RightArm teamed with Portland firm InSitu Architecture on this modern interpretation of a post-war Portland home. Located in the Concordia neighborhood of Northeast Portland, the Webster ADU takes as inspiration the main house on the site with its low profile and hipped roofline, but the similarities end there. The ADU is clad with a painted wood, open joint rain screen. Generous four-foot eaves provide protection at the NW and SE corners of the building. The interior is simple but well executed. The floor is polished concrete. Construction-grade fir plywood cabinets lend the space a rustic feel. The aluminum clad fir windows tie in with the cabinetry and the end-grain fir butcherblock counter. Floor to ceiling pocket doors separate the rooms. Colorful tile and paint add subdued interest to the kitchen and bath spaces Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the ADU is that which isn’t seen. The ADU is completely air sealed and extremely well insulated. An energy recovery ventilator provides constant fresh air, while simultaneously removing the old air. External insulation provides a continuous thermal break between the inside and outside. The Webster ADU is a be

This inviting master bedroom is a soothing robin's egg blue with beautiful bedding. The variety of pillows on the bed adds visual interest to simple bedding. The mirrors placed above the nightstands reflect the subdued glow of the lamps. Minimal wall decor allows the bay window and full-light door to be the focal point of the room. Prospective buyers are able to see the true delight in retiring in this room every evening.

Rustic yet refined, this modern country retreat blends old and new in masterful ways, creating a fresh yet timeless experience. The structured, austere exterior gives way to an inviting interior. The palette of subdued greens, sunny yellows, and watery blues draws inspiration from nature. Whether in the upholstery or on the walls, trailing blooms lend a note of softness throughout. The dark teal kitchen receives an injection of light from a thoughtfully-appointed skylight; a dining room with vaulted ceilings and bead board walls add a rustic feel. The wall treatment continues through the main floor to the living room, highlighted by a large and inviting limestone fireplace that gives the relaxed room a note of grandeur. Turquoise subway tiles elevate the laundry room from utilitarian to charming. Flanked by large windows, the home is abound with natural vistas. Antlers, antique framed mirrors and plaid trim accentuates the high ceilings. Hand scraped wood flooring from Schotten & Hansen line the wide corridors and provide the ideal space for lounging.

If “desert retro” could be translated as a design style, this MCM-inspired kitchen would be it. Our goal for these clients — a young couple who recently relocated to the Pittsburgh-area from Phoenix, AZ — was to bring a touch of the sunny Sonoran into their new home. This subdued, sun-bleached palette feels both vibrant and earthy. A dramatic, shifting landscape that comes alive with the day’s changing light. Large format terrazzo tiles ground the space with muted, dusty green, ochre and amber. A nod to the tough skins of cacti, agave, and creosote bushes. A mixed finish glass tile backsplash adds pale yellow accents found in parched sand dunes. Three different cabinet finishes form our rocky canyons. Deep brown and clay purple hues like ancient cliff faces stained by manganese and iron oxide. Washed out skies reflecting warm white light. Golden brass details throughout gleam like the desert sun. By removing a wall in between the kitchen and dining room, we were able to add a working peninsula and pull the range out of the corner. This change opened up the space, solving layout and storage puzzles for our clients — without making the kitchen feel cold or contemporary. Smooth, slab-style cabinet faces paired with streamlined appliances and fixtures keep things low maintenance.

These swags and side panels dress up this area and hide the unsightly radiators on the walls. The subdued color compliments the furniture and is not to overpowering. Our client was truly amazed by the end product, she loves it.

A new, ground-up attached house facing Cooper Park in Williamsburg Brooklyn. The site is in a row of small 1950s two-story, split-level brick townhouses, some of which have been modified and enlarged over the years and one of which was replaced by this building. The exterior is intentionally subdued, reminiscent of the brick warehouse architecture that occupies much of the neighborhood. In contrast, the interior is bright, dynamic and highly-innovative. In a nod to the original house, nC2 opted to explore the idea of a new, urban version of the split-level home. The house is organized around a stair oriented laterally at its center, which becomes a focal point for the free-flowing spaces that surround it. All of the main spaces of the house - entry hall, kitchen/dining area, living room, mezzanine and a tv room on the top floor - are open to each other and to the main stair. The split-level configuration serves to differentiate these spaces while maintaining the open quality of the house. A four-story high mural by the artist Jerry Inscoe occupies one entire side of the building and creates a dialog with the architecture. Like the building itself, it can only be truly appreciated by moving through the spaces.

