Contractor: Jason Skinner of Bay Area Custom Homes. Photographer: Michele Lee Willson
Transitional single-wall medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen photo in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite countertops, multicolored backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

A hotel inspired guest bedroom with soft tones and custom luxury bedding leads out to a private patio with lots of plants and contemporary outdoor furniture. The headboard wall is covered with metallic horsehair wallpaper. The geometric headboard is two toned, with gray and black, adding to the contemporary feel of the bedroom. Two identical mercury lamps sit atop the side tables, one glass and metal and one painted wood to match the bed. A white wing chair in the corner sits below a large piece of colorful art, the perfect spot to relax in the afternoon. Custom white bedding has a tan accent trim and a dark brown velvet neck roll. Crystal drapery hardware adds a touch of elegance to the casual striped linen sheers, which flank the patio French doors. Photography by Erika Bierman

Jacob Hand
Inspiration for a small contemporary home design remodel in Chicago

Front exterior of a new construction single-level home in Orinda, CA. The composition presents two distinct volumes: a low flat-roofed cedar-clad entry box that transitions from street to sanctuary, and the main residence behind with a signature butterfly shed roofline that peaks at the center - the tectonic uplift that gives the project its name. Warm horizontal cedar cladding wraps both the entry volume and the two-car garage door, set against smooth grey stucco and a darker grey roof fascia.

Karuna Passive House designed by Holst Architecture and built by Hammer & Hand. This high performance home meets the world's most demanding green building certifications. Photo by Jeremy Bittermann.

Another view of Shelley Alexanian's family home. Courtesy of Our Homes magazine, Fall 2015 edition. Hardwood flooring, area rugs, staircase runner and Hunter Douglas window coverings from Alexanian Carpet & Flooring. Photography by Kelly Horkoff.

This bath, mainly used by the family's young children so we used a kid-friendly, single-lever faucet, and laminated a slight lip to the perimeter of the Silestone countertop to contain water spills. A tip-out laundry hamper sits behind the left vanity door. The large, custom made, framed mirror sits low enough for kids to use and bounces light around the compact room. Usable for kids but polished enough for guests. General Contractor: Lee Kimball Designer: Tomhill Studio Photo Credit: Sam Gray

Fun textures, including burlap and seagrass, add depth to this media room, which also has sweeping views of the ocean. Renovation and Interior Design: Blackband Design. Phone: 949.872.2234

The owners dreamed of an Eichler remodel they would live in forever. Their vision was contemporary and open. Klopf Architecture would design, and reconfigure bathrooms/laundry areas and upgrade systems to be more efficient. This talented executive mother of five decorated and furnished the home herself. Architecture: Klopf Architecture Contractor: Flegel Construction Photography © 2014 Mariko Reed Location: Burlingame, CA Year completed: 2014

Chandler Photography
Inspiration for a rustic carpeted bedroom remodel in Other with beige walls

1.5 inch by 1.5 inch steel square tube, Paint Black Semi-Gloss
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary drought-tolerant and partial sun backyard mulch garden path in Los Angeles.

This one-acre property now features a trio of homes on three lots where previously there was only a single home on one lot. Surrounded by other single family homes in a neighborhood where vacant parcels are virtually unheard of, this project created the rare opportunity of constructing not one, but two new homes. The owners purchased the property as a retirement investment with the goal of relocating from the East Coast to live in one of the new homes and sell the other two. The original home - designed by the distinguished architectural firm of Edwards & Plunkett in the 1930's - underwent a complete remodel both inside and out. While respecting the original architecture, this 2,089 sq. ft., two bedroom, two bath home features new interior and exterior finishes, reclaimed wood ceilings, custom light fixtures, stained glass windows, and a new three-car garage. The two new homes on the lot reflect the style of the original home, only grander. Neighborhood design standards required Spanish Colonial details – classic red tile roofs and stucco exteriors. Both new three-bedroom homes with additional study were designed with aging in place in mind and equipped with elevator systems, fireplaces, balconies, and other custom amenities including open beam ceilings, hand-painted tiles, and dark hardwood floors. Photographer: Santa Barbara Real Estate Photography

