Search results for "Unique challenges" in Home Design Ideas

Example of a mid-sized transitional light wood floor and beige floor enclosed dining room design in New York with white walls and no fireplace

The design of this home was driven by the owners’ desire for a three-bedroom waterfront home that showcased the spectacular views and park-like setting. As nature lovers, they wanted their home to be organic, minimize any environmental impact on the sensitive site and embrace nature.
This unique home is sited on a high ridge with a 45° slope to the water on the right and a deep ravine on the left. The five-acre site is completely wooded and tree preservation was a major emphasis. Very few trees were removed and special care was taken to protect the trees and environment throughout the project. To further minimize disturbance, grades were not changed and the home was designed to take full advantage of the site’s natural topography. Oak from the home site was re-purposed for the mantle, powder room counter and select furniture.
The visually powerful twin pavilions were born from the need for level ground and parking on an otherwise challenging site. Fill dirt excavated from the main home provided the foundation. All structures are anchored with a natural stone base and exterior materials include timber framing, fir ceilings, shingle siding, a partial metal roof and corten steel walls. Stone, wood, metal and glass transition the exterior to the interior and large wood windows flood the home with light and showcase the setting. Interior finishes include reclaimed heart pine floors, Douglas fir trim, dry-stacked stone, rustic cherry cabinets and soapstone counters.
Exterior spaces include a timber-framed porch, stone patio with fire pit and commanding views of the Occoquan reservoir. A second porch overlooks the ravine and a breezeway connects the garage to the home.
Numerous energy-saving features have been incorporated, including LED lighting, on-demand gas water heating and special insulation. Smart technology helps manage and control the entire house.
Greg Hadley Photography

Our clients are married professionals who felt like they were previously living in a dorm room that lacked style and sophistication. In the beginning of the process, helping them find their style was a challenge (but a super fun one!). We love how this evolved into a cool, cozy, bold, and eclectic space with just the right amount of quirk and edge. ?? (Plus, that emerald green velvet sofa by Roger & Chris is just so ?)
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The unique opportunity and challenge for the Joshua Tree project was to enable the architecture to prioritize views. Set in the valley between Mummy and Camelback mountains, two iconic landforms located in Paradise Valley, Arizona, this lot “has it all” regarding views. The challenge was answered with what we refer to as the desert pavilion.
This highly penetrated piece of architecture carefully maintains a one-room deep composition. This allows each space to leverage the majestic mountain views. The material palette is executed in a panelized massing composition. The home, spawned from mid-century modern DNA, opens seamlessly to exterior living spaces providing for the ultimate in indoor/outdoor living.
Project Details:
Architecture: Drewett Works, Scottsdale, AZ // C.P. Drewett, AIA, NCARB // www.drewettworks.com
Builder: Bedbrock Developers, Paradise Valley, AZ // http://www.bedbrock.com
Interior Designer: Est Est, Scottsdale, AZ // http://www.estestinc.com
Photographer: Michael Duerinckx, Phoenix, AZ // www.inckx.com

The unique opportunity and challenge for the Joshua Tree project was to enable the architecture to prioritize views. Set in the valley between Mummy and Camelback mountains, two iconic landforms located in Paradise Valley, Arizona, this lot “has it all” regarding views. The challenge was answered with what we refer to as the desert pavilion.
This highly penetrated piece of architecture carefully maintains a one-room deep composition. This allows each space to leverage the majestic mountain views. The material palette is executed in a panelized massing composition. The home, spawned from mid-century modern DNA, opens seamlessly to exterior living spaces providing for the ultimate in indoor/outdoor living.
Project Details:
Architecture: Drewett Works, Scottsdale, AZ // C.P. Drewett, AIA, NCARB // www.drewettworks.com
Builder: Bedbrock Developers, Paradise Valley, AZ // http://www.bedbrock.com
Interior Designer: Est Est, Scottsdale, AZ // http://www.estestinc.com
Photographer: Michael Duerinckx, Phoenix, AZ // www.inckx.com

This three-story vacation home for a family of ski enthusiasts features 5 bedrooms and a six-bed bunk room, 5 1/2 bathrooms, kitchen, dining room, great room, 2 wet bars, great room, exercise room, basement game room, office, mud room, ski work room, decks, stone patio with sunken hot tub, garage, and elevator.
The home sits into an extremely steep, half-acre lot that shares a property line with a ski resort and allows for ski-in, ski-out access to the mountain’s 61 trails. This unique location and challenging terrain informed the home’s siting, footprint, program, design, interior design, finishes, and custom made furniture.
Credit: Samyn-D'Elia Architects

Photo: Charles Davis Smith, AIA
Small urban backyard concrete paver patio photo in Dallas with a roof extension
Small urban backyard concrete paver patio photo in Dallas with a roof extension

Spacecrafting Photography
Inspiration for a large transitional gray two-story mixed siding house exterior remodel in Minneapolis with a hip roof and a shingle roof
Inspiration for a large transitional gray two-story mixed siding house exterior remodel in Minneapolis with a hip roof and a shingle roof

