end view of narrow black box. family entry on left. powder room window on right. steep slope to creek far below. deck edge in trees.
Inspiration for a modern home design remodel in Charlotte

Phantom Screens, the leading manufacturer of retractable screens in North America, selects Bob Michels Construction of North Oaks, Minnesota as their 2016 Impact Winner. The Phantom Screens Impact Award recognizes residential design and building professionals for using innovative products to deliver cutting edge designs that set them above the rest. Impact Award winners have proven that they are committed to enhancing lifestyles and living spaces by integrating Phantom’s retractable screen products into designs that deliver added value and comfort to today’s homeowner. Bob Michels Construction’s submission is a unique space featuring a car carousel which operates both as a space to highlight the owner’s car collection and the functional purpose to turn cars around and drive out of the showroom. Phantom’s retractable screens turned the open-air ramada into a large entertaining and gathering screened porch area with one touch of a button. “Phantom’s retractable screens were used to achieve a desired mix of modern and traditional finishes,” said Andrew Michels, Vice President of Bob Michels Construction. “Phantom Screens is the only company that allowed the customization of this unique space with a long-lasting and sustainable product.” The winner was selected by a panel of Phantom Screen judges and evaluated primarily on design and creativity, market appeal and livability, and product integration. The winning project received recognition on booth signage at the NAHB International Builders Show, a one-page advertorial feature in Builder magazine, an in depth case study and more! Photography: LandMark Photography

Constructed in two phases, this renovation, with a few small additions, touched nearly every room in this late ‘50’s ranch house. The owners raised their family within the original walls and love the house’s location, which is not far from town and also borders conservation land. But they didn’t love how chopped up the house was and the lack of exposure to natural daylight and views of the lush rear woods. Plus, they were ready to de-clutter for a more stream-lined look. As a result, KHS collaborated with them to create a quiet, clean design to support the lifestyle they aspire to in retirement. To transform the original ranch house, KHS proposed several significant changes that would make way for a number of related improvements. Proposed changes included the removal of the attached enclosed breezeway (which had included a stair to the basement living space) and the two-car garage it partially wrapped, which had blocked vital eastern daylight from accessing the interior. Together the breezeway and garage had also contributed to a long, flush front façade. In its stead, KHS proposed a new two-car carport, attached storage shed, and exterior basement stair in a new location. The carport is bumped closer to the street to relieve the flush front facade and to allow access behind it to eastern daylight in a relocated rear kitchen. KHS also proposed a new, single, more prominent front entry, closer to the driveway to replace the former secondary entrance into the dark breezeway and a more formal main entrance that had been located much farther down the facade and curiously bordered the bedroom wing. Inside, low ceilings and soffits in the primary family common areas were removed to create a cathedral ceiling (with rod ties) over a reconfigured semi-open living, dining, and kitchen space. A new gas fireplace serving the relocated dining area -- defined by a new built-in banquette in a new bay window -- was designed to back up on the existing wood-burning fireplace that continues to serve the living area. A shared full bath, serving two guest bedrooms on the main level, was reconfigured, and additional square footage was captured for a reconfigured master bathroom off the existing master bedroom. A new whole-house color palette, including new finishes and new cabinetry, complete the transformation. Today, the owners enjoy a fresh and airy re-imagining of their familiar ranch house. Photos by Katie Hutchison

Wood and hues of water come together in this family's classic cottage home by MAC Custom Homes. photo by: Jason Hulet
Inspiration for a coastal open concept kitchen remodel in Other with a farmhouse sink, blue cabinets and wood countertops

This exceptional family home on the Upper North Shore has been designed for all year round entertaining. The home flows easily from the front entrance through the open plan living rooms through to the kitchen and outdoor living areas. The kitchen has been cleverly divided to provide additional storage and allows room for a sizable, walk-in butler’s pantry. Fitted with an additional sink means food can be prepared and dishes stored out of sight when entertaining. Gitani Stone, Ancient Reef island bench, Sareen Stone mosaic splashback and pewter handles transform what is predominantly a white kitchen into a vibrant living and working space. Practicality and ease of use were a must for this kitchen: custom cabinetry was designed and manufactured in Art of Kitchens Mt Kuring-gai factory and fitted with the latest Blum internal hardware. Miele appliances are featured throughout the kitchen. The kitchen is beautifully lit with a combination of ambient, task, and general lighting: natural light streams through the large windows and french doors, LED ceiling lights enhance the natural lighting and under cabinet lighting provides task lighting. Art of Kitchens completed the interior kitchen, outdoor kitchen, bathrooms and custom bedroom joinery in this brand new Upper North Shore Meadowbank Home.

