Team: John Klopf, AIA, Klara Kevane, Fernanda Bernardes
Interior Architectural Design: Klopf Architecture
Structural Engineer: Daniel Bastiao
Contractor: Don Larwood, Larwood Construction Photography: Mariko Reed Year Completed: 2022

Ryan Garvin
Inspiration for a country l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Los Angeles with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, blue backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

photo: pieter esterson
Example of a trendy living room design in Seattle with a metal fireplace

Ryann Ford
Country two-story mixed siding exterior home idea in Austin

Completed in 2011, this home is designed for a steeply sloping urban lot in Vienna, Virginia. In response to a tight zoning code that limited the building's footprint, we designed a compact plan that rises 3 stories and draws inspiration from the historic character of this small town consistently rated as one of the best places to live and work. Utilizing our favorite Great Room Scheme, the main level is planned with a classic front porch, 2-story entry hall, formal dining room, Kitchen/Breakfast area, large Mud Room with separate entrance and, finally, the Great Room itself. The lower level is the Entertainment hub of the house and contains a guest suite, shop, exercise area, family room and play area with wet bar. Upstairs, 3 kid's bedrooms, 2 full baths, laundry area, Master Suite with large sleeping area and a 5 piece master bath with large walk-in closet are all efficiently arranged to maximize room size. Our clients were interested in a very expressive exterior formalism while staying within the traditional architectural norm of Vienna. We responded with a series of gable dormers, bay windows and a hexagonal sitting room clad with complimentary siding materials and bold colors. Eventually, the back of the structure will be finished out with a large deck at the main level and elaborate staircase that descends to the rear yard.

Completed in 2011, this home is designed for a steeply sloping urban lot in Vienna, Virginia. In response to a tight zoning code that limited the building's footprint, we designed a compact plan that rises 3 stories and draws inspiration from the historic character of this small town consistently rated as one of the best places to live and work. Utilizing our favorite Great Room Scheme, the main level is planned with a classic front porch, 2-story entry hall, formal dining room, Kitchen/Breakfast area, large Mud Room with separate entrance and, finally, the Great Room itself. The lower level is the Entertainment hub of the house and contains a guest suite, shop, exercise area, family room and play area with wet bar. Upstairs, 3 kid's bedrooms, 2 full baths, laundry area, Master Suite with large sleeping area and a 5 piece master bath with large walk-in closet are all efficiently arranged to maximize room size. Our clients were interested in a very expressive exterior formalism while staying within the traditional architectural norm of Vienna. We responded with a series of gable dormers, bay windows and a hexagonal sitting room clad with complimentary siding materials and bold colors. Eventually, the back of the structure will be finished out with a large deck at the main level and elaborate staircase that descends to the rear yard.

Atherton has many large substantial homes - our clients purchased an existing home on a one acre flag-shaped lot and asked us to design a new dream home for them. The result is a new 7,000 square foot four-building complex consisting of the main house, six-car garage with two car lifts, pool house with a full one bedroom residence inside, and a separate home office /work out gym studio building. A fifty-foot swimming pool was also created with fully landscaped yards. Given the rectangular shape of the lot, it was decided to angle the house to incoming visitors slightly so as to more dramatically present itself. The house became a classic u-shaped home but Feng Shui design principals were employed directing the placement of the pool house to better contain the energy flow on the site. The main house entry door is then aligned with a special Japanese red maple at the end of a long visual axis at the rear of the site. These angles and alignments set up everything else about the house design and layout, and views from various rooms allow you to see into virtually every space tracking movements of others in the home. The residence is simply divided into two wings of public use, kitchen and family room, and the other wing of bedrooms, connected by the living and dining great room. Function drove the exterior form of windows and solid walls with a line of clerestory windows which bring light into the middle of the large home. Extensive sun shadow studies with 3D tree modeling led to the unorthodox placement of the pool to the north of the home, but tree shadow tracking showed this to be the sunniest area during the entire year. Sustainable measures included a full 7.1kW solar photovoltaic array technically making the house off the grid, and arranged so that no panels are visible from the property. A large 16,000 gallon rainwater catchment system consisting of tanks buried below grade was installed. The home is California GreenPoint rated and also features sealed roof soffits and a sealed crawlspace without the usual venting. A whole house computer automation system with server room was installed as well. Heating and cooling utilize hot water radiant heated concrete and wood floors supplemented by heat pump generated heating and cooling. A compound of buildings created to form balanced relationships between each other, this home is about circulation, light and a balance of form and function. Photo by John Sutton Photography.

