Photography by Michael J. Lee
Mid-sized trendy dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen/dining room combo photo in Boston with gray walls

Mark Lohman
Elegant u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Elegant rooftop rooftop deck container garden photo in New York with an awning

Inspiration for a transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen remodel in Boston with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, beige backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and beige countertops

The addition of the kitchenette on the rooftop transformed the patio into a fully-functioning entertainment space. The retractable awning provides shade on the hottest days, or it can be opened up to party under the stars. Welcoming guests into their home is a way of life for the Novogratzes, and in turn was the primary focus of this renovation. "We like to have a lot people over on the day-to-day as well as holiday family gatherings and parties with our friends", Cortney explains. With both Robert and Cortney hailing from the South; Virginia and Georgia respectively, the couple have it in their blood to open their home those around them. "We always believe that the most important thing in your home is those you share it with", she says, "so we love to keep up our southern hospitality and are constantly welcoming guests into our home." Photo: Adrienne DeRosa Photography © 2014 Houzz Design: Cortney and Robert Novogratz

This space is perfect for entertaining! When the owners originally moved in, this deck was not here. There were several steps down from the kitchen door, and the stone slabs were a toe-stubbing minefield. We added the deck and designed it perfectly for entertaining. Since we had several large pine trees removed from the property, we increased sun exposure creating a need for more shade. We had this awning custom made by PJ Canvas in Santa Rosa, CA. The awning tucks neatly under the roof of the house during the rainy months.

Farshid Assassi
Inspiration for a contemporary wooden straight open staircase remodel in Cedar Rapids

Example of a large trendy backyard rectangular and stone pool design in Los Angeles

Mid-sized transitional enclosed light wood floor family room photo in New York with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Michael Stadler - Stadler Studio
Large urban open concept medium tone wood floor game room photo in Seattle with a wall-mounted tv and multicolored walls

Joshua Caldwell Photography
Inspiration for a timeless light wood floor great room remodel in Salt Lake City with white walls

As a builder of custom homes primarily on the Northshore of Chicago, Raugstad has been building custom homes, and homes on speculation for three generations. Our commitment is always to the client. From commencement of the project all the way through to completion and the finishing touches, we are right there with you – one hundred percent. As your go-to Northshore Chicago custom home builder, we are proud to put our name on every completed Raugstad home.

Inspiration for a large timeless light wood floor and brown floor sunroom remodel in Kansas City with a standard ceiling

ZeroEnergy Design (ZED) created this modern home for a progressive family in the desirable community of Lexington. Thoughtful Land Connection. The residence is carefully sited on the infill lot so as to create privacy from the road and neighbors, while cultivating a side yard that captures the southern sun. The terraced grade rises to meet the house, allowing for it to maintain a structured connection with the ground while also sitting above the high water table. The elevated outdoor living space maintains a strong connection with the indoor living space, while the stepped edge ties it back to the true ground plane. Siting and outdoor connections were completed by ZED in collaboration with landscape designer Soren Deniord Design Studio. Exterior Finishes and Solar. The exterior finish materials include a palette of shiplapped wood siding, through-colored fiber cement panels and stucco. A rooftop parapet hides the solar panels above, while a gutter and site drainage system directs rainwater into an irrigation cistern and dry wells that recharge the groundwater. Cooking, Dining, Living. Inside, the kitchen, fabricated by Henrybuilt, is located between the indoor and outdoor dining areas. The expansive south-facing sliding door opens to seamlessly connect the spaces, using a retractable awning to provide shade during the summer while still admitting the warming winter sun. The indoor living space continues from the dining areas across to the sunken living area, with a view that returns again to the outside through the corner wall of glass. Accessible Guest Suite. The design of the first level guest suite provides for both aging in place and guests who regularly visit for extended stays. The patio off the north side of the house affords guests their own private outdoor space, and privacy from the neighbor. Similarly, the second level master suite opens to an outdoor private roof deck. Light and Access. The wide open interior stair with a glass panel rail leads from the top level down to the well insulated basement. The design of the basement, used as an away/play space, addresses the need for both natural light and easy access. In addition to the open stairwell, light is admitted to the north side of the area with a high performance, Passive House (PHI) certified skylight, covering a six by sixteen foot area. On the south side, a unique roof hatch set flush with the deck opens to reveal a glass door at the base of the stairwell which provides additional light and access from the deck above down to the play space. Energy. Energy consumption is reduced by the high performance building envelope, high efficiency mechanical systems, and then offset with renewable energy. All windows and doors are made of high performance triple paned glass with thermally broken aluminum frames. The exterior wall assembly employs dense pack cellulose in the stud cavity, a continuous air barrier, and four inches exterior rigid foam insulation. The 10kW rooftop solar electric system provides clean energy production. The final air leakage testing yielded 0.6 ACH 50 - an extremely air tight house, a testament to the well-designed details, progress testing and quality construction. When compared to a new house built to code requirements, this home consumes only 19% of the energy. Architecture & Energy Consulting: ZeroEnergy Design Landscape Design: Soren Deniord Design Paintings: Bernd Haussmann Studio Photos: Eric Roth Photography

Featuring a classic H-shaped plan and minimalist details, the Winston was designed with the modern family in mind. This home carefully balances a sleek and uniform façade with more contemporary elements. This balance is noticed best when looking at the home on axis with the front or rear doors. Simple lap siding serve as a backdrop to the careful arrangement of windows and outdoor spaces. Stepping through a pair of natural wood entry doors gives way to sweeping vistas through the living and dining rooms. Anchoring the left side of the main level, and on axis with the living room, is a large white kitchen island and tiled range surround. To the right, and behind the living rooms sleek fireplace, is a vertical corridor that grants access to the upper level bedrooms, main level master suite, and lower level spaces. Serving as backdrop to this vertical corridor is a floor to ceiling glass display room for a sizeable wine collection. Set three steps down from the living room and through an articulating glass wall, the screened porch is enclosed by a retractable screen system that allows the room to be heated during cold nights. In all rooms, preferential treatment is given to maximize exposure to the rear yard, making this a perfect lakefront home.

Country concrete patio photo in Denver with a gazebo

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.

This contemporary kitchen is designed for accessibility and ease of use for everyone in the family, including the mother who uses an electric wheelchair. It won 4 National First Place awards and an Honorable Mention for Universal Design and Aging in Place. Photographer - Brian Vogel

Picture perfect Outdoor Living Space for the family to enjoy and even for the perfect date night under the stars! 100' perimeter geometric style pool & spa combo in Sugar Land. Key features of the project: - Centered and slightly raised geometric style spa - Travertine ledger stone and coping throughout the pool & raised wall feature - "California Smoke" Comfort Decking around the pool and under the pergola - 15' wide tanning ledge that is incorporated into the pool steps - Two large fire bowls - 10 x 16 Pergola with polycarbonate clear cover - Artificial turf borders most the pool area in - Plaster color: Marquis Saphire #HotTubs #SwimSpas #CustomPools #HoustonPoolBuilder #Top50Builder #Top50Service #Outdoorkitchens #Outdoorliving