Search results for "Social layer" in Home Design Ideas

The mHouse is the brainchild of a magazine publisher intent on changing the way houses are constructed and how their owners relate to them. Named after one of the company’s website, the mHouse serves as a built manifesto of innovative panel materials such as rice hull composites and thermally fused laminate – becoming a case study house for over 30 international material suppliers.
The design challenge was quite clear – how to use a series of new materials unproven in the US building trades to create a beautiful house that meets the unique needs of today’s family. The result is a building that is highly rational in its construction systems, while encouraging social gathering.
The mHouse serves as a direct counterpoint to the typical suburban builder home – creating unique outdoor spaces in place of the typical open lawn, a variety of different views in contrast to one major view, and expressing a confidence in the future over nostalgia for the past.
Through a series of layers and nodes, the landscape grounds the house and heightens the views from inside, using indigenous plantings applied in non-traditional ways, the landscape mirrors the house in rethinking the suburban home.
The mHouse strikes a balance between proven methods and innovative solutions, resulting in one version of what is possible with these materials and setting the stage for future iterations and new possibilities.
Size
Total Finished Area: 3,405 sf
Completion Date
September 2015
Services
Architecture
Interior Design Consultant: Amy Carman Design
Landscape Consultant: Texten

What began as a renovation project morphed into a new house, driven by the natural beauty of the site.
The new structures are perfectly aligned with the coastline, and take full advantage of the views of ocean, islands, and shoals. The location is within walking distance of town and its amenities, yet miles away in the privacy it affords. The house is nestled on a nicely wooded lot, giving the residence screening from the street, with an open meadow leading to the ocean on the rear of the lot.
The design concept was driven by the serenity of the site, enhanced by textures of trees, plantings, sand and shoreline. The newly constructed house sits quietly in a location advantageously positioned to take full advantage of natural light and solar orientations. The visual calm is enhanced by the natural material: stone, wood, and metal throughout the home.
The main structures are comprised of traditional New England forms, with modern connectors serving to unify the structures. Each building is equally suited for single floor living, if that future needs is ever necessary. Unique too is an underground connection between main house and an outbuilding.
With their flowing connections, no room is isolated or ignored; instead each reflects a different level of privacy and social interaction.
Just as there are layers to the exterior in beach, field, forest and oceans, the inside has a layered approach. Textures in wood, stone, and neutral colors combine with the warmth of linens, wools, and metals. Personality and character of the interiors and its furnishings are tailored to the client’s lifestyle. Rooms are arranged and organized in an intersection of public and private spaces. The quiet palette within reflects the nature outside, enhanced with artwork and accessories.

