This picture is of a built in buffet storage cabinet, known as a butler's pantry back in the days when this home was built. It serves as a great place to store the batteries, flashlights, tape, ruler etc. and always know where they are.

Architect: Elizabeth Herrmann Photos: Susan Teare This 1100 sf 3-bedroom cottage in the Mad River valley was designed by architect Elizabeth Herrmann for a family of four who dreamed of downsizing and reducing energy consumption. Sited on an east-facing slope with view over the Mad River, the little black house features a standing seam roof, triple-glazed windows from Alpen, and a high-performing insulation package. A small Morso woodstove provides heat in the winter. A single Mitsubishi heat pump provides cooling in the summer and backup heat in the winter. Water is heat by an electric heat pump water heater.

This dining room is a captivating blend of traditional charm and bold sophistication, featuring deep teal walls adorned with intricate floral wallpaper. A beautifully crafted wooden dining table serves as the centerpiece, surrounded by plush upholstered chairs that invite lively conversations and memorable meals. A timeless brass light fixture casts a warm glow over the space, while layered textures from the rug and curtains add depth and richness. Thoughtfully styled decor, including a bar cart and carefully chosen accessories, enhances the room's elegant yet welcoming ambiance.

Mel Carll
Living room - large craftsman open concept porcelain tile and gray floor living room idea in Los Angeles with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Freestanding tub with lilac honed flute marble and walk-in shower with Avenza honed marble tile.
Bathroom - mid-sized modern master gray tile and marble tile marble floor, gray floor and double-sink bathroom idea in Orlando with louvered cabinets, light wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops, gray countertops and a floating vanity

Sun-Filled Basement Living Room, Photo by Jess Blackwell Photography
Example of a huge transitional medium tone wood floor, brown floor and shiplap ceiling family room design in Denver with no fireplace and beige walls

Walk-in shower with Avenza honed marble tile.
Bathroom - mid-sized modern master gray tile and marble tile marble floor and gray floor bathroom idea in Orlando with gray walls

Mel Carll
Living room - large craftsman open concept porcelain tile and gray floor living room idea in Los Angeles with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Example of a transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor mudroom design in Other with white walls

Forest Road villa. The light-filled unique and eco-friendly home designed by Nico van der Meulen Architects is situated in Inanda, with views of the Sandton skyline to the north. The stand is 1511 sq.m. and the glass, steel and stone clad built home faces 15° east of north. Approaching the home, the first view is of the cantilevered porte cochere screen of suspended steel tubes with double sliding garage doors clad in dark limestone to blend with the wall. A steel sculpture by Regardt van der Meulen twirls on a podium next to the front door built of privacy glass. Upon entering the transparency of the house becomes evident with views out over the multi-level hall, lounge, spa and pool to the water feature and the garden beyond, as well as over the double volume family room, dining room, lanai and kitchen. A steel and glass structure enables the whole of the living/kitchen/ breakfast area to open totally through the use of frameless concertina doors to the lanai, pool and garden. Although the spa, pool and water feature are three separate bodies of water, the effect created was that it is one interconnected system flowing into each other. Sliding glass panels hide the bar and kitchen when not in use, creating a more intimate setting, while a skylight lit catwalk between the main suite and guest bedrooms allows views of the living spaces and garden through the brise soleil on the north side. On the catwalk a study, pyjama lounge and kitchenette are hidden behind sliding wooden panels. The study and pyjama lounge leads onto an expansive private balcony. The LED illuminated polished concrete and wood staircase cantilevers out of the wall with vertical steel bars acting as balustrades and supports at the same time. A recessed illuminated handrail forms a graphic line in the wall, while a hidden horizontal sliding door enables the owner to cut the upper floor off from the ground floor for security. The lanai and brise soleil on the north side cantilevers 18 meters by 6 meters unsupported by columns, partially over the pool. The lanai consists of a seating area, dining area and bar cum barbeque, seamlessly connected with the living spaces and kitchen, while the brise soleil consists of suspended steel tubes, to create both privacy and sun control. The breakfast room is situated on the north-east corner of the kitchen, to bask in the morning and winter sun. The main suite is also placed on the north-east corner of the first floor, divided by sliding smoked glass screens. The bathroom with a free-standing spa bath gets the morning and winter sun, while the bedroom is exposed to the winter sun. Expansive his and her dressing rooms are situated behind the bedroom and bathroom. On the opposite side of the building are two guest suites, both north facing with en-suite bathrooms and walk-in cupboards. A geothermal system is used to heat and cool the home, and also to heat the pool and spa. Nine boreholes were sunk to a depth of 100 meter for this purpose, and a special room created in the basement to house the equipment. The photo voltaic panels on the roof have an output of 10KVA, while rain water is harvested and the whole house is double glazed, except for the frameless concertina doors. Also in the basement is a home theatre with an adjoining light-well which allows winter sun to penetrate even this space through sliding doors into the atrium created at the bottom of the light-well. A window looks into the spa. The kitchen and built-in cupboards were built by Dada and Porro respectively, and imported from Italy by M Square Lifestyle necessities, while the interior design was done by M Square Lifestyle design. All the furniture was also supplied by M Square Lifestyle Necessities.

Jacob Snavely
Mid-sized minimalist l-shaped light wood floor and white floor open concept kitchen photo in New York with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, paneled appliances and an island

Fall container garden Le jardinet
Inspiration for a landscaping in Seattle.

Stakes used for tomatoes and other heavy crops are attractively stored in a beautiful blue urn, which complements the Soleri tiles embedded in the potting bench. Bamboo hoops are holding back the sugar snap peas.

Example of a transitional kitchen design in Orlando with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, multicolored backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and an undermount sink

Living room - rustic formal medium tone wood floor living room idea in Orange County with brown walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a media wall

Eat-in kitchen - cottage l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen idea in Charleston with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, white appliances, an island and beige countertops

Design ideas for a southwestern landscaping in Phoenix.

Hannah Goering Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional full sun backyard landscaping in Chicago for winter.

A limestone urn from Haddonstone is filled simply with magnolia, winterberry holly and curly willow, for a very impactful statement!
Design ideas for a traditional front yard formal garden in New York for winter.