Contrasting heavy timber against concrete and steel, this barn combines modern and traditional methods of construction. An honest and simple interior tells the story of how the building was made. The structure has a stair tower capped with a light-shaft that reaches past the roof with views to the sky. Varied spatial volumes are integral to this experience of the building, and the landscape playfully joins in this expression, undulating up and down.

A concept design for a modest off-grid home that brings practical, modern design into reach. Intended to be self-built, the structure has a simple floor plan, efficient design, a limited material palette of local materials, and uses common construction methods.

Simple neutral bedroom design softened by quilted textures on bed, furniture and window treatments.
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern guest medium tone wood floor, brown floor and tray ceiling bedroom remodel in New York with white walls and no fireplace

Squared Away - Designed Space & Organized Photography by Karen Sachar & Co.
Garage - mid-sized traditional attached garage idea in Houston

Inspiration for a small transitional galley light wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

Bathroom organization made simple with great bins to help hold and divide his and hers toiletry items in a cabinet.
Elegant master bathroom photo in St Louis

G. Russ
Inspiration for a farmhouse two-story stone exterior home remodel in Austin

Mid-sized craftsman white one-story wood exterior home idea in Atlanta

Reclaimed Wood Beams, photo by Jean Randazzo Photography
Trendy master medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom photo in Los Angeles with beige walls

A young family with a wooded, triangular lot in Ipswich, Massachusetts wanted to take on a highly creative, organic, and unrushed process in designing their new home. The parents of three boys had contemporary ideas for living, including phasing the construction of different structures over time as the kids grew so they could maximize the options for use on their land. They hoped to build a net zero energy home that would be cozy on the very coldest days of winter, using cost-efficient methods of home building. The house needed to be sited to minimize impact on the land and trees, and it was critical to respect a conservation easement on the south border of the lot. Finally, the design would be contemporary in form and feel, but it would also need to fit into a classic New England context, both in terms of materials used and durability. We were asked to honor the notions of “surprise and delight,” and that inspired everything we designed for the family. The highly unique home consists of a three-story form, composed mostly of bedrooms and baths on the top two floors and a cross axis of shared living spaces on the first level. This axis extends out to an oversized covered porch, open to the south and west. The porch connects to a two-story garage with flex space above, used as a guest house, play room, and yoga studio depending on the day. A floor-to-ceiling ribbon of glass wraps the south and west walls of the lower level, bringing in an abundance of natural light and linking the entire open plan to the yard beyond. The master suite takes up the entire top floor, and includes an outdoor deck with a shower. The middle floor has extra height to accommodate a variety of multi-level play scenarios in the kids’ rooms. Many of the materials used in this house are made from recycled or environmentally friendly content, or they come from local sources. The high performance home has triple glazed windows and all materials, adhesives, and sealants are low toxicity and safe for growing kids. Photographer credit: Irvin Serrano

Kaibab Landscaping - Natural Stone Paver Drive and Patio - Telluride Colorado. Photo credit: Josh Johnson
Example of a large mountain style brown front yard and two-story stone and wood gable roof design in Denver with a shingle roof

Family/entertainment space with oak casework and matt charcoal concrete floor. Glass sliding doors open to the patio and garden. The concrete floor outside has the same hue as the interior one but the texture is more pronounced to prevent slipping. Photos by Scott Hargis.

Staircase - transitional wooden u-shaped staircase idea in New York with painted risers

A polished transitional kitchen with raw, natural edges creates just the right amount of drama. The key is to practice restraint to achieve the perfect balance between the masculine and feminine. It’s rustic, while still completely refined.

Harmonized on the edge of a tidal marsh of Bohicket Creek on Johns Island, a house was built for indoor-outdoor living. Constructed within a tight budget, architectural poetics were sought through integrated design, with the use of kebony shiplap siding, corrugated metal, and exposed wood rafters. The sensitive landscape drove a design concept that floats above the forest floor and blends in with the habitat of the marsh edge. There was consideration for detail and simple construction methods, through the use of modern interior and exterior trim with minimal details. The raw, simple construction methods and materials were used to infuse the spirit of boat docks and agricultural structures of Johns Island, SC with the use of heavy timber wood piles and knotty pine siding and rain screen. The interior details are simple and dramatic with a waterfall island anchoring the open floor plan and book matched birch veneer wood doors throughout.

Large urban attached garage workshop photo in Toronto

Kitchen - modern kitchen idea in Philadelphia

Entryway - farmhouse entryway idea in Chicago

Mud room with built in lockers.
Example of a large beach style gray floor mudroom design in New York with white walls and a black front door