The clients for this project wanted a home with a traditional feel that fit the local aesthetic, but with a contemporary flare. The gabled forms and materials call back, while the exaggerated knee-braces and large banks of windows lend a little modernity. With a northerly exposure towards the lake the design opens up to the view without having concerns about excessive solar gain. A personal touch was added by the client fabricating the brackets for the post and beam connections.

This is technically both living room and family room combined into one space, which is very common in city living. This poses a conundrum for a designer because the space needs to function on so many different levels. On a day to day basis, it's just a place to watch television chill When company is over though, it metamorphosis into a sophisticated and elegant gathering place. Adjacent to dining and kitchen, it's the perfect for any situation that comes your way, including for holidays when that drop leaf table opens up to seat 12 or even 14 guests. Photo: Ward Roberts

Grove Supply Inc. is proud to present this antique black (b01) finished floor mount vanity, by Ronbow. The 062830-B01 is made from premium materials, this Floor Mount Vanity offers great function and value for your home. This fixture is part of Ronbow's decorative Torino Collection, so make sure to check out other traditional fixtures to accessorize your room.

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

Reflecting pool with simple evergreen plantings to reinforce the space Simple, subtle, sublime and silent were the principles that defined and shaped the design process. Conceived as a blend between traditional and modern design aesthetics this “Shaker Modern” home and garden is deeply rooted in the Connecticut venacular with a nod toward contemporary spareness and simplicity. A restrained palette of building materials and plants are used in a consistent manner throughout the garden rooms to create a seamless composition of exterior spaces.

Inspiration for a small transitional backyard concrete paver patio remodel in Boston with a fire pit and no cover

Kitchen cabinetry extends into the dining for a sleek look that is space saving. Richard C. MacCrea
Kitchen/dining room combo - mid-sized transitional bamboo floor and multicolored floor kitchen/dining room combo idea in Atlanta with beige walls

Smith & Noble's custom Solar Shades are ideal for filtering out harsh sunlight while still maintaining your view. Shown here are Motorized Solar Shades in material Lush/Vanilla (material# 17278) . Also shown are Classic Wave Fold Drapery in fabric Shatter/Stone (material# 17776) set on Metro Track Flat Aluminum Rod Set traversing hardware with Stormy Taupe finish (material# 16611). Visit smithandnoble.com to order free samples.

The existing backyard facing the lake was an unusable lawn with a steep slope and overgrown planting bed. db Landscaping LLC installed the backyard landscape that was designed by Russell Stott. The design called for replacing the old pavers underneath the deck with tightly jointed rectangular blue stone pavers that was extended toward the lake and transitioned to an informal patio with turf filled joints between the blue stone pavers. The retaining wall near the beach was rebuilt utilizing the existing materials, and the wall by the deck was reconfigured to provide access from the deck to the lower patio.

Screened-in back porch offers the beauty of indoor-outdoor living. Raynn Ford Photography
Trendy screened-in back porch idea in Austin with a roof extension

Mid-sized farmhouse l-shaped beige floor kitchen photo in Cornwall with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, granite countertops, ceramic backsplash, an island, gray countertops, blue cabinets and beige backsplash

The kitchen is in the timber frame section of the home. Shaker style cabins and large island make this a delight for cooking. Photo credit: James Ray Spahn

Nestled in its own private and gated 10 acre hidden canyon this spectacular home offers serenity and tranquility with million dollar views of the valley beyond. Walls of glass bring the beautiful desert surroundings into every room of this 7500 SF luxurious retreat. Thompson photographic

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

The existing backyard facing the lake was an unusable lawn with a steep slope and overgrown planting bed. db Landscaping LLC installed the backyard landscape that was designed by Russell Stott. The design called for replacing the old pavers underneath the deck with tightly jointed rectangular blue stone pavers that was extended toward the lake and transitioned to an informal patio with turf filled joints between the blue stone pavers. The retaining wall near the beach was rebuilt utilizing the existing materials, and the wall by the deck was reconfigured to provide access from the deck to the lower patio.

Located in the idyllic town of Darien, Connecticut, this rustic barn-style home is outfitted with a luxury Kalamazoo outdoor kitchen. Compact in size, the outdoor kitchen is ideal for entertaining family and friends. The Kalamazoo Hybrid Fire Built-in Grill features three seriously powerful gas burners totaling 82,500 BTUs and a generous 726 square inches of primary grilling surface. The Hybrid Grill is not only the “best gas grill” there is – it also cooks with wood and charcoal. This means any grilling technique is at the homeowner’s disposal – from searing and indirect grilling, to rotisserie roasting over a live wood fire. This all stainless-steel grill is hand-crafted in the U.S.A. to the highest quality standards so that it can withstand even the harshest east coast winters. A Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet Built-in Cooktop Cabinet flanks the grill and expands the kitchens cooking capabilities, offering two gas burners. Stainless steel outdoor cabinetry was incorporated into the outdoor kitchen design for ample storage. All Kalamazoo cabinetry is weather-tight, meaning dishes, cooks tools and non-perishable food items can be stored outdoors all year long without moisture or debris seeping in. The outdoor kitchen provides a place from the homeowner’s to grill, entertain and enjoy their picturesque surrounds.

Haris Kenjar
Example of a 1960s white tile and subway tile gray floor bathroom design in Seattle with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink and white countertops

This lovely transitional home in Minnesota's lake country pairs industrial elements with softer formal touches. It uses an eclectic mix of materials and design elements to create a beautiful yet comfortable family home.

Reynolds Cabinetry & Millwork -- Photography by Nathan Kirkman