We designed this 3,162 square foot home for empty-nesters who love lake life. Functionally, the home accommodates multiple generations. Elderly in-laws stay for prolonged periods, and the homeowners are thinking ahead to their own aging in place. This required two master suites on the first floor. Accommodations were made for visiting children upstairs. Aside from the functional needs of the occupants, our clients desired a home which maximizes indoor connection to the lake, provides covered outdoor living, and is conducive to entertaining. Our concept celebrates the natural surroundings through materials, views, daylighting, and building massing. We placed all main public living areas along the rear of the house to capitalize on the lake views while efficiently stacking the bedrooms and bathrooms in a two-story side wing. Secondary support spaces are integrated across the front of the house with the dramatic foyer. The front elevation, with painted green and natural wood siding and soffits, blends harmoniously with wooded surroundings. The lines and contrasting colors of the light granite wall and silver roofline draws attention toward the entry and through the house to the real focus: the water. The one-story roof over the garage and support spaces takes flight at the entry, wraps the two-story wing, turns, and soars again toward the lake as it approaches the rear patio. The granite wall extending from the entry through the interior living space is mirrored along the opposite end of the rear covered patio. These granite bookends direct focus to the lake.

John Granen
Mid-sized minimalist open concept and formal living room photo in Other with a standard fireplace and a metal fireplace

Kitchen/dining room combo - country medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen/dining room combo idea in Richmond with white walls, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace

This house and guest house were designed with careful attention to siting, embracing the vistas to the surrounding landscape: the master bedroom’s windows frame views of Taylor Mountain to the east while the vast expanses of south and west facing glass engage the Big Hole Range from the open plan living/dining/kitchen area. The main residence and guest house contain 4,850 sq ft of habitable space plus a two car garage. The palette of materials accentuates rich, natural materials including Montana moss rock, cedar siding, stained concrete floors; cherry doors and flooring; a cor-ten steel roof and custom steel fabrications. Amenities include a steam shower, whirlpool jet bathtub, a photographic darkroom, custom cherry casework, motorized roller shades at the first floor living area, professional grade kitchen appliances, an exterior kitchen, extensive exterior concrete terraces with a stainless steel propane fire pit. Project Year: 2009

Example of a transitional dark wood floor and brown floor living room design in Charlotte with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace

Inspiration for a large timeless medium tone wood floor living room remodel in Portland with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Inspiration for a coastal medium tone wood floor bedroom remodel in Providence with white walls and a stone fireplace

This is an example of a rustic screened-in porch design in Grand Rapids with decking.

This sophisticated yet ultra-feminine condominium in one of the oldest and most prestigious neighborhoods in San Francisco was decorated with entertaining in mind. The all-white upholstery, walls, and carpets are surprisingly durable with materials made to suit the lifestyle of a Tech boss lady. Custom artwork and thoughtful accessories complete the look.

Patrick Barta
Inspiration for a contemporary living room remodel in Seattle with a standard fireplace

This timber frame great room features a barn style design, creating simplicity, warmth and old world New England charm. The stone fireplace adds to the ambiance of this Vermont Barn Home.

Family room - mid-sized rustic medium tone wood floor and brown floor family room idea in Denver with brown walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a media wall

Existing front living/kitchen/dining maximized for open-concept living - Interior Architecture: HAUS | Architecture + BRUSFO - Construction Management: WERK - Photo: HAUS | Architecture

Michael Lee
Mid-sized transitional open concept living room photo in Boston with white walls, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and a concrete fireplace

Designed to embrace an extensive and unique art collection including sculpture, paintings, tapestry, and cultural antiquities, this modernist home located in north Scottsdale’s Estancia is the quintessential gallery home for the spectacular collection within. The primary roof form, “the wing” as the owner enjoys referring to it, opens the home vertically to a view of adjacent Pinnacle peak and changes the aperture to horizontal for the opposing view to the golf course. Deep overhangs and fenestration recesses give the home protection from the elements and provide supporting shade and shadow for what proves to be a desert sculpture. The restrained palette allows the architecture to express itself while permitting each object in the home to make its own place. The home, while certainly modern, expresses both elegance and warmth in its material selections including canterra stone, chopped sandstone, copper, and stucco. Project Details | Lot 245 Estancia, Scottsdale AZ Architect: C.P. Drewett, Drewett Works, Scottsdale, AZ Interiors: Luis Ortega, Luis Ortega Interiors, Hollywood, CA Publications: luxe. interiors + design. November 2011. Featured on the world wide web: luxe.daily Photo by Grey Crawford.

Inspiration for a contemporary formal and enclosed black floor living room remodel in Philadelphia with beige walls and a standard fireplace

Benny Chan
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept concrete floor living room remodel in Los Angeles with white walls, a wood fireplace surround and a concealed tv

Inspiration for a mid-sized farmhouse l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Burlington with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, concrete countertops, white backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and beige countertops

View the house plans at: http://houseplans.co/house-plans/2472 Photos by Bob Greenspan