This brick and limestone, 6,000-square-foot residence exemplifies understated elegance. Located in the award-wining Blaine School District and within close proximity to the Southport Corridor, this is city living at its finest! The foyer, with herringbone wood floors, leads to a dramatic, hand-milled oval staircase; an architectural element that allows sunlight to cascade down from skylights and to filter throughout the house. The floor plan has stately-proportioned rooms and includes formal Living and Dining Rooms; an expansive, eat-in, gourmet Kitchen/Great Room; four bedrooms on the second level with three additional bedrooms and a Family Room on the lower level; a Penthouse Playroom leading to a roof-top deck and green roof; and an attached, heated 3-car garage. Additional features include hardwood flooring throughout the main level and upper two floors; sophisticated architectural detailing throughout the house including coffered ceiling details, barrel and groin vaulted ceilings; painted, glazed and wood paneling; laundry rooms on the bedroom level and on the lower level; five fireplaces, including one outdoors; and HD Video, Audio and Surround Sound pre-wire distribution through the house and grounds. The home also features extensively landscaped exterior spaces, designed by Prassas Landscape Studio. This home went under contract within 90 days during the Great Recession. Featured in Chicago Magazine: http://goo.gl/Gl8lRm Jim Yochum

Donna Dotan Photography Inc.
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Across from the craft area we built a custom 30" deep desk with stained pecan top, central trash bin pull out, file storage on either side, and concealed wire storage cabinet with an easy access panel. An accent wall of Serena & Lily wallpaper and chandelier by Aerin really bring an elegant touch to this home office. Interior Design by Jameson Interiors Photo by Andrea Calo

Karen Swanson, owner of New England Design Works in Manchester, MA keeps designing award winning Pennville Custom Cabinetry kitchens. You may remember that earlier this year, Karen won both the regional Sub-Zero Design Contest and the National Kitchen & Bath Association's medium kitchen of the year. nedesignworks@gmail.com 978.500.1096.

Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized contemporary u-shaped porcelain tile and beige floor eat-in kitchen idea in DC Metro with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, an island, white countertops, an undermount sink, paneled appliances and stone slab backsplash

We basically squeezed this into a closet, but wow does it deliver! The roll out shelf can expand for folding and ironing and push back in when it's not needed. The wood shelves offer great linen storage and the exposed brick is a great reminder of all the hard work that has been done in this home! Joe Kwon

A spacious Tudor Revival in Lower Westchester was revamped with an open floor plan and large kitchen with breakfast area and counter seating. The leafy view on the range wall was preserved with a series of large leaded glass windows by LePage. Wire brushed quarter sawn oak cabinetry in custom stain lends the space warmth and old world character. Kitchen design and custom cabinetry by Studio Dearborn. Architect Ned Stoll, Stoll and Stoll. Pietra Cardosa limestone counters by Rye Marble and Stone. Appliances by Wolf and Subzero; range hood by Best. Cabinetry color: Benjamin Moore Brushed Aluminum. Hardware by Schaub & Company. Stools by Arteriors Home. Shell chairs with dowel base, Modernica. Photography Neil Landino.

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This study off the kitchen acts as a control center for the family. Kids work on computers in open spaces, not in their rooms. Green linoleum covers the desk for a durable and cleanable surface. The cabinets were custom built for the space. The chairs are from Overstock.com. photo: David Duncan Livingston

Troy Thies
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Alain Alminana | www.aarphoto.com
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Exterior of a modern screened-in porch design in Northwest Washington, D.C. It features skylights, an Infratech infrared heater, a Minka-Aire ceiling fan, low-maintenance Zuri deck boards and stainless steel cable handrails. Photographer: Michael Ventura.

This reach-in closet is built to accommodate a child. The space is maximized using a triple hang tower combined with shelving and storage baskets. This setup allows for the closet to grow with the child without having to invest in a new one. Custom Closets Sarasota County Manatee County Custom Storage Sarasota County Manatee County

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This unique city-home is designed with a center entry, flanked by formal living and dining rooms on either side. An expansive gourmet kitchen / great room spans the rear of the main floor, opening onto a terraced outdoor space comprised of more than 700SF. The home also boasts an open, four-story staircase flooded with natural, southern light, as well as a lower level family room, four bedrooms (including two en-suite) on the second floor, and an additional two bedrooms and study on the third floor. A spacious, 500SF roof deck is accessible from the top of the staircase, providing additional outdoor space for play and entertainment. Due to the location and shape of the site, there is a 2-car, heated garage under the house, providing direct entry from the garage into the lower level mudroom. Two additional off-street parking spots are also provided in the covered driveway leading to the garage. Designed with family living in mind, the home has also been designed for entertaining and to embrace life's creature comforts. Pre-wired with HD Video, Audio and comprehensive low-voltage services, the home is able to accommodate and distribute any low voltage services requested by the homeowner. This home was pre-sold during construction. Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing

• Eclectic home office • Furnishings + decorative accessory styling • Elfa shelving wall system - Container Store • Hag task chair • Gallery wall of art • Wool flatweave area rug - BluDot • Gray file cabinets • Sideboard - Vintage Paul McCobb Planner Group • Colorful accents

Reclaimed wood panel hides sliding doors that provides privacy to the guest bedroom. Photography by Moris Moreno
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