A significant back garden remodel in North Ogden, Utah. Local sandstone ties a big project together, with blond sandstone garden walls, patio, bridges, fireplace, fire pit and patio. Concrete patios have stone ribbons. Pushing back brambles and capturing groundwater allowed this space to triple in size. It's now a parklike setting providing a serene retreat for this family. Bronze scuppers built into a stone garden wall make for a unique water feature, and is visible from most parts of the garden and the back of the home. Fireplace separates two outdoor spaces, creating 'rooms'. Lush planting complete the picture. Photo: The Ardent Gardener Landscape Design

Contemporary Victorian Charm. Inspired by the client's 1938 bungalow and love of Victorian era décor, this project merged period pieces with contemporary colors and accessories, creating a cozy, inviting space - perfect for relaxing or entertaining. A beautiful inverted camel back sofa tufted in peacock blue pays homage to the old, while a sleek, glass waterfall table and zigzag multi-colored drapery panels add a sophisticated, modern flare. Round leather ottomans double as additional seating and a multi-color oriental rug ties it all together. Bright pink custom florals lend a touch whimsy to this adorable, eclectic living area.

Living Room captures panoramic lakefront views and south light with open concept planning - Interior Architecture: HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles + Evaline Karges Interiors, Inc. - Construction: Stenz Construction - Photography: Anthony Valainis for Indianapolis Monthly

Glass bow tie tile with porcelain shower niche. Photo Credit: Christopher Stark
Inspiration for a small modern beige tile and porcelain tile bathroom remodel in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, beige walls, an integrated sink and solid surface countertops

The client wanted to update her tired, dated family room. They had grown accustomed to having reclining seats so one challenge was to create a new reclining sectional that looked fresh and contemporary. This one has three reclining seats plus convenient USB ports. The clients also wanted to be able to eat dinner in the room while watching TV but there was no room for a regular dining table so we designed a custom silver leaf bar table to sit behind the sectional with a custom 1 1/2" Thinkglass art glass top. New dark wood floors were installed and a custom wool and silk area rug was designed that ties all the pieces together. We designed a new coffered ceiling with lighting in each bay. And built out the fireplace with dimensional tile to the ceiling. The color scheme was kept intentionally monochromatic to show off the different textures with the only color being touches of blue in the pillows and accessories to pick up the art glass.

Everywhere you look in this home, there is a surprise to be had and a detail worth preserving. One of the more iconic interior features was this original copper fireplace shroud that was beautifully restored back to it's shiny glory. The sofa was custom made to fit "just so" into the drop down space/ bench wall separating the family room from the dining space. Not wanting to distract from the design of the space by hanging a TV on the wall - there is a concealed projector and screen that drop down from the ceiling when desired. Flooded with natural light from both directions from the original sliding glass doors - this home glows day and night - by sun or by fire. From this view you can see the relationship of the kitchen which was originally in this location, but previously closed off with walls. It's compact and efficient, and allows seamless interaction between hosts and guests.

Beach style bedroom photo in Denver

Eye-catching backsplash with specks of turquoise tie back into the room's draperies. Design: Wesley-Wayne Interiors Photo: Stephen Karlisch
Large elegant open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor game room photo in Other with gray walls and no tv

Before, the kitchen was clustered into one corner and wasted a lot of space. We re-arranged everything to create this more linear layout, creating significantly more storage and a much more functional layout. We removed all the travertine flooring throughout the entrance and in the kitchen and installed new porcelain tile flooring that matched the new color palette. As artists themselves, our clients brought in very creative, hand selected pieces and incorporated their love for flying by adding airplane elements into the design that you see throughout. For the cabinetry, they selected an espresso color for the perimeter that goes all the way to the 10' high ceilings along with marble quartz countertops. We incorporated lift up appliance garage systems, utensil pull outs, roll out shelving and pull out trash for ease of use and organization. The 12' island has grey painted cabinetry with tons of storage, seating and tying back in the espresso cabinetry with the legs and decorative island end cap along with "chicken feeder" pendants they created. The range wall is the biggest focal point with the accent tile our clients found that is meant to duplicate the look of vintage metal pressed ceilings, along with a gorgeous Italian range, pot filler and fun blue accent tile. When re-arranging the kitchen and removing walls, we added a custom stained French door that allows them to close off the other living areas on that side of the house. There was this unused space in that corner, that now became a fun coffee bar station with stained turquoise cabinetry, butcher block counter for added warmth and the fun accent tile backsplash our clients found. We white-washed the fireplace to have it blend more in with the new color palette and our clients re-incorporated their wood feature wall that was in a previous home and each piece was hand selected. Everything came together in such a fun, creative way that really shows their personality and character.

