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.

Inspiration for a coastal patio remodel in New Orleans

Brooklyn Garden Design © Todd Haiman Landscape Design
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless backyard concrete paver patio remodel in New York with no cover

Jason Roehner
Example of an urban dark wood floor walk-in shower design in Phoenix with a wall-mount sink and white walls

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern partial sun backyard concrete paver landscaping in DC Metro with a fire pit.

Deck - transitional deck idea in Boston with a pergola

Glass Tile Inground Swimming Pool and Spa Designs Bergen County NJ
Trendy lap pool photo in New York

Peter Medilek
Alcove bathtub - small transitional white tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile alcove bathtub idea in San Francisco with a wall-mount sink, a one-piece toilet and white walls

Roger Wade Studio
Example of a mountain style l-shaped eat-in kitchen design with raised-panel cabinets and dark wood cabinets

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped porcelain tile and gray floor eat-in kitchen remodel in San Diego with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, matchstick tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, white countertops and gray backsplash

This bathroom is the perfect example of how warm woods won't darken your space! With white and blue accents, this master bath is both light and airy. Scott Amundson Photography, LLC

Inspiration for a large timeless backyard stone and rectangular lap pool house remodel in DC Metro

Raised beds hold organic garden soil mix that ranges from 8" - 2' deep. Here you see a late winter, very early spring view of this salad garden in metro Atlanta. Various types of lettuce, kale, parsley, and chives are accented by pansies which have edible flowers. After our frost date, most of this will be removed. Tomatoes will be planted in the center where the soil is deepest. Basil and mesclun will be planted around. THIS PHOTO HAS BEEN FEATURED TWICE IN A HOUZZ EDITORIAL LINK! Here is the link! EDIBLE GARDENING ESSENTIALS - WATERING ITPS IDEAS WORTH SOAKING UP - https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/27368798/list/edible-gardening-essentials-watering-tips-worth-soaking-up Photographer: Danna Cain, Home & Garden Design, Inc.

Mid-sized transitional gray floor multiuse home gym photo in Cleveland with gray walls

Already partially enclosed by an ipe fence and concrete wall, our client had a vision of an outdoor courtyard for entertaining on warm summer evenings since the space would be shaded by the house in the afternoon. He imagined the space with a water feature, lighting and paving surrounded by plants. With our marching orders in place, we drew up a schematic plan quickly and met to review two options for the space. These options quickly coalesced and combined into a single vision for the space. A thick, 60” tall concrete wall would enclose the opening to the street – creating privacy and security, and making a bold statement. We knew the gate had to be interesting enough to stand up to the large concrete walls on either side, so we designed and had custom fabricated by Dennis Schleder (www.dennisschleder.com) a beautiful, visually dynamic metal gate. The gate has become the icing on the cake, all 300 pounds of it! Other touches include drought tolerant planting, bluestone paving with pebble accents, crushed granite paving, LED accent lighting, and outdoor furniture. Both existing trees were retained and are thriving with their new soil. The garden was installed in December and our client is extremely happy with the results – so are we! Photo credits, Coreen Schmidt

Mid-sized minimalist ceramic tile home design photo in Houston with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops and beige walls

© Lassiter Photography | ReVisionCharlotte.com
Double shower - mid-sized farmhouse master white tile and subway tile mosaic tile floor, white floor, double-sink and shiplap wall double shower idea in Charlotte with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops, a niche and a freestanding vanity

Modern living with ocean breezes __ This is another development project EdenLA assisted the client to finish quickly and for top dollar. The fun challenge of more contemporary spaces is how to make them warm and inviting while still maintaining the overall masculine appeal of their architecture. Water features, playful custom abstract art, unique furniture layouts, and warm stone and cabinetry decisions all helped to achieve that in this space. Beach Life Construction implemented the architect's indoor-outdoor flow on the top floor beautifully as well. __ Kim Pritchard Photography

Utilizing under-the-stairs space, this integrated system allows the whole family to stay organized elegantly. • Lago® Siena finish sets the tone for a traditional aesthetic. • Lago® Siena 5-piece door and drawer fronts with mink leather inserts contribute to the warm, traditional feel. • Aluminum frames with high-gloss Olive back-painted glass fronts provide concealed storage. • Leather mink cleat with cleat mount accessories adds texture and offers a place to hang coats. • Oil-rubbed bronzed pull-out baskets offer flexible storage for winter gear and sporting equipment. • Ecoresin Thatch backer is used as a unique back panel option. • Tiered custom height accommodates sloped ceiling. • Finger pulls and top cap shelf details add to the design aesthetic.