The architectural massing of the house has been wrapped around a south-facing courtyard containing a large reflecting pool with two “floating” basalt boulders. The reflecting pool gathers all the roof drainage from the house, with the downspout from the living room roof providing a 10-ft waterfall. The main living space has sweeping westerly views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. The east side of the living space is the courtyard with reflecting pool, providing a sense of intimacy and quiet in contrast to the dramatic views on the west side. Photos by Benjamin Benschneider

The new design expanded the footprint of the home to 1,271 square feet for the first level and 1,156 for the new second level. A new entry with a quarter turn stair leads you into the original living space. The old guest bedroom that was once accessed through the dining room is now connected to the front living space by pocket doors. The new open concept creates a continuous flow from the living space through the dining into the kitchen. The new bright, crisp kitchen features CaesarStone counters and white cabinets. New appliances and a large central island with seating is perfect for cooking and entertaining. Off the kitchen is a new family room and laundry. In addition, a hallway featuring a command center, craft closet and original bathroom, leads to the original guest bedroom, currently being used as an office. Up the stairs is a kid play area with built-in shelving, a new kid bathroom with double vanity, two extra bedrooms and a spacious master suite. Photo by Tre Dunham

Inspiration for a small modern white tile single-sink and exposed beam alcove bathtub remodel in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops, white countertops, a niche and a built-in vanity

Twin brother and sister buildings. The interconnected “twins” feature a greenhouse on the right hand side, used by the owner to cultivate his orchids and a conservatory on the left hand side, used to display and enjoy the results! The two buildings share most of the same architectural details but have differing roof designs. Photos: Tanglewood Conservatories, Inc.

This glamorous stairwell boasts an oversize helix-like Phasmida chandelier designed by Christopher Boots.
Staircase - large contemporary painted straight staircase idea in San Francisco with white walls and painted risers

Set in Montana's tranquil Shields River Valley, the Shilo Ranch Compound is a collection of structures that were specifically built on a relatively smaller scale, to maximize efficiency. The main house has two bedrooms, a living area, dining and kitchen, bath and adjacent greenhouse, while two guest homes within the compound can sleep a total of 12 friends and family. There's also a common gathering hall, for dinners, games, and time together. The overall feel here is of sophisticated simplicity, with plaster walls, concrete and wood floors, and weathered boards for exteriors. The placement of each building was considered closely when envisioning how people would move through the property, based on anticipated needs and interests. Sustainability and consumption was also taken into consideration, as evidenced by the photovoltaic panels on roof of the garage, and the capability to shut down any of the compound's buildings when not in use.

The original house was demolished to make way for a two-story house on the sloping lot, with an accessory dwelling unit below. The upper level of the house, at street level, has three bedrooms, a kitchen and living room. The “great room” opens onto an ocean-view deck through two large pocket doors. The master bedroom can look through the living room to the same view. The owners, acting as their own interior designers, incorporated lots of color with wallpaper accent walls in each bedroom, and brilliant tiles in the bathrooms, kitchen, and at the fireplace tiles in the bathrooms, kitchen, and at the fireplace. Architect: Thompson Naylor Architects Photographs: Jim Bartsch Photographer

Flavin Architects collaborated with Ben Wood Studio Shanghai on the design of this modern house overlooking a blueberry farm. A contemporary design that looks at home in a traditional New England landscape, this house features many environmentally sustainable features including passive solar heat and native landscaping. The house is clad in stucco and natural wood in clear and stained finishes and also features a double height dining room with a double-sided fireplace. Photo by: Nat Rea Photography

Staircase - large modern wooden curved metal railing staircase idea in Miami with painted risers

When the developer found this brownstone on the Upper Westside he immediately researched and found its potential for expansion. We were hired to maximize the existing brownstone and turn it from its current existence as 5 individual apartments into a large luxury single family home. The existing building was extended 16 feet into the rear yard and a new sixth story was added along with an occupied roof. The project was not a complete gut renovation, the character of the parlor floor was maintained, along with the original front facade, windows, shutters, and fireplaces throughout. A new solid oak stair was built from the garden floor to the roof in conjunction with a small supplemental passenger elevator directly adjacent to the staircase. The new brick rear facade features oversized windows; one special aspect of which is the folding window wall at the ground level that can be completely opened to the garden. The goal to keep the original character of the brownstone yet to update it with modern touches can be seen throughout the house. The large kitchen has Italian lacquer cabinetry with walnut and glass accents, white quartz counters and backsplash and a Calcutta gold arabesque mosaic accent wall. On the parlor floor a custom wetbar, large closet and powder room are housed in a new floor to ceiling wood paneled core. The master bathroom contains a large freestanding tub, a glass enclosed white marbled steam shower, and grey wood vanities accented by a white marble floral mosaic. The new forth floor front room is highlighted by a unique sloped skylight that offers wide skyline views. The house is topped off with a glass stair enclosure that contains an integrated window seat offering views of the roof and an intimate space to relax in the sun.

Spacecrafting Photography
Inspiration for a transitional exterior home remodel in Minneapolis

Mid-sized cottage white two-story wood exterior home photo in San Francisco

Warm farmhouse kitchen nestled in the suburbs has a welcoming feel, with soft repose gray cabinets, two islands for prepping and entertaining and warm wood contrasts.

Large trendy marble tile marble floor and white floor bathroom photo in Toronto with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, a drop-in sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

Inspiration for a rustic living room remodel in Seattle

Early Spring Container Garden With Hyacinth, Daffodil, Pansy, and Pussy Willow
Photo of a landscaping in Minneapolis for spring.

The organic shape of the surrounding trees contrasts the hard-lined form of the home. To the right, a photo studio is clad in pre-cast concrete. The large front door defines the central entry. To the left, the great room is screened by perforated metal. Heavy Metal is a contemporary take on the Miesian courtyard house, in a rural setting. In this instance, the courtyard is created as much by the landscaping and vegetation as it is by the architecture. Photography by Andrew Fabin

When presented with the overall layout of the kitchen, this dining space called out for more interest than just your standard table. We chose to make a statement with a custom three-sided seated banquette. Completed in early 2020, this family gathering space is complete with storage beneath and electrical charging stations on each end. Underneath three large window walls, our built-in banquette and custom table provide a comfortable, intimate dining nook for the family and a few guests while the stunning oversized chandelier ties in nicely with the other brass accents in the kitchen. The thin black window mullions offer a sharp, clean contrast to the crisp white walls and coordinate well with the dark banquette, sprayed to match the dark charcoal doors in the home. The finishing touch is our faux distressed leather cushions, topped with a variety of pillows in shapes and cozy fabrics. We love that this family hangs out here in every season!

Photo of a craftsman landscaping in San Francisco.