Beautiful Century Furniture chairs and sofa! Cori Nations Photography
Mid-sized transitional formal and enclosed light wood floor living room photo in St Louis with beige walls, no fireplace and no tv

KH Window Fashions, Inc custom inverted French pleated traversing drapes, lined with interlining and black-out lining. Drapes mounted on decorative hardware and pulled-back with decorative pleated tiebacks. Decorative pleated trim made from the drapery fabric. Scott Erb Photography.

Photography by Todd A. Trice
Example of a mid-sized classic enclosed medium tone wood floor living room design in Philadelphia with a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a concealed tv

Becky Hulsey, Envision Virtual Tours The Lodge at Gold Mine Falls A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity Awaits…. Have you dreamed of owning your own spectacular waterfall, a serene trout pond, or a one of a kind mountain lodge filled with high end touches, all near Lake Burton? If the answer is yes…..then “The Lodge at Gold Mine Falls” is for you! Located just off HW 76 .3 miles to Anchorage Marina, this unique 2.8 acre property borders the National Forest, boasts a fully remodeled 3 bedroom, 3 bath, 2000+ square foot rock lodge that is adjacent to its own private, spectacular 60 foot waterfall all surrounded by native landscape such as rhododendron and mountain laurel. Tumbling under the 40 foot suspension bridge, the pristine, crystal clear water continues to ramble on its way to large pond ready to be stocked with trout. Picture yourself fly fishing for a trout dinner right at your front door, or delight your friends or family while entertaining on your new porch or extensive, multi-level deck that connects your new home to your own waterfall. The kids or grandkids will be entertained for hours wading in the pool at the base of the waterfall, exploring the crooks and crannies among the stream’s boulders while looking for salamanders, or panning for “fool’s gold” in the stream. Just imagine….The Lodge at Gold Mine Falls has all this and more! As you walk up the front steps to The Lodge at Gold Mine Falls, you will notice the craftsmanship of this uniquely one of a kind home made from local stone and granite from a period gone by. If you look closely at some of the stones, you will find raw garnets, some the size of a nail head. Upon opening the front door constructed of solid oak and a tasteful piece of leaded glass, you will be amazed at the spaciousness of the lodge room. Once upon a time, the 20 x 30 foot room with 10 foot ceilings was the entire home. The focal piece of the room is the new floor to ceiling field stone fireplace, hand honed solid maple mantel, rounded hearth, accentuated by a hand-cut keystone, and flanked by raw cedar columns. The new gas logs can be remotely controlled with programmable heat. A built-in floor to ceiling cherry wood wall unit, with granite serving surface, highlights a side wall and is topped off with a large piece of stained glass from an English pub. The mood lighting behind the stained glass and the antique library ladder really highlights this unique bookcase. Distinctive lighting fixtures and fans provide dining area lighting and circulation from the cool breezes off of Lake Burton. On the bottom, the solid oak 1.5 inch flooring is a remnant of the past on the top, the height of the ceilings is enhanced by double crown moldings throughout and a touch of the outdoors is brought indoors by the three new skylights. Surrounded by rustic cedar window boxes, additional ambient light streams through the four windows facing south, and the new French doors. As you open the French doors to the new porch, you are immediately struck by the sights and sound produced by the rushing water as it cascades over the spectacular multilevel waterfall. You will also notice that the mountain has literally been carved away as you view the layers and striations in the granite that surround the back of the porch. The peaked cathedral ceiling sports a glass apex and the bead board on the ceiling accentuated by the raw cedar plank framing and the five cedar trees used as cornerstones all bring the outdoors within your reach. The addition of “E-Z Breeze” vinyl windows along with