Guillermo Garcia
Inspiration for a timeless balcony remodel in Santa Barbara

Joshua Steffy Photography
Alcove shower - transitional alcove shower idea in Philadelphia

Finalist—NY Cottages & Gardens 2018 Kitchen Design. Finalist—Westchester Home Design Awards Modern Kitchen 2018. Kitchen Design – Studio Dearborn with ND Interiors. Photography: Tim Lenz. This chic high rise apartment is the home to empty nesters who were ready for a dose of clean contemporary glam. The kitchen was renovated to open it up to light and panoramic views of lower Westchester. Pale gray high gloss handle-less cabinetry is punctuated with touches of polished chrome. Automated Aventos lifters operate every door, and a polished chrome tall cabinet holds the homeowner’s treasured glass and porcelain collection. Wallpapers by Phillip Jeffries clad the walls and back of the tall china cabinet, adding textural contrast to the slick finishes. A built in banquette was added to the breakfast area for a clean but luxurious feel.

Whether it’s arthritis, joint or back pain, restless leg syndrome, muscle injuries or fibromyalgia, hot tubs are a proven form of chronic pain relief. The heat of the water increases blood flow and relaxes the body, while the massaging action of the jets and the water’s buoyancy loosen muscle tension and soothe sore joints. The New England Journal of Medicine (08-16-1999) found that, after just 10 days, patients with Type 2 Diabetes who used hot tubs 30 minutes a day/6 days per week required reduced doses of insulin, lost weight, slept better and showed distinct decreases in plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin. Hot tubs can be a great fix for those suffering from insomnia, helping your body to wind down before bed and get the natural sleep you need. Even if you don’t suffer from chronic sleep problems, the Better Sleep Council recommends establishing a relaxing bedtime routine, such as soaking in hot water to help maintain a healthy sleep cycle. According to the Council’s findings, warm water releases muscle tension and increases blood flow, both of which contribute to a relaxed and deeper, more comfortable sleep. Whether it’s a new exercise routine or an unusually active day on your feet, most of us know the “day after” feeling of sore, overworked muscles that make it hurt to move, period. The water pressure from hot tub jets relieves muscle tightness and soreness by removing lactic acid, opening up the blood vessels and promoting the flow of endorphins. LPGA Sports Medicine Director Caroline Nichols and former President of the American Orthopedic Society of Sports Medicine Dr. James Andrews recommend hydrotherapeutic activity for athletes at every level. Nichols says that hot tubs especially help with recovery since jets focus on overused muscle and joint regions, while Andrews supports hydrotherapy as a good tool for improved circulation, sensory impulses and stiff joints. Whether you’re looking to alleviate stress, feel healthier or simply spend more time with your loved ones, you’d be amazed at how as little as 10 minutes in a hot tub can help you relax and put everything in perspective. There are hot tubs for every type of user, regardless of whether it’s just you or it’s the entire gang piling in, looking for some much-needed relief after a long day.

