Photography: Puspa Lohmeyer
Example of a 1960s patio design in Phoenix

Ensuite bathroom renovation
Mid-sized minimalist master blue tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile, white floor and double-sink walk-in shower photo in Ottawa with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, gray walls, a vessel sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a floating vanity

Designer: Matt Welch Contractor: Adam Lambert Photographer: Mark Bayer
Mid-sized arts and crafts u-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Burlington with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, white backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Montana Rockworks
Example of a huge mountain style brown two-story wood gable roof design in San Francisco

Jonathan Pece
Kitchen - mid-sized transitional l-shaped brown floor kitchen idea with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, paneled appliances and an island

This front garden echoes the classic lines and Mediterranean feel of the home’s architecture. A thirsty lawn was replaced with vibrant aloes, agaves, and low water shrubs. An area of decomposed granite doubles as an informal play court. Photo by Daniel Bosler

Interiors by Olander-Capriotti Interior Design. Photo by KuDa Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary open concept medium tone wood floor dining room remodel in Portland with white walls

A light-filled, open floor plan that blends the desert outside with the interior, this contemporary home has gorgeous panoramic views. With a dedication to energy-efficiency and renewable resources, ECOterra Design-Build constructs beautiful, environmentally-mindful homes.

Kitchen - transitional kitchen idea in New York

Design and Photos by Pam Lyons
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped porcelain tile eat-in kitchen remodel in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

This lovely two-car garage was constructed to secure antique​​​ automobiles. A second story was designed over the garage bays for a home office. The roof is cedar shake. The remote-operated doors are insulated to keep the interior space temperate year round.

This kitchen proves small East sac bungalows can have high function and all the storage of a larger kitchen. A large peninsula overlooks the dining and living room for an open concept. A lower countertop areas gives prep surface for baking and use of small appliances. Geometric hexite tiles by fireclay are finished with pale blue grout, which complements the upper cabinets. The same hexite pattern was recreated by a local artist on the refrigerator panes. A textured striped linen fabric by Ralph Lauren was selected for the interior clerestory windows of the wall cabinets.

Photo by Eric Rorer
Contemporary gray three-story mixed siding exterior home idea in San Francisco

BC&J Architecture designed a floating home that is now located at its permanent location on the Willamette River in Portland. The home was constructed at a Marina an hour from the final home location. Upon completion, the home was floated up the Willamette River to the current site. The homeowners were looking for a river side, cottage style house well suited to entertaining. At 2,100 square feet, the home has an open floor plan with a large kitchen opening to a dining room and the living room with views onto the river. Upstairs, the master bedroom extends toward the river under a large centered dormer. On the opposite side of the master bedroom is a bonus room under a symmetrical dormer that will serve as guest quarters when adult children and grandchildren visit.

Deck container garden - mid-sized traditional backyard deck container garden idea in DC Metro with no cover

Designed to maximize function with minimal impact, the studio serves up adaptable square footage in a wrapping almost healthy enough to eat. The open interior space organically transitions from personal to communal with the guidance of an angled roof plane. Beneath the tallest elevation, a sunny workspace awaits creative endeavors. The high ceiling provides room for big ideas in a small space, while a cluster of windows offers a glimpse of the structure’s soaring eave. Solid walls hugging the workspace add both privacy and anchors for wall-mounted storage. Towards the studio’s southern end, the ceiling plane slopes downward into a more intimate gathering space with playfully angled lines. The building is as sustainable as it is versatile. Its all-wood construction includes interior paneling sourced locally from the Wood Mill of Maine. Lengths of eastern white pine span up to 16 feet to reach from floor to ceiling, creating visual warmth from a material that doubles as a natural insulator. Non-toxic wood fiber insulation, made from sawdust and wax, partners with triple-glazed windows to further insulate against extreme weather. During the winter, the interior temperature is able to reach 70 degrees without any heat on. As it neared completion, the studio became a family project with Jesse, Betsy, and their kids working together to add the finishing touches. “Our whole life is a bit of an architectural experiment”, says Jesse, “but this has become an incredibly useful space.”

White plates, clear glassware and slender candlesticks dress the warm wood dining table. Beyond, the sectional seating and broad window create an open view through the home. Mixed blue and grey chairs, pale wood flooring and simple wall finishes keep the dining area coordinated with the adjacent living room. The Hurdy Estates renovation in North York, Toronto, by Cedarstone Group Inc. opened the bungalow by removing a central load-bearing wall. New flooring, refreshed interiors and glass stair railings connect the kitchen, dining and living areas. Explore structural renovations, open-concept remodels and custom home interiors at cedarstonereno.com.

The Tice Residences replace a run-down and aging duplex with two separate, modern, Santa Barbara homes. Although the unique creek-side site (which the client’s original home looked toward across a small ravine) proposed significant challenges, the clients were certain they wanted to live on the lush “Riviera” hillside. The challenges presented were ultimately overcome through a thorough and careful study of site conditions. With an extremely efficient use of space and strategic placement of windows and decks, privacy is maintained while affording expansive views from each home to the creek, downtown Santa Barbara and Pacific Ocean beyond. Both homes appear to have far more openness than their compact lots afford. The solution strikes a balance between enclosure and openness. Walls and landscape elements divide and protect two private domains, and are in turn, carefully penetrated to reveal views. Both homes are variations on one consistent theme: elegant composition of contemporary, “warm” materials; strong roof planes punctuated by vertical masses; and floating decks. The project forms an intimate connection with its setting by using site-excavated stone, terracing landscape planters with native plantings, and utilizing the shade provided by its ancient Riviera Oak trees. 2012 AIA Santa Barbara Chapter Merit Award Jim Bartsch Photography