Succulents, grasses and low-water shrubs with vivid foliage give this coastal garden a rich, textured look with minimal maintenance. Exterior colors and furniture selection by Julie McMahon. Photos by Daniel Bosler

Mid-sized elegant formal and enclosed living room photo in San Francisco with purple walls and no tv

Cate Black Photography
Bedroom - mid-sized traditional master dark wood floor and brown floor bedroom idea with beige walls

Ariana Miller with ANM Photography. www.anmphoto.com
Small cottage enclosed dark wood floor living room library photo in Dallas with gray walls, a standard fireplace and no tv

Transitional l-shaped pool house photo in Austin

Aaron Usher Photography
Kitchen/dining room combo - victorian medium tone wood floor kitchen/dining room combo idea in Providence with beige walls

Inspiration for a mediterranean concrete floor and gray floor sunroom remodel in Kansas City with a stone fireplace and a standard ceiling

Large trendy open concept medium tone wood floor living room photo in Minneapolis with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace and no tv

An open master bedroom with a view.
Bedroom - huge mediterranean master carpeted bedroom idea with beige walls and no fireplace

Large trendy master white tile and subway tile mosaic tile floor and gray floor freestanding bathtub photo in San Francisco with white walls, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, an undermount sink, marble countertops and gray countertops

Rustic Montana home. Photo by: Grundhoefer Photography
Inspiration for a large rustic brown two-story mixed siding gable roof remodel

Photo Credit: Aaron Snow Photography http://www.aaronsnowphotography.com/

Patio - rustic patio idea in San Diego

2010 NATIONAL NARI REGIONAL AWARD WINNER Project Scope The owners of this 7,000 square foot colonial in Oakton, Virginia, were seeking a multi-level Mediterranean-style indoor/outdoor living space off the back of their home. They turned to Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes for a design solution that would include a stone patio, a second-story deck, a screened-in porch and linking staircases. While the structure was designed primarily for family dining and entertaining, it also had to accommodate periodic social gatherings of one hundred guests or more. To meet these needs, the project would include a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen, several serving counters with permanent refrigeration, and well-delineated socializing and dining zones. The existing home’s setting offered several impressive assets the new outdoor living area was designed to exploit. The sprawling acreage features old stand trees, wooded paths and a private lake. Beautifully landscaped, it unfolds as an idyllic panorama that naturally draws people to the outdoors. Challenges Since the rear elevation was situated on a slope that drops away from the house, the Michael Nash team had to raise the grade two feet within in a 2,000 square foot area extending out from the back of the house. Infrastructure plans also called for a sophisticated drainage system that had to accommodate a whole series of water “runoff” considerations to be integrated into the decking itself. Excavation included constructing retaining walls to bolster the elevated grade—which also had to support a concrete slab, the primary foundation for the entire complex. Solutions The ground level decking consists of a 2,000 square foot flagstone patio level with the home’s lower level doors. There is a decorative water fountain mid-patio—an ornate collectible acquired in Florida. Food preparation is concentrated within a specially designed semi-circular wall that creates an “outdoor kitchen” equipped with a 60” Viking barbecue grill, a prep sink, a warming drawer, refrigerator and appropriate storage. There is a granite surfaced dining counter with seating for eight. Wrought iron railing and approximately 20 decorative columns (some encasing steel vertical supports) are incorporated into the design scheme. Many of the columns house accent lights. The top level—supported by horizontal steel beams– is a 2,500 square foot deck constructed entirely of Trex decking. The open air decking is, again, directly accessible from rooms on the second level of the house including the kitchen, sunroom and family room. The platform’s most prominent feature is a U-shaped “kitchenette” with cedar shake shingle roofing. Like its counterpart one level below, the facility is equipped with grill, refrigerator and stainless steel cabinetry. One portion of the deck has been allocated for a 16’ x 16’ octagonal screened-in porch crowned by a pair of 2’ x 4’ skylights. The porch can be accessed from the home’s conservatory via a set of French doors. With its mosaic tile flooring, stained cedar panel ceiling and honed granite counters, the interior is elegant and calming. Hand-painted stenciling and a wall-mounted water feature provide distinctive detailing. Finally, the design introduced elements to highlight and reinforce an awareness of the lovely bucolic setting. Fountains and water features combined with textured surfaces and mosaic tiling and backsplashes to present a villa-like ambiance well-suited to the Virginia countryside.

Troy Theis
Inspiration for a craftsman l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen remodel in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, gray walls and an island

Staircase - coastal wooden l-shaped wood railing staircase idea with painted risers

A custom millwork piece in the living room was designed to house an entertainment center, work space, and mud room storage for this 1700 square foot loft in Tribeca. Reclaimed gray wood clads the storage and compliments the gray leather desk. Blackened Steel works with the gray material palette at the desk wall and entertainment area. An island with customization for the family dog completes the large, open kitchen. The floors were ebonized to emphasize the raw materials in the space.

Architect: Mary Brewster, Brewster Thornton Group
Large beach style open concept porcelain tile and gray floor living room photo in Providence with a stone fireplace, white walls, a standard fireplace and no tv

Small trendy rooftop outdoor kitchen deck photo in Chicago with decking and a pergola