When my client had to move from her company office to work at home, she set up in the dining room. Despite her best efforts, this was not the long-term solution she was looking for. My client realized she needed a dedicated space not on the main floor of the home. On one hand, having your office space right next to the kitchen is handy. On the other hand, it made separating work and home life was not that easy. The house was a ranch. In essence, the basement would run entire length of the home. As we came down the steps, we entered a time capsule. The house was built in the 1950’s. The walls were covered with original knotty pine paneling. There was a wood burning fireplace and considering this was a basement, high ceilings. In addition, there was everything her family could not store at their own homes. As we wound though the space, I though “wow this has potential”, Eventually, after walking through the laundry room we came to a small nicely lit room. This would be the office. My client looked at me and asked what I thought. Undoubtedly, I said, this can be a great workspace, but do you really want to walk through this basement and laundry to get here? Without reservation, my client said where do we start? Once the design was in place, we started the renovation. The knotty pine paneling had to go. Specifically, to add some insulation and control the dampness and humidity. The laundry room wall was relocated to create a hallway to the office. At the far end of the room, we designated a workout zone. Weights, mats, exercise bike and television are at the ready for morning or afternoon workouts. The space can be concealed by a folding screen for party time. Doors to an old closet under the stairs were relocated to the workout area for hidden storage. Now we had nice wall for a beautiful console and mirror for storage and serving during parties. In order to add architectural details, we covered the old ugly support columns with simple recessed millwork panels. This detail created a visual division between the bar area and the seating area in front of the fireplace. The old red brick on the fireplace surround was replaced with stack stone. A mantle was made from reclaimed wood. Additional reclaimed wood floating shelves left and right of the fireplace provides decorative display while maintaining a rustic element balancing the copper end table and leather swivel rocker. We found an amazing rug which tied all of the colors together further defining the gathering space. Russet and burnt orange became the accent color unifying each space. With a bit of whimsy, a rather unusual light fixture which looks like roots from a tree growing through the ceiling is a conversation piece. The office space is quite and removed from the main part of the basement. There is a desk large enough for multiple screens, a small bookcase holding office supplies and a comfortable chair for conference calls. Because working from home requires many online meetings, we added a shiplap wall painted in Hale Navy to contrast with the orange fabric on the chair. We finished the décor with a painting from my client’s father. This is the background online visitors will see. The last and best part of the renovation is the beautiful bar. My client is an avid collector of wine. She already had the EuroCave refrigerator, so I incorporated it into the design. The cabinets are painted Temptation Grey from Benjamin Moore. The counter tops are my favorite hard working quartzite Brown Fantasy. The backsplash is a combination of rustic wood and old tin ceiling like porcelain tiles. Together with the textures of the reclaimed wood and hide poofs balanced against the smooth finish of the cabinets, we created a comfortable luxury for relaxing. There is ample storage for bottles, cans, glasses, and anything else you can think of for a great party. In addition to the wine storage, we incorporated a beverage refrigerator, an ice maker, and a sink. Floating shelves with integrated lighting illuminate the back bar. The raised height of the front bar provides the perfect wine tasting and paring spot. I especially love the pendant lights which look like wine glasses. Finally, I selected carpet for the stairs and office. It is perfect for noise reduction. Meanwhile for the overall flooring, I specifically selected a high-performance vinyl plank floor. We often use this product as it is perfect to install on a concrete floor. It is soft to walk on, easy to clean and does not reduce the overall height of the space.

This gem of a house was built in the 1950s, when its neighborhood undoubtedly felt remote. The university footprint has expanded in the 70 years since, however, and today this home sits on prime real estate—easy biking and reasonable walking distance to campus. When it went up for sale in 2017, it was largely unaltered. Our clients purchased it to renovate and resell, and while we all knew we'd need to add square footage to make it profitable, we also wanted to respect the neighborhood and the house’s own history. Swedes have a word that means “just the right amount”: lagom. It is a guiding philosophy for us at SYH, and especially applied in this renovation. Part of the soul of this house was about living in just the right amount of space. Super sizing wasn’t a thing in 1950s America. So, the solution emerged: keep the original rectangle, but add an L off the back. With no owner to design with and for, SYH created a layout to appeal to the masses. All public spaces are the back of the home--the new addition that extends into the property’s expansive backyard. A den and four smallish bedrooms are atypically located in the front of the house, in the original 1500 square feet. Lagom is behind that choice: conserve space in the rooms where you spend most of your time with your eyes shut. Put money and square footage toward the spaces in which you mostly have your eyes open. In the studio, we started calling this project the Mullet Ranch—business up front, party in the back. The front has a sleek but quiet effect, mimicking its original low-profile architecture street-side. It’s very Hoosier of us to keep appearances modest, we think. But get around to the back, and surprise! lofted ceilings and walls of windows. Gorgeous.

