BlueStar Regional Winner Suzanne & Gary Shumaker, Shumaker Design + Build Associates Location: Evanston, IL Project Name: Elm This Mid-century home on Chicago’s North Shore was re-imagined with Mid-century modern sensibilities. The kitchen was expanded to take advantage of clear views through the sunroom, now dining room, celebrating garden views and connecting the family living spaces to the new and now light filled Kitchen. The uncluttered work spaces of the kitchen were crafted to provide continuous traffic flow and access for a family that cooks together. The result is a space that is warm, open and inviting, while holding the clean Mid-century modern lines re-introduced to this house throughout the first floor living room, dining room and foyer spaces.

The original kitchen was disjointed and lacked connection to the home and its history. The remodel opened the room to other areas of the home by incorporating an unused breakfast nook and enclosed porch to create a spacious new kitchen. It features stunning soapstone counters and range splash, era appropriate subway tiles, and hand crafted floating shelves. Ceasarstone on the island creates a durable, hardworking surface for prep work. A black Blue Star range anchors the space while custom inset fir cabinets wrap the walls and provide ample storage. Great care was given in restoring and recreating historic details for this charming Foursquare kitchen.

An informal pathway leads to a seating area that is immersed in the front sept field turned stylized meadow.
Example of a trendy patio design in Charlotte

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Sidetex installed an Energy Star approved picture window with two connecting double hung windows with white window trim and black shutters complimented with a new storm door and green entry door. Installed in Hamden CT 06517.

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Tucked into a hillside, this mountain modern house looks to blend in with its surroundings and take advantage of spectacular mountain views. Outdoor terraces and porches connect and expand the living areas to the landscape, while thoughtful placement of windows provide a visual connection to the outdoors. The home’s green building features include solar hot water panels, rainwater cisterns, high-efficiency insulation and FSC certified cedar shingles and interior doors. The home is Energy Star and GreenBuilt NC certified.

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

After careful assessment of how the family utilizes this space, we added dimension and space by making a new, larger center island with soft-close drawers, spice racks and extra storage. The island was painted to match the off-white subway tile pattern of the backsplash and to compliment the warm colors of the updated cabinetry. The exotic Copenhagen granite is the shining star of this stunning updated kitchen. See all of the Before & After pictures of this kitchen here: http://www.designconnectioninc.com/portfolio/kitchen-remodel-in-leawood-ks/ Design Connection, Inc. Kansas City Interior Designer provided- Space planning and project management-tile and countertop design and installation-appliance selection-paint and faux painting design and installation-custom cabinet design and installation, lighting design and installation and bar stools and kitchen table and chairs.

The original kitchen was disjointed and lacked connection to the home and its history. The remodel opened the room to other areas of the home by incorporating an unused breakfast nook and enclosed porch to create a spacious new kitchen. It features stunning soapstone counters and range splash, era appropriate subway tiles, and hand crafted floating shelves. Ceasarstone on the island creates a durable, hardworking surface for prep work. A black Blue Star range anchors the space while custom inset fir cabinets wrap the walls and provide ample storage. Great care was given in restoring and recreating historic details for this charming Foursquare kitchen.

Kitchen - large transitional brown floor kitchen idea in Other with light wood cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

BlueStar Regional Winner Suzanne & Gary Shumaker, Shumaker Design + Build Associates Location: Evanston, IL Project Name: Elm This Mid-century home on Chicago’s North Shore was re-imagined with Mid-century modern sensibilities. The kitchen was expanded to take advantage of clear views through the sunroom, now dining room, celebrating garden views and connecting the family living spaces to the new and now light filled Kitchen. The uncluttered work spaces of the kitchen were crafted to provide continuous traffic flow and access for a family that cooks together. The result is a space that is warm, open and inviting, while holding the clean Mid-century modern lines re-introduced to this house throughout the first floor living room, dining room and foyer spaces.

The kitchen is the most used room in the home. Our clients came to us asking for help with their outdated kitchen. The home was built in 2003 and had seen many years of use with two growing children, family and friends. The original cabinets were of good quality and were still in excellent condition. We faux painted the old light maple cabinets with a beautiful dark Java stain. See all of the Before & After pictures of this kitchen here: http://www.designconnectioninc.com/portfolio/kitchen-remodel-in-leawood-ks/ Design Connection, Inc. Kansas City Interior Designer provided- Space planning and project management-tile and countertop design and installation-appliance selection-paint and faux painting design and installation-custom cabinet design and installation, lighting design and installation and bar stools and kitchen table and chairs.