This West University Master Bathroom remodel was quite the challenge. Our design team rework the walls in the space along with a structural engineer to create a more even flow. In the begging you had to walk through the study off master to get to the wet room. We recreated the space to have a unique modern look. The custom vanity is made from Tree Frog Veneers with countertops featuring a waterfall edge. We suspended overlapping circular mirrors with a tiled modular frame. The tile is from our beloved Porcelanosa right here in Houston. The large wall tiles completely cover the walls from floor to ceiling . The freestanding shower/bathtub combination features a curbless shower floor along with a linear drain. We cut the wood tile down into smaller strips to give it a teak mat affect. The wet room has a wall-mount toilet with washlet. The bathroom also has other favorable features, we turned the small study off the space into a wine / coffee bar with a pull out refrigerator drawer.

The unique opportunity and challenge for the Joshua Tree project was to enable the architecture to prioritize views. Set in the valley between Mummy and Camelback mountains, two iconic landforms located in Paradise Valley, Arizona, this lot “has it all” regarding views. The challenge was answered with what we refer to as the desert pavilion.
This highly penetrated piece of architecture carefully maintains a one-room deep composition. This allows each space to leverage the majestic mountain views. The material palette is executed in a panelized massing composition. The home, spawned from mid-century modern DNA, opens seamlessly to exterior living spaces providing for the ultimate in indoor/outdoor living.
Project Details:
Architecture: Drewett Works, Scottsdale, AZ // C.P. Drewett, AIA, NCARB // www.drewettworks.com
Builder: Bedbrock Developers, Paradise Valley, AZ // http://www.bedbrock.com
Interior Designer: Est Est, Scottsdale, AZ // http://www.estestinc.com
Photographer: Michael Duerinckx, Phoenix, AZ // www.inckx.com

**Project Overview**
This new construction home built next to a serene lake features a gorgeous, large-scale kitchen that also connects to a bar, home office, breakfast room and great room. The homeowners sought the warmth of traditional styling, updated for today. In addition, they wanted to incorporate unexpected touches that would add personality. Strategic use of furniture details combined with clean lines brings the traditional style forward, making the kitchen feel fresh, new and timeless.
**What Makes This Project Unique?*
Three finishes, including vintage white paint, stained cherry and textured painted gray oak cabinetry, work together beautifully to create a varied, unique space. Above the wall cabinets, glass cabinets with X mullions add interest and decorative storage. Single ovens are tucked in cabinets under a window, and a warming drawer under one perfectly matches the cabinet drawer under the other. Matching furniture-style armoires flank the wall ovens, housing the freezer and a pantry in one and custom designed large scale appliance garage with retractable doors in the other. Other furniture touches can be found on the sink cabinet and range top cabinet that help complete the look. The variety of colors and textures of the stained and painted cabinetry, custom dark finish copper hood, wood ceiling beams, glass cabinets, wood floors and sleek backsplash bring the whole look together.
**Design Challenges*
Even though the space is large, we were challenged by having to work around the two doorways, two windows and many traffic patterns that run through the kitchen. Wall space for large appliances was quickly in short supply. Because we were involved early in the project, we were able to work with the architect to expanded the kitchen footprint in order to make the layout work and get appliance placement just right. We had other architectural elements to work with that we wanted to compliment the kitchen design but also dictated what we could do with the cabinetry. The wall cabinet height was determined based on the beams in the space. The oven wall with furniture armoires was designed around the window with the lake view. The height of the oven cabinets was determined by the window. We were able to use these obstacles and challenges to design creatively and make this kitchen one of a kind.
Photo by MIke Kaskel

Capture the essence of modern elegance with this stylish bathroom featuring crisp white subway tiles, a sophisticated marble-top vanity, and luxurious brushed gold fixtures. This design blends timeless elements with contemporary aesthetics, perfect for a chic and inviting space.

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

Rosewood Linen Cabinet with floating shelves on Continuous Bench Photography By:Jeffrey E. Tryon
Example of a mid-sized trendy master beige tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and beige floor walk-in shower design in Philadelphia with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, an integrated sink, quartzite countertops and a hinged shower door
Example of a mid-sized trendy master beige tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and beige floor walk-in shower design in Philadelphia with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, an integrated sink, quartzite countertops and a hinged shower door

The Challenge
This beautiful waterfront home was begging for an update. Our clients wanted a contemporary design with modern finishes. They craved improved functionality in the kitchen, hardwood flooring in the living areas, and a spacious walk-in closet in the master bathroom. With two children in school, our clients also needed the project completed during their summer vacation – leaving a slim 90 days for the entire remodel. Could we do it? …Challenge accepted!
Our Solution
With their active summer travel schedule, our clients elected to vacate their home for the duration of the project. This was ideal for the intrusive nature of the scope of work.
In preparation, our design team created a project plan to suit our client’s needs. With such a clear timeline, we were able to select and order long-lead items in plenty of time for the project start date.
In the kitchen, we rearranged the layout to provide superior ventilation for the cooktop on the exterior wall. We added two large storage cabinets with glass doors, accented by a sleek mosaic backsplash of glass tile. We also incorporated a large contemporary waterfall island into the room. With seating at one end, the island provides both increased functionality and an eye-catching focal point for the center of the room. On the interior wall of the kitchen, we maximized storage with a wall of built-in cabinetry – complete with pullout pantry cabinets, a double oven, and a large stainless refrigerator.
Our clients wisely chose rich, dark-colored wood flooring to add warmth to the contemporary design. After installing the flooring in the kitchen, we brought it into the main living areas as well. In the great room, we wrapped the existing gas fireplace in a neutral stack stone. The effect of the stone on the media and window wall is breathtaking.
In the master bathroom, we expanded the closet by pushing the wall back into the adjacent pass-through hallway. The new walk-in closet now includes an impressive closet organization system.
Returning to the master bathroom, we removed the single vanity and repositioned the toilet, allowing for a new, curb-less glass shower and a his-and-hers vanity. The entire vanity and shower wall is finished in white 12×24 porcelain tile. The vertical glass mosaic accent band and backlit floating mirrors add to the clean, modern style. To the left of the master bathroom entry, we even added a matching make-up area.
Finally, we installed a number of elegant enhancements in the remaining rooms. The clients chose a bronze metal relief accent wall as well as some colorful finishes and artwork for the entry and hallway.
Exceptional Results
Our clients were simply thrilled with the final product! Not only did they return from their summer vacation to a gorgeous home remodel, but we concluded the project a full week ahead of schedule. As a result, the family was able to move in sooner than planned, giving them plenty of time to acclimate to the renovated space before their kids returned to school. Ultimately, we provided the outstanding results and customer experience that our clients had been searching for.
“We met with many other contractors leading up to signing with Progressive Design Build. When we met Mike, we finally felt safe. We had heard so many horror stories about contractors! Progressive was the best move we could have made. They made our dream house become a reality. Vernon was in charge of our project and everything went better than we expected. Our project was completed earlier than expected, too. Our questions and concerns were dealt with quickly and professionally, the job site was always clean, and all subs were friendly and professional. We had a wonderful experience with Progressive Design Build. We’re so grateful we found them.” – The Mader Family

Who said that a Burbank bungalow home needs to be doll and old fashioned.
In this Burbank remodeling project we took this 1200sq. bungalow home and turned it to a wonderful mixture of European modern kitchen space and calm transitional modern farmhouse furniture and flooring.
The kitchen was a true challenge since space was a rare commodity, but with the right layout storage and work space became abundant.
A floating 5' long sitting area was constructed and even the back face of the cabinets was used for wine racks.
Exterior was updated as well with new black windows, new stucco over layer and new light fixtures all around.
both bedrooms were fitted with huge 10' sliding doors overlooking the green backyard.

To create a unique kitchen, we take inspiration from the personality of our clients; it’s a collaborative effort to develop the exact look and feel that best suits their lifestyles.
The challenge of this kitchen was to re-build the existing kitchen and adjoining full bath, creating a much better flow with plenty of storage for this active family (as they often entertain seaside).
The two-toned cabinetry in both white and laguna blue reflected a true beach-feel adorned with a terrific choice of starfish and shell shaped hardware to draw attention to this creative and beautifully transformed seaside kitchen.
We remind our clients that in order to be unique, do something unique! And this is nicely demonstrated in both the layout, color scheme and backsplash design details. Our client selected several hand painted decorative ocean creatures for the backsplash, drawing from colors in the room, and this created a truly unique conversation piece!
A glint of sparkle from the white quartz countertops brings you closer to the beach in this impressive oceanfront home.
From flooring to ceiling, we created a picture perfect beautiful beach house kitchen that is not only functional but provides a relaxed and inviting feel for these seaside owners.

AZEK Trim offers an unequalled combination of uniformity, durability, workability and beauty. Available in trimboards, sheets, cornerboards, beadboards, and several unique trim products designed to solve common construction challenges, AZEK Trim comes in white and in lengths up to 20'. AZEK Trim can be worked similar to wood - even mitered, routed and turned on a lathe to build unique, low maintenance exterior creations. AZEK Trim products carry a 25 year warranty and are designed to last beautifully.

Location: Brooklyn, NY, United States
This brand-new townhouse at Pierhouse, Brooklyn was a gorgeous space, but was crying out for some personalization to reflect our clients vivid, sophisticated and lively design aesthetic. Bold Patterns and Colors were our friends in this fun and eclectic project. Our amazing clients collaborated with us to select the fabrics for the den's custom Roche Bobois Mah Jong sofa and we also customized a vintage swedish rug from Doris Leslie Blau. for the Living Room Our biggest challenge was to capture the space under the Staircase so that it would become usable for this family. We created cubby storage, a desk area, coat closet and oversized storage. We even managed to fit in a 12' ladder - not an easy feat!
Photographed by: James Salomon
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