the cast iron gas stove will allow you and your family to enjoy the beauty and continually changing scenery at The Lodge at Gold Mine Fall during all four seasons. Opening the Adirondack style door on the other side of the lodge room allows you to step into the Lodge’s addition built at a later date. The four foot wide hallway boasts stained glass light fixtures and an architectural feature from the new stairwell that divides the living and the bedroom spaces. Knowing that the east wall in the kitchen and study were once on the home’s exterior allowed us to investigate and reveal the true character of these walls by removing the two layers of drywall and 4 inches of plaster exposing a striking addition to both rooms…… beautiful granite rock walls. The hallway flows into the granite breakfast bar which fully complements the newly exposed granite wall. From the Viking SS refrigerator to gas Jenn Air ceramic cooktop and microwave the appliances are a chef’s delight. Lighting is a critical component in a gourmet kitchen and the light from the double window is enhanced by two spotlights over the cooking area, LED task lighting under the cabinets, mood lighting over the top cabinets, and four “Murano” hand blown glass pendant lights over the sink and bar area. Scoring points in the design category, the full wood “Thomasville” two tone glazed cabinets that are country white and palomino scream style and sophistication, and are accentuated by the cool copper glass backsplash and refined stainless steel hardware. The porcelain, two bowl farmhouse sink is large enough for your biggest pots while the stainless steel sink guards will protect it from scratches. The SS faucet is professional quality and the Insinkerator will help the chef in the house save time with instant 190 degree water. An eight foot long exposed cedar tree trunk hangs over the cooking area allowing the chef to hang his/her favorite utensils and pots or pans in full lodge style. And who wouldn’t crave a large walk in pantry with commercial grade slides that will up to 120 pounds. With all these features, the cook/cooks in the family will love spending time in this room. Across from the kitchen is a study/office area which can be closed off from the hallway by a double barn door. Except for the remarkable exposed granite rock wall mentioned earlier, the entire room has been paneled with raw cedar boards treated with Australian Tree Oil for true lodge feel. The triple crank out window provides a superb view of the pond and blazing Japanese maple trees in the fall. Outside, the hallway leads to the utility room which has been fully upgraded with all the modern amenities. The oak cabinetry with granite tops also has an extra deep sink with commercial kitchen sprayer. The sink area is surrounded by white subway tile while slate and green glass mini tile accents bring the outdoor colors inside. The doggy door, new exterior door and crank out window provide access to the back yard and additional light. From the new “Rinnai” point of use, gas hot water heater to the new “LG” full size, stackable washer and dryer, this utility room delivers. The master bedroom has four windows which provide outstanding light and air circulation. To take the chill off of nippy evenings, this bedroom also has its own romantic fireplace with travertine marble surround, remote controlled gas logs, and a beautiful antique oak and mirror mantle. To top it off, the en-suite bath contains high end fixtures, a spacious vanity, and floor to ceiling rain shower with independent valves allowing you to turn on the shower and not get wet. Multiple safety handrails and a fold down shower seat give bathers assurance and provide an additional measure of safety. The earthy color tiles, glass tile accents and hand blown light fixtures continue the lodge theme in this end of the house. Located across the hall, the guest bedroom is light and airy with its white window boxes and double crown molding, and also has an attached bathroom. This bathroom also has an entrance door leading to the hallway and doubles as the guest bathroom for the house. Its antique oak vanity and mirror, stained glass lights and wrought iron accents remind me of a past era while the vessel sink, modern