Welcoming you is an open floor plan that allows the family and their pets to remain connected from the living room to the kitchen. Architect: Oz Architects Interiors: Oz Architects Landscape Architect: Berghoff Design Group Photographer: Mark Boisclair

Welcome to the Emory Home Plan by Main Street Homes! This spectacular Energy Star certified one level home offers 9-foot ceilings, an open floor plan, three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, a two-car garage, and 2,038 square feet of living space. Two bedrooms connected by a Jack and Jill bathroom are located off of the foyer with open sight lines that connect the gourmet kitchen with an island, dining room and vaulted great rooms, perfect for entertaining! The private primary bedroom is located off of the great room and offers a walk-in closet, and en suite that includes a double vanity, private water closet, and shower with bench. This hardworking practical home plan includes a mudroom area, walk-in pantry, and a separate laundry room. Additional options are available including a fireplace, screen porch, sunroom, and a finished second floor or unfinished second floor for storage to personalize this home to meet the way that you want to live. To create your design for an Emory floor plan, please go visit https://www.gomsh.com/plans/two-story-home/emory/ifp

A revolution in lighting, Globe Electric's LED Floor Lamp is a truly perfect marriage of design and functionality without compromise. Solid iron construction and state of the art easy connect system makes this the long lasting, adjustable LED floor lamp you’ve been waiting for. A reinvented classic for the modern era. The simple minimalist design allows you to have it upright and running in no time. Simply screw together the connecting poles and you’re ready to use your lamp. No wires to hassle with. Remove the middle pole to make the lamp shorter – perfect for your couch, tea table, bedside table and even a kid’s room! Height options are 55 in. or 71 in. (140cm or 180cm). Energy Star certified, Globe's LED Floor Lamp uses 85% less energy and always stays cool to the touch. The specialized power adapter with a built-in surge protector consumes zero energy when turned off. Adjust the brightness with the touch sensitive dimmer to achieve your desired mood and setting. The built-in memory function will remember your previous settings for the next time you turn on your floor lamp. Easily change the level of brightness from 30 to 3010 lumens at increments of 1% to get the perfect level for you. The 180° halo beam spread disperses the light perfectly to deliver a one of a kind crisp even light output. Safe, attractive, affordable; easy to assemble and easier to love, Globe Electric’s LED torchiere captivates all your lighting needs and desires. Comes with a 5-year warranty.

John Welsh
Kitchen - eclectic l-shaped kitchen idea in Philadelphia with soapstone countertops and black countertops

Small bathrooms should be big on style! Like the other areas that we remodeled in this home, the basic builder-grade look of the early 2000’s was updated to reflect our clients’ wish list and personal style. Located near the kitchen, this hard working powder room was functional but under-styled. Because this half-bath is on the smaller side, we created movement and interest by installing monochromatic wallpaper. The new polished nickel lighting and Rohl plumbing fixtures are complimented by the metallic shimmers highlighted in the tailored wallpaper. The old honey-colored cabinetry was updated with a clear alder wood in a rich, dark toffee finish. Just like the newly updated neighboring kitchen, the shining star in this powder room is the gorgeous Copenhagen granite countertop. After searching and searching for a piece that would seamlessly tie all of these elements together, we custom designed this framed mirror, providing the perfect finishing touch to this petite, classically elegant, traditional powder room.

BlueStar Regional Winner Suzanne & Gary Shumaker, Shumaker Design + Build Associates Location: Evanston, IL Project Name: Elm This Mid-century home on Chicago’s North Shore was re-imagined with Mid-century modern sensibilities. The kitchen was expanded to take advantage of clear views through the sunroom, now dining room, celebrating garden views and connecting the family living spaces to the new and now light filled Kitchen. The uncluttered work spaces of the kitchen were crafted to provide continuous traffic flow and access for a family that cooks together. The result is a space that is warm, open and inviting, while holding the clean Mid-century modern lines re-introduced to this house throughout the first floor living room, dining room and foyer spaces.