Giallo Ornamental granite pass-through countertop. The installation of this countertop added some much needed flow to this customer's home.
Example of a small transitional porcelain tile kitchen design in Philadelphia with granite countertops

Richard Mandelkorn A newly connected hallway leading to the master suite had the added benefit of a new laundry closet squeezed in; the original home had a cramped closet in the kitchen downstairs. The space was made efficient with a countertop for folding, a hanging drying rack and cabinet for storage. All is concealed by a traditional barn door, and lit by a new expansive window opposite.

Betsy Barron Fine Art Photography
Example of a mid-sized cottage l-shaped terra-cotta tile and red floor eat-in kitchen design in Nashville with a farmhouse sink, marble countertops, shaker cabinets, distressed cabinets, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

Completed in 2011, this home is designed for a steeply sloping urban lot in Vienna, Virginia. In response to a tight zoning code that limited the building's footprint, we designed a compact plan that rises 3 stories and draws inspiration from the historic character of this small town consistently rated as one of the best places to live and work. Utilizing our favorite Great Room Scheme, the main level is planned with a classic front porch, 2-story entry hall, formal dining room, Kitchen/Breakfast area, large Mud Room with separate entrance and, finally, the Great Room itself. The lower level is the Entertainment hub of the house and contains a guest suite, shop, exercise area, family room and play area with wet bar. Upstairs, 3 kid's bedrooms, 2 full baths, laundry area, Master Suite with large sleeping area and a 5 piece master bath with large walk-in closet are all efficiently arranged to maximize room size. Our clients were interested in a very expressive exterior formalism while staying within the traditional architectural norm of Vienna. We responded with a series of gable dormers, bay windows and a hexagonal sitting room clad with complimentary siding materials and bold colors. Eventually, the back of the structure will be finished out with a large deck at the main level and elaborate staircase that descends to the rear yard.

John Magnoski Photography Builder: John Kraemer and Sons
Inspiration for a craftsman powder room remodel in Minneapolis with a vessel sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, beige walls and black countertops

Completed in 2011, this home is designed for a steeply sloping urban lot in Vienna, Virginia. In response to a tight zoning code that limited the building's footprint, we designed a compact plan that rises 3 stories and draws inspiration from the historic character of this small town consistently rated as one of the best places to live and work. Utilizing our favorite Great Room Scheme, the main level is planned with a classic front porch, 2-story entry hall, formal dining room, Kitchen/Breakfast area, large Mud Room with separate entrance and, finally, the Great Room itself. The lower level is the Entertainment hub of the house and contains a guest suite, shop, exercise area, family room and play area with wet bar. Upstairs, 3 kid's bedrooms, 2 full baths, laundry area, Master Suite with large sleeping area and a 5 piece master bath with large walk-in closet are all efficiently arranged to maximize room size. Our clients were interested in a very expressive exterior formalism while staying within the traditional architectural norm of Vienna. We responded with a series of gable dormers, bay windows and a hexagonal sitting room clad with complimentary siding materials and bold colors. Eventually, the back of the structure will be finished out with a large deck at the main level and elaborate staircase that descends to the rear yard.

The shower is universally designed and has no curb or step at its entry. The drawer pulls are also designed for easy use. A Bonisolli Photography
Mid-sized transitional white tile walk-in shower photo in Miami with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets and marble countertops