The Studio interior is specialized for creating art, utilizing specific lighting, a movable work desk with a sliding canvas system and mechanics for a dust-free environment.

Unusual stair rail system utilizes obscured glass and oak treatment. Custome carpentry and design work.
Mid-sized trendy medium tone wood floor front door photo in Portland with green walls

Example of a transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Minneapolis with recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and quartzite countertops

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional gender-neutral medium tone wood floor walk-in closet remodel in DC Metro with open cabinets and white cabinets

Inspiration for a cottage laundry room remodel in Nashville

Never lose a charge with built in concealable usb ports, customized by Arbor Mills cabinetry
Kitchen - transitional kitchen idea in Chicago

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

Example of a classic closet design in Louisville

Here Krystal utilized Portenza Di Siena 2x2 mosaic on the shower floor, 12x18 Persian Gold tile on the shower walls and surrounding the Toto Ultramax II toilet, 18x18 Ridgeview Light Gold tile on the floor, and a mixture of 2x2 crackle mosaic accents. The shower features a Schlüter-Systems Ltd bench, niches, and brushed nickel rondecs. Custom frameless shower glass was provided, as well.

The 800 square-foot guest cottage is located on the footprint of a slightly smaller original cottage that was built three generations ago. With a failing structural system, the existing cottage had a very low sloping roof, did not provide for a lot of natural light and was not energy efficient. Utilizing high performing windows, doors and insulation, a total transformation of the structure occurred. A combination of clapboard and shingle siding, with standout touches of modern elegance, welcomes guests to their cozy retreat. The cottage consists of the main living area, a small galley style kitchen, master bedroom, bathroom and sleeping loft above. The loft construction was a timber frame system utilizing recycled timbers from the Balsams Resort in northern New Hampshire. The stones for the front steps and hearth of the fireplace came from the existing cottage’s granite chimney. Stylistically, the design is a mix of both a “Cottage” style of architecture with some clean and simple “Tech” style features, such as the air-craft cable and metal railing system. The color red was used as a highlight feature, accentuated on the shed dormer window exterior frames, the vintage looking range, the sliding doors and other interior elements. Photographer: John Hession

A family moved from the city to this home just north of Boston. The house was built in the early 2000s and needed some updating - a new kitchen, mudroom, and a laundry room that had to be relocated to the second floor. In addition to the renovations, the couple needed to furnish their home. This included furniture, decor, accessories, wallpaper, window treatments, paint colors etc. Every room was transformed to meet the family's needs and was a reflection of their personality. The end result was a bright, fun and livable home for the couple and their three small children. Max Holiver Photography

This remodel of a mid century gem is located in the town of Lincoln, MA a hot bed of modernist homes inspired by Gropius’ own house built nearby in the 1940’s. By the time the house was built, modernism had evolved from the Gropius era, to incorporate the rural vibe of Lincoln with spectacular exposed wooden beams and deep overhangs. The design rejects the traditional New England house with its enclosing wall and inward posture. The low pitched roofs, open floor plan, and large windows openings connect the house to nature to make the most of its rural setting. Photo by: Nat Rea Photography

Laundry room with utility sink and mounted central vacuum system (photos courtesy of Paula Stewart, Weichert Realtors, Vienna, VA)
Utility room - mid-sized transitional laminate floor utility room idea in DC Metro with an utility sink, green walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer

Project Number: M1325 Design/Manufacturer/Installer: Marquis Fine Cabinetry Collection: Milano Finishes: Canyon Charcoal + Bright White Features: Under Cabinet Lighting, Adjustable Legs/Soft Close (Standard) Cabinet/Drawer Extra Options: Utility Insert, Cutlery Insert, Knife Block/Utensil Insert, Peg System, Spice Tray, Trash Bay Pullout

Inspiration for a timeless laundry room remodel in Salt Lake City

Laundry room cabinets store items for the family pet, and utility items like lightbulbs, flashlights, batteries and more.
Example of a small transitional l-shaped ceramic tile home design design in Richmond with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, blue walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer

Purchased in 2014 as a maintenance deferred property with only one rentable apartment, Piperbear Designs completed a full scale renovation of the upstairs unit, painted the exterior, and upgraded the heating and cooling to a dual zone high efficiency system to help save the tenants in utility costs. We were able to immediately raise rents by 60% in the upstairs unit.