What began as a renovation project morphed into a new house, driven by the natural beauty of the site.
The new structures are perfectly aligned with the coastline, and take full advantage of the views of ocean, islands, and shoals. The location is within walking distance of town and its amenities, yet miles away in the privacy it affords. The house is nestled on a nicely wooded lot, giving the residence screening from the street, with an open meadow leading to the ocean on the rear of the lot.
The design concept was driven by the serenity of the site, enhanced by textures of trees, plantings, sand and shoreline. The newly constructed house sits quietly in a location advantageously positioned to take full advantage of natural light and solar orientations. The visual calm is enhanced by the natural material: stone, wood, and metal throughout the home.
The main structures are comprised of traditional New England forms, with modern connectors serving to unify the structures. Each building is equally suited for single floor living, if that future needs is ever necessary. Unique too is an underground connection between main house and an outbuilding.
With their flowing connections, no room is isolated or ignored; instead each reflects a different level of privacy and social interaction.
Just as there are layers to the exterior in beach, field, forest and oceans, the inside has a layered approach. Textures in wood, stone, and neutral colors combine with the warmth of linens, wools, and metals. Personality and character of the interiors and its furnishings are tailored to the client’s lifestyle. Rooms are arranged and organized in an intersection of public and private spaces. The quiet palette within reflects the nature outside, enhanced with artwork and accessories.
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On a quiet street just steps from San Francisco’s beloved Dolores Park, a formerly modest urban structure has been transformed into a luminous vertical residence that quietly redefines contemporary city living. Through a comprehensive remodel and both vertical and horizontal expansion, the project turns a constrained urban footprint into a sequence of serene, art-forward living spaces that unfold upward toward expansive city views.
The architecture balances restraint and warmth: crisp contemporary geometry softened by natural materials, artful lighting, and carefully curated interiors. The result is a home that feels simultaneously grounded and elevated—deeply connected to its neighborhood yet remarkably private.
Reimagining the Urban Envelope
The original building has been almost entirely reconceived. The facade now reads as a disciplined composition of plaster volumes and precisely detailed window openings framed by subtle projecting bands. The geometry references San Francisco’s classic rhythm of bayed facades while stripping the language down to a refined modern expression.
Behind this quiet exterior lies a dramatically expanded interior volume. The redesign adds both additional floor area and new vertical circulation, transforming what was once a conventional city house into a multi-level architectural sequence organized around light, art, and views.
At the roofline, planted terraces soften the building’s silhouette and create a green crown visible from surrounding hillsides.
Interiors as a Sequence of Galleries
Inside, the home unfolds as a series of spatial moments connected by a sculptural stair and gallery-like corridors.
Wide plank oak floors run throughout, providing continuity and warmth against a palette of plaster walls, dark steel detailing, and natural stone. The hallways function almost as curated galleries, with layered artworks suspended in front of mesh panels that create depth and subtle shadow.
Light filters through carefully placed windows and stair openings, transforming circulation spaces into contemplative transitions rather than mere passageways.
A Living Room Anchored by Stone and Light
The primary living room occupies one of the home’s central floors, where a quiet interplay of texture and geometry defines the space.
A monumental fireplace wrapped in dark stone forms the room’s anchor, its mass contrasting with a recessed ceiling plane that seems to float above the seating area. Integrated perimeter lighting creates a soft architectural glow that washes the ceiling and walls.
Furniture is sculptural yet understated—rounded lounge chairs in warm ochre velvet, tailored sofas, and a striking marble cocktail table whose expressive veining becomes a focal artwork in itself. Deep blue carpeting grounds the seating arrangement and subtly absorbs light, enhancing the calm atmosphere.
Above the fireplace, a delicate projection artwork introduces a moment of visual poetry—an unexpected cinematic gesture that transforms the wall into a quietly animated canvas.
Kitchen as Architectural Furniture
The kitchen expresses a different register: crisp, tactile, and materially rich.
Custom walnut cabinetry spans the wall in a continuous plane, punctuated only by the sculpted hood and integrated appliances. The wood’s depth and warmth are balanced by expanses of pale marble that flow seamlessly from countertop to backsplash.
Three dome pendants hover above the island like industrial sculptures, casting pools of warm light onto the stone surface.
A row of vivid red stools introduces a controlled burst of color, a small but confident departure from the otherwise restrained palette.
Dining With a Living Backdrop
Adjacent to the kitchen, the dining room opens toward a glass wall overlooking a vertical garden of climbing ivy. The greenery becomes a constantly changing backdrop—lush and shadowy during the day, atmospheric and cinematic after sunset.
A dark wood table anchors the room, surrounded by pale oak chairs whose understated forms echo Scandinavian design traditions. The simplicity of the furniture allows the view and natural light to become the dominant experience.
Intimate Spaces and Material Contrast
Throughout the home, smaller rooms offer moments of intimacy and material experimentation.
The powder room pairs textured wall coverings with a dramatic black marble vanity whose bold veining feels almost geological. A suspended mirror and slender pendant create a sculptural composition against the tactile backdrop.
The primary bedroom, by contrast, feels serene and expansive. Floor-to-ceiling glazing frames sweeping views of the city, while soft textiles and warm wood paneling create a cocooning effect. Slender black columns subtly define a sitting area without interrupting the openness of the space.
Bathing Above the City
In the primary bathroom, a sculptural freestanding tub sits beside a panoramic window overlooking San Francisco’s hills and rooftops.
The room’s palette—light oak, grey stone, and matte metals—reinforces the spa-like atmosphere. Floating cabinetry and integrated lighting maintain a sense of visual lightness despite the richness of the materials.
Entertaining Above the Park
Higher in the house, a lounge and bar area becomes the social heart of the home. Here, dark stone slabs with dramatic veining wrap the bar wall like a piece of monumental art.
Open shelving displays glassware and spirits, while integrated wine storage hints at the home’s entertaining ambitions. A soft leather sectional and low glass table create a relaxed setting for conversation, framed by expansive views of the city skyline.
Cinema and Retreat
The lower level introduces yet another atmosphere: a dedicated media room designed for immersive viewing.
Dark walls, plush seating, and soft lighting create a cinematic environment that contrasts intentionally with the airy upper floors. It’s a retreat within the home—intimate, quiet, and removed from the brightness above.
Architecture That Balances Discipline and Warmth
What makes the project particularly compelling is its balance between architectural discipline and lived warmth.
Every element—from the carefully framed views to the restrained material palette—contributes to a cohesive spatial narrative. Yet the home never feels austere. Natural materials, curated art, and layered lighting create a sense of comfort and depth.
The result is a house that feels both architecturally rigorous and deeply human.
A Contemporary Interpretation of San Francisco Living
In a neighborhood defined by historic homes and iconic park views, this transformation offers a contemporary interpretation of San Francisco living.
It respects the city’s urban density while embracing openness, light, and vertical living. The home rises quietly above its surroundings, culminating in panoramic vistas that stretch across rooftops, hills, and sky.
What began as a conventional structure has become something far more nuanced: a modern urban sanctuary—part gallery, part retreat, and wholly connected to the vibrant city just beyond its walls.

