Allen Haren
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional partial sun backyard gravel formal garden in Los Angeles.

We designed this writer's studio in tandem with an urban backyard and hardscaping renovation. Originally this building was to be a new garage, but the owner liked it so much that halfway through the process, he decided to forgo a garage in favor of an office. Photo: Anna M Campbell: annamcampbell.com

Inspiration for a cottage dark wood floor living room remodel in Los Angeles with white walls, a standard fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Photography by Corey Gaff
Example of a mid-sized classic limestone floor mudroom design in Minneapolis with white walls

Study room - traditional freestanding desk dark wood floor study room idea in Denver with gray walls and no fireplace

Large island, Sea Pearl Quartzite, walnut cabinet, floor to ceiling alder cabinets with matte glass backsplash. Ceiling is walnut inlay with LED lighting.

After a not-so-great experience with a previous contractor, this homeowner came to Kraft Custom Construction in search of a better outcome. Not only was she wanting a more functional kitchen to enjoy cooking in, she also sought out a team with a clear process and great communication. Two elements of the original floorplan shaped the design of the new kitchen: a protruding pantry that blocked the flow from the front door into the main living space, and two large columns in the middle of the living room. Using a refined French-Country design aesthetic, we completed structural modifications to reframe the pantry, and integrated a new custom buffet cabinet to tie in the old columns with new wood ceiling beams. Other design solutions include more usable countertop space, a recessed spice cabinet, numerous drawer organizers, and updated appliances and finishes all around. This bright new kitchen is both comfortable yet elegant, and the perfect place to cook for the family or entertain a group of guests.

Rising amidst the grand homes of North Howe Street, this stately house has more than 6,600 SF. In total, the home has seven bedrooms, six full bathrooms and three powder rooms. Designed with an extra-wide floor plan (21'-2"), achieved through side-yard relief, and an attached garage achieved through rear-yard relief, it is a truly unique home in a truly stunning environment. The centerpiece of the home is its dramatic, 11-foot-diameter circular stair that ascends four floors from the lower level to the roof decks where panoramic windows (and views) infuse the staircase and lower levels with natural light. Public areas include classically-proportioned living and dining rooms, designed in an open-plan concept with architectural distinction enabling them to function individually. A gourmet, eat-in kitchen opens to the home's great room and rear gardens and is connected via its own staircase to the lower level family room, mud room and attached 2-1/2 car, heated garage. The second floor is a dedicated master floor, accessed by the main stair or the home's elevator. Features include a groin-vaulted ceiling; attached sun-room; private balcony; lavishly appointed master bath; tremendous closet space, including a 120 SF walk-in closet, and; an en-suite office. Four family bedrooms and three bathrooms are located on the third floor. This home was sold early in its construction process. Nathan Kirkman

Photo: Jason Snyder © 2014 Houzz Design: Luca Construction and Design

The client’s coastal New England roots inspired this Shingle style design for a lakefront lot. With a background in interior design, her ideas strongly influenced the process, presenting both challenge and reward in executing her exact vision. Vintage coastal style grounds a thoroughly modern open floor plan, designed to house a busy family with three active children. A primary focus was the kitchen, and more importantly, the butler’s pantry tucked behind it. Flowing logically from the garage entry and mudroom, and with two access points from the main kitchen, it fulfills the utilitarian functions of storage and prep, leaving the main kitchen free to shine as an integral part of the open living area. An ARDA for Custom Home Design goes to Royal Oaks Design Designer: Kieran Liebl From: Oakdale, Minnesota

Example of a bedroom and small transitional boy carpeted and gray floor kids' bedroom design in Oklahoma City with gray walls

