Large elegant brown two-story mixed siding gable roof photo in San Diego

Our homeowners approached us for design help shortly after purchasing a fixer upper. They wanted to redesign the home into an open concept plan. Their goal was something that would serve multiple functions: allow them to entertain small groups while accommodating their two small children not only now but into the future as they grow up and have social lives of their own. They wanted the kitchen opened up to the living room to create a Great Room. The living room was also in need of an update including the bulky, existing brick fireplace. They were interested in an aesthetic that would have a mid-century flair with a modern layout. We added built-in cabinetry on either side of the fireplace mimicking the wood and stain color true to the era. The adjacent Family Room, needed minor updates to carry the mid-century flavor throughout.

Inspiration for a mid-sized craftsman master dark wood floor bedroom remodel in Vancouver with blue walls

Traditional exterior home idea in Denver

Glo A7 triple-pane aluminum series was carefully selected for the Elk Ridge Passive House because of their High Solar Heat Gain Coefficient which allows the home to absorb free solar heat, and a low U-value to retain this heat once the sun sets. The A7 windows and doors were an excellent choice for durability and the ability to remain resilient in the harsh winter climate. Glo’s European hardware ensures smooth operation for fresh air and ventilation.

Country dutch front door photo in Salt Lake City with a gray front door

Tankersley Photography
Kitchen - coastal kitchen idea in Orange County

Kids' room - mid-sized coastal girl white floor kids' room idea in Tampa with blue walls

When it comes to contemporary wine cellar design, the combination of metal and glass does the job. The wood flooring offsets the wine storage TX space, and the traditional touch makes the space distinctly contemporary. LED lighting illuminates the wine room, bringing the wine labels to great relief. Wine Cellar Specialists 1134 Commerce Drive Richardson (972)454-0480 75081 winecellarspec.com

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

This renovation was for a couple who were world travelers and wanted to bring their collected furniture pieces from other countries into the eclectic design of their house. The style is a mix of contemporary with the façade of the house, the entryway door, the stone on the fireplace, the quartz kitchen countertops, the mosaic kitchen backsplash are in juxtaposition to the traditional kitchen cabinets, hardwood floors and style of the master bath and closet. As you enter through the handcrafted window paned door into the foyer, you look up to see the wood trimmed clearstory windows that lead to the backyard entrance. All of the shutters are remote controlled so as to make for easy opening and closing. The house became a showcase for the special pieces and the designer and clients were pleased with the result. Photos by Rick Young

View from garden of main cottage building and master bedroom building with screened porch. Photo by © Trent Bell
Example of a large mountain style beige two-story wood exterior home design in Portland Maine with a shingle roof

Large transitional open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor family room photo in Dallas with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace and no tv

The custom arbor creates a cool intimate sitting area thanks to a cantilevered steel canopy with die-cut panel by Parasoleil. Arizona flagstone pavers and a boulder fountain ground the space in lush plantings. 'Koi' artwork (acrylic on reclaimed glass windowpane) by owner. Photo © Jude Parkinson-Morgan.

Country exterior home idea in Chicago

Example of a huge classic u-shaped dark wood floor open concept kitchen design in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, beige backsplash, subway tile backsplash and paneled appliances

Large minimalist guest concrete floor and gray floor bedroom photo in Seattle with white walls and no fireplace

beacon Hill Glass single pane glass conversion to IGU double pane glass in existing frame.
Example of a minimalist dining room design in Seattle

beacon Hill Glass single pane glass conversion to IGU double pane glass in existing frame.
Minimalist patio photo in Seattle