The chance to build a lakeside weekend home in rural NC provided this Chapel Hill family with an opportunity to ditch convention and think outside the box. For instance, we traded the traditional boat dock with what's become known as the "party dock"… a floating lounge of sorts, complete with wet bar, TV, swimmer's platform, and plenty of spots for watching the water fun. Inside, we turned one bedroom into a gym with climbing wall - and dropped the idea of a dining room, in favor of a deep upholstered niche and shuffleboard table. Outdoor drapery helped blur the lines between indoor spaces and exterior porches filled with upholstery, swings, and places for lazy napping. And after the sun goes down....smores, anyone? John Bessler

Builder: John Kraemer & Sons | Photography: Landmark Photography
Inspiration for a small modern concrete floor kitchen remodel in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, limestone countertops, beige backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Designer: Paul McClean Project Type: New Single Family Residence Location: Los Angeles, CA Approximate Size: 11,000 sf Project Completed: June 2013 Photographer: Jim Bartsch

William Hefner Architecture, Erika Bierman Photography
Inspiration for a transitional dark wood floor and brown floor seated home bar remodel in Los Angeles with white backsplash, stone slab backsplash and gray countertops

Example of a transitional gray floor hallway design in DC Metro with white walls

View of rear yard included custom-colored concrete walls, pavers, riverstone and a built-in bench around a firepit. Sliding Glass wall system by Nanawall. All exterior lighting by Bega. Catherine Nguyen Photography

Inspiration for a large timeless open concept medium tone wood floor living room remodel in Baltimore with blue walls, no fireplace and no tv

Basement bar and pool area
Inspiration for a huge rustic underground brown floor and medium tone wood floor basement remodel in New York with beige walls, no fireplace and a bar

Inspiration for a rustic front door remodel in Raleigh with a dark wood front door

Example of a mid-sized farmhouse galley dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Birmingham with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, paneled appliances and an island

Tricia Shay Photography
Example of a large trendy courtyard concrete patio design in Milwaukee with no cover

Architect : CKA Light grey stained cedar siding, stucco, I-beam posts at entry, and standing seam metal roof
Inspiration for a contemporary white two-story stucco house exterior remodel in San Francisco with a metal roof and a black roof

Living room - large farmhouse open concept and formal medium tone wood floor living room idea in Denver with white walls, no fireplace and no tv

Example of a mid-sized arts and crafts beige two-story concrete fiberboard gable roof design in Atlanta with a shingle roof

Peter Aaron
Example of a beach style galley medium tone wood floor kitchen design in New York with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, yellow cabinets, wood countertops, beige backsplash and stainless steel appliances

The new backyard is perfect for entertaining large groups, hosting intimate dinners, or relaxing. Birdhouses and plants line the new space and a pergola shades a table for al fresco dining. A pass-through into the basement allows guests to pull a stool right up to the bar.

©Karl Neumann

Picture Perfect House
Inspiration for a country brick floor and multicolored floor sunroom remodel in Chicago with a standard ceiling

A Modern Farmhouse set in a prairie setting exudes charm and simplicity. Wrap around porches and copious windows make outdoor/indoor living seamless while the interior finishings are extremely high on detail. In floor heating under porcelain tile in the entire lower level, Fond du Lac stone mimicking an original foundation wall and rough hewn wood finishes contrast with the sleek finishes of carrera marble in the master and top of the line appliances and soapstone counters of the kitchen. This home is a study in contrasts, while still providing a completely harmonious aura.