design: Studio TOOP, 2009 location: Amersfoort, NL status: built in 2009, Tuinvreugd photo: Jolanthe Lalkens, 2010 A family friendly garden that, doesn't look like, well, a family garden. That was the assignment. Clean lines, a modern feel, not too much work, enough space for the kids to play and, oh yeah, a cage for the rabbit all in a space less than 50 m2. The new extension on the back of the house, catty cornered slightly with the original facade and the garden boundaries brought it's own challenges. This diagonal was used to make extra space for different functions but "straightened" in the experience of the inner square. Inside the aluminum pergola (coated in the same gray - ral 7016 - as the woodwork on the extension) house various functions: the rabbit cage, a water and sand table, the swing (steel rod in the aluminum for extra support) and a table where the kids can draw or play table football.

The living room is straightened by adding a wall, which makes it easier to watch TV – the angled wall was not practical. Bricks were left exposed and painted white to add texture and break up the ‘classic’.

We Minnesotans understand that winters can be long, cold, and dark. Sunshine is a precious commodity in the middle of February. We designed the second-floor addition to let the sunshine in and make this the brightest room in the home. Two skylights were added to the stair well, with three more in the new addition. The second-floor landing was extended into the new space. Following the home’s existing architecture, this new 300 sq. ft. room features dormers with high-efficiency windows. Additional storage was created with several built-in closets in both the hallway and the addition. These photos were taken in March. With all the skylights facing the South, you can imagine how bright this room will be year-round. The remodeled staircase leads to the second floor and the new addition. The stair's risers, handrail, and banister are white, a master design detail that flows from the first floor to the second. The stair treads and new room flooring are constructed with 1 ½ inch solid Red Oak, an excellent choice that soaks up sunshine and offers a complement to the light gray walls and white trim and accents. I hate dusting. Doesn't everyone? The arrow above points to a place where dust can collect on mission-style railings, right at the crevice of the bottom of the stair railing. That severe crack makes it difficult to clean. On my projects (like the one above), the bottom rail straightens out and then connects to the banister at a right angle, eliminating the dust trap which is always hard to reach!

A couple subtle changes by the homeowner were to straighten the fireplace chimney chase which coincided well with straightening the porch columns and inverting the curved loft floor to allow more of the great room to enjoy the two storey ceiling.

Kitchen - contemporary kitchen idea in Toronto

Beach style kitchen photo in Vancouver

Home office - contemporary home office idea in Vancouver

professional photography by Adrian Shellard
Inspiration for a scandinavian laundry room remodel in Calgary

Michelle Peek Photography
Example of a large trendy granite floor entryway design in Toronto with white walls and a medium wood front door

Will Scott Photography
Dining room - contemporary light wood floor and beige floor dining room idea in London

Example of a small 1950s 3/4 white tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile and white floor bathroom design in Vancouver with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, a vessel sink and wood countertops

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern attached garage remodel in Vancouver

Example of a trendy carpeted and white floor family room design in Toronto with white walls

Mid-sized trendy open concept porcelain tile and gray floor family room photo in Vancouver with beige walls, no fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept porcelain tile and gray floor family room remodel in Vancouver with beige walls, no fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Living room - mid-sized contemporary open concept dark wood floor and brown floor living room idea in Vancouver with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Inspiration for a large contemporary l-shaped porcelain tile and gray floor open concept kitchen remodel in Vancouver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Example of a large trendy l-shaped porcelain tile and gray floor open concept kitchen design in Vancouver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Elegant kitchen photo in Other