Completed on a small budget, this hard working kitchen refused to compromise on style. The upper and lower perimeter cabinets, sink and countertops are all from IKEA. The vintage schoolhouse pendant lights over the island were an eBay score, and the pendant over the sink is from Restoration Hardware. The BAKERY letters were made custom, and the vintage metal bar stools were an antique store find, as were many of the accessories used in this space. Oh, and in case you were wondering, that refrigerator was a DIY project compiled of nothing more than a circa 1970 fridge, beadboard, moulding, and some fencing hardware found at a local hardware store.

Contemporary kitchen open to Dining/Living, Bulthaup cabinetry, custom stainless steel island top, Pantry and Sitting areas. Photo: Eric Cummings
Kitchen - contemporary kitchen idea in Denver with flat-panel cabinets

Venice Beach is home to hundreds of runaway teens. The crash pad, right off the boardwalk, aims to provide them with a haven to help them restore their lives. Kitchen and pantry designed by Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC. Photos by Erika Bierman www.erikabiermanphotography.com

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.

John Evans
Inspiration for a timeless white tile and marble tile bathroom remodel in Columbus with gray walls

A custom home builder in Chicago's western suburbs, Summit Signature Homes, ushers in a new era of residential construction. With an eye on superb design and value, industry-leading practices and superior customer service, Summit stands alone. Custom-built homes in Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Western Springs, and other western suburbs.

Harvey Smith Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary open concept medium tone wood floor living room remodel in Orlando with a ribbon fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Built in 1903, the kitchen in this stone estate has transitioned to fit the needs of many different owners. In 2017, the challenge was to transform it from an eclectic mix of minimal functionality to a kitchen the new homeowners wanted to love for the "next 30 years." It was important in the overall kitchen design to give a nod to the stately manner of the home, yet have the styling reflect a more contemporary color palette and finishes.

Floor to ceiling glass to capture the views and light. Wood panel ceiling, custom cut stone tile wall, slate floor. Photo: Eric Cummings
Trendy living room photo in Denver with a bar and beige walls

Photographer: Graham Yelton
Inspiration for a transitional bedroom remodel in Birmingham

This ceiling was designed and detailed by dSPACE Studio. We created a custom plaster mold that was fabricated by a Chicago plaster company and installed and finished on-site.

Barry Grossman Photography
Example of a trendy white floor living room design in Miami with a ribbon fireplace

A house located at a southern Vermont ski area, this home is based on our Lodge model. Custom designed, pre-cut and shipped to the site by Habitat Post & Beam, the home was assembled and finished by a local builder. Photos by Michael Penney, architectural photographer. IMPORTANT NOTE: We are not involved in the finish or decoration of these homes, so it is unlikely that we can answer any questions about elements that were not part of our kit package (interior finish materials), i.e., specific elements of the spaces such as flooring, appliances, colors, lighting, furniture, landscaping, etc.

Convert a small space to a polished eye-catching and functional home office. We used white painted maple wood veneers and solid wood painted doors, moldings and trims to give the space a formal style. This home office boasts under cabinet LED lighting, doors with glass inserts, upper cabinets surrounded by wrap around shelving for books and accent pieces and sturdy maple wood drawers for storing office supplies or filing important documents.

© Larry E. Boerder Architects
Inspiration for a timeless carpeted living room remodel in Dallas with beige walls

Zach Molino
Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped porcelain tile and white floor utility room remodel in Salt Lake City with granite countertops, gray walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer, blue cabinets and recessed-panel cabinets

© 2012 LARRY E. BOERDER ARCHITECTS
Inspiration for a timeless bathroom remodel in Dallas with a vessel sink

Beautiful ground up home built in Montecito, CA. Builder Leonard Unander. E&K supplied Reclaimed Wood Hand Hewn Box Beams, made by E&K Vintage Wood. All beams are made from skins cut from authentic 100 – 200 year old reclaimed hand hewn beams. Then assembled by E&K and provided to the client for installation.

Completed on a small budget, this hard working kitchen refused to compromise on style. The upper and lower perimeter cabinets, sink and countertops are all from IKEA. The vintage schoolhouse pendant lights over the island were an eBay score, and the pendant over the sink is from Restoration Hardware. The BAKERY letters were made custom, and the vintage metal bar stools were an antique store find, as were many of the accessories used in this space. Oh, and in case you were wondering, that refrigerator was a DIY project compiled of nothing more than a circa 1970 fridge, beadboard, moulding, and some fencing hardware found at a local hardware store.