Living room with a grey sofa, layered art and a river view, photographed from the main seating area toward the Lisbon waterfront.
Living room - modern living room idea in Other
Living room - modern living room idea in Other

The mHouse is the brainchild of a magazine publisher intent on changing the way houses are constructed and how their owners relate to them. Named after one of the company’s website, the mHouse serves as a built manifesto of innovative panel materials such as rice hull composites and thermally fused laminate – becoming a case study house for over 30 international material suppliers.
The design challenge was quite clear – how to use a series of new materials unproven in the US building trades to create a beautiful house that meets the unique needs of today’s family. The result is a building that is highly rational in its construction systems, while encouraging social gathering.
The mHouse serves as a direct counterpoint to the typical suburban builder home – creating unique outdoor spaces in place of the typical open lawn, a variety of different views in contrast to one major view, and expressing a confidence in the future over nostalgia for the past.
Through a series of layers and nodes, the landscape grounds the house and heightens the views from inside, using indigenous plantings applied in non-traditional ways, the landscape mirrors the house in rethinking the suburban home.
The mHouse strikes a balance between proven methods and innovative solutions, resulting in one version of what is possible with these materials and setting the stage for future iterations and new possibilities.
Size
Total Finished Area: 3,405 sf
Completion Date
September 2015
Services
Architecture
Interior Design Consultant: Amy Carman Design
Landscape Consultant: Texten

2nd Place
Residential Space under 3500 sq ft
Rosella Gonzalez, Allied Member ASID
Jackson Design and Remodeling
Inspiration for a large 1960s backyard patio remodel in San Diego with a fire pit, decking and a roof extension
Inspiration for a large 1960s backyard patio remodel in San Diego with a fire pit, decking and a roof extension

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Wannemacher Interiors
Customized Award-Winning Interior Design Solutions in Franklin Cnty OH

This room is an excellent example of how you can conveniently work with our virtual interior design service to get that social media worthy style for your nursery or kid's room.
We took this client's pretty-in-pink guest room into cozy-in-cream nursery for her second child, a baby it.
Her inspiration board was chock-full of inspiration for light and airy looking rooms. White walls, with varying shades of neutrals. Soft and sophisticated, but with a touch of whimsy through adorable animal creature accents.
Photo: Rich Alfonzo

The homeowners wanted to turn this rustic kitchen, which lacked functional cabinet storage space, into a brighter more fun kitchen with a dual tap Perlick keg refrigerator.
For the keg, we removed existing cabinets and later retrofitted the doors on the Perlick keg refrigerator. We also added two Hubbardton Forge pendants over the bar and used light travertine and multi colored Hirsch glass for the backsplash, which added texture and color to complement the various bottle colors they stored.
We installed taller, light maple cabinets with glass panels to give the feeling of a larger space. To brighten it up, we added layers of LED lighting inside and under the cabinets as well as under the countertop with bar seating. For a little fun we even added a multi-color, multi-function LED toe kick, to lighten up the darker cabinets. Each small detail made a big impact.

