I decided to add purple flowers to this wall mural because the "brown" cottage has a lot of yellow in it. Purple and yellow are complementary colours on the colour wheel, and really pop when used together. And petunias are my fave flower in our garden pots. I was even able to paint the stone foundation on top of the baseboard, giving more height to the playhouse.

Updated Spec Home: Kitchen & Breakfast Area This week’s post in the series Updated Spec Home will feature the Kitchen & Breakfast Area. This home is truly an open concept where the Kitchen and Breakfast Area share the same space with the Great Room so it was especially important that everything flowed seamlessly. Kitchen The Kitchen is galley-style with very cabinets and a large peninsula. The cabinets had a honey maple stain and the countertops were white solid surface. On the bright side, the appliances were stainless steel. The previous homeowners had added a large hutch to the peninsula which we removed. We wanted the wall to be a feature in the space. Updates included painting the cabinets light gray, replacing the countertops with a “carrara like” quartz, and replacing the cabinet hardware. We also added a stunning backsplash in an ogee design which we ran up the entire peninsula wall. Our contractor Brad Anderson built the floating shelves, and we added color vases to finish off the feature wall. Breakfast Area We took advantage of the Breakfast Area’s vaulted ceiling by adding this gorgeous chandelier in a white finish with seeded glass. A disadvantage of the vaulted ceiling was no wall space on either side of the window. This left us with few options for window treatments. We decide to go with a cornice board in this beautiful vine fabric with a soft shade underneath for privacy. We made a statement on a large wall with a grouping of botanical artwork. For furniture, we mixed the upholstered chairs around the oval table and added a painted etagere to display plates and glasses. We selected two backless stools with cane tops in a gray painted finish for the peninsula. My mom and sister would say the Kitchen is too beautiful to cook in, but I know better…Enjoy! Photo by: Tim Furlong Jr.

Anice Hoachlander, Judy Davis; HDPhoto
Transitional u-shaped light wood floor enclosed kitchen photo in DC Metro with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops and an island

Poured Concrete egress well with tiered planter box / steps NE Fremont and NE 45th
Example of a large basement design in Portland

This is an example of a traditional landscaping in Portland Maine with decking.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard kidney-shaped and concrete hot tub remodel in Phoenix

Melissa Kaseman Photography Countertop: Luca di Luna Quartzite Chandelier: Restoration Hardware Sconces: Shades of Light Cabinet Hardware: Top Knobs Appliances: Albert Lee Hood: Custom Built with Tiger Wood Wrap Backsplash: Heath Tiles both 3 x 5 and Hexagon Refrigerator: Liebherr Dishwasher: Miele Range: Bluestar Hood Insert: Zephyr Faucets and Pot Filler: Waterstone Sinks: Kohler White Cabinet Color: SW7005 Pure White Island Cabinet Color: SW6516 Down Pour Wall Paint: SW7666 Fleur de Sel

The exteror of the Teracottage "Fancy That" potting shed. The worlds highest quality garden sheds and structures. The building has a Douglas Fir timber frame, tree bark shingle siding, and a european imported hand made clay tile roof, installed on an authentic wood batten system. Hand hammered bronze hardware on a 2" thick custom door. Mahogany window frames with authentic old fashion float glass. Wrap-around cedar window box. This 8x10 foot structure would make a wonderful art studio, reading retreat, home office or of course...you can use it as a potting shed. www.teracottage.com photo by DJS photography

Construction by Deep Creek Builders. Photography by Andrew Hyslop.
Example of a classic l-shaped enclosed kitchen design in Louisville with a single-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Inspiration for a transitional landscaping in Chicago.

The challenge: take a run-of-the mill colonial-style house and turn it into a vibrant, Cape Cod beach home. The creative and resourceful crew at SV Design rose to the occasion and rethought the box. Given a coveted location and cherished ocean view on a challenging lot, SV’s architects looked for the best bang for the buck to expand where possible and open up the home inside and out. Windows were added to take advantage of views and outdoor spaces—also maximizing water-views were added in key locations. The result: a home that causes the neighbors to stop the new owners and express their appreciation for making such a stunning improvement. A home to accommodate everyone and many years of enjoyment to come.

Transitional enclosed dining room photo in Atlanta with white walls and no 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.

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.

Example of a large beach style blue mixed siding gable roof design in Boston

Photo of a small traditional full sun landscaping in Atlanta.

Inspiration for a timeless l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen remodel in New Orleans with a double-bowl sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional freestanding desk light wood floor and gray floor study room remodel in Orlando with gray walls

Photography By: Colleen Duffley
Example of a beach style medium tone wood floor bedroom design in Atlanta with white walls