Corona del Mar, California
Mid-sized trendy open concept carpeted family room photo in Orange County with white walls, no fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Project by Studio H:T principal in charge Brad Tomecek (now with Tomecek Studio Architecture). This project tests the theory of bringing high quality design to a prefabricated factory setting. Enrolled in the LEED-Home Pilot, this residence completed certification. The modular home was conceived as two boxes that slide above one another to create outdoor living space and a lower covered rear entry. The passive solar design invites large amounts of light from the south while minimizing openings to the east and west. Factory construction saves both time and costs while reducing waste and using a controlled labor force. Built in a factory north of Denver, the home arrived by flatbed truck in two pieces and was craned into place in about 4 hours providing a fast, sustainable, cost effective alternative to traditional homebuilding techniques. Upgraded lighting fixtures, plumbing fixtures, doors, door hardware, windows, tile and bamboo flooring were incorporated into the design. 80% of the residence was completed in the factory in less than 3 weeks and other items were finished on site including the exterior stucco, garage, metal railing and stair. Stack-Slide-Stitch describes the conceptual process of how to tie together two distinct modular boxes. Stack refers to setting one modular directly on top of the other. Slide refers to the action that creates an upper southern deck area while simultaneously providing a covered rear entry area. The stitching or interlocking occurs with the upward extension of the lower volume with the front deck walls and with the rear two story vertical.

Ryan Garvin
Example of a huge tuscan open concept and gender-neutral light wood floor and beige floor playroom design in San Diego with white walls and a wall-mounted tv

Please see this Award Winning project in the October 2014 issue of New York Cottages & Gardens Magazine: NYC&G http://www.cottages-gardens.com/New-York-Cottages-Gardens/October-2014/NYCG-Innovation-in-Design-Winners-Kitchen-Design/ It was also featured in a Houzz Tour: Houzz Tour: Loving the Old and New in an 1880s Brooklyn Row House http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/29691278/list/houzz-tour-loving-the-old-and-new-in-an-1880s-brooklyn-row-house Photo Credit: Hulya Kolabas

I was hired by the parents of a soon-to-be teenage girl turning 13 years-old. They wanted to remodel her bedroom from a young girls room to a teenage room. This project was a joy and a dream to work on! I got the opportunity to channel my inner child. I wanted to design a space that she would love to sleep in, entertain, hangout, do homework, and lounge in. The first step was to interview her so that she would feel like she was a part of the process and the decision making. I asked her what was her favorite color, what was her favorite print, her favorite hobbies, if there was anything in her room she wanted to keep, and her style. The second step was to go shopping with her and once that process started she was thrilled. One of the challenges for me was making sure I was able to give her everything she wanted. The other challenge was incorporating her favorite pattern-- zebra print. I decided to bring it into the room in small accent pieces where it was previously the dominant pattern throughout her room. The color palette went from light pink to her favorite color teal with pops of fuchsia. I wanted to make the ceiling a part of the design so I painted it a deep teal and added a beautiful teal glass and crystal chandelier to highlight it. Her room became a private oasis away from her parents where she could escape to. In the end we gave her everything she wanted. Photography by Haigwood Studios

When Cummings Architects first met with the owners of this understated country farmhouse, the building’s layout and design was an incoherent jumble. The original bones of the building were almost unrecognizable. All of the original windows, doors, flooring, and trims – even the country kitchen – had been removed. Mathew and his team began a thorough design discovery process to find the design solution that would enable them to breathe life back into the old farmhouse in a way that acknowledged the building’s venerable history while also providing for a modern living by a growing family. The redesign included the addition of a new eat-in kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, wrap around porch, and stone fireplaces. To begin the transforming restoration, the team designed a generous, twenty-four square foot kitchen addition with custom, farmers-style cabinetry and timber framing. The team walked the homeowners through each detail the cabinetry layout, materials, and finishes. Salvaged materials were used and authentic craftsmanship lent a sense of place and history to the fabric of the space. The new master suite included a cathedral ceiling showcasing beautifully worn salvaged timbers. The team continued with the farm theme, using sliding barn doors to separate the custom-designed master bath and closet. The new second-floor hallway features a bold, red floor while new transoms in each bedroom let in plenty of light. A summer stair, detailed and crafted with authentic details, was added for additional access and charm. Finally, a welcoming farmer’s porch wraps around the side entry, connecting to the rear yard via a gracefully engineered grade. This large outdoor space provides seating for large groups of people to visit and dine next to the beautiful outdoor landscape and the new exterior stone fireplace. Though it had temporarily lost its identity, with the help of the team at Cummings Architects, this lovely farmhouse has regained not only its former charm but also a new life through beautifully integrated modern features designed for today’s family. Photo by Eric Roth

John Evans
Example of a huge classic dark wood floor home design design in Columbus with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, an island and stainless steel appliances

Trendy backyard patio photo in Toronto with no cover