Amazing front porch of a modern farmhouse built by Steve Powell Homes (www.stevepowellhomes.com). Photo Credit: David Cannon Photography (www.davidcannonphotography.com)

Photo by Mary Costa
Example of a trendy light wood floor living room design in Los Angeles with white walls

Modern living room enjoys city views from a space anchored by concrete fireplace surround. Low extra deep sectional faces grouping of leather swivels and large sculptural brass coffee table. Ceramic spheres in firebox are a wonderful alternative to glass pebbles. More images on our website: http://www.romero-obeji-interiordesign.com

James Kruger, LandMark Photography Interior Design: Martha O'Hara Interiors Architect: Sharratt Design & Company
Inspiration for a large french country open concept and formal dark wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Minneapolis with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

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Kitchen - coastal u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen idea in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, multicolored backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and white countertops

Inspiration for a contemporary enclosed medium tone wood floor living room remodel in Los Angeles with white walls, a standard fireplace and no tv

Interior Design by LoriDennis.com
Example of a trendy dark wood floor bedroom design in Los Angeles with white walls

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Large trendy light wood floor kitchen photo in New York with flat-panel cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, an undermount sink, white cabinets and white countertops

Inspiration for a contemporary freestanding desk carpeted and gray floor study room remodel in Portland with gray walls and no fireplace

Photo of a mid-sized traditional full sun backyard landscaping in Chicago for summer.

Architect: Sala Architects | Builder: Merdan Custom Builders Inc. | Photography: Spacecrafting
1950s freestanding desk light wood floor study room photo in Minneapolis with white walls

1950s formal and open concept medium tone wood floor living room photo in Portland with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Photographer: Jay Goodrich This 2800 sf single-family home was completed in 2009. The clients desired an intimate, yet dynamic family residence that reflected the beauty of the site and the lifestyle of the San Juan Islands. The house was built to be both a place to gather for large dinners with friends and family as well as a cozy home for the couple when they are there alone. The project is located on a stunning, but cripplingly-restricted site overlooking Griffin Bay on San Juan Island. The most practical area to build was exactly where three beautiful old growth trees had already chosen to live. A prior architect, in a prior design, had proposed chopping them down and building right in the middle of the site. From our perspective, the trees were an important essence of the site and respectfully had to be preserved. As a result we squeezed the programmatic requirements, kept the clients on a square foot restriction and pressed tight against property setbacks. The delineate concept is a stone wall that sweeps from the parking to the entry, through the house and out the other side, terminating in a hook that nestles the master shower. This is the symbolic and functional shield between the public road and the private living spaces of the home owners. All the primary living spaces and the master suite are on the water side, the remaining rooms are tucked into the hill on the road side of the wall. Off-setting the solid massing of the stone walls is a pavilion which grabs the views and the light to the south, east and west. Built in a position to be hammered by the winter storms the pavilion, while light and airy in appearance and feeling, is constructed of glass, steel, stout wood timbers and doors with a stone roof and a slate floor. The glass pavilion is anchored by two concrete panel chimneys; the windows are steel framed and the exterior skin is of powder coated steel sheathing.

The exterior of this home is as functional as it is aesthetically pleasing. The standing seam roof is a popular option because of its durability, clean lines and energy efficiency. Cedar shingles and exposed rafter tails elevate the overall design. One of the most stunning features of this home is the custom, all glass front door with side lites and transom.

Example of a large tuscan terra-cotta tile front door design in San Francisco with a dark wood front door and beige walls

Kitchen - coastal u-shaped kitchen idea in Los Angeles with a single-bowl sink, raised-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and white countertops

The Tice Residences replace a run-down and aging duplex with two separate, modern, Santa Barbara homes. Although the unique creek-side site (which the client’s original home looked toward across a small ravine) proposed significant challenges, the clients were certain they wanted to live on the lush “Riviera” hillside. The challenges presented were ultimately overcome through a thorough and careful study of site conditions. With an extremely efficient use of space and strategic placement of windows and decks, privacy is maintained while affording expansive views from each home to the creek, downtown Santa Barbara and Pacific Ocean beyond. Both homes appear to have far more openness than their compact lots afford. The solution strikes a balance between enclosure and openness. Walls and landscape elements divide and protect two private domains, and are in turn, carefully penetrated to reveal views. Both homes are variations on one consistent theme: elegant composition of contemporary, “warm” materials; strong roof planes punctuated by vertical masses; and floating decks. The project forms an intimate connection with its setting by using site-excavated stone, terracing landscape planters with native plantings, and utilizing the shade provided by its ancient Riviera Oak trees. 2012 AIA Santa Barbara Chapter Merit Award Jim Bartsch Photography