This functional, light-filled home takes full advantage of its bucolic site. With the introduction of the butterfly roof, natural light, ventilation and views are brought into the main gathering spaces. Distance between the private and public zones is created by a shift in geometry where those two meet in plan, to provide a calming and rejuvenating private retreat for the occupants. The structured juxtaposition of materials brings order and warmth to the home’s overall experience, complementing the textures and beauty of the site. Photo: ©Cesar Rubio

This kitchen flips the standard model in contemporary kitchens with blonde wood cabinets and dark marble countertops. This fresh take keeps with the flow of the other rooms in this open concept floor home but use the black accents to set it apart. The kitchen island seating also gives a unique twist to the standard barstool making it a true eat in kitchen.

Inspiration for a small contemporary galley kitchen remodel in Singapore with an undermount sink and flat-panel cabinets

The open concept kitchen was designed to keep everything off the countertops,! All small appliances are hidden in functional areas. The beautiful Walnut Veneer Cabinets are punctuated but the high gloss white, touch latch, flush cabinets

Mali Azima
Eclectic galley kitchen photo in Atlanta with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, marble countertops and an island

Bedroom.
Inspiration for a large contemporary guest porcelain tile bedroom remodel in Santa Barbara with gray walls and no fireplace

A custom home builder in Chicago's western suburbs, Summit Signature Homes, ushers in a new era of residential construction. With an eye on superb design and value, industry-leading practices and superior customer service, Summit stands alone. Custom-built homes in Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Western Springs, and other western suburbs.

Example of an island style carpeted curved mixed material railing staircase design in Las Vegas with wooden risers

This shed, designed to conceal a large generator, is constructed of weathered antique siding. The slats on the right elevation provide ventilation for the equipment. Robert Benson Photography

Kitchen with honed granite island top, Silestone counter and douglas fir cabinets
Example of a mid-sized trendy l-shaped porcelain tile enclosed kitchen design with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, green backsplash, paneled appliances, beige walls, an island, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and glass tile backsplash

A beautiful Mamaroneck Tudor with its original tiny kitchen was badly in need of renovating. The homeowners shifted and enlarged the rear of the house to create a peaceful space with earthy toned charcoal grey Oak base cabinets and shiny back painted white wall cabinetry. Six integrated gas burners from Netherland's Pitt Cooking were fitted into the island, with Gaggenau’s tappenyaki grille for a efficient and beautiful integrated cooking and serving area. Floor tile, Ceramica Gazzini Urban Style. Oven by Bosch; refrigerator by SubZero; range hood by Futuro Futuro, Microwave by Wolf; countertops by Caesarstone in Organic White; Charlie stools by CB2; Sink by Franke; Faucet by Groehe; pulls by Topex-- Decorative Hardware Round Stainless Steel Tube.

Eat-in kitchen - contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen idea in Los Angeles with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, stainless steel countertops, gray backsplash and an island

©Amy Braswell
Living room - eclectic open concept medium tone wood floor living room idea in Chicago with multicolored walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Example of a trendy kitchen design in Philadelphia with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, blue backsplash, paneled appliances and white countertops

A cast iron antique decorative piece adorns the brick backsplash behind the range and classic matte silver hood.
Cottage medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo in New York with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, green backsplash and an island

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Existing cabinets were re-purposed, Laundry center removed from kitchen, and opening created to central hall, providing improved circulation, daylighting and cross-ventilation. New appliances, flooring & cabinet hardware were integrated into existing kitchen. David Patterson Photography

Hot tub - mid-sized country backyard rectangular hot tub idea in Phoenix

Jason Hartog
Example of a large transitional dark wood floor kitchen design in Toronto with an undermount sink, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, stone tile backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and glass-front cabinets