Quinn and Paige, residents of this tired 1960’s tri-level home hated their kitchen. As a matter of fact, prior to making plans to renovate the first floor - they considered selling the home, but were reluctant because of its enviable location near the heart of downtown Barrington which was within walking distance to local stores and all their favorite places. So instead they contacted Advance Design Studio after hearing about them from a neighbor, to rescue their tired home and give it new life. The very first plan was to remove the constricting walls surrounding the original kitchen, and open the expansive first floor living room and dining area to the new heart of the space; a stunning state of the art coastal designed kitchen. Exposing attractive beams in the vaulted ceiling created an interesting structural detail that suits the open plan and salutes the original architecture of the home, further emphasizing the height of the new space enjoyed now by the family as a great room. The stage was set for the seaside feel of this kitchen by pairing crisp white painted maple cabinets with Dura Supreme’s one of kind hand weathered finish on the island in soft blue-green finish. But the authentic feeling of being on your favorite beach was supremely achieved by the matching of unique Mt. Claire marble on the island and the specialty Wareham acid washed stone on the perimeter counter tops. Pictures don’t do justice to the feel of this stone under your hand; its water-washed texture reminds instantly of summer vacations collecting rocks softly etched by hundreds of waves. Stainless steel appliances and satin nickel hardware shine brightly against the backdrop of bright white subway tiles accentuated by subtle grey grout lines contributing to the nautical feel of this comfortable kitchen. Seeded glass door cabinetry reminiscent of beach grasses dress up the space just enough, and a proud 6” stacked crown molding extends above 36” wall cabinets into the expanse of the now taller space; balancing this kitchen nicely within its newly integrated home. Features in this kitchen include a built in standard depth refrigerator, pull out spice racks, tall tray dividers and wood super Susan with double pull out trash and recycling. A cutlery divider holds sharp knives, and an angled cabinet was customized to hold a secret USB charging station. The bright white Kohler farm sink is graced by an elegant bridge faucet in brushed nickel. This now airy and spacious kitchen has room for guest and family to congregate around the large island, complete with stools and attractive hidden storage for seldom used entertainment pieces. “I was sold when I saw the drawings. My designer nailed it, down to every last storage idea and coastal detail I envisioned, it was all in there. It was unbelievable how accurate her interpretation was of what was in my head; working with her made my kitchen renovation so easy, it’s as if she literally read my mind”, said Paige enthusiastically. The woman of the house expressed upon completion not only her love for her fantastic new cooking space, but how renovating her kitchen has given new life to the entire home. Talk of moving has been relegated to the recycling bin, and instead the family is discussing plans to renovate the master bath now that they’ve decided to stay for the long term. Friends who visit the home do a double-take as they recognize the new space’s dramatic transformation from original cramped and closed spaces - to the now amazingly fresh open kitchen that has become the center of every gathering and family meal. Designer: Nicole Ryan Photographer: Joe Nowak

Gridley+Graves Photographers
Large elegant single-wall light wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Philadelphia with a single-bowl sink, glass-front cabinets, blue cabinets, limestone countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Custom made garage doors and carriage doors can not only improve your home's curb appeal but the functionality you get out of your garage. Investing in well-built and authentically designed wooden garage doors can also prove to increase your home's curb value and give your home marketing advantages should you ever sell your property. This custom garage built in a Tuscan architectural style was fitted with Dynamic Garage Doors that were richly crafted and designed for this specific home. The single car garage features real carriage doors that are paired with electric motors for easy access while the double car garage door is conventional roll-up door that operates at the push of a button. Both doors are crafted in solid alder wood and decorated with real iron hardware that was crafted by hand to further enhance the beauty and Tuscan flavor of these rustic garage doors. Dynamic Garage Door is a custom design and manufacturing house specializing in full customization for mid to high end homes in California and nationwide. Call today (855) 343-3667

Mid-Century Remodel on Tabor Hill This sensitively sited house was designed by Robert Coolidge, a renowned architect and grandson of President Calvin Coolidge. The house features a symmetrical gable roof and beautiful floor to ceiling glass facing due south, smartly oriented for passive solar heating. Situated on a steep lot, the house is primarily a single story that steps down to a family room. This lower level opens to a New England exterior. Our goals for this project were to maintain the integrity of the original design while creating more modern spaces. Our design team worked to envision what Coolidge himself might have designed if he'd had access to modern materials and fixtures. With the aim of creating a signature space that ties together the living, dining, and kitchen areas, we designed a variation on the 1950's "floating kitchen." In this inviting assembly, the kitchen is located away from exterior walls, which allows views from the floor-to-ceiling glass to remain uninterrupted by cabinetry. We updated rooms throughout the house; installing modern features that pay homage to the fine, sleek lines of the original design. Finally, we opened the family room to a terrace featuring a fire pit. Since a hallmark of our design is the diminishment of the hard line between interior and exterior, we were especially pleased for the opportunity to update this classic work.

RVP Photography
Mid-sized elegant l-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Cincinnati with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, stone tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

1.5 inch by 1.5 inch steel square tube, Paint Black Semi-Gloss
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary drought-tolerant and partial sun backyard mulch garden path in Los Angeles.

Our clients wanted to replace an existing suburban home with a modern house at the same Lexington address where they had lived for years. The structure the clients envisioned would complement their lives and integrate the interior of the home with the natural environment of their generous property. The sleek, angular home is still a respectful neighbor, especially in the evening, when warm light emanates from the expansive transparencies used to open the house to its surroundings. The home re-envisions the suburban neighborhood in which it stands, balancing relationship to the neighborhood with an updated aesthetic. The floor plan is arranged in a “T” shape which includes a two-story wing consisting of individual studies and bedrooms and a single-story common area. The two-story section is arranged with great fluidity between interior and exterior spaces and features generous exterior balconies. A staircase beautifully encased in glass stands as the linchpin between the two areas. The spacious, single-story common area extends from the stairwell and includes a living room and kitchen. A recessed wooden ceiling defines the living room area within the open plan space. Separating common from private spaces has served our clients well. As luck would have it, construction on the house was just finishing up as we entered the Covid lockdown of 2020. Since the studies in the two-story wing were physically and acoustically separate, zoom calls for work could carry on uninterrupted while life happened in the kitchen and living room spaces. The expansive panes of glass, outdoor balconies, and a broad deck along the living room provided our clients with a structured sense of continuity in their lives without compromising their commitment to aesthetically smart and beautiful design.