The English Contractor & Remodeling Services, Cincinnati, Ohio, 2020 Regional CotY Award Winner, Residential Detached Structure
Large detached four-car garage photo in Cincinnati

Transitional screened-in porch photo with decking

The entryway, living, and dining room in this Chevy Chase home were renovated with structural changes to accommodate a family of five. It features a bright palette, functional furniture, a built-in BBQ/grill, and statement lights. Project designed by Courtney Thomas Design in La Cañada. Serving Pasadena, Glendale, Monrovia, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, and Altadena. For more about Courtney Thomas Design, click here: https://www.courtneythomasdesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.courtneythomasdesign.com/portfolio/home-renovation-la-canada/

A simple, modular, affordable play structure for a family who wanted a slightly more unique place for their kids to play.
Inspiration for a contemporary landscaping in DC Metro.

Joshua T. Moore
Front door - cottage front door idea with a black front door and a pergola

The antique reclaimed beams and rafters were sourced with a local supplier from a 19th century barn located in Connecticut. Recycling never looked so good!

Photo: Sarah Greenman © 2013 Houzz Design: James Curvan Read the Houzz article about this kids' tree house: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/20845319/list/A-Magical-Tree-House-Lights-Up-for-Christmas

Transitional bathroom photo in DC Metro

Inspiration for a mediterranean beige two-story stone exterior home remodel in Atlanta

This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income. DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request. MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic. RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income. ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them. URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances. OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values. Photography: Eric Roth Photo

Outdoor living at its finest. Stained ceilings, rock mantle and bluestone flooring complement each other and provide durability in the weather.
Inspiration for a large coastal backyard stone patio kitchen remodel in San Francisco with a roof extension

Inspiration for a transitional living room remodel in Minneapolis with brown walls

Andrea Rugg
Example of a huge trendy light wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Sarah Berghorst
Inspiration for a small rustic 3/4 gray tile and pebble tile ceramic tile corner shower remodel with an undermount sink, dark wood cabinets, quartz countertops, beige walls and open cabinets

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept light wood floor living room remodel in Detroit with a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and beige walls

Inspiration for a contemporary patio remodel in Omaha with a pergola

Inspiration for a rustic patio remodel with a roof extension

Paul Burk
Example of an ornate beige three-story exterior home design in DC Metro

Hardscapes by Alphin Design Build Landscape by Bland Landscaping Co., Inc.
Example of a classic deck design in Raleigh with decking and a bbq area