The Kiguchi family moved into their Austin, Texas home in 1994. Built in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood development, they happily raised their family here but longed for something more contemporary. Once they became empty nesters, they decided it was time for a major remodel. After spending many years visiting Austin AIA Home Tours that highlight contemporary residential architecture, they had a lot of ideas and in 2013 were ready to interview architects and get their renovation underway. The project turned into a major remodel due to an unstable foundation. Architects Ben Arbib and Ed Hughey, of Arbib Hughey Design were hired to solve the structural issue and look for inspiration in the bones of the house, which sat on top of a hillside and was surrounded by great views. Unfortunately, with the old floor plan, the beautiful views were hidden by small windows that were poorly placed. In order to bring more natural light into the house the window sizes and configurations had to be addressed, all while keeping in mind the homeowners desire for a modern look and feel. To achieve a more contemporary and sophisticated front of house, a new entry was designed that included removing a two-story bay window and porch. The entrance of the home also became more integrated with the landscape creating a template for new foliage to be planted. Older exterior materials were updated to incorporate a more muted palette of colors with a metal roof, dark grey siding in the back and white stucco in the front. Deep eaves were added over many of the new large windows for clean lines and sun protection. “Inside it was about opening up the floor plan, expanding the views throughout the house, and updating the material palette to get a modern look that was also warm and inviting,” said Ben from Arbib Hughey Design. “Prior to the remodel, the house had the typical separation of rooms. We removed the walls between them and changed all of the windows to Milgard Thermally Improved Aluminum to connect the inside with the outside. No matter where you are you get nice views and natural light.” The architects wanted to create some drama, which they accomplished with the window placement and opening up the interior floor plan to an open concept approach. Cabinetry was used to help delineate intimate spaces. To add warmth to an all-white living room, white-washed oak wood floors were installed and pine planks were used around the fireplace. The large windows served as artwork bringing the color of nature into the space. An octagon shaped, elevated dining room, (named “the turret”), had a big impact on the design of the house. They architects rounded the corners and added larger window openings overlooking a new sunken garden. The great room was also softened by rounding out the corners and that circular theme continued throughout the house, being picked up in skylight wells and kitchen cabinetry. A staircase leading to a catwalk was added and the result was a two-story window wall that flooded the home with natural light. When asked why Milgard® Thermally Improved Aluminum windows were selected, the architectural team listed many reasons: 1) Aesthetics: “We liked the slim profiles and narrow sightlines. The window frames never get in the way of the view and that was important to us. They also have a very contemporary look that went well with our design.” 2) Options: “We liked that we could get large sliding doors that matched the windows, giving us a very cohesive look and feel throughout the project.” 3) Cost Effective: “Milgard windows are affordable. You get a good product at a good price.” 4) Custom Sizes: “Milgard windows are customizable, which allowed us to get the right window for each location.” Ready to take on your own traditional to modern home remodeling project? Arbib Hughey Design advises, “Work with a good architect. That means picking a team that is creative, communicative, listens well and is responsive. We think it’s important for an architect to listen to their clients and give them something they want, not something the architect thinks they should have. At the same time you want an architect who is willing and able to think outside the box and offer up design options that you may not have considered. Design is about a lot of back and forth, trying out ideas, getting feedback and trying again.” The home was completely transformed into a unique, contemporary house perfectly integrated with its site. Internally the home has a natural flow for the occupants and externally it is integrated with the surroundings taking advantage of great natural light. As a side note, it was highly praised as part of the Austin AIA homes tour.

Doug Petersen Photography
Bedroom - large farmhouse guest carpeted bedroom idea in Boise with white walls and no fireplace

Example of a mid-sized trendy attached two-car garage workshop design in Oklahoma City

Transitional living room photo in Austin

Transitional laundry room photo in Atlanta

Inspiration for a small transitional open concept living room remodel in Boston

Flavin Architects collaborated with Ben Wood Studio Shanghai on the design of this modern house overlooking a blueberry farm. A contemporary design that looks at home in a traditional New England landscape, this house features many environmentally sustainable features including passive solar heat and native landscaping. The house is clad in stucco and natural wood in clear and stained finishes and also features a double height dining room with a double-sided fireplace. Photo by: Nat Rea Photography

Cabinets are of high pressure high gloss laminate - Shitaki caesarstone countertop-Porcelain stone backsplash-Stainless steel double sink Photography by Dan Dolinh dmhfotos.smugmug.com

Connected to the laundry room is a powder room and small desk for dropping off and organizing the mail and other paperwork. A large storage cabinet to the left of the desk provides storage for cleaning supplies. The laundry room also serves as a place for the family's dogs, incorporating large kennels in the cabinet's corner spaces and a dog wash station surrounded with bright white penny tile. Gray subway tile takes a unique approach with a watercolor finish.

Sherri Johnson
Example of a cottage white tile and mosaic tile mosaic tile floor and white floor alcove shower design in Los Angeles with a trough sink and a hinged shower door

Example of an urban white tile concrete floor bathroom design in Boston with wood countertops, open cabinets, a wall-mount sink and brown countertops

Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Design & Photo Styling | TC Homebuilders | Troy Thies, Photography Please Note: All “related,” “similar,” and “sponsored” products tagged or listed by Houzz are not actual products pictured. They have not been approved by Martha O’Hara Interiors nor any of the professionals credited. For information about our work, please contact design@oharainteriors.com.

Woman's reach in closet in white modern panel with chrome hardware.
Example of a small transitional women's slate floor reach-in closet design in Phoenix with flat-panel cabinets and white cabinets

Large beach style l-shaped porcelain tile eat-in kitchen photo in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, blue backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Pull out corner cabinet a good use of space. Photo by Todd Gieg
Kitchen pantry - mid-sized transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen pantry idea in Boston with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops