We designed this lovely, private dining area with custom wood-slat screens and a concrete kitchen complete with seating, grilling, counters and wood storage. Climbing hydrangea vines are being trained to extend over the custom window arbor.

2 images showing the maple butcher block table moving in and out of the island. Also there is a hidden counter behind folding pocketing doors for storing countertop appliances.

Eric Roth Photography
Example of a farmhouse open concept and formal light wood floor living room design in Boston with white walls, a wood stove and no tv

Tricia Shay Photography
Living room - large contemporary formal and open concept concrete floor and brown floor living room idea in Milwaukee with white walls

The shape of the angled porch-roof, sets the tone for a truly modern entryway. This protective covering makes a dramatic statement, as it hovers over the front door. The blue-stone terrace conveys even more interest, as it gradually moves upward, morphing into steps, until it reaches the porch. Porch Detail The multicolored tan stone, used for the risers and retaining walls, is proportionally carried around the base of the house. Horizontal sustainable-fiber cement board replaces the original vertical wood siding, and widens the appearance of the facade. The color scheme — blue-grey siding, cherry-wood door and roof underside, and varied shades of tan and blue stone — is complimented by the crisp-contrasting black accents of the thin-round metal columns, railing, window sashes, and the roof fascia board and gutters. This project is a stunning example of an exterior, that is both asymmetrical and symmetrical. Prior to the renovation, the house had a bland 1970s exterior. Now, it is interesting, unique, and inviting. Photography Credit: Tom Holdsworth Photography Contractor: Owings Brothers Contracting

Jim Scmid
Example of a classic medium tone wood floor kitchen design in Charlotte with stainless steel appliances

Elizabeth Dooley, Dooley Images
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized traditional single-wall medium tone wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen idea in New York with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, quartz countertops and porcelain backsplash

Photo: Lucy Call © 2014 Houzz Design: Imbue Design
Example of a trendy bedroom design in Salt Lake City

Kitchen - transitional dark wood floor kitchen idea in Nashville with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, an island and white countertops

The collaboration between architect and interior designer is seen here. The floor plan and layout are by the architect. Cabinet materials and finishes, lighting, and furnishings are by the interior designer. Detailing of the vent hood and raised counter are a collaboration. The raised counter includes a chase on the far side for power. Photo: Michael Shopenn

Trendy enclosed family room photo in Austin

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

Tuscan backyard rectangular pool photo in San Francisco

This modern farmhouse located outside of Spokane, Washington, creates a prominent focal point among the landscape of rolling plains. The composition of the home is dominated by three steep gable rooflines linked together by a central spine. This unique design evokes a sense of expansion and contraction from one space to the next. Vertical cedar siding, poured concrete, and zinc gray metal elements clad the modern farmhouse, which, combined with a shop that has the aesthetic of a weathered barn, creates a sense of modernity that remains rooted to the surrounding environment. The Glo double pane A5 Series windows and doors were selected for the project because of their sleek, modern aesthetic and advanced thermal technology over traditional aluminum windows. High performance spacers, low iron glass, larger continuous thermal breaks, and multiple air seals allows the A5 Series to deliver high performance values and cost effective durability while remaining a sophisticated and stylish design choice. Strategically placed operable windows paired with large expanses of fixed picture windows provide natural ventilation and a visual connection to the outdoors.

Eric Roth Photography
Farmhouse two-story wood gable roof idea in Boston

The contemporary kitchen features porcelain countertops and marble backsplash as well as professional grade appliances. Alexander Jermyn Architecture, Robert Vente Photography.

Modern Aire PS 16 commercial exhaust fan with an application that keeps the hood close to the ceiling and vents through the roof. Curtis Martin Photography

CONTACT CONSTRUCTIVE ALTERNATIVES WHEN YOU’RE READY TO BUILD BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS! This one-of-a-kind custom luxury mountain residence applied a high performance green building envelope, and other smart and renewable technologies. In addition to ample living space, the residence includes exquisite car rebuilding and show room facilities. We cut into the top of a mountain side to offer the homeowners 360 degree panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains, Boulder and Denver. We used 12”- 22” R-40+ battered foundation walls, 8” engineered LSL FSC lumber throughout, and an elliptical and radial building design. We also installed a 12 kW solar PV power system with a battery back-up. While the homeowners remain connected to the grid, their meter has yet to move forward. We used ICF forms for fire and wind resistance while taking advantage of their incredible insulating and customizing properties. ICFs are the perfect choice when avoiding square corners is desired at all costs. The solar thermal collectors you see out front were integrated with geothermal and HRV/ERV ventilation and environmental control systems. By designing this kind of in-floor heating and cooling system it keeps the ambient temperatures inside this stunning home comfortable and healthy year round. Check out some of the images we captured during the beginning, middle, and completion of this unique and eclectic Sunshine Canyon 8,000 square foot Net-Zero Luxury Home.

With respect to the notion of old-meets-new, the kitchen strikes a comfortable balance between materials. For the center island, Franklin repurposed original barn siding into cladding for the unit, painting it grey. The Corian counter top and stainless steel backsplash provide a cool contrast. A set of antique barstools was a fortunate find for the homeowner. Sourced from a local bar that had closed, all they needed was a little elbow grease to realize their full potential. It took days to remove years worth of nicotine stains from them, but as Franklin exclaims, "It was worth it because the old stools found a new home in an old barn!" The partial wall was designed to address a number of functional and aesthetic concerns. Dividing the workspace from the storage space, it keeps the pantry area out of view, and allows light to carry through this area of the home. Franklin also uses the wall as a means to display his growing teapot collection. "It’s funny," he confesses, "but I think they can entice people to sit down, have a cup of tea and converse (Imagine that in this world of technology!)" Adrienne DeRosa Photography