Make the most of outdoor living and add a fireplace to your porch so you can enjoy the space year-round! Built by Great Neighborhood Homes, Photography by Troy Thies, Landscaping by Moms Landscaping

When my client had to move from her company office to work at home, she set up in the dining room. Despite her best efforts, this was not the long-term solution she was looking for. My client realized she needed a dedicated space not on the main floor of the home. On one hand, having your office space right next to the kitchen is handy. On the other hand, it made separating work and home life was not that easy. The house was a ranch. In essence, the basement would run entire length of the home. As we came down the steps, we entered a time capsule. The house was built in the 1950’s. The walls were covered with original knotty pine paneling. There was a wood burning fireplace and considering this was a basement, high ceilings. In addition, there was everything her family could not store at their own homes. As we wound though the space, I though “wow this has potential”, Eventually, after walking through the laundry room we came to a small nicely lit room. This would be the office. My client looked at me and asked what I thought. Undoubtedly, I said, this can be a great workspace, but do you really want to walk through this basement and laundry to get here? Without reservation, my client said where do we start? Once the design was in place, we started the renovation. The knotty pine paneling had to go. Specifically, to add some insulation and control the dampness and humidity. The laundry room wall was relocated to create a hallway to the office. At the far end of the room, we designated a workout zone. Weights, mats, exercise bike and television are at the ready for morning or afternoon workouts. The space can be concealed by a folding screen for party time. Doors to an old closet under the stairs were relocated to the workout area for hidden storage. Now we had nice wall for a beautiful console and mirror for storage and serving during parties. In order to add architectural details, we covered the old ugly support columns with simple recessed millwork panels. This detail created a visual division between the bar area and the seating area in front of the fireplace. The old red brick on the fireplace surround was replaced with stack stone. A mantle was made from reclaimed wood. Additional reclaimed wood floating shelves left and right of the fireplace provides decorative display while maintaining a rustic element balancing the copper end table and leather swivel rocker. We found an amazing rug which tied all of the colors together further defining the gathering space. Russet and burnt orange became the accent color unifying each space. With a bit of whimsy, a rather unusual light fixture which looks like roots from a tree growing through the ceiling is a conversation piece. The office space is quite and removed from the main part of the basement. There is a desk large enough for multiple screens, a small bookcase holding office supplies and a comfortable chair for conference calls. Because working from home requires many online meetings, we added a shiplap wall painted in Hale Navy to contrast with the orange fabric on the chair. We finished the décor with a painting from my client’s father. This is the background online visitors will see. The last and best part of the renovation is the beautiful bar. My client is an avid collector of wine. She already had the EuroCave refrigerator, so I incorporated it into the design. The cabinets are painted Temptation Grey from Benjamin Moore. The counter tops are my favorite hard working quartzite Brown Fantasy. The backsplash is a combination of rustic wood and old tin ceiling like porcelain tiles. Together with the textures of the reclaimed wood and hide poofs balanced against the smooth finish of the cabinets, we created a comfortable luxury for relaxing. There is ample storage for bottles, cans, glasses, and anything else you can think of for a great party. In addition to the wine storage, we incorporated a beverage refrigerator, an ice maker, and a sink. Floating shelves with integrated lighting illuminate the back bar. The raised height of the front bar provides the perfect wine tasting and paring spot. I especially love the pendant lights which look like wine glasses. Finally, I selected carpet for the stairs and office. It is perfect for noise reduction. Meanwhile for the overall flooring, I specifically selected a high-performance vinyl plank floor. We often use this product as it is perfect to install on a concrete floor. It is soft to walk on, easy to clean and does not reduce the overall height of the space.

PA Landscape Group INC Project Entry: Mountainside Living 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Hardscaping-Residential $120,000&over Award Level: Silver Photo Description: This residence sits on a mountain side, sloping wooded property. Water was an issue flowing down the mountain, so many rocked swales divert the flow. The area which we are presenting is the rear of the house that will be used to entertain family and friends, a place to unwind in the evenings and weekends. We designed the outdoor areas to meet the needs and desires of the owners. When one walks through the breezeway not only to see an expansive valley view, but a relaxing fireplace and living area below where relaxing begins. Walk down the stairway of natural cut stone, you wonder through a landscaped garden onto the living area patio. Looking to your left is the pool with ample hardscape pool deck; large enough for a party or just the intimacy of two. Separating, yet joining the two areas is the grilling island, bar and outdoor wood burning oven. On the other side of the living area we go down a few steps to the raised planters and conservatory/greenhouse where plant are enjoyed from seedling to flower, or one can read a good book. Each area has it’s own personality for conversation or contemplation. The area is surrounded with plantings to provide color or to silhouette on the gray winter sky.

