Photographer: Alexander Canaria and Taylor Proctor
Mountain style light wood floor open concept kitchen photo in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island

Example of a large transitional open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room design in Dallas with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stacked stone fireplace and a media wall

Transitional metal railing back porch idea in Seattle with a fireplace and a roof extension

A three-season sunroom off the main living area provides additional space for the family to spend cozy nights by the wood burning fireplace, another eating area and unlimited views of Clamshell Lake. The furniture is casual and easily cleaned.

Susan Teare
Example of a small mountain style two-story wood gable roof design in Burlington

Living room - mid-sized transitional open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room idea in San Francisco with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

When my client had to move from her company office to work at home, she set up in the dining room. Despite her best efforts, this was not the long-term solution she was looking for. My client realized she needed a dedicated space not on the main floor of the home. On one hand, having your office space right next to the kitchen is handy. On the other hand, it made separating work and home life was not that easy. The house was a ranch. In essence, the basement would run entire length of the home. As we came down the steps, we entered a time capsule. The house was built in the 1950’s. The walls were covered with original knotty pine paneling. There was a wood burning fireplace and considering this was a basement, high ceilings. In addition, there was everything her family could not store at their own homes. As we wound though the space, I though “wow this has potential”, Eventually, after walking through the laundry room we came to a small nicely lit room. This would be the office. My client looked at me and asked what I thought. Undoubtedly, I said, this can be a great workspace, but do you really want to walk through this basement and laundry to get here? Without reservation, my client said where do we start? Once the design was in place, we started the renovation. The knotty pine paneling had to go. Specifically, to add some insulation and control the dampness and humidity. The laundry room wall was relocated to create a hallway to the office. At the far end of the room, we designated a workout zone. Weights, mats, exercise bike and television are at the ready for morning or afternoon workouts. The space can be concealed by a folding screen for party time. Doors to an old closet under the stairs were relocated to the workout area for hidden storage. Now we had nice wall for a beautiful console and mirror for storage and serving during parties. In order to add architectural details, we covered the old ugly support columns with simple recessed millwork panels. This detail created a visual division between the bar area and the seating area in front of the fireplace. The old red brick on the fireplace surround was replaced with stack stone. A mantle was made from reclaimed wood. Additional reclaimed wood floating shelves left and right of the fireplace provides decorative display while maintaining a rustic element balancing the copper end table and leather swivel rocker. We found an amazing rug which tied all of the colors together further defining the gathering space. Russet and burnt orange became the accent color unifying each space. With a bit of whimsy, a rather unusual light fixture which looks like roots from a tree growing through the ceiling is a conversation piece. The office space is quite and removed from the main part of the basement. There is a desk large enough for multiple screens, a small bookcase holding office supplies and a comfortable chair for conference calls. Because working from home requires many online meetings, we added a shiplap wall painted in Hale Navy to contrast with the orange fabric on the chair. We finished the décor with a painting from my client’s father. This is the background online visitors will see. The last and best part of the renovation is the beautiful bar. My client is an avid collector of wine. She already had the EuroCave refrigerator, so I incorporated it into the design. The cabinets are painted Temptation Grey from Benjamin Moore. The counter tops are my favorite hard working quartzite Brown Fantasy. The backsplash is a combination of rustic wood and old tin ceiling like porcelain tiles. Together with the textures of the reclaimed wood and hide poofs balanced against the smooth finish of the cabinets, we created a comfortable luxury for relaxing. There is ample storage for bottles, cans, glasses, and anything else you can think of for a great party. In addition to the wine storage, we incorporated a beverage refrigerator, an ice maker, and a sink. Floating shelves with integrated lighting illuminate the back bar. The raised height of the front bar provides the perfect wine tasting and paring spot. I especially love the pendant lights which look like wine glasses. Finally, I selected carpet for the stairs and office. It is perfect for noise reduction. Meanwhile for the overall flooring, I specifically selected a high-performance vinyl plank floor. We often use this product as it is perfect to install on a concrete floor. It is soft to walk on, easy to clean and does not reduce the overall height of the space.

Inspiration for a contemporary brown floor home climbing wall remodel in Jacksonville with white walls

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2015 Houzz
Inspiration for a country medium tone wood floor dining room remodel in New York with white walls and a wood stove

'Mexican Cinnamon' basil growing in a window box off the front deck. It's easy to slip out of the kitchen and pick a few leaves as needed. Here, the central leader is pinched out to encourage bushy growth. Photo by Steve Masley

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2016 Houzz
Study room - eclectic freestanding desk medium tone wood floor study room idea in New York

ChiChi Ubiña
Mudroom - mid-sized transitional limestone floor mudroom idea in New York with white walls

Go earth-friendly by ditching your existing wood-burning fireplace and using this EB1212 Ethanol Fireplace Burner Insert instead. Just stick this insert into your existing fireplace and start burning eco-friendly ethanol instead of wood. Help the planet breathe easier while also eliminating the mess, soot, and fuss of using a wood-burning unit. This sleek-looking insert holds up to 5 liters of fuel and it burns around 8 hours between fills, so it will keep you toasty warm and comfy all day long. This double-layered unit has an approximate output of 11,500 BTUs, so it can sufficiently heat an average-sized space, and it comes with a bonus damper tool. Dimensions: 12" x 12" x 4 1/2". FEATURES: Ventless - no chimney, no gas or electric lines required Easy or no maintenance required Capacity: 5 Liters Approximate burn time - 8 - 16 hours per refill Approximate BTU output: ~ 11500 Double Layer Dimensions: 12" x 12" x 4 1/2" Product Weight: 14.5 Pounds 3-year manufacturer's warranty DOWNLOADS: RECOMMENDED FUEL: Ethanol fuel burns cleanly and does not produce the soot, smoke, or mess that is normally associated with a wood-burning fireplace. This ethanol fireplace fuel is made from 100% alcohol without the use of any oil at all. Ethanol is produced from renewable agriculture products, like barley, grains, sunflowers, corn, wheat, and potatoes, and manufactured in an earth-friendly process that does not harm the environment. Ignis Ethanol Fuel - 3, 6, 12, or 24 Pack

Living room - transitional formal and enclosed light wood floor living room idea in San Francisco with blue walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace and no tv

Photo: Margot Hartford © 2018 Houzz
Inspiration for an eclectic dark wood floor living room remodel with white walls, a wood stove and a metal fireplace

Brian Parks
Example of a classic stone patio design in Seattle with a fire pit and no cover

Mid-sized trendy formal and enclosed brown floor and medium tone wood floor living room photo with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Photo by: Linda Oyama Bryan
Example of a classic backyard stone patio design in Chicago with a fire pit and a pergola

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2014 Houzz
Example of a small cottage enclosed medium tone wood floor living room design in New York with green walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace