Wade Weissmann Architecture, Photo: © David Bader
Farmhouse dining room photo in Milwaukee

Winner of the 2018 Tour of Homes Best Remodel, this whole house re-design of a 1963 Bennet & Johnson mid-century raised ranch home is a beautiful example of the magic we can weave through the application of more sustainable modern design principles to existing spaces. We worked closely with our client on extensive updates to create a modernized MCM gem. Extensive alterations include: - a completely redesigned floor plan to promote a more intuitive flow throughout - vaulted the ceilings over the great room to create an amazing entrance and feeling of inspired openness - redesigned entry and driveway to be more inviting and welcoming as well as to experientially set the mid-century modern stage - the removal of a visually disruptive load bearing central wall and chimney system that formerly partitioned the homes’ entry, dining, kitchen and living rooms from each other - added clerestory windows above the new kitchen to accentuate the new vaulted ceiling line and create a greater visual continuation of indoor to outdoor space - drastically increased the access to natural light by increasing window sizes and opening up the floor plan - placed natural wood elements throughout to provide a calming palette and cohesive Pacific Northwest feel - incorporated Universal Design principles to make the home Aging In Place ready with wide hallways and accessible spaces, including single-floor living if needed - moved and completely redesigned the stairway to work for the home’s occupants and be a part of the cohesive design aesthetic - mixed custom tile layouts with more traditional tiling to create fun and playful visual experiences - custom designed and sourced MCM specific elements such as the entry screen, cabinetry and lighting - development of the downstairs for potential future use by an assisted living caretaker - energy efficiency upgrades seamlessly woven in with much improved insulation, ductless mini splits and solar gain

Kitchen/dining room combo - mid-sized traditional u-shaped dark wood floor kitchen/dining room combo idea in Minneapolis with white cabinets, a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, stainless steel countertops, beige backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Photos by Erika Bierman www.erikabiermanphotography.com
Beach style light wood floor and beige floor great room photo in San Diego

Inspiration for a timeless dark wood floor and brown floor dining room remodel in New York with beige walls

Flooring is Reclaimed Wood From an 1890's grain mill, Beam are Posts from a 1900's Barn. Amazing Colorado Lodge Style Custom Built Home in Eagles Landing Neighborhood of Saint Augusta, Mn - Build by Werschay Homes. -James Gray Photography

Photographer: Isabelle Eubanks Interiors: Modern Organic Interiors, Architect: Simpson Design Group, Builder: Milne Design and Build
Example of a cottage light wood floor kitchen/dining room combo design in San Francisco with white walls

Gibeon Photography
Great room - contemporary concrete floor great room idea with a ribbon fireplace

Bernard Andre
Dining room - farmhouse medium tone wood floor dining room idea in San Francisco with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Example of a large trendy light wood floor great room design in San Francisco with white walls, a two-sided fireplace and a concrete fireplace

The Dining Room offsets the table into the bay windows to allow open circulation between the three main rooms. John Wilbanks Photography
Inspiration for a craftsman enclosed dining room remodel in Seattle

The Mazama house is located in the Methow Valley of Washington State, a secluded mountain valley on the eastern edge of the North Cascades, about 200 miles northeast of Seattle. The house has been carefully placed in a copse of trees at the easterly end of a large meadow. Two major building volumes indicate the house organization. A grounded 2-story bedroom wing anchors a raised living pavilion that is lifted off the ground by a series of exposed steel columns. Seen from the access road, the large meadow in front of the house continues right under the main living space, making the living pavilion into a kind of bridge structure spanning over the meadow grass, with the house touching the ground lightly on six steel columns. The raised floor level provides enhanced views as well as keeping the main living level well above the 3-4 feet of winter snow accumulation that is typical for the upper Methow Valley. To further emphasize the idea of lightness, the exposed wood structure of the living pavilion roof changes pitch along its length, so the roof warps upward at each end. The interior exposed wood beams appear like an unfolding fan as the roof pitch changes. The main interior bearing columns are steel with a tapered “V”-shape, recalling the lightness of a dancer. The house reflects the continuing FINNE investigation into the idea of crafted modernism, with cast bronze inserts at the front door, variegated laser-cut steel railing panels, a curvilinear cast-glass kitchen counter, waterjet-cut aluminum light fixtures, and many custom furniture pieces. The house interior has been designed to be completely integral with the exterior. The living pavilion contains more than twelve pieces of custom furniture and lighting, creating a totality of the designed environment that recalls the idea of Gesamtkunstverk, as seen in the work of Josef Hoffman and the Viennese Secessionist movement in the early 20th century. The house has been designed from the start as a sustainable structure, with 40% higher insulation values than required by code, radiant concrete slab heating, efficient natural ventilation, large amounts of natural lighting, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and locally sourced materials. Windows have high-performance LowE insulated glazing and are equipped with concealed shades. A radiant hydronic heat system with exposed concrete floors allows lower operating temperatures and higher occupant comfort levels. The concrete slabs conserve heat and provide great warmth and comfort for the feet. Deep roof overhangs, built-in shades and high operating clerestory windows are used to reduce heat gain in summer months. During the winter, the lower sun angle is able to penetrate into living spaces and passively warm the exposed concrete floor. Low VOC paints and stains have been used throughout the house. The high level of craft evident in the house reflects another key principle of sustainable design: build it well and make it last for many years! Photo by Benjamin Benschneider

Andrew Rugge/archphoto
Enclosed dining room - mid-sized transitional dark wood floor enclosed dining room idea in New York with gray walls and no fireplace

C.L. Fry Photo - www.clfryphoto.com
Great room - cottage great room idea in Austin

Dining room - transitional l-shaped dining room idea in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

TK Images
Example of a classic medium tone wood floor and brown floor great room design in Austin with beige walls

Small space living solutions are used throughout this contemporary 596 square foot tiny house. Adjustable height table in the entry area serves as both a coffee table for socializing and as a dining table for eating. Curved banquette is upholstered in outdoor fabric for durability and maximizes space with hidden storage underneath the seat. Kitchen island has a retractable countertop for additional seating while the living area conceals a work desk and media center behind sliding shoji screens. Calming tones of sand and deep ocean blue fill the tiny bedroom downstairs. Glowing bedside sconces utilize wall-mounting and swing arms to conserve bedside space and maximize flexibility.

CAST architecture
Great room - small contemporary concrete floor great room idea in Seattle

Colin Price Photography
Dining room - contemporary l-shaped dark wood floor dining room idea in San Francisco with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island and multicolored walls