fixtures, and floor to ceiling travertine and glass tile rain shower all bring the bathroom up to modern standards. Located at the end of the hallway, and next to the guest bathroom, is the handcrafted stairwell leading to the sleeping loft. The distinctive maple stair treads with their grain and raw edge being displayed, were milled locally in Clayton and then installed from underneath so that no screw or nail heads are visible. The staircase was completed with wrought iron spindles, raw cedar handrail and floor to ceiling end post. Upon your entry into the sleeping loft, you will notice the amount of light that enters through the two skylights and large window facing the pond. The sound of water rushing over the pond’s spillway is a delightful addition to this large sleeping loft. Finished with engineered hardwood flooring and two built in double beds with tree trunks for legs, the room can accommodate four additional twin beds. The sleeping loft is also equipped with a kitchenette and a distinctive cedar and rock walled bathroom. The bath features an antique dresser vanity with marble vessel sink, distinctive fixtures and a floor to ceiling polished travertine marble shower with rain head. This bathroom also has an exterior door leading to a secondary upstairs staircase in the back yard. Just envision the great sleepovers the kids or grandkids will have here or how your out of town friends or family will just love this special area designed with their comfort and needs in mind. Originally constructed in 1925 by “off Broadway” star Rose Grant, this property is rich in history. In the early years, this home was one of the first in Rabun County to generate its own electric from the waterfall. Several small cabins were also built on the property and rented out to guests who came for the waterfall, swim in the pond and connect with nature. Other notable residents were Mrs. and Doctor Fowler who was a local pediatrician. According to an aged newspaper article, Mrs. Fowler was very interested in the indigenous flora and fauna and grew a variety of native plants on the property including some that were rare or endangered. Many metal name tags still remain along the various paths on the property thus reminding you of times gone by and the true beauty of property. Lastly, this solidly built home has just been structurally solidified, become more energy efficient, and reconfigured to further usable space all while retaining the Lodge’s original charm. After removing the flooring in the kitchen, hall and both bathrooms, the home’s structure and roof were fortified with numerous concrete footers to support both bathrooms, kitchen, and stairwell walls that extend from floor to roof. To make this home more comfortable, energy efficient, and bring it up to modern standards, the electrical system was upgraded to 220 service with the wiring, outlets, electrical panels and fixtures replaced throughout the entire home. A whole house surge protector was also installed to protect against damage that may occur with lightning strikes. Speaking of electric…..the pond’s newly poured formed concrete wall contains a pipe enabling you to install your own hydro-electric system. And whether you might decide to tie into the grid or store you energy in a battery system, you could generate your own electric 24/7. The homes plumbing was also replaced with new pipes, energy/water efficient fixtures in each bathroom (including three Toto toilets), and a new cistern was installed behind the garage with a laboratory grade water filtration system. The task of water heating was completed by a gas Rinnai point of use hot water heater in the utility room and all windows were replaced with Anderson thermal pane and 6 Velux skylights were mounted to bring the outdoors inside. The home’s HVAC system was top of the line several years ago and both sets of new gas logs are controlled with remotes. Formerly a summer home, all exterior walls were studded out with insulation added, and whole house fans were installed in the attic and upstairs bathroom. Although many of these upgrades may not be visible, they allow the home to be more energy efficient and more comfortable……allowing The Lodge at Gold Mine Falls to become your four season retreat.