Rachael Stollar
Example of a trendy dark wood floor living room design in New York with beige walls

Example of a large transitional open concept light wood floor, brown floor and exposed beam living room design in Orange County with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv

Sean Litchfield Photography
Example of a large transitional built-in desk light wood floor study room design in Boston with white walls

JPM Construction offers complete support for designing, building, and renovating homes in Atherton, Menlo Park, Portola Valley, and surrounding mid-peninsula areas. With a focus on high-quality craftsmanship and professionalism, our clients can expect premium end-to-end service. The promise of JPM is unparalleled quality both on-site and off, where we value communication and attention to detail at every step. Onsite, we work closely with our own tradesmen, subcontractors, and other vendors to bring the highest standards to construction quality and job site safety. Off site, our management team is always ready to communicate with you about your project. The result is a beautiful, lasting home and seamless experience for you.

CREATE FUNCTIONALITY IN YOUR BACKYARD When living in the city it is hard to find space for everything you want to do in your own backyard. Customize your backyard by creating functional spaces with LandCraft. Depending on your wants, needs, budget and size of backyard, we can get your exactly what you need in your own backyard oasis.

CREATE FUNCTIONALITY IN YOUR BACKYARD When living in the city it is hard to find space for everything you want to do in your own backyard. Customize your backyard by creating functional spaces with LandCraft. Depending on your wants, needs, budget and size of backyard, we can get your exactly what you need in your own backyard oasis.

Modern Wall Unit Logika LK12 by Spar Made in Italy Spar Arreda gets into contemporary homes with collections for everyday living. Logika by Spar is an italian modular wall unit line that could be an excellent design solution for any modern or contemporary styled interior, especially if the space is limited. This italian entertainment center will complement your home and the areas of your daily life, not only as an aesthetic, but also as a functional addition, featuring an abundance of storage space, both hidden and exposed. A fine design with a strong innovation creates new furnish solutions where charm of materials and their great choice joins the seduction of the forms: essential, clean and effective in defining modern lifestyles. The Logika Wall Unit Composition LK12 is shown in the next colors/finishes: Structure - Tobacco Oak finish; Front - Tobacco Oak finish, Beige Gloss lacquer. PLEASE NOTE: The Logika is a modular wall unit line offering a wide variety of units in different sizes. You can order this wall unit either as a complete composition, as shown in the main picture, or build your own composition according to your own dimensions and preferences. Please contact our office about details on the customization of this wall unit. MATERIAL/CONSTRUCTION: Structure: Made with particle board of wood, covered with E1 melamine finishes or high gloss lacquer Drawers: Made with panels of wood particles in E1-coated finish PVC beech. Metal runners with fine race to fall Glass: 4mm glass The starting price is for the Logika Wall Unit Composition LK12 as shown in the main picture. Dimensions: Wall Unit Composition: W118.2" x D22.8" x H77.6"

Example of a transitional dark wood floor family room design in San Francisco with white walls

This stunning master suite is part of a whole house design and renovation project by Haven Design and Construction. The master bath features a 22' cupola with a breathtaking shell chandelier, a freestanding tub, a gold and marble mosaic accent wall behind the tub, a curved walk in shower, his and hers vanities with a drop down seated vanity area for her, complete with hairdryer pullouts and a lucite vanity bench.

Michael J. Lee
Elegant kitchen photo in Boston with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and paneled appliances

A beautiful mix of natural stone is showcased in this Houston outdoor kitchen project by Outdoor Homescapes of Houston. A mix of stone is becoming more of a trend in backyard kitchens in Houston. Homeowners there use their outdoor living spaces year 'round for entertaining and want something personalized and unique to show their guests. This outdoor kitchen island features three different kinds of stone from three different quarries. The stone comes in three colors and shapes. The grey stone is ledgestone. It's flatter and thinner. The tasslestone is the beige, more squarish stone. And the flagstone - more of a flat slab normally used as pavers - is more brown. As you can see, the varying stones add texture and interest to outdoor living space plans. Together, the different stones comprise a palette called "Iron Bridge." The Level 3 Aphrodite granite countertop adds yet another beautiful natural stone to the mix. Natural stone doesn't need any maintenance. It's already been in the world for eons, and will continue to be. This Houston outdoor kitchen features a commercial-grade RCS stainless steel grill, sink and accompanying appliances. The grill is an RCS 30-inch Pro. The icemaker is UL-rated and the fridge has been updated with RCS' latest stainless steel handle and liner for better durability. The flooring is designer stamped concrete. Want your own outdoor living space, Houston? Contact us and get a FREE side burner and outdoor refrigerator of your own! You can call us at (713) 569-1341.

A beautiful mix of natural stone is showcased in this Houston outdoor kitchen project by Outdoor Homescapes of Houston. A mix of stone is becoming more of a trend in backyard kitchens in Houston. Homeowners there use their outdoor living spaces year 'round for entertaining and want something personalized and unique to show their guests. This outdoor kitchen island features three different kinds of stone from three different quarries. The stone comes in three colors and shapes. The grey stone is ledgestone. It's flatter and thinner. The tasslestone is the beige, more squarish stone. And the flagstone - more of a flat slab normally used as pavers - is more brown. As you can see, the varying stones add texture and interest to outdoor living space plans. Together, the different stones comprise a palette called "Iron Bridge." The Level 3 Aphrodite granite countertop adds yet another beautiful natural stone to the mix. Natural stone doesn't need any maintenance. It's already been in the world for eons, and will continue to be. This Houston outdoor kitchen features a commercial-grade RCS stainless steel grill, sink and accompanying appliances. The grill is an RCS 30-inch Pro. The icemaker is UL-rated and the fridge has been updated with RCS' latest stainless steel handle and liner for better durability. The flooring is designer stamped concrete. Want your own outdoor living space, Houston? Contact us and get a FREE side burner and outdoor refrigerator of your own! You can call us at (713) 569-1341.

A beautiful mix of natural stone is showcased in this Houston outdoor kitchen project by Outdoor Homescapes of Houston. A mix of stone is becoming more of a trend in backyard kitchens in Houston. Homeowners there use their outdoor living spaces year 'round for entertaining and want something personalized and unique to show their guests. This outdoor kitchen island features three different kinds of stone from three different quarries. The stone comes in three colors and shapes. The grey stone is ledgestone. It's flatter and thinner. The tasslestone is the beige, more squarish stone. And the flagstone - more of a flat slab normally used as pavers - is more brown. As you can see, the varying stones add texture and interest to outdoor living space plans. Together, the different stones comprise a palette called "Iron Bridge." The Level 3 Aphrodite granite countertop adds yet another beautiful natural stone to the mix. Natural stone doesn't need any maintenance. It's already been in the world for eons, and will continue to be. This Houston outdoor kitchen features a commercial-grade RCS stainless steel grill, sink and accompanying appliances. The grill is an RCS 30-inch Pro. The icemaker is UL-rated and the fridge has been updated with RCS' latest stainless steel handle and liner for better durability. The flooring is designer stamped concrete. Want your own outdoor living space, Houston? Contact us and get a FREE side burner and outdoor refrigerator of your own! You can call us at (713) 569-1341.

A beautiful mix of natural stone is showcased in this Houston outdoor kitchen project by Outdoor Homescapes of Houston. A mix of stone is becoming more of a trend in backyard kitchens in Houston. Homeowners there use their outdoor living spaces year 'round for entertaining and want something personalized and unique to show their guests. This outdoor kitchen island features three different kinds of stone from three different quarries. The stone comes in three colors and shapes. The grey stone is ledgestone. It's flatter and thinner. The tasslestone is the beige, more squarish stone. And the flagstone - more of a flat slab normally used as pavers - is more brown. As you can see, the varying stones add texture and interest to outdoor living space plans. Together, the different stones comprise a palette called "Iron Bridge." The Level 3 Aphrodite granite countertop adds yet another beautiful natural stone to the mix. Natural stone doesn't need any maintenance. It's already been in the world for eons, and will continue to be. This Houston outdoor kitchen features a commercial-grade RCS stainless steel grill, sink and accompanying appliances. The grill is an RCS 30-inch Pro. The icemaker is UL-rated and the fridge has been updated with RCS' latest stainless steel handle and liner for better durability. The flooring is designer stamped concrete. Want your own outdoor living space, Houston? Contact us and get a FREE side burner and outdoor refrigerator of your own! You can call us at (713) 569-1341.