Search results for "Upgrades" in Home Design Ideas

Bathroom - small modern gray tile bathroom idea in Charlotte with medium tone wood cabinets and quartzite countertops

Example of a mid-sized transitional master carpeted bedroom design in Baltimore with beige walls

Lincoln Farmhouse
LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy
OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home.
CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home.
FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath.
NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars.
ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.)
o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI)
o 16,200 kwh total production
o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive.
WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates.
FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage.
RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning.
ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse
CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/
PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/
Find the right local pro for your project

Located near Ennis, Montana, this cabin captures the essence of rustic style while maintaining modern comforts.
Jack Watkins’ father, the namesake of the creek by which this home is built, was involved in the construction of the Old Faithful Lodge. He originally built the cabin for he and his family in 1917, with small additions and upgrades over the years. The new owners’ desire was to update the home to better facilitate modern living, but without losing the original character. Windows and doors were added, and the kitchen and bathroom were completely remodeled. Well-placed porches were added to further integrate the interior spaces to their adjacent exterior counterparts, as well as a mud room—a practical requirement in rural Montana.
Today, details like the unique juniper handrail leading up to the library, will remind visitors and guests of its historical Western roots.

This kitchen is a perfect example of why appliance placement is so important. With the appliances stacked together in the corner of the kitchen, it created a tight and congested work triangle. The new homeowner liked the wide planked wood floor and the color of the existing cabinetry, but the quality needed upgrading. Relocating the refrigerator opened up the kitchen and added much-needed counter and storage space by the sink. The beautiful white kitchen cabinetry surrounds a stunning blue island with a 2-½” thick Blue Flower granite pitched-edge countertop.

This work station allows for storage of office supplies as well as a place for kids or adults to work.
Example of a transitional home office design in Minneapolis
Example of a transitional home office design in Minneapolis

Sponsored
Plain City, OH
The Creative Kitchen Company
Columbus Area Kitchen Remodeling and Refacing Professional

Inspiration for a small modern l-shaped light wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Seattle with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Liquid wallpaper, Glass beads
Foyer - mid-sized contemporary ceramic tile foyer idea in Chicago with gray walls and a dark wood front door
Foyer - mid-sized contemporary ceramic tile foyer idea in Chicago with gray walls and a dark wood front door

Greenhouse at the center of the growzone, potting shed at the bottom. Autumn crush gravel as base
Inspiration for a large modern full sun backyard gravel vegetable garden landscape in Vancouver.
Inspiration for a large modern full sun backyard gravel vegetable garden landscape in Vancouver.

Quarter Sawn White Oak Flooring and Mouldings
Inspiration for a large transitional wooden l-shaped metal railing staircase remodel
Inspiration for a large transitional wooden l-shaped metal railing staircase remodel

Inspiration for a craftsman front porch remodel in Atlanta with decking and a roof extension

Explore our latest bathroom renovation project in Redwood City, showcasing ample storage with elegant white cabinets and chic black accessories. Enjoy sophisticated over-the-mirror lighting, an inbuilt bathtub, a frameless shower door, an electronic commode, and stylish open shelving, all seamlessly integrated for a modern aesthetic and enhanced functionality.

This is an after photo. The pattern includes twists, an s-scroll, and baskets.
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless wooden l-shaped open staircase remodel in Jacksonville
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless wooden l-shaped open staircase remodel in Jacksonville

Inspiration for a small contemporary corner bathtub remodel in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets and brown cabinets

Photo by: Michele Lee Wilson
Transitional gray one-story gable roof idea in San Francisco with a shingle roof
Transitional gray one-story gable roof idea in San Francisco with a shingle roof

The goal of this project was to upgrade the builder grade finishes and create an ergonomic space that had a contemporary feel. This bathroom transformed from a standard, builder grade bathroom to a contemporary urban oasis. This was one of my favorite projects, I know I say that about most of my projects but this one really took an amazing transformation. By removing the walls surrounding the shower and relocating the toilet it visually opened up the space. Creating a deeper shower allowed for the tub to be incorporated into the wet area. Adding a LED panel in the back of the shower gave the illusion of a depth and created a unique storage ledge. A custom vanity keeps a clean front with different storage options and linear limestone draws the eye towards the stacked stone accent wall.
Houzz Write Up: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/inside-houzz-a-chopped-up-bathroom-goes-streamlined-and-swank-stsetivw-vs~27263720
The layout of this bathroom was opened up to get rid of the hallway effect, being only 7 foot wide, this bathroom needed all the width it could muster. Using light flooring in the form of natural lime stone 12x24 tiles with a linear pattern, it really draws the eye down the length of the room which is what we needed. Then, breaking up the space a little with the stone pebble flooring in the shower, this client enjoyed his time living in Japan and wanted to incorporate some of the elements that he appreciated while living there. The dark stacked stone feature wall behind the tub is the perfect backdrop for the LED panel, giving the illusion of a window and also creates a cool storage shelf for the tub. A narrow, but tasteful, oval freestanding tub fit effortlessly in the back of the shower. With a sloped floor, ensuring no standing water either in the shower floor or behind the tub, every thought went into engineering this Atlanta bathroom to last the test of time. With now adequate space in the shower, there was space for adjacent shower heads controlled by Kohler digital valves. A hand wand was added for use and convenience of cleaning as well. On the vanity are semi-vessel sinks which give the appearance of vessel sinks, but with the added benefit of a deeper, rounded basin to avoid splashing. Wall mounted faucets add sophistication as well as less cleaning maintenance over time. The custom vanity is streamlined with drawers, doors and a pull out for a can or hamper.
A wonderful project and equally wonderful client. I really enjoyed working with this client and the creative direction of this project.
Brushed nickel shower head with digital shower valve, freestanding bathtub, curbless shower with hidden shower drain, flat pebble shower floor, shelf over tub with LED lighting, gray vanity with drawer fronts, white square ceramic sinks, wall mount faucets and lighting under vanity. Hidden Drain shower system. Atlanta Bathroom.
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