Open concept kitchen - small scandinavian l-shaped light wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen idea in New York with an undermount sink, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island and flat-panel cabinets

Dedicated laundry room - transitional l-shaped beige floor dedicated laundry room idea in Miami with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a stacked washer/dryer and black countertops

Inspiration for a farmhouse gray floor kitchen remodel in Boston with white cabinets, wood countertops and stainless steel appliances

Meghan Bob Photography
Example of a transitional home design design in Los Angeles

Laundry room - modern laundry room idea in Philadelphia

Mid-sized trendy galley slate floor and gray floor utility room photo in Portland with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer, solid surface countertops, an integrated sink, white backsplash and white countertops

View of kitchen from living area. Photo by Olga Soboleva
Example of a mid-sized trendy galley medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen design in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Utility room - large transitional l-shaped vinyl floor and gray floor utility room idea with white cabinets, gray walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and shaker cabinets

Example of a small trendy gender-neutral light wood floor reach-in closet design in Nashville with open cabinets and medium tone wood cabinets

Alan Jackson - Jackson Studios
Example of a mid-sized arts and crafts l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Omaha with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island

Hulet Photography

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

David DuncanLivingston
Example of a mountain style medium tone wood floor kitchen/dining room combo design in San Francisco with white walls

Trendy laundry room photo in Vancouver

This laundry room is easily accessible, hidden behind these closet doors but located on the second floor hallway. Photography by Jay Groccia, OnSite Studios

Downtown Washington DC Small Contemporary Condo Refresh Design by #SarahTurner4JenniferGilmer. Photography by Bob Narod. http://www.gilmerkitchens.com/

Michael Lee Photography
Kitchen/dining room combo - small traditional medium tone wood floor kitchen/dining room combo idea in Boston with gray walls

Example of a trendy galley dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and white countertops

Dedicated laundry room - large traditional u-shaped porcelain tile dedicated laundry room idea in Portland with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, beige walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer