Robert C Brantley
Mid-sized elegant enclosed medium tone wood floor and multicolored floor family room photo in Miami with blue walls and a wall-mounted tv

Inspired by the homeowner’s love of European travel, the kitchen uses a mix of materials and finishes to create symmetry. Paired marble islands take advantage of the depth of the room. Photo credit: Peter Rymwid

Inspiration for a large contemporary master gray floor bedroom remodel in Dallas with gray walls, a ribbon fireplace and a stone fireplace

Family room - mid-sized transitional dark wood floor family room idea in Miami with brown walls and no fireplace

This spacious kitchen features a 3" thick marble counter on the island, a massive marble backsplash behind the cooktop, a combination of painted and stained cabinetry and professional grade appliances. PC Carsten Arnold

Listing Realtor: Geoffrey Grace Photographer: Rob Howloka at Birdhouse Media
Kitchen - mid-sized contemporary u-shaped concrete floor and gray floor kitchen idea in Toronto with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, solid surface countertops, ceramic backsplash and white countertops

Example of a classic master carpeted and beige floor bedroom design in Miami with blue walls

Example of an arts and crafts open concept medium tone wood floor living room design in Minneapolis with a music area, green walls, a standard fireplace and no tv

Elegant formal carpeted and beige floor living room photo in New York with white walls, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace

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.

Jessica Delaney Photography
Example of a beach style gray floor entryway design in Boston with white walls and a glass front door

Photo Credits: JOHN GRANEN PHOTOGRAPHY
Kitchen - mid-sized cottage u-shaped gray floor and porcelain tile kitchen idea in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, stainless steel appliances, white countertops, white backsplash, a peninsula, quartz countertops and subway tile backsplash

Virtual Studio Innovations
White tile and subway tile bathroom photo in Atlanta

fiber cement siding painted Cleveland Green (7" siding), Sweet Vibrations (4" siding), and Texas Leather (11" siding)—all by Benjamin Moore; window trim and clerestory band painted Night Horizon by Benjamin Moore; soffit & fascia painted Camouflage by Benjamin Moore; Photography by Tre Dunham

Photography: William Quarles Photography/ Architecture: Anderson Studio of Architecture & Design/ Decorative Lighting: Visual Comfort sourced through Ferguson Enterprises/ Bed: Bernhardt, custom fabric/Ottoman: Made Goods/ Nightstands: custom finished in Benjamin Moore Gentleman's Gray/ Rug: Designer Carpets/ Walls: Plaster & Shiplap

Kitchen - coastal l-shaped dark wood floor, brown floor and shiplap ceiling kitchen idea in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Elegant u-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen photo in Bridgeport with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, white backsplash and subway tile backsplash

William Hefner Architecture, Karyn Milet Photography
Example of a transitional dark wood floor family room design in Los Angeles with beige walls

Kitchen - contemporary l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen idea in San Francisco with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops