This is an example of a large contemporary master bedroom in Las Vegas with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Inspiration for a large master bedroom in Albuquerque with white walls, slate floors, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.

Design ideas for a large transitional master bedroom in Orange County with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, vaulted and wood.

Gibeon Photography
Photo of a country bedroom in Other with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a tile fireplace surround, a ribbon fireplace and brown floor.

Design ideas for a large beach style master bedroom in New York with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and brown floor.

Photography: Paul Grdina
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional master bedroom in Vancouver with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

What could go possibly wrong? Nothing with Alair as their contractor. Some creativity was required to get these clients the overall feel of the home they wanted without breaking the budget. The end result proves you can still have a big impact on a small budget if you target key areas and spend wisely.

Photo of a large contemporary master bedroom in Los Angeles with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional master bedroom in Edmonton with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

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.

Bedroom | Custom home Studio of LS3P ASSOCIATES LTD. | Photo by Inspiro8 Studio.
Design ideas for a large contemporary guest bedroom in Other with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Photo: Julian Plimley
Inspiration for a large contemporary master bedroom in Vancouver with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Bedroom after picture
Mid-sized modern master bedroom in Calgary with white walls, carpet, a ribbon fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, brown floor, exposed beam and decorative wall panelling.

An updated master bedroom with a modern fireplace and a reading nook. Eric Roth Photography
Inspiration for a modern master bedroom in Boston with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, recessed and brown floor.

Mid-sized master bedroom in Kansas City with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.

Photo of a large country master bedroom in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, brown floor, vaulted and wood walls.

Master bedroom fireplace. Custom fireplace surround for this gas fireplace.
Design ideas for an expansive contemporary master bedroom in New York with medium hardwood floors, brown walls, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

This is an example of an expansive contemporary master bedroom in San Diego with a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, white walls and brown floor.

Large contemporary master bedroom in Phoenix with medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and brown floor.