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2013 Houzz
Example of an eclectic medium tone wood floor family room design in New York with green walls

ZeroEnergy Design (ZED) created this modern home for a progressive family in the desirable community of Lexington. Thoughtful Land Connection. The residence is carefully sited on the infill lot so as to create privacy from the road and neighbors, while cultivating a side yard that captures the southern sun. The terraced grade rises to meet the house, allowing for it to maintain a structured connection with the ground while also sitting above the high water table. The elevated outdoor living space maintains a strong connection with the indoor living space, while the stepped edge ties it back to the true ground plane. Siting and outdoor connections were completed by ZED in collaboration with landscape designer Soren Deniord Design Studio. Exterior Finishes and Solar. The exterior finish materials include a palette of shiplapped wood siding, through-colored fiber cement panels and stucco. A rooftop parapet hides the solar panels above, while a gutter and site drainage system directs rainwater into an irrigation cistern and dry wells that recharge the groundwater. Cooking, Dining, Living. Inside, the kitchen, fabricated by Henrybuilt, is located between the indoor and outdoor dining areas. The expansive south-facing sliding door opens to seamlessly connect the spaces, using a retractable awning to provide shade during the summer while still admitting the warming winter sun. The indoor living space continues from the dining areas across to the sunken living area, with a view that returns again to the outside through the corner wall of glass. Accessible Guest Suite. The design of the first level guest suite provides for both aging in place and guests who regularly visit for extended stays. The patio off the north side of the house affords guests their own private outdoor space, and privacy from the neighbor. Similarly, the second level master suite opens to an outdoor private roof deck. Light and Access. The wide open interior stair with a glass panel rail leads from the top level down to the well insulated basement. The design of the basement, used as an away/play space, addresses the need for both natural light and easy access. In addition to the open stairwell, light is admitted to the north side of the area with a high performance, Passive House (PHI) certified skylight, covering a six by sixteen foot area. On the south side, a unique roof hatch set flush with the deck opens to reveal a glass door at the base of the stairwell which provides additional light and access from the deck above down to the play space. Energy. Energy consumption is reduced by the high performance building envelope, high efficiency mechanical systems, and then offset with renewable energy. All windows and doors are made of high performance triple paned glass with thermally broken aluminum frames. The exterior wall assembly employs dense pack cellulose in the stud cavity, a continuous air barrier, and four inches exterior rigid foam insulation. The 10kW rooftop solar electric system provides clean energy production. The final air leakage testing yielded 0.6 ACH 50 - an extremely air tight house, a testament to the well-designed details, progress testing and quality construction. When compared to a new house built to code requirements, this home consumes only 19% of the energy. Architecture & Energy Consulting: ZeroEnergy Design Landscape Design: Soren Deniord Design Paintings: Bernd Haussmann Studio Photos: Eric Roth Photography

Custom wrought iron "S Shape" shutter dogs, 100% solid cedar board and batten shutters, and anchor points accented by custom cut cedr plugs. Robert MacNab

Suchitra Van
Example of a mid-sized ornate formal and enclosed medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room design in New York with red walls, a standard fireplace and no tv

Cozy guest room.
Example of a country bedroom design in Other

Our clients were looking to make this home their forever home and to create a warm and welcoming space that the whole family would enjoy returning to every day. One of our primary goals in this project was to change how our clients moved through their home. We tossed aside the existing walls that blocked off the kitchen and introduced a butler’s pantry to connect the kitchen directly to the dining room. Contrast is king in this home, and we utilized a variety of light and dark finishes to create distinctive layers and lean into opportunities for accents. To tie the space in this home together, we introduced warm hardwood flooring throughout the main level and selected a soft grey paint as our primary wall color. Kitchen- The heart of this home is most definitely the kitchen! We erased every trace of the original builder kitchen and created a space that welcomes one and all. The glorious island, with its light cabinetry and dramatic quartz countertop, provides the perfect gathering place for morning coffee and baking sessions. At the perimeter of the kitchen, we selected a handsome grey finish with a brushed linen effect for an extra touch of texture that ties in with the high variation backsplash tile giving us a softened handmade feel. Black metal accents from the hardware to the light fixtures unite the kitchen with the rest of the home. Butler’s Pantry- The Butler’s Pantry quickly became one of our favorite spaces in this home! We had fun with the backsplash tile patten (utilizing the same tile we highlighted in the kitchen but installed in a herringbone pattern). Continuing the warm tones through this space with the butcher block counter and open shelving, it works to unite the front and back of the house. Plus, this space is home to the kegerator with custom family tap handles! Mud Room- We wanted to make sure we gave this busy family a landing place for all their belongings. With plenty of cabinetry storage, a sweet built-in bench, and hooks galore there’s no more jockeying to find a home for coats. Fireplace- A double-sided fireplace means double the opportunity for a dramatic focal point! On the living room side (the tv-free grown-up zone) we utilized reclaimed wooden planks to add layers of texture and bring in more cozy warm vibes. On the family room side (aka the tv room) we mixed it up with a travertine ledger stone that ties in with the warm tones of the kitchen island. Staircase- The standard builder handrail was just not going to do it anymore! So, we leveled up designed a custom steel & wood railing for this home with a dark finish that allows it to contrast beautifully against the walls and tie in with the dark accent finishes throughout the home.