Example of a small beach style kids' white tile and subway tile porcelain tile, gray floor, double-sink and wallpaper bathroom design in Minneapolis with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, white countertops and a built-in vanity

Darren Setlow Photography
Beach style l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo in Portland Maine with shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island and white backsplash

Beach style dining room photo in Portland Maine

A large living room with views of the surrounding meadow and mountain landscape. Large exposed beams are the focal point in this great room. Surrounding the fireplace are built-in cabinets and art niches.

This is an example of a mid-sized mid-century modern porch design in Minneapolis.

Living room - coastal living room idea in Portland Maine

Home bar - coastal u-shaped medium tone wood floor home bar idea in Houston with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, beige cabinets and gray countertops

Kitchen - mid-sized transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen idea in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, stone slab backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and gray countertops

Living room - country dark wood floor and brown floor living room idea with gray walls and a standard fireplace

Bathroom - traditional 3/4 green tile bathroom idea in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, beige walls, an undermount sink and white countertops

Photo of a french country landscaping in Houston.

Context Norbert and Robin had dreamed of retiring in a Passive House-certified home overlooking the Lubberland Creek Preserve in Southeastern New Hampshire, and they’d done their homework. They were interested in using four integrated Zehnder America (www.zehnderamerica.com) technologies to make the 1,900 square foot home extremely energy efficient. They didn’t miss any opportunity to innovate or raise the bar on sustainable design. Our goals were focused on guaranteeing their comfort in every season, saving them money on a fixed income, and reducing the home’s overall impact on the environment as much as possible. Response The home faces directly south and captures sunlight all winter under tall and vaulted ceilings and a continuous band of slim-lined, Italian triple-pane windows and doors that provide gorgeous views of the wild preserve. A second-story office nook and clerestory provide even deeper views, with a little more privacy. Zehnder, which previously sold its innovative products only in Europe, took on the project as a test house. We designed around Zehnder’s vent-based systems, including a geothermal heat loop that heats and cools incoming air, a heat pump cooling system, electric towel-warmer radiators in the bathrooms, and a highly efficient energy recovery ventilator, which recycles heat and minimizes the need for air conditioning. The house effectively has no conventional heating system—and doesn’t need it. We also looked for efficiencies and smart solutions everywhere, from the lights to the windows to the insulation. The kitchen exhaust hood eliminates, cleans, and recirculates cooking fumes in the home’s unique kitchen, custom-designed to match the ways Norbert likes to prepare meals. There are several countertop heights so they can prep and clean comfortably, and the eat-in kitchen also has two seating heights so people can sit and socialize while they’re working on dinner. An adjacent screened porch greets guests and opens to the view. A roof-mounted solar system helps to ensure that the home generates more energy than it consumes—helped by features such as a heat pump water heater, superinsulation, LED lights and a polished concrete floor that helps regulate indoor temperatures.

Cheng Design
Example of a trendy gray tile and glass tile corner bathtub design in San Francisco with a wall-mount sink and gray walls

Brett Winter Lemon Photography
Rustic one-story wood exterior home idea in Portland Maine with a green roof

Stephen Karlisch Photography
Inspiration for a timeless freestanding desk study room remodel in Dallas with gray walls

This open concept kitchen by Thompson Remodeling involved removing walls to allow open flow from the kitchen into the living and dining rooms. The star of this kitchen is the expansive island, anchored by gorgeous columns with features that include plenty of work space, built-in bookshelves, and seating for three. Perimeter cabinets are maple with a caramel, chocolate glaze finish and the island cabinetry is alder with chestnut finish. Other design details include quartz countertops and ceramic tile flooring and backsplash.

Bedroom - traditional carpeted and beige floor bedroom idea in Other with blue walls

Update master bath from builder grade with minimal upgrades to clean French style. Add tub to create five piece bathroom. Now bathroom is beautiful with a touch of old world charm.

Photo by: Joshua Caldwell
Mid-sized elegant enclosed medium tone wood floor and brown floor family room library photo in Salt Lake City with no fireplace