Remodeled bathroom in 1930's vintage Marina home. Architect: Gary Ahern Photography: Lisa Sze
Alcove shower - mid-sized mediterranean multicolored tile and terra-cotta tile terra-cotta tile and blue floor alcove shower idea in San Francisco with a pedestal sink, white walls and a two-piece toilet

Dayna Flory Interiors Martin Vecchio Photography
Inspiration for a large transitional master medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom remodel in Detroit with white walls

Angle Eye Photography
Large elegant u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, stone tile backsplash, paneled appliances, an island, gray backsplash and white countertops

A couple from the Chicago area created a home they can enjoy and reconnect with their fully grown sons and expanding families, to fish and ski. Reclaimed post and beam barn from Vermont as the primary focus with extensions leading to a master suite; garage and artist’s studio. A four bedroom home with ample space for entertaining with surrounding patio with an exterior fireplace Reclaimed board siding; stone and metal roofing

Milan Kovacevic
Open concept kitchen - mid-sized transitional l-shaped porcelain tile open concept kitchen idea in San Diego with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, brown backsplash, matchstick tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Brantley Photography
Walk-in shower - contemporary blue tile and mosaic tile walk-in shower idea in Miami with an undermount tub and white walls

Peter Medilek
Small transitional white tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile bathroom photo in San Francisco with a wall-mount sink, an undermount tub and white walls

Photo of a contemporary dining room with a magnificent expresso color wood table, elegant modern crystal chandelier and an oil painting named Efferervecence that is very calming. Robert Brantley Photography

Example of a mid-sized beach style master white tile and subway tile mosaic tile floor bathroom design in Other with a console sink, marble countertops, a two-piece toilet and white walls

Photos: Robert Radifera Photography
Elegant family room photo in DC Metro

Bathroom - mid-sized traditional master beige tile and mosaic tile ceramic tile and white floor bathroom idea in DC Metro with light wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, an undermount sink, marble countertops, beige walls, raised-panel cabinets and gray countertops

Looking into into the kitchen from the adjacent family room. The doors to the patio are just out of view to the left. To the right is the open air atrium. The skylights bring in abundant light, leaving the walls free for a long run of cabinetry. The over-sized island is used for informal meals and homework. The table to the left is used by the parents and two children for dinners and weekend pancakes.

Beautiful tile work is the star in this bathroom, two sizes of hexagon tile are featured. Clean lines and a double sink vanity give ample storage. The shower's glass door is placed seamlessly and has a dramatic effect as you enter. Rockridge, CA whole home renovation by Canyon Design Build, including kitchen, dining, living, transitions, and bathrooms.

Michael J Lee
Transitional kids' multicolored tile, orange tile and pink tile freestanding bathtub photo in Boston with pink walls

Living room - small mid-century modern enclosed wallpaper, dark wood floor and brown floor living room idea in Calgary with a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, white walls and no tv

The Kiguchi family moved into their Austin, Texas home in 1994. Built in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood development, they happily raised their family here but longed for something more contemporary. Once they became empty nesters, they decided it was time for a major remodel. After spending many years visiting Austin AIA Home Tours that highlight contemporary residential architecture, they had a lot of ideas and in 2013 were ready to interview architects and get their renovation underway. The project turned into a major remodel due to an unstable foundation. Architects Ben Arbib and Ed Hughey, of Arbib Hughey Design were hired to solve the structural issue and look for inspiration in the bones of the house, which sat on top of a hillside and was surrounded by great views. Unfortunately, with the old floor plan, the beautiful views were hidden by small windows that were poorly placed. In order to bring more natural light into the house the window sizes and configurations had to be addressed, all while keeping in mind the homeowners desire for a modern look and feel. To achieve a more contemporary and sophisticated front of house, a new entry was designed that included removing a two-story bay window and porch. The entrance of the home also became more integrated with the landscape creating a template for new foliage to be planted. Older exterior materials were updated to incorporate a more muted palette of colors with a metal roof, dark grey siding in the back and white stucco in the front. Deep eaves were added over many of the new large windows for clean lines and sun protection. “Inside it was about opening up the floor plan, expanding the views throughout the house, and updating the material palette to get a modern look that was also warm and inviting,” said Ben from Arbib Hughey Design. “Prior to the remodel, the house had the typical separation of rooms. We removed the walls between them and changed all of the windows to Milgard Thermally Improved Aluminum to connect the inside with the outside. No matter where you are you get nice views and natural light.” The architects wanted to create some drama, which they accomplished with the window placement and opening up the interior floor plan to an open concept approach. Cabinetry was used to help delineate intimate spaces. To add warmth to an all-white living room, white-washed oak wood floors were installed and pine planks were used around the fireplace. The large windows served as artwork bringing the color of nature into the space. An octagon shaped, elevated dining room, (named “the turret”), had a big impact on the design of the house. They architects rounded the corners and added larger window openings overlooking a new sunken garden. The great room was also softened by rounding out the corners and that circular theme continued throughout the house, being picked up in skylight wells and kitchen cabinetry. A staircase leading to a catwalk was added and the result was a two-story window wall that flooded the home with natural light. When asked why Milgard® Thermally Improved Aluminum windows were selected, the architectural team listed many reasons: 1) Aesthetics: “We liked the slim profiles and narrow sightlines. The window frames never get in the way of the view and that was important to us. They also have a very contemporary look that went well with our design.” 2) Options: “We liked that we could get large sliding doors that matched the windows, giving us a very cohesive look and feel throughout the project.” 3) Cost Effective: “Milgard windows are affordable. You get a good product at a good price.” 4) Custom Sizes: “Milgard windows are customizable, which allowed us to get the right window for each location.” Ready to take on your own traditional to modern home remodeling project? Arbib Hughey Design advises, “Work with a good architect. That means picking a team that is creative, communicative, listens well and is responsive. We think it’s important for an architect to listen to their clients and give them something they want, not something the architect thinks they should have. At the same time you want an architect who is willing and able to think outside the box and offer up design options that you may not have considered. Design is about a lot of back and forth, trying out ideas, getting feedback and trying again.” The home was completely transformed into a unique, contemporary house perfectly integrated with its site. Internally the home has a natural flow for the occupants and externally it is integrated with the surroundings taking advantage of great natural light. As a side note, it was highly praised as part of the Austin AIA homes tour.

Lissa Gotwals
Inspiration for a cottage gray tile freestanding bathtub remodel in Raleigh with shaker cabinets, white cabinets and white walls

Example of a large classic living room design in Phoenix with white walls

By Thayer Allyson Gowdy for House Beautiful
Example of a classic formal living room design in San Francisco with blue walls