The homeowner expressed a desire to open up a mostly enclosed kitchen with narrow entry that did not fully take advantage of the beautiful exterior views of the property. The owner, as someone who loves to cook, also desired to improve the functionality and take design inspiration from countryside kitchens in England. We opened the kitchen to the beautiful gardens and pool on the surrounding wooded lot. In addition to ample prep and storage space, the full Miele cooking package including a combi-steam oven and an extra-large farm sink all work together to make cooking and entertaining as efficient as it is fun. By borrowing some floor space from an adjoining over-sized powder room, we were able to create a spacious entrance featuring a bench, coat storage and a hutch with many drawers for hats and gloves as well as open shelving for display. We maximized extra space in the design by adding a custom built-in wet bar with walnut accents and open shelving that is perfect for entertaining guests. Along with the large bank of new doors and windows, we achieved a simple yet detailed kitchen and island with a subdued palette accented with splashes of vivid color and gleaming English brass fixtures taking full advantages of beautiful views and natural light.

This coastal kitchen needed a refresh. Its solid wood cabinets were painted in a sage green, with putty colored trim and a cherry island and dark countertop. We painted the cabinetry and replaced countertops and appliances. We also moved the refrigerator to a side wall to create a better work space flow and added two windows to provide symmetry on the cooktop wall. A new custom wood hood and patterned marble backsplash help add a cheerful upbeat vibe to a previously subdued and muted space.

Using multiple colours doesn’t mean you need to bring in bright, striking shades. You can layer muted hues to create a sophisticated space. In one of our latest projects, our client selected greenish-brown colour wrap for the island cabinets and off-white wrap for the other cabinets for a minimalist look that is subdued yet still stylish. In order for these two-toned cabinets to not look mismatched, we used black handles and knobs, Sigma Quartz White countertops and Euro Square profile on the doors throughout the kitchen.

Enticing forms and alluring architecture are the core concepts of the Elements collection. This creation by designer Gerd Couckhuyt is an ultra-modular outdoor seating island with endless arrangement options. Movable back positions, accessories such as a footrest and an occasional table sliding in a slot, make this island the epitome of serenity and relaxation. A slender strip of illuminating LED lights allows the Elements to hover. The combination of subdued colours and durable materials such as Quaryl® with a soft touch gives the arrangement a certain prestige, offering the ultimate in seating comfort. Elements was awarded a Red Dot Award in 2014.

Gavin Dale is a registered building designer of works primarily focused within the rural landscape of western New South Wales. Origami House looks at the core idea of the iconic Australian rural shed in an exposed environment. Open spaces that contain the necessary activities of daily life that can be easily manipulated to provide for large family gatherings or quieter spaces of reflection. The residence sets out primarily to achieve the expectations of the clients and reinforce the rural context of corrugated iron and raw and robust building materials. Two rectangular ‘tubes’ were aligned to the North then slid apart. This provided for unobstructed views combined with effective cross ventilation. The gabled roof line folds along a branched ridge, which in turn creates a vanishing point for the internal timber lined ceilings. The simple palette of grey metal, Barestone and radial sawn timber blends with the subdued basalt geology and agricultural landscape. This robust exterior is warmed internally by local crushed granite rammed earth thermal mass spline walls. These walls separate bedroom and living spaces that reach out beyond the façade to integrate with the landscaping and provide the robust shelter and protection from the elements.

If you’re looking for hardwood flooring that offers incredible value and timeless style, you’ll love the Blue Ridge Series. This series features a solid hardwood core, which provides great stability. It also has an eco-friendly Perma Finish coating that repels most common household substances, providing one of the most durable finishes on the market. This 3/8-inch engineered hardwood flooring is available in Oak and Maple in five warm colors designed to complement any decor. The Blue Ridge Series is prefinished for ease of installation. With its beauty, value, and lifetime integrity, this product has become an enduring favorite among homeowners. Please note: Maple is a beautiful natural material that can vary from an off-white cream color to reddish or golden hues with dark reddish brown tones. The grain is subdued and generally straight but can be wavy.

"Gavin Dale is a registered building designer of works primarily focused within the rural landscape of western New South Wales. Origami House looks at the core idea of the iconic Australian rural shed in an exposed environment. Open spaces that contain the necessary activities of daily life that can be easily manipulated to provide for large family gatherings or quieter spaces of reflection. The residence sets out primarily to achieve the expectations of the clients and reinforce the rural context of corrugated iron and raw and robust building materials. Two rectangular ‘tubes’ were aligned to the North then slid apart. This provided for unobstructed views combined with effective cross ventilation. The gabled roof line folds along a branched ridge, which in turn creates a vanishing point for the internal timber lined ceilings. The simple palette of grey metal, Barestone and radial sawn timber blends with the subdued basalt geology and agricultural landscape. This robust exterior is warmed internally by local crushed granite rammed earth thermal mass spline walls. These walls separate bedroom and living spaces that reach out beyond the façade to integrate with the landscaping and provide the robust shelter and protection from the elements."

2 Infiniti wall lamps by Davide Groppi were used in the living room to give indirect soft subdued lighting, together with 2 Sampei floor lamps to project direct light on the floor. Iron mesh red statues with LED bulbs are hanging from an iron beam. Natural light comes in by the large loft-like windows and glass made entrance door.

Open concept kitchen - large transitional galley medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen idea in Boston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Inspiration for a small transitional galley ceramic tile open concept kitchen remodel in Louisville with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, multicolored backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

If “desert retro” could be translated as a design style, this MCM-inspired kitchen would be it. Our goal for these clients — a young couple who recently relocated to the Pittsburgh-area from Phoenix, AZ — was to bring a touch of the sunny Sonoran into their new home. This subdued, sun-bleached palette feels both vibrant and earthy. A dramatic, shifting landscape that comes alive with the day’s changing light. Large format terrazzo tiles ground the space with muted, dusty green, ochre and amber. A nod to the tough skins of cacti, agave, and creosote bushes. A mixed finish glass tile backsplash adds pale yellow accents found in parched sand dunes. Three different cabinet finishes form our rocky canyons. Deep brown and clay purple hues like ancient cliff faces stained by manganese and iron oxide. Washed out skies reflecting warm white light. Golden brass details throughout gleam like the desert sun. By removing a wall in between the kitchen and dining room, we were able to add a working peninsula and pull the range out of the corner. This change opened up the space, solving layout and storage puzzles for our clients — without making the kitchen feel cold or contemporary. Smooth, slab-style cabinet faces paired with streamlined appliances and fixtures keep things low maintenance.

This renovation consists of remodeling the existing semi-enclosed kitchen into modern open kitchen, with state of the art semi-professional panel ready appliances by “Thermador” and flush vertical cabinets by German kitchen manufacturer: “Bulthaup”. Reveals between the materials accentuate the simple geometries created by the new design. Champagne aluminum metal panels contrast the more subdued white panels in front of the staircase. Moreover, a hidden panelized door connects to a new utility room, pantry and laundry area. In the utility room, additional open shelving and countertop display commonly used appliances along with wine and beverage coolers are located away from the main kitchen area. Spaced was maximized by utilizing the area under the stairs to accommodate the laundry and pantry.

"Gavin Dale is a registered building designer of works primarily focused within the rural landscape of western New South Wales. Origami House looks at the core idea of the iconic Australian rural shed in an exposed environment. Open spaces that contain the necessary activities of daily life that can be easily manipulated to provide for large family gatherings or quieter spaces of reflection. The residence sets out primarily to achieve the expectations of the clients and reinforce the rural context of corrugated iron and raw and robust building materials. Two rectangular ‘tubes’ were aligned to the North then slid apart. This provided for unobstructed views combined with effective cross ventilation. The gabled roof line folds along a branched ridge, which in turn creates a vanishing point for the internal timber lined ceilings. The simple palette of grey metal, Barestone and radial sawn timber blends with the subdued basalt geology and agricultural landscape. This robust exterior is warmed internally by local crushed granite rammed earth thermal mass spline walls. These walls separate bedroom and living spaces that reach out beyond the façade to integrate with the landscaping and provide the robust shelter and protection from the elements."