Photo by Kelly M. Shea
Mid-sized cottage ceramic tile and gray floor entryway photo in Other with white walls and a black front door

Troy Thies Photography
Entryway - transitional light wood floor and beige floor entryway idea in Minneapolis with white walls and a glass front door

Mid-sized contemporary brown two-story mixed siding exterior home idea in Denver with a mixed material roof

Stephani Buchman
Example of a trendy gender-neutral dark wood floor kids' room design in Toronto with white walls

Mid-sized cottage white two-story stucco house exterior photo in Austin with a shed roof

Hi Point Home Builders
Home bar - eclectic ceramic tile home bar idea in Denver

Kolanowski Studio
Farmhouse u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen photo in Houston with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, a peninsula and black countertops

Bryan Chavez
Playroom - transitional gender-neutral medium tone wood floor playroom idea in Richmond with gray walls

Kids playroom/craft room.
Kids' room - large contemporary kids' room idea in Dallas

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

Located in Newport Beach’s coveted Port Streets, this family home was taken down to the studs and completely reimagined to create a layered, detail-rich forever home. We expanded key living spaces — including the kitchen and primary bathroom — to enhance both functionality and everyday luxury. Throughout the home, thoughtfully curated moments bring personality and warmth. From the beautifully wallpapered dining room to the checkerboard marble laundry room, each space was designed to feel timeless yet distinctive. Living spaces and bathrooms were individually styled using a cohesive palette of blues, greens, and warm browns — creating a sense of flow while allowing each room its own identity. The result is a thoughtfully tailored home that blends classic design with family-centered living in one of Newport Beach’s most beloved neighborhoods. This home was featured in the 2026 Corona del Mar Home Tour.

Example of a transitional dark wood floor dining room design in New York with gray walls and no fireplace

Adam Milton
Kitchen - mid-sized traditional multicolored floor kitchen idea in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, green cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, white appliances, a peninsula and glass-front cabinets

This 6,600-square-foot home in Edina’s Highland neighborhood was built for a family with young children — and an eye to the future. There’s a 16-foot-tall basketball sport court (painted in Edina High School’s colors, of course). “Many high-end homes now have customized sport courts — everything from golf simulators to batting cages,” said Dan Schaefer, owner of Landmark Build Co.

red area rug, concrete slab, red armchair, platform bed, floor to ceiling windows, sliding glass door, built in shelves
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary master concrete floor bedroom remodel in Denver with gray walls and a standard fireplace

Transitional home bar photo in Charlotte

ALH Home Renovations
Inspiration for a timeless l-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen remodel in Kansas City with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, beige backsplash and paneled appliances

Kids' room - traditional gender-neutral carpeted kids' room idea in Raleigh with multicolored walls

Example of a trendy single-wall light wood floor and beige floor open concept kitchen design in DC Metro with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and white countertops