Living room - eclectic brown floor living room idea in Atlanta with pink walls

Photography by Tim Street-Porter
Elegant boy carpeted kids' room photo in Orange County with blue walls

photo- Matthew Millman
Example of a mountain style gender-neutral dark wood floor kids' room design in San Francisco with beige walls

Ercole Salinaro
Trendy detached shed photo in San Diego

Trendy bedroom photo in Los Angeles with green walls

Paul Jonason Photography
Staircase - southwestern wooden metal railing staircase idea in Los Angeles with tile risers

The conversion of this iconic American barn into a Writer’s Studio was conceived of as a tranquil retreat with natural light and lush views to stimulate inspiration for both husband and wife. Originally used as a garage with two horse stalls, the existing stick framed structure provided a loft with ideal space and orientation for a secluded studio. Signature barn features were maintained and enhanced such as horizontal siding, trim, large barn doors, cupola, roof overhangs, and framing. New features added to compliment the contextual significance and sustainability aspect of the project were reclaimed lumber from a razed barn used as flooring, driftwood retrieved from the shores of the Hudson River used for trim, and distressing / wearing new wood finishes creating an aged look. Along with the efforts for maintaining the historic character of the barn, modern elements were also incorporated into the design to provide a more current ensemble based on its new use. Elements such a light fixtures, window configurations, plumbing fixtures and appliances were all modernized to appropriately represent the present way of life.

Various shades of blue were used to create this serene, modern space. Built in cabinetry house computer equipment, filing cabinets, and misc storage. The built in window seat also has fiiing cabinets below.

Master Bedroom with fireplace using reclaimed barn beam as mantel, hardwood floors with oil finish, no voc, custom bed and night stands by Fiorella Design, Custom bedding

photo credit: David Gilbert
Elegant wood exterior home photo in New York with a clipped gable roof

Mar Jennings
Example of a small classic shed design in New York

David Duncan Livingston
Example of a classic family room design in San Francisco with no fireplace and a media wall

Imagine walking outside your home and pulling fresh fruit off the stem. Espalier fruit trees are like having an orchard in your own yard. Plus, in addition to producing delicious fruit, the ornamental shapes have a high wow-factor and require a small footprint. Fruiting espalier trees are available from River Road Farms in a variety of designs. Please call 800-297-1435 or email RIVERRD@USIT.NET for availability.

Example of an eclectic dark wood floor bedroom design in Other with purple walls

This organic modern design is built in an area known for having notable issues with ground movement. After speaking with the developer and reviewing the soil report with our Structural Engineer, we made our recommendations to the client. Since the budget for a full-blown pier and beam structure with void boxes under the pool was well beyond the comfort level of our client, they elected to have us utilize a float shell construction method. For this, we over-excavated the hole and placed a 12" layer of gravel beneath the shell of the pool. Drain lines lead from the deepest point under the pool down into a culvert, placed off to the side of the pool. A sump pump removes any excess water from the culvert as it accumulates. For the shell of the pool, we utilized a double matt of steel and increased the wall thickness to a minimum of 12". This gave added strength to withstand the volatile soil. The elements of fire, water, wood and stone were very important in creating the organic modern feel of this design. The layered effect along the back wall creates a visual stimulation across the length of the yard, without overwhelming the senses. Rather than creating walls only of hard materials, we used Ipe wood to create horizontal screen walls of a more organic nature. At either end, the raised wall and the fire feature are finished in a large-scale porcelain tile, with the look of stained concrete. Custom stainless steel scuppers, made by a local fabricator, create a soothing sound of falling water. The low wall at the center of the project is faced in natural ledgestone, and carries a color palette that set the tone for the entire project. Behind this wall and in front of one of the Ipe screens are three Desert Steel Giant Agave sculptures. The unique fire feature isn't quite a fire place, nor is it a fire pit. It is a linear fire burner, surrounded by a 4" thick cantilevered Leuder limestone hearth, with a backdrop wall of blue glazed clay tile. Although the pool was initially planned as a plaster pool, as the project began to take shape, the client elected to go all the way and finish it in a beautiful blue glass mosaic. Custom fabricated stainless steel cannon jets send a delicate arch of water over this deep blue, and draw attention to the three square wok planters on the far side of the yard. For the decking on this project, we elected to work with Mother Nature rather than against her. Two and a half inch thick concrete pavers, set on a bed of compacted, decomposed granite allow for movement around the pool that is easily fixed. If an area of deck moves around, we can simply lift the affected areas, re-level with DG bed, and re-set the pavers.

Julia Lynn
Example of a mid-sized beach style white three-story wood exterior home design in Charleston with a metal roof

Photos by Poul Ober www.poulober.com
Example of a trendy bedroom design in New York with yellow walls

I love contrasting materials in my interiors (new with old, polished with rough, dark with light), because I think it makes for a more visually stimulating spaces. Here, we brought in the reclaimed wood as a rustic backdrop for the modern furnishings. We added the chocolate curtains to make it appear as if there were a window in the room and to visually frame out the space. The art work is by a good friend of mine, Todd Murphy. Habachy Designs brought in all of the linens and kept it monochromatic with the textured shag area rug. Last but not least, I always love to select a sculptural focal point for a room, and thought what better light fixture for this space than the Taraxacum Suspension Light which was designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, 1960. Distributed by FLOS.

Entryway - coastal dark wood floor and brown floor entryway idea in Chicago with gray walls and a dark wood front door