Project Type:
Residential Penthouse – Luxury Entertainment, Dining & Bar Fit-Out
Company:
Antonovich Group | Luxury Interior Design & Turnkey Fit-Out Experts
Project Description for Houzz:
This iconic luxury penthouse interior by Antonovich Group redefines elite urban living through bold architectural expression, bespoke craftsmanship, and immersive ambiance. Designed as a private entertainment sanctuary, the space seamlessly integrates a grand dining area, statement bar, wine display, and lounge zones—crafted for refined social gatherings above the Dubai skyline.
Dramatic contrasts of polished black marble, illuminated onyx surfaces, warm wood textures, and sculptural lighting define the interior’s powerful visual identity.
Custom-designed columns, feature walls, and glowing bar counters create a cinematic atmosphere, while floor-to-ceiling glazing frames breathtaking city views reminiscent of Burj Khalifa–level luxury living.
Every detail reflects exclusivity—from bespoke shelving compositions and curated art pieces to precision lighting that enhances depth, texture, and mood. This penthouse is not just an interior; it is a statement of modern prestige and architectural artistry.
Key Design Elements:
*Sculptural luxury dining area with custom marble dining table
*Statement illuminated bar counter featuring natural onyx stone
*Bespoke wine display walls with integrated accent lighting
*High-gloss black marble flooring with dramatic veining
*Custom cylindrical columns clad in polished stone finishes
*Designer bar stools and dining chairs with metallic accents
*Layered ceiling lighting and architectural LED integration
*Artistic feature walls and curated luxury décor elements
*Seamless blend of modern minimalism and opulent materials
*Panoramic city views enhancing the penthouse experience
Scope of Work:
*Concept development and luxury interior planning
*Full penthouse interior fit-out and space zoning
Bespoke bar, dining furniture, and wine display fabrication
Marble, onyx, and premium surface material installation
*Custom lighting design and electrical integration
Decorative elements, art placement, and final styling
Turnkey execution and project delivery
#LuxuryPenthouse #BurjKhalifaStyle #AntonovichGroup
#DubaiLuxuryInteriors #PenthouseDesignDubai
#LuxuryBarInterior #ModernEntertainmentSpace
#MarbleAndOnyxDesign #HighEndFitOut
#IconicInteriorDesign #EliteLivingDubai

This luxury residential project explores a refined balance between contemporary minimalism and warm, livable sophistication. Designed with a focus on atmosphere, texture, and architectural harmony, the interiors combine premium natural materials, soft ambient lighting, and carefully curated details to create a timeless living experience.
The concept emphasizes clean architectural lines enriched by warm tones, textured stone, elegant wood finishes, bespoke furniture elements, and layered lighting compositions. Each space was designed to feel both visually striking and deeply comfortable, blending modern aesthetics with a welcoming residential character.
Special attention was given to material continuity and spatial flow, creating a cohesive design language throughout the project. From the serene private areas to the sophisticated social spaces, the interiors reflect understated luxury, functionality, and a strong sense of balance.
Project Scope:
• Interior Design
• Interior Visualization
• Material & Lighting Concept
• Space Planning
• CGI & Architectural Rendering

Trim+Edge is a custom mid-century modern residential landscape remodel in East Austin, Texas (78702). Designed by Hush House, the project transforms a sloped residential lot into three functional outdoor zones using a slatted steel retaining wall, a pea gravel courtyard, and a shaded patio lounge.
2. Design Challenge & Architectural Solution
The Challenge: Leveling a sloped backyard lot to create usable, multi-functional outdoor living spaces for family gathering and entertaining.
The Solution: Installing a low-profile, slatted steel retaining structure to level the upper lawn while creating a seamless step-down transition into a pea gravel courtyard and shaded patio lounge directly adjacent to the main home.
3. Key Architectural Features & Materials
Slatted Steel Retaining Wall: A custom steel retaining structure that encases, levels, and elevates the upper lawn area.
Pea Gravel Courtyard: A low-maintenance gravel patio designed for flexible seating, dining, and casual outdoor entertaining.
Shaded Patio Lounge: An oversized covered seating area situated right next to the house for all-day shade and comfort.
Three-Zone Functional Layout: A layered landscape plan designed to activate distinct areas for concurrent family activities and large social gatherings.

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Wannemacher Interiors
Customized Award-Winning Interior Design Solutions in Franklin Cnty OH

Refined Continuity: Bridging Classical Architecture and Modern Living
This comprehensive remodel of a grand Cow Hollow residence reimagines a historically expressive envelope through a lens of contemporary livability, precision detailing, and material restraint. The design approach carefully balances the home’s classical proportions and ornamental heritage with a refined, modern sensibility—evident in the disciplined palette of warm neutrals, soft plasters, pale oak flooring, and tailored millwork. Circulation has been clarified and subtly expanded to enhance spatial flow, while openings are leveraged to capture light, garden outlooks, and distant water views. Throughout, architectural interventions are executed with a high level of craft, ensuring that new insertions—whether cabinetry, railings, or apertures—read as seamless continuations of the original structure rather than applied elements.
The kitchen serves as the operational and visual anchor of the home, conceived as a sculptural yet highly functional environment. Custom rift-cut cabinetry, softened through a desaturated finish, is paired with honed stone surfaces and integrated brass hardware to create a quiet, tactile richness. A monolithic island establishes a central gathering point, while perimeter work zones are carefully layered with concealed storage, integrated appliances, and open, backlit shelving that elevates everyday objects into curated displays. The adjacent bar and entertaining areas extend this language, reinforcing a cohesive hospitality-driven program. In parallel, the primary bathroom is designed as a serene, spa-like retreat, where bookmatched stone, frameless glass enclosures, and finely detailed metalwork converge. The composition prioritizes symmetry, clarity, and light—balancing generous volumes with intimate moments through integrated lighting, custom vanities, and a restrained material hierarchy.
The library and ancillary living spaces introduce a more intimate scale, anchored by bespoke built-ins that combine closed storage with illuminated display niches, creating depth and rhythm along the walls. Here, material transitions and furniture integration are handled with particular nuance, allowing the architecture to support both quiet retreat and social gathering. A continuous language of custom railings—executed in refined metal profiles—threads through the interior and extends outward, where the exterior gate and garden elements have been reinterpreted to align with the home’s renewed identity. The entry sequence is now defined by a calibrated interplay of solidity and transparency, with sculptural metalwork and landscape integration establishing a sense of arrival that is both secure and elegant. Collectively, the project reflects a holistic transformation—one that elevates performance, livability, and aesthetic clarity while preserving the inherent dignity of the original architecture.

Texture and layering define this modern outdoor living entrance. Alterra’s design+build team utilized weathered steel edging to contain a bed of smooth river stone, providing a clean, industrial contrast to the lush turf. By incorporating structural evergreens and a low-profile Japanese Maple, we’ve created a multi-dimensional garden that thrives under the shade of mature oaks. This project demonstrates how a thoughtful master plan can balance hard, architectural lines with soft, organic movement to enhance a home’s natural character.

Living room with custom wood shelving dividing entry and social areas, enriched with warm materials, fireplace, layered textiles, and a mix of classic and modern elements.

In the main bedroom, the design narrative shifts from social vibrancy to intimate tranquility, creating a truly serene sanctuary high above the city. Set against a backdrop of sophisticated textured grasscloth walls, the room is defined by its masterful layering of tactile surfaces and a continued, thoughtful exploration of color.

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Wannemacher Interiors
Customized Award-Winning Interior Design Solutions in Franklin Cnty OH

Refined Continuity: Bridging Classical Architecture and Modern Living
This comprehensive remodel of a grand Cow Hollow residence reimagines a historically expressive envelope through a lens of contemporary livability, precision detailing, and material restraint. The design approach carefully balances the home’s classical proportions and ornamental heritage with a refined, modern sensibility—evident in the disciplined palette of warm neutrals, soft plasters, pale oak flooring, and tailored millwork. Circulation has been clarified and subtly expanded to enhance spatial flow, while openings are leveraged to capture light, garden outlooks, and distant water views. Throughout, architectural interventions are executed with a high level of craft, ensuring that new insertions—whether cabinetry, railings, or apertures—read as seamless continuations of the original structure rather than applied elements.
The kitchen serves as the operational and visual anchor of the home, conceived as a sculptural yet highly functional environment. Custom rift-cut cabinetry, softened through a desaturated finish, is paired with honed stone surfaces and integrated brass hardware to create a quiet, tactile richness. A monolithic island establishes a central gathering point, while perimeter work zones are carefully layered with concealed storage, integrated appliances, and open, backlit shelving that elevates everyday objects into curated displays. The adjacent bar and entertaining areas extend this language, reinforcing a cohesive hospitality-driven program. In parallel, the primary bathroom is designed as a serene, spa-like retreat, where bookmatched stone, frameless glass enclosures, and finely detailed metalwork converge. The composition prioritizes symmetry, clarity, and light—balancing generous volumes with intimate moments through integrated lighting, custom vanities, and a restrained material hierarchy.
The library and ancillary living spaces introduce a more intimate scale, anchored by bespoke built-ins that combine closed storage with illuminated display niches, creating depth and rhythm along the walls. Here, material transitions and furniture integration are handled with particular nuance, allowing the architecture to support both quiet retreat and social gathering. A continuous language of custom railings—executed in refined metal profiles—threads through the interior and extends outward, where the exterior gate and garden elements have been reinterpreted to align with the home’s renewed identity. The entry sequence is now defined by a calibrated interplay of solidity and transparency, with sculptural metalwork and landscape integration establishing a sense of arrival that is both secure and elegant. Collectively, the project reflects a holistic transformation—one that elevates performance, livability, and aesthetic clarity while preserving the inherent dignity of the original architecture.

Trim+Edge is a custom mid-century modern residential landscape remodel in East Austin, Texas (78702). Designed by Hush House, the project transforms a sloped residential lot into three functional outdoor zones using a slatted steel retaining wall, a pea gravel courtyard, and a shaded patio lounge.
2. Design Challenge & Architectural Solution
The Challenge: Leveling a sloped backyard lot to create usable, multi-functional outdoor living spaces for family gathering and entertaining.
The Solution: Installing a low-profile, slatted steel retaining structure to level the upper lawn while creating a seamless step-down transition into a pea gravel courtyard and shaded patio lounge directly adjacent to the main home.
3. Key Architectural Features & Materials
Slatted Steel Retaining Wall: A custom steel retaining structure that encases, levels, and elevates the upper lawn area.
Pea Gravel Courtyard: A low-maintenance gravel patio designed for flexible seating, dining, and casual outdoor entertaining.
Shaded Patio Lounge: An oversized covered seating area situated right next to the house for all-day shade and comfort.
Three-Zone Functional Layout: A layered landscape plan designed to activate distinct areas for concurrent family activities and large social gatherings.

Experience a masterclass in spatial harmony with this breathtaking LDK sanctuary. Designed for fluid movement and high-end entertaining, the space seamlessly bridges the gap between a high-performance gourmet kitchen and a prestigious living-dining arena.
The design is anchored by a monolithic kitchen island with integrated seating, flowing effortlessly into a dining zone defined by a signature marble table and sculptural lighting. The living area serves as the ultimate social retreat, featuring bespoke architectural paneling, plush designer upholstery, and a layered lighting scheme that creates a soft, golden glow across rich wood textures and polished surfaces. Every detail reflects a commitment to uncompromising quality and modern elegance, offering a unified lifestyle experience in one grand, light-filled environment.
#LDKDesign #LuxuryLiving #OpenConcept #InteriorDesign #HashtagDesignStudio #LivingDiningKitchen #ModernInteriors #RajkotInteriors #GujaratDesign #ContemporaryHome #ArchitecturalLighting #SleekKitchen #LivingRoomGoals #DiningInspiration #LuxuryLifestyle #HomeInspiration #DesignerHome #BespokeInteriors #ModernLiving #HighEndResidential #InteriorArtistry
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