Example of a mid-sized danish master light wood floor bedroom design in London with white walls and no fireplace

Andrea Rugg Photography
Example of a 1950s split-level gable roof design in Minneapolis

Mid-sized trendy light wood floor, white floor and shiplap wall living room photo in Other with white walls, a standard fireplace and a tv stand

Example of an eclectic living room design in New York with white walls

Travis Dubreuil and Thomas Loof
Mid-sized trendy wooden l-shaped staircase photo in New York

RnD Builders Inc - Custom Home Builders | Woodland Hills
Trendy kitchen photo in Los Angeles

Along the teak-paneled kitchen wall, sliding and pocketing doors open to reveal additional work and storage space, a coffee station and wine bar. Architecture and interior design by Pierre Hoppenot, Studio PHH Architects.

Photography by Erin Little Photo Install by Bilodeau Builders
Example of a transitional entryway design in Portland Maine

Transitional bathroom photo in Minneapolis

This contemporary Miami Beach bathroom showcases a refined, spa-like design with a sleek vanity, elegant mirror, and decorative sconces that provide warm ambient lighting. The space is elevated by beautifully detailed tile-work in the shower, adding texture and visual interest while maintaining a clean, modern aesthetic.

Transitional u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo in Detroit with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, beige backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall multicolored floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Paris with open cabinets, green cabinets, tile countertops, no island, white countertops, multicolored backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Eating my cereal while looking out at the bay is quite rewarding to me,” says the Owner, who desired a kitchen not only beautiful, but highly functional. The island seats six. The counter around the bar sink is black walnut. (Benjamin Benschneider / The Seattle Times)

Kitchen/dining room combo - small coastal medium tone wood floor kitchen/dining room combo idea in Other with beige walls

Example of a huge classic master white tile and stone tile marble floor bathroom design in New York with raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, beige walls and marble countertops

Inspiration for a transitional freestanding desk dark wood floor home office remodel in Los Angeles with green walls

Living room - traditional living room idea in Other

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.

Renovating a kitchen in an old house the challenge is always space. This was solved in this case by adding an addition for a bay window and recessed the clean up sink into the space. The window was raised by 10” over the standard height in order to increase natural light. The refrigerator wall was pushed 24” into the adjacent space which created the proper spacing for island and walkways, as well as centering the island on the adjacent dining room. Ample space and symmetry were achieved through this renovation. Richly hued traditional kitchen achieved through warm wood custom cabinetry and multiple levels of light. Under cabinet down lighting as well as recessed task lighting and stepped up ceiling with up lighting all combine to give warm and vibrancy to this historic home. A large center island provides prep space and seating while a bank of natural windows at the sink wall gives ample natural light.