Beautiful home with a living room that needed a lift. We kept the existing wall color and added a beautiful blue to accent the two recessed walls left and right of the fireplace. The existing sectional was replaced with an oversized 3-seater and a matching love seat for lots of room when guests are over. Couches have tufted backs, fabric is stain proofed. Adding side tables and side lamps balances the set-up. Room had a tendency to be dark, adding light furniture and installing recess lights on dimmers were a must to keep it light and airy, even on days when the sun is not out. The reclaimed nesting tables added a bit of rustic to the space and also function well when pulled apart for placing drinks etc. The rug was selected to tie in with the furniture and the accent walls. The Art work was picked by the client, it is just perfect for the space! The fireplace was outdated and received a new cover with stackstone and a new deep Mantel. The left side of the fireplace, recessed in, was perfect for the reclining chairs that invite to sit and read or can be pulled up to the main area for additional seating. The right side of the fireplace received a sideboard that added storage.

Beautiful home with a living room that needed a lift. We kept the existing wall color and added a beautiful blue to accent the two recessed walls left and right of the fireplace. The existing sectional was replaced with an oversized 3-seater and a matching love seat for lots of room when guests are over. Couches have tufted backs, fabric is stain proofed. Adding side tables and side lamps balances the set-up. Room had a tendency to be dark, adding light furniture and installing recess lights on dimmers were a must to keep it light and airy, even on days when the sun is not out. The reclaimed nesting tables added a bit of rustic to the space and also function well when pulled apart for placing drinks etc. The rug was selected to tie in with the furniture and the accent walls. The Art work was picked by the client, it is just perfect for the space! The fireplace was outdated and received a new cover with stackstone and a new deep Mantel. The left side of the fireplace, recessed in, was perfect for the reclining chairs that invite to sit and read or can be pulled up to the main area for additional seating. The right side of the fireplace received a sideboard that added storage.

This home was built in the late 60’s to early 70’s in the classic “Brady Bunch” Ranch Style Genre. The new space was designed for a young active family, complete with big dog, that likes to entertain and finds themselves in the kitchen more than any other room in the house. “Mom” has a professional culinary background and has cooking events in her kitchen from time to time. A prior remodel created an enclosed kitchen with angled walls protruding into the space. Our Design Objective was to open the space physically and visually in a clean contemporary style to create a more functional and inviting kitchen, Breakfast Area and drink bar that receives heavy daily use. Walls were removed and reconfigured to create an open space. A professional style 60" dual-fuel range and stainless steel hood are the focal point of the kitchen along the back wall. To the left are a 36” all refrigerator and freezer separated by a pantry with chalk board that displays daily schedules or meals. The drink bar sits across from the Breakfast area and features an under-counter beverage refrigerator, ice maker and under counter wine refrigerator. Designed by Micqui McGowen, CMKBD, RID

Michael Gotowala founder of THE HOME OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE. The BEST IN OUTDOOR KITCHENS by Michael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE.Outdoor Living Country Fabulous The difference between outdoor living and living outdoors fabulously begins with a fabulous design and ends with meticulous workmanship. This multi level outdoor Living country fabulous outdoor kitchen with lower level outdoor great room does just that. The towering stone outdoor kitchen island is seen protruding above the upper level deck with enough room for sit up surround amongst the large full slabs of granite counter. The L shaped outdoor kitchen is complete with a DCS 36" grill head, ALFRESCO power burner, TRUE BEVERAGE outdoor refrigerator, Trash pull all inline with BROWN JORDAN OUTDOOR CABINETRY. Opposite side on the Upper level is an outdoor bar with ALFRESCO Ice bin and beverage center along side a TRUE Wine Cooler. Connecting the sprawling Outdoor kitchen island to the Outdoor beverage center over looking the Pool is Mahogany Deck posts and Black Fiberglass rails allowing the landscape to appear as you see it in the pictures very surreal. Underneath the mahogany deck is a weather proof and waterproof system allowing the lower level to stand high and dry as a great space to live beyond the walls of your home outdoors. This Great outdoor space adorned with outdoor zero clearance fireplace, curved granite dining booth, Heat, lighting, and TV make this a great outdoor room to spend endless hours outdoors no matter what the weather throws at you, Day or night during any of the four seasons Connecticut deserves. This blending of Stone towers, stone columns and Mahogany accented Deck makes outdoor living look and entertain fabulously. To live beyond the walls of your own home fabulously you must feel fabulous about your space. If not, reconsider your design. Call us today at 1-855-GET OUTDOORS. For more great outdoor kitchen ideas go to www.OUTDOORKITCHENDESIGNER.com THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE

This home was built in the late 60’s to early 70’s in the classic “Brady Bunch” Ranch Style Genre. The new space was designed for a young active family, complete with big dog, that likes to entertain and finds themselves in the kitchen more than any other room in the house. “Mom” has a professional culinary background and has cooking events in her kitchen from time to time. A prior remodel created an enclosed kitchen with angled walls protruding into the space. Our Design Objective was to open the space physically and visually in a clean contemporary style to create a more functional and inviting kitchen, Breakfast Area and drink bar that receives heavy daily use. Walls were removed and reconfigured to create an open space. A professional style 60" dual-fuel range and stainless steel hood are the focal point of the kitchen along the back wall. To the left are a 36” all refrigerator and freezer separated by a pantry with chalk board that displays daily schedules or meals. The drink bar sits across from the Breakfast area and features an under-counter beverage refrigerator, ice maker and under counter wine refrigerator. Designed by Micqui McGowen, CMKBD, RID

True's 42" side-by-side is more than 24.44 cubic feet of stylish, stainless steel refrigeration. The True 42 is changing the way we think about luxury appliances. Clean, modern, and inspired by the artistry and work ethic of the best professional chefs, this full-sized refrigerator gives high-end residential kitchens the look, work space, and performance of the best professional kitchens around the world.

Materials Countertop: Soapstone Range Hood: Marble Cabinets: Vertical Grain White Oak Appliances Range: @subzeroandwolf Dishwasher: @mieleusa Fridge: @subzeroandwolf Water dispenser: @zipwaterus

Request Free Quote This amazing home features a backyard patio and pool area with a spectacular custom pool with many features including island which feature sitting areas and fire pit a spa as well as incredible slide which goes into the swimming pool. The pool measures roughly 2300 square feet, and has a deep end of 10'0". The spa is raised and has 12 therapy heads. There is LED colored lighting throughout the project. There is a 300 square foot zero depth beach entry into the pool with agitator jets to keep the water moving. There is also a sunshelf within the pool. The lazy river wraps around the sunken island, and the current in the lazy river is propelled by a commercial waterpark quality pumping system. The sunken island has lighting, a fire pit, and a bridge connecting it to the decking area. There is an infinity edge on one edge of the pool. The pool also has an in-floor cleaning system to keep it clean and sanitary. The swimming pool also has the ability to change colors at night utilizing the amazing LED lighting system. The pool and spa exposed aggregate finish is French Gray color. The slide that cascades down the grotto is custom built. The waterfall grotto also provide a thrilling jump off point into the deepest part of the pool. This amazing backyard was designed and built for a home in Bull Valley Illinois.

The large space works well everyday with seating at the middle island for kids and friends. When entertaining large groups, the second island becomes the hangout area for the bartenders to serve from.

This custom white aluminum pergola was designed to provide a high-end, maintenance-free shade solution for a contemporary poolside retreat. By using durable, weather-resistant aluminum, we created a sleek architectural feature that withstands the humidity of a pool environment without the warping or staining issues of traditional wood. The minimalist design seamlessly integrates with the home’s exterior, offering a perfect balance of open-air feeling and much-needed relief from the Texas sun. Whether you're lounging by the water or hosting a backyard gathering, this structure provides a permanent, stylish "outdoor room" that requires zero upkeep. Project Highlights: Material: Premium, powder-coated white aluminum for a clean, modern look. Location: Custom-fit poolside installation in the Greater Houston area. Benefit: 100% rust and rot-proof, specifically engineered for poolside longevity.

The clients came with a plan: buy a charming mid-century post and beam in one of North Vancouver's most desirable neighbourhoods and add onto it. It was a reasonable plan — until the site said otherwise. Careful investigation of the setbacks made clear that a practical addition simply wasn't possible within the regulatory envelope. Rather than deliver a compromised renovation, a better option was put on the table: build new. It was a bigger decision, but the right one. The new design honours the spirit of the original mid-century post and beam with a modern interpretation of the style — the clean lines, the honest structure, the relationship between inside and outside that defines the best homes of that era, updated for the way families live today. The case for building new only got stronger from there. A basement suite was incorporated into the design to generate rental revenue, offsetting the cost difference between renovating and rebuilding. The home is built to Net Zero ready standards — future-proofed against energy costs and built to last a lifetime rather than a generation. And the separate living space that serves as a rental suite today becomes something else entirely when the time comes: a comfortable, close, and dignified space for grandparents who need to be nearby. What started as a renovation became a home the family will never need to leave.

Jane Vorbrodt
Living room - 1960s living room idea in Vancouver with a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace

This game room kitchenette pairs utility with elevated design. The deep charcoal cabinetry with flat panel fronts adds a modern edge, softened by brushed brass hardware for a touch of warmth and contrast. Open wood shelves provide both function and visual balance, grounding the vertical space around the centered window. A single-basin undermount sink sits beneath a slim-profile quartz countertop, with a sleek gooseneck faucet in a brushed gold finish that ties into the cabinet pulls. Subtle millwork around the window and door frame adds clean architectural definition, while the wood-look flooring keeps the palette grounded and approachable—ready for snack breaks or post-game drinks.

Beautiful upper and lower deck with Trex Rain Escape under the upper level. A spiral staircase was used to maximize space and aesthetics. Composite deck flooring is TimberTech Earthwood Evolutions Legacy with a cable railing. Located in Gainesville, VA

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

Master Bedroom with Red Bed Frame and custom drapery and bedding.
Bedroom - traditional master light wood floor bedroom idea in Charlotte

This recent remodel was a full gut down to the stubs and sub floors. The biggest challenge in the space was creating a single room from 2 separate areas. The original galley kitchen and a 1980’s add-on breakfast room. The breakfast room was cold and had old mechanicals emphasizing the need for a continuous space. The existing kitchen area was small, cramped and did not fit the lifestyle of the homeowners. The homeowners wanted a hidden pantry for large and seasonal items as well as for food storage. I planned for a portion of the garage to be transformed to a full size, walk-in, hidden pantry that catered to the needs of the family. Three of the most important design features include the hidden pantry, “other room” storage such as the mudroom seat and window bench, as well as the eat-in counter. Other notable design elements include glass cabinets, under-cabinet lighting, a message center and built-in under the counter appliances. The coffee system is plumbed allowing for immediate hot coffee and specialty drinks at the touch of a button. Dimensions: 27’X12’ Cabinetry: KEMPER Flooring: MAPLE HARDWOOD with Radiant floor heat. Countertops/Vanity Tops: Quartzite/MARBLE (Donna Sandra) Sinks: BLANCO Faucets: DELTA with Touch2o-technology. Dishwasher: MIELE Cooktop/Range: WOLF Lighting: FEISS Refrigerator: SUB-ZERO Oven: WOLF Plumbing Supplies: DELTA POT FILLER Hardware: ATLAS

This recent remodel was a full gut down to the stubs and sub floors. The biggest challenge in the space was creating a single room from 2 separate areas. The original galley kitchen and a 1980’s add-on breakfast room. The breakfast room was cold and had old mechanicals emphasizing the need for a continuous space. The existing kitchen area was small, cramped and did not fit the lifestyle of the homeowners. The homeowners wanted a hidden pantry for large and seasonal items as well as for food storage. I planned for a portion of the garage to be transformed to a full size, walk-in, hidden pantry that catered to the needs of the family. Three of the most important design features include the hidden pantry, “other room” storage such as the mudroom seat and window bench, as well as the eat-in counter. Other notable design elements include glass cabinets, under-cabinet lighting, a message center and built-in under the counter appliances. The coffee system is plumbed allowing for immediate hot coffee and specialty drinks at the touch of a button. Dimensions: 27’X12’ Cabinetry: KEMPER Flooring: MAPLE HARDWOOD with Radiant floor heat. Countertops/Vanity Tops: Quartzite/MARBLE (Donna Sandra) Sinks: BLANCO Faucets: DELTA with Touch2o-technology. Dishwasher: MIELE Cooktop/Range: WOLF Lighting: FEISS Refrigerator: SUB-ZERO Oven: WOLF Plumbing Supplies: DELTA POT FILLER Hardware: ATLAS

This recent remodel was a full gut down to the stubs and sub floors. The biggest challenge in the space was creating a single room from 2 separate areas. The original galley kitchen and a 1980’s add-on breakfast room. The breakfast room was cold and had old mechanicals emphasizing the need for a continuous space. The existing kitchen area was small, cramped and did not fit the lifestyle of the homeowners. The homeowners wanted a hidden pantry for large and seasonal items as well as for food storage. I planned for a portion of the garage to be transformed to a full size, walk-in, hidden pantry that catered to the needs of the family. Three of the most important design features include the hidden pantry, “other room” storage such as the mudroom seat and window bench, as well as the eat-in counter. Other notable design elements include glass cabinets, under-cabinet lighting, a message center and built-in under the counter appliances. The coffee system is plumbed allowing for immediate hot coffee and specialty drinks at the touch of a button. Dimensions: 27’X12’ Cabinetry: KEMPER Flooring: MAPLE HARDWOOD with Radiant floor heat. Countertops/Vanity Tops: Quartzite/MARBLE (Donna Sandra) Sinks: BLANCO Faucets: DELTA with Touch2o-technology. Dishwasher: MIELE Cooktop/Range: WOLF Lighting: FEISS Refrigerator: SUB-ZERO Oven: WOLF Plumbing Supplies: DELTA POT FILLER Hardware: ATLAS