Mid-sized transitional formal and enclosed dark wood floor and brown floor living room photo in New York with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

A rustic modern patio blends natural stone pavers, warm wood accents, and seamless mountain views, crafting an inviting and sustainable outdoor living space in this organic mountain home.

Photography by Sam Gray
Ornate stone side porch idea in Boston with a roof extension

Tuscan l-shaped light wood floor kitchen photo in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, an island, a farmhouse sink, multicolored backsplash, black appliances, multicolored countertops and green cabinets

Karen Swanson of New England Design Works Designed this Pennville Kitchen for her own home, and it won not only the regional Sub-Zero award, but also the National Kitchen & Bath Association's medium kitchen of the year. Karen is located in Manchester, MA and can be reached at nedesignworks@gmail.com or 978.500.1096.

In town modern farmhouse. Inspiro8 Studios
Farmhouse white two-story gable roof idea with a shingle roof

Jeff Roberts
Example of a beach style beige two-story exterior home design in Portland Maine

2010 NATIONAL NARI REGIONAL AWARD WINNER Project Scope The owners of this 7,000 square foot colonial in Oakton, Virginia, were seeking a multi-level Mediterranean-style indoor/outdoor living space off the back of their home. They turned to Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes for a design solution that would include a stone patio, a second-story deck, a screened-in porch and linking staircases. While the structure was designed primarily for family dining and entertaining, it also had to accommodate periodic social gatherings of one hundred guests or more. To meet these needs, the project would include a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen, several serving counters with permanent refrigeration, and well-delineated socializing and dining zones. The existing home’s setting offered several impressive assets the new outdoor living area was designed to exploit. The sprawling acreage features old stand trees, wooded paths and a private lake. Beautifully landscaped, it unfolds as an idyllic panorama that naturally draws people to the outdoors. Challenges Since the rear elevation was situated on a slope that drops away from the house, the Michael Nash team had to raise the grade two feet within in a 2,000 square foot area extending out from the back of the house. Infrastructure plans also called for a sophisticated drainage system that had to accommodate a whole series of water “runoff” considerations to be integrated into the decking itself. Excavation included constructing retaining walls to bolster the elevated grade—which also had to support a concrete slab, the primary foundation for the entire complex. Solutions The ground level decking consists of a 2,000 square foot flagstone patio level with the home’s lower level doors. There is a decorative water fountain mid-patio—an ornate collectible acquired in Florida. Food preparation is concentrated within a specially designed semi-circular wall that creates an “outdoor kitchen” equipped with a 60” Viking barbecue grill, a prep sink, a warming drawer, refrigerator and appropriate storage. There is a granite surfaced dining counter with seating for eight. Wrought iron railing and approximately 20 decorative columns (some encasing steel vertical supports) are incorporated into the design scheme. Many of the columns house accent lights. The top level—supported by horizontal steel beams– is a 2,500 square foot deck constructed entirely of Trex decking. The open air decking is, again, directly accessible from rooms on the second level of the house including the kitchen, sunroom and family room. The platform’s most prominent feature is a U-shaped “kitchenette” with cedar shake shingle roofing. Like its counterpart one level below, the facility is equipped with grill, refrigerator and stainless steel cabinetry. One portion of the deck has been allocated for a 16’ x 16’ octagonal screened-in porch crowned by a pair of 2’ x 4’ skylights. The porch can be accessed from the home’s conservatory via a set of French doors. With its mosaic tile flooring, stained cedar panel ceiling and honed granite counters, the interior is elegant and calming. Hand-painted stenciling and a wall-mounted water feature provide distinctive detailing. Finally, the design introduced elements to highlight and reinforce an awareness of the lovely bucolic setting. Fountains and water features combined with textured surfaces and mosaic tiling and backsplashes to present a villa-like ambiance well-suited to the Virginia countryside.

Dawn Smith Photography
Inspiration for a huge transitional carpeted curved metal railing staircase remodel in Cincinnati with carpeted risers

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional partial sun backyard stone landscaping in Boston with a fire pit.

Architects: Peninsula Architects, Peninsula OH Location: Akron, OH Photographer: Scott Pease
Example of a mountain style gray two-story exterior home design in Cleveland

Living room - rustic light wood floor and beige floor living room idea with brown walls

Mid-sized beach style two-story wood gable roof photo in Boston

The impressive 4-foot sink has modular accessories for easy rinsing, chopping, and straining. Repainting the windows in gloss black allows the mullions to recede and the lush back garden to flow into view. Photo credit: Peter Rymwid

Jeri Koegel
Contemporary white two-story exterior home idea in Orange County

Louie Heredia
Inspiration for a timeless exterior home remodel in Los Angeles

Foyer - transitional multicolored floor foyer idea in Los Angeles with a gray front door

Andersen® double-hung windows offer timeless style with easy operation and energy efficiency. Shown here with classic muntins and shutters, these windows add historic character and charm while delivering modern performance for Utah homes.