Large transitional master beige tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and white floor bathroom photo in Tampa with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, green walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and a hinged shower door

Large transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo in Tampa with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, multicolored backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary home weight room remodel in Chicago with green walls

Outdoor lounge are and patio outside Communal Retreat. Exterior view of the two-sided fireplace.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary multicolored two-story glass exterior home remodel in Boston with a shingle roof

Example of a large transitional master beige tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and white floor bathroom design in Tampa with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, green walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and a hinged shower door

This kitchen harmonizes clean lines and soothing, functional design without sacrificing the ability to handle heavy-duty utility. Designed and built by Paul Lafrance Design.

This kitchen harmonizes clean lines and soothing, functional design without sacrificing the ability to handle heavy-duty utility. Designed and built by Paul Lafrance Design.

Context After retiring from their careers in New Jersey, an active professional couple decided to move to Vermont to be closer to their family. They wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to sensibly plan for the future by building a sunlit home in which they could comfortably age in place with predictable, low energy costs through the harsh Vermont winter. A spacious, open lot near a historic river village provided the perfect backdrop for the couple’s favorite hobbies: gardening, woodworking, and yoga. The couple’s son, owner of Shelterwood Construction, would have the chance to showcase his meticulous craftsmanship in a home lovingly built for his parents. Response The home was built using very local natural materials that blend into the surrounding landscape. Cor-ten steel weathered clapboards transition from the earth to the wood clapboards above and the entire exterior has no finish, allowing the house to change and weather with the seasons. Many of the interior finishes, including the decorative stair wall, were made from locally-milled white pine that was harvested from the site. This certified Passive House is designed to be lived in for a lifetime with wheelchair accessibility, wide doorways, accessible fixtures, and everything the couple needs located on the main level. Framed by large south-facing windows, the light-filled main living area includes a lofted ceiling transected with a glass bridge that connects the guest bedrooms above and looks out onto the garden and fruit trees below. The attached barn, which creates a courtyard for gardens, houses a yoga studio and woodworking shop. With an ample array of solar panels and airtight construction to keep the heat in, the house is predicted to be net zero with no energy bills even in the coldest of Vermont winters. A Tesla Powerwall stores backup electricity for this all-electric home. Photos (c) Irvin Serrano

This kitchen harmonizes clean lines and soothing, functional design without sacrificing the ability to handle heavy-duty utility. Designed and built by Paul Lafrance Design.

Mid-sized transitional kids' multicolored tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and white floor walk-in shower photo in Tampa with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, blue walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and a hinged shower door

Walk-in shower - mid-sized transitional kids' multicolored tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and white floor walk-in shower idea in Tampa with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, blue walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and a hinged shower door

This kitchen harmonizes clean lines and soothing, functional design without sacrificing the ability to handle heavy-duty utility. Designed and built by Paul Lafrance Design.

This kitchen harmonizes clean lines and soothing, functional design without sacrificing the ability to handle heavy-duty utility. Designed and built by Paul Lafrance Design.

Storage solutions were tucked into the adjacent crawl space and in the minimalistic vanity drawer. Photos: Mike Kaskel
Inspiration for a small 3/4 gray tile and stone tile ceramic tile bathroom remodel in Chicago with open cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, yellow walls and concrete countertops

This kitchen harmonizes clean lines and soothing, functional design without sacrificing the ability to handle heavy-duty utility. Designed and built by Paul Lafrance Design.

This kitchen harmonizes clean lines and soothing, functional design without sacrificing the ability to handle heavy-duty utility. Designed and built by Paul Lafrance Design.

This kitchen harmonizes clean lines and soothing, functional design without sacrificing the ability to handle heavy-duty utility. Designed and built by Paul Lafrance Design.

This kitchen harmonizes clean lines and soothing, functional design without sacrificing the ability to handle heavy-duty utility. Designed and built by Paul Lafrance Design.

This kitchen harmonizes clean lines and soothing, functional design without sacrificing the ability to handle heavy-duty utility. Designed and built by Paul Lafrance Design.