Located near the foot of the Teton Mountains, the site and a modest program led to placing the main house and guest quarters in separate buildings configured to form outdoor spaces. With mountains rising to the northwest and a stream cutting through the southeast corner of the lot, this placement of the main house and guest cabin distinctly responds to the two scales of the site. The public and private wings of the main house define a courtyard, which is visually enclosed by the prominence of the mountains beyond. At a more intimate scale, the garden walls of the main house and guest cabin create a private entry court. A concrete wall, which extends into the landscape marks the entrance and defines the circulation of the main house. Public spaces open off this axis toward the views to the mountains. Secondary spaces branch off to the north and south forming the private wing of the main house and the guest cabin. With regulation restricting the roof forms, the structural trusses are shaped to lift the ceiling planes toward light and the views of the landscape. A.I.A Wyoming Chapter Design Award of Citation 2017 Project Year: 2008

Look how clean and visually quiet this kitchen can be. There was so little exposed wall left after the cabinetry went in that we didn't overthink using black on the walls. Of course it doesn't "make the room dark". This room has ample light to begin with and at night, a fantastic city lights view is out those doors, so it's as if the walls recede.

A full gut-remodel project which involved removing walls, reconfiguring the floorplan, relocating stairs, re-orienting toward the outdoors. Photography: Stoffer Photography

This project focused on transforming an upper floor unit, with a long footprint and dark segmented spaces, into a light filled, open and efficient home. The new kitchen incorporates former circulation space and creates a generous, relaxed gathering area. A glass clad mezzanine level is the home's new crown jewel. Open to the kitchen below, the mezzanine streams sunlight into the center of the home and connects to the outside through two new roof decks. With a bold colored wind wall delineating the mezzanine and roof level, the outdoor spaces are private, comfortable oases within the city. ©Lucas Fladzinski

Photo features Creekwood, Maple Lake in 6x36 | Additional colors available: Birch Stream, Ash River and Walnut Brook As a wholesale importer and distributor of tile, brick, and stone, we maintain a significant inventory to supply dealers, designers, architects, and tile setters. Although we only sell to the trade, our showroom is open to the public for product selection. We have five showrooms in the Northwest and are the premier tile distributor for Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Eastern Washington. Our corporate branch is located in Boise, Idaho.

Rob Karosis
Example of a cottage living room design in New York

The inviting breakfast bar, perfectly positioned as the focal point of this setting, is complemented by a discreetly integrated pantry and nearby counters and cabinets, all tucked away while remaining just within reach, blending more naturally with the galley layout of this modern kitchen design. This clever arrangement ensures that everything you need, from morning snacks to gourmet essentials, is always close at hand without interrupting the natural flow. Start your day in a space where convenience reigns, making even the earliest hours feel effortlessly manageable. The easy accessibility of the pantry to the breakfast bar further simplifies your morning routine, letting you glide from preparation to relaxation with ease. As sunlight streams in and the kitchen’s calm ambiance sets the tone, every detail works in concert to chase away gloom and invite brightness, no matter the weather outside. This kitchen becomes both sanctuary and stage, a place where inspired organization brings renewed energy to every morning, and the promise of convenience makes every day a little brighter, right from the start.

Example of a large trendy formal and enclosed light wood floor and beige floor living room design in Austin with white walls, a ribbon fireplace and no tv

Here’s a great example of a pre-existing wooded area on a local property. Within this already beautiful setting, we added stone steps, streams and waterfalls. The clients already had a bridge so we designed water features and stepping areas to fit around it. We also added additional plantings and lots of green ground cover. It’s the perfect space for them to bathe in natural beauty before they start their day and when they return home. www.deckandpatio.com

This formal living room overlooks the pool and Atlantic Ocean. This transitional look was achieved with a traditional rug, sleek curved sofa and dark wood tones. Photography by ibi Designs

For this “pond-less” waterfall and stream, the water required to keep it topped off and refreshed is harvested from the roof of the clients’ house. “Such a water feature is run entirely without using city water,” says Dave Stockwell, owner of Deck and Patio. “It acts as a ‘green’ maintenance-free source that operates daily March through December. “And any excess harvested rainwater can be used for irrigation of the property.” Environmentally-Friendly Backyard Ponds Backyard ponds with waterfalls and streams can also be created in eco-friendly ways so they not only do no harm, but also help improve the environment. Fish ponds, for example, naturally attract — and provide a haven for — other wildlife that children (as well as adults) love: frogs, salamanders, song birds, etc. Of course, all these creatures are delightful to watch and listen to. More than that, their presence offer natural ways to a healthier environment. Frogs eat algae in the water which contributes to keeping the water clean; adult toads aid in controlling insects, as do the birds the water attracts; and the koi, which are so much fun to feed, eat any mosquito larva that might develop. www.deckandpatio.com

Gene Schnar, IL
Example of a large minimalist open concept dark wood floor living room design in Vancouver with white walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace and a tv stand

Living Room fireplace with custom built-in cabinetry Kara Tibbell
Inspiration for a large transitional open concept dark wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Other with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Live edge Maple dining table. The void is filled with rocks and shells encased in high-quality Chill Epoxy Resin. The epoxy is also used as a very thin top-coat to provide extra durability.