The three-level Mediterranean revival home started as a 1930s summer cottage that expanded downward and upward over time. We used a clean, crisp white wall plaster with bronze hardware throughout the interiors to give the house continuity. A neutral color palette and minimalist furnishings create a sense of calm restraint. Subtle and nuanced textures and variations in tints add visual interest. The stair risers from the living room to the primary suite are hand-painted terra cotta tile in gray and off-white. We used the same tile resource in the kitchen for the island's toe kick.

This great room was designed so everyone can be together for both day-to-day living and when entertaining. This custom home was designed and built by Meadowlark Design+Build in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Photography by Joshua Caldwell.

Deck - transitional deck idea in Boston with a pergola

Scott DuBose Photography
Mid-sized minimalist medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in San Francisco with an undermount sink, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island and white countertops

Trendy kids' white tile corner shower photo in New York with an undermount sink, gray walls and a niche

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2015 Houzz
Inspiration for a country l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen remodel in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Beach style l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo in Birmingham with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and an island

Modern ski chalet with walls of windows to enjoy the mountainous view provided of this ski-in ski-out property. Formal and casual living room areas allow for flexible entertaining. Construction - Bear Mountain Builders Interiors - Hunter & Company Photos - Gibeon Photography

Doug Burke Photography
Inspiration for a large contemporary open concept light wood floor basement game room remodel in Salt Lake City with beige walls

Powder room - mid-sized traditional powder room idea in Los Angeles with furniture-like cabinets, gray cabinets, gray walls and a vessel sink

Sean Litchfield
Elegant backyard rectangular pool house photo in Boston

After completing their gorgeous Asian style kitchen remodel in 2017, these homeowners tackled their master bath with walk-in shower and closet. The vertical grained melamine cabinetry in "Silver Elm" by Ultracraft is highlighted with a variety of glass and pebble tiles and leathered limestone counters.

Jana Bishop
Photo of a small rustic front yard landscaping in Los Angeles for fall.

A young family with a wooded, triangular lot in Ipswich, Massachusetts wanted to take on a highly creative, organic, and unrushed process in designing their new home. The parents of three boys had contemporary ideas for living, including phasing the construction of different structures over time as the kids grew so they could maximize the options for use on their land. They hoped to build a net zero energy home that would be cozy on the very coldest days of winter, using cost-efficient methods of home building. The house needed to be sited to minimize impact on the land and trees, and it was critical to respect a conservation easement on the south border of the lot. Finally, the design would be contemporary in form and feel, but it would also need to fit into a classic New England context, both in terms of materials used and durability. We were asked to honor the notions of “surprise and delight,” and that inspired everything we designed for the family. The highly unique home consists of a three-story form, composed mostly of bedrooms and baths on the top two floors and a cross axis of shared living spaces on the first level. This axis extends out to an oversized covered porch, open to the south and west. The porch connects to a two-story garage with flex space above, used as a guest house, play room, and yoga studio depending on the day. A floor-to-ceiling ribbon of glass wraps the south and west walls of the lower level, bringing in an abundance of natural light and linking the entire open plan to the yard beyond. The master suite takes up the entire top floor, and includes an outdoor deck with a shower. The middle floor has extra height to accommodate a variety of multi-level play scenarios in the kids’ rooms. Many of the materials used in this house are made from recycled or environmentally friendly content, or they come from local sources. The high performance home has triple glazed windows and all materials, adhesives, and sealants are low toxicity and safe for growing kids. Photographer credit: Irvin Serrano

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Example of a small beach style loft-style medium tone wood floor bedroom design in Los Angeles with gray walls and no fireplace

Kitchen - transitional kitchen idea in Brisbane

Inspiration for a small modern wine cellar remodel in San Francisco with beige walls and display racks