Photo by Jess Blackwell Photography
Transitional dark wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo in Denver with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Photography: Phillip Mueller Architect: Murphy & Co. Design Builder: Kyle Hunt
Example of a huge classic living room design in Minneapolis with beige walls and a standard fireplace

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

This kitchen features unique elements such as a brick barrel vault ceiling, large center island, iron chandelier and classic white stucco hood vent.
Inspiration for a mediterranean l-shaped kitchen remodel in Denver with distressed cabinets and stainless steel appliances

Elegant master bedroom with vaulted ceiling and sitting area
Bedroom - large transitional master carpeted bedroom idea in Cleveland with gray walls and no fireplace

Family room with vaulted ceiling, photo by Nancy Elizabeth Hill
Elegant light wood floor living room photo in New York with beige walls

Vaulted ceilings and shiplap walls create a powerful visual statement in this master bedroom, while a plush bench adds a pop of color and comfort to the room. We created a serene environment with the neutral colors, plush linens and personalized decor, so that at the end of the day, this space can serve as a retreat.

This homage to prairie style architecture located at The Rim Golf Club in Payson, Arizona was designed for owner/builder/landscaper Tom Beck. This home appears literally fastened to the site by way of both careful design as well as a lichen-loving organic material palatte. Forged from a weathering steel roof (aka Cor-Ten), hand-formed cedar beams, laser cut steel fasteners, and a rugged stacked stone veneer base, this home is the ideal northern Arizona getaway. Expansive covered terraces offer views of the Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish designed golf course, the largest stand of Ponderosa Pines in the US, as well as the majestic Mogollon Rim and Stewart Mountains, making this an ideal place to beat the heat of the Valley of the Sun. Designing a personal dwelling for a builder is always an honor for us. Thanks, Tom, for the opportunity to share your vision. Project Details | Northern Exposure, The Rim – Payson, AZ Architect: C.P. Drewett, AIA, NCARB, Drewett Works, Scottsdale, AZ Builder: Thomas Beck, LTD, Scottsdale, AZ Photographer: Dino Tonn, Scottsdale, AZ

Living room - large contemporary open concept light wood floor and exposed beam living room idea in Grand Rapids with white walls, a standard fireplace and a concrete fireplace

With a grand total of 1,247 square feet of living space, the Lincoln Deck House was designed to efficiently utilize every bit of its floor plan. This home features two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a two-car detached garage and boasts an impressive great room, whose soaring ceilings and walls of glass welcome the outside in to make the space feel one with nature.

Photos by Spacecrafting
This is an example of a transitional back porch design in Minneapolis with decking and a roof extension.

The key to this project was to create a kitchen fitting of a residence with strong Industrial aesthetics. The PB Kitchen Design team managed to preserve the warmth and organic feel of the home’s architecture. The sturdy materials used to enrich the integrity of the design, never take away from the fact that this space is meant for hospitality. Functionally, the kitchen works equally well for quick family meals or large gatherings. But take a closer look at the use of texture and height. The vaulted ceiling and exposed trusses bring an additional element of awe to this already stunning kitchen. Project specs: Cabinets by Quality Custom Cabinetry. 48" Wolf range. Sub Zero integrated refrigerator in stainless steel. Project Accolades: First Place honors in the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s 2014 Design Competition

The great room walls are filled with glass doors and transom windows, providing maximum natural light and views of the pond and the meadow. Photographer: Daniel Contelmo Jr.

Family room - contemporary family room idea in New York

Siesta Key Low Country great room and kitchen featuring custom cabinetry, exposed wood beams, vaulted ceilings, and patio area. This is a very well detailed custom home on a smaller scale, measuring only 3,000 sf under a/c. Every element of the home was designed by some of Sarasota's top architects, landscape architects and interior designers. One of the highlighted features are the true cypress timber beams that span the great room. These are not faux box beams but true timbers. Another awesome design feature is the outdoor living room boasting 20' pitched ceilings and a 37' tall chimney made of true boulders stacked over the course of 1 month.

Natural stone and reclaimed timber beams...
Mountain style living room photo in Minneapolis with a stone fireplace

Informal dining and living area in the Great Room with wood beams on vaulted ceiling Photography: Garett + Carrie Buell of Studiobuell/ studiobuell.com.

Andrew McKinney LED strip lighting is applied to the sides of cabinet behind the faceframe. This lights the entire cabinet and makes the cabinet glow.

The open concept of the kitchen and living room combined with a high vaulted ceiling give the space a bright